My Late Mid Life Crises Final Draft

Michael Davis
Joel Murphy
English 51
Descriptive Essay
19 Feb 2009


My Late Mid Life Crises

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle. So I
recently decided that it was now or never. Riding can heighten all your senses, I have
friends that own them and they seem to enjoy the experience

Now I can ride my shiny new bike. It’s a Honda 750 Shadow Aero 2007. The Aero means it comes with what they call classic fenders, they are larger then the ones on a regular Shadow.
It is metallic white, with a black frame, and a lot of spotless chrome. When I bought it, it was just a plain bike no extras. So I had to dress it up, even though it was stock it was pretty impressive. I was happy to learn that it was a shaft drive, which means no chain or belt to come loose. My bike also has adjustable shocks, for if you’re carrying a load like a friend, and of course they are chrome. The engine is a V twin it also has a lot of chrome on it. The exhaust comes out of the right side of the bike, as two pipes, and combines into one. They are covered with heat guards and they are also chrome. The bike also came with a 6-month full warranty.
To dress it up I added a windshield, I don’t like the idea of bugs hitting me in the face. I also added saddle bags, a rear chrome rack, and a sissy bar for the passenger. I also put crash bars on it. But of course while waiting for them to come in, I crashed the bike. Lucky for me the damage was miner and most of it was to my pride.

It’s a great feeling when I climb on my bike, and start it up. You can feel the vibration of the motor, the low rumble of the exhaust and the smell of burnt fuel. It’s a feeling of raw power when you accelerate. I was scared to death for the first few weeks I was riding but when I relaxed it became fun and exhilarating. Since you don’t have music, there is no distraction from the experience, I am aware that it is not always safe on the road but I have found that again with no music or distractions you are more aware of what is happening around you. At first going on the free way was nerve racking but now I am enjoying how it feels to see the ground move so fast right under you.

The whole experience has been enjoyable from the search to find the perfect bike, to the purchase. I have found that it has opened some social doors for me that I never thought of. I feel that everyone should do what they would enjoy, don’t wait. It is satisfying and makes going through the trials of life a bit easer.