Rider Spotlight – 15 Minutes with Chreston “Street Triple”
Our first ever featured rider is a true motorcycling enthusiast if I have ever met one. The morning after returning from a seven-month overseas deployment, Chreston’s first stop was the motorcycle shop. His love for life on two wheels is what earned him this issue's Rider Spotlight:
Originally from Sacramento, he now lives in Vista after receiving orders to Camp Pendleton. Chreston is the proud new owner of a 2015 Triumph Street Triple which he picked up at our shop about two weeks ago. He started riding during his early college days at UC Berkeley. I caught up with him out by his garage as he worked on some home improvement projects.
Nahim Isaza: Thanks for meeting with me, Chreston. Congrats on being selected as our first “Rider of the Month”. I see you working on these doors here so let’s get started: Where did motorcycling start for you?
Chreston Street Triple: Yea so I initially got a motorcycle in 2009 I just got back to the US and if you remember that was right when the economic crash happened. So, I had no job, no money and I started attending community college. Finally got a job so I ended up buying a Daewoo Leganza, which they don’t even make anymore! It was two thousand bucks so I could afford that. I got in about a 5mph fender bender and totaled it. That’s when I got my first bike. So, I had always wanted to ride but, it was out of necessity. It was nice being able to commute everywhere, it was exhilarating, and it was cheap. I got a 2010 Ninja 250. It was really small but really nimble; it was a good first bike. I was happy.
NI: I started on a 390 Duke myself, no shame! So, You just came back from deployment, right? We talked about this a bit at the shop but, tell me why it was important for you to get back on two wheels. Why did you come straight to our shop?
CST: So, I ended up having to sell the Ninja because I went to Quantico, VA for training and I wasn’t allowed to have a motorcycle there. I always knew I had to get back on a bike because it was just part of my life now. I used to do everything on my motorcycle. I would ride to class when it was cold and snowing back in Placerville and froze my ass off but I got used to it and got winter gear. Stayed warm as much as I could and just kept riding. So when I was on deployment this past year getting ready to come home, I knew I would need a new vehicle and I wanted to be on two wheels not four.
NI: Two wheels hell yea! So, being that you are the type of rider you are, tell me what riding means to you. What does it mean for you to be a motorcyclist?
CST: For me it’s been, like, making the world a better place. I mean, it sounds stupid but, a motorcycle uses less energy, uses less materials. I definitely have a connection to being environmentally friendly. We all consume. It’s part of being human but, I just definitely feel a little bit better about not having a huge truck that gets 10 miles to the gallon. And it’s nice whenever you are riding or coming back from work and it doesn’t matter if it’s a Harley or a sport bike or whatever but you usually just wave. So there’s always that community among bikers knowing that everyone’s got your back. You see that all over and even if you aren’t in a riding group you definitely feel like you a part of something.
NI: I would agree that most of us feel that way. The community is small and we should definitely support each other. Speaking of support, you are married, right? [He laughs] Haha! You laugh because you know what I’m getting ready to ask you: Your wife, how does she feel about you riding?
CST: Well, definitely mixed feelings. My wife works in a hospital, in the ER, uh so she’s definitely seen a lot. People not wearing the proper protective gear and seeing how that messed up their skin. She has that experience firsthand but before that it wasn’t something she considered when I got my bike the first time around. Back in 2010 she rode with me all the time. She felt safe then. Maybe we were just younger, and it was a different time. For now, she accepts it and knows I’m responsible on a bike. Really it comes down to the individual biker. It’s definitely a risk that you take but, that’s part of the exhilaration from riding a motorcycle too; people are just trying to feel alive. She gets that.
NI: So with that being said, things have like you said probably changed from when you started riding until now. Looking into the future, way down the road, do you ever see yourself not riding?
CST: No. Hahaha!
NI: Haha, hard no?
CST: Yea, no. I’ll always ride a bike. Maybe the bike will change. I already can tell my riding style has changed. I took a lot of risks when I was younger that I shouldn’t have. I commuted from Berkeley to Sacramento which is about an hour drive. I’ve been through a lot of traffic; California traffic. So, I understand that it’s actually very safe to ride on the freeway but, it gets dangerous in heavy traffic. People like to force themselves into other lanes last minute even when they don’t have room. I have had a lot of close calls. I think my riding style now is changing again, it’s more utilitarian. I also want to get into track racing. The track is a great place to kind of do what it is you want to do but at the same time not have to worry about all the risks of potholes and other drivers. I can still just enjoy a nice safe ride out on the street and still get my kicks out on the track.
NI: Ok so, being that you have the lifelong motorcyclist aspiration. That must mean you have a dream bike, right?
CST: Well everyone wants a BMW S1000RR. As rich or as poor as I ever get, who knows what the future has for me but, if I ever do become a millionaire, I don’t know that I’ll ever want to buy one because just the insurance alone seems absurd. If I could convince myself that has always been a dream bike. But I’ll tell you that the new 2020 Triumph Daytona 765 Speed Triple R looks pretty good…
NI: That thing is sick! I wouldn’t mind one myself. Ok, so, next, tell me about your pre-ride routine. Let’s say you are getting ready to go out for a joy ride, what do you always make sure to take with you?
CST: I like to ride all year round so, any weather appropriate gear, the right protection and warm layers. Something that I noticed after riding for a long time is that my shoe would get worn just in the place where I change gears. So I always wear my leather shoe strap to help protect my shoes. It helps make shifting smoother too. Another thing that is important is staying hydrated. Either take water with you or get plenty before you head out. I recently learned that the hard way. So for me it’s warm layers, protection and hydration.
NI: Being uncomfortable on a bike can be the worst, I get you, man. Next: first thing that comes to mind, best ride you have ever had. Go.
CST: Like I said it’s very utilitarian for me but, I went on a ride recently. It’s pretty cool, we went around and saw the city a bit. I don’t really have a lot of time to go around and see Encinitas and Leucadia and a lot of other areas. I’m just riding to ride to get somewhere. Sometimes to forget to explore your surroundings. So that was a pretty good ride for me because I explored something new. Riding through some areas that were unfamiliar to me, I think that was what so great about it; discovering my community. Finding a new path that I wouldn’t have taken otherwise because I don’t just go out in a car for a joy ride because I don’t have a convertible. But with a motorcycle, I got to see a part of my town that I probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I think that was pretty cool.
NI: Alright, cool. I think most of our readers will agree that two wheels gives you a freedom that four wheels just can’t. So, this next question outlines something that I speak mostly to most new riders about: it’s not a matter of IF, it’s a matter of WHEN. Tell us about your worst crash.
CST: Yea, uh. I was on the freeway going about 65 in an open lane and traffic around me was going 40 maybe. There was a bit of traffic going on. So I was going about 65 and a car came into my lane in front of me. I had a little time to react but I didn’t want to lane split or go around them the other way because I was afraid they would try to correct and then hit me so yea. I hit the back left of the vehicle as it came into my lane but at that point I had slowed down a bit. I’ll tell you that it’s weird that I never thought this but it’s like time slowed. I can remember very vividly flying in the air. The adrenaline made it feel like I was in the air for a while. The only thing I could think of was I need to get up because I was afraid of someone behind me hitting me. Finally, I hit the ground and rolled and quickly shot up and looked behind me. Thankfully everyone behind me stopped. Couple of scraps no major injuries. I’d like to say I had protective gear to thank that for but no, I was being a stupid kid! I had shorts, a t-shirt and vans on and, you know those Ninja Turtle looking vests? Yea, one of those. I guess that helped protect my chest and back but still. Lesson learned.
NI: Glad you are still in one piece, brother. That’s the risk we take as riders. Alright so, I have one last question for you and we can wrap this interview up. Best piece of advice to a new rider. One shot to sit this kid down, give your two cents and have them actually listen. What would you say?
CST: I mean everyone knows you gotta keep your head out on swivel when you get out there. I think the big thing is that there is a way, you know, to get you kicks your exhilaration out in a safe manner. To not be disrespectful to other cars. We’ve all seen those videos online of people that go crazy and then they get into an accident. Stupid stuff like that. You gotta be respectful to other people. You don’t own the road. That’s basically it. Just understand that not everyone is thinking about you. There’s a way for you to have fun on the bike and do it in a safe way and still get your kicks out there. Just be smart.
NI: I like it. Be smart, that’s it. Well thank you for taking the time to interview with us and congrats on the new Street Triple. Be safe out there!
I stopped recording and we continued to chat a bit about bikes and riding. He told me more about how much he would stress to new riders to be safe. I helped him move a few of the doors he was working on and we went our separate ways.
It
is so important to just ride your own ride. Follow your own lines and keep your
own pace. Constantly ride in a way that will ensure you make it where you are
going safely. Ride within your abilities and if you have the need to speed,
take it to the track!
Cruise by the shop and tell Nahim what you liked about this first ever “Rider Spotlight” piece!