It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted here, but there aren’t a whole lot of people in the world who really want to hear you talk about an old motorcycle. Other motorcycle people usually do, so I figured this was as good a place as any.

I’ve had my 1974 R90S for about a year now, and I’ve really come to love this bike.

I was reading through the Airhead canon again, and I suppose I fit some of it better than other parts. I ride a Beemer with air-cooled heads. I appreciate simple engineering, function over form, fact over fiction, and friendship over friction. I’m willing to work on my own motorcycle and learn as I go, but I’m also willing to admit when something is beyond me. I’d rather ask for help than turn a small problem into a large one.

The camping part? Not so much. I spent enough time in the Scouts to earn my wilderness survival merit badge, and I’m reasonably confident I could keep myself alive in the woods if necessary. But if there’s a Motel 6 nearby, I’ll be there.

I’m probably a little different on the camaraderie side, too. I tend to be a loner when it comes to motorcycles. I’m not much for rallies or big group rides. Most of the time, my perfect motorcycle trip is just my wife and me heading down the road together.

Since getting the R90S, I’ve slowly been getting to know it. A broken clutch cable led to replacing that and the front brake cable. I’ve changed the oil and brake fluid, and most recently dealt with the enrichment cover coming loose on the right Dell’Orto, replacing the gasket and screws and getting everything back together. Nothing particularly heroic, but each job teaches me a little more about the motorcycle.

And I absolutely love riding it.

I also own a K1600GT, so there’s no pretending the R90S compares to a modern BMW in comfort, braking or handling. The K1600 is generations ahead in just about every measurable way. But that doesn’t diminish the R90S at all. Riding it is a completely different experience, and there’s something about it that I find incredibly rewarding.

Maybe the biggest thing that has changed over this first year is the way I think about owning it. I don't really consider myself the owner anymore as much as its current steward.

This motorcycle was here for almost 52 years before I came along. If I do my job right, it’ll still be here long after I’m gone.

My wife and I recently put together our trust, and the R90S was one of the things I specifically called out. I want it to stay in the family, and I want whoever has it next to understand that they’re taking care of something worth preserving.

So I may not check every box for what an Airhead is supposed to be. I probably won’t see you at many rallies, and if everyone else is pitching tents, I’ll probably be checking into the motel down the road.

But I love this old motorcycle, I respect what it is, I’m enjoying learning how to take care of it, and I intend to leave it better than I found it.

I figure that has to count for something.

God bless you all and be safe....but not so safe that you don't have fun.