Chris Steele

Chris Steele

@wiscodillo

Living in Milwaukee, I became familiar with the other hometown brand, and really got hooked when I had a work project equipping a new dealership with a video wall, and some fancy training room AV equipment. Lotsa time around leather and chrome get a man thinking. Helped to have a buddy already in the sport urging me on. When it came down to it though, I decided to forgo the $30,000 toy I didn’t know how to ride and put $300 into the MSF course instead. Best money I ever spent.

I’ve been riding now for just shy of 19 years. Picked up my first motorcycle on Father’s Day, the day after my 40th birthday. Put the $1000 on my credit card at a local grocery store. Funky 1980 Italian 500cc air-cooled twin. Miss that bike, (I think we all miss our first loves on some level) regardless of the Italian electrics and convoluted e-start that drained the battery almost instantly. Can’t tell you how many friends helped me push start the 500 on a MilVinMoto New Year’s Day or Frozen Snot Ride over the years. Most are still my friends regardless.

I started riding old stuff, fell in with a crowd that rides old stuff, and have gotten older riding old stuff, with what are now old friends. My best friends. I’m a vintage road racer with AHRMA and many of those old friends. I’m on the board of directors of BUILD Moto Mentor Program, a high school extracurricular program supported by Royal Enfield, that teaches trade, technical, and STEM skills through the transformation of a street bike into a racer. And, I’m a Royal Enfield Brand Ambassador.

I got a demo ride on one of the first two Himalayans to come to the states. I was hooked, I made another friend, and began my relationship with the brand. Funny thing about motorcycles and friends. They make you smile. There’s a Himalayan and a GT650 in the garage alongside the racebike, a few of those Italian machines, and some vintage scooters. Much as I love the interesting older stuff, I really love that the RE’s are ready at the touch of a button, and garners almost as many looks and questions. I love talking motorcycles, almost as much as I love riding. RE is an ever-expanding part of my moto life and moto family. I love the accessibility of the brand, the smiles per dollar, and the welcoming nature of the community and the company. We want you to ride. We want to ride with you, and, as I’m in Wisconsin, I ride for cheese! C’mon to Miltown; we’ll make the cheese run. Got a weekend? Let’s head to The Driftless for some alphabet soup. Maybe even talk about motorcycles over a beer or old-fashioned once we hang the gear up for the day.