Why We Ride- Issa’s story

“Riding is my therapy, when I have my helmet on it is just me and the road. You have to be focused on the task at hand so the minutiae of the rest of life tends to take a back seat.” ~ Issa Eismont

We want to celebrate the motorcycle community and share the experiences of our team, favorite customers and other people who inspire us. We will be sharing a series of blog posts celebrating “Why We Ride” through the new Marin Speed Shop blog. We would like to thank Sales Manager Issa Eismont for graciously sharing his story, inspiring us and for being a leader in our awesome community of two-wheel riding humans!

I sat down with Issa recently on a foggy Friday morning at the Speed Shop and asked him what his first memory of motorcycles was: “I remember being a kid watching Happy Days and I just thought the Fonz was the coolest thing ever ! My dad briefly had an old Honda cb750 so I remember that being around.”

Issa is no squid when it comes to working in our two wheel industry. He has been working in the motorcycle industry since 1995 with a five year break to work in the bar/ restaurant field where he started as a cook and ended up as the bar manager. Today you can find Issa owning the role of General Sales Manager at Marin Speed Shop.

Inspiration: What inspired you to get your license and learn to ride? “I was always looking for new challenges and the idea of riding had been in my brain since I was a kid. When I saw the Movie Quadrophenia I gravitated towards the scooter side of things. I was a part of the scooter and Ska scene in the 80’s in NYC and the scooter and learning to ride was a natural progression.” Issa got his first motorized two wheeled vehicle when he was 16, a 1963 Vespa 125 he paid 75 dollars for that he found in a barn in New Hampshire. He then went on to teach himself how to ride by bump-starting it on the sidewalk and learning how to use a clutch. “I rode that little scooter all over NYC and even rode it two up to Philadelphia !” Issa’s motorcycle journey continued as he went on to purchase and ride his first motorcycle: a 1971 BMW R75/5.

Challenges, Victories and Epic Experiences: Learning to ride in NYC was definitely challenging! Issa’s parents were very supportive when it came to him wanting to ride and did not even flinch when he parked it in their living room for the winter. “Victories continue to happen as riding a motorcycle is a constant learning experience, so anytime I figure out something new I chalk that up as a victory.” Issa has also done what so many of us dream of, he has ridden through parts of South America on a GS. When asked what his favorite motorcycle memories are he says: “so many great memories. I think my trip across South America is one of the most epic ones. Riding across Bolivia was incredible.” Want to know more? Come on down and talk to him, and watch his face light up as he recalls story after story of this amazing riding experience.

Issa can be found today tearing up the back roads of West Marin on his 2020 Triumph Tiger Rally Pro. In his own words the Rally Pro is “one of the best bikes I have ever owned. Super comfortable for the all day rides and completely capable off road as well so when the pavement ends and the real fun begins I am ready!”

Issa prefers to ride solo but can also be found at the front of often leading our monthly Marin Speed Shop Rides. “Motorcycles have always been a passion of mine and to be able to combine my passion and my career is pretty fantastic! I have been in and out of the motorcycle community for many years and it is some of the most solid salt of the earth people you will ever meet.”

Issa is not only an incredible rider, he is also a genuinely good human who selflessly gives back to all who come into his inner circle. Issa is the reason I ended up buying my Tiger 900 GT pro, I feel fortunate to learn from him and look forward to future adventures on and off road on our Triumph Tiger 900’s. When you are lucky enough to call Issa your friend you feel like you have just added another member to your family.