Sunday, December 14, 2008

When the Bike is in the Shop...

It happens to all riders at one point in time or another. The bike is in the shop. It does not matter whether you are a great mechanic or don't know a clutch cage from a rat cage... There will be a time when your two wheeled conveyance is laid up.

So while your motorcycle is receiving some tender loving care from the mechanic, what are you going to do? For those of you who don't know, motorcycle repairs are not like car repairs. Most car problems are rectified in typically short order.

Motorcycle repairs can take a while. Three weeks to a month in the shop is not unheard of. So, what are you going to do? Here are some ideas:
  • Read up on motorcycle safety. There is never a bad time to bone-up on emergency manuevers and other safety related things.
  • Take up, or enjoy a hobby. Many motorcycle riders enjoy flying airplanes. That singularity of focus that motorcycle riders possess is identical to that of pilots. Think it is too expensive? Think again. Ultralight flying can be a real kick in the seat and requires a small amount of training.
  • Start writing a blog. That same singularity of focus is a great writing asset. You don't have to be a Hemmingway or Asimov or King or Crichton to write. Just take what is on the inside of that biker brain and let it out. Some great motorcycle blogs are Motorcycle and Scooter Talk at Kano's Coffee House, Cruising Ohio, The Many Thoughts of HarleyGirl, and Rippin Kitten.
  • Do something constructive. If it is warm enough out in the garage, build something. If not, then make some coffee or tea, build a fire in the fireplace and learn to knit. Don't laugh; knitting is a great hand-eye exercise and helps helps keep those digits flexible.
  • Work on that next 'evil' motorcycle adventure. Off road in Baja California? Roughing it in the Northern Canadian Wilderness? Thinking of a little trans-Africa ride? While your bike is being repaired, this might not be a bad time to be planning.
While your motorcycle is getting some nice TLC, don't sit on your duff. Do something!

No comments: