On Sunday I officially received a Class “M” endorsement, meaning I am fully licensed to operate a motorcycle. I received it after completing a skills test at the end of a four day, 15 hour, motorcycle safety course offered (for free) by the state of PA. I was capable of riding before I started the course thanks to the Larry Armstrong School of Badassery, but the course was extremely valuable and well worth it. I feel much more confident and comfortable on my bike now than I did last week, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in biking.
It feels odd, being a motorcycle operator. It’s one of the earliest things I can remember really wanting to do at some point in my life (I think it manifested around the same time I would have answered “dump truck driver” if you asked what I wanted to be when I grew up). My dream of being a dump truck driver faded, but my dream of owning and riding a motorcycle never really left. It came and went, sometimes it was strong, and sometimes I barely thought about it.
In the beginning of 2009 it came back with a vengeance though. I started really looking and researching different bikes. I was on ebay once or twice a week looking at what bikes were there. I even put in a few bids on bikes. I wasn’t really serious though. The bids I entered were usually lower than the reserve; I knew I would never win the bike. It was like a dress rehearsal, just getting my feet wet, risk free. Finally the time was right, I had the cash, the bike was there, the bid was right, and I won. I bought a motorcycle.
Owning and operating a bike is a really interesting life experience. It’s made me realize a lot about cars. Cars are amazing. They are quiet, easy, comfortable, warm when they should be, cool when they should be, safe, and mind jarringly boring. In fact, they are so easy, and we are so good at using them, they give the operator the chance to do a magnitude of other things. When I am riding my motorcycle the only thing in the world I can do is ride my motorcycle. It’s a hard concept to grasp these days, but it’s a valuable one.
I’ve only been riding for maybe 2 months and have learned so much already. I’m looking forward to the road ahead.
Without further ado, my 1992 Honda CB 750 Nighthawk:
1992 Honda CB 750 Nighthawk (photo by Ja West)