What Diving with Sharks Taught Me About Motorcycling
By Paul Brothwood
There are moments beneath the surface that stay with you for the rest of your life.
One of the most unforgettable moments of my life came when the unmistakable outline of a shark emerged from the deep blue waters of Honduras. Years of films and sensational headlines had conditioned me to expect something dramatic. Instead, what appeared was calm, measured and almost effortless. There was no panic, no aggression and no sense of urgency. Every movement seemed perfectly judged, as though millions of years of evolution had removed everything unnecessary.
As a PADI Divemaster, I've been fortunate enough to dive with sharks across the world, including in Honduras and South Africa. Those encounters taught me something that television and newspaper headlines rarely capture. Sharks are not the ruthless killing machines they are often portrayed to be. They are intelligent, highly specialised animals, each perfectly adapted to its own environment. Watching them in the wild changes your perception completely.
The longer I spent observing them, the more another passion of mine came to mind.
Motorcycles.
People who don't ride often see motorcycles as little more than engines, wheels and bodywork. Riders know differently. We rarely remember a motorcycle because of its horsepower or the figures printed in a online. Instead, we remember how it made us feel. Every bike has a personality. Some inspire confidence, some demand respect, while others quietly earn admiration over thousands of miles.
That thought stayed with me long after my last dive. Somewhere between the ocean and the open road, I realised many of the motorcycles I've ridden remind me of sharks I've encountered beneath the surface.
The Suzuki Hayabusa is the only exception.
It refuses to be a shark.
Every time I look at my own Hayabusa, I see a big orca.
Yes, I know an orca is technically a dolphin rather than a shark, yet there is no better comparison. Both occupy the very top of their respective worlds. Neither relies on intimidation or unnecessary displays of power. Quiet confidence defines them. An orca glides through the ocean knowing there is little capable of challenging it. My Hayabusa creates exactly the same impression on the road. It will cross countries in complete comfort, cruise through villages without complaint and, when the road opens ahead, unleash astonishing performance with almost effortless ease.
Neither needs to prove anything.
Watching a Great White underwater leaves a very different impression. There is no wasted movement. Every turn, every adjustment and every burst of speed has purpose. Millions of years of evolution have refined an already remarkable predator into something extraordinarily efficient. BMW's S1000RR has always reminded me of that same philosophy. Every line, every electronic aid and every engineering decision serves a single objective. Precision is not simply part of its design; it is its identity. The photograph above was taken during one of my dives in South Africa. It captures a moment that stayed with me long after I surfaced. Looking into the eyes of a Great White at close quarters is nothing like the films would have you believe. There is no mindless aggression, only extraordinary control. Every movement is deliberate, every change in direction effortless. Watching that shark glide through the water reminded me of another machine built with absolute precision: BMW's S1000RR.
Versatility belongs elsewhere.
Bull Sharks possess one of nature's most remarkable adaptations, allowing them to move between freshwater and saltwater with ease. Few creatures demonstrate such flexibility. Honda's Transalp brings exactly the same quality to motorcycling. One day it might be climbing rocky trails, the next sweeping effortlessly through Alpine passes before carrying its rider home on the motorway. During Honda Adventure Roads in the Pyrenees, I came to appreciate just how capable the Transalp really is. It tackled everything the mountains threw at it without fuss or drama. Like the Bull Shark, its greatest strength lies in feeling completely at home wherever it finds itself.
Curiosity has always been the hallmark of the Tiger Shark. Divers often describe them as inquisitive, investigating unfamiliar objects rather than avoiding them. Riding a Ducati Multistrada V4 evokes much the same feeling. Every unexplored road becomes an invitation. Every mountain pass encourages another detour. The destination quietly becomes less important than discovering what lies around the next corner.
No creature in the ocean is mistaken for a Hammerhead Shark. Its silhouette is unmistakable.
Harley-Davidson's Road Glide creates exactly the same reaction. Beauty has never been its strongest attribute, and speed has never been its ambition. The broad shark-nose fairing divides opinion just as the Hammerhead's extraordinary head shape has done for millions of years. First impressions can be unforgiving. Spend time with either, however, and it becomes obvious that appearance tells only part of the story. Each was designed for a purpose rather than popularity, and each has earned an exceptionally loyal following because of it.
Perhaps that says something about the people drawn to them.
The largest surprise beneath the surface often comes from the Whale Shark. Divers expecting something intimidating usually discover extraordinary gentleness instead. Despite its immense size, it moves with quiet grace, completely comfortable in its surroundings. Honda's Gold Wing creates much the same feeling. Its sheer scale appears overwhelming until the wheels begin turning. Suddenly everything becomes smooth, refined and surprisingly effortless. Size, it turns out, can be reassuring rather than intimidating.
Not every motorcycle, or every shark, seeks attention.
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 reminds me of the Nurse Shark. Neither has any interest in proving itself. Neither feels compelled to be the fastest or the loudest. Both simply encourage you to slow down, appreciate your surroundings and enjoy the experience for what it is.
Looking back, I realise I've been fortunate to experience two very different worlds. One has taken me beneath the surface among sharks in the waters around the world. The other has carried me across Europe, USA and around countless British roads on two wheels. Surprisingly, both have taught me exactly the same lesson.
Reputation rarely tells the whole story.
Sharks deserve far more respect than fear.
Motorcycles deserve far more understanding than judgement.
Perhaps that is why I enjoy both so much. Neither can be appreciated properly from a distance. Each reveals its true character only when you spend time in its company.
The next time I throw a leg over my Hayabusa, I'll probably smile at the thought of an orca gliding silently through the ocean.
After all, every motorcycle has a personality.
Sometimes, you just have to dive a little deeper to discover it.
Further motorcycle articles
• What Honda Adventure Roads 2026 Taught Me About Leadership
• Meeting Dakar Rider Tosha Schareina During Honda Adventure Roads 2026
• Learning from Kirian Mirabet
• From Hayabusa to Honda Transalp
• The Spirit of Honda Adventure Roads
• Paul Brothwood: Chartered Environmentalist
About the author
Paul Brothwood is an Operations Manager, Chartered Environmentalist and PADI Divemaster with a passion for motorcycles, adventure travel and wildlife. Having ridden across Europe and dived with sharks in around the world, he enjoys sharing the unexpected connections between the natural world and life on two wheels.
Copyright
© 2026 Paul Brothwood. All rights reserved.
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