Watches and Motorcycles… let’s rap.

I'm almost positive I had more than one watch before I started riding, the latter happening before age 21 (I think, this is all half a lifetime ago).

12K/yr is like 20% more than me at my prime, when I had a lengthy commute that allowed racking up miles. I'm coy about personally identifying information, but every bike I've owned has been Japanese and under 750cc, basically standards or sport-standards. I remember time between motorcycles. It was a longer term feeling of the incompleteness I feel without a watch. I could get used to the latter though, if I had to.

My last bike, before a learner drive took me out along with my bike, costing me my little finger and countless broken ribs and contusions all over my body, plus 3 weeks in hospital, was a beautiful Triumph T595 Daytona in Canary Yellow. Great bike and I loved the sound of the triple engine when you rolled the throttle on half way out of a corner, giving the back wheel just that little bit of slip Oh the memories. That was far to long ago and I've had two boys since, bought a house in the mountains outside of Sydney and spend all my money on bits of jewellery to go on my wrist 🤣  

But my wife has always told me that I should get another bike, as I've always had one since the age of 5, but family always came first for me, so the bike has sat on the back burner so far. 

My farther and all my uncles had motorcycles whilst I was growing up so it's in my blood and there is no other feeling that can match when your riding along a beautiful mountain road with not another person in sight, well maybe your mate with whom your racing and just the pure exhilaration of you and the machine, it gives me goose bumps just thinking about it 🏍

So Robert I'm totally jealous my friend of you and your bike. One day soon when I retire I'll be climbing back on board another bike and as it's not that far off so I've already got a couple in mind.

Here's a picture I found of my last bike, the Triumph. This one is obviously in better condition than mine after the accident, that one was written off 🤣

This is one I have my eye on, a Ducati Monster 😜

But I do like the KTM Duke and I was lucky enough to have a short ride on a friends recently, what a beast of a bike and so comfortable to ride.

Lastly I used to go on ride days at a race track not far from me and I raced agains't a couple of those Triumph Tigers and those bikes with slicks on them are insane on a race track, so quick 👍

Be safe out there Robert, you have to ride like everyone is out to hit you or knock you off your bike, which is unfortunate but true, people just don't look and pay attention on the road. 

i like to restore or modified things. i got a small honda gl200 (just frame and the engine) a few years ago from a junkyard and i try to restore it and do some custom bodywork on it. but i rarely used it because it has no paper😅

nowadays he's going back to garage, because the previous bodywork isn too good. i have to make some adjustment

I love experiencing these hobbies with my family. We all got into dirt bikes then guns and now watches. The joy for me seems to be exploring and learning together. 

I have a Ducati Scrambler, but due to a foot injury I haven’t been able to use it yet this season. Looking forward to getting to ride it in a few months though! It’s a blast with its torquey engine and comfortable riding position. 

I also have a small 125cc Vespa, 2-stroke, manual shifter on the left handlebar. Great machine and a blast to ride around town, usually at wide open throttle between traffic lights. Can’t do that with a larger CC bike.

I used to ride, me in 2016 on my 2009 Buell XB9S:

But not no more. The starter needed to be replaced, and my wife's constant badgering finally took effect.

Now I get my kicks in a Tesla, it's still a cager on four, but damn if it doesn't go like a roller coaster.

Like my watches, I've gone all retro with my bikes. 1980 Suzuki GS850L. Bought as a project and love it.

Also a'70 Honda CL450. Still a project and waiting for inspiration.

Sorry to hear about your accident I had a few close shaves myself often in my case people on their phones or just not paying any kind of attention looking the wrong way coming out of a junction ect... Thanks for sharing your story. I will be safe out there when I get back on 2 wheels unfortunately my bike was stolen a couple of years ago, dumped a mile away and written off, the only wheels i use now are occasionally a bicycle since the pandemic most of my transport is my legs. 

Those monsters look aweosme! I am tempted by ktm myself for a next bike and I know exactly what you mean about that whistling triple. 

THAT IS A BEAUUUUT

So awesome you can share these journeys with your family, building memories and not just acquiring stuff. 

Man I love those ducati scramblers, I sat on one in the Birmingham bike show but haven't had the opportunity to ride one, would love to ride one of those along a shoreline somewhere. It was super comfy to sit on. 

Hope your foot gets better soon so you don't miss the whole season.

My next car will definitely be electric, I have only heard good things! I think motorcycles have basically made it so I can never again truly enjoy a small engine size on a car. 

I'd love to restore a old honda just to putter around with, but I have 0 mechanical skills. 

Nice post that combines watches and motorcycles -- my two favorite things.  A common theme here is that folks who rode when younger no longer do so as life has gotten in the way.  I can relate.  I used to ride quite a bit then took a two decades long pause and am now getting back into it.  Wish I hadn't paused.  Skills atrophy.  My advice: get a bike (if you don't currently own one), keep a bike (if you have one), and find the time to ride it!  Your older self will thank you for it!