steveb leatherworks: the blather

Wandering around the city (with eyes open) causes me to reflect on the hard life everything in the city experieinces. This is no place for pussies, or pussy bikes. If you ride in NYC, you’d best be bullet proof, cause this place can put a hurtin’ on ya if your not up for it. Bikes that aren’t baubles and get ridden and parked upon the street are particularly vulnerable to getting hammered by dumbshit motorists who’ve not learned to parallel park properly and don’t know about that thing called a rear-view mirror – are some of the worst offenders of vehicle abuse. Since the auto industry gave up on bumpers (what the frig is up with that stupid move, eh?) cars see a shite load of hurt. They even have “bras” that hang over these weak excuses for a bumper, keeping dumbassses from backing into their 20k+ road barge.

So, i dig bikes that get used, that have a life beyond the jewelry box. I like dings and dents, i like dirt  – because they indicate to me the bike gets used, has stories to tell and has an intimate connection to it’s owner. Look at my FXR and you’ll see what i mean.

So – this Aprilla, has had a life…man, if it could talk – what would it say? How many cabs have sideswiped it? How many ass-wipes have knocked it over due to poor parking skills (no parking skills?) How many kids have pushed it over for grins and giggles? How many miles has it see outside of NYC (not many i bet). The Givi trunk is probably worth as much as the bike is. Note –  the owner has it rigged for foul wedder…blanky, windshield, hand mitts…this is a cool bike in my book. I’d wager it runs like a freaking champ, never missing a beat. I bet I could talk to the owner for hours, I probably have more in common with him ,than I do most Harley owners….. and hey now – c’mon kids, dig the milk crate!!

The BMW, although it is as ugly as ass – still has my respect, dirty, ridden, parked on the street, getting ridden in February..that too is cool. 

So anyone who thinks these rides are junk – just doesnt get it. It aint about appearances kids, its about heart and soul – its about what lies under the surface. You only get to the good stuff if you have an open mind and keep yer peepers peeled.