BREAKING

Lifestyle

Killin’ Time- On Tour With X

Article By: Xavier Muriel

Originally Published In The November 2014 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

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Greetings from the road and by the road I mean the back of my tour bus! First off I’m honored to have been asked to be a part of such a great magazine. I’ve been a long time reader and long time lover of everything Harley. My name is Xavier Muriel, I play drums for the LA based rock band Buckcherry. I have the great fortune of seeing many places both here in the states and abroad. Along the way I’ve gotten to know some great people whether it is a musician that shares the passion for bikes the way I do or builders such as Billy Lane, Bobby Seeger of Indian Larry Motorcycles, Jeff Cochran, Will Ramsey, Chris Callen and the list goes on and on!

One thing is for certain there is a very unique bond between us that a lot of the rest of the riding community may never get. We share a tried and true love for the machine that brings us together year round at rallies all over the world. In my travels I’ve visited countless mom and pop shops that every day turn the lights on and open the doors to keep the American dream alive to the next generation of gear heads and enthusiasts. I’m sure, like most owners, we are always looking for the next build or buy so I spend a lot of time and man when I say a lot I mean it, on looking for parts via social network sights to the ol’ trusted EBay or Craig list on my next stop because you never know what might be out there waiting for you! Every time I do find something whether it is a motor from Pittsburgh or a frame from Denver, making a new friend out of it is a very cool thing.

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It’s been my experience that bikers in general are some of the most generous and kindest souls and are always at the ready with a wrench or a ride. I count my self very lucky to have a passion for both music and bikes and when those two worlds meet together it couldn’t be more satisfying. I’ve spent hours upon hours up front with my driver watching the world go by thinking how great it would be to be on a bike enjoying the scenery and open road with a couple of buddies with no special destination, just getting lost in the wind. For every rider it has it’s own unique effect, me personally it’s a therapeutic way to break away, to break the bonds of what is happening in my life at the time and to refuel my spirit.

If you’re reading this and are nodding your head in agreement then you already have the bug! There are those who dive head first into it and it will remain a part of them till they die and those who can come to love it but it will never truly be a part of their soul. From the first time I heard through my bedroom window that shovelhead potato potato sound on that early spring Texas morning from my neighbors driveway I was hooked (thanks Gary)! My first ride was an ’82 FLH that my big brother Fernando bought for me. Since then I’ve built a few rigids along the way but my two pride and joys are my Panhead and Knucklehead that Billy Lane built, well at least until my next build! I’m forever looking forward to the next one! I’ve never looked back and have enjoyed every ride whether it be cross country on my first Panhead rigid or a quick lil putt through the Pennsylvania mountains on a day off from touring. Every single ride reminds me how fortunate I am to be alive and enjoying motorcycling and all that it has to offer. Until next time I bid you safe and happy riding! X

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