Well folks, I was afraid that the MotoWriter Bike of the Month feature was going to meet an untimely demise, but thanks to the persistence and dedication of a few of my most loyal followers... I present to you:
February 2021's Bike of the Month!
Matt C.'s 2011 Harley-Davidson Rocker
Matt is a native of Lynchburg, VA (not to be confused with the Tennessee town where Mr. Jack Daniel first distilled his famous whiskey) and is currently serving his country in the United States Navy, in his 25th year of service. Matt started riding like many of us did- kicking up rocks on dirtbikes, ATV's, go-carts and of course- those infamous, now banned, 3-wheelers. I could do a whole separate story on those gas burning, bone breaking death machines, but I digress... this story is about the short-lived, but much loved, Rocker Softail that Matt calls his own.
Matt knew that he wanted a Rocker ever since the model was launched in 2008, but because life often has a way of interfering with our motorcycling plans, he had to put off buying his dream bike for a few years. In 2011, everything lined up for him, and I do mean everything. As it turns out, Harley-Davidson discontinued the Rocker for the 2012 model year. If Matt had waited any longer, he would have been forced to buy a used one. Because of the Rocker's unique design and an extremely short production run of only 3 years, their popularity drastically increased along with their market prices, which was driven in large part to their scarcity- you just don't see many of these custom looking bikes on the roads.
Like most of us, Matt prefers taking the scenic routes whenever he can. Matt is currently stationed in Spain (with last month's BOTM owner) so there are LOTS of beautiful scenic routes to take his FXCW out on. Matt says that whenever he's out riding, he always gets lots of attention, especially when he rides into town, fists gripping his Rocker's custom apehangers, punching the wind. Matt's not sneaking up on anyone either, with those big radius pipes belting out the familiar tune of a Harley-Davidson Twin Cam upgraded with a 106 c.i. big bore kit and ported heads.
Adventure is always right around the corner on a motorcycle and Matt has embraced those opportunities as much as possible. Last year, when the COVID restrictions were lifted in Spain, he and a friend took a 5 day trip along the inside border of the country. He said that they made a point to stay in a different kind of place each night- from the beach to the city. During that trip, they rode through the Spanish Pyrenees mountains and, on the last night, they stayed in a tiny Spanish village where not one single person spoke English. When they pulled into town, the only hotel was closed for renovations, but in the truest form of Spanish hospitality, the owner was kind enough to open it up for them, giving them two rooms, the keys to the front door and the alarm code so that they could come and go as they pleased. Before the two adventurers rolled out of town the next day, they were met with a large gathering of townspeople. Matt said that it seemed as if the entire village had come to see them off, taking photographs of them and their motorcycles.
Anyone that rides knows the feeling of rolling into a small town and having people from all walks of life, every ethnicity, race, culture and age turn to see the foreigner on the two-wheeled freedom machine passing by. It's a strange feeling, but a good one.
Motorcycles are unique machines. They offer functionality, adventure, freedom and opportunity to those brave souls who ignore the fears that hold them back, just to get on these beautiful marvels of engineering. Choosing to live your life without restriction, without limitation and in spite of the fear of the unknown is one of the most genuine expressions of freedom that we have has human beings.
I'd like to thank Matt for his lifelong commitment to preserving our freedom to ride our bikes, and for sending in his submission for the MotoWriter Bike of the Month feature. If you happen to see Matt out and about on his beautiful 2011 Rocker, make sure you say hello, give him a wave and thank him for his sacrifice of "25 years and counting."
Do you want to see your bike featured as the MotoWriter's Bike of the Month? Email me your high-res photos and your personal motorcycle story and, if I pick your bike, not only will you get some pretty rad bragging rights, but you'll also receive a small bit of swag to show off your support of the MotoWriter!
Thanks for all your support!
