John Cirner
(“JC”)
Oxford, Michigan

Current bikes:
2002 Honda VFR Interceptor
2003 Kawasaki ZX6R 636 (Track Bike)
2007 Aprilia RSVR 1000

Years riding:
Since I was 10! (Let’s just say over 30)

Joined HSTA:
2003

How did you first hear about the HSTA?
I think the HSTA found me!  As a frequent visitor (reading and posting) to the various motorcycle newsgroups and organizations I often exchanged information with HSTA members before I even knew about the group. I was invited to a breakfast meeting by our State Director, Gregg Mitchell, and just kept coming back. As I recall he pursued me for awhile before I showed up to a meeting, now he can’t get rid of me!   

First Bike:
1968 Benelli Buzzer (mini bike – sure wish I kept that one!)

Favorite Bike:
The Aprilia RSVR

Who (or what) was your biggest influence in motorcycling?
While my Dad and Uncle got me into bikes at a young age it would have to be my wife for getting me back into bikes just before our marriage. We went out shopping for a jet ski as a wedding present to each other and came away with a 92 Kawasaki Concours! We have spent a lot of time in our 13 years of marriage riding two up and together on our own bikes (Ann got her own bike in 96 and hasn’t been on the back of my bike since).     

Favorite place to ride:
I really enjoyed the roads in North Carolina and Kentucky during the STAR 2005 and 2007 events.  The annual Michigan Mountain Madness is the spring break we now look forward to every year.  As for “favorite place to be” on a bike it would have to be Barber Motorsports Park with warm tires!  The entire property, the museum, the paddock area and the surface…..I do believe it is the closest that I will ever come to knowing what a pro racer, and possibly WSB racer, already know.  Get there if you can.         

Most memorable motorcycle adventure:
Tobermory, Ontario in May 2002.  We (Ann and I) were at the beginning leg of an extended Sping trip to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula (Tobermory) in Canada and as we crossed the Blue Water Bridge into Sarnia Ontario I watched the outside temp thermometer on the VFR drop from 64 to 46 degrees as a cold front and steady rain greeted us….for the next 200 miles.  I was severely underdressed and frozen to the core by the time we got there.  Better planning, better clothing and better packing skills ever since! 

Best motorcycle advice or tip learned over the years:
Throttle control and looking through the turns makes for a good combination.

What turns you on the most about motorcycling or why do you like to ride?
It’s cheaper than therapy.  Well, maybe not anymore, but it sure is a lot more fun!

What do you get out of the HSTA?
To share the passion of motorcycling with people who share the same enthusiasm, who are fun to be with, and who make great friends! 

Hobbies and interests outside of motorcycling:
I enjoy distance running and mountain biking during the “tolerable weather” months in Michigan.  During the winter months I’m big into ice fishing (no really).  I also spend lots of time enjoying photography and cooking.