Randakk’s Philosophy of Motorcycle Riding and Life

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Motorcycling changed my life. I mean that quite literally. If there weren’t vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, there would be no persona known as Randakk. For that I am sincerely grateful. That I am able to earn a living immersed in such fabulous machinery is quite a blessing. The Randakk Riding Skills BLOG Project is dedicated to my customers who make all this possible!

Randakk on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Randakk – Photo by Lynn Setzer

My passion for these machines is clearly mechanically based. As a youngster, I spent many vacations on the beaches of North and South Carolina. I remember once at Myrtle Beach a hapless fellow managed to run his rental Honda 50 into the swimming pool of our motel! My friends and I helped him fish it out of the deep end. Miraculously, after it dripped for five minutes and the rider steeled his frayed nerves, it fired on the first kick, burped a pint or two of water, and off it went! That was my first lesson in the superiority of Honda engineering. Variants of that model are known around the world as the Honda “Super Cub.” More than 60 million have been built, and it’s still in production and available just about everywhere . . . except America. More the pity, because I would buy a new one today in a heartbeat if I could!

When I first began to formulate my thoughts for this BLOG project, I naturally thought of all the well-meaning suggestions I’ve fielded from customers over the years. Many would make an excellent read if I ever got around to writing them. All such suggestions to-date have focused on various mechanical topics.

That’s not too surprising. My reputation in the industry is based on my minor status as a mechanical “wizard” focused on the intricacies of vintage motorcycle carburetion. Customers and other who know me might rightfully expect a book from Randakk to be on some “nuts-and-bolts” topic. At the risk of disappointing some of my audience, this BLOG content will have nearly zero mechanical content. It’s really about something much more important. The impetus is to pass along some vital information that will make you a better rider and allow you to enjoy the fabulous sport of motorcycling for as long as possible. Keeping my customers (and their bikes!) on the road is my real mission.

I’m indebted to many great teachers and mentors who generously shared their knowledge of riding, made me a better rider and challenged me to help others improve. I’ll mention them in context as the project unfolds. If this prompts only one action on your part, make it count: do as I have done and read everything significant that been written on the subject of better riding. I’ll include a Recommended Reading List to get you started.

Randakk at Virginia International Raceway on RC-003

One of my life goals is to ride motorcycles into my 90’s. Not just ride, but ride them well! I’m not kidding – this is a serious endeavor that is shaping large chunks of my life.

This is not a trivial ambition. Success will require more than optimism and wishful thinking. I’m an excellent rider by any reasonable standard today (age 59 as of this writing). To enjoy the sport of motorcycling 3+ decades from now would be a significant accomplishment. It won’t happen by accident (no pun intended). Lots of uncontrollable external factors could thwart my plan. Nevertheless, the idea of it all has captivated my attention and energy.If I make it, lots of very positive things must happen and lots of very negative things (like premature death!) must not. I have a plan and it’s working beautifully so far!

By design – my approach is definitely “off-beat” and non-traditional …. covering lots of “off the bike” skills development. For example, I’ve undertaken some ballet training as part of a critical focus on sharpening balance skills.

Ballet training is an intentionally preposterous idea (with lots of merit) designed to shake up rigidly held notions. I challenge my readers to question what they know and come to terms with what they might learn.

Randakk with Ballet Coach Mandy Hinson Hemmings
Randakk with Ballet Coach Mandy Hinson Hemmings

Before I get into the specifics, let me say that I’ve been very blessed in my life. To be able to indulge such a goal is a testament to the marvelous standard of living we enjoy in America. Less fortunates in the world must deal with poverty, hunger, disease, war and other everyday realities much more daunting. I’m very grateful for the hand I’ve been dealt in life. Among my many blessings are:

  • Beautiful, talented and loving wife
  • 2 great sons
  • Well-travelled
  • Good economic fortunes
  • Excellent health (and cancer survivor!)
  • Great customers

The lure of motorcycling is hard to explain to many, but probably not you. Motorcycling requires relaxed concentration that is highly engaging. By definition, riding a bike means you’re not doing taxes, attending a business meeting, taking out the trash or any number of other less satisfying activities. Throw in good scenery, fresh air and exquisite mechanical art and engineering and you have something special.

Honestly, I wouldn’t trade places in life with any celebrity, tycoon, politician, rock star or anyone else. My purpose is to share some information that’s been meaningful in my life framed in a somewhat relevant context. As a vintage Honda specialist, perhaps my “bully pulpit” will allow me to share some useful information you might not have expected.

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