First motorcycle experience

 

Back in 2017, after years of enduring the agonizing traffic in the metro, I finally decided to get myself a motorcycle. As I was searching for my first motorcycle, I suddenly suffered from cold feet. I was overthinking things, and flashbacks of motorcycle accidents were running through my mind. Family and friends discouraging me from riding a motorcycle isn’t much of a help either. After thinking about it for quite some time again, I finally followed my gut and finally went to a dealer to check the bike I think is perfect for me. A Royal Enfield Classic 350 in classic tan. I told myself that I won’t need a big displacement bike since I won’t be riding out of town or won’t be riding fast in general… or so I thought. I pulled the trigger and had the bike delivered ASAP. 

Royal Enfield Team handing over the Classic 350

After the hand over, I quickly mounted the bike, turned the ignition on, and tried to get a feel for the first time. Practiced the clutch play and bite, did a few kickstarts, and walked the bike around the garage which I almost dropped countless of times. I told myself that I need to take it out for a spin to learn the basics of riding. I decided to go around the block multiple times and to get the tank topped up at a nearby gas station. 

 

                    

I did a total of roughly 20 km of riding and at the end of the night, I felt more comfortable, confident, and excited for the next. This was my first time riding a true manual motorcycle and it felt good and relaxing. Glad I decided to give motorcycles a go. Been hooked ever since and fast forward to 2022, to me, riding is still one of the best stress reliever.