Jason Teague’s Honda VTR1000 RC51

Since you have been so kind as to display several of my bikes in the magazine (which remains my favourite motorcycle publication), I was hoping you could display another for me. This bike, a 2004 Nicky Hayden edition Honda RC51, means a lot to me for many reasons, one being that my wife bought it for me as a surprise since she knew how much I wanted one when they first appeared in 2000. The bike was bought new in 2005 from Honda of Winston Salem here in North Carolina. I have managed to put about 11,000 miles on it. Since I live in North Carolina, I have been lucky to ride the bike on the ‘Tail of the Dragon’ at Deal Gap, which claims to have 318 turns in 11 miles of road. I must admit I was unable to count the curves as I was mainly doing everything I could to keep the rubber side down. I have ridden the Dragon several times and it is (for me) a challenging road.

The bike also means a lot to me for who it represents, which is Nicky Hayden. I was fortunate enough to meet Nicky at Road Atlanta and at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). I will never forget hearing the booming AMA HRC V-twin roaring down the back straight at Road Atlanta, and the sound it made at VIR. The times I was able to speak to Nicky, I was surprised at how humble and approachable he was as a young man. Even when he was clearly focused on the race activities, he would still make time to acknowledge his fans. I was also lucky enough to meet his father Earl at VIR. It was then I knew where Tommy, Nicky and Roger all learned to be humble, respectful and affable.

Earl was gracious enough to sign all Hayden boys’ racing numbers on a life-size cut-out I have of Nicky.

I do not ride the RC51 too much anymore, but I do get it out of the garage every other week to start it, drink a few cold beers, and listen to it while it warms up. I can never see me parting with this bike. #rideonkentuckykid, you may no longer be here, but your memory remains as strong as ever.