Bill Webb
Huntington Woods, Michigan

Current bikes:
Suzuki SV650
Triumph Speed Triple

Years riding:
34

Joined HSTA:
2003

How did you first hear about the HSTA?“
Had purchased an ST1100 so I could do two-up riding with my son Alex.  Did some research on the Internet looking for riding clubs in the area and came-upon the HSTA.  My first ride with HSTA was in North Carolina on Gregg’s infamous Mountain Madness.  Having never ridden on twisty roads previously, it was EXCITING !

First Bike:
A 1974 Kawasaki KS 125; it was a spanking new enduro, the only bike I have ever purchased brand new.  It was a hoot.

Favorite Bike:
The activity has determined my favorite bike…the Honda ST-1100 is my favorite 2-up bike, it is a ballet dancer under power and a sumo wrestler with the engine-off.  The  Triumph Speed Triple when raw power and good show-off looks are desired.  The Suzuki SV-650, when I just want to grin in the twisties or have fun on the track.  

Who (or what) was your biggest influence in motorcycling?
After my first two motorcycles, circumstances took me away from riding for a number of years until I met John Nickles.  John owns a 1974 Harley Davidson—he looks like a classic Harley Davidson rider—and he is a fine motorcycle mechanic.  We became friends, he renewed my interest in motorcycles and he suggested my re-entry into riding bike be a 1986 Honda Shadow. It had that cruiser with attitude look, it only cost $600.00 used, was reliable and was fun to ride.  I was hooked, again.    

Favorite place to ride:
North Carolina - Highway 28.

Most memorable motorcycle adventure:
“Most memorable” would have to be my first ride on twisty roads riding which took place in North Carolina with HSTA.   JT Peterson was leading the group I was in and he too was riding 2-up on an ST-1100.   That was my introduction to twisty riding and I have had year after year of “grinning riding” with HSTA ever since.

Best motorcycle advice or tip learned over the years:“
Compliments of the California Super Bike School…while sitting on your motorcycle, turn the handlebars back and forth—as though they were bicycle handlebars.   While doing so, reposition (lower) your elbows so there is a straight line from your elbow through that turning radius as opposed to having your elbows nearly locked straight as you are trying to turn the handlebars back and forth.  With that elbow position information stored in your memory banks, when entering into a turn, you press on the handlebar in the direction you want to turn (right turn press right, left turn press left) with your elbows in the same position as practiced above.  This repositioning of the elbows results in the use of significantly less energy to make a turn and makes twisty riding much easier. 

What do you get out of the HSTA?
I never would have learned about twisty riding and the fun of “The Pace” but this pales to the  camaraderie and friendships that the HSTA has brought to me.  

Hobbies and interests outside of motorcycling?
Flying airplanes was once my vocation, now it is my avocation.   Other hobbies include boating, amateur radio, playing cards and my amateur wrenching attempts on my motorcycles.