How fun can motorcycling be?

[faffi]

I am currently reading old motorcycle magazines, right now the 1986 season of Cycle magazine. There was one story there, from a rally (stories that do not interest me much, so I never read them before), where one bloke in his 70s rode 100,000 miles per year That is an average of 274 miles per day, every day, for a year! Here, that would mean 7 hours of riding per day. I do not know about you, but I can say with absolute certainty that I would quickly lose my interest in riding that way.

Perhaps he was riding mostly interstates, where he could average 70 mph for 4 hours per day in the saddle. But to me, that is not riding, that is transportation. Of which I find little to no joy.

But that is me. What about you? If you had the time and money, would you be interested in logging 100k miles year in, year out? Would you look forward to the ride at least the majority of days? And, if yes, why/what would you look forward to those rides?

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

Patrick Cornell is currently on track to hit 200k miles just this year on an Indian Pursuit. His ride is to raise awareness and funds for Myotonic Dystrophy.

Not as a charity ride, if I had the time and money... 100k miles in a year would be very low on my list. Having time, I wouldn't be in a rush. I'd prioritize experiences that are more interesting to me like riding overseas, a smaller challenge such as 49 states in 49 days, riding all the routes that go through National Parks, and travels where time is spent off the bike as well. Forget the riding, I wouldn't want to deal with the logistics of 100k miles in a year on most bikes. My past two cross-country tours on my V7 were more than enough logistical complication for me just coordinating maintenance and tire changes while on the road.

[Huzo]

I do take your point, but at the same time I do find an attraction in the traversing of distance for distance’s sake.

[Tkelly]

Most fun you can have with your clothes on.

[SIR REAL ED]

I am currently reading old motorcycle magazines, right now the 1986 season of Cycle magazine. There was one story there, from a rally (stories that do not interest me much, so I never read them before), where one bloke in his 70s rode 100,000 miles per year That is an average of 274 miles per day, every day, for a year! Here, that would mean 7 hours of riding per day. I do not know about you, but I can say with absolute certainty that I would quickly lose my interest in riding that way.

I agree.  For me, recreation has to be refreshing and renewing.  Routine destroys both of those therapeutic values. 

A few hours a week are plenty, unless the scenery or the camaraderie is exceptional.

A major trip that one has looked forward to for a while would be an exception.  Then the achievement factor becomes another form of reward.

[bronzestar1]

100K miles in a year?  Nope, my bikes are hobbies, not "transportation" like someone said.  Only riding them a few miles every so often keeps the experience fresh and rewarding.  Heck, I'd be hard-pressed to put 100K miles in a year in a car, let alone a motorcycle!  I'm still working on hitting 1K miles on my '24 V100 Mandello that I've owned for about 18 months, so I can bring it in for its break-in service!   

[Shorty]

It's no fun when it becomes a job. I'd take little day trips in the hills any day over miles and miles  of flat boredom.

[bigbikerrick]

I am lucky to live in an area where I can ride year round. I take a short ride just about every day, just for fun. 1-1.5 hour rides are my "normal" these days. thats plenty for me. Sometimes, I enoy the tinkering more than riding!
Rick

[Clifton]

I am currently reading old motorcycle magazines, right now the 1986 season of Cycle magazine. There was one story there, from a rally (stories that do not interest me much, so I never read them before), where one bloke in his 70s rode 100,000 miles per year That is an average of 274 miles per day, every day, for a year! Here, that would mean 7 hours of riding per day. I do not know about you, but I can say with absolute certainty that I would quickly lose my interest in riding that way.

....What about you? If you had the time and money, would you be interested in logging 100k miles year in, year out? Would you look forward to the ride at least the majority of days? And, if yes, why/what would you look forward to those rides?

There's Chris Hopper who set some record riding his Harley essentially 1,000 miles every day for 100 days. I heard after that, that someone recently on an Indian had beat it.

No, I have absolutely no interest in that kind of riding. I've done a few 1,000+ mile days when I had limited time to get somewhere or back home (when I was working) but I'd far rather spend long days logging 300-400 miles on more interesting roads with a few more stops.