Dangit , it isn't optional (riding that is)

[oldbike54]

 Darren , I love you man 

 I am trying to get at something here , this has been rattling around in my brain for years . There have been times , like after a friend crashes , when stepping away seem like the prudent thing to do, that feeling usually lasts a day or two , and then it recedes and I hear the siren call . Honestly , if the only bike in the garage was a worn out 125 CC 4 stroke Suzuki trail bike , as long as it could be made to run ... Over the years I've had people say , "I won't ride until I can afford a Ducati , or a Harley , or a , well , some expensive bike . It just seems weird , is you or ain't you a motorbiker ?

 Anyone have a cheap MZ 2 stroke for sale , just in case ?

 Dusty

[Chuck in Indiana]

Uhhh, yeah to all of the above.  I'm a gear head, too.. but nothing does it for me like riding. Dangerous? Absolutely. It's by far the most dangerous thing I do, but it's not about that at all.
It's that man/machine relationship that Swede alluded to.
Could I walk away from it and never ride again?
Sure. I wouldn't *like* it though. It's like any other addiction.. I'd have to walk away and never look back. <shrug>

[timonbik]

I know exactly how you feel.  To me it's not about THE BIKE, but about the ride.  If it has two wheels, motorcycle, scooter,  hell even a bicycle, it's the exhilaration of being on two wheels.   Its not about speed, economy, look at me factor, coolness or whatever?  Its about the feeling you get when you twist the throttle on the open road.   It's a feeling of freedom.  Calmness takes over.  The "GRIN FACTOR".  It doesn't have to be a GUZZI or a HD.  It could be a Honda 50 for all I care. Riding is like a drug.  You can't explain it to those who don't ride.  They will never understand.  Every once in a while,  I think of selling my bikes, usually after a long hiatus from riding, then it is the feeling you get on that first ride.  Not being a drug user, but I imagine  it being akin to a junkee getting a fix after being dry for  spell.  Just my 2 cents worth.

 Heck, its 42 and sunny outside.  Think I'll go for a ride.

[John Ulrich]

There have been times , like after a friend crashes , when stepping away seem like the prudent thing to do, that feeling usually lasts a day or two , and then it recedes and I hear the siren call .

I'm wrestling with it too, my wife would like me to give it up.  I rode to rallys & club activities only this summer.  Maybe next summer I'll go back to joy rides....we'll see.

[ohiorider]

I still have a 20+ year old sweatshirt, blue with the silhouette of a BMW K100RS rounding a curve.  Under the bike, it just about says it all "........ BMW Motorcycles//Worth The Obsession.  Whether it's a Beemer, Guzzi, Triumph, Kaw, Yamaha, BSA ... I've always been obsessed with riding.  Goes back to when I was 13-14 years old, and  a friend let me ride his Whizzer motorbike, followed by a Motobecane, Allstate scooter (Vespa) and a Mustang Scooter.

[sturgeon]

Only 2 addictions in my life. Well, 3 if you count my wife.

White-water canoeing in very remote places far from civilization.

Riding one of my motorcycles.

[Penderic]

Even before retirement .........

[Guzzistajohn]

To me motorcycling is a means of just getting out into nature. I enjoy the outdoors mostly. Fishing is boring most of the time, I'm not in to killing furry animals and I'm too lazy to hike. My motorcycles provide me the solitude I crave. Nothing better for me than getting out in the boondocks and enjoying the outdoors. I love the ozarks and I'll have a hard time giving up riding. I hope I can be lucky enough to croak before I get to that point! :boozing:cheers!

[Huzo]

One doesn't have to limit himself to motorcycles available for purchase.  One can make his own.  For example you build a motorcycle that uses an American automotive V-8 for power.  No one has ever done anything like that before!

Have you seen the Hoss Style V8's ? Just about a useable bike if you must have that sort of thing.

[oldbike54]

Have you seen the Hoss Style V8's ? Just about a useable bike if you must have that sort of thing.

 They handle like an octopus riding a skateboard 

 Dusty

[Darren Williams]

They handle like an octopus riding a skateboard 

 Dusty

I'd probably have more fun on a Grom at a go kart track, but heck yeah I'd ride one if given the chance!

[Arizona Wayne]

In my earlier years, besides everything else mentioned here we get from riding a MC, when you have a stressfull job, riding is a great way to get away from your responsibilities.   When I ride I can't think of anything else if I want to stay alive.     It's a great stress reliever.   Who needs a shrink when you can ride instead? 

[Moto]

Like Timonbik here. Anything with two wheels attracts me. I scope out scooters, even, where they're parked, and would ride anything too. But I could stop. If I did stop riding I'd still work on them, I think. Addict? Maybe.

[Penderic]

What about looking "Hip"?


 

[oldbike54]

What about looking "Hip"?


 

 Is that what an Italian dorcus looks like ?

 Dusty

[John A]

When I wad one up, I always want to have it repaired or replaced by the time I'm healed enough to ride.
I admit I'm powerless over it.🏍

[Penderic]

Well, there have been moments .....


TAXI!

[Tom]

BTDT....sometimes it's the moment you're living.  Accept and adapt.

[OlDogface]

I agree that after hearing about someone's accident that the prudent thing would be to give it up but, so far at least, I've resisted. I started riding for economic reasons 20-odd years ago. I guess it gets into your skin after a while. I now own a car that gets substantially the same gas mileage as my bike so the economics really don't work any more. Now I see the bike more as a "second car" than a primary form of transportation. I have ridden in nearly all conditions over the years but now that I am a bit older I tend to ride on the warmer days and use the car as my rain bike.

[Jim Rich]

To me it is an escape vehicle.  Leave the rest behind.  Wish I was riding now.

[twowings]

Just got back from a ride...43 degrees when I left this morning....it was...REFRESHING!