There’s no better way to see the country than on a motorcycle. The only problem: with so many wonderful sites to see, how do we make time for them all? Obviously, we can’t. As we age, we’re faced with prioritizing our bucket list and enjoying the rides we can take.
In this episode of RITS, Ed continues to ponder the risks and rewards of riding following the motorcycle death of his friend Tom Moffat. He raises valid concerns about the safety of riding and offers the views of prominent motorcyclists on the subject. Among them is Mark Barnes, author of “Why We Ride” and host of the BMW podcast “The Ride Inside.”
Motorcycle riding can bring great joy and great sorrow. A close friend of mine, Tom Moffat, recently died from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. I’m mourning his loss and examining why we decide to ride with the inherent danger.
KELLY VALDEZ likes long distance rides. She’s ridden cross country seven times—five times solo—and has also traveled extensively in Canada and Europe. She prefers speedy
Rick Kallmayer has ridden motorcycles for more than 50 years and owned more than 50 bikes. But his latest is a departure from all the rest – it’s his first with an automatic transmission. Rick talks about why he bought a Honda NT1100, how he likes it, and why he thinks automatics will grow in popularity.
Maher Maso spent almost a decade as mayor of Frisco, Texas, one of the country’s fastest-growing cities. During that tenure, he brought the Dallas Cowboys headquarters and practice facility to Frisco. Despite his busy civic schedule, he always found time for motorcycle riding and even cross country racing.
Some riders like bigger and bigger bikes. Not Mike Welch. The biggest bike he’s ever owned was a BMW F 850 GS, but he much prefers his G 310 GS. For Mike and some other motorcyclists, maneuverability and handling outweigh raw power.
Aaron Stevenson wanted to forge a closer bond with his teenage son, Micah, so they hit the road. Aaron rode his adventure bike cross country for almost a month, traveling 6,600 miles through 18 states, with Micah on the back. The memories they shared will last a lifetime, both say.
In just a few years, Bobby Haas and Stacey Mayfield assembled one of the most acclaimed motorcycle collections in the world. The Haas Moto Museum outside of Dallas, Texas, features 230 motorcycles dating from 1899 to the present. Most are vintage bikes but some are custom, one-of-a-kind creations that have been called rolling sculptures. Stacey discusses Bobby’s legacy and the museum’s collection.
At 86, Tom Moffat is the oldest member of his Dallas riding club. He’s also one of the fastest and most active riders. Tom frequently leads local and long distance rides and has no plans to stop riding.