Scooter ping!
Posted on 02/17/2023 6:20:42 PM PST by ShadowAce
It's not uncommon for bikers to hear all the negative aspects behind riding a motorcycle: "It's too dangerous" or "I don't trust the other people on the road" and by far the most ridiculous stereotype, "Are you going to join a gang?"
Motorcycling isn't for everyone, which is fine. Because if everyone in the world rode a motorcycle, then it wouldn't be the symbol of rebellion, freedom, and independence that we recognize. It's for those of us who march to the beat of our own drum, step away from conformity and choose to fulfill our lives on our own terms. So despite the negative stereotypes that come out of the crowd, movies, and television, what is often overlooked are the many benefits riding a motorcycle provides both physically and mentally.
When riding a motorcycle, you need to be much more alert and aware of your environment. Your brain is constantly being stimulated while analyzing factors like the weather, the wind, the temperature, the state of traffic, pedestrians, road obstacles, and so on. But sometimes you are also tasked with having to make sudden, split-second decisions. Whenever you are out on the road, your brain is always processing to the constantly-changing road conditions and providing you potential solutions in case something were to go wrong. What if there's a pothole? What if the car in front of you has broken tail lights? What if it suddenly starts to rain? What if the driver next to you is on their phone? By playing these kinds of scenarios in your head, you come up with solutions before the problem arises. So it shouldn't be a surprise to feel that your brain's cognitive abilities will show very positive signs of growth. So the next time you find yourself in an escape room, it'll be your time to put your puzzle-solving skills to the test with that big brain of yours.
Have you ever seen someone ride a motorcycle and not have a smile of their face? Exactly. These days with the doom and gloom of the news and social media in our pockets, stress levels are at an all-time high. Especially with young adults. So it only makes sense to have some sort of stress-reliever. For some people, it's exercise. Others prefer expressing themselves through art and music. And for a certain few, riding a motorcycle can have the same kind of effect.
Studies have shown that riding a motorcycle can reduce stress and heighten levels of dopamine and endorphins. So giving yourself a break and taking the bike out for a cruise can help take your mind off of things for a while, and remind you not to pull your hair out when life gets hard. Whenever you're on a motorcycle, you're not stressing over bills, the state of the world, or negative comments being spouted over the internet. It's just you, your bike, and the open road. Having the opportunity to unplug and reconnect with the real world will take a huge weight off of your shoulders, and perhaps a moment to grant yourself a little peace. Sounds pretty good, right? So go out, get some fresh air, give yourself a little 'me time' and just enjoy the ride while you can.
Plus, riding a motorcycle teaches your body to use each of your limbs for a specific function. Your left-hand controls the clutch, your right-hand controls the throttle and front brake, your left-foot controls the gear shift, and your right-foot controls the rear brake. By riding a motorcycle, you are essentially programming your body to perform several functions at once as one harmonious whole. What's even more impressive is that most of the time, you don't even realize you're doing it! It's almost like your body is reacting entirely on its own.
Whether you are aware of it or not, riding a motorcycle is a very physical activity. While you are out admiring the great outdoors and spending time with friends, your core is getting stronger and stronger by the second. By keeping your posture upright, your core is keeping active by maintaining your riding position while battling against the wind. While it is a little different from doing crunches and sit-ups at the gym, it is certainly a low-impact activity that develops stronger muscle tone in the long-run.
Your neck strength will also see improvement. While this doesn't necessarily sound that important for some, those that experience pain in their neck and back may find this quite comforting. It should also be noted that one should always make sure that their bike is property fitted to them. Because if you ever find yourself slouching on a motorcycle, it might have the opposite affect, and you are really going to feel it once you dismount.
Your legs and knees can also grow in strength over time as well. Like many gym-goers say, "never skip leg day." Thankfully, the motorcycle is a machine that can help in that particular muscle (or ligament) group. By using your legs to mount, rest, and control the bike, you'll find yourself keeping them active without any pesky muscle cramps.
Have you ever been at a party where you don't know anyone, and have nothing in common with anybody there? It's an awkward and uncomfortable situation to be in. Thankfully, another big benefit to the motorcycling lifestyle is the benefit of being part of a community and meeting new kinds of people, thereby opening the door to new experiences. The social component behind the biker world is very strong, especially because we consist of a very small portion of the population. We are a tight-knit group, and it's always fun to embark on an adventure with friends by your side.
Joining charity rides is another great opportunity to connect with fellow motorcyclists while doing a little good at the same time. Because doing good feels good. Some groups like Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) strip away the negative stereotypes of bikers being criminals and social delinquents by coming to the aid and support of abused children.
From local rides to gigantic events like Sturgis, Rolling Thunder, and Daytona Bike Week, people from every kind of background can gather together over their mutual love and appreciation for the motorcycles.
Scooter ping!
Which is why they are labeled *donor cycles* by medical personnel.
One thing I still can not wrap my mind around here in NH is the lack of helmet laws and the vast number of bikers I see not wearing them.
People hate you because you drive even more like a reckless moron weaving in between traffic and straddling lane lines.
Half the bikes need to be ticketed for violating noise levels.
Lets not forget hardcore criminal biker gangs, waiting to be triggered by anything they consider “disrespect”, and gangs of idiots racing each other thinking the road is their personal racetrack or where they can practice their trick driving.
I ride mainly either solo or with my CMA chapter, which consists of a variety of bike makes/models.
MOST bikers are polite and friendly, and ride conservatively. You just never hear about us because we don't make the news.
Yeppers. I have been riding since I was 13 inthe summer of 1957. I paid $25 for a Whizzer motorbike and hid it from my parents for 2 maybe 3 weeks until they found it in the bushes. Damn thing barely ran and then only very part time. It taught me a lot though. Mostly how to cuss.
Still on two wheels at age 80 even though I ain’t real fast, just kinda half fast.
Correct. Ride like you're invisible. Think of cars as 4,000 pound hammers. Ride with extreme caution and have fun.
Agree. I stopped riding after I turned 58 and had hit 2 deer in 2 years after moving from CA to Northern Idaho.
I don’t know, I’ve seen a lot of fat, fat, fat motorcycle riders.
They know what their heads are worth.
LOL! But I bet they are very fit, mentally.
Yeah buddy!
Good grief man. Maybe you need to start riding.
I spent some of the best days of my life straddling my 450 Honda with my ultralight spinning rod strapped to the side.
But when I started having dreams where I would be riding and a car would pull out in front of me and I would wake up, I took it as an omen.
What happened to my body my choice? You hate motorcycles, don’t buy one, don’t ride on one.
Drs ride motorcycles by the way, so do cops, military, mother’s, father’s, brothers, sisters, grandkids etc. Deal with it.
You obviously have issues... You must be Metmoms significant other.
👍👍👍 50+ years of riding and looking forward to several more.
Another name for motor-bike riders is....Organ Donors.
I saw an old guy standing beside a motorcycle outside Home Depot. Figured, old guy = Harley. Nope, it was a beautiful, new, Triumph Bonneville. Wow, I figure I need one for my mental health.
Only problem is that at my advanced age I’d need training wheels.
I ride but not a cool bike. I see some of the HD (not all) crowd as some of the biggest conforming non-conformists in the world. “My HD is noisy and I have HD branded this and that, so I’m cool.”
Like I said, Most are fine.
I ride a practical bike I bought for someone who had never ridden. They ended up never actually riding it and I just kept it. It’s practical, gets mileage in the upper 40’s and I do enjoy the wind and freedom feeling I get riding it.
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