Scuba:

Just your all around average red blooded American. Born in NY to a middle class family. My father is a USAF/Vietnam veteran, and was a truck driver, he is retired now. My mom was mostly a homemaker. She would pick up misc part time jobs here and there just to get out of the house and for some extra money. She passed a number of years ago from cancer. I was very active in the Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout in 1993 mainly because my mom wouldn’t let me quit. Earning my Eagle was about the only thing she “forced” me to do. She knew if I quit right at the end, I would regret it forever. I believe she was right, and I am glad she didn’t let me give up on myself.

I went to college in Daytona Beach, FL at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where I studied Aircraft Engineering. It was here, living in Daytona that I got my first glimpse of “biker” life. I would venture down to Main Street, and was fascinated by the “biker scum” riding around on $50k machines. My mom used to roll her eyes and ask me why I wanted to be in the middle of that. Why would I want to associate with those dirty, nasty biker types? She passed long before I ever threw my leg over a scoot, wonder what she thinks now.

Started riding in 2009. At the time I was the crew chief for a jet powered motorcycle, and I was the only guy on the team that didn’t ride. I was living in Nashville, TN bored one week, and decided to see if there was a rider course available and there was. I took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course and never looked back. I tell everyone I meet that is interested in riding to take the MSF course(s). Hands down the best thing I did when it comes to riding. I am also a firm believer in continuing with training. Whether its the more advanced MSF courses, or training to race, the ride like a pro classes… keep training!!! I can almost guarantee it will save your life. Random side note, that Jet Bike, the Ballistic Eagle, we set a Guinness World Record with it on April 24, 2009.

First bike was a 2003 Yamaha V-Star 1100. Put about 6000 miles on that thing the first year I owned it. Attended my first rally, Angel City (Unidilla, GA) on her. Went on my first major trip, about 1000 miles up into the U.P. of Michigan, camping and riding, over the course of a week. I miss that first bike. From the V-star, I graduated to a 2013 HD Ultra Classic, and eventually onto my 2020 Street Glide Special. Like anyone who rides, we get that question from newbies, what is the best bike for me? I freakin’ HATE THIS QUESTION, even though, I asked it myself. Best advice I can give in response, throw your leg over as many as you can… you will know when its “the one”. Only other thing I will say, if you are planning on riding any kind of distance on a touring/V-twin type machine, you don’t want anything much smaller than 1000cc. Yes it seems huge at first (that’s what she said), but trust me, you will rapidly outgrow that 600. I have multiple friends that wish they had that 1000cc after spending 4 or 5 hours running 80mph riding that blender motor, vibrating for all it was worth. Just trust me, get the bigger bike, you can handle it.

I volunteer a lot of my time to a biker organization that empowers abused children and being that obstacle to further abuse. I ride as much as I can, although it is never enough. I have completed a couple Iron Butt Association rides, with my eyes set on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. I am an engineer by day but not your typical pocket protector wearing type. I definitely don’t fit the stereotype and most of my work associates are fascinated by my “Biker” life. I do my own maintenance, and yes I curse the engineers that build these things too.

If you look back, you will see quotes a lot when I refer to being a biker or biker life. I probably should explain this. I ride, I own a few bikes, I attend some rallies, some look at me and would say I am a biker. I do not believe I am a biker, at least not per my definition or what I believe a biker to be. Due to the fact that I have much respect for those who truly are bikers, the ones that live that life 100, I feel I need to differentiate. I use the quotes because anyone that refers to me as a biker, they simply don’t understand. I refer to myself as a “biker” because I don’t want to disrespect those who ACTUALLY are. I am biker-lite at best. I am just a motorcycle enthusiast that loves the biker culture and having my knees in the breeze. I have nothing but respect for those that live the life.

Started this site with Maker because between the 2 of us, we tinker with a lot of sh… stuff. One of us will buy something, and either love it or hate it. While the other waits patiently to see if its worth the money or the hassle. A lot of the time laughing and pointing at a failure, or rushing to throw down our own money on the same thing. We were sitting around just BSing, and thought, hell, maybe others would be interested in what to average guys think. Or what experiences two idiots had installing or using different stuff. With that, Iron Horse Idiots was born…