Alonzo Bodden – Fast and Funny – Part 1
You may recognize him as the Season 3 GRAND PRIZE winner of U.S.-based NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” or as the host of the SPEED TV show “101 Cars You Must Drive.” Or, if you saw a Ducati blast by you it was more than likely Alonzo Bodden, host of the new TV show “America’s Worst Driver.” Alonzo is a certified petrol-head, and he took some time to speak with us at MRR and talk about his passion and his new show. We got so much good stuff, we’ve broken the interview into multiple parts -- here’s Part 1: 
When did you first start riding a motorcycle?
Alonzo Bodden: I got my first bike when I was 18. It was a Honda 400/4. I loved that bike right up until I learned the lesson of never passing on the right. My arm was broken and my bike was totaled.
What’s your preferred type of bike to ride (cruiser/sportbike, sport-tourer, etc)?
Alonzo Bodden: I go back and forth between types, I guess i love ‘em all. I have a Triumph Rocket 3 that is comically huge and powerful and super comfortable. A Ducati 1098 that is more bike than I could ever master. A BMW Megamoto that is great for everything street, traffic, canyons , even trackdays and am building a streetfighter from my Ducati Multistrada. I guess if I had to pick one type it would be naked bikes. They do everything fast and fun.
Have you ever had any “moments” on your bike that stick out?
Alonzo Bodden: The first time I pinned the throttle on my Hayabusa was definitely a holy s**t moment. Not scary just sheer amazement. The first time my knee scraped the pavement was fun and sticks with me. The one time I really scared myself was back in the early 80’s. I was riding my Honda 900F on Angeles Crest, went into a corner too fast, went off road and almost lost it. All I could think of was me flying over a cliff. That got my attention. I was shaking the whole ride home.
What do you currently ride and why did you pick that model?
Alonzo Bodden: I love bikes that are a bit different from what the masses are riding so you probably wont see me on a Gixxer or Harley. They’re great bikes but everyone has one. I bought the Rocket 3 because I love power cruisers and its great to take women for rides on. My power cruiser obsession started back in 98 when a friend had me ride a Valkyrie. Up until then I had only ridden sport bikes and this big Valk was funny to me, until I rode it. It was love at first ride. I knew right then I had to have one. So big, so much engine, and nothing on the road like it. I traded my car in to get a Valk. After a few years I sold it. I regretted that instantly especially since Honda stopped making them. I bought a Rune when they came out but it had too much chrome and not enough function so I traded it for the Rocket.
My 1098 was love at first sight. The most beautiful bike I had ever seen. The prior summer I said I was going to give up sport bikes and slow down. I sold my Hayabusa and my Mille. I went to Laguna that summer for MotoGP and got the bug again. I saw the Ducati Sport classic and loved it -- beautiful bike and not too fast. I bought one and was just gonna cruise Sunday mornings. One day I went to the dealer and saw the 1098. I cursed them for not telling me it was coming when I bought my Sport classic and then wrote a check for the deposit. It’s mainly a track bike for me and I’m pretty busy so I don’t get to ride it much . Its still too beautiful to sell but who knows, I’m always buying and selling something. I’ll probably sell it and a month later buy another one. I’m stupid like that. I saw the Megamoto at Indy MotoGP back in 2008. Wow, they finally made a bike in my size. I’m 6′3″ with a bad knee so folding up on sport bikes hurts pretty quick. The Megamoto stuck in the back of my mind. Last summer I decided I wanted one. I test rode one and was hooked. I love that bike and if I could only have one motorcycle that would probably be it. You know I’d probably save money buying bikes if I stopped going to races.
Finally there’s the Multistrada. A bike that works better than it looks. I was clowning around at Pro Italia and they had a demo so I test rode it. Loved it. Loved the torque of that engine, the size, and feel of the bike. I was checking out EBay and saw one done up as a Paul Smart replica, silver and green , painted just like the Paul Smart sport classic. A few bids later it was mine. This was my everyday bike until I bought the Megamoto. The Megamoto was great but there was no way I wanted to give up the torque or the sound of the Duc so after seeing a few stripped down as streetfighters I decided I’d do that with mine. I’m anxious to get it done but its turned into a project for my mechanic and I so we keep adding things and changing Ideas. I’ll be on it by summer.
I love bikes and as I said am often buying , selling trading. I’m getting the cafe racer bug so we’ll see where that leads!
If you walked into your dream garage, what would you see?
Alonzo Bodden: I’d have a Desmosedici simply for the beauty of excess. I’ve always wanted a Valkrie Interstate -- comfortable as Gold Wing but faster and more unique. A Hayabusa, the all time king of speed. A CBX, simply an engineering masterpiece. A BMW Megamoto and HP2 Sport as the ultimate matched set. A Ruckus scooter because scooters are just fun. A Honda 400/4 because it was my first bike. Hey , how big can this garage be? A rocket 3 roadster and although I’ve never ridden dirt I’ll take one of those big thumper enduro bikes .
