I was talking to a buddy who's getting a new bike and the subject of personalized license plates came up.
 
Since he's making the switch from H-D to Victory with a Vision, he's currently exploring various letter and number combinations that would show off his new-found alliance to the "new" American bike company. After the conversation, I began wondering whether or not getting personalized plates on bikes are a good idea. While's there's many Pros to this concept, there are some Cons. The first argument against the personalized tags reminded me of when I owned a Yamaha YZF 600 sport bike.
 
When I purchased this bike a friend gave me a very cool matching Bates leather jacket with built-in protection areas. However, the gift-giver personalized the rear of the jacket with large letters that spelled out: The Gadget Guru. While I initially thought this was a great gift, after wearing it on a few "spirited" rides, I changed my opinion.
 
When I rode this bike, I also adorned a full-face helmet. Basically my identity was hidden from view from drivers and riders. One day, when pushing this bike near it's limits and then stopping at a stop light, I heard someone yell out, "Hey Andy, Nice Bike!"
 
Hmmm. They couldn't see my face, but with The Gadget Guru adorned on the back of the jacket, they knew exactly who I was. While this might be a good thing for some, to me it was a big Oops. Let's face it, sport bikes are not designed to be driven slowly and the last thing I needed was for someone to start telling others that they saw me doing XXX-MPH on a given day and time. While I no longer have that wild streak, at least not as often, and prefer highway touring to peg-scraping, I do enjoy my private time while riding.
 
When I realized that the letters on that jacket were much larger than the letters and numbers on a bike license plate, I started thinking that the I really don't want people riding on my tail to get a glimpse of what my plate is spelling. I've always ridden with the philosophy that I can control what's in front and I really have to pay attention to what's coming up from behind. After all, there are no fender-benders for riders. The last thing I want is for some texting teenager to want to get close enough to the rear of my bike to read what my license plate spells.
 
I used to have personalized plates on my Goldwing and Harley. They were Gadge-1 and Gadge-2. That was a nickname given to my by Al Roker during my NBC Today Show days and at the time, I felt it was appropriate for my bikes. Yes, vanity plates can be very cool, but I think that I'll pass on this option for my current bike.
 
However, there's one vanity plate that I'll always remember and it was on a Mercedes SL that was driving by a gorgeous lady I spotted while on a business trip in Los Angeles a number if years ago. It spelled: X Q Z 8.
 
It took me a few minute to figure out what it meant...and then it dawned on me: Exquisite...and yes, she was.

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