Nothing related to modeling or acting. But I wanted to just get my words out. My best friend would normally be the one I tell. He's the guy I tell everything to, but he passed away a few years back. That leaves my other friend. He's.... not so trustworthy and doesn't have a way with words.
I'd rather just type it out and just let my 2 cents roam freely in the interwebs.
It's about my motorcycle riding days. Is it over? Have I gotten it out of my system? I've been riding since I was 18. I know that's not special since I see tons of other people that have been riding since they were in diapers. But this is about me!
Riding since 18. My first bike was a 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 which I got screwed over at a dealer because, well I was a first time buyer. I was young, I was dumb. He got me good. Bike is normally $3000 more or less MSRP. Once I signed I was told it was going to be close to $5300. That was with taxes and all that jazz. Also things I've never heard of that was applied. Like I said, I was young, first time buyer, I was pressured. He got me good. I'll give him that. I wrote that bike, everyday, everywhere, practiced leaning, learned the rules of riding. I took the MSF riding coarse so I didn't just buy the bike and start riding blindly haha. I was free. The wind blasting my helmet and chest were crazy and amazing at the same time. It might have been only a 250cc bike but that thing hauled! I rode in the rain to school and extremely cold CA weather. No snow.
I didn't tell my mom for 2 months that I had a motorcycle lol. Came home with a helmet and gloves and she just never said anything. She thought it was a scooter I guess. Rode that for about 5 months before I realized I wanted more speed, more power. I outgrew the little 250 and had payments still on it. I was working at Jiffy Lube at that time and my coworker was selling his motorcycle. A 1999 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R. I got a really good deal on it. $2000. So now I had 2 bikes! I was looking for someone to take over the payments for my little 250 and one of my friends actually took over it. Long story short, that bike was like a whore. It was passed down to many people, and they were all making payments to me at one point. Started with one guy, then another guy, then another, then that guys brother was the person who last had it. In the end, there was only $500 left to pay off the bike in. This was all in a one year span. I ended up with the bike again but sold it on craigslist for the asking $500. The debt was paid and that boosted my credit score haha.
During that one year with the 250 being passed around, I was zipping and going crazy on my old, new to me, ZX6R. That thing was a BEAST! The torque on that baby was extreme. It really wanted to accelerate out of the gravity's own pull. As fast as that bike was, the ergonomics on it was harsh. Woo wee. My back and wrist would hurt and I rode that thing everyday. It was also the first bike I maxed out on. I don't even think I did it on the 250. One day I was on the highway and a BMW M3 was going fast, so I decided to follow it. We were going 150mph. The most insane feeling ever. I was young, and I was dumb...
I probably kept that bike for about a year before I sold it to get another bike. This time I got a 2000 CBR F4. That bike was comfy. It wasn't as torquey as the ZX6R but it wasn't a slouch either. This bike has been through a lot with me. When I was dating my wife at that time, she lived and went to school at UC Davis. I rode up there one day with weather saying it might storm. 50% chance. I took that chance. I wore my leather jacket but not my water proof one... I looked much cooler in the leather one. I was young, I was dumb. I had jeans on and regular shoes. Going there was fine. The weather was cloudy but it was decent riding weather. When I left her apartment, it was still good! SIKE. As soon as I got onto the highway, it started to sprinkle. That sprinkle turned into a light rain, that light rain turned into heavier rain, the skies darkened because it was already 8pm and the sun was setting. 10 minutes into the ride the rain starts to show its true form. The heaviest rain I've ever been in, but I kept going. I was actually not scared at all. I was having a blast. I was STILL going fast. There was an accident up ahead. A car went into the ditch and a cop stopped all of the traffic. Since I'm in CA, I can split lanes so I split all the way to the beginning and see everything. But the cop shines his flashlight on all the lanes and tells all of us not to move as he checks the car in the ditch. It's pouring rain, it's dark, it's not too cold, and I'm just sitting there on my bike, getting soaked. I'll never forget it. After about 5 minutes of literally just waiting there the cop goes back to his car, doesn't signal us to stop or go. I was in the left most lane and to my right, a big black truck. I rev my engine to keep my bike from dying because it's still carburated. He revs his truck. I kinda chuckle inside my helmet. I move an inch forward, he moves an inch forward, I move a little more, he moves a little more. By that time, we were where the cop car was and since the cop didn't stop us or anything, the truck and I drive off. It was a funny sight to see. After that all the cars followed us.
As soon as I got near my house, the rain stopped. Of course it did. That's how it usually works. I was soaked toe to neck. My helmet kept me dry. I duck waddled up to my door because the wetness of my pants made it feel like I just jumped out of a pool and the water was still in my pockets.
That CBR took me to my auditions, and twisties with ease. My dream was to at least get a 1000cc or more bike. That dream came true a few years later when I decided to sell my CBR and find me a 1000cc. Then that day came, a 2003 Z1000. Extremely good price, garage kept. My coworker, Anthony Roberts, who I hope is doing well, drove me to pick up the bike. That guy, I will say, he was a cool cat. I should really contact him more. We drove to get my Z1000 and I was amazed at how comfy it was. It was very weird too because I was coming from a sport bike. The position of a sport bike to a more upright position like the Z1000 offered was something to get used to. But in no time, I got used to it and I loved it. I thought to myself, I don't know if I'd want to go back to a pure sport bike. I rather like the ride of a naked bike.
That bike also took me to auditions with no problems. The power on that bike was easy to control. I wish there was more torque. Surprisingly, off the line, the torque wasn't there, but once the bike starts moving and you're mid way to your rev range, that beast gets unleashed. It's not a beast anymore, it's Satan himself. As he tries to propel you through the gates of time and space continuum. So much comfort and so much style. I loved it. One day my two coworkers, Chris Chang and Nate Cervantes, decided to go on a ride. We left work early and went for a nice long ride. That was very memorable for me. Those two are awesome guys. I miss them a lot. Chris Chang had a CBR 600RR and Nate, who was older than us but fooled everyone with his age because he looked like he could be in college, was on a dual sport. I don't remember what he had but it was a 250cc. He's had many bikes and cars. This guy was a gear head and he an enthusiasts. We rode for hours that day. He showed me this road that I'll never forget. Where I even took my car to let off some heel toe work. It was in the forest and there was A LOT of turns. All of us had fun. Mid way through, my legs started to cramp. I know Chris Chang was hurting because he was in the sportiest bike of all of us. Nate's was probably the most comfortable with shocks that actually dampen pot holes.
The Z1000. My beloved bike. When I moved to LA. I rode the Z from San Francisco to LA on the 5. It was a good 6.5 hour ride. The only time I rested was to get gas. I probably stopped 4-5 times for gas. That ride was good. It was pretty darn hot and humid but as long as I kept moving, it wasn't too much of a bother. Once I got up to the mountain area, the bike just boosted up there. It was extremely fun. My wife's mini cooper s, now I thought that car was fun going up hill because there was no struggle, but the motorcycle, felt even lighter and faster. It was great! Once I got to my new place, I got off the Z1000, put it in the garage, and just looked and admired it. Then reality hit and I was exhausted. I'm glad I had a taller windscreen on it. It really does work. LITERALLY.
Living in LA, I didn't ride that much. Riding was just not fun there. If you think SF has too many hills, or too is way to congested, it's not compared to LA. I really didn't like riding in LA. It just didn't feel the same because everyone in their cars, are in a whole different world than you are. Did I still ride? Yea of course. My first job was a motorcycle messenger. That's how I found out that LA was a crappy place to ride. The pot holes are amazing. The traffic is tight even for land splitting. Drivers are dangerous.
The few times I did enjoy riding was this one stretch of road on the highway were you need a fasttrak. It goes above the highway, it's still a highway but for carpool. It's near that one one school... with the Trojans. You know. That part is fun because you could really push your bike fast on that for a few seconds. The other place that was fun is the road where a lot test cars go. The road with extreme twists and turns, Angeles Crest Highway. That place was stunning! The views, on a good day, was breath taking. I only rode up there 3 times. The first time I went up there, I was working for Arch Motorcycle. Keanu Reeves was doing a commercial up there for
I'd rather just type it out and just let my 2 cents roam freely in the interwebs.
It's about my motorcycle riding days. Is it over? Have I gotten it out of my system? I've been riding since I was 18. I know that's not special since I see tons of other people that have been riding since they were in diapers. But this is about me!
Riding since 18. My first bike was a 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 which I got screwed over at a dealer because, well I was a first time buyer. I was young, I was dumb. He got me good. Bike is normally $3000 more or less MSRP. Once I signed I was told it was going to be close to $5300. That was with taxes and all that jazz. Also things I've never heard of that was applied. Like I said, I was young, first time buyer, I was pressured. He got me good. I'll give him that. I wrote that bike, everyday, everywhere, practiced leaning, learned the rules of riding. I took the MSF riding coarse so I didn't just buy the bike and start riding blindly haha. I was free. The wind blasting my helmet and chest were crazy and amazing at the same time. It might have been only a 250cc bike but that thing hauled! I rode in the rain to school and extremely cold CA weather. No snow.
I didn't tell my mom for 2 months that I had a motorcycle lol. Came home with a helmet and gloves and she just never said anything. She thought it was a scooter I guess. Rode that for about 5 months before I realized I wanted more speed, more power. I outgrew the little 250 and had payments still on it. I was working at Jiffy Lube at that time and my coworker was selling his motorcycle. A 1999 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R. I got a really good deal on it. $2000. So now I had 2 bikes! I was looking for someone to take over the payments for my little 250 and one of my friends actually took over it. Long story short, that bike was like a whore. It was passed down to many people, and they were all making payments to me at one point. Started with one guy, then another guy, then another, then that guys brother was the person who last had it. In the end, there was only $500 left to pay off the bike in. This was all in a one year span. I ended up with the bike again but sold it on craigslist for the asking $500. The debt was paid and that boosted my credit score haha.
During that one year with the 250 being passed around, I was zipping and going crazy on my old, new to me, ZX6R. That thing was a BEAST! The torque on that baby was extreme. It really wanted to accelerate out of the gravity's own pull. As fast as that bike was, the ergonomics on it was harsh. Woo wee. My back and wrist would hurt and I rode that thing everyday. It was also the first bike I maxed out on. I don't even think I did it on the 250. One day I was on the highway and a BMW M3 was going fast, so I decided to follow it. We were going 150mph. The most insane feeling ever. I was young, and I was dumb...
I probably kept that bike for about a year before I sold it to get another bike. This time I got a 2000 CBR F4. That bike was comfy. It wasn't as torquey as the ZX6R but it wasn't a slouch either. This bike has been through a lot with me. When I was dating my wife at that time, she lived and went to school at UC Davis. I rode up there one day with weather saying it might storm. 50% chance. I took that chance. I wore my leather jacket but not my water proof one... I looked much cooler in the leather one. I was young, I was dumb. I had jeans on and regular shoes. Going there was fine. The weather was cloudy but it was decent riding weather. When I left her apartment, it was still good! SIKE. As soon as I got onto the highway, it started to sprinkle. That sprinkle turned into a light rain, that light rain turned into heavier rain, the skies darkened because it was already 8pm and the sun was setting. 10 minutes into the ride the rain starts to show its true form. The heaviest rain I've ever been in, but I kept going. I was actually not scared at all. I was having a blast. I was STILL going fast. There was an accident up ahead. A car went into the ditch and a cop stopped all of the traffic. Since I'm in CA, I can split lanes so I split all the way to the beginning and see everything. But the cop shines his flashlight on all the lanes and tells all of us not to move as he checks the car in the ditch. It's pouring rain, it's dark, it's not too cold, and I'm just sitting there on my bike, getting soaked. I'll never forget it. After about 5 minutes of literally just waiting there the cop goes back to his car, doesn't signal us to stop or go. I was in the left most lane and to my right, a big black truck. I rev my engine to keep my bike from dying because it's still carburated. He revs his truck. I kinda chuckle inside my helmet. I move an inch forward, he moves an inch forward, I move a little more, he moves a little more. By that time, we were where the cop car was and since the cop didn't stop us or anything, the truck and I drive off. It was a funny sight to see. After that all the cars followed us.
As soon as I got near my house, the rain stopped. Of course it did. That's how it usually works. I was soaked toe to neck. My helmet kept me dry. I duck waddled up to my door because the wetness of my pants made it feel like I just jumped out of a pool and the water was still in my pockets.
That CBR took me to my auditions, and twisties with ease. My dream was to at least get a 1000cc or more bike. That dream came true a few years later when I decided to sell my CBR and find me a 1000cc. Then that day came, a 2003 Z1000. Extremely good price, garage kept. My coworker, Anthony Roberts, who I hope is doing well, drove me to pick up the bike. That guy, I will say, he was a cool cat. I should really contact him more. We drove to get my Z1000 and I was amazed at how comfy it was. It was very weird too because I was coming from a sport bike. The position of a sport bike to a more upright position like the Z1000 offered was something to get used to. But in no time, I got used to it and I loved it. I thought to myself, I don't know if I'd want to go back to a pure sport bike. I rather like the ride of a naked bike.
That bike also took me to auditions with no problems. The power on that bike was easy to control. I wish there was more torque. Surprisingly, off the line, the torque wasn't there, but once the bike starts moving and you're mid way to your rev range, that beast gets unleashed. It's not a beast anymore, it's Satan himself. As he tries to propel you through the gates of time and space continuum. So much comfort and so much style. I loved it. One day my two coworkers, Chris Chang and Nate Cervantes, decided to go on a ride. We left work early and went for a nice long ride. That was very memorable for me. Those two are awesome guys. I miss them a lot. Chris Chang had a CBR 600RR and Nate, who was older than us but fooled everyone with his age because he looked like he could be in college, was on a dual sport. I don't remember what he had but it was a 250cc. He's had many bikes and cars. This guy was a gear head and he an enthusiasts. We rode for hours that day. He showed me this road that I'll never forget. Where I even took my car to let off some heel toe work. It was in the forest and there was A LOT of turns. All of us had fun. Mid way through, my legs started to cramp. I know Chris Chang was hurting because he was in the sportiest bike of all of us. Nate's was probably the most comfortable with shocks that actually dampen pot holes.
The Z1000. My beloved bike. When I moved to LA. I rode the Z from San Francisco to LA on the 5. It was a good 6.5 hour ride. The only time I rested was to get gas. I probably stopped 4-5 times for gas. That ride was good. It was pretty darn hot and humid but as long as I kept moving, it wasn't too much of a bother. Once I got up to the mountain area, the bike just boosted up there. It was extremely fun. My wife's mini cooper s, now I thought that car was fun going up hill because there was no struggle, but the motorcycle, felt even lighter and faster. It was great! Once I got to my new place, I got off the Z1000, put it in the garage, and just looked and admired it. Then reality hit and I was exhausted. I'm glad I had a taller windscreen on it. It really does work. LITERALLY.
Living in LA, I didn't ride that much. Riding was just not fun there. If you think SF has too many hills, or too is way to congested, it's not compared to LA. I really didn't like riding in LA. It just didn't feel the same because everyone in their cars, are in a whole different world than you are. Did I still ride? Yea of course. My first job was a motorcycle messenger. That's how I found out that LA was a crappy place to ride. The pot holes are amazing. The traffic is tight even for land splitting. Drivers are dangerous.
The few times I did enjoy riding was this one stretch of road on the highway were you need a fasttrak. It goes above the highway, it's still a highway but for carpool. It's near that one one school... with the Trojans. You know. That part is fun because you could really push your bike fast on that for a few seconds. The other place that was fun is the road where a lot test cars go. The road with extreme twists and turns, Angeles Crest Highway. That place was stunning! The views, on a good day, was breath taking. I only rode up there 3 times. The first time I went up there, I was working for Arch Motorcycle. Keanu Reeves was doing a commercial up there for
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