Luke Jensen - Customer Spotlight | V1 Moto

5 Questions!

We love that we get to be a part of rider’s motorcycling stories. This time we put the spotlight on geoscientist, Luke Jensen.

The people want to know — who is Luke Jensen?
Thanks for inviting me to be a part of the V1 MOTO customer spotlight—it’s an honor and a privilege! I work as a geoscientist, which has taken me around the world to visit many localities as well as given me the opportunity to work with a great deal of fascinating people. My background is in “structural” geology (think mountain-building and plate tectonics), so I’ve always been interested in both the visual (aesthetic) and how things work (mechanical) aspect of things. In a way this is also a perfect linkage to why I love motorcycles, and in particular Ducati’s. I’m also a family man, am married, and have four kids who range from ages 4 to 16. At times, finding adequate motorcycling time these days is a challenge, but somehow, I always manage to fit it in, and there is no doubt that it has influenced and informed how I experience, interact with, and see the world.

First V1P Trackday at COTA
V1 MOTO loves Houston, how is that you’ve come to this great city?
To be honest, it’s taken a while for me to get to this point. I grew up on the east coast in Washington, DC, went to school in the Midwest, and studied further in southern California before starting to work as a geologist in New Orleans and eventually Houston in 2005. I think it’s only the past several years that I’ve felt like it’s truly home. There are so many amazing things going on here, and you can find such diversity in this city—you only have to look for something and it’s here if you know where to find it! In terms of places, the Menil Collection and surrounding area is a favorite, something about the museum and particularly the grounds there—and areas nearby—captures the essence of Houston, whether riding there or not.
Word is on the street you’ve been riding motorcycles for a long time. What have been some of your best experiences on two wheels?
Yes! I first discovered two-wheeled powersports at a young age through my uncle and cousins, who kept a 1970 Rupp TC-1 “Scrambler” mini-bike. I have vivid memories of first riding it with my Dad, learning to pull-start the thing, and then flying. I gained experience over the years and traded my way up through several motorcycles to a Suzuki GSX-R1000—it as my sole vehicle in LA is one of my happiest memories. Regarding best experiences, a special one is first riding a Ducati Monster as a rental bike in Los Angeles, more than ten years ago, and blasting it up the Pacific Coast Highway and through the paved back roads of the Santa Monica Mountains. I had discovered “my” kind of bike. After buying a Ducati Superbike from Carlos and Allen, I learned about and met members of the HDOC. A couple of other favorite rides are (1) the “Three Sisters” in the Texas Hill Country for the first time, with once experienced rider and one relatively new one, showing him the ropes and watching him improve his skills real-time, and (2) taking an older BMW enduro bike through the wildernesss of western Wyoming. Nothing comes close to those feelings, and the level of focus, freedom, and excitement that comes with riding a bike.

First ride: 1970 Rupp TC-1 “Scrambler” mini-bike
Before you bought a couple of motorcycles from V1, what were you looking for in a dealership?
Since I’ve owned and transacted on many bikes (used, new; sales, trades, and purchases) over the years, I have a sense of what many dealerships should be like. I learned about V1 MOTO starting up here, and was interested in checking it out since I knew some of the team already. I was looking for a dealership with a small and dedicated group of staff, who are motorcyclists themselves and take the time to understand and listen to what their customers are looking for, and then help make things happen to realize that vision. I think ideally a place that is friendly, inspires confidence, and where you know people by name and vice versa.

I discovered “my” kind of bike when I rented a Ducati Monster.
We mentioned that you had purchased a few bikes from us, what was that experience like?
I’ve purchased two bikes and customized three with parts/accessories with V1 MOTO. I’ve worked with staff that I know, but also met nearly everyone working in the dealership by now! In the cases of buying bikes, both were not the easiest to obtain from Ducati, and V1 was able to get both to the dealership efficiently and with great communication along the way. Transacting was clear and straightforward, low stress, and got me out the door riding faster than anywhere else I’ve been before. In terms of service and parts/accessories, it’s great to have someone I know in both departments that I can contact directly with any inquiries. Perhaps the best is knowing that there is a Ducati master tech in the service dept. that set up a bike with expertise, as well as leadership that has a direct rapport with Ducati. V1 is truly a unique motorcycle dealership, as well as place to visit more generally, whatever your style of riding. I can only give my thanks for making the Houston motorcycle experience exactly as it should be.