There are lots of opinions about men and women who ride motorcycles, but few of them come from men and women who ride. Is it dangerous? To a far lesser degree than is advertised.
Once the teenage testosterone cases who ride like they have something to prove, and the drug and alcohol addled riders are removed from the statistics, the numbers of deaths and accidents drop dramatically. For all of the riders I know, coffee is the strongest beverage consumed during a riding day. I can’t speak for the motorcycle riders parked in front of bars, but they are in the minority. I know more men who’ve died playing tennis and golf than motorcycling.
Danger isn’t the reason men and women ride. We ride in spite of it. Why have I ridden motorcycles for the past twenty-five years? Simply put, there’s no other activity that delivers the same level of excitement and thrills. Riding well requires well-honed skill, and riders love to be skillful because it increases the pleasure of the ride.
I can’t saw wood, hammer nails, or fix a car, but I’m a highly skilled rider, which means I know how to ride my motorcycle to its maximum potential. Leaning over hard, down shifting, entering a curve in the road, and ending up sitting straight and tall in the saddle afterward is a thrill. Riding for an entire day on nothing but little traveled back roads, breathing in the smells of fresh mown hay, wildflowers, cattle and horses, seeing spectacular views, and stopping for lunch along the way, is about the best day I can imagine.
I may not exceed 50 mph the entire day, or use a higher gear than third, on those country roads, but the thrill of knowing how to experience that to its fullest exceeds the need for speed. I suppose that for some riders it’s all about riding fast like their hair is on fire, but for me and most riders, that’s not the point at all. We all want to live to ride another day.
Being good at any sport requires practice, and motorcycling is no exception. I’ve spent a several days over the years riding race tracks at schools run by ex-motorcycle racers, to improve my skills. Understanding the gyroscope effect that is a motorcycle, and using that effect to its maximum feels magical.
I’m noticing more women on motorcycles, and the industry reports that 10% of all new bikes are purchased by women. Considering how many people ride, that’s a lot of women. I love to hear them talk about their ride at the end of the day over a glass of wine. They talk about the joy of riding in the same terms as men who ride. I’m noticing more men and women riding together, but on separate bikes.
The next time you see a man or woman riding a motorcycle, give them the benefit of the doubt. Assume they just love what they’re doing and can’t imagine not doing it. If you’ve ever had any fantasies about riding motorcycles, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a nation organization that has taught millions of people how to ride safely. It’s a weekend course and they provide the helmets and bikes. It’s a terrific, safe way to get started.
Once you’re on the road, if you’re in a group of riders, remember to ride your own ride and not be influenced by other riders who may or may not be more skilled. Ride at a comfortable level that doesn’t make you stressed or worried. Start riding on a smaller bike, 250-500c.c., and move up as your skills improve.
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