G’day. Can you believe it? 2023? As a GenXer, I’ve never really left 1993 to be honest. The music, the bikes, the clothes… Bikes seemed so advanced and trick back then. I could never have imagined they would be where they are 30-years later. Wheelie control? F.
Proud as punch with my ring dingin’ wheel-standin’ trench diggin’ wild yellow terror! The mighty Suzuki RM80X!
It’s been a while since we caught up. In fact, it’s been three years since I penned an editorial. With social media interaction, the era of monthly editorials is, sadly, invalid. I used to get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction writing my monthly editorial in Rapid Bikes, Knee Down and Retrobike. It was my chance to speak, to let out whatever was in my head, and to connect with my readers. Writing my ‘Ed’ was a bit like answering the hand written letters we would receive, back when the P.O Box was overflowing every single day, and we had letters pages in the magazines – now replaced by our comments section… Talking to you all, my dedicated readers who I consider friends and family, was a monthly back and forth process that included anticipation, patience, and finally delivery and a smile.
Those days are gone, for many, replaced with instant messaging, hundreds of YouTube comments, website comments, emails, SMS messages, Instagram messages, Facebook Messenger… you name it I can be reached in the blink of an eye. It’s convenient, it’s easy, but it’s not as special. It’s easy to get lost in, as I found out recently when I discovered around 90 unanswered reader emails that had been sent via our contact page but gone to junk. They went back months and I was completely embarrassed and horrified that I had not responded to them. I did, in one long sitting. I’m sorry if you were one of those readers who may have assumed we were ignoring your valued comments…
My 1984 Suzuki RG250HB Replica, an original Aussie delivered unit, is my absolute pride and joy. It reminds me of the good old days, of simpler times, of the traditional Sunday morning socialising before social media… We’d ride, and maybe even chat about the latest issue of Two Wheels, Streetbike, AMCN, REVS or the Pommie magazines…
I miss the analogue days. The print days. The days when communication required effort and some level of commitment therefore genuine meaning… Which is my next point. Shifting up a gear, and being stuck in 1993, I love older bikes more than newer bikes. There. I said it. Give me Anti Dive over ABS. Give me Full Floater over electronic suspension. Give me tobacco sponsorship and a whiplash powerband. Give me my RM80X and my RG250HB. During 2022, I managed to finish two years-long projects that were born pre Covid, when life was a lot more normal. But as we all became more isolated, more reclusive and alone, these two strokers kept me great company for hundreds of shed hours and, injuries permitting (I had a bit of a big one in March and can’t quite ride properly yet), I plan on spending a lot of 2023 wearing the RG250 out, and admiring the RM80X, which lives in the house…
What I’ve learned in the past year, which I have spent injured for the most part and sidelined from the action part of this job, is that the basics are where the heart belongs. The simple stuff. In motorcycling, and all aspects of life. Keep it simple, enjoy the scenery, take in the ride and smile about the good times, rather than dwell on the bad. Motorcycles make memories and the good ones stick forever. I feel 17 again when I ride my RG250, I feel 12 when I ride my RM80X and… well, I definitely feel 47 when I ride my Yamaha D’elight but that’s what I can ride at the moment and I appreciate it, particularly the handbag holder… Jokes aside, the D’elight puts a big smile on may face, as two wheels and a motor is all I really need. It was great of Yamaha to hook me up with some two-wheeled transport. I have one more surgery to go on my hand, and should be back riding at full fitness in three or four months…
Anyway, thanks for chatting. It’s new year’s eve. The kids are in the pool. I’m a few cold amber ales in, and just had family over… Time to take the kids to see some fireworks and make some memories, before heading down to the shed to spend some time with my two-wheeled friends to see in the new year… I hope you all have a fantastic night, and wish you the best for the year ahead. Thanks for your loyal support and sharing this passion of ours that is motorcycling…
The Author
January 1, 2023
Love the editorial, mate. All the best for the new year.