Represent the Sport: What You Do Is a Reflection on All of Us

written by David Mixson

When you ride a motorcycle, what you do is a reflection on me—and what I do when I ride is a reflection on you.

There’s no way around it.

When you blare your stereo at the light, cut off a motorist because they made an error, or lose your cool because someone pulled out in front of you, drivers think I’m like you when they see me.

And just so you know, when you crank up your stereo at a traffic light, you look like a seventeen-year-old showing off his new Kenwood stereo from Walmart.

Do you realize everyone is laughing at you when you do this?

The same goes for blipping your throttle to show off your pipes—annoying, childish, and embarrassing to the entire riding community.

Bike Week at the Beach

My favorite (sarcasm) is when I go to the beach during bike week to write, and without fail, a group of riders, no doubt returning from a wet tee-shirt contest, pulls in blaring their music at 3 a.m.

Is this really necessary? Does anyone with a brain think this is cool?

The frustrating thing is that the people you woke up with your tunes at 3 a.m. assume I’m just like you when they see me.

I think bike manufacturers should have to pay a fine for every bike they make with a mega-stereo in the dash. Put a guy back from a bar who thinks he looks badass on a bike with a big stereo—and you’ll end up with classic rock from the 80s at 120 dB every time.

Basic Courtesy

All I’m suggesting is basic courtesy. Let the guy ahead of you merge into traffic. Wave to the toddler in the car next to you. And Smile! When you do this, others will think more of all of us the next time they see us.

* This article is an excerpt from my book Motorcycle Hacks.