Tanya Marsh

“I’ve always gotten a [parking] spot. I never been able to not find a place,” senior Jeff Kleinsasser said.

How many SDSU students can say that? Well, most of the motorcyclists can, at least.

The ease of parking is one of the best reasons to ride a bike to class.

‘Driving around looking for a parking spot sucks, and with a motorcycle you can park anywhere,” Josh Kuehler, a fifth-year psychology major, said.

Parking issues aside, motorcycling is still a blast.

“I like it because it’s fun — you can just feel the power. It’s not like driving a car,” he said.

Kuehler has been missing that feeling of power this year, since his motorcycle is not well.

“I rode it as much as I could, but I haven’t ridden it since last May.”

Trying to finance both a car and a bike is tough for the college budget — which explains in part why his motocycle hasn’t been in and out of the shop yet.

“When it breaks down, it has to take a back burner,” Kuehler said.

Affording a car and a motorcycle was tough for Kleinsasser too.

“Just having a bike is an accomplishment,” Kleinsasser said, explaining how his father started a motorcycle savings account for him when Kleinsasser was just a child.

“If it wasn’t for my dad, I wouldn’t be riding [a bike],” he said.

But finding the cash is worth it for these riders.

“I get to save gas in my car,” Kleinsasser said. “It’s easier to get around, it’s fun, and I get to be outside.”

Plus, he gets attention. “My bike’s really loud, so people hear me,” he said.

Fun as motorcycles are, they can hardly be a primary form of transport in this state.

Both Kleinsasser and Kuehler try to get their bikes going in April and keep them out until October.

This week’s warm weather is a biker’s dream come true.

“It’s a treat now — it’s October and it’s 80 degrees,” Kleinsasser said.

When it gets cool, he digs out the leather and keeps riding. When there’s snow or ice, though, the bike goes away.

Kleinsasser’s motorcycle adventures include going to Sturgis with his parents since age 2, and riding a bike out to the Rally since age 6. But his biggest bike adventure is yet to come.

“I would like to take a month or two after I graduate and just ride as far and as long as I can,” he said. “I want to go see some of the country, but I want to see it on my bike.”