Posted on 02/17/2023 6:20:42 PM PST by ShadowAce
It's not uncommon for bikers to hear all the negative aspects behind riding a motorcycle: "It's too dangerous" or "I don't trust the other people on the road" and by far the most ridiculous stereotype, "Are you going to join a gang?"
Motorcycling isn't for everyone, which is fine. Because if everyone in the world rode a motorcycle, then it wouldn't be the symbol of rebellion, freedom, and independence that we recognize. It's for those of us who march to the beat of our own drum, step away from conformity and choose to fulfill our lives on our own terms. So despite the negative stereotypes that come out of the crowd, movies, and television, what is often overlooked are the many benefits riding a motorcycle provides both physically and mentally.
When riding a motorcycle, you need to be much more alert and aware of your environment. Your brain is constantly being stimulated while analyzing factors like the weather, the wind, the temperature, the state of traffic, pedestrians, road obstacles, and so on. But sometimes you are also tasked with having to make sudden, split-second decisions. Whenever you are out on the road, your brain is always processing to the constantly-changing road conditions and providing you potential solutions in case something were to go wrong. What if there's a pothole? What if the car in front of you has broken tail lights? What if it suddenly starts to rain? What if the driver next to you is on their phone? By playing these kinds of scenarios in your head, you come up with solutions before the problem arises. So it shouldn't be a surprise to feel that your brain's cognitive abilities will show very positive signs of growth. So the next time you find yourself in an escape room, it'll be your time to put your puzzle-solving skills to the test with that big brain of yours.
Have you ever seen someone ride a motorcycle and not have a smile of their face? Exactly. These days with the doom and gloom of the news and social media in our pockets, stress levels are at an all-time high. Especially with young adults. So it only makes sense to have some sort of stress-reliever. For some people, it's exercise. Others prefer expressing themselves through art and music. And for a certain few, riding a motorcycle can have the same kind of effect.
Studies have shown that riding a motorcycle can reduce stress and heighten levels of dopamine and endorphins. So giving yourself a break and taking the bike out for a cruise can help take your mind off of things for a while, and remind you not to pull your hair out when life gets hard. Whenever you're on a motorcycle, you're not stressing over bills, the state of the world, or negative comments being spouted over the internet. It's just you, your bike, and the open road. Having the opportunity to unplug and reconnect with the real world will take a huge weight off of your shoulders, and perhaps a moment to grant yourself a little peace. Sounds pretty good, right? So go out, get some fresh air, give yourself a little 'me time' and just enjoy the ride while you can.
Plus, riding a motorcycle teaches your body to use each of your limbs for a specific function. Your left-hand controls the clutch, your right-hand controls the throttle and front brake, your left-foot controls the gear shift, and your right-foot controls the rear brake. By riding a motorcycle, you are essentially programming your body to perform several functions at once as one harmonious whole. What's even more impressive is that most of the time, you don't even realize you're doing it! It's almost like your body is reacting entirely on its own.
Whether you are aware of it or not, riding a motorcycle is a very physical activity. While you are out admiring the great outdoors and spending time with friends, your core is getting stronger and stronger by the second. By keeping your posture upright, your core is keeping active by maintaining your riding position while battling against the wind. While it is a little different from doing crunches and sit-ups at the gym, it is certainly a low-impact activity that develops stronger muscle tone in the long-run.
Your neck strength will also see improvement. While this doesn't necessarily sound that important for some, those that experience pain in their neck and back may find this quite comforting. It should also be noted that one should always make sure that their bike is property fitted to them. Because if you ever find yourself slouching on a motorcycle, it might have the opposite affect, and you are really going to feel it once you dismount.
Your legs and knees can also grow in strength over time as well. Like many gym-goers say, "never skip leg day." Thankfully, the motorcycle is a machine that can help in that particular muscle (or ligament) group. By using your legs to mount, rest, and control the bike, you'll find yourself keeping them active without any pesky muscle cramps.
Have you ever been at a party where you don't know anyone, and have nothing in common with anybody there? It's an awkward and uncomfortable situation to be in. Thankfully, another big benefit to the motorcycling lifestyle is the benefit of being part of a community and meeting new kinds of people, thereby opening the door to new experiences. The social component behind the biker world is very strong, especially because we consist of a very small portion of the population. We are a tight-knit group, and it's always fun to embark on an adventure with friends by your side.
Joining charity rides is another great opportunity to connect with fellow motorcyclists while doing a little good at the same time. Because doing good feels good. Some groups like Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) strip away the negative stereotypes of bikers being criminals and social delinquents by coming to the aid and support of abused children.
From local rides to gigantic events like Sturgis, Rolling Thunder, and Daytona Bike Week, people from every kind of background can gather together over their mutual love and appreciation for the motorcycles.
Sure.
I think the reason I never see any motorcycle riders around here wearing hi-viz anything is I live close to DC, where common sense ain’t so common.
You don’t know the motorcycle I was riding, but it had pipes on both sides of the bike. The driver told me that she heard thee pipes and that kept her from changing lanes, which would have had an ill effect on me.
In another instance, dropping a gear and dumping the clutch got the attention of a driver who was starting to pull out in front of me making a left turn across my path of travel. He stopped, no impact.
Neither of those instances were in a residential area.
I am skilled enough to shift up and lug the engine a little which quiets the exhaust noise in residential areas—I have neighbors, too.
Sorry you have had a bad experience, but I would rather take a chance on inconveniencing someone than getting run down or cut in front of.
When those in cars pay more attention, maybe i will consider something quieter, but I’m not holding my breath for that to happen, and I have been riding motorcycles for just shy of 50 years.
I once had some jackass pull out in front of me on a Harley. His loud pipes did nothing to make the situation any better and in fact probably made it worse since the bike only SOUNDED like it was accelerating at a decent rate.
I had to change lanes to avoid him. Would’ve done that the second I saw him but the left lane was occupied by another driver who sped the hell up as soon as he saw Mr. Loud Pipes enter the highway without looking.
Also, where I used to live, I had a neighbor who usually came home at about 10:30PM revving the crap out of his loud-pipe equipped Harley.
I guess he was making sure that nobody pulled out in front of him (note that’s a townhouse neighborhood, with a combination of on-street parking and driveways that are 20 feet long, and roads with a 15MPH speed limit).
Or maybe it just won’t idle without being revved up like that.
One day I confronted him about it and told him to have some respect for his neighbors. You know how you can tell some people are as dumb as a box of rocks the moment you interact with them? This was one of those people.
He seemed incapable of understanding why anyone might have an issue with him revving the crap out of his bike at 10:30PM.
I’m not sure who would employ someone of that level of intellect at a pay rate high enough to afford a Harley, but we do have a lot of government employment around here...
Just one of many reasons I no longer live there.
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