Riding my bike is more than getting from point A to point B for me. You could say it's one of my passions. This page is is more than a showcase for my current scoot though, it's more like a chronicle of my history with motorcycles. In this section of Brettman.com you can find pictures and specs of my bikes over the years as well as ride reports, and how I came to enjoy riding so much.

So how did it all begin?

My Dad has ridden motorcycles as long as I can remember. I started riding as his passenger when I was about 4 or 5 years old. Although I don't explicitly recall, he tells me that since my feet wouldn't reach the buddy pegs he bought some highway pegs and clamped them to the frame where I could reach. I was hooked.

As I grew up and went on more rides with my Dad I knew that I just had to have a bike of my own someday. I couldn't get enough, any time I would get the chance I would gladly go for a ride. We used to make trips to the store on the bike as well and I would carry back whatever we bought...a gallon of milk...a case of soda...2 ½ gallons of gas...watermelon...anything.

But alas, I then found myself in high school and a motorcycle would be far from practical. What would I do in the rain? the snow? This is New England after all and the weather is anything but perfect. So like most I got a car and life was good. After all, you can't pack all your friends on a motorcycle and go hang out on the weekends.

Time went on and in a way I guess you could say I forgot about the desire to have a motorcycle. I still went on rides with my Dad but was quite content just being a passenger.

That all seemed to change rather dramatically during my senior year of college. Suddenly the mere sound of a passing motorcycle would snap my head around trying to catch a glimpse. I began to notice just how many bikes were on the road and wanted to join them. The road was calling my name. Being a student and only working part time prevented me from answering the call though.

In 1998, having graduated college and now working full-time the time was right. I stopped into a nearby dealership just to have a look. That was all it took. I saw a used bike that I was sure I just had to have. I was so excited when I told my Dad about it and how I wanted to buy that bike. Not getting overly excited my Dad encouraged me to look at other dealerships and see what was out there before I jumped at the first bike that caught my attention. So, without further adieu, I went to a few more dealerships. There it was, gleaming in the showroom even better than the used bike I wanted so bad. I laid eyes on a 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. This was incidentally the same bike just newer and with a better (in my opinion) paint scheme. I sat on this one as well as a few others that caught my eye but this turned out to be the one I purchased.

That was it. Now that I started riding I found that I really loved getting out there and cruising around. I couldn't imagine not owning a motorcycle now. Whether I'm riding in an organized event, enjoying a weekend ride with friends or running an errand there is just something great about riding.

Those who know me are well aware that I tend to refrain from getting into "political" conversations. Each person holds their own views and opinions and are certainly entitled, I simply choose not to debate. However I also believe that if one doesn't at least make their opinion known to the right people then one has no right to complain.

In recent years I have found myself more involved (albeit minimally) with motorcyclists rights issues. I support the MMA, ABATE PAC of Massachusetts and their efforts at the Statehouse as well as the AMA whose efforts also encompass the federal level.

Storm the Statehouse 2004 pre-ride rally

Storm the Statehouse 2005 - This is a screen capture of the news clip as we rolled into Boston. Yours truly acheiving one second of fame as I roll past a state trooper without a helmet thanks to Governor Romney signing House Bill No. 206.

Hooters Motorcycle Day 2000

Long Island Weekend Excursion

SaddleSore 1000 Ride Report

Rolling Thunder XXI

How to deal with a dead battery

This cartoon has been used with permission from Paul Jamiol. Be sure to check out Paul's site, Jamiol's World for more great 'toons.