love at first ride
today, 3rd july 2026, i spent the evening with my x440, parked by the road, watching the sun set.
about 10,000 kilometres ago, i bought a motorcycle. somewhere along the way, it became much more than that. it became my home, my safe place.
i've loved every bit of it. the thump, the character of that air cooled engine, the heat rising onto my legs, the slight vibrations in the bar end mirrors, the fact that a pillion practically needs a backrest to survive, and even the little quirks that make it less than perfect. the messy wires, the imperfect fit and finish, the moments when it reminds you that it's a machine with its own personality.
people often compare motorcycles on paper. power, features, competition, value for money. but i think if you're trying to compare this bike to everything else in its price range, then maybe this bike was never meant for you.
this motorcycle is about a feeling.
that feeling when you throw a leg over it for the first time and instantly know, "yep, this is the one." love at first ride, if you want to call it that.
this machine has seen parts of me that very few people ever will. it has been there on my best days and, more importantly, on my worst ones. on days when everything felt heavy, i'd put on my gear, start the engine and just ride. somewhere between the thump of the engine and an empty stretch of road, things would become lighter.
for a while, i would forget everything and simply be grateful. for the road, for the ride and for the life i'm living.
this post isn't a review.
it's just gratitude.
gratitude that i got the opportunity to own this machine. gratitude for every kilometre, every sunrise and sunset, every late night ride and every quiet conversation i've had with myself while sitting behind these handlebars.
10,000 kms down.
and i still turn around to look at it after parking <3