Owner Jesse A. from Portland, OR not only shares his bikes with renters on Twisted Road, he's sharing his motorcycle travel stories with us, too. We don't know about you, but it makes us want to get out on the open road ASAP!
Tell us about your riding experience. How long have you been riding, and how many bikes have you owned? How did you first become interested in riding?
I grew up riding dirt bikes on the beaches and trails off the Oregon coast. I got a Honda xr100 when I was 11 that I rode almost every day. When I turned 16, I made it street legal so I could ride to work and school. In my 20s I got into bigger bikes, and eventually I sold everything I could to buy a 2008 Ducati Multistrada with the dream of riding it to South America.
Have you taken any long moto trips? Tell us about them - where did you go, where did you stay, who did you ride with?
I took my first BIG ride at the end of 2019. I left Portland, Oregon and rode South on my Multistrada with the intention of making it as far as I could. I rode 15,000 miles to Cusco, Peru before I needed to return home to start a new job after about 3 months of riding. Along the way I enjoyed the beaches, street food, and beer. At night I found places to camp or stayed in hostels. I met some really cool people along the way. If we were going the same direction we might ride together for a day or two, but mostly it was a solo trip.
Tell us some more about you - where do you live? What kind of work do you do?
I live in Portland, Oregon, which is a lovely place when the sun shines. I am a mechanical engineer and I work on projects related to renewable energy and energy efficiency.
What are your hobbies - what do you enjoy doing when you're not riding?
After a few months of quarantine it feels like all of my hobbies have been replaced with home improvement. But it has not been too much of a lifestyle change for me, as I already spent a lot of time in the garage tinkering with things. I have a 1984 Moto Guzzi v65c, which I have made somewhat into a cafe bike over the last 4 years. It's a beautiful little bike.
Tell us about your experiences with Twisted Road - as either an owner, as a rider, or both. What do you enjoy most about being part of our community?
I've been renting both of my bikes on Twisted Road since the site launched. I really enjoy the income. It's like a side hustle that helps buy things like new tires and oil changes. I spend an insane amount of money on my motorcycles, so I enjoy sharing them. It makes spending money on Revzilla feel like an investment; at least that's what I tell myself when I click “confirm order”.
What are your favorite rides near your hometown?
Once you escape the city of Portland, the roads can be incredible. The Columbia River Gorge is famous for the views, but the main highway is pretty straight. There are little creeks that feed into The Gorge which have their own little twisty country roads. One summer ride I took along the Klickitat was the best I've experienced.
Last question - where do you hope to ride one day?
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, so I can complete the Pan American Highway. I covered most of it heading South, so next time I will ride North. Hopefully I can find time in the not too distant future, but its tough to take off for long periods of time. I guess that's why so many adventure motorcycle guys are retired.
Check out Jesse's bikes he has for rent on Twisted Road
Twisted Road is more than just a motorcycle rental company. It's a riding community. We love to hear stories from both our bike owners and renters about their experiences on two wheels—what they've seen, eaten, experienced, and who they've met. Thanks for sharing the open road with us—ride safe!
Have a great story to tell us?
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