Turning others onto bikes

[Motu]

Have you influenced anyone into taking up motorcycling - knowingly,or unknowingly? Today I had a visit from a friend I haven't seen for awhile,I was I think a big influence in his riding,as others were to me.

In one of my periodic cleanouts I took some books to our community library - amoungst them was that weekly encyclopedia of motorcycling,forget what it was called.As it was not suitable for the library,the librarian took them home for her teenage (about 13 or 14yr) son.He devoured these magazines,just about memorised the whole lot,he was a huge motorcycle fan,and never riden a bike....although he had been to the Isle of Man with his father.On leaving school he got a job and started saving for a bike.

One day riding off road we see him parked out side the fence on a brand new TT250,it took a lot of talking him around,but we finaly got him in and riding his off road bike off road - he had never done it before.Soon we had him out at every oppurtunity and he became my biggest rival on the dirt track.Through my interest and knowledge of British bikes he got himself a Triumph Tiger 100C,and from my interst in trials a Montesa 200 - so now we rode together off road,helping layout and ride in the sort of endurocross events I held,rode against me at the dirt track,we went out together on our trials bikes,layed out sections and played trials,we also rode together on the road,me on the XS1 and he on his Daytona.His teens and early 20s were all about bikes - I reckon he had a pretty good time.

Seeing him today with his wife and 2yr old daughter brought back memories for both of us I'm sure,showing his daughter pictures of Daddy on bikes that I had.He still has the TT and the Montesa,but hasn't ridden for a few years - We may get to ride together again yet...I'm keen!

I am 20yrs his senior,but the love of riding bikes spans any age barriers - I have never felt old,or superior with other newer riders...that smile when they stop after a ride,eyes sparkling,says it all.

[Milky]

Sure i have got ppl interested, being one of only three motorcyclists (that i knew of) during my time at school, along with Kwaka Kid for a while many ppl have asked for acvice on learning, or for a ride on th bike to get them interested... i am sure that two smoker wouldn't have started motorcycling as recently as he did if my family hadnt been motorcyclists - we have known each other for years
The economy of motorcycling into Uni means freinds are interested in starting - not necessarily immediately, but i think that in time they may begin themselves

[Jackrat]

Hahahaha,My father in law hated me on sight because I was/am a motorcyclist.Now both his sons are as well.I like to think I had a hand in that.

[Zed]

I try and discourage people I know from learning to ride motorcycles...it's just too dangerous out there on the roads nowadays. However, if one of them approached me and was adamant to learn then I would give them my undivided attention & help!

We humans tend to talk about the things we love the most- with motorcycling sometimes it rubs off onto others who want to be as passionate about it as we are, so they start riding.


Zed

[Antallica]

I was sucked in.....

Rock on!

[moko]

A mate told me he was interested in getting a bike and could he jump on the back of mine to see what it was like.Being 17 and stupid I took a sharp corner leaned right over at some stupid speed while entering the high street on my CB200,dug in and spat us both off,we bounced down the road,ended up bloody and bruised,while the bike stopped just short of a showroom window.As I studied the holes in my jeans where the knees used to be(years before Kurt Cobain)and wondered when I`d stop bleeding,he limped up and said"thanks for showing me how it`s done".2 weeks later he`d bought a B.S.A.and rode bikes for years,still trying to figure out the logic there.

[Oscar]

Yeah, there was this one guy...thought he was an adventure rider.
We took him on a real adventure ride, but he screamed like a gurl....



....can't please everyone I suppose.








Going to Pukemanu, Motu?

[Motu]

That's the plan,the bikes ready,the rebuilt engine fell into the Pajero yesterday,the trailer has a new axle,but is sitting at the wrong height - we should be all go.Things out of my control hopefully will stay in order.

So,is the Dommi going - doing the Safri as well?????

[Oscar]

That's the plan,the bikes ready,the rebuilt engine fell into the Pajero yesterday,the trailer has a new axle,but is sitting at the wrong height - we should be all go.Things out of my control hopefully will stay in order.

So,is the Dommi going - doing the Safri as well?????

Yeah, I'm gonna take the Domi to Pukemanu.
Too busy to even think about the Safari, when is it?

[merv]

Motu I have been a complete failure in this department. While me and my two brothers were, and two of us still are, avid bikers, I have not even managed to get my son riding.

Spot you at Pukemanu.

[Sharkey]

CK suckered me in. But it didn't really require much persuasion.

[duckman]

I think I helped to convince my g/f to give riding a go.

She now owns a 1997 Suzuki TU250.

[Motoracer]

My brother got me into it and a few others I think. I got at least one of my mates into it I think.

[DEATH_INC.]

Yep been responsible for a couple.....My brother,my old neighbor,one of my best mates,and my flatmate to name a few......

[Motu]

So we've helped others get into bikes,that's good - but what interests me is what we do without knowing....I had no idea that cleaning out my bookshelves would result in giving a boy I didn't know an interest in bikes,or that a few years later we would meet and become friends.Have I inspired others? or traumertised them for life - I don't know,but hope I have given the incentive to give it a try.

As a 16yr old going to work on my BSA Bantam I would stop at an intersection and see an old guy blasting down the centre line on an old Royal Enfield,no helmet,white hair flying,a blanket across his legs...in winter he wore welding gloves and safety goggles.If I was ahead of him he would pass me and sometimes acknowledge my excistance - WOW! I always wondered who he was - he had such presence on a bike,you knew he was there,the cars just parted in front of him,he was an inspiration for me.

A few years later I'm a friend of his son and spend many hours at their house,the old man is part of my life now...grumpy old sod,at 3am he says''stop bumping the table and make me a coffee,I'll have your magneto finished sooner if you don't interupt'' pushing back mags,pistons,clutches and radio parts to put a plate down.I was to go for rides with him...and ultimatly his last ride.

Who's watching as you ride...don't let it inflate your ego,but you may change someone life.....