Jim Robinson
Farmington Hills, Michigan

Current bikes:
07 Triumph 675 Daytona
02 Honda VFR Interceptor
2000 Moto Guzzi EV 1100
71 Moto Guzzi 750 Ambassador
70 Triumph Bonneville

Years riding:
36+

Joined HSTA:
2002

How did you first hear about the HSTA?
“I’m not sure about the publication, but there was a write up about STAR when it was in Marietta Ohio a few years back.  It sounded like a fun group and a good place to advertise my 2000 VFR for sale!” 

First Bike:
1965 Honda Super 90

Favorite Bike:
1983 Honda Interceptor when first introduced. This was aquantum leap in performance at the time.

Who (or what) was your biggest influence in motorcycling?
“Sam Marsden (an old friend of mine) whom I met in 1981. Sam bought nearly every popular road bike that came out including a few in not intended for the U.S. market. Although he never kept anything very long, usually less than a year, he always had a dozen or so bikes around the garage at any time.  Sam introduced me to racing as a spectator ranging from road races in Loudon, NH at the old track, the Daytona 200 when Kenny Roberts Sr. was still racing, world GP at Laguna Seca in ‘88 and ‘89 and dirt track racing such as the Springfield Mile and Lima half mile among others.”

Favorite place to ride:
“North Carolina.  Highway 1 in California is a close second but North Carolina offers more variety although I think parts of Montana and Idaho are the most scenic.”       

Most memorable motorcycle adventure:
“My first long solo trip in 1980. I took a week off and rode, camped, stayed with friends, and rode some more. It was great!  The trip route took me for the first time through the Smokies to Cape Hatteras and then back through West Virginia.”

Best motorcycle advice or tip learned over the years:
“Carry a cell phone and know where you are on back roads in case of emergency.”  Jim also reminds us that membership in the AMA offers AMA MOTOW Roadside Assistance which is good roadside coverage throughout the U.S. and Canada for any bike you are riding.

What turns you on the most about motorcycling or why do you like to ride?
Jim likes the sensation of riding.  “It’s the combination of sensory sensations combined with the mechanical sensations of the bike that make riding so much fun!”  (Well put Jim, I think many of us would agree with you.)

What do you get out of the HSTA:
“It’s a fun group to ride with.  I like the people because we are all like-minded in our passion for motorcycling.  Plus there are allot of great activities and trips.  I guess it would be the people first and the activities second.”

Best question that wasn’t asked:
Jim’s question: “Have you ever thought about how long you might continue to ride or at what point would you consider not getting on a bike again?’

(That was a tough question Jim!)

Jim’s answer:  “As long as my health holds up. I hope to do more riding when I retire”