Rider Profile Matt Ferguson

British Customs: When did you start riding?

Matt Ferguson: I rode my first motorcycle in 1993 while I was on a two week vacation in Montana. I got bit by the “moto bug” back then and never lost the desire to ride. In 2015 I finally got my own bike and started riding regularly.

What was your first bike?

2015 Triumph Bonneville T100.

What is your background/interest in motorcycle customization? Family hobby, self-taught, trained pro, ETC?

From the age of 13 I was really into Freestyle BMX. Early on I learned that if certain functions of my bike worked better … it could help how well certain tricks were executed. I taught myself how to work on & maintain my bike and sometimes coming up with mods or hacks to improve performance ETC…. I eventually had my bike frame modified, cutting away certain bars and welding on some other bars to facilitate newer tricks. After graduating from high school, I became somewhat obsessed with playing guitar and my passion for customizing carried over from bikes to guitar. Soon I was making a living building guitars + being a guitar tech. My hobbies have always had practical + artistic aspects and I’ve always looked for ways to tweak things, hoping that any improvement on technical performance whether it was with my Freestyle bike, Guitar or Amp would ultimately help me facilitate these forms of personal expression. I’ve continued that “mod” ethic with my Triumph, tweaking things for performance and for visual/aesthetic reasons. With my bike, I always try keep things clean & simple looking, almost stock at first glance but at a closer look…little custom details start to reveal themselves and ideally differentiate my bike from a stock bike in a very authentic and personal way.

What is your inspiration when wrenching on or designing your bike?

Blogs like Bike EXIF and Instagram have been a near never ending source of inspiration for me. I’m fortunate to live in Southern California and am able to attend lots of Moto events +  group rides/events where I’m always seeing custom bikes that Inspire and blow me away. I’ve also gotten inspiration from some of the British Customs design/concept bikes over the past few years.

What things outside of motorcycling inspire you?

Music has been a lifelong source of inspiration for me, both as a listener and as a musician playing guitar or writing songs. Photography is another inspiration for me. When I was younger, I shot & developed my own B+W film. I found a real sense of satisfaction with that process and the results. My current work + family schedule does not allow for too many hobbies these days but thanks to technology I’m able to take photos w/ my iPhone and often get that same sense of satisfaction when I’m able to post a cool pic of my Triumph, guitars or favorite muse…my family.

What are your goals in the coming year?

Well…my pal @Chad.Wick.Rider and I, kinda started a classic bike motorcycle club here in the South Bay earlier this year. When I say “kinda” I mean…we started an Instagram account called @SouthbaySpitfires …nothing too serious… getting a monthly group ride with like-minded classic style moto riders is a goal. I’d like to explore more of California on my bike and of course continue tweaking & refining my bike. I recently moved it away from a Café Racer vibe and its taking on a more Street Tracker esthetic…which means more British Customs “bits & bobs” are in my future…that reminds me…has my recent order shipped out yet?

Photos Courtesy of @Chad.Wick.Rider, @Ialovinyogini and @Kitschmeifyoucann