Motorcycle Mecca puts camaraderie, family at forefront

BENTON, Mo. (KBSI) – The rush of adrenaline. The camaraderie. The machines. All were on display at the Motorcycle Mecca on Saturday. 

Jason Butler of Monkey Business Motour said the type of motorcycle is not what is important.

“We want to emphasize it’s all motorcycles, not just American, not just Japanese, every motorcycle,” he said. “We don’t care. We’re motorcycle enthusiasts, so it doesn’t matter to us what you ride, as long as you ride two wheels, sometimes three.” 

One of those enthusiasts, Steven Pigg, and his Honda VTX 1300 earned first place in the motorcycle show’s non-Harley/special class. 

Pigg comes from a long line of riders. 

“My grandfather got me into motorcycles when I was little and he still rides to this day,” he said. “It’s just a family thing. My whole family rides. I got my two best friends into riding motorcycles back in high school, and one of them came and joined me today. It’s just a family affair of motorcycle riders and a passion for two wheels.” 

And Pigg carries the memory of one of those family members with him every time he rides with a sticker on the windshield. 

“The memorial is for my uncle who passed away a few years ago. He was a real big motorcycle rider, big Vikings fan, just like I am, so I put the sticker on there for, he’s keeping me safe, always looking after me, making sure I get home to my family.” 

Those family bonds, the passion for two wheels passed down through generations, make the motorcycle community a special one.