Join LaRonda as she shares her love/hate relationship with Motorcycles. Includes memories of her dad’s Harley Davidson chopper and her pet peeve as a Deaf driver around motorcycles.
Transcript:
Hi! My story today is about motorcycles. I have a serious love/hate relationship with motorcycles!
First, I absolutely love motorcycles because they are far-out, freakin’ Sexy! Don’t you agree?
My father, who passed away some time ago, used to have his own Harley Davidson motorcycle. It was a nice, sharp-looking chopper with long, extended forks and curvaceous, laid-back handlebars that made for a cool, easy ride. On the back, there was this twisted iron sissy bar. It was far-out! In the place where you put your feet, my dad had hand-made some twisted iron spokes that were as sharp as arrows on the ends! Yikes!
I have some good memories of riding with my dad on his bike. Dad would sit in the middle on the seat, I’d sit behind him in back, and my younger brother would sit in front of dad on the gas tank, holding onto the handlebars in front of him along with Dad! I’m totally serious! That was back in the 60′s, before the helmet laws we have today. Can you believe it? But we had some fun times.
Whenever my mom had to work on a weekend, my dad would get my brother and I to take a ride with him on his bike. Then he’d drive us through town and up into the foothills. We’d head for Millerton Lake (in California). It was such a cool ride… the wind blowing through our hair… the air whipping across our tingling cheeks… Sometimes, we’d even feel the sting of a bug that hit our faces in the wind. Ouch! I always held on tight to Dad. It was fun, but scary too!
Sometimes, while we were riding with Dad, my brother and I would get hungry. We’d let Dad know and before too long, he would pull over off to the side of the road right in front of a sugar cane field. He’d look around to make sure no one was looking and then he’d chop off a cane stock. He’d cut off the sugar cane stick, break it in half, and give my brother and I each a piece. We’d suck on those sugar canes until our hunger was satisfied. It tied us over for a while.
Let’s see… what else? Oh. I remember one time when my dad had just gotten his new motorcycle and all my cousins came over and begged him for a ride. They wanted to experience what it felt like to ride a motorcycle, as most never had. My dad happily obliged, and one after the other, he gave them rides on his bike around the block. But on one of those rides, Dad and one of my cousins encountered a “yard shark”: a dog that comes out of nowhere, barking madly and chasing the bike, trying to bite the tires! My dad swerved to miss the dog to avoid running it over. Unfortunately, my cousin wasn’t holding on tight enough and the swerve threw him off the bike! He banged up his head so bad, he needed stitches!! It was pretty awful!
That’s the “hate” part of the relationship I have with motorcycles.
There was another time, I remember, when my dad was riding too fast over some railroad tracks and ended up doing some pavement surfing! He was thrown from his bike and skidded along the asphalt. His leg got caught underneath the hot tail pipe and it burned him badly! Dad was taken into Emergency where they ended up doing a skin graph to cover his burn! It was awful!
Motorcycles are cool, but, seriously folks, they’re not very safe!
When my uncle became older, he decided to get himself a motorcycle. He wanted to experience that riding-in-the-free-wind feeling. However, he, too, lost control of his bike as he rounded a corner, and ended up shattering his wrist and getting his leg and foot amputated as a result!
Motorcycles are just not safe! Sexy, yes, but safe – no! Therein lies my love/hate relationship with motorcycles.
What’s worse is that in my life today, as a Deaf driver, I loathe motorcycles!!! Why? You know how cars drive side by side on the road, in their respective lanes, yet motorcycle riders ride the middle of the road right up in between the cars! Well, for a Deaf driver who can’t hear them or see them quickly approaching, it’s freakin’ dangerous! They come right up on the side of my car and scare the bewillikers out of me!! I always feel that I’m going to crash right into some poor biker! Inside my car, I usually let out a few expletives when this happens, too! (@#$&*!!) It gets me pretty angry and ruffled! It’s my “pet-peeve.”
Still, I know that several of you vloggers out there simply adore motorcycles. Steve Longo, Jay Krieger and John “ABC” Lestina — I know you love your bikes! You’ll not receive any criticism from me. Why? I still think your connection with motorcycles is “Sexy!”
Bye (ILY wave) KEEP SAFE! (Thumbs up!)
My name is LaRonda Zupp.
I am Deaf. Welcome to
"The Ear of My Heart."
Around the Deaf community, motorcycle clubs appear to be the fastest growing organizations.
Lot of people I know already owns one or are thinking about buying them. Me? probably not but would go for a classic cars, ladies dig those too?
Left by NightOwl on October 26th, 2007
Hey LaRonda!!
Yeah I LOVE motorcycles myself, used to ride dirt bikes in High School! I haven’t yet gotten a motorcycle for on the road, Y..E..T!!
I am plannig to in 2008, you are right they are VERY dangerous, and need to be truly experienced riders.
My dad, who also passed away, was riding a motorcycle (Indian), and crashed, and hurt himself, he never ever rode again.
The latest story in my hometown, a guy on a HD, was speeding and lost control of his bike, and had BOTH of his arms amputated, this is what is making me not get a motorcycle, and I love motorycles. I can’t imagine (AT ALL) no arms, my life – signing would be forever gone. SIGH!!
STill….motorcycles…..ROCK
Left by B.A.D. on October 27th, 2007
PS: I really enjoyed your story, and thank you for sharing!!!
Left by B.A.D. on October 27th, 2007
Yup, when we bought our bikes, we also bought risk. I am not denying at all that motorcycles are not the safest thing when compared with other vehicles. Especially when they have only two wheels. Furthermore, obviously the laws of physics point out that by nature they always try to go down, and we the riders struggle to keep them up with kickstands, our legs, and keep them in motion.
However, for some crazy reasons, the thrill, enjoyment, relaxation, and other stuff outweigh the drawbacks. Its even for more insane reasons, we like to ride without helmets.
I may not speak for all those riders, I try to ride safely, try to practice ABATE motorcycle training. But sh*t does happen, even when you are doing everything safely, the forces out there (other drivers, animals, and so forth) may not make much difference.
I once wrote an article (and posted on my blog) for our Indiana ABATE magazine talking about SIPIDE (scan, investigate, predict, decide, execute) that helps improve motorcycling safety. It can be found by clicking here.
Left by Jay on October 27th, 2007
Good vlog. Ouch. Always a risk in everything apparently. Ride on, you cool steel breezers.
Left by drmzz on October 27th, 2007
LaRonda,
I appreciate your thoughts and sharing with us … I have great love for motorcycling, I have raced, chopped and now happily riding my own Dyna Custom Harley!
The fact that you that you shared, is true for many … I know I was a driver, and it does scared the bewillikers out of me as well even though I am a biker. But I am still riding hopefully everyone understand we bikers ride between the cars sides. Especially in the southern California freeways.
I have seen accidents, I have seen those who were badly hurt and others who have quit all together … yet I sill love riding, and I am more cautious than before, I love this quote from one of my biker friends years ago: “Look for trouble” and since then I have done that, yet near accidents have happened pretty much, nothing is really “safe” with bikes as well as surfing at the beach. There is a Love/Hate relationship for me on bikes as well.
The meaning of that quote: always prep ahead, think ahead, “if,”
“if,” “if” this or that would happen, how will I maneuver this process, etc.
For all bike lovers, please ride safe, and “Look for Trouble!”
Left by Fred on October 27th, 2007
Years ago, I was on motorcycle waiting for the traffic light to change to green, Bam!!! I ended up on the car windshield like a huge bug. (Now I know how the bugs feel) Result with a small skin cut on my shoulder area from the hood ornament and I was fortunate that was about it, the small injury, nothing else. I asked the driver why ran into me. Her reply was that she didn’t see me as she was blinded by the sun. Geez..
I am like you, the hate/love realtionship with motorcycle.
Left by KyDeafie on October 27th, 2007
LaRonda,
Yes, I agree with you, it is Sexy!! Hubby always made me look at couple riding on the motorcycle, and he always said Cool, isn’t it?? Why not us ride the motorcycle.. ? Yes, the loners and couples on motorcycles always look COOL and sexy! I stay out of motorcycles, due to dangers. I did ride motorcycles a very few times, but that is about it! Someone said this person does not mind riding the motorcycle as long as it has FOUR wheels. I said, that’s car, hello?? lol…
deafk
Left by deafk on October 27th, 2007
My husband has HD road king. I love sitting behind him. I love it. OFC very dangerous, but I love it more than hate. LoL I just got my motorcycle license last July 1st. Now i am looking for small used motorcycle to practice, then buy HD someday. Life is short!! HD rocks!!
CMS from Boston
Left by Catherine on October 27th, 2007
Ouch ! Bam !!! like Bug ……. Lol ha lol ……… not me No Thanks!
But I like to look at it as the brand name is BMW motorcycle because very good engine!
psssss My wife won’t let me …..Lol
Davy
Left by Davy on October 27th, 2007
Well, there is a big generation gap between LaRonda and I, but we all know that already!
I was five years old when my own father brought home an Indian motorcycle. I do not recall what it looked like, exactly,it was dark in color and “fierce” looking, at least to a five year old! My mom was very protective of us kids and would let us go for only short rides and I recall telling my mother after one of the rides, that I “almost” fainted!
Then I married a man who drove a big Hog. We had some great times, and I trusted his driving, so could relax and enjoy the wind and dodging the tears that flew back off of my husband’s face.
Down here where we live on the Coast we have yearly gatherings of “bikers” and let me tell you, that is one of the more interesting weekends of the year! I can’t believe what they are thinking up nowdays!
Thanks for the Memory Lane, LaRonda!
Lantana
Left by Lantana on October 27th, 2007
Hi LaRonda,
My father had a Triumph when I was growing up. My deaf sister and I always had the love for motorcycles and wanted to learn how to ride. I finally arrived to that point and am a proud owner of a Harley Davidson Sportster XL. I’m in the process of upgrading to a Softail Deluxe. My sister is currently signed up to take motorcycling classes and she’ll buy a bike one day. It’d be fun to ride together, two deaf sisters, on our Harleys and at the red lights, we’d start signing to each other and we’ll have a ball watching those jaws hit the pavement. Heh. It’s a very fun and free feeling to ride, but you are so right, it is very dangerous also. Especially in the midst of Los Angeles!
Left by Jaymie on October 27th, 2007
Thank you for part of your LOVE relationship with motorcycles, smile! Always look ahead when you are riding motorcycle like Jay says, “SIPIDE”. Long Live Kawasaki!
Left by JohnABC on October 28th, 2007
Excuse me for butting in but couldn’t stay away without saying something!
I’ve ridden motorcycles since minibike days some 40 years ago. Oh yes, I’ve dealt with near fatal accidents and misses but that didn’t stop me from riding!
You see, lots of sports are risky even walking on street. I have met many “moms and pops” on harleys and they have ridden at least that long to show that life’s an adventure and if you stop riding because of fear then you haven’t lived.
Born to be Wild
Left by Steve on October 29th, 2007
Very interesting!
I grew up around motocross racing and have always loved motorcycles, especially choppers. I think it takes a certain type of person to enjoy motorcycles, and for those who “get it”, there’s nothing quite like it.
I’m old school, too – I despise crotch rockets (sports bikes).
Long live the chopper!
Great article, LaRonda.
Paotie
Left by Paotie on October 29th, 2007
I have the exacte same pet peeve as you with motorcycle riders driving down the space between cars at a stop. The iron horses/hogs are sexy though.
Left by Hana on October 30th, 2007
Will be 55 yearsn old tomorrow and love to ride our Harley. I was the typical middle class type going to work every day and raising kids. I love my family, but I was worn down doing he 12 to 15 hour work days and having nothing for myself. The kids grew up and left home and I actually had a little time and money for me. That was when I met J. R. and got into motorcycles. I always told him he was the most lovable horse theif in 10 counties. He was a skirt chaser, a heavy drinker and had a love for bikes. He talked me into learning to ride on his bike and I fell in love with it.
He worked with me teaching me the do’s and dont’s. We spent hundreds of hours riding together, time I will always treasure. He taught me how to relax and do something I enjoyed. I lost my friend 2 years ago, not to a motorcycle accident, but to brain cancer, 5 malignant tumors. Everytime I climb on the Harley I think of him and the time we had riding together. My wife and I left our home in Kansas this summer and rode to The Black Hills Rally in Sturgis S.D. We rode 2700 miles that week and we talked about J.R. being there on the ride with us. Nobody else saw him, but we knew he was there.
All his time and patience with me made me a pretty good rider. We have had a few close calls in the 30,000 miles of riding but never crashed. He still rides with me. Danger and risk? Yes, but as J.R. used to say, “What, you wanna live forever?”
Left by Rick on November 12th, 2007
Good VLOG! Thanks for sharing your awesome story!
Cobra
Left by Cobra on January 27th, 2008
your story sounds like mine and im sure many other people too I love and hate them too, someone needs to invent something that can protect people on bikes better
Left by LA Motorcycles on December 5th, 2008