Where Does This Passion Come From?

[redbirds_imp]

Like Houtman I hated riding a bicycle as a kid (but I hate walking even more). I come from a motorcycling family. My dad rode Indians until they went out of business in 1952 then switched to Harleys, but had quit riding by the time I got old enough to see him ride. He still got the Harley Magazine though and I loved reading about motorcycle adventures. When I was 10 I used to walk several blocks to watch this old guy up the street polish his Harley before firing it up and taking off up the road. It was thrilling to watch. When I turned 15 I needed transportation to take me from high school to my job. My father said it was time to get my first motorcycle. I wanted a Honda C110, but my dad being a WW-2 vet hated the Japanese and wouldn't let me have one. Instead he took me down to the Harley dealer where we bought my first motorcycle a Harley M50 which was really a re-badged Italian Aermacchi. It cost $318 brand new and I paid for it working my restaurant job at $1.25 an hour. I rode the wheels off that thing. Talk about freedom, and that was just the beginning. I loved riding and at 22 I went into the motorcycle industry and spent the next 17 years immersed in motorcycles. I haven't been without at least 1 motorcycle since age 15. I've had as many a 6 at one time. My older brother, one of my two older sisters and my younger brother all became riders as well. Funny as my dad got older he took up motorcycling again (as did my mother and we still have her bike) this time mostly on Japanese bikes, Hondas and Yamahas although he had a Moto Guzzi and another Harley too. Motorcycles have taken my wife and I to 42 U.S. states, 2 Canadian provinces, and 5 countries in Europe. I can't imagine not riding a motorcycle, and at 67 I still average riding 25,000 + miles a year.

As of last count I think we currently have 14 members of the family that ride their own bikes. My older brother passed earlier this year, but was still riding at the time of his passing and my one older sister gave up riding, but both of her adult sons ride and they each have adult sons that ride. I ride, my wife rides, my adult son rides, his wife rides and he has one son that rides. My younger brother rides. My son's father in law and mother in law both ride, and my son's wife has 2 adult cousins that ride.

Sadly, no one in my family has ever had motorcycles except my brother (62) and I (69), and we're still riding.

[Nemo_imp]

This may be nothing more than the musings of an insomniac but I am curious about where this passion for riding motorcycles comes from? It isn’t universal as we are after all a minority. If it was about motion and going fast, surely we could get that from our trucks and cars. I don’t know about you but frankly I’m bored silly going longer distances in my truck without good company or at the very least some good music. Is it about the thrill of risk-taking? I think not, particularly when I consider the considerable effort and expense we put into safe and responsible riding. Could it be attention seeking? Not when you consider that riding a motorcycle is a very solo and private experience even among others. Besides, there are lots of cheaper and safer ways to get attention - just die your hair green or stand on a street corner and shout.

I did a little field research this past summer asking various moto riders I met if they rode bicycles when they were kids. All looked at me funny as though it were a given and said “yea, so” or something like that. I did not find one motorcyclist who had not ridden a bicycle as a kid first. Is it even conceivable that someone could or would even want to ride a motorcycle without having learned to ride a bicycle as a kid? Are there exceptions? Now I know that probably the vast majority of people have had an experience of riding a bicycle but I’m not convinced that it is the same for everyone.

There was nothing I loved more than riding my bicycle when I was a kid. It gave me independence, autonomy and freedom from whatever was going on around me. If Mom and Dad were at it again I got on my bicycle and rode. I would spend entire days throughout the summer on that bicycle. I remember always feeling good on my bicycle. My bicycle was my escape from the hardship of being a kid.

I am sure it is much more complex but could it be that that our experience on bicycles as kids was foundational to our passion for riding motorcycles as adults? Because the motorcycle connects us to the kid - the core to our ability to play - the core to our ability to experience joy. Another less romantic way of putting it is that the bicycle just may be the gateway drug to full-blown motorcycle addiction.

Ride safe and joyful kids..

You are on the right track when you mentioned bicycles. As youngsters our freedom and range of adventure was limited by how far we could walk in a day. As a 10 year old my friends and I would walk a long way to go fishing. When we able to afford a bicycle, that made things easier and expanded our range of adventure.

After finishing school my first job was working at a local paper mill. Riding buses to and from work took hours. After a few paychecks and a loan, I bought my first motorcycle, a Yamaha 100cc twin tin. That made getting about much quicker, and also further expanded the range I could venture. It did not take long before I met other bikers and motorcycling became my new passion and social life.

As our motorcycles grew in size, so did the range of our adventures. Now we were no longer limited to our own city, but had the freedom to travel to other cities, and in time to places in the USA.

After 23 years however things changed. One by one my biking buddies got married and disappeared. And so did I. My wife, home, career and beer league sports became my new passions, and the motorcycle disappeared.

Fast forward 25 years. As a retiree I have the time and income to pretty much do what ever I like. I returned to motorcycling, but everything had changed. All the people I once rode with had disappeared, the old haunts were empty, and the new ones full of strangers. Which was alright because I had no desire to join a club and ride in pack formation. Been there, done that.

I am now a lone wolf. Riding when I want, where I want, and at the speed I want. Sometimes enthusiastically sweeping through the corners, other times just enjoying the scenery as I quietly cruise along on some quiet back road. To me this is the real freedom all the motorcycle ads pitch.

By why a motorcycle and not a car? There is something about being in an open vehicle. The sunshine, fresh air, expanded panoramic view, the wind pushing against you, the feel and sound of the motor and tires. It just feels right to me to be out there away from the city.

The two quotes above accurately summarize my childhood experience with my bicycles. Today I have a bicycle that next year I'll have owned for 20 years.

The line of logic of bikes and motorbikes makes sense, but I think there is something else to it... I cannot explain it as I don't know what it is. I have friends that are avid cyclists but are terrified of motorcycles.

My $100 XR75 (bought without my parents knowledge when I was 14), Evel Knievel, and the 1984 Nighthawk S, did me in: Hooked for life!

[Stichill]

Just read this interesting take on [url=http://we-ridewell.com/psychology-riding-motorcycles/]The Psychology of Riding this afternoon.

[MM300_imp]

Riding a bicycle is work. Which I did plenty of as a kid.

I wanted a motorcycle because it was cool. I wasn’t wrong.

[Mandrau_imp]

Just read this interesting take on [url=http://we-ridewell.com/psychology-riding-motorcycles/]The Psychology of Riding this afternoon.

Quite an interesting article. Thank you. Being “one” with the tool (motorcycle) is a concept I think I experienced on my bicycle and now I’m striving to achieve it from time to time on my motorcycle (without crashing that is).

[Powerdogg55]

I got my first bicycle when I was 6 at the same time my older bother got his. They were both used. My bother "got it " down first. That upset me a little but soon I was riding. There were kids with new bikes I soon learned to take mine apart and add new things like banana seats and
high bars. By the time I was 10 all the kids around our little block were
bringing their bikes to me to change. Then one day a rich kid rode around the block on a Wards moped. He let everyone have a go at it.
From that day on I was hooked, first came the Silver Pigeon then a
Honda and on and on --
[url=https://stevenparker.smugmug.com/My-First-Gallery/i-28VB5jz/A]

CA...my first bike was a white Honda 65 just like the one in your photo. Had a couple of friends who also had Honda 65's as well. A red one and another in black. We rode together regularly. That photo brought back a lot of memories!

[Nortoon_imp]

Wow! Great article!

I have ridden for 27 years and never thought about the rider and bicycle/motorcycle as being one. But it makes so much sense given that our eyes, hands, feet and body are all required to move and function properly while riding. What we do immediately effects what we feel and hear.

[rotor]

You are on the right track when you mentioned bicycles. As youngsters our freedom and range of adventure was limited by how far we could walk in a day. As a 10 year old my friends and I would walk a long way to go fishing. When we able to afford a bicycle, that made things easier and expanded our range of adventure.

After finishing school my first job was working at a local paper mill. Riding buses to and from work took hours. After a few paychecks and a loan, I bought my first motorcycle, a Yamaha 100cc twin tin. That made getting about much quicker, and also further expanded the range I could venture. It did not take long before I met other bikers and motorcycling became my new passion and social life.

As our motorcycles grew in size, so did the range of our adventures. Now we were no longer limited to our own city, but had the freedom to travel to other cities, and in time to places in the USA.

After 23 years however things changed. One by one my biking buddies got married and disappeared. And so did I. My wife, home, career and beer league sports became my new passions, and the motorcycle disappeared.

Fast forward 25 years. As a retiree I have the time and income to pretty much do what ever I like. I returned to motorcycling, but everything had changed. All the people I once rode with had disappeared, the old haunts were empty, and the new ones full of strangers. Which was alright because I had no desire to join a club and ride in pack formation. Been there, done that.

I am now a lone wolf. Riding when I want, where I want, and at the speed I want. Sometimes enthusiastically sweeping through the corners, other times just enjoying the scenery as I quietly cruise along on some quiet back road. To me this is the real freedom all the motorcycle ads pitch.

By why a motorcycle and not a car? There is something about being in an open vehicle. The sunshine, fresh air, expanded panoramic view, the wind pushing against you, the feel and sound of the motor and tires. It just feels right to me to be out there away from the city.

This is such a frequent story, especially among those that ride this particular bike and frequent this particular forum. But I wonder: what about those that are in similar circumstances but did not return. Why not? What makes a passion evaporate?

Well, we wont find them around here to ask them the question...

[Mandrau_imp]

You are on the right track when you mentioned bicycles. As youngsters our freedom and range of adventure was limited by how far we could walk in a day. As a 10 year old my friends and I would walk a long way to go fishing. When we able to afford a bicycle, that made things easier and expanded our range of adventure.

After finishing school my first job was working at a local paper mill. Riding buses to and from work took hours. After a few paychecks and a loan, I bought my first motorcycle, a Yamaha 100cc twin tin. That made getting about much quicker, and also further expanded the range I could venture. It did not take long before I met other bikers and motorcycling became my new passion and social life.

As our motorcycles grew in size, so did the range of our adventures. Now we were no longer limited to our own city, but had the freedom to travel to other cities, and in time to places in the USA.

After 23 years however things changed. One by one my biking buddies got married and disappeared. And so did I. My wife, home, career and beer league sports became my new passions, and the motorcycle disappeared.

Fast forward 25 years. As a retiree I have the time and income to pretty much do what ever I like. I returned to motorcycling, but everything had changed. All the people I once rode with had disappeared, the old haunts were empty, and the new ones full of strangers. Which was alright because I had no desire to join a club and ride in pack formation. Been there, done that.

I am now a lone wolf. Riding when I want, where I want, and at the speed I want. Sometimes enthusiastically sweeping through the corners, other times just enjoying the scenery as I quietly cruise along on some quiet back road. To me this is the real freedom all the motorcycle ads pitch.

By why a motorcycle and not a car? There is something about being in an open vehicle. The sunshine, fresh air, expanded panoramic view, the wind pushing against you, the feel and sound of the motor and tires. It just feels right to me to be out there away from the city.

This is such a frequent story, especially among those that ride this particular bike and frequent this particular forum. But I wonder: what about those that are in similar circumstances but did not return. Why not? What makes a passion evaporate?

Well, we wont find them around here to ask them the question...

This is such a frequent story, especially among those that ride this particular bike and frequent this particular forum. But I wonder: what about those that are in similar circumstances but did not return. Why not? What makes a passion evaporate?

Well, we wont find them around here to ask them the question...
Good question. Several things kept me away longer before returning to the passion last summer. For many years, raising two kids, I could not afford the luxury of two vehicles. Also, living in an apartment with no garage, parking the bike would be a hassle. I still live in an apartment but it is a small complex and before I jumped back in, I got permission to park my bike by the garbage shed. Not the best but at least it is out of the way and I can keep an eye on it. Then there is the bike itself. It wasn’t until I saw the CB1100 that I became motivated enough to overcome the obstacles to owning it.

[Nortoon_imp]

You are on the right track when you mentioned bicycles. As youngsters our freedom and range of adventure was limited by how far we could walk in a day. As a 10 year old my friends and I would walk a long way to go fishing. When we able to afford a bicycle, that made things easier and expanded our range of adventure.

After finishing school my first job was working at a local paper mill. Riding buses to and from work took hours. After a few paychecks and a loan, I bought my first motorcycle, a Yamaha 100cc twin tin. That made getting about much quicker, and also further expanded the range I could venture. It did not take long before I met other bikers and motorcycling became my new passion and social life.

As our motorcycles grew in size, so did the range of our adventures. Now we were no longer limited to our own city, but had the freedom to travel to other cities, and in time to places in the USA.

After 23 years however things changed. One by one my biking buddies got married and disappeared. And so did I. My wife, home, career and beer league sports became my new passions, and the motorcycle disappeared.

Fast forward 25 years. As a retiree I have the time and income to pretty much do what ever I like. I returned to motorcycling, but everything had changed. All the people I once rode with had disappeared, the old haunts were empty, and the new ones full of strangers. Which was alright because I had no desire to join a club and ride in pack formation. Been there, done that.

I am now a lone wolf. Riding when I want, where I want, and at the speed I want. Sometimes enthusiastically sweeping through the corners, other times just enjoying the scenery as I quietly cruise along on some quiet back road. To me this is the real freedom all the motorcycle ads pitch.

By why a motorcycle and not a car? There is something about being in an open vehicle. The sunshine, fresh air, expanded panoramic view, the wind pushing against you, the feel and sound of the motor and tires. It just feels right to me to be out there away from the city.

This is such a frequent story, especially among those that ride this particular bike and frequent this particular forum. But I wonder: what about those that are in similar circumstances but did not return. Why not? What makes a passion evaporate?

Well, we wont find them around here to ask them the question...

This is such a frequent story, especially among those that ride this particular bike and frequent this particular forum. But I wonder: what about those that are in similar circumstances but did not return. Why not? What makes a passion evaporate?

Well, we wont find them around here to ask them the question...
People often find other interests, or realize that motorcycling is not what they expected. It has been my experience that all clubs, teams and forums have members that drift away, and new people take their place. People change. Or they no longer enjoy the good health required to ride and maintain a motorcycle.