Keith Danielson
Sterling Heights, MI

Current bikes:
BMW R1100RS
Honda CBR600F4i

Years riding: 
27

Joined HSTA:
1989

How did you first hear about the HSTA:
A friend and co-worker, Bruce Bradford, was the Michigan State Director at the time.  He talked it up with me, and I sent in my application in January of that year.

First Bike:
Suzuki GT380.  This was one of the Ram Air Triples that they had in the early 70s.  The guy who sold it to me told me it was customized, with high-rise handlebars and a teardrop gas tank.  The gas tank was actually just the stock tank painted black.  The handlebars were higher than stock, but that meant that it had an aftermarket brake cable for the drum front brake that was held in place with a sheet metal screw jammed in the ferrule with the end of the cable.  One spring, dirt in the tank clogged the inlet filter screen in the tank when I went out for a ride, and I ended up having top push it about 5 miles to get it home.

Favorite Bike:
The CBR600 that I have right now.  I appreciate it for its quick yet stable handling, light weight, performance, and good looks.  It’s not too bad for taking on long weekends too.  In the last couple of years I have also been using it for doing track days, where I can use more of it’s performance potential, while increasing my own (and occasionally exceed one or the other…L)

Who (or what) was your biggest influence in motorcycling?
I think that the enthusiasm that I see in the motorcycle magazines has been one of my biggest influences.  There I read of the newest bikes, I read the race reports, and read the occasional touring story, and all of those get me thinking about buying, riding, and improving my personal skill level.

Favorite place to ride:
The Smokey Mountains.  There the roads are as challenging as they are anywhere, and one can ride all day with hardly any long, straight, boring sections.

Most memorable motorcycle adventure:
In 1986 I took my new BMW K100RS on the mother of all tours (at least for me) when I took a whole 4 weeks for my trip.  I left Detroit and rode out to Seattle where I stayed with relatives for a week, then took 2 weeks to ride down the coast to San Diego, with another week to ride home.

Best motorcycle advice or tip learned over the years:
Ride within your limits.

What turns you on the most about motorcycling or why do you like to ride?
I love the performance bang for the buck that a motorcycle affords.  The acceleration and braking, and the leaning through turns all turn my crank.  I derive immense pleasure from a good brisk ride on a nice twisty road.

What do you get out of the HSTA?
The friends that I have made in the HSTA are my best friends today; friends who enjoy a brisk ride through the twisties as much as I do.  I also enjoy being able to attend the HSTA rallies, which gives me a destination and a reason to ride.  Too often anymore, it seems that I can’t seem to just get out and go for a ride for the sake of going for a ride, except when I’m on vacation at an HSTA event of some sort.

Best question that wasn’t asked:
What… is the speed in flight of a fully laden Swallow?

Email address:
bmwkeith@wowway.com