I was having a conversation with MD photographer Chris Rubino in our garage earlier today, and somehow we ended up on the topic of what sort of motorcycle I liked best … after all these years.

If you wanted to ask that question of someone, you might try to find a person who has ridden everything, and what I mean by that … is EVERYTHING! Maybe, I am that guy. I have ridden the Grom and the Honda Gold Wing. I have ridden several Harley CVOs, Polaris designed Indians, and most of the significant Japanese cruisers. I have ridden almost all of the significant sport bikes introduced in the last two decades, either on the track or on the street, or both (I have been invited to test the new Yamaha R1 at Eastern Creek, Australia next month). I used to race motocross, and I tested most of the motocross bikes of any significance introduced during the first 6 or 8 years MD was in existence (flying through the air over jumps, and occasionally sliding BOTH wheels).

My first bike was a Taco mini bike with a 2-1/2 hp Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine, that I used to ride for hours up and down our driveway, throwing it sideways each time I hit the slick concrete surface in our garage, learning to stop my slide just before I touched the back wall.

“So where did you end up, Dirck?” “What’s the best bike you have ever ridden?” “What’s the best type of bike to ride?”

I have an answer, but it is not very specific. It is not a particular motorcycle, but an idea of a motorcycle. It is a motorcycle that allows the rider to forget himself/herself, and melt into the experience of riding. This is a motorcycle that feels alive beneath you, like an old friend that you can trust. It will answer the same call the same way every time, but somehow make every experience aboard it unique.

Sure, I have particular bikes that seem special in my memory. At times, I even think of a particular type of motorcycle that might be almost perfect for me. But it is meaningless for me to tell you any of these details. In the end, each rider has to find his own path … find his way to that perfect ride for him or her. I arrived where I am at by traveling my path, and you will arrive by traveling your own.

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