happy
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- Joined
- Apr 7, 2012
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- Location
- Switzerland
So many people asked me, what is so special about being a biker?
Is it the speed?
Is it the macho image?
Is it the machine?
Yes, I answered, all of the above and something more.
Many years ago, 3 friends went on a ride together.
They travelled 680km and then discovered a puncture.
They were in Penang.
Malaysia is a wonderful country, full of motorcycles.
They have many "Honda Cups", those 80cc "mosquito" racers.
They do not usually have a spare tube for our 19inch-front.
We were dismayed at the puncture, and was already discussing how to get home via a truck or by plane.
Luckily we chanced upon a small shop which told us to go to another one.
When we arrived at the recommended shop, our punctured tire was already badly "damaged".
There was a middle-aged man in the shop, fixing something on his Harley.
Now, a Harley in those days (1990s), in Penang Malaysia, only belonged to the rich and powerful.
We were wary, 3 of us on "cheap" DR650s.
The man with the round spectacles smiled and took a quick look.
He said he had a spare in his house and promptly took off to get it.
When it was all fixed up 2 hours later, we proceeded to want to pay for it.
The soft-spoken man said no. He is not even the owner of the shop. He was just a regular customer.
He said something which stuck to my mind til today: "Bikers help others in need".
We were lucky to have met Dino.
He also happened to have the ONLY African Twin in Penang which also had a 19inc (I cannot remember if it was 19 or 21).
If not for him, we would have to think of a way back. Ordering a new tube would have taken weeks.
So lesson learned:
Always be ready to help. A good deed will always be remembered.
Once a biker, always a biker.
Hope you enjoyed this true story.
~Joe
Is it the speed?
Is it the macho image?
Is it the machine?
Yes, I answered, all of the above and something more.
Many years ago, 3 friends went on a ride together.
They travelled 680km and then discovered a puncture.
They were in Penang.
Malaysia is a wonderful country, full of motorcycles.
They have many "Honda Cups", those 80cc "mosquito" racers.
They do not usually have a spare tube for our 19inch-front.
We were dismayed at the puncture, and was already discussing how to get home via a truck or by plane.
Luckily we chanced upon a small shop which told us to go to another one.
When we arrived at the recommended shop, our punctured tire was already badly "damaged".
There was a middle-aged man in the shop, fixing something on his Harley.
Now, a Harley in those days (1990s), in Penang Malaysia, only belonged to the rich and powerful.
We were wary, 3 of us on "cheap" DR650s.
The man with the round spectacles smiled and took a quick look.
He said he had a spare in his house and promptly took off to get it.
When it was all fixed up 2 hours later, we proceeded to want to pay for it.
The soft-spoken man said no. He is not even the owner of the shop. He was just a regular customer.
He said something which stuck to my mind til today: "Bikers help others in need".
We were lucky to have met Dino.
He also happened to have the ONLY African Twin in Penang which also had a 19inc (I cannot remember if it was 19 or 21).
If not for him, we would have to think of a way back. Ordering a new tube would have taken weeks.
So lesson learned:
Always be ready to help. A good deed will always be remembered.
Once a biker, always a biker.
Hope you enjoyed this true story.
~Joe