Great story Gary! The start of my story is one that will sound very familiar, my mother, my father and my wallet wouldn't allow me to own a motorcycle initially in my early years. Then marriage and kids continued to proceed leaving these dreams inside the magazines I bought every month. I knew everything there was to know about motorcycles for decades, yet I hadn't thrown a leg over one until I reached the tender age of 45.
My partner and I got into a disagreement one weekend in March of 2017 (not over motorcycles by the way). She's a lovely lady, my advocate, and we are still together, 12 years strong. Anyway, I can't remember what it was about but it seemed pretty serious at the time. I was invited to go out with friends to take my mind off things, but decided to stay home.
Since I was "single" I had nothing on my agenda the following week, but had a lot on my mind. My friends (and their wives/girlfriends) were not going to continue taking no for an answer, so I needed something to do to get away from everyone including my own morass. After an earlier divorce and now what seemed like the end of a nice relationship, I remembered the lyrics to a favorite Prince song of mine; "You need another lover like you need a hole in your head, baby, baby.."
I lived very close to Gavilan College in Gilroy at the time and would always see the Motorcycle Safety Training taking place on the weekends. I signed up! It seemed like a better idea, a great idea, it was proactive and positive. It was an adventure. I bought my helmet the Wednesday I signed up. Aced the class. Headed to the DMV and took the written before the ink was dry on my certificate. I had my M1! I loved Cafe Racers so my 1st bike was a Yamaha XSR900. Wow, it was a lot of bike, but I managed her well and rode often.
My girlfriend and I made up a couple of weeks later and are still together, but alas I sold the XSR this summer. She was snatched up immediately, and I was very happy about that. My 1st bike treated me well, and I returned the love. I have 3 other motorcycles covering different disciplines now, but will always remember that bike fondly:-)
A CB750?! WHAT?!
Great story Gary! The start of my story is one that will sound very familiar, my mother, my father and my wallet wouldn't allow me to own a motorcycle initially in my early years. Then marriage and kids continued to proceed leaving these dreams inside the magazines I bought every month. I knew everything there was to know about motorcycles for decades, yet I hadn't thrown a leg over one until I reached the tender age of 45.
My partner and I got into a disagreement one weekend in March of 2017 (not over motorcycles by the way). She's a lovely lady, my advocate, and we are still together, 12 years strong. Anyway, I can't remember what it was about but it seemed pretty serious at the time. I was invited to go out with friends to take my mind off things, but decided to stay home.
Since I was "single" I had nothing on my agenda the following week, but had a lot on my mind. My friends (and their wives/girlfriends) were not going to continue taking no for an answer, so I needed something to do to get away from everyone including my own morass. After an earlier divorce and now what seemed like the end of a nice relationship, I remembered the lyrics to a favorite Prince song of mine; "You need another lover like you need a hole in your head, baby, baby.."
I lived very close to Gavilan College in Gilroy at the time and would always see the Motorcycle Safety Training taking place on the weekends. I signed up! It seemed like a better idea, a great idea, it was proactive and positive. It was an adventure. I bought my helmet the Wednesday I signed up. Aced the class. Headed to the DMV and took the written before the ink was dry on my certificate. I had my M1! I loved Cafe Racers so my 1st bike was a Yamaha XSR900. Wow, it was a lot of bike, but I managed her well and rode often.
My girlfriend and I made up a couple of weeks later and are still together, but alas I sold the XSR this summer. She was snatched up immediately, and I was very happy about that. My 1st bike treated me well, and I returned the love. I have 3 other motorcycles covering different disciplines now, but will always remember that bike fondly:-)