“HOW COME YOU RIDE A MOTORCYCLE?”
How many times have you been asked that question?
Or, the more direct one that will be asked is, “Aren’t motorcycles dangerous?”
I will often reply, “Of course motorcycles are dangerous. And that’s why they are not for everyone.”
If the person is actually interested in taking the discussion further, I warn them that I could talk about motorbikes until the sun goes down, and comes up again, and I could keep going on and on after that. (And although that’s a true statement, it’s also a ploy to avoid a conversation with someone who may not be that interested in the first place.) In which case I’ll gauge their level of interest, and consider my mood, and determine if I want to have the conversation at all, or if this is someone who just considers I’m a crazy biker (which I receive as a compliment).
In other words, sometimes I won’t offer much about riding at all, other than to answer a few questions.
After some number of years of talking to riders and non-riders, it finally dawned on me that it’s really not easy (perhaps not possible) to describe to non-riders why motorcyclists do what they do.
If a non-rider does appear to be truly interested, I’ll let them know that I’ll be happy to answer any further questions they have, but I also let them know I won’t encourage them to get a bike. That decision will need to be theirs, alone.
RIDING AS A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
In my mind, riding isn’t something to take up just for the sake of trying it out (although there’s nothing wrong with that). The way I see it, to really enjoy riding, one needs to proactively acquire the necessary skills and competence to not only enjoy it, but to survive. (And that competence will not be gained by taking a weekend training course, or getting a motorcycle license, although those are a very good start!)
Even then it is unlikely that such a new rider will yet have the capacity to truly respect the risks they are confronting.
Hence, I consider that riding is best viewed as a matter of personal responsibility, rather than as merely another interesting hobby to check out for someone who may consider it as a casual pastime. Frankly, I consider that such a rider is better off checking it out, and learning as quickly as possible, that motorcycling is not for everyone, and certainly not for this person.
On the other hand, I do not begrudge anyone who would take up motorcycles as a hobby and consider it in a way that someone might try out, say, downhill skiing, for the sake of example. (I like skiing, too). But the reality is, way more people get hurt and killed as a result of riding motorcycles, than skiing down mountains. So, the riding life should be considered in the appropriate light.
And although there’s no way to know when you or I are going to bite the bullet, I sure am glad I’m not going through the process of being a newbie to motorcycles and learning how to ride all over again. (I still don’t know how I survived my teenage years on these things).
THE SIMPLICITY OF INCOMPARABLE PLEASURE
For me, the simplicity is, riding offers an incomparable amount of pleasure, regardless of the risks. And though the inherent “risks” have been reduced over the decades as my riding skills and awareness have continued to improve, I’m also cognizant that the fundamental risk will never go away.
I could be killed tomorrow by a soccer mom in an SUV who is yelling at her kids, talking on her phone, applying make-up, while trying not to spill her coffee. Afterwards, she may very well be sorry for having killed me. But the probability is, she’ll be more concerned about putting the whole incident behind her while trying to extricate herself from the matter by way of taking as little responsibility as possible. In other words, it’s more likely she will be focused on diminishing any potential legal troubles than taking responsibility for any inattentive actions on her part. Who knows, for a few weeks, she may even give up applying make-up while on the road.
This is not intended to be a condemnation of soccer moms, but merely a reflection of the reality that drivers of 4-wheeled vehicles cannot be expected to be as responsible on the roads as an experienced rider. Bikers who have been riding for years inherently know they had better be more aware of what’s going on all around them out on the public roadways, than anyone else that he/she is sharing the pavement with.
MOTORCYCLISTS ARE A MINORITY
The good news is, that such a probability keeps the ranks of motorbike riders at the levels they have been. In other words, I’m GLAD motorcycle riders only make up a small percentage of the riding public. Although I welcome with open arms any folks who wish to join the clan of global riders, I’m not one to encourage anyone to do so. I’d be just as content if there were only a fraction of the riders on the road.
Here at the very top of Southern California, my favorite riding season is the winter when there are a lot less bikes around. You kinda get the sense that when you give a nod or wave to someone riding in the off-season, that they’ve been riding a while, and this isn’t just a weekend hobby for them.
RIDING IS NOT FOR EVERYONE
So, although I am not at all opposed to more riders, and as stated earlier, I welcome ALL riders to the fold, the truth is, motorcycle riding is NOT for everyone. And I like it that way.
So, Why Do YOU Ride?
(Add your comments below)
I´m a doctor, a surgeon, my whole life deppends in my hands, being that said I ride my motorcycle every day to work since I was 24 years old, I´m now 43 and I´ll be doing always if I´m able to, somebody ones asked me how will I go to work if I couldn´t drive my bike, I said. “well if i can´t ride anymore, I won´t come to work every day”. As a surgeon, I´m very busy, with little if any time to travel on my motorcycle so the every day ride is a solution for me, I have a Triumph Speedmaster, big bike for the very busy streets of Caracas, Venezuela, where I live, but I have no other choice, it´s even great for reflexes and an excelent way to get to my working place, in a car it would take me an hour to get there, with my motorcycle is merely 20 minutes being very careful. I think the secret of being safe in a bike is no daydreaming… being focus on what you are doing and NOT being scared, if you are scared on a bike simply get off it.
When you ride, I mean really ride and someone asks you “why?” It would be like trying to explain a rainbow to a blind man. Either you get it or you don’t. When I bought my first bike in 1959,’58 FLH, my parents asked “are you crazy”? When two of my buddies and I went from Connecticut to Long Beach, California a lot of people asked “are you crazy”? I have enough road stories to dry up a lot of 12 Packs and now when people ask this old man why I”m still riding I ask them “are you crazy”?
Lance
Why do I ride….Yes you save gas, but really after tires and brakes you’d have less dollars per mile driving a Corolla.
For me it’s the aw inspiring throttle response and the thrill of counter steering just a bit around corners.
I ride to feel free, the wind in my face and that machine uder me that responds to my every command. It brings out the cowboy in me. And although I’m very munch a fair weather rider I try to ride as often as possible and as late into fall as I can endure. From April through October I love to get on my bike and just cruise to a state park and then back. I do a little fishing, sometimes an over night camp out with my brother and always an enjoyable experience. It’s somewhat of an escape from the world as least for a day or two and often just a few hours. I really love to ride.
“Here here”. A whole heartedly cheer for Mcg on Bikin’ not being for everyone. That’s exactly the way I feel about it. I will post an adendum to that. I say, bikin’ is’nt for transportation or recreation. “It’s a way of life”.
Motorbike riding requires all the senses, such as sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, judgement, balance, creating skills that cause me to feel living an adventure, not just watching.
M K Alpers
It is like a fun amusement park ride, except is lasts as long as you like.
To be free.
Like a friend said when asked about bike riding: “Flying 3 feet off the ground”
I ride because I don’t live where I work, I have to get between the two locations somehow and it’s faster than walking.
I had a car, then I had a car and a bike, then I realized that the bike was nicer transportation. It gets better gas mileage and it has more headroom.
When the car started to need a jump on the days I rode it I bought a second scooter and got rid of the car. its my choice for transportation, but it’s just transportation.
I am in a similar situation as Kevin Callahan. I am also 56 and started riding in 1970. Used to also ride crazy, no helmet and stuff like that. I got pulled over by the sheriff. They clocked me going 50mph as I was leaning into to make a right turn on a city street corner. I have a Kawasaki KLR650 dual sport now. Got a lot of mods on it because it is fun to work on. I like the freedom and nice to have more of a choice of parking spots. I get compliments on having and riding from other “old guys” I always tell them to get some lessons and buy a bike, you won’t regret it.
I’ll be 56 this year and the first vehicle I owned at age 16 was a motorcycle. I rode bikes until I went into the Navy at age 19. After that and after college I bought a bike after moving from Mpls, Mn to Santa Cruz, CA. Talk about an excellent area for biking – Santa Cruz Mountains and all the beaches between S Cruz and San Francisco. Why do I ride? Bikes are beautiful machines – number one. I have a Triumph Bonneville and a Harley Davidson Road King Classic. I can spend the day cleaning these bikes and then just sit and enjoy them for their beauty. I used to ride kind of crazy as a teen on dirt bikes, but now I just cruise. I’m never in a hurry when I’m riding because I don’t want to get off the bike. I believe MC riders are superior drivers because we have to be better than anyone else on the road. I ride pretty machines and they draw a lot of attention. I see those guys that envy me for what I’m doing. Those that wished they had ventured into biking and probably don’t feel they can because of who knows what. I bet you know what I’m talking about here. Nothing like envy to make you appreciate what you have even more.
There are two types of people in the world, bikers are often hated, misunderstood, not trusted, seen as dirty, crackheads and the scum of the earth……….I know who I trust, and I’m proud to be one of their number, ride proud.
I ride simply for pleasure and enjoyment it provides me. I like every aspect of the experience. Gettng into my riding gear, pulling on my helmet and cinching the strap, swinging my leg over the saddle and punching the start button. Tweaking the throttle, slipping it into 1st and rolling out.
Riding is my therapy. With out it I would become an ax murderer. Riding is my financial ace in the hole. This past summer when gas prices went up the bike saved me a boat load of cash. This may just be me but I feel that when I ride to work I am sharper and more focused on the day and can knock a lot of work out.
Mostly riding is just fun. I have had people cut me off, make left hand turns in front of me, come over in my lane while I am next to them, and slam on there brakes for no reason what so ever in front of me, yet I have no desire to give up riding. All these things are a part of riding. The reason I think I’m still here is because I expect these things to happen and I am always on the look out for them to happen. I joke with my non-riding friends that when I go out I have to get into Road Warrior mode.
Until you ride in the Georgia mountains and you come up and around a curve that just opens up into the greenest field that you have ever seen, and the mountains are to the left and the right of you and the sky is sooo blue and the cool, fresh, clean breeze is blowing around you…..Why would you not want to ride a motorcycle. The benefits out weigh the dangers for me.
I had no real interest in motorcycles growing up as a kid. It wasn’t until I joined the Navy and one of my shipmates wanted to buy a motorcycle. I went with him to the dealership and he promptly purchased a Honda Shadow. As fate would have it, he let me ride his bike around after a few quick lessons and I instantly felt a passion for riding.
It was those trips from San Diego to LA and back that hooked me into a lifetime of riding and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Motorcycling moves my soul, thrills my heart and carries me beyond mediocrity. Like most passions, it is a calling.
I agree with you that it is not for everyone. Motorcycles need to be respected. Every rider should endeavor to gain mastery of their machine and enhance their own capabilities.
Since certain skills needed to ride safely are not instinctual, riders would do well to seek knowledge and training so they can enjoy many years of riding.
I enjoyed the article and comments, thanks for allowing me to share.
I ride because it calms my emotions. Whenever I’m down, I put on my gears, check the bike, warm up the engine, and off I go for a short adventure. I always remember that riding a bike gives me an 80% chance of coming home dead, leaving only 20% chance of coming alive. That’s why I’m extra careful. I want to ride for another day.
I ride because it’s fun, saves me a lot of gas compared to my Ford, and keeps my visual and spatial awareness skills sharp.
I am still recovering from an accident. I was on a 2 lane road in the country with no other traffic at all untill this cager decided to violate my right of way and pulled in front of AFTER he stopped. He even told the offocer that he saw mw coming! That was on a Yamahe Venture full dresser wihout ABS brakes. I locked up both wheels and it went down and it & I slid down the asphalt. I had leather jacket, cheap gloves, not adequate 6″ boots and a 1/2 helmet.
Now a ride a BMW with ABS brakes, a FULL helmet, riding boots and full mesh armor.
My wife, family, co-workers, etc all think I am crazy to get back on a bike especilly at my young 64 years! I tell them that the only reason I go to work is because I get to ride my bike 2x/day! It makes my day! I commute year round in all weather situations. I actually feel safe in interstae traffic. I keep my distance and zip through the pockets in the traffic. As was said here already – I am 110% focused and actully am a better driver on my bike than in my sedan.
I did know how much I really love to ride until two friends put it into perpective. I was dogging a couple of differt people about havinf 4000 miles on a 5 year old bike. i put 4000 in two months on mine. They looked at me and said ” my whole life does not revole around my motorcycle and yours does. It true I hate to ride in a car or truck I just ride. loving evert minute of it.
I think we do need more riders. A lot more.
Riding has changed for ever my perception of trafic either be driving or riding.
In my country we are now discussing the pros and cons of allowing drivers to ride bikes up to 125 cc and less than 11kw.
Some say they will kill themselves, some say they will kill others.
In my view our self preservation instinc will prevail and with that our riding skill will improve and with that our driving skill will also improve making life a lot easear for all riders.
If your soccer mom example had a motor bike she would probably behave a lot better on the road.
Why do I ride a motorcycle?
Recently I have given this question a lot of thought, as I was involved in a fairly serious accident on March 18th. A van stopped in front of me to make a turn and through my own admitted inatentiveness, I hit him in the right rear just as he made the turn. So, two broken arms, 5 plates, 12 screws and 2 rods later, I’m home and repairing my Concours.
My wife has said I’m crazy, that I should “give up the hobby that could kill me.”
So, why do I participate in an activity that can cause me great pain and could end up killing me? Simple, because I choose to and I enjoy it. Anytime, anywhere, what ever the conditions. I live, breath, eat, sleep, bleed motorcycles. I’m surprised I only have one. (This, too, shall pass.) At this moment, I’m going through serious two wheel withdrawal due to my inability to ride do to the healing process. But, this should end shortly, as I am treating by the repair work on my bike.
Nothing would make my wonderful wife happier than if I sold my bike and bought a second car. But, she also knows that, within a year, a bike would show up in my garage and the second car would start to rust. So, she doesn’t bug me about it. ( I love that woman!!!)
So, I could resort to that old “if I have to explain, etc.”. Instead, I’ll keep it simple.
I ride a motorcycle because I do.
I was a passenger for 33 years and got my bike license last year at age 50. I cannot tell you how I fell in love with riding in the MSF class!! I loved it so much I took it twice, just to be on a bike! I’ve been trying to come up with words of why I love it so much, it’s just indescribable! I knew if I waited to get a bike for too long, I would lose my nerve. 8 months later (over a cold midwest winter) I’m on my second bike, something I never dreamed I’d have the guts or strength to ride………but I’m doing it and learning more every time I go out. Why was I sitting on the back all that time!??!
Love your articles!
I ride because it is the ultimate sense of freedom. I don’t have to answer my cell phone, reply to emails, talk to anyone…just me, my machine and the endless road. I love being free of everything, if even for just a little while.
When I am finished I feel recharged and ready to face the day to day BS.:-)
As a new rider at the age of 34, I’ve probably spent too much time thinking about the risks. I’m overly careful. I took the MSF, purchased a 250cc bike that was just a little better than the 250cc Nighthawk we used for the class and started loading my bike into the back of my truck and driving to various parking lots. I did this for several weeks. I’ve always wanted a motorcycle, since I was in Basic Training hiding moto mags from my Drill Sargeant. I’d been close to buying a few times over the years, but I finally found the perfect deal in another city we just happened to be going to that very weekend… Some things happen for a reason.
I feel if I had purchased a bike when I was 19 as I first intended to do, I don’t know if I’d be here right now. I think riding a bike takes some certain level of maturity, yep even though alot of the people I know aren’t very mature in alot of ways that ride.
Riding has been and will continue to be a learning process for me. I’m nowhere near where I want to be. I want to be confident enough to jump on my bike and go for a weekend or day trip with my father-in-law who also rides. I don’t need to do wheelies or go overly fast.
I had just been riding for about 4 months and now I”m deployed to Afghanistan. I’ll be here for 9 more months and then I’ll go home and see how much I’ve forgotten and start learning again. I really miss riding and I’m just barely starting at this new way of life. I don’t see riding a motorcycle as a hobby or a weekend thing. I see it as a different way of thinking and being outside with the elements.
I don’t know why I like to ride. I just know that I like to ride motorcycles. I don’t have to go fast anymore. I don’t need to ring the last ounce of performance out of a bike either. I just enjoy cruising down a country road at the speed limit. I don’t enjoy freeway, busy city streets or congested traffic.
Hi Mark, Craig and Andy – Great feedback! Pragmatic, poetic and passionate.
I ride because it keeps me mentally sharp and physically in shape. My awareness of the risks involved in motivates me to take care of myself. The speed and feeling of flying through the air appeals to the libertarian in me. And my reliance on no one other than myself for my safety appeals to the (aging) martial artist.
No one lives forever, but I want to do the things I love before I go, and motorcycling is #1 on my list of lifelong loves.
I consider the bikes to be engineering marvels, & well worth the risk. Simply too sweet not to enjoy. An individual and outdoor pleasure to the tune of sound, solitude , and performance.
Riding a bike is absolutely a unique feeling and one that always puts a smile on my face.
I live in the middle east where many of the western expatriates consider the driving to be dangerous enough to have them reconsider whether or not to even drive a car here. So the ‘isn’t riding a bike too dangerous?’ question is a daily fact for me. The other one I always get is. ‘Aren’t you scared riding a bike’.
My answer, quite truthfully is ‘ Yes I am scared’ which is why I am still alive. I always, consider getting on the bike a very dangerous thing. One that requires 110% concentration, since I have to ride for myself and also be aware for the people on the road in cars, a large % of which either don’t know or don’t care how to drive safely and defensiively. So this is the key for me.
When I go out in the traffic I consider it like entering a combat zone in which I may be the target and I actively stay out of peoples way, avoid sitiuations where I could be cut off, rammed from behind etc,
I call it defensive riding. It is an active thing, not passive at all and part of the package that makes riding what it is..
Yes! Anything that raises awareness of motorcyclists (and the newer 2- and 3-wheeled vehicles) will benefit the riding community, as well as the non-riding motorists, who, for the most part, would prefer to enjoy accident-free driving (in spite of the attention diverting habits of some drivers).
The Simplicity of—
I wonder if any of your readers have noticed the increase in publicity of the new “micro” vehicle? Some have 3 wheels and one has 2 wheels.
I would guess they will attract some interest and may cause the 4 wheel driver to think twice the next time they encounter a motorcyclyist on the highway.I hope it increases safety for all vehicles types.