Marco Borrillo Motorcycling Page
"You see things vacationing on a motorcycle in a way that is completely different from
any other. In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you
don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're
a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.
On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're IN the
scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.
That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing, the same stuff
you walk on, it's right there, so blurred you can't focus on it, yet you can put your foot
down and touch it anytime, and the whole thing, the whole experience, is never
removed from immediate consciousness."
--Robert Pirsig, "Zen and the Art of Motorycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values."
any other. In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you
don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're
a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.
On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're IN the
scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.
That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing, the same stuff
you walk on, it's right there, so blurred you can't focus on it, yet you can put your foot
down and touch it anytime, and the whole thing, the whole experience, is never
removed from immediate consciousness."
--Robert Pirsig, "Zen and the Art of Motorycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values."
Biker Chicks???
The Harley Myth....
People who don't know any better always
make a big stink about America's most
famous motorcycle- the Harley Davidson.
I'm going to try and clear some of that up.
Harley is an old American company that
used to be in competition with the other
American company called "Indian." Indians
were actually better- they were lighter and
faster, but Harley was back then (and still is
today) an absolute MASTER at Advertising
and Marketing. They pushed ads that
showed Harleys as "tough" and Indians as
"wimpy" and succeeded in putting Indian out
of business. Today, those old Indians are
worth a fortune, if you can find one...
Harleys come in all kinds of shapes and
sizes, but the emphasis on 99% of them is
on slow touring. They have v-twin engines
that make a lot of obnoxious noise but not
much power. You are lucky to find a Harley
that makes more than 100 horsepower even
though they cost $15,000-$35,000.
Harleys give you a nice wide seat and soft
suspension. The seat is low to the ground,
which helps stop people from falling over
because these bikes generally weigh in at
over 800 pounds. Try parking something
like that with a bad ankle and a passenger...
The Harley image, marketing, and following
is truly awesome. They've got people so
brainwashed that these people will go out
and spend $20,000+ for a bike that weighs
800 pounds, makes 100 horsepower, gets
14mpg, and handles like a drunk pregnant
cow. 0-60 is slower than most pick-up
trucks, and top speeds are just slightly
above legal limits in Arizona. But I heard if
you are going downhill, you might eventually
be able to hit 100mph. Maybe...
Why? Why? Why? Why would you buy
something like that??? It can only be for 1
reason: image. For the same reason that
you buy a Gucci bag, you buy a Harley. To
each his own.
Now, I don't mind if you are into cruisers and
you are into following the rest of the crowd
and you buy a Harley. But PLEASE don't tell
me how fast they are, because my $10,000
Jap bike will beat your $30,000 Harley even
if I only use half a throttle. AND mine will last
over 100,000 miles and doesn't need to be
fixed every other week.
Harley's remind me of the old Jaguars, what
was the saying? "You need 2 Jaguars- one
to drive and one for the mechanic..."
make a big stink about America's most
famous motorcycle- the Harley Davidson.
I'm going to try and clear some of that up.
Harley is an old American company that
used to be in competition with the other
American company called "Indian." Indians
were actually better- they were lighter and
faster, but Harley was back then (and still is
today) an absolute MASTER at Advertising
and Marketing. They pushed ads that
showed Harleys as "tough" and Indians as
"wimpy" and succeeded in putting Indian out
of business. Today, those old Indians are
worth a fortune, if you can find one...
Harleys come in all kinds of shapes and
sizes, but the emphasis on 99% of them is
on slow touring. They have v-twin engines
that make a lot of obnoxious noise but not
much power. You are lucky to find a Harley
that makes more than 100 horsepower even
though they cost $15,000-$35,000.
Harleys give you a nice wide seat and soft
suspension. The seat is low to the ground,
which helps stop people from falling over
because these bikes generally weigh in at
over 800 pounds. Try parking something
like that with a bad ankle and a passenger...
The Harley image, marketing, and following
is truly awesome. They've got people so
brainwashed that these people will go out
and spend $20,000+ for a bike that weighs
800 pounds, makes 100 horsepower, gets
14mpg, and handles like a drunk pregnant
cow. 0-60 is slower than most pick-up
trucks, and top speeds are just slightly
above legal limits in Arizona. But I heard if
you are going downhill, you might eventually
be able to hit 100mph. Maybe...
Why? Why? Why? Why would you buy
something like that??? It can only be for 1
reason: image. For the same reason that
you buy a Gucci bag, you buy a Harley. To
each his own.
Now, I don't mind if you are into cruisers and
you are into following the rest of the crowd
and you buy a Harley. But PLEASE don't tell
me how fast they are, because my $10,000
Jap bike will beat your $30,000 Harley even
if I only use half a throttle. AND mine will last
over 100,000 miles and doesn't need to be
fixed every other week.
Harley's remind me of the old Jaguars, what
was the saying? "You need 2 Jaguars- one
to drive and one for the mechanic..."
My ride is a 2003 Kawasaki ZZR1200. This is a versatile bike, it is comfortable for 2-up riding
up to 8-10 hours per day; and yet it has an extremely powerful engine and can handle tight
twisties without a problem. I took my parents' 65 year-old friend Franco for a ride 4 months
after he had open-heart surgery. As you can see he was smiling ear to ear. (I took it easy on
him...)
This bike is capable of speeds of 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds, reaching 70mph in First Gear at
11,000 rpm; and top speeds of approx. 178mph in 6th gear. It has 155 horsepower with 91 lbs
of torque, and weighs in at just under 600 pounds. It gets 42 mpg's as long as you are being
nice... Cost was $10,100 out the door. Insurance comes in at less than $700 a year for full
coverage.
This is not a bike for beginners due to the weight and the power, but if you know how to control
it this bike can do it all.
up to 8-10 hours per day; and yet it has an extremely powerful engine and can handle tight
twisties without a problem. I took my parents' 65 year-old friend Franco for a ride 4 months
after he had open-heart surgery. As you can see he was smiling ear to ear. (I took it easy on
him...)
This bike is capable of speeds of 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds, reaching 70mph in First Gear at
11,000 rpm; and top speeds of approx. 178mph in 6th gear. It has 155 horsepower with 91 lbs
of torque, and weighs in at just under 600 pounds. It gets 42 mpg's as long as you are being
nice... Cost was $10,100 out the door. Insurance comes in at less than $700 a year for full
coverage.
This is not a bike for beginners due to the weight and the power, but if you know how to control
it this bike can do it all.
One of the greatest movies I've ever seen, better than Titanic as far as I'm concerned. It's
good for the whole family but especially for motorcycle enthusiasts. Please rent this (or buy it).
good for the whole family but especially for motorcycle enthusiasts. Please rent this (or buy it).
| So if you like Cruisers, which ones should you buy? |
| One request: if you want to buy a bike, don't go out and buy the biggest heaviest fastest thing you can get your hands on. Start small and work your way up. You don't lose much when you buy used and sell after 1 year. And remember: Safety First!!! Wear gloves, helmet, jacket, and boots every time you ride. For longer trips wear Kevlar pants. Check out my accident pictures for some gruesome reminders of why Safety is important. |
| the answer is simple: you buy a cruiser that is reasonably priced, smooth and powerful, safe, comfortable, and dependable. Here's my 3 favorite cruisers: |
| #1: The Honda VTX1800 may be the #1 cruiser in the world right now. It has some of the best #'s in terms of acceleration. Braking and Handling are excellent, so it is safe. It is comfortable. It's dependable (is there ANY Honda that ISN'T???) And the price is right at just over $10,000. Heck, my cousin Ronnie has one. See his bike here. #2: I also like the Kawasaki Vulcan, a smooth bike with a lot of power. #3: The Yamaha Roadstar Warrior is another great bike, but I heard that it is slightly unstable at high speeds (above 120mph). Of course, that may not be an issue for most people. This bike was designed with Quarter-mile drag racing in mind. It may be the quickest accelerating production cruiser in the world. But it still can't beat my bike, muahahaha. (but then again, it is more comfortable than my bike) |
| Gruesome Motorcycle Accident Pictures (enter at your own risk) |
| Trips Trips Trips Trips Trips Trips Trips Trips Trips Trips Trips |
"The Jail Tree" in Wickenberg,
Arizona, a very old Mesquite
tree.
These trees grow slowly, if it
was already big enough to
chain people to it in 1863, then
this tree was probably already
30 years old at that time,
making this tree about 173
years old.
What the heck is a
"Hoosegow" ???
Arizona, a very old Mesquite
tree.
These trees grow slowly, if it
was already big enough to
chain people to it in 1863, then
this tree was probably already
30 years old at that time,
making this tree about 173
years old.
What the heck is a
"Hoosegow" ???
| White Spar Mountains, AZ, 2006 - coming soon |
| Miscellaneous Motorcycle Stuff |
| Trip to San Carlos, Mexico, 2006 - coming soon |