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Riding is an experience that can't be described. It will be better then you think it's going to be.

It is great. Kind of like flying, but easier. You are experiencing everything you miss when driving a car.

It takes concentration, and attention to the road surfaces, the traffic, and where you are going, but you don't have the distractions of a car (radio, climate control, etc).

One thing that makes it very good is taking an MSF course first. I took my bike out the weekend BEFORE the course and struggled to keep things under control, and eventually layed it down.

After the course, the mechanics of riding are worry free and nearly automatic. I could concentrate on the ride, the road, and the traffic.

Anyone who skips taking an MSF course before their ride is cheating themselves.

DustyJacket wrote:Anyone who skips taking an MSF course before their ride is cheating themselves.

I concur.

After I got out of my computer filesystems lab, the air just smelled like a perfect spring evening. You know, the smell of grass and some other thing you can't quite place? The one that makes you feel great sitting in a lawn chair, enjoying the sun set over the hills? That was how it felt and I couldn't resist. After a quick stop for gas, I took off on a loop I usually take when I have time.

The way to the first town was amazing. You could tell which houses were cooking dinner by the smell. The sunset was nothing short of spectacular. The farmer driving a combine on his field, silhouetted against the dark pink sky and clouds was absolutely picturesque. The smell was still present, the motorcycle singing under me. I rode on well into dusk before coming back in to town.

That is why I ride.

I can't ever remember a time when I didn't ride, but it still is the only thing that completely clears the mind. Some people get over that and get bored with it eventually, but I'm a little slow to catch on.....

This morning, as I was walking upstairs to get on my bike and ride to work, I was thinking to myself that there is not much more of anything that I look forward to more than riding. I just got my bike last summer after not riding for 20 years. I missed it so much. I have a blast every time I ride. I took my daughter for a ride a couple of weeks ago and told her that I felt the only thing that allowed more freedom was flying. I LOVE TO RIDE!!

Ron

I thought motorcycles would make me cool and that if I had a bike, chicks would appear whenever I snapped my fingers. It worked for "the Fonz" right? So the answer is NO, riding is not all I thought it would be.

I thought it would really suck and be really expensive and "pee" off my wife to no end.

I jumped in with both feet and found that it really didn't suck all that much.

rwp, you're not supposed to snap any more, girls are more civilized than that. Now you say: hey, baby!

Everyone else on this thread pretty much exactly summed up my feelings. But read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. If you are the riding type, you will be able to relate to the first few chapters very well.

I just cant possibly imagine what life would be like without a bike, I have been riding pillion 20+ and I still get that adrenalin rush and freedom.Wah Hey!

It's worth every second I can't imagine life without my bike.