Eveline Besters is a model, a rider and travels the world looking for new inspirations. She collaborates with Deus Ex Machina and rides everywhere (Amsterdam, New York, Milan, CapeTown, you name it!). Care to find out more about her? Hop on! Enjoy the interview and check out the photo gallery below it.
Hi Eveline! Tell us about your first motorcycle.
Eveline: The first time I got to be on a bike was my dad’s Honda CBR 600. Of course I just sat on the back. My dad taught me how to ride a bike somewhere in the middle of nowhere. We rode my mum’s Honda CB400. This one became my own bike. It is still not official though, and we often make jokes about it (Me: “You never ride on it, it’s my bike now!” My mum: “Well it still belongs to me!”). But basically I am the only one using it now and for example the new tires we recently chose were based on my style of riding.
You work as a model and travel a lot around the world. Tell us about motorcycle cultures across the countries you visited.
Eveline: Oh well, I could tell you so much about that. Do you have a couple of weeks? LoL. Of course it basically depends on the climate and how wealthy a country is. Then you could also classify motorbikes in the range of transportation or leisure. Just a little tip of the iceberg: In India you see whole families on a little 125cc bike, all without helmets. In Italy bikes are a huge transportation-thing. At traffic lights in Milan you always see at least 10 bikes and behind that start the line of cars. In the Netherlands bikes are not that common, but when there is only a little bit of sun out, you see people on bikes all over the countryside. Dutch always enjoy a nice bike ride.
What is your longest and unforgettable ride?
E: That’s hard to say. I’ve never been on a bike-holiday so far. But two years ago when I was in Milan, I rode to St. Moritz in Switzerland. We were a group of 15 bikers and stayed there overnight. It was a beautiful ride because you basically start from a busy city center, then cruise around the very sunny picturesque Italian coastline and will end up in the hills of Switzerland, which are still full of snow! I also rented a bike together with my (then) boyfriend in Hanoy, a little Island under China, about 4 years ago. It was a little 125cc, the gears worked in the opposite way than they normally do, and our helmets were like construction workers’ helmets. It all was a big joke, but such a great day! We rode towards very little villages, which hardly could be called a village. Everyone came to us to see who we were. And I was driving the bike, haha. My boyfriend sat on the back. We’ve seen things and experienced things that would never have happened without a motorbike. A while ago I rented a motorbike in Cape Town, South Africa. That was an amazing ride as it is so beautiful there. People may be familiar with the road called ‘Chapman’s Peak’. It was amazing to finally be able to take those turns with a bike!
[adsense300gray]Your mum and dad are totally in love with motorcycles. How did they transfer this passion to you?
E: I’ve been going to motorcycle races since I was still in my mum’s belly. I think I sat on a motorbike for the first time when I was three years old. It was on my dad’s tank. From then on we just did a lot of little trips. I could always sit on the bike when I wanted to, just playing on it. With a huge helmet on and huge gloves… I looked ridiculous. We went to many races. My whole family loves bikes. And then my dad started racing too. So one weekend every month he had a race and my mum, my sister, my dad’s mechanic and I all went and slept in a caravan together. For me it really was a weekend away. We woke up at the sounds of bikes’ exhaust. My mum taught people how to ride bikes, which used to be her job. Though my dad was the one who first taught me, I think I was 12 years old. As I already said, we still go to races together. My dad and I go riding together very often. Then he still teaches me loads of new things. And every weekend – whenever there is a Moto GP race on – we watch it on TV.
You are very careful about safety. Any wise advice you want to give to our reader? Do you have your own motto?
E: Yes definitely. Riding bikes must be fun, not dangerous. Riding a bike is already very dangerous because of traffic. Always keep in mind that traffic will just not think of you. Often other drivers don’t even see you. And if they do, you will always be vulnerable. Sometimes people say “I will never get my motorbike license, I will just ride myself into death”. I always hate it when people say this. It is just very childish to say. Of course traffic is dangerous, but you are the one who is riding the bike! If you want to race, go ride on the track. Tracks are actually very safe, and you will learn so much of riding on a track. I did two track days and absolutely loved it. After those days I definitely knew more about my own bike. Also don’t underestimate what can go wrong. It’s your life, so enjoy riding, for sure, but just don’t play with it.
Where is your favorite places to ride on the east coast of the US?
E: The little trip from New York to Bear Mountain or Oyster bay are definitely worth it. I also rode to Rock Mountain. It was pretty green. I love motorcycles and nature.
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Eveline Besters interviewed by MotorcycleFederation