They say that perception is everything.
Riding my motorbike and my motor-scooter on alternate days this week has taught me a lesson in perception.
Just for the record:
Motorbike: 180 horsepower
Scooter: 19 horsepower
Motorbike: Awesome piece of mechanical engineering
Scooter: 0 – 60kph in seven minutes
Here’s my week.
MONDAY: Me on a big, scary, loud, highly modified, more-power-than-necessary motorbike. The V Max; the longest and most stable relationship I’ve ever had.
I know…. a story in itself.
Drivers response when I’m on the V Max: somewhere between fear, respect and bewilderment. They generally avoid eye contact at all costs. When I weave through the stationary traffic, it’s strictly eyes straight ahead and… “sorry if we’re in the way Mr crazy motorcycle man in army shorts, we’ll just move to the side of the road for you.”
Kids in back seats point and look in awe while their parents frantically tell them not to stare.
I wave at the kids, they excitedly give me the thumbs up.
They love me.
The parents reluctantly give me a nervous smile/grimace as I connect with their children.
TUESDAY: Same journey; different steed.
Me on my highly embarrassing (but very sensible), blue, made-in-Taiwan scooter, weaving in and out of the traffic on the way to my radio show. Top speed: not much. Cool factor: minus nine. Transmission: embarrassingly, automatic.
Under-seat storage room: plenty.
Sometimes, I put my self-esteem in there.
I tell myself it’s a practical commuter, it’s economical and it’s more environmentally friendly than my big-ass four wheel drive, or the petrol-guzzling V Max.
I’m doing a good thing.
The children who worshipped me the day before look at me with disdain.
I’ve become a loser.
They hate me.
They obviously don’t appreciate the practical or environmental advantages of the scooter.
They spit on me as I ride by.
The thumbs up signal has been replaced with the middle finger.
The fathers who were petrified 24 hours earlier are abusing me for riding so close to their car.
They want to hurt me.
I think tomorrow I’ll drive my big-ass four wheel drive.
…and sell the scooter.
