I arrived at Velocity Powersports of Charleston will clear intensions of checking out a few bikes I had on my list. A list I put together with research from YouTube, magazines, and Google searches. It was EXHAUSTING LOL. I even created a PowerPoint with various motorcycle types and models and manufacturers. Printing out a few slides and hanging them at my work cubicle and home. Just to really see if the various bikes I found fit me…on paper that is. Walking into Velocity on a chilly January Saturday morning would tell me a different story. And an ending I didn’t expect…. but in a great way!
Through my research, and recent off roading experiences on my 2023 Moto Morini 650cc Scrambler, I was keen to view the latest Adventure Bikes or ADVs for short. I had made up my mind that I was an “adventure” riding guy. Rolf the Adventurer I called myself in the days leading up to my visit to Velocity. Spending a few hours on YouTube I began subscribing to channels dedicated to ADVs. It was so cool I thought. Riding street one minute, then riding a dirt trial the next. An ADV bike would do this for me. My heart was set. “Let’s go see some adventure bikes” I said out loud to myself as I pulled into the Velocity parking lot.
Purchasing a second bike was not my plan on this Saturday morning. I just wanted to do a bit of recon on if ADVs where for me. I was curious and studying images on paper doesn’t do me any good without actually seeing these bikes in person. Plus, you need to sit and get a feel for these machines. I knew I was in trouble with ADVs when I started looking at the Kawasaki KLR 650’s lined up at Velocity. Velocity had all types of models to choose from. Different paint schemes and features. Some models were the base with little to no extras. One model in particular had all the stuff you could ask for. Crash bars, fog lights, and even a USB port to power up your phone. Yet, I had a problem. A very BIG problem. The KLR is a HUGE bike. I mean it is the size of small SUV LOL. “How the hell do I ride this thing?” I thought. What if I crash and the bike lands on top of me? Would I survive? My entire Rolf the Adventurer image faded as soon as I sat on this beast. “NOT FOR ME” I said to myself.
My salesman Greg was very helpful. Providing me with all types of data and stories of KLRs out in the wild. “You can go to Alaska on this bike” Greg said. “Really?” I replied. Then I remembered how I rode to Summerville from James Island on my Moto Morini and thought that was about as far as I could go on a motorcycle. To Alaska? And back? NOPE.
As Greg walked away to research a question I had asked him, I started checking out other bikes on the showroom floor. I burned my list in my mind and had to rethink my next steps. Seeing a few bikes on the opposite side of the showroom floor looked cool. They were smaller and less intimidating. Then, a black motorcycle, with chrome pipes caught my eye. “What is this bike?” I thought. Getting up closer to the bike my heart jumped. My first impulse was to jump on this bike and ride away. My inner voice was screaming at me saying “THIS IS IT ROLF. THE KAWASAKI Z900RS”. A retro bike with modern tech, the Kawasaki Z900RS stood out to me with open arms. Unlike the KLR which made me nervous just standing next to it, the Z was like an old friend appearing in my life again. Greg came back to me sitting on the Z and said, “you got great taste Rolf”. The light bulb went off. I immediately knew what my next bike would be. The Z.
No, I didn’t ride off into the sunset with a new machine that day, but I learned something new. As I am understanding myself more, I must always make room for the unexpected in life. As much as I plan and research, you must sometimes realize that what you are looking for, is NOT what you are looking for. That you discover a unicorn and begin to believe in the magic again. Friends, always keep the door open for new opportunities. Because sometimes a Z might be waiting for you too.
Rolf