Several weeks ago I received a phone call from Jim Testerman, one of our long time readers. Jim told me he had recently won a drawing for a Sucker Punch Sallys Custom Slim Bobber motorcycle that was given away at the Buffalo Chip Campground in Sturgis, South Dakota this past summer. As he described the bike, complete with a custom Buffalo Chip paint job I knew we had to shoot it for an upcoming cover.
This isn't the first time we've shot one of Jim's bikes. A few years ago we featured Jim's all chromed Harley-Davidson Sportster on the cover of our April 2007 issue. This past month we finally had the opportunity to shoot Jim's new bike, so we had him bring it over to the studio.
During the shoot I asked Jim if I could also interview him for this month's Readers and Their Rides article, and he was more than happy to comply.
CC: Jim, what is your occupation?
Jim: I'm a Painter Superintendant.
CC: Do you have hobbies other than motorcycling?
Jim: Yes. I enjoy sports and street rods.
CC: Why do you ride?
Jim: I've loved riding and racing bikes since I was six years old.
CC: How long have you been riding?
Jim: Since I was a kid.
CC: What was your first bike?
Jim: My first bike was a Honda 90 dirt bike.
CC: How many bikes have you owned?
Jim: I'm not sure. I've had so many I've lost track.
CC: How many bikes do you currently own?
Jim: Just two now. My chrome Sportster and the Sucker Punch Sallys bobber.
CC: What do you like most about your Sucker Punch Sallys bike?
Jim: It’s unique.
CC: What is your dream bike?
Jim: I already have it. My chrome Sportster.
CC: What is your most memorable riding experience?
Jim: Riding through Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills. The scenery is incredible.
CC: Do you have a least memorable riding experience?
Jim: In 1969 my bike was my only form of transportation, and riding to work and school in the winter was rough.
CC: What motorcycle rallies and events have you attended, and which is your favorite?
Jim: Too many to count, but I still enjoy going to Sturgis.
CC: Do you prefer riding in a group or by yourself?
Jim: I like riding in a small group.
CC: Who is your closest riding buddy?
Jim: My wife.
CC: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Jim: It was very cool winning the Sucker Punch Sallys bike. I received a phone call on August 8 from the stage at Buffalo Chip informing me that I had won the bike. I didn’t believe it and thought one of my friends was playing a joke on me. It turned out to be true, so we left on Sunday, drove to Sturgis, and picked up the bike on Monday morning.
CC: Thank you for the interview Jim, congratulation on winning this beautiful bike, and thank you for letting us shoot it for our February 2010 cover.
Interview by Mike Schweder
Photos by Michael Blomberg with Main Street Photography (816) 830-6363
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