There is something about wet roads that scares the shit out of me. Maybe it’s my fear of sliding and crashing on my Moto Morini that makes my heart race when it rains while I am riding. So, Thursday afternoon, once I finished the workday, I rode over to a large parking lot and got to work. The rain had been falling lightly but steadily since 10am. I reached the parking lot a bit after 3pm and quickly set up my soccer cones to begin my training session. Rain sprinkled lightly as I practiced my countersteering, slowly turning while riding over puddles, gravel, and wet pavement. I kept the Moto Morini in 1st gear as I practiced my swerves, u-turns, figure 8’s and quick stops. Each time I turned my bike and rolled the throttle I thought I would crash. Yet, I didn’t. And I so thankful for this experience.

Fear is a good thing. I believe it’s our brains trying to keep us safe as a therapist once told me. But fear and reality I feel are very different things. What is actually happening verse what our brains creates are two different worlds. When I had an art studio, my brain supported me with wonderful images to paint and sketch as well as build. Yet, riding a motorcycle my brain often creates negative images. Maybe this might have to do with my mental illness but really, I am learning to accept my brain’s negative images as a safety check.

This has been what is the most challenging part of motorcycling early in my career. The mental part of motorcycling. I will say that when I am tried, maybe a bit down, I don’t even get near my bike. I ONLY ride when I strong, healthy, and positive. But, practicing my slow speed maneuvers Thursday afternoon, in the rain, in a parking lot with soccer cones, really helped me realize that what is happening in front of you, is more important that what the brain generates within you.

Rolf

There are motorcycles…. then there are Ducati’s. The past few weeks I have been following the rabbit hole of motorcycle research, and discovered that my next bike, my 2nd motorcycle, will definitely be a Ducati 8) I don’t know when I will take the leap and pull the trigger on a 2nd bike, but I know I now want a Ducati Monster. I spent a few weeks reading reviews of motorcycles and watching YouTube videos on what I thought I wanted in a second bike. I do know that I am NOT a Harley-Davidson guy, I am too old for sport bikes, and adventure bikes just don’t make sense to me. Riding my Moto Morini, which I love, I know I am into the naked bike scene. Slim. Agile. Quick. Are the best words to describe that characteristics of the motorcycles I love. After a few days of research, I knew I had to visit a local dealership to actually sit on a few bikes I had my eye on.

When I arrived, I was definitely overwhelmed by the inventory of the dealership. It is motorcycle heaven. All types. All styles. And prices that are reasonable. I swung a leg over a few models, but nothing fit. Disappointment followed. Then I walked to the Ducati motorcycle section. The first thing that hit me was the color of the Ducati’s. The gorgeous red paint stood out and grabbed my attention. I soon found myself staring at the 2024 Ducati Monster. I did do a little bit of research on the Ducati Monster yet I didn’t think this bike was for me. But then I sat on this beauty. Similar to my experience with my Moto Morini, the first time I sat on the MM, I knew this was the bike for me. That experience was repeated as I sat on the 2024 Ducati Monster. I knew I found my next speed machine.

I immediately played with the quick shifter, the hydraulic clutch, and even crawled under the Ducati Monster to find the oil filter nested right under the engine. How sweet this was! Yet, I didn’t fire up the engine, which is good because I probably would have bought it 8) Everything about the 2024 Ducati Monster was intuitive. The controls made sense. My seating position was spot on and the components on the bike were fantastic. I must say, I am in love with the Ducati Monster.

So, how do I get one? I don’t know… at this time. Yet, I will do my best to keep this Ducati in mind as I tweak my budget and have beautiful Ducati dreams.

Rolf

After four months of ownership, and many Sundays spent training on my Moto Morini, I accomplished something that I did not think I could do. So, before I dive into my recent success story while riding my Moto Morini, I must acknowledge that accomplishments while practicing the art of motorcycling are best thought of as isolated victories. Most of the videos I see on YouTube are negative images. Crashes. Cop chases. Fighting. For me, this is not what motorcycling is about. Like tennis, motorcycling is an individual sport. Were achievements are getting home safe, in one piece, and your bike in good condition. Similar to my practices while as a young tennis player, hitting balls against a wall for hours, God sometimes smiles down on you, blessing you with an accomplishment that only you know happen.

This past Sunday, I took to my training program at a local high school and knew I wanted to push myself as hard as possible. During my countersteering training, I leaned my bike over so far that I scraped my right peg. Unknown to me at the time, but my lean angle to make my right peg scrape on the ground, while riding, was 18 degrees. Yes! I leaned my bike over so far that I scraped my right peg and created a lean angle that is less than 20 degrees. Keeping my balance and rolling the throttle through the turn, the sound of my metal peg scraping the empty parking lot ground was so euphoric, that I had to stop and smile at the heavens above.

I feel that scraping a peg, as a new rider, is like hitting a major milestone in your motorcycle career. Also, I love that sound of my peg scraping the road that really lets me know that I am advancing in my training, and ultimately becoming a better rider. It might be a little victory, but the results have me excited for my future.

Rolf

I don’t know what is more stressful. Surviving the workday or my early morning commute to work on my Moto Morini motorcycle? Both of which I have done, successfully. And both of which, are always different and never the same. Yet, what I have learned in the past month of commuting to my office job on my motorcycle is that the Charleston AM rush hour is a beast unlike anything I have experienced before. Though, I will say the PM rush hour has its own demons, but the energy, and complete utter chaos of the morning commute is in a world of its own.

Everything is turned up to ten. EVERYONE is in a hurry. Me included. As fall season is beginning and winter is near, the duration of sunlight is limiting. This makes for a very interesting situation when you must ramp up the RPMs and haul ass or get eaten by the beast of the morning traffic. As much as I studied and prepared myself for commuting to my job, one to two days a week, on my bike, is about all I can handle at the moment. Add to the equation, the occasional accident, traffic jam, and everyone exceeding, and me too, the speed limit, the experience is unlike anything I have felt before.

I have a few tips for my fellow motorcyclists to survive the AM rush hour:

PREPARATION: This is key. Make sure the night before your bike is in great shape. Nothing to offset your commute. Remember, if you leave for work early in the AM, during the fall/winter season, it will be dark. Having to make an adjustment in the dark is very hard. Also, make sure to rest and eat. Nothing spells damager on a bike than an empty stomach and fatigue. Get rest and eat. Finally, I spend about 10-15 minutes before I ride into work practicing my slow speed maneuverers in an empty parking lot. This helps me to be “dialed in” during my ride.

RELAX: The main thing that I experience is the rush and speed of the AM commute. I always have to remind myself that I am the fastest vehicle on the road. So use speed and your experience to get out of the packs of cars if you can. Also, I am a big fan of the side roads. Though they are busy too, the Interstate near me is usually a shit show in the AM. The side roads offer a better view and is funnier ride. Once you are in the thick of it, RELAX. Don’t tense up. Allow your training and experience to kick in and beware of your surroundings. Everyone wants to get to work, and they will do anything they want to get there. Keep your eyes focused on what is happening ahead.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED: I always try to keep traffic surprises to a low. I do my best to anticipate that a car WILL cut me off, WILL make an erratic U-turn, WILL swerve into my lane unexpectedly. I do my best to ensure that what CAN happen WILL happen, so that my surprise level is reduced, panic buried a little, and I survive. 8)

I have learned in my early morning commutes, is after a ride into work, the workday is not as stressful. Surviving the chaos of the AM rush hour really puts things into perspective and makes dealing with me work email inbox in the morning, a piece of cake.

Rolf

Two weeks ago, I purchased a set of three ear plugs for about $10 bucks at a home improvement store. I decided that giving ear plugs a try for my motorcycle rides might help with all the wind noise that I had been experiencing. After a bit research, I learned that wind noise during motorcycle rides causes short term earing damage and, over a long period of time, can lead to PERMANENT HEARING LOSS 8(

“No thanks!”, I said to myself and decided to see if my research into ear plugs would help. From my experience, before ear plugs, and especially on my long Sunday ride adventures, I would notice that I had trouble concentrating during rides because of all the wind noise within my full-face helmet. This is something I did not expect to occur. Yet, the more I rode, and the longer I rode, the wind noise kept becoming an issue. The effects of this wind noise made my riding experience very uncomfortable. I felt I had a “swimming head” as I called it after I returned home from my long Sunday rides. I felt dizzy, my mind was a bit unbalanced, and I had a hard time focusing. I just thought it was something new riders suffer from as part of becoming a motorcyclist. I was WRONG.

So, early one morning, before my AM work commute on my Moto Morini motorcycle, I purchased a set of three plugs and gave it a go. First, I was shocked by how calming the environment around me became. I still could hear cars and my motorcycle engine, but the experience of wind noise was SO reduced that I felt more confident while riding. I could concentrate better on my riding, focusing on my surroundings, being fully “dialed in” during my ride and wind noise became less extreme. Wind noise was still present with my ear plugs, but the level of wind noise was so reduced that I felt more in control of my bike and able to navigate the chaos of commuting to my job during the morning rush hour.

The biggest benefit to wearing ear protection for me, is the way I feel after a long day in the saddle. My mind is more alert. I don’t suffer from the “swimming head” and the echo of the constant wind within my helmet and ears is very minimal, that I feel great during my rides. I must recommend that EVERY motorcyclist invest in a pair of ear plugs. Your hearing will thank you!

Rolf

When I was in high school, I was obsessed with practicing my tennis game. Though a professional tennis career never materialized, the act of practicing drilled into me the knowledge that to get better, you must PRACTICE. This past Sunday morning, at sunrise, in an empty local high school parking lot, I spent about an hour practicing slow speed maneuverers with my Moto Morini motorcycle. If you an unfamiliar with slow speed maneuvers, it is basically riding your motorcycle in 1st gear, which is less than 10mph, and going through various obstacles to build skills like turning, swerving, emergency braking, and ultimately understanding how to control my motorcycle. It amazes me how well this practice of slow speed maneuverers translates to the open roads. In essence, this training allows your mind and body to react to emergency situations, so you don’t panic, and NOT DO ANYTHING about the object threating your life while riding your motorcycle. Fear and panic are natural. But don’t let that stop you from giving yourself a chance to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Maneuvering a 500-pound machine through mini obstacles I designed with small, lightweight, bright orange cones, while riding at speeds less than 10mph, takes skill, concertation, stamina, and sometimes dropping your bike happens. I have learned that dropping my motorcycle at slow speeds, in a vacant local high school parking lot is MUCH better and safer, than on the busy public roads. These mini obstacles, that I learned from my Basic Rider Course at Trident Technical College this past summer, builds confidence that gives you an inner strength and belief, to control your motorcycle in all types of environments like riding through the chaos of rush hour traffic, while navigating the local roads and crazy intersections that account for so many motorcycle fatalities.

Over the last two months I have diligently practiced slow speed maneuvers each week. I make it a priority to take the time to practice. Similar to the time when I played tennis as a high schooler, I would put the work in and my tennis game improved. Honestly, this training will save your life as a motorcyclist. You must understand that it is all about the details while practicing the art of motorcycling. I highly recommend practicing slow speed maneuvers. YouTube and other sources of motorcycle training are available for you to study as I am doing. Take advance of this info and build up a great skillset that will save your life.

Rolf

I have always been of fan of minimalist art. My attraction to the minimalist aesthetic began while studying the work of artist Donald Judd during my undergraduate fine art studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in the late 90’s. Early in my art career I applied the minimalist approach to as much of my artwork as possible. Even today, I still think about the art of Judd. There is something wonderfully inherit in keeping things simple. I try my best to keep much of my lifestyle in a simplistic approach; using what I need, only when I need it.

So, when I decided that the 2023 Moto Morini SCR was the bike for me, the most important aspect to me at that time, was how this motorcycle looked. Viewing the Moto Morini in the showroom of Charleston Triumph, a local motorcycle dealership, I felt that this bike had a certain appeal that had me thinking about minimalist art. Unlike other motorcycles, the Moto Morini recalled an emotional connection to Donald Judd.

After a few weeks of riding and just looking at my new bike parked, I began wondering about if I could reduce this bike in terms of appearance. Of course, safety is important, and I did not want to risk too much. But I knew, less is more. My creative brain, which had not been used in some time as I am not activity making art at the moment, allowed me to question….do I really need this piece of plastic on my bike? Once that question lingered in my subconscious long enough, I decided to take action. After a few days in my Mom’s Garage, working on my bike, servicing my bike, I felt a certain level of confidence to really make my Moto Morini a true “naked” bike.

Yesterday, as I was looking down into a bin of about 20 pounds of plastic parts from my Moto Morini, I believe I have finally uncovered the bike that represents me at this time in my motorcycle career. I have simplified my bike. It runs great and the fact that so much of this bike is exposed that the lack of weight from all the missing plastic parts, results in a motorcycle that is very swift on the roads while turning this machine is a breeze. A lightweight bike is great for beginners like me! Maybe it is true what other motorcyclists say that your bike is an extension of you. I feel a specific bond with my Moto Morini and this gives me so much hope for future rides and when someone asks, “what type of bike is this?”. I can reply, “it’s a Rolf bike,” LOL.

Rolf

I am lucky enough to work for a company that allows for Personal Time Off (PTO), which creates about a week off from work as a vacation. As a work-a-holic, vacation time is something I find that must include activities and projects. Yet, I know, I must treat my vacation as, well, a vacation. So, I do my best not to schedule too many things before my vacation. I love the idea of waking up during my vacation, and deciding what to do, the day off. Makes being spontaneous fantastic.

As someone with a mental illness and a recovering drug and alcohol addict, activities and projects creative a positive outlet for me. This encourages a healthy experience and thus rewarding for someone like me. Last year, I spent my vacation time completing paintings at an artist residency in Summerville, South Carolina. It was a great time. Yet, speaking to a friend of mine after my artist residence, she said, “Rolf, you really didn’t stop WORKING,” LOL. It was true. The artist residency was extremely rewarding experience. But it was very exhausting. Was this a vacation?

This year, as my time off from work approached, I knew I needed to focus on how to spend that time. A few weeks before vacation time, I made a long list of things I wanted to do. When I mention this to my therapist, he said, “Rolf, says like you are going to be WORKING on your vacation time,” LOL. Once again, I had the idea or ideas that I needed to be doing something with my time off from work. Like, I was working when I didn’t need to work? Strange. My entire thought process about vacation time was really fucked up LOL. On my final day of work before my vacation, I threw away my list, signed my timesheet for the week, and hide my work badge from myself. I AM ON VACATION!

Monday morning, my first day of vacation I opened up the garage door, noticed the day was a bit cloudy and windy but no rain. I drank some coffee and looked at my Moto Morini. “Let’s go for a ride” I said to myself. It was 10am. I was not in the office. I fired up my Moto Morini motorcycle. I packed my bag with a few items. And rode towards Edisto Island. Thus, my vacation week began with a ride, and I am happy to say, I ended my vacation with a ride. And I rode everywhere. In heavy rush hour traffic. I did as many errands as possible on my motorcycle. And really, just explored as much as I could. I also, did some maintenance on my bike, added a light, and overall, just bonded more with my machine as possible. The art of motorcycling is really a lifestyle. I made it a point of stopping and enjoying the beauty of the Lowcountry. Yet, you don’t need a motorcycle to do this. It is just a better experience on a motorcycle 8)

Rolf

Motorcycling is one of the most amazing activities I begun since this past July. After almost two months of riding my 2023 Moto Morini Seiemmezzo SCR, I know wearing my motorcycle gear is a MUST before every ride. Even before my Moto Morini was delivered to my home on James Island, I spend time researching and purchasing as much gear as I could afford BEFORE I got my motorcycle. I did not want to start my motorcycle career without having my entire body covered and protected as much as possible. As a new rider, wearing full coverage gear allows me to feel confident before I push the start button on my Moto Morini.

Yet, as much as I love the motorcycle community in the Lowcountry, witnessing other riders NOT wearing gear while riding a motorcycle really makes me sad. There is so much risk involved with motor biking. From my experience of my first crash, at a speed less than 15mph, I was so thankful I was protected from head-to-toe. Recently, I have notice riders wearing flip flops as they ride the public roads on their 20-thousand-dollar motorcycles. I can’t help but feel sorry for them and wish they would change their habits. Aren’t your toes important to you? But I understand because as we become more confident in our riding abilities, and as we clock off years of experience in two-wheel travel, we begin to lose site of the little things, like our toes.

Living in South Carolina, a state that doesn’t require motorcycle helmets after 21 years old, I understand the deep idea that a motorcycle is freedom, and wearing a helmet might be seen as impeding that freedom. For me though, zipping up my motorcycle jacket, wearing my heavy-duty motorcycle jeans, lacing my boots up, buttoning up my helmet, and putting on my gloves is a routine that gets me emotionally ready for the public roads ahead. If I was to NOT wear my gear and ride during rush hour traffic, I don’t think I would make it 5 miles. Honestly, All The Gear All The Time (ATGATT) is as much a part of my pre-ride checklist as my T-CLOCS.

This is not to say wearing motorcycle gear will save your life. The damagers with riding a motorcycle are as high as ever in today’s busy world. But for me, wearing full coverage gear for ANY ride, 5 miles to 60 miles, I will always make sure to follow ATGATT each time. And for God’s sakes people, protect your toes!

Rolf

To think back, to the day I graduated from Trident Technical College’s Motorcycle Basic Rider course, it was a hot, humid, beautiful Sunday day. What I learned that day, was, I really wanted to buy a motorcycle and see what would happen. This past Sunday, around the same time I graduated from the BRC at TTC, and about the same weather conditions, I reached a major milestone in the art of motorcycling, I completed my first 500 miles on my motorcycle! I feel this is a huge accomplishment because the past four weeks have been a journey that really IS transforming me, for the better. One notable thing is, I have lost almost 20 pounds. Wearing about 20 pounds of gear, riding in the heat and humidity of the Lowcountry for hours, and add to that spending a few hours before each ride doing my MSF training really makes you sweat. I mean a lot LOL. Sitting at stoplights mid-day, in the sun, surround by other vehicles, is something only the few can survive on a motorcycle. Add to the fact you need to be mentally sharp and prepared for about any traffic situation or nature obstacle, really takes a toll you.

The first 500 miles taught me new and exciting things about myself. Not only do I love motorcycles; the design as well as the way each motorcycle is built, but there is something that occurs within me that leads me to believe that riding a motorcycle might be one the best experiences you can have. Just this last Sunday, as I was riding down Bohicket Rd to Kiawah, I couldn’t stop smiling. Heading to Kiawah on a motorcycle really allowed me to see the beauty of the Lowcountry and that has been a reoccurring theme throughout my motorcycle rides the first 500 miles. Just how amazing the Lowcountry is, from the view of riding on a motorcycle.

The lessons I am learning over the last 500 miles is amazing. At the core of my completing my first 500 miles is how to properly shift gears, using engine braking to slow the bike down, throttle control, using the friction zone, countersteering, full lock turns, figure 8’s, quick stops, surviving rush hour Lowcountry traffic in the AM and PM, allowing a good space cushion, and finally, understanding how to maintain your bike for optimal performance. The slow speed maneuvers are something I really enjoy before I start any major bike ride. Learning to control a 500-pound machine moving less than 10mph is a challenge. Yet, this is where the Art of Motorcycling really shines. For me, it’s the slow speed maneuvers that give me a world of confidence and the ability to be agile on the Moto Morini builds a foundation for my future. Sure, everyone can ride a motorcycle at high speeds. Motorcycles actually handle and perform wonderfully at high speeds. Yet, the slow speed stuff gives you a better idea of how your motorcycle responds at a speed that must be managed completely.

Some of the highlights of my first 500 miles include, visiting Folly Beach for the first time, riding around Downtown Charleston on a busy Friday night, riding across the James Island Connector on a windy day, commuting to my job in North Charleston from James Island during rush hour traffic, riding down Highway 61 to Summerville at 66mph, riding my bike during Tropical Storm Debby, my first crash, and riding through River Rd on Johns Island were all very memorable. This first 500 miles I will remember forever. Praise God!

TOTALS PER 1ST 500 MILES – Quick Stats

TOTAL RIDING TIME (SEAT TIME): 43 HRS 5 MINUTES
TOP SPEED: 66
AVG SPEED: 50.31
AVG MILEAGE PER RIDE: 40.08
REPAIRS: FRONT BRAKE LEVER / BRAKE LIGHTS
CRASHES: 1