Fresh perspective: A new rider’s journey to community

It’s a question I've been asked a lot, even before I started working at RevZilla. I fit the general aesthetic: visible tattoos, a resting b**** face, and the punk/metal vibe. Despite all my other bold choices in life, motorcycling has been something I have always wanted to try but remained fearful. I even spent a few years commuting around Pittsburgh on a bicycle and never got past my fear, stalling my transition to the motor world.

Then I moved across the country to the dry weather in Las Vegas and into a rider household with Amanda “Pants,” who leads the Comoto Rider Support Training team. I’ve been getting my education by osmosis at home, as well as at work. It finally seemed like the time was right.

Editor's note: See more #pridemoto stories.

I took my MSF course at Red Rock Harley-Davidson in January and planned a visit to the DMV on my birthday in March to have my endorsement added to my license. On the eve prior, Pants placed her present into my very shocked hands: the title of her beloved Beverly — a kickstart-only 2015 Yamaha SR400. And that was it; at 37, I suddenly had a motorcycle to clean up.

Earning my ride with sweat equity

I had a motorcycle, but I still wasn’t riding a motorcycle. Beverly had been sitting unridden for nearly two years. First step was really taking the time to go through and figure out what was needed to get it to kick over. The first month with the bike was mostly me researching where to start. I determined what would need to be replaced in order to get the motor running again. As a newer model only designed to look vintage, time had been kind to Beverly. I’m a complete novice though, so this was quite intimidating. On top of it, this was the bike that Pants had when she first started with RevZilla — plus her first bike! They endured the harsh Pennsylvania winters together, much like I did growing up on the western end of the state. There’s a legacy with this one, with bumps and dings from their travels along the way. Part of my hesitation to start on it was that I felt like I was violating her bike! It took a while to sink in that this bike is mine now.

I decided I had to start somewhere, anywhere, or it would be even longer before I’m actually riding. The sooner, the better! Beverly was a little rough in the seat. I’m handy enough with a sewing machine and figured that’d be an accessible first project for me. Reading articles and watching videos, I chose a four-way stretch vinyl that was easy to work with. I focused on just getting it done, not on perfection. This really helped to spur on the rest of the work. While the results aren’t perfect, the fresh color on the bike was enough of a makeover to start the transition, making it feel like this is my bike.

That bit of visible change propelled me to get organized. I made a list of items I needed to refresh, like fluids, filters, and tires, really anything that might go bad in the sun. With the help of a fellow new rider with more mechanical skills than I, we got to work on pulling off the wheels, emptying old gas, and removing the tank from the frame. I thank what I refer to as “the Dads of YouTube” for accessible videos that assisted with resolving some of the biggest headaches we ran into. I am eternally grateful for anyone who does a video of processes step by step, as I learn much better by watching. Being able to pause where someone was disconnecting the tank helped us figure out I was struggling at removing the wrong tube!

While the larger pieces have been pulled off the bike, I’ve been sitting down to get familiar with the various bits and bobs. I reference the Owner’s Manual I downloaded from the internet often. Finding the original tool pack was a fun surprise. Seeing their use in the form of marks and chips in the surfaces made me feel connected to my best friend in a way I hadn’t anticipated. We’re both Pisces and emotional beings. I expected to have some feelings during the build but this did surprise me a bit. I’m sure there’s more to come once we’re on the road together!

Finding community

Even with the breadth of knowledge at RevZilla, I am on a very intimidating journey into this mystery world. Through the support of PrideMoto, our LGBTQIA+ employee resource group, I have grown closer to other riders who have supported me with their technical and mechanical knowledge. Two of them have come by to either literally help me wrench on the bike, or help advise on a puzzle I found. I continue to tell them I will return the favor when we get out on the road together, and that keeps pushing me forward. I can’t wait to go riding with my friends. Both the ones I already know and the ones I’ll make on the road. Sometimes you just have to get out of your own way to get to the good stuff. I’m trying.

Finding that local community is important to me but it’s hard to do until I finish my work and get on the road. Searching online, most of those I found appeared to be only or mostly men. While there is nothing wrong with that, I am looking for reflections of myself and haven’t found that just yet. I am the type to create the space for myself and others if I’m not finding it, so it’s just a matter of time.

Meanwhile, the question “Do you ride?” still gives me a bit of anxiety anytime someone asks.

I feel like a cheat saying “yes,” simply because I am not out there actively riding, even though the license in my pocket says I have taken that step. As one of my friends recently said, “If you turn one screw per day, you’re still making progress.” So I do what I can, when I can. Soon, Beverly and I will be out there, learning about each other. Finding new things to fix up. But oh I can’t wait til I get to kick the engine over!

Pride in my ride and more

You might be down here at the end of this article wondering what the heck this has to do with Pride Month. Consider this a reminder that not everything is about us being gay or queer. But everything we do is gay or queer simply because we are. I am pansexual and have had to combat my own internalized homophobia. Especially after marrying a man and presenting as a heterosexual couple. While I have passing protection when with my spouse, I am anything but heterosexual. It took me until lockdown 2020 to be honest with myself about that. I’ve always been this way. Society made me hide it with slurs, derogatory comments, and even outright hate online.

Maybe by the time this gets published I’ll be out there cruisin’. Part of what drew me to write about my build experience is my desire to emphasize that we’re just like anyone else. We want to work on our bikes and ride and live. I hope to see you out there.