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Chris Elizaga
Washington Marketing Manager
Metier Motorcycle Lawyers
Are You Listening?
Every bike’s got a voice. Some whisper, some roar, some sound like a junkyard dog that’s about to bite. The trick to being a good rider isn’t just knowing how to twist the throttle or lean into a curve, it’s knowing how to listen.
When your bike’s happy, it tells you. The gears mesh, the throttle snaps back, the engine hums with a steady rhythm. But when something is off? You’ll hear it. A weird knock. A buzz that wasn’t there before. A cough in the pipes. Ignore it, and it won’t just go away. It’ll come back louder, and usually at the worst time, miles from anywhere.
And it’s not just about sound. You feel it. A shiver in the bars. A tremor in the pegs. A little wobble in the seat. Sometimes you smell it before you know what it is: burnt oil, hot brakes, bad fuel. That’s your bike talking to you, plain and simple.
The best riders I know don’t just ride, they’ve got this sixth sense with their machines. They can tell when the bike’s running smooth and they can tell the second something’s off. That connection keeps you safe, keeps your bike alive, and makes the whole ride feel tighter, sharper, more in sync.
So don’t treat your motorcycle like some dumb hunk of metal. It’s talking to you all the time. The more you listen, the better the ride. Simple as that.
And if you want to get better at understanding what your bike’s trying to say, put in the seat time. Ride often. Pay attention. Notice the little changes before they turn into big problems. Learn the difference between normal noises and warning signs. Wrench on your own bike when you can. You’ll hear and feel things in the garage that you’ll miss on the road.
And don’t forget, you can always ask “MOM”, your Motorcycle Owner’s Manual. Yeah, it’s not sexy, but MOM is full of the answers you’ll need when your bike starts talking in a language you don’t quite understand yet. Between time on the road, a few turns with a wrench, and a little time with MOM, you’ll get fluent in your motorcycle’s voice.
Because at the end of the day, listening isn’t optional, it’s survival.
About the author:
A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, Chris Elizaga has been riding since the age of 5, spending his youth racing motocross and trail riding with his Dad and brother. That early passion evolved into a career in the motorcycle industry. With experience selling and riding everything from iconic Harley-Davidsons to rare vintage Laverdas, Chris brings a deep knowledge and authentic insight to the world of motorcycling. In 2024, he took the roll as Washington Marketing Manager for Metier Motorcycle Lawyers-a position he loves-combining deep industry knowledge with a genuine dedication to supporting the rider community through strategic outreach and advocacy.
