Andrew Fan
Youngkun Weiss (12) rides his Honda Valkyrie 1500 to school. His motorcycle helps him satisfy his need for danger and allows him to bond with his dad.

Youngkun Weiss (12) slipped on his letterman jacket before dropping his backpack into the sidecar of his Honda Valkyrie 1500 motorcycle. He lifted his helmet onto his head and slid on his sunglasses to protect his eyes from the bright sun.

One leg firmly planted on the ground to keep balanced, Weiss swung his other leg over the motorcycle and hopped on. He situated himself atop the bike as he gripped his hand around the handlebar, pulling in the clutch. He then shifted down to neutral and hit the electric starter. The engine revved, humming as Weiss pulled out of the school parking lot and headed towards home.

As the motorcycle’s powerful V6 engine whirred and the wind rushed around him, Weiss felt free.

For Weiss, riding his motorcycle is more than just a way of getting from point A to point B; it’s the highlight of his day.

“I don’t do many dangerous things, so riding on a motorcycle gives me the adrenaline rush I need,” Weiss said.

Weiss’ father, who has been riding motorcycles for 40 years, was the one who originally got him interested in motorcycling.

“I’d have to say that my favorite experience with my dad would most definitely be riding for 40-plus minutes on the back of his bike,” Weiss said. “Riding has brought us closer together because now we have something in common to do, talk about, and experience together.”

When he became more interested in motorcycles, Weiss got his motorcycle license, which required 15 hours of training.

In his training classes, Weiss learned specific motorcycling skills that help him stay safe on the road. For example, Weiss always wears a helmet and either his letterman jacket or his grandfather’s old leather jacket for protection. He also learned to only rides in nice weather, so he minimizes his chance of an accident. Weiss said the training and measures that he needs to take to stay safe are worth it.

“Riding is my external manifestation of my internal desires,” Weiss said. “I’m not the kind of person who takes risks, but I’ve always wanted to, so motorcycling is a way to express myself.”

For Weiss, just the feeling of riding a motorcycle on the open road is thrilling, but there are other moments that make him love motorcycling too.

“Riding is a cool and interesting experience, but the most exhilarating moment is when you get a perfect gear shift,” Weiss said. “Just the feeling of pulling in the clutch, lifting the gear lever with your foot, rolling the acceleration, and jetting forward without a pause or hitch in your movements is awesome.”

These reasons make Weiss prefer riding his motorcycle over driving a car.

“I choose riding because it is a heck of a lot more fun than driving and every single thing about riding is different: the feel of being on the road, the training, the equipment, the cost, the air, the chance of crashing, the way the police look at you and the way people think about you after learning that you ride,” Weiss said.

Bill Wuehrmann (12) has experienced this same buzz on the other side of the motorcycle, in Weiss’ sidecar.

Wuehrmann and Weiss have a weekly routine of going to the restaurant Cheeburger Cheeburger on Friday nights.

Recently, the friends motorcycled to the restaurant, with Weiss steering his motorcycle and Wuehrmann sitting in the bike’s attached sidecar.

“I had sunglasses on and the wind still stung my eyes,” Wuehrmann said. “Even when you’re only going 30 [miles per hour] it feels like you’re going 70 because you’re so low to the ground.”

This experience has inspired both Wuehrmann and Weiss to continue traveling together.

“It was awesome,” Wuehrmann said. “We want to take a road trip with him driving and me in the sidecar.”

But for now, Weiss is content with simply enjoying the open road.

“I’m smiling the whole time [I’m riding my motorcycle],” Weiss said. “It’s amazing being on a bike going 80 miles per hour, seeing the whole expanse right there.”