Name – Bradley Booysen
Nickname – ZABafana
Location – Ashburn, VA
Hometown – Durban, South Africa
Marital status – Married
Children – Two (6 year old son, Lidell & 3 year old daughter, Jasmine)
Age – 32
Occupation – Analyst Programmer
Current motorcycle(s) – Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic

How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
A colleague of mine, who doesn't even ride motorcycles, forward me to the Loudoun website. I joined SCRC around April of 2004.

How long have you been riding?
I owned & rode a motorcycle back when I was in college but stopped when I started working, and started riding again from 2001.

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Yes - The Loudoun Community College Campus

What was your first bike?
Cannot remember clearly but all I remember is I used to call it my "Popcorn Machine" hehehe. It was a 50cc Suzuki that I used to ride to college and back.

How many bikes have you owned?
2

Why do you ride?
It's the "Freedom" & "Pleasure" you get out of your normal day-to-day activities.

Have you ridden with an organized group before?
Nope - this is my first group.

What modifications have you done to your bike?
...hope I can remember all of it....hehehe

• Copper/Pearl metallic spray job - fenders, tank & side covers.

• DG HardKrome 2.75' Big Straights

• Thunder Manufacturing Air Kit

• Dynojet Kit - Stage 1

• Tombstone Taillight with turn signals & license plate holder

• Chrome Skull Carb Cover with red LED eyes.

• 8-Stage lowering kit - currently lowered to 3.25' below stock.

• Eibach 1000 lbs spring - used when I lowered my bike.

• Helmet Lock relocated to the front wheel fender.

• Yamaha Passing Lamps

• Added visors to all lights

• Yamaha Studded Sissy Bar

• Yamaha Silverado Saddlebags

• Lindby Bar

• Highway Pegs (clamp on)

• Baron's Radi'us Bar (Enferno - etched flames in bar)

• Aeromach Tribal Flame grips

• Mustang studded tank bib

• Mustang studded rear fender bib (when I ride solo)

• Leather lever fringes

• Studded leather floarboard fringes

• Wolo Air-Horns

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
There is no limit to the term "accessorize" :-) However, I'm pretty happy with what I have now.

What is your dream bike?
Road King

What kind of riding do you like to do – straight-aways or twisties?
I love the twisties but prefer the straight roads because you see more scenery - with the twisties, you spend most of your time concentrating on the road ahead :-)

If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell the truth!
I go by the name "ZABafana" where Bafana is a Zulu word for "Boy" so that also stands for "South African Boy"...so there!!!"

What is your favorite riding route?
I have no favorites - they all are awesome.

Do you ride your bike to work?
Oh yeah - weather permitted

What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
100 mph

What is your favorite time of year to ride?
The start & end of Summer (it's really HOT during the middle)

Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?
Well...I didn't go down BUT was rear ended at a traffic stop (that's how I ended up changing the paint job). I wasn't hurt but one of the rear metal struts winged the side of my head right under the helmet.
I learned two things from that -
1 - wear a proper helmet and not those cheap loosely-fit novely ones
2 - always try to stay in first gear at a traffic stop in case granny don't see you

Have you ever done an “Iron Butt” ride?
Nope

If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
Morgantown, WV (for Mountain Fest)

What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
Heavy downpours!!!

Do you know how to work on your bike?
Yup - most of it

What is your favorite road song?
None - I love listening to the birds & the bees :-)

What was your most adventurous ride?
None

What rallies or events do you like to attend?
I wish I could go to all, but then again don't we all :-)

Is there someone who rides “two-up” with you?
My wife has just started riding with me, she'll be doing her Safety Course in September 2005.

Off the cuff from…Bradley

"Life is all about Expressions, you only live once and you're never coming back - so Express yourself!"
On a more serious note - I enjoy being part of the club and love riding with you guys. I might not make it to all the events but I try my best to at least make it to the meetings or socials. It's hard trying to escape on a ride when you have small kids that need babysitting :-)