IMAGE BY JON NEWELL
I used to be jealous of people who had grown up riding, who had never known a time before two wheels. And, to be sure, there’s no accounting for the skills you accumulate after years and years of riding.
But even though I do wish I had spent my childhood tearing up the dirt, I’m glad to have experienced life both with and without a motorcycle. It gives me a different perspective on exactly how motorcycles can change your life.
Falling in love with motorcycles as an adult is a funny thing — you’re still the same person you were before. You still have the same job, same family, same responsibilities… but somehow, everything’s different.
A love of motorcycles seeps into the cracks of your life, changing the way you relate to the world, and the way it relates to you. Some of those ways are silly and surface-level, but others are truly meaningful.
I’ve wanted to write this post for a long time now, as the ways motorcycling changed my life keep piling up around me. I’m sure there’s some that I missed, if you think one of please feel free to share them in the comments below!
1) The weather gods will own your life.
Most people check the weather app at least once each day, barring any dramatic weather occurrence. After all, it’s nice to know if you’ll need a jacket.
But when you ride a motorcycle…. you might as well become a meteorologist.
Sure, there are some people who have the skills (and gear) to ride in all kinds of weather, and more power to them! But after your first ride in crappy weather without the right gear or skills, you rethink your “I’ll just ride anyway!” strategy pretty quick.
2) Your navigation skills will improve 100%.
When you drive a car, it’s easy to use your phone as a GPS to get where you’re going. And yes, some people have fancy GPS/phone mounts to use while riding, but most of us don’t. So, we have to do things the old-fashioned way.
Since learning to ride, I have become much better at using street names and street signs to navigate. My internal compass has improved quite a bit, too, which is useful when one of your favorite things to do is get lost riding 🙂
Also, not only will you be better able to follow a route, but you’ll have many more to choose from. I know at least two routes for each of my main destinations. Plus, a mental catalog of side roads for those I’m-not-ready-to-go-home-yet days.
3) You’ll become “the chick/dude with a motorcycle” in all your non-riding circles.
For the first few months after learning to ride, your life will be full of people either telling you how badass it is that you’re learning to ride… or how stupid. Some people will tell you you’re awesome, others will say “You ride a motorcycle now? More like a DONOR-cycle!” and laugh like they invented the joke.
Spoiler alert: they didn’t. But, they’re entitled to their opinion 😉
And then, after everyone gets used to you riding, every time they look at you they will think “rides a motorcycle.”
Case in point: I can’t remember a bad-weather day at my former office when one of my coworkers didn’t ask me, “Oh my god, did you ride today!?!” Uhm… am I cold and wet?
4) Half the clothes in your closet will become useless.
Okay, this one is definitely more for the ladies, but, I mean… skirts? Dresses?? Sandals?!? High heels?!?
Some women trade off dressing up and riding, and that’s great. But, because I work from home and rarely go out as it is, when I have the choice between dressing cute and riding… I choose riding.
Not to mention, sandals-and-sundresses weather conflicts exactly with perfect get-out-and-ride-all-day, weather. So put on some pants and let’s ride!
5) You’ll develop a (rightful) hatred for people who text and drive.
This one was a biggie for me. It’s an awful, awful feeling to pull up next to a car, in full scanning mode, and realize that the person driving that two-ton hunk of metal right beside you is not even looking at the road.
When I first learned to ride, I let my anger get the best of me, honking and motioning for them to put down their phone. Now, I just get the hell away as fast as I can.
PSA: If you ride or you love someone who rides, you have no excuse for texting and driving. Eyes on the road.
6) Your disposable income will disappear.
I’ve heard that some people get into riding because “it’s cheaper than a car.” And sure, the average motorcycle is cheaper than the average car.
But… that’s pretty much where the cheap-ness ends. Sure, parts might be less expensive for bikes on a per-item basis. But, unless you are a real hotrod-head (is that what they call themselves?), you’ll spend more buying parts for your bike than you ever did for your functional sedan.
And yes, some motorcycles get better gas mileage than some cars. But the advent of hybrids is doing a lot to level the playing field.
Then, there’s motorcycle insurance, which can be even more expensive depending on your bike, age, gender and location. And don’t forget about safety gear, which will cost you upwards of $1,000 for a complete kit at least.
Not to mention… yes, one motorcycle is cheaper than one car… but who only wants one motorcycle?
7) You’ll become a master at carrying as much as possible (and then some) on your bike.
Want to ride today but need to bring your gym clothes, your school books, your lunch, and your laptop? No sweat! After you’ve been riding for awhile, you’ll figure out how to pack all your daily necessities on your bike.
But, be careful, you might lose a few items before you get the hang of it! Personally, I stick to backpacks of all shapes and sizes — much less risk of losing something that way.
8) You realize there’s a lot more to motorcycles than meets the eye.
When I first started riding motorcycles, I knew I didn’t know much about them, but I didn’t realize exactly how much there was to know.
First, you’ve got several styles of riding — dirt bikes, motocross, adventure, racing, flat track, street. Then you’ve got all the different categories of bikes made for those types of riding, and the makes and models of those bikes.
And then you have the physics of riding — how and why different bikes perform the way they do, and what you can do to take advantage of those traits.
Not to mention, of course, the mechanics and science of the motorcycle itself… And don’t forget about safety gear and all its technology!
I have no problem calling myself a nerd, so this is one of the things that gets me most excited about motorcycles. I like that there’s always something new to learn, always some new way to appreciate a hobby I already enjoy. It’s the ultimate nerd fantasy.
9) You’ll find yourself in the middle of a vibrant community.
It’s no secret: the motorcycle community has some of the best people around. I have met so many giving, caring, interesting, thriving people in the motorcycle community. It routinely blows me away.
But beyond the actual people, there’s something to be said for simply being part of a community that gathers around a common interest.
I’m not naive enough to think that because two people both like motorcycles that they’ll be best friends. But becoming “best friends” isn’t the point. The best thing about the motorcycle community is that it gives you the opportunity to meet and interact with people who are different from you.
When it comes down to it, a motorcycle is a means of transportation. It can take you anywhere. Some people ride to their law classes, others ride to their jobs as nurse practitioners, and still more ride out to camp in the desert.
Almost anyone can make a motorcycle (or a passion for motorcycles) part of their life, and it’s exactly that diversity that makes the motorcycle community so awesome.
So, what do you think? Did any of these happen for you? Were there any I missed? I always look forward to hearing from you in the comments 🙂
UP NEXT >>
Every motorcyclist lives for this: that moment when the rest of the world falls away, and it’s just you and the bike, taking on the road. What is that feeling, and where does it come from?
“Mmmm! {Expletive}, Loryn! This is some serious gourmet {expletive}! Usually, we would be happy with some freeze-dried Taster’s Choice, right, but she springs this serious gourmet {expletive} on us! What flavor is this?”
~ Jules (or Ohene) ?
Had a crisis of faith and doubted you for a hot minute, LT. When I read the title of this edition, I thought I was going to get platitudes about the spirituality of riding and the freedom of the open road, et cetera. Forgot who the author is. Forgot her head and heart are in this. Won’t make that mistake again.
I agree with everything on your list, especially #9. There are bad apples is every bushel; but, as a whole, the community is wonderful! And yes, half my clothes are useless; and NO, I’m not a chick – though my wife would differ because I like Cosmos and other similarly hued drinks. Don’t judge me!
Speaking of judging, #3 is spot on! My father thought he was quite hilarious (and original) when he used to call my bike a “murder-cycle.” Soooo funny. ?
He used to tell me how many people are killed riding motorcycles; and I asked him if I should also stop walking across the street since there have historically been more pedestrian deaths than rider deaths. That usually changed the conversation. ?
I’m struggling with #6 right now. I’ve gone from a Honda CBR 600, to a Triumph Street Triple, to a Harley Davidson Night Rod, to my current ride, a Ducati 821. Now I’m thinking about adding an XDiavel S (without getting rid of the 821); but my better half wants a new kitchen first. Think that qualifies as first-world problems. ?
One thing missing from the list (unless I overlooked it) is what I alluded to earlier: the Zen of riding. Having the total unification of mind, body, and situational awareness riding commands of you can have a meditative and somewhat spiritual effect. I’m overcome with a nearly palpable sensation of peace and joy immediately before, during, and after a ride.
Along that same vein, I would add to the list, the immediate sense of accomplishment / achievement you get once you’ve earned your license and realize you have acquired a new skill (and potential lifestyle change) and the ensuing, long-lasting sense of euphoria that brings. I didn’t think I could be happier than when I learned to drive a car at {ahem} 13, and BOY was I wrong.
Really diggin’ this journey you’ve got us on, LT. It’s educational, inspirational, and fun. Can’t wait for what’s coming.
Ride On and Write On, because you’re Right On!
Hahah well I won’t say it’s my most groundbreaking work, but above all else I do maintain a firm anti-platitudes stance on this blog 😉
It’s true, the connection between body and mind is a huge part of riding, and I think something that’s important to human fulfillment in general. It reminds me of the concept of liminal space — riding creates a sort of transition time between who you were before and what might happen during the ride, internally or externally.
One of the main reasons I left that — and the sense of accomplishment — out of this piece is that it can be hard to tackle such expansive subjects briefly and lightheartedly without resorting to those feared platitudes. But don’t worry, I’m definitely going to be tackling both of those concepts in relation to my build project 😀
Thanks as always for your comments and insights, Ohene!
This is an amazing article Loryn. Genuinely one of the best outlooks on being a new rider. I’m like you, I didn’t ride in my youth, I started late in life and have learned all of these same lessons (even the clothes thing – slacks and dress shoes? who needs ’em!). Thanks for putting all of this down and sharing it with the world. You are a super talented rider and one of the many amazing people I’ve met through motorcycles. Come back and see us soon!
Aww, Kacey, don’t make me blush!! Thank you for always supporting my writing 🙂 I am so glad that we got to meet through the motorcycle community as well! It’s been awesome to see the DIMS grow, promise me you’ll keep holding ’em until I have a chance to actually make it to one 😉
Hope you have a great time at Handbuilt! Tell the Texas moto crew I say hi 😀
I would like to expand on #9 a bit to include all the wonderful people one meets out “on the road”, especially in small towns and rural areas. The gentleman in the McDonalds parking lot who complements your bike and spins a yarn about his riding days, or the farmer who stops to check if all is well when you have stopped by the roadside. My bike is a people magnet.
Yes! I’ve had the best (and also oddest) discussions with strangers who saw my bike and wanted to come talk to me. There’s just something about motorcycles that draws people in 🙂 Thanks for reading!
And sometimes it is just that feeling of comradery tou get when someone comes over to you and starts up a conversation with : ” Hey,is that a 82′ or 83’Seca? Man I had one of those years ago.” That leads into a 30 minute conversation about old bikes and a invite to go riding with them and a group of friends later that weekend.
That’s the best!!
I completely agree with your perspective of riding. I didn’t start until I retired at 57 but through life was an avid down hill snow skier. Once I took the motorcycle safety course at the local junior college, I was hooked and now ride ski every day. If I’d started this earlier in life, I probably wouldn’t have focused on working so hard to get to a point where now I can afford both sports without having to scrimp and honestly believe I appreciate what life has given me. Great perspective!
Dang, ride and ski every day?! Sounds like you’ve got a good thing going! I would love to get to a point where I could ride, wrench, and write every day, it’s great to hear that it’s possible 🙂 Thanks for reading and for your comment, Walt! Keep the rubber side down ??
I learned to ride when I was 55. Now I ride to work almost every day. I live in south Florida and I was so excited when I stopped being afraid of riding in the rain. I still check the weather, mostly to see if it will be bad at 5 pm.
That’s awesome! I’m finally getting to the point where riding in a bit of rain isn’t so intimidating. Gotta make sure things don’t get worse though 😉
10. Nature, and the solace of solitude.
That is definitely a good one 🙂
Still getting hits 2 years later. (Here via my Google News feed…)
Great article and pretty much correct for me as well. (Not sure I agree with the navigation point but I’m bad about that even in a car.) Oh, and you didn’t mention the potential upside to #3. No one will remember your former defining characteristic after you become “the chick/dude with a motorcycle”.
Haha! Good point! 😉 This was a just-for-fun article, but I’m glad it’s still making people smile 🙂