BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

No wonder I drink lots O beer and have this "thing" hanging over my belt.

Why do I ride? I’m not exactly sure and that is part of the allure. There is something about two wheels that situates one in a space between forward motion and falling. Cars take us places and during the day we exist firmly at locations, but motorcycles suspend us; neither fixed nor falling. It is this non place non-space of suspension that I enjoy visiting. I think the concentration required, that Kyle suggested, adds to this feeling of suspension. Along with the suspension of space, the required concentration necessitates a Zen like state where I have to clear my mind of clutter and focus on my interaction with this living machine and things that may interrupt our biomechanical symbiosis. Maintaining this symbiosis requires the exertion of mental and physical energy. I think it is the release of these dual energies that is pleasurable. Not unlike sex, it is an activity of pure excess. Expending oneself mentally and physically while directly engaging and challenging the death drive is very much a simulacrum of the reproductive act. Motorcycling is a sublime insanity. If I ever figure out exactly why I ride, I’ll let you all know. I would say it is cheap therapy, but that too would be a lie.

I started riding bikes over 20 years ago as a necessity because it was the only transport I could afford while in school. Today, riding represents independence and freedom to explore. Like someone else had mentioned, it is very much a sensory experience for me, reminiscent of flying an open dingle biplane low to the ground.

When I am at work flying somewhere on a clear day, I am usually into the maps and out the window, plotting my next trip on the bike!

I ride for the Chicks....

Let me tell you, while cruising dowtown Chicago, the sophisticated women we have here are highly impressed by a quiet motorcycle with lots of farkles. They really like a guy with a full body space suit, the GPS, extra blinking lights, ugly seat, big windshield, and pelican boxes...

Yeah Chitown - I hear the nerd look is in this year!

Hah! Years ago, at an Experimental Aircraft meeting, the President of said body asked how many motorcycle rider were in the audience. Not current riders, necessarily, but who had gone from motorcycles to airplanes. That night EVERY hand went up!!!

His conclusion was that people who crave high performance will find it at whatever their financial and expertise level may be. That observation has stuck with me over the years, so for me, it's simply a matter of performance and a "man and machine" connection.

I ride my motorcycle simply because it excites me. I have ridden more mountain passes,followed more river roads ,seen more ocean ,met more great people and have sampled more home made cookies than I ever would have riding in my car. After many years, Riding is still my Nirvana..