Why do motorcycles make you smile?

[inditx]

Of course, they are fun to ride. 

But there are a few other things about them that make me smile; 

*Wind Therapy! No matter my mood before I ride, it is therapeutic for me.
*The feeling when you complete a work project on it. Even if it’s just a mod or changing the oil.
*BTW, does anybody else love to take bits, farkles, parts, off one and put them on another? I get joy out of this procedure every time! 

What about you all?

inditx

 

[Guzzistajohn]

There are two things that put a grin on my face where riding a motorbike is concerned.

         1. The feeling of flying around a corner with that motor humming beneath me and exiting WFO

                                                                           AND

         2. Going to remote out of the way places where NO ONE is around and enjoy the peace and quiet in the great outdoors.


          I'm not crazy about working on them, but it's a necessity.

[Dirk_S]

Physics--sitting upon gyroscopes,
Rendezvousing with air resistance,
Smelling those smells,
Risking those risks,
Liberating that freedom,
Proudly displaying you're at least just a little crazier than most,
Connecting with others in ways you wouldn't otherwise,

Life is just a little more adventurous with 'em.

[Guzzistajohn]

Physics--sitting upon gyroscopes,
Rendezvousing with air resistance,
Smelling those smells,
Risking those risks,
Liberating that freedom,
Proudly displaying you're at least just a little crazier than most,
Connecting with others in ways you wouldn't otherwise,

Life is just a little more adventurous with 'em.



 

Doodler of DOODLES? like these? Sophie the Aussie-Doodle

[inditx]

Nice!
You guys prove that you meet the nicest people on a motorcycle!
Others?
inditx

[Perazzimx14]

I couldn’t give a definitive answer as to why motorcycles make me happy. All I know is they do.

[Alfetta]

The wife has to sit in the back ! 

[chuck peterson]

A couple riffs of Dick Dale says why.

 

Now, Dick Dale in the earbuds while riding?

 

[Huzo]

The bike always tells the truth...

[Huzo]

The wife has to sit in the back ! 

Why the back..?

[SIR REAL ED]

Same reason dogs like to ride in the back of pickup trucks!

[Huzo]

Same reason dogs like to ride in the back of pickup trucks!

Because they can’t stand the smell or the conversation ?

[moto-uno]

 ^ That's just brilliant  . Peter

[rschrum]

Adrenaline, only vice I have left.

[Dirk_S]

Doodler of DOODLES? like these? Sophie the Aussie-Doodle

Watch it now. I’m sure the mods work hard to keep this forum a family-friendly one.

[Canuck750]

Well in my case it’s a combination of much grief and disappointment followed by pride and enjoyment when the restoration is done and the sorting complete. I have been riding my 75 Ducati 100 plus miles most every day for the past couple weeks, adjusting and sorting minor things after each ride. I pulled the clutch pack out three times on the weekend until I got the drum rough spots filed down and the right spring pressure for a very smooth operation. A weeks of jet swaps and mixture adjustments. Today another 100 mile plus ride, it all came together in a sweet ride. When it all comes together all the hours of past work fades away. To hear the exhaust come on as it pulls out of a sweeping corner is as close to a perfect moment that I can think of.

[Guzzistajohn]

Watch it now. I’m sure the mods work hard to keep this forum a family-friendly one.

Oh, you must refer to a different "doodle"   is that like a diddy wa diddy?

[kingoffleece]

Motorcycles in general, and Guzzis in particular.  They require a certain "engagement" with the rider in the most satisfying way possible.
Like a few other machines, a Guzzi will reveal rewards to the pilot who chooses to cooperate with the machine, as opposed to trying to dominate it.
Like a perfectly synced twin screw boat, or a 4 engine plane, the reward is available to those willing to work with the machine.

[pat80flh]

Why do motorcycles make me smile?

I'll have to go for a ride, and think about it.

Nah, I'll just go for a ride.

[SIR REAL ED]

Because they can’t stand the smell or the conversation ?

Exactly!   

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Ask your dog, he knows.

[dirtiegirtie]

I once described fishing or riding a motorcycle to meditative? The person I was speaking with, after further description, said to me, "It sounds like it's actually more hyper focused/hypnotic, which can be relaxing as well. Especially for those with brains that have trouble 'turning off'. "

I can relate to it. My mind is typically running in a thousand different directions. Even in my truck I have to physically put my phone in the console to prevent myself from picking it up at every stop light... but on a bike? I don't think about my phone. I don't think about work. I think about the pot hole I see 50 yards ahead of me and what the guy two cars up in the other lane is doing. It probably sounds exhausting to other people... being hyperfocused while riding... but it isn't for me. It's relaxing. It's freeing. My mind is singly focused and it feels good. Same with fishing for me. If you come fishing with me, don't expect small talk about your feelings or a new job... maybe a "How deep did you catch that last bass?" every five minutes, but that's about it.

[MarkPell]

I once described fishing or riding a motorcycle to meditative? The person I was speaking with, after further description, said to me, "It sounds like it's actually more hyper focused/hypnotic, which can be relaxing as well. Especially for those with brains that have trouble 'turning off'. "

I can relate to it. My mind is typically running in a thousand different directions. Even in my truck I have to physically put my phone in the console to prevent myself from picking it up at every stop light... but on a bike? I don't think about my phone. I don't think about work. I think about the pot hole I see 50 yards ahead of me and what the guy two cars up in the other lane is doing. It probably sounds exhausting to other people... being hyperfocused while riding... but it isn't for me. It's relaxing. It's freeing. My mind is singly focused and it feels good. Same with fishing for me. If you come fishing with me, don't expect small talk about your feelings or a new job... maybe a "How deep did you catch that last bass?" every five minutes, but that's about it.

I have never thought of this but it describes me perfectly!! Well said!!

[berniebee]

Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as hearing an engine come to life in a steady, reassuring idle after cleaning, tweaking and balancing the carburetors. The instant race of the engine as you test blip of the throttle.

Leaned over, smoothly rounding a familiar country road curve with only the engine burbling beneath you is nearest thing to flying without wings.

[Tiki Joe]

I once described fishing or riding a motorcycle to meditative? The person I was speaking with, after further description, said to me, "It sounds like it's actually more hyper focused/hypnotic, which can be relaxing as well. Especially for those with brains that have trouble 'turning off'. "

I can relate to it. My mind is typically running in a thousand different directions. Even in my truck I have to physically put my phone in the console to prevent myself from picking it up at every stop light... but on a bike? I don't think about my phone. I don't think about work. I think about the pot hole I see 50 yards ahead of me and what the guy two cars up in the other lane is doing. It probably sounds exhausting to other people... being hyperfocused while riding... but it isn't for me. It's relaxing. It's freeing. My mind is singly focused and it feels good. Same with fishing for me. If you come fishing with me, don't expect small talk about your feelings or a new job... maybe a "How deep did you catch that last bass?" every five minutes, but that's about it.

Same for me...you beat me to it!  When I'm riding my Guzzi or Ducati on a winding road; all that I think about is the next corner, braking, accelerating, leaning over...Hyperfocused is correct.  It's the only way I can get my brain to turn off from everything else.  I love music but I can't hear the words....I'll try to focus on the words as mush as possible but 2 lines later a word will remind me of something else and I start thinking about that....then I'm thinking about why I can't stay focused on the lyrics, then I start thinking about.....and then it's 3 songs later!
I get the same sensation when snow skiing....you try to push yourself to the limits without going past and getting hurt.
Now on my Harley it's different....I enjoy rolling down the highway with my favorite musical playlist and just chilling and enjoying the scenery.  . 

[mobiker]

Because....when the weather's good and the bikes' running fine, for a few moments in time all is right with the world.
Regardless of what else is going on in life.

[JJ]

QUOTE:  Why do motorcycles make you smile?

Because when you are riding them, it makes you feel ALIVE!   

[John Warner]

Well, there's the obvious bit about Speed and Acceleration, and the Adrenaline you get from that.
A few have mentioned 'carving' through corners, that's high on my list.

You can't beat the feeling of being able to jump on your Bike on any day of the year, at any time, and just go wherever you feel like, without having to think about what the traffic might be like.
Want to pop down to the Coast on a Bank Holiday?
Just do it!

I love listening to traffic reports on the Radio, the worse the reports, the more I grin to myself, is that bad?
Schadenfreude I guess, although I do feel a bit sorry for those stuck in horrendous traffic jams . . . sometimes! 

A quick quote, which says it better than I ever could . . .

“In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.

On a Motorcycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.”
― Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance