A Yank on a Yamaha
Posted on May 14th 2015
My first motorcycle was a high-school graduation present from my dad. It was a Honda CM 450, not the most radical of two-wheelers; but enough guts to get up and go. It got me where I needed to be in a hurry if I had to. Plus, it was a sweet metal-flake maroon with two-toned trim. Being that it was right after the movie Purple Rain debuted, I had to trick it out with a windshield and a sissy bar. It could definitely haul two people in style; which I frequently did being twenty and a girl chaser.
In my later years, I gave up the motorcycle for the comfort and safety of four wheels and doors. I settled into the salad years with a wife and kids, with the days on the chopper becoming a fond memory. I did the navy, a couple of jobs, and then sadly, the first dance of divorce. Being a bachelor again in your thirties is not a party. You have to work to put your life back together and make it fun again. Suddenly, the lure of the chain drive began to churn in my head. I wanted to wear a helmet and feel the wind on my hands again.
Deciding to take some time off, I began to travel. I had seen many places in the military; but many parts of the world remained that were a mystery to me. On a lark, I headed for New Zealand just to see what I could see. Arriving with not much more than my passport and a pair of pants, I soon began to fill my life with trappings. A decent form of transportation was my first priority; and of course, it had to be cheap. With only a grand to last me until I went home, I had to find something very affordable.
Scouring the papers, I found what seemed like a real gem. For only $600, it said, I could be the proud owner of a Yamaha XJS 650. I had never heard of such a bike. When I showed up to look at it, the gentlemen greeted me with the words, “Oh look, a yank!” He was trying to be friendly, I later found out. At the time, it sounded like a dirty word. Anywhere they speak English as the native language, that is not America; you are going to be called a Yank. Get used to it.
The bike was impressive. The man was a bike lover; and this was his spare bike. He showed me the huge 1200cc BMW cruiser that he called his baby. But the Yamaha was immaculate. The test drive told me all I needed to know. I fell in love and had to have it. Besides, I had never ridden a shaft-drive motorcycle before. It was smooth as glass.
Looking back, I would have to say those were the best few months of my life. Cruising around New Zealand on that motorcycle really helped me to find myself again and heal. After I had toured the entire country, I felt like it was time to come home and conquer the world again. With my second wife in tow, that is exactly what I did. Selling the motorcycle online was no problem. I even made a profit.
You can always educate yourself about all-terrain vehicles and other motor vehicle technology on the MotorsHiFi site, located on the web at www.motorshifi.com. Here you can go to get your dream vehicle.