Short Sighted Bikes
While I was buzzing across town to drop off some vids from the weekend on Therapy, my Suzuki SV650S, I happened to see another biker on his ride. It looked like a Kawasaki Elimator (though that pic is of a customized version) and was confirmed when I saw him from the side. Now, some of you might be asking how it was so easy to tell the Eliminator from all the other Jap cruisers on the market. And the reason is actually the reason behind writing this post.

The Eliminator has been one of the very few foreign built motorcycles in recent history to offer a solo seat option. What's that? Tired of hauling your old lady around on the back of your bike and just need a little throttle twisting time to yourself? Get an Eliminator and eliminate the back seat, also known as a pillion or, perjoratively, bitch (as in, you riding bitch, baby, yeah!).

And while I suppose that there are riders out there for whom a single seat motorcycle makes alot of sense. But they must be pretty few and far between. A motorcycle built for one makes about as much practical sense to me as a unicycle with two seats. At least to me. I mean, I don't carry passengers all that often on my bike but I do enjoy having the option. And the back seat can also be used to carry gear in case the tank bag's full or left at home. No profound insights, just a curiousity as to why people would limit themselves so much. But then, bikers ARE a diverse lot of people and each has his or her own need.

Which reminds me of a side note I've been meaning to mention here for a while. Female motorcyclists are super cool! There's nothing more fun than cruising up in the hills, catching up with a biker and then having a romp playing chase only to find out at the end that it was a woman wheeling that sport bike all over and kicking butt. Women are riding more and more now and I think its a trend that should continue. But my girl's all good for riding with me, not on her own, and that works just fine.

But fellas and ladies, if you're buying a motorcycle then you might want to get a pillion, it makes it that much more fun to grab a pal and get out to carve up some mountain roads. No reason you have to use it every time but its nice when you want to. Or when that uber hottie sees you on your bike and asks for a ride, without a back seat you've got to say no and who does that benefit? The next guy who does have a back seat and spare helmet, that's who.

A Plug for Someone Doing Good
Layne is applying for sainthood, go and have a read on how things are progressing (aside from scaring the poo out of her manager guy she was picking up from the airport, Layne "Leadfoot" Johnson, she's either paying down her karmic debt or building one helluva surplus). You go, Layne!