Super Rat

From Barstow to Vegas to the New Jersey Barrens,

  through mountains and deserts and rocky environs.

Skimming the sand like a wiggly Sidewinder,

  stand on the pegs if you need a reminder.

A Hodaka Hundred will get the job done,

  smoking those big bikes, mostly for fun.

It’s light and its nimble, and so capable,

  impress them all with the wheelies you pull.

It’s got five speeds in that little gearbox,

  an expansion chamber that clears all the rocks.

Curnutts or Girlings will damp out the bounce,

  think of the Yamahas that you will trounce.

It’s light as a feather, tougher than leather,

  its horses untether, in all kinds of weather.

In various races, they’re winning first places,

  on wide open spaces, on top of broad mesas.

Across the dry lakes, or through the tight woods,

  this little bike can deliver the goods.

They call it a Rat, it’s Super they say,

  a day in the dirt, is just child’s play.

Many’s the hot shoe, who learned to go fast,

  on a Hodaka one hundred back in the past.

Split the cases on a poncho, it’s easy to fix,

  to make it go faster, there’s plenty of tricks.

The Maicos and CZ’s had nothing on it,

  this little bike just wouldn’t quit.

XR’s and CR’s, and IT’s and YZ’s,

  mix elbows and bars, with Super Rat crazies.

Oh, how I miss that little trail bike,

  but at my age I might need a trike.

LDT July 24, ‘22