Mid-Mid-Life Crisis?

Lately I really want a motorcycle and leather jacket. Really, I do. I've never had any inclination towards either of the two, but lately it's all I can think about.

Now, I don't want just any motorcycle and leather jacket. No, I don't want to be the middle-aged man looking to buy a shiny Harley and cruise like Dennis Hopper in Easy Rider, uh uh, no; nor do I want to be some a-wipe in a leather racing jacket and cargo shorts swerving in and out of traffic on his lime green crotch rocket. No, I want the Marlon Brando or James Dean-style shit: cropped leather racing jacket on a simple, black motorcycle. No flash, no pomp, just a GD motorcycle.



I hope you're getting the aesthetic here. Now, for the jacket, a simple leather cafe racer jacket will suffice. I realize this deviates a bit from the ones pictured above, but simplicity is key. I'm thinking brown, because, let's face it, I'm just not tough enough for black.*

As for the bike, simplicity is again the key. I've put a lot of thought into this part (arguably the most important part), and have come to a brand-based decision: Triumph motorcycles. Here is one of the original Triumphs ridden by Brando in the pictures:

This is a Triumph Thunderbird, which they don't make anymore. So, as a fitting replacement, I'm going with either a Bonneville:

or a Thruxton:

of course, either would suffice. They're pretty similar in design and price, and I would definitely go with black, although I saw a pretty badass dark green Bonneville a while ago.

But let's be realistic, I could easily find the leather jacket for an affordable price on ebay, but will I ever get the motorcycle? It's certainly not affordable considering that we're buying a house and getting our masters degrees. Which brings me to another point: why the hell do I want them now? Why was I so content not to have one before? Is it because we're buying a house and getting a master's degree, two things indicative of being a "grown up?" I mean, I did just see Tears for Fears at the Chateau St. Michelle Winery, and if that's not grown up material, jesus, I don't know what is. In this case, perhaps it's a mid-twenties life crisis, or a mid-mid-life crisis. Am I subconsciously seeking my youth through a reckless, endangering form of entertainment?

In the end, maybe I'm just overthinking it. I mean, it is a motorcycle after all. They're awesome. Beyond that, do you need another reason? This is an open call: call me if you want to ride.

*There are some of you that are thinking, "Ben, you're not tough enough for any of this, why are you worrying about the color of a jacket you'll never get?" To those people: piss off, a-wipes.