By Talya Adams

It’s that time of year again. The time when resolutions are made and then quickly forgotten. The forgotten promises are exactly why I stopped making resolutions years ago, and also why setting goals has become so effective for me. This year my motorcycle goals will be simple, fun, and manageable. I’ve had to reign in my moto ambitions over the years, and I think this year will be a successful year because I’ve done so.

First up on the list is to finally change out my riding gear. I’m talking about a head to toe overhaul, helmet, gloves, jacket, and boots. Of course, I won’t rush to get this done as I appreciate a good deal far too much to over pay. However, I’ve already been scouting different brands and reading reviews on various products to narrow down which items will work best to suit my needs.

In keeping with the ‘new’ line of thought, I’d also like to ride new bikes. Not like fresh on the market new, but bikes other than my own. I rode a 2019 BMW at the motorcycle show in Long Beach last November, and the experience really sparked a newfound interest in me to give other motorcycles a shot. I think it’s easy to get used to your own bike, and perhaps you miss out on the possibility of there being a better fit out there for you. At the very least, there might be another addition out there for you if you open yourself up to the likelihood.

In order to accomplish this goal, I imagine I’ll have to attend more motorcycle shows as bike dealerships seldom let you ride the merchandise. Attending more shows will be an added bonus because the last one I went to offered great networking opportunities, and I had a blast. Outside of shows, I’ll just have to work on my negotiation skills and talk some of my friends into allowing me to ride their bike. It’s not like motorcyclists are territorial or anything, how hard could it be?

Lastly, I want to do more mountain rides. In 2018, SoCal was hit with some brutal wild fires and some of the National Parks I’ve wanted to visit took huge hits. It just goes to show nothing lasts forever, and I need to seize the opportunity to ride in these beautiful locations when possible. It rained for a week in January, so I’m hopeful these parks are on their way to rejuvenation and flourish once again. When that happens, I’ll be there.

What are some of your 2019 goals? Comment below and let me know.

Stay safe in these streets!