Believe it or not, but I still remember that day of 1994. Well not exactly the precise day and not what happened during that day, but I remember this charity event I went to with my small bike.
To give a bit of background, young d*ckheads (sorry: motorcycle enthousiasts) are allowed in Switzerland, to give small motorcycles of 50cc, between 16 and 18 years old. That was at least my case in 1993 when I reached 16yo. Why this nickname for young drivers? Well, driving on the road on a motorcycle with a top speed of 40 Km/h (26 mph) is revealing some suicidal tendancies when a truck overtakes you...
So, back to this charity event. There was the local Goldwing club offering, for a small amount of money, to have a bike ride. I was feeling like a backpacker invited to stay at the Hilton. And by saying Hilton, I mean it: a bike with two real seats, stereo, cold/warm ventilation, adjustable suspension. I didn't find the swimming pool but that was a question of time, the ride didn't last long enough to find it and have a swim.
And I can tell you I had the ride of my life! The bike was litteraly floating on the road, no noise, music (not really music, I think it was country-music-noise. Let's be clear: this year Pearl Jam released the album "Vitalogy", so allow me to say that everything else is just noise). The ride didn't last more than 15 minutes, but I knew I had to have this bike on day!
But you know Goldwings: once you are reaching 50-60 years old, you can buy one. You are "entitled" to get one as you are old. So I started my journey: at 18 years old I got an Aprilia Red Rose (125 cc), the italian Harley Davidson.
Then at 22 it was time to be serious, I got a Suzuki GSXR 1100. The 1986 model, with some serious tuning on it.
It is not clear how I survived this bike, but luckily I then bought a Triumph Daytona 1200. Best bike in the world ever. I'm pretty sure the bike was telling me each time I was riding it "if you have balls today, we will go fast".
At this point in my life, something happened. I got married and I had some gentle reminders that it would not be a wise idea to die in a bike crash. Women are smarter than men, that is a fact. Staying alive was, and is still a smart idea. So I sold my Triumph and picked up something safer, with ABS, braking assistance and some cool stuff related to suspension.
Yes Laides and Gentlemen, german engineering! Solid, stable, bloody powerful, almost comfortable and no single issue during the time I had it. A bike that starts by telling you that the ABS is ok, with a stable idle and an electric windscreen. All of that in one single bike. Except that.... it was slightly boring... if you ride your bike to go to work or to travel far, this is the bike you need to buy. You'll be anywhere on time, safe and sound. But if, like me, you like having your hands in the bike, trying to do yourself the regular maintenance, then this bike is not for you.
This is the time I got hit by 1994 and Pearl Jam (you remember?). The BMW was a touring bike and the "door was open" for something else, still with touring capabilities. But I wasn't eligible for a Goldwing as I wasn't even 40 years old. I decided to sell the BMW, considering that it would take a few months and I would use this time to think twice about the Goldwing. Except that 2 weeks later, a cool dude came to buy the bike... et voilà !
You know how life can be empty when you have a helmet but no bike. So I started hunting for a Goldwing (big, slow, safe - good choice - according to my wife) that I found not far away from my home. The guy was not riding it a lot and the overall condition was "so so". How cool was that! More than a bike, I had a restauration project waiting for me.
I guess - this is only a guess because I've stopped counting - that I spend the price of the bike in spare parts over the last five years. I started this new adventure with minor adaptation like a new windscreen, new tyres or a new saddle. Just to replace what was damaged. Winter came and as I wasn't happy with the electrical components, I decided to have a look at the entire wiring and made it almost new. Then came the engine during the following winter: clutch, carburetors, timing belt. Then brakes, suspension.
Where am I today? Well, the Goldwing is still here. Engine is running well, and the biking is handling as it does (it is still the Hilton hotel that you are trying to move). Of course there are 1800 Goldwing, old and new generation. Of course they have fuel injection and ABS. Of course even traction control is here. But I know my bike, I know the sound it makes, and the noise it should not make. I can reach the carburetor (carbureTTor in the UK) in about one hour. Handling is better with other bikes, brakes as well. I still have to justify when people say "goldwing? ah the christmas tree!", even if my bike is nothing but a Christmas tree.
I guess, as a conclusion, that sometimes you find something that fits you. It doesn't mean it's perfect nor it is the best in class. But so are we: totally imperfect but absolutely unique.
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