On the Macho Motorcyclist

By Jesús Manuel Mena Garza

Moto Foto Adventurer

I love motorcycles and photography. I get a visceral response to each endeavor. Both "loves" are filled with fanatics. They profess that their camera or bike is the absolute best – no question. Such is life in the First World. 

American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson (Aka: Hog) is known for their cruiser bikes. They have a following around the world. Their riders and their bikes seem to be getting fatter and larger. All the while, Asian and European companies are still focused on middleweight or smaller bikes. If you were in Tokyo, London, Lagos or Santiago, a smaller more efficient bike would be the norm.

In the developed world, bikers can be quite obsessive about their bikes and appearance (costumes). While on a motorcycle, many otherwise sensible adults are transformed by leather and badging into road warriors or miscreants. Let me use me as an example. 

Black is bad

My retro-middleweight Triumph Bonneville SE (Bonny) is all black not pink or pale blue. Like many bikers, I have created a dark persona. I wear a black Dainese jacket (sinister demon logo included), black boots, helmet and gloves. Even my backpack is black. 

I only wear bright colors at night. That is when I put on a reflective vest. I don't want to be killed by texting teens in their parent's massive SUV. Yes, I have seen plenty of that ilk in Fort Worth, Texas.

Bigger is better?

You hear the term bad ass a lot when you ride a cool motorcycle. I often get a thumbs up, a nod of approval and plenty of positive comments. But not from Harley-Davidson riders (my brothers ride Hogs). They see my middleweight bike and invariably frown. I hear disparaging remarks like "cute" bike. On the "cool" pecking order, Harley riders feel that they reign supreme.

Click photo to enlarge (photo courtesy of Harley-Davidson)

Like Harley riders, American motorcycle magazines are quite macho too. They categorize some bikes as beginner and women's bikes. Even though I have seen diminutive adults ride big bikes. According to these snobs, everyone is supposed to ride a big or fast bike.

Again, I love my 2012 Triumph Bonneville SE. It's great for short jaunts around town but definitely not the best choice for extended rides. After three hours my hands and butt are quite numb. Riding my Bonny can be quite the ordeal. 

There has to be a better way

My next bike will be designed for the long haul, but sized right (for me). I could buy a Hog or a clone, but they typically weigh about 750 pounds. I just don't feel comfortable on a ponderous bike. 

I have been on steep inclines that have quickly turned into dead ends. While making a u-turn I have almost dropped my bike. Because I was riding my Bonny I just put one leg down and avoided incurring any damage to me (I don't heal as quickly from broken bones and torn flesh like I used to) or the bike. You really can't do that on a Hog. Yes, I know some experts can make their Harleys perform amazing tricks, but this old dude can't. 

I'm not in the market for Harley, Haybusa or Panigale, but considering the following bikes for interstate touring. The BMW F800GT (798 cc) and the Honda N700X (670 cc). Both have options that include saddlebags and the latest technology. My retro bike is just that. Retro. It doesn't have much tech. 

Yes, there are other great middleweight tourers out there

These two bikes are called entry-level by the motorcycle press. These writers claim you need at least 1,000 cc's to be road worthy. That is the prevailing American attitude. I call it the big-fat American way.

Click photos to enlarge (photos courtesy of Honda and BMW)

What do I like about the motorbikes? Well, both are agile and easy to maintain. They offer Anti-lock braking system (ABS) and weigh under 500 pounds. Svelte indeed. They are designed to be ridden for long distances and have class-leading gas mileage.

Ouch!

After getting abused by my Bonny during several long trips, I really appreciate a bit of comfort. Both bikes offer soft seats and good (not great) suspension. While touring, this is an important consideration. I am also intrigued by Honda's Automatic Dual Clutch transmission or DCT. Anything to make cruising simple.

  

Both BMW and Honda make expensive large long-haul cruisers. The Honda Gold Wing is a yacht on two wheels and the BMW K 1600 GTL is a technological marvel. Both are great bikes, but again, not for me.

It pains me to say

In a couple of weeks I will be riding from Fort Worth to Las Vegas, New Mexico. A 600 mile journey. Because I still ride a Triumph Bonneville, I will break up the trip into 200 mile chunks. Resting my weary bones in both Abilene and Lubbock.

If I had the cash I would upgrade today. I could make the trip with only one stop. Feeling less aches and pain, I may never get off the interstate. Oh, by the way, I take a lot of pictures while on the road. I have been an exhibiting photographer for more than 40 years. I describe myself as a "Moto Photo Adventurer." Fabulous.

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Lowriders riding high in St Albans (Australia)

BY PAULA MAUD

EAST LA street style meets western suburbs attitude at a new lowrider specialty bike business, Saint Side, in St Albans.

Saint Side’s main man, manager Mark Gale, got a taste for bike restoration when he took possession of his brother’s original long-frame dragster in the mid-1990s.

Over several years the bike received annual makeovers courtesy of Mr Gale.

One year it would be transformed as a lowrider-like “Chicano-style” ride, the next it would be reborn, all glitter paintwork and stickers in “the original Dragster look”.

Pretty soon Mr Gale was working with friends and helping to restore their dragsters and lowriders.

“At that stage we were just picking up spares,” the 28-year-old said.

His grandmother’s former dressmaking shop in a small backstreet in St Albans became headquarters. And with the help of an elite team of friends and associates, skilled engineers and spraypainters, Mr Gale is now taking orders for custom-built bikes.

Even his gran is getting into the picture, helping out with sewing on the custom-trim seats.

“We’re still on lookout for old parts but have our own suppliers that have a lot of new products,” Mr Gale said.

At a first anniversary celebration on Boxing Day, customers and friends brought their immaculately buffed bikes around for an impromptu display.

Chrome, shaped and twisted like rope or chain, featured prominently. Some bikes were decked out with a swag of accessories including a spare wheel on the back - “continental kits” - more decorative than functional, Mr Gale explained.

A basic lowrider can start from $300 but Mr Gale said some diehards spent thousands on their bikes.

Enthusiastic owners include hot rod owners, those reliving memories, to classic car fans.

“Some match their bikes to their cars as a theme,” Mr Gale said.

He said the design of the bikes had universal appeal.

“They’re like a classic car. I haven’t had anyone who hasn’t appreciated the shape of the lowriders or dragsters.”

While the main energy at the store stems from the creation of sharp and sassy bikes, Mr Gale said the business now stocked a variety of local and imported streetwear, vintage gear and accessories.

Collaborating with other local creatives, Saint Side is also a hub offering graphic design, photography and video production services.

“What we were trying to do here is offer a place where like-minded people could come, spend a bit of time, meet the crew, check out what’s new, talk bikes or sports or sneakers, play a video game, and go home with some gear - as opposed to clicking the mouse button a few times and buying on the internet, or having to drive up to an hour to get into the city, pay for parking etc.”

The store is open Saturdays and Sundays between 2-6pm. Business outside those hours is strictly by appointment.

For details, contact the guys at shop@saintside.com or go to saintside.com

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