Why do YOU ride?

[malber]

Everyone knows the stock answer: "If you have to ask, you'll never understand." But I think relates to why we continue to ride. I think for everyone there had to be an initial reason why we got into motorcycling.

For me it was very simple. It was a hot summer day and our air-conditioning wasn't being very efficient. I had just had a "discussion" with SWMBO and would have given anything to be somewhere else. Problem was there was really nowhere to go; gas even then cost too much to go for a ride in the truck and it really seemed you needed a destination. Then I hear our downstairs neighbor fire up his brand new VTX and pull out of the driveway. I was so jealous. He had an XS1100 that he called his "Significant Other" because, simply, it was his other bike. We had talked about selling it to us. A few days later he was up in the apartment and I asked him again about selling it. He said, "**** man, I'll give it to you. It's the kind of bike you're supposed to pass down anyway." I was blown away.

[DiverRay]

I've been riding for over 40 years. I enjoy the freedom, splitting lanes in commute traffic, and feeling the micro-climates as I go over the Santa Cruz Mountains every day on my way to and from work.

[Wayne]

it's the voices...and I always listen to the voices man!

[mro]

it's the voices...

For me, when riding it's easier to not listen and don't have to answer em
When I'm riding you either pay attention or else....
My attention gets full and content and sometimes a little more, XSpecially out in the mountains our on my night runs thru the canyons.


mro

[mro]

BTW, the vote

Could only choose one, when four of the choices better describe how I feel about riding.


mro

[malber]

Re: BTW, the vote

Originally posted by mro
Could only choose one, when four of the choices better describe how I feel about riding.


mro

I considered making it a checkbox vote, but since some of them are obviously joke answers I decided against that just to see if anyone would pick the funny ones. If you've got more reasons, do list them here. The story of how you came to motorcycling would be interesting too.

[fredintoon]

Even more than a half-century ago I was fat & lazy so I bought a used cyclemaster to power my bicycle. Swapped & traded one elderly bike for another; James, Royal Enfield, Velocette, Norton+Swallow sidecar, BSA, BSA+Garrard sidecar then marriage, kids & cars & move to Canada. Start over, Jawa, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Honda, Yamaha, Yamaha+S of A sidecar. Guess I'm an addict.

[desert1]

Easy Rider

Looking for adventure and whatever comes my way.......
Bruce

78XS1100 Alpha with a 79 special motor

[trapper_492001]

My first two wheeler was a 26" bike with a 10 hp briggs eng and a pully kit from monkywards. I was 14 then and have been riding since and I still love it. I have had Hondas till 79 when I got a 750 Special and in 81 I got an 1100 Special and have had them since then. SHotgun Special is my forth 81 SH.


Trapper

[trbig]

Because it's my drug. I'm a full blown addict. You think I jest... but be around me when I haven't gotten to ride in a while, and you'll beg for a woman on PMS to talk to instead of me!

I guess that's why I ride all year... rain, cold, or heat. The hardest part of the day is making it turn right into the parking lot at work.


Tod

[STEPPENWOLF]

why I ride

Well I started out in a small metal little pedal car back in the 50's and moved on to bicycles,rode everywhere,loved going out on sunday mornings when there was no traffic,peddled my arz off,bikes became my way to hit the road at an early age.At 16 I got a Honda 160 Dream.17 a 66 Honda 450,18 a 650 Yamaha and at 26 I got MY BIKE a '80 1100 Yamaha.I just like to ride,don't put the miles on like I want to but,that is the working life.I wanna see what is around the next bend....Ms. Jones hanging her wash,Billy Bob painting the fence,Jimmey cutting the grass,fantastic 400 mile ride last weekend,riding a ferry across the Ohio river,meeting some really nice riders in Logan OH..........mmmmmmmmmm why do I ride?Can't imagine life with out a bike,you either understand or ya don't get it.

[Pain]

It's too far to walk.

[Erik the Red]

when I started....

It was my first summer back from college, and I remember it vividly. I was looking to do something different, and I decided it was to be a motorcycle or a tattoo. I was standing in the kitchen when I told my mom that. I'll never forget this... She looked me square in the eye and said, "Erik, please get a tattoo."

It's what I do when I need to figure something out. How I ride often reflects/expresses my mood. Fast and aggressive, charging the corners, leaning hard, or just chillin', not letting the slowness of the cages in front bother me.

Many times it's simply an excuse to be outside and to see new stuff. Ride the roads I've never seen before. I believe Dragonrider calls it "holistic navigation". I like that.

[malber]

Re: when I started....

Originally posted by Erik the Red
Many times it's simply an excuse to be outside and to see new stuff. Ride the roads I've never seen before. I believe Dragonrider calls it "holistic navigation". I like that.

"Where are you going?"
"Wherever my front wheel takes me."

[stoked]

I'm more comfortable on a bike than a car. I feel like I have more control and more options.

There's also the expense. Bikes are cheaper to buy and easier and cheaper to fix. My insurance is $65 a year and gas mileage is as good as any economy car. Only real expense are tires and I can make up for that in one months gas and insurance savings.

I'm fortunate to have a 30 mile commute to work with decent flowing traffic. Otherwise I wouldn't have a valid reason to ride.