|
 Perfection
over
passion?
From the small office in the back corner,
near the water cooler
March 12th, 2007
Although
this editorial may at first feel the furthest from
motorcycles and the people who love to ride them, I’d ask
for indulgence and patience while we go around the houses
eventually getting to the point. Besides, it’s a nice
neighborhood, picturesque and none of the residents ever
complain about loud pipes.
No, you
can’t move in because I live there and certainly don’t want
any of those damned bikers bringing down the property
values. I digress during my digression.
Call me
hip, happening and on the cutting edge of technology (long
nickname I know, but certainly unique) I recently joined the
ranks of the wireless users who can rock out to MP3’s on
their cellphone. Comparatively speaking there aren't a lot
of songs stored on my phone, just below six hundred I
believe, but the range is pretty extreme. From Dean Martin
and Nina Simone all the way too Hinder, Aerosmith and of
course Tom Petty.
 It
was while I was rocking out to ‘American Girl’ and
coincidently mulling over the recent elimination round of
American Idol when a revelation dawned on me. We as a
society seem too quick to let perfection take the fun out of
everything. Now I could use a lot of comparisons to
demonstrate the point, but it’s always most enjoyable using
the instance that brought on the moment of clarity.
So how
does a skinny blonde rocker from Gainsville Florida (Mr. Tom
Petty) bring on this kind realization and what the heck does
it have to do with motorcycles?
We’re
getting there I promise.
American
Girl is one of those fun, high-energy songs best played when
the crowd is well and truly into a few drinks, not only will
everyone sing along with what words they think they know,
but the dance floor is instantly packed. Regardless of age
or music preference, you’d be hard to find a person in the
United States who doesn’t know the song, so it’s safe to say
that Tom Petty was a success. As I warbled along with Mr.
Petty and his Heartbreakers I realized for as many records
as he’s sold, Tom would be one of the first people voted off
American Idol. And that’s if he even made it to Hollywood. I
could see it now.
 Randy,
“I like that you’re passionate about music dawg, but I just
don’t feel the power in your voice.”
Simon,
“Well this is American Idol isn’t it? I mean you look like
need a few meals and let’s be honest you don’t have the
look, do you?”
Even the
other legends of rock; John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Mick
Jagger, Cat Stevens, Sting. They would all have problems
winning American Idol. None of them are strong singers, but
every one are either amazingly talented or have an awesome
stage presence, neither of which can be properly judged on
American Idol. Note for note, the contestants who do make it
through the reality TV maze called American Idol are all
good if not amazing singers.
This
compares applies to modern day riding more than some bikers
would like.
Motorcycles have never looked better, perform exceptionally
in any category you could try to mention and the range of
choice has us all spoiled and torn. In the years of yore, a
complete as you could carry tool kit was mandatory along
with a working knowledge of your ride. Ask the modern rider
to pick out different mechanical parts on their bike and
wait for the silence.
And what about
the passion, is it still
there? Are the guys on their $100,000 custom chopper riding
for the open road or other shallow reasons? Are motorcycles
parked in garages, backyards and driveways around the country
because so many people love to ride? Or was owning a bike a craze
that went around the office six months ago?
Sure, its
great that motorcycle sales continue to break records and
unlike a lot of bikers I see a swell in the ranks as a good
thing. But as cantankerous as that rusty old biker who
insists on still riding his kick start classic may seem, he
could have a strong point. Maybe some riders get interested
in riding for the wrong reasons?
Manufacturers are making rides smoother, fuel injection
allows engine to run nearly flawlessly and improvements in
technology keep them going without much maintenance. Part of
the ride is being able to feel the road beneath your wheels,
learn the idiosyncrasies of your engine, ride your
motorcycle better than anyone else because you know it so
well.
Are all these
being lost with modern motorcycle engineering, and is that a bad
thing?
I've never
designed anything other than a good lie after a night out with the
guys, but I'm pretty sure motorcycles can be ridden a little further
than the local watering hole.
On a
different tack, as much as protective gear is an absolute
necessity, shouldn‘t we be bikers and not human billboards
for popular brands? As much as anyone can appreciate loyalty
and enthusiasm for a company or their logo, a look the
mirror before a ride should tell a biker whether the clothes
are paying respect or to charge for advertising space.
Sarcasm
aside, we have to ask ourselves if the world of riding is
trading perfection for passion?
More
importantly, are we letting it happen?
The Editor |
