My Life on Bikes, by Shawn Huffman

My story starts when I went riding with my dad, I was in front of him on a big blue Kawasaki. I would run the throttle and pull in the clutch and he would shift the gears.

Shawn Huffman

When I was about 8 riding a SL70 by myself I could reach the pegs but not the ground, so when I had to stop, dad had to hold up the bike. This will work if I pull in on the clutch. If I did not pull in on the clutch I rode up and over the doghouse. The second time I tried this it worked.

When I was about 10 I got my first bike for Christmas it was a Suzuki 75. I rode in the snow, mud, sand, and dirt and got into trouble with the law.

The rule was if you could pick the bike up off the ground and start it you could ride that bike. I could pick up and start my dad’s Yamaha RD400 street bike when I was about 12. So I spent a lot of time at the airport riding my dad’s bike. He said to practice starts and stops. So I practice my starts and stops. (Jackrabbit starts and panic stops). When I was 14 I got my MC license and was riding my dad’s bike on the street. This was a good thing and it came with more trouble with the law.

When I was 16 I bought my first bike 1979 Honda XR500R street and dirt. A friend also bought a bike like mine. Can you guess what happens next? Yes, more trouble with the law.

Moving UP

When I was 18 I bought a 1983 Honda V45 Magna street bike. I was dating a police officer’s daughter and he was now riding a bike, also. No more trouble with the law. (WRONG). This bike started me on traveling places not just a ride around the county but over night trips. I was in Colorado on this bike. The picture of this bike was taken at a lake in Colorado that was 45 miles on washboard road and it rained after we got there the ride down was fun.

When I was 21 My Uncle Skip had new 1988 GL1500 Gold Wing. He let me ride. This was the only way to go ride. Skip found a 1984 Honda GL1200 Gold Wing Interstate, With 8000 miles. My dad & I bought that bike. I spent a lot of time riding after work till early into the morning. When I moved to dodge the bike came with me. I did not have much time to ride. Skip had planned a trip to Oregon to visit my mom. We rode out on highway 50 this is the loneliest highway in the US. This was the first long road trip I was on. We were gone for 10 days. That trip was a trip to remember.

GL1200

About 3 years later I was about to put the bike up for sale. I did not have much time to ride and no one to ride with. When a customer of mine asked if he had seen me on a 84 GL1200. He invited me to ride with a group of riders (WKW). I did ride with them and changed my mind about not riding.

When I was 33 I bought a 1988 Honda GL1500 Gold Wing. This was Skip’s bike. (The first Gold Wing I rode) I went on rides and trips with this bike and enjoyed traveling by bike. In the fall of 2000 Honda came out with the all-new GL1800 Gold Wing (This is not your Fathers Gold Wing). I took one for a test ride (THAT WAS A MISTAKE). I decided; I will have one in 2005.

GL1500

When I was 35 the 2002 new colors came out for the GL1800. Silver was the color for me. So My dream of a 2005 Gold Wing was a reality in 2002. This bike is the first new street bike I have had. I have been on more trips on this bike, then I have on all of the rest put together. I would have to say this is the bike I like the best. Lets see what Honda can do next!

Let The Good Times Roll