Meeting the "Boss" - Mike Felder Insurance

1647 Willow Pass Rd, Suite 347, Concord, CA 94520
Phone Toll free in California 800-7-CYCLES
California's Largest Motorcycle Insurance Agency

THUNDER PRESS
MIKE FELDER'S INSURANCE COLUMN
BUELLS

NAME DROPPER!! After a three-year stint in Hollywood as a motorcycle salesman, one would think that I had the mystique of Tinsletown out of my veins. Right? I mean, after all, I sold cycles, met with, partied, and spoke with over a hundred people whose names and characters are household words. So, I shouldn't be impressed with this any more. Right? Come on now, I helped Redd Foxx set up a Gold Wing with a side car. I showed Connie Stevens the joys of having a Honda Passport. Peter Fonda told me about every cycle he owned. I saw almost every cycle Jay Leno restored. My wife even got Richard Simmons to get us a deal on a bed. Believe me when I say, they all stuck their legs in their pants the same way I do. So, I shouldn't be impressed...Right...Right....that was until a week ago. Last week, I was finishing up some business at one of the major East Bay dealerships just about closing time. I started to pack up my bag and bid my farewell to all when the owner asked if I would like to hang around and meet BIG MEGA-ROCK STAR. You mean THE BOSS MEGA-ROCK STAR? The same one that is plastered all over the tabloids? Is he coming in with "you know who?" Are they really getting married? My mind was running wild with thoughts. Everyone tried to keep me calm...(now maybe they were sorry they ever asked me to stay after closing to meet him.) Trying to keep my cool, I asked the hows and whys of this transaction. This was to be the second time he purchased a born in the USA cycle from this shop. Finally I heard someone say that he just pulled up out front. I swung around to look outside. "Where's the Ferrari? Or is he in a Masserati? Maybe a limo? (you can see how the effects of Tinsletown live on.) As I look closer, I notice a Dodge. A DODGE?? How clever I thought to myself. Trying to stay in cognito. MEGA-STAR is in the back seat. Of course he is I think to myself. That is so his body guards can deflect heat-seeking missiles in the front. Upon closer examination, I notice that the two people in the front seat are his mother and father. HIS MOM AND DAD! He actually brought them along to share the experience. I finally get off the stool, walk over and get introduced to him. He says that it is a pleasure to meet me. CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?...I'm never going to wash my ears again!! There was a sincerity that was so genuine, I thought that he was going to ask me for my autograph! Now, according to the tabloids, this man made roughly six hundred and fifty-two trillion dollars during his last tour. Roughly enough money that the interest on it for three days could have purchased the cycle store. But, he's not like that. Browsing here and there, a pair of goggles will be fine thank you...and maybe a pair of pants or two. (I'm starting to think that this guy is really a pretty normal character...just one fine artist who made good.) Watching him start the cycle was fun. He knows about this one because he already owns one. (He is allowed a little eccentricities.) Just as he gets ready to drive off, mom brings him his helmet. (MOM BRINGS HIM HIS HELMET...CAN YOU DIG THIS?) He puts it on, gives mom and dad directions to the freeway, and takes off the helmet as soon as they are out of sight. "She never lets me forget that I had an accident when I was seventeen." I give him one of my cards in hopes that he will call one day for a ride or something. He puts it in his wallet. (By the way this wallet looks, it was the same wallet he had during that accident twenty some years ago. No pretense here!) Again he says it was a pleasure to meet me. I ask him if he wants my autograph. He declines. As he drives off, I start to think about the tabloids. MEGA-STAR DEFIES MOM'S WISHES AND REFUSES TO WEAR HELMET!! MOM CHEWS FINGERNAILS TO THE BONE OVER CYCLE PURCHASE. MEGA-STAR BUYS $12,000 CYCLE, AND GIVES DODGE TO PARENTS. I think I will never read a tabloid again. Next time I read about him, I will know that they missed the very essence of this person. A person who never forgot where he came from, never got over-impressed with himself, and never forgets that it can probably go just as fast as it came. Instead of reading tabloids now, I think I'll just hop on my Harley and ride. Because, as his song siad...Baby we were born to run!

Information in this article is probably correct as of the date it was written. Please check with your insurance agent or call Mike at 800-729-2537 before you make any life changing decisions based on what you read here. Comments are always welcome.