Cool rider

Motorcycles have long served as a symbolic vehicle for free-spirited travelers and badass, leather-covered bikers.

Basically, they are the ultimate image of cool. Think Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in 1969’s Easy Rider, or Michelle Pfeiffer singing about wanting a “Cool Rider” in Grease 2. Even Walter Matthau as Albert Einstein declared “Wahoo!” while riding a motorbike in the movie I.Q.

More than 50 motorcycles will be on display in the exhibit Born to Ride: Motorbikes Past and Present at the California Automobile Museum. It is the first ever motorcycle-related exhibit at the museum and will feature well-known manufacturers such as a 1912 Harley Davidson, which was owned by Steve McQueen; and an Aprilia RSV4 that was named “Bike of the Year” for 2010. There also will be rare models, including a 1942 Crocker and 1953 Ariel Mark II.

Motorcycles from the United States, Italy, Germany, Japan and England will be displayed, as will the history of manufacturers and the novelty of owning a motorized bike.

There also will be a series of events Saturday, January 9, including demonstration rides, pinstriping demo, safety presentation and a meet-and-greet with Sam Bousfield, CEO of Samson Motorworks and designer of the flying motorcycle, a Switchblade multi-mode vehicle. The event is free to museum members and included in the admission cost for visitors. Another presentation will be Saturday, January 16, from 1 to 3 p.m., featuring motorcycle designer Glynn Kerr. Reservations are required by Wednesday, January 13.