201 thoughts on “How Motorcycle Racing Helps Us Rediscover Masculine Risk-Taking”

1. Sometimes I miss my R1. It really was a thrill and I did feel pretty bad assed driving it, especially after a long and stupidly fast run. What these guys do takes nerves of steel. As much as I miss my race bike, I will never drive one again. Just too much for me.

2. I admire the nerves on these guys. Motorcycles scare the piss put of me. It’s not a question of WHETHER or not you have a crash. It’s WHEN and HOW BAD.

   1. That and what if any shape you are in after… Several friends of mine have died, lost legs, internal organs, broken spines and so on.
      I got lucky compared to them I think, took a year and a half to get back to some level of normalcy and longer to learn to deal with and compensate for the permanent nerve damage. But the first day I felt OK enough I was back in the saddle hahaha, you can’t fix stupid I guess.

      1. People say it’s a rush and all that. I’ve been on the back of one when I was little with my uncle and I could wait for the ride to end. I think I’m not wired to feel “exhilaration”.

         1. I guess it varies but I suspect it has to do with early childhood and such. My dad was a rally driver after he stopped with bikes, all my cousins and family were into bikes or cars or both and more to some extent, so I grew up driving dirt bikes, cars, tractors and everything else with an engine.
            I know some compulsive gamblers who get massive kicks out of that but won’t go near a bike or race boat etc… Different strokes for different folks I suppose.

      2. I got off easy with a couple of busted ribs. I would def ride again, but never a race bike.

         1. I’ve been toying with the idea of some classic bike but I always end up starting to think what I can upgrade to make it faster etc.
            I have some form of pathological need to mod and tweak the shit out of anything I have with an engine, and usually it ends up some sort of frankenracer that no one else can drive anymore…
            The last few years I have managed to keep myself from getting new toys, which may be why I’m still around hehehe.

         2. I know exactly the feeling. When I got my R1 and put on a two brothers exhaust system I felt like the world was mine. That bike didn’t even feel stable until I hit about 65 and as speed went closer to and over 100 would settle in so beautifully.
            I am thinking about a 60’s or 70’s Triumph Bonneville. I actually pulled the trigger at one point, but the guy decided after he didn’t want to sell. That feeling that I want to get onto a speed bike and drive off to the beach 100 or so miles from me at 6 am when there is no one on the highway will never go away….but when I think of the chain of events stemming from the moment that bike crashed I know I will never do it again

         3. Take up building Rat Bikes. Great fun, and it’s actually kind of cool and trendy.

         4. I’m tempted by those old 2 stroke rice rockets, like RgV 250/500 etc…
            Revving sound of those screaming at 20k rpm is better than anything else, I almost get a boner just thinking about it.
            But they are also fast as fuck and I’m fairly sure I would end up dead in a year if I had one of those.
            Used to have RgV 250 gamma completely done up by a racing mechanic, crazy thing and also unstable as hell, but nothing is faster on winding mountain roads… Mine had a weird dead zone in steering that almost got me killed a couple of times, but damn I loved it.
            I could not bare to go see what was left after the crash, pictures were enough…
            I did at one point think about a hog but then in my mind it morphs into a quarter mile monster with S&S full block and I realize it will kill my ass just as much as the rice rocket and put it out of my mind.

         5. I’ll bet you’re in your 30’s? Close?

         6. Yeah, 37

         7. Prediction: You’re already thinking cruiser, but it’s being mind modded into a beastly fast thing. By 42 you will no longer be doing that in your head and a cruiser will just seem a natural thing and badda bing, you buy one.
            It’s a pretty consistent pattern. I’m a biker, see it all the time.

         8. yeah, if you are going to kill yourself you might as well do it at 160. This way no lingering necessary.
            When I was on vacation there was a guy renting out little 2 stroke jobs on the beach. They were like 25 years old and all rusted from the salt water but for 20 bucks he would let you jump on it, fire it up and whip it around the sand for an hour. It was a blast.

         9. You might well be correct in your prediction, also I got married so I’ll need a bitch seat whatever it is I buy. Probably a HD night train or so.
            I used to have an old ass Indian engine I picked up off a random dude which I always thought of putting in a frame… I don’t even remember what happened to it, I have moved countries many times since then.
            You have a bike now? If so what kind?

         10. I’ve already been thinking about getting a motorcycle myself as I hate driving cars. My father has done his best to talk me out of getting one while my father-in-law is all for it. Heh, gotta love that.

         11. Suzuki Boulevard. I do leather so I have it trimmed up in hand carved brown cow leather, and have mounted a pair of steer horns on the wind screen. It’s been in magazines here in Ohio, I see at least one picture of it every year in a couple of the Ohio centered biker rags. Unabashed has seen it.

         12. How old are you?
             It seems like I’m asking that a lot, but it is very relevant when talking about motorcycles.

         13. Mid-30’s. I’ve been wrestling with the bike idea for some time.

         14. So you’re old enough to have some sense. That’s good.
             Before you buy one, go to a Harley dealership and ask about riding lessons. They do them (don’t know the cost, like maybe two fitty or so?) and they let you ride beater bikes. Teach you all of the basics AND some of the more advanced stuff like how to drop without dying and counter steering, etc. Well worth the money. Once you get certified there, then buy the bike. You will NOT regret it.

         15. Will definitely do that. Thanks for the advice GoJ.

         16. No worries man, just want you to stay alive for the first five years of riding, which are the most dangerous.
             Some states also offer riding lessons, similar deal, much cheaper. The problem is that they give nowhere near the level of detailed instruction.

         17. Nice! I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one actually, it has a similar presence like the V-max which I’ve got plenty of experience and time with.
             Just asked the wife if she’d be ok riding with me, hehehe she said she would never get on a motorcycle but she’s fine with me riding one if I want :P.
             Oh well…

         18. No, that’s perfect, her answer! Perfect!
             As one man to another, a hobby where you can take off for days or even weekends at a time, where the wife approves but wants no part of it, its FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC. You won’t regret her decision in a few years, heh.

         19. It is a very sweet ride. If I ever get a bike, I might need some custom work done by you. Really dig the horns on the front.

         20. Thanks.
             Ever need, you know where to reach me.

         21. Good point, good point. I’ll keep that in mind hehehe and indeed you are very much correct.

         22. One of the weirdest things I ever saw in person close up was a friend who crashed right after a dirtbike jump in a competition and like 3 guys drove over his back coming down off the jump, and he only got some bruises… They were running inch long spikes on the tyres.
             Dirt bikes are fun but I have had the closest calls on them of all kinds of bikes. I’ve done full flips landing the bike on top of me, so I stay away now…

         23. The Horse BC.

         24. http://thehorsebc.com/
             http://thehorsebc.com/images/Back_Issues/cover160.jpg

         25. On the end table next to my recliner. I REALLY dig the photo for the table of contents; it’s a fairly cool Sporty too. (Makes me want to climb on back, so to speak.)

   2. Actually your chances of a wreck are mostly when you’re in your late teens and twenties. If you make it past those years you’re basically golden, although of course anybody can get t-boned, and if you drink a lot you’re screwed no matter what age you are.

3. Isle of Man TT is always a treat to watch, and you have to tip your hat to the guys who truly have balls of steel to be racing. Wonder how much of the island turns out every year.

4. We call these racing bikers – “organ donors”

   1. I call them ALIVE

      1. There is no life without risk. With risk you know you are alive.

   2. Sure YOU do. Read that on Wikipedia?

      1. this is no joke. In my country a lot of people call them the same. I too want to buy a motorcycle one day, but there are way too many driving dangers here. Potholes, dumb drivers ( the mother of dumb drivers lives in my country, and she’s always pregnant ) not to mention gangs of colored folk. There are real dangers. I would not to driving alone. But that’s me.

         1. Its not for everybody.

         2. Give me 3 more riders with me and some guns, and it’ll be for me as well.

   3. I used to have the same limited opinion of bikers. Not just racers, but all bikers. Thought it was the dumbest thing ever to do.
      Then I actually gave it a shot, and almost immediately I understood what it was that riders got out of being on the road. I’ve been hooked ever since.
      When you’re on one for the ride, nothing beats the feeling of freedom. The open road stretches out in front of you, and the view is amazing. When you’re on one for the race, tack on the sheer exhiliration of the torque to weight ratio that only the most expensive, high end cars can ever hope to achieve a fraction of.

      1. I can understand it. The Freedom and the Speed can make a man addicted. But the risks are waaay too high. I live in Germany, the Season started 2 weeks ago and 4 biker died already.

         1. I live in Southern California and riding the freeways and byways here is probably just as risky. We have speed limits that even truckers pay little attention to and it seems to me that everyone here gets into their car and proceeds to do anything else but drive. This problem is exponentially worse when you put the typical, vapid SoCal female behind the wheel. They’ll put makeup on at 90mph down the freeway (eyeliner and mascara included). They’ll be yammering away on their phones or texting or updating social media. I’ve even seen them drive here with the latest celebrity gossip rags on their steering wheel, reading as they drive.
            The risks are there for sure. The thing I’ve learned to do is to assume that anyone in a car is out to kill you and ride accordingly.

   4. Its a shame we can’t say the same about people that smoke and drink.

   5. If you are going to take up biking please take the following advice:
      1 Methodically manage your risk, make sure you slowly build up your skills in a safe area. Don’t exceed physical limits. If you come of on a road you may die if you hit armour rail.
      This is especially so if you are young and do not have as much of the ‘think twice’ attitude of older men. If you are an older man be aware you may have money for a Harley but building the skills will take many years.
      Young men and old men together often make a good team.
      2 Ride defensively: you just don’t register in the minds and senses of motorists as much as a car and you certainly don’t have crumple zones.

5. Ha, I go over the handlebars on my bicycle at least once a summer. No way I am getting on a motorcycle.

   1. It’s always good when a man knows his limitations.

      1. If somebody gave me a Brewster’s Millions, $15,000 to spend in one shot, I would consider buying one of these. All the freedom of the open road, none of the skill/masculinity/getting chicks baggage.

         1. Heh, just saw one of those drive by today coming back from lunch.
            Yeah, the last thing you want is masculinity and getting chicks. That shit’s for suckers! heh

         2. I think they are a much more honest ride for weekend warriors. You’re a dentist in a midlife crisis, take off the leathers, bro.

         3. For most guys, yeah. We call them Corporate Bikers. All decked out in expensive corporate logo “leather”, heh.

         4. If Crocs did motorbikes….

         5. that is such a perfect description that I am leaving my own snarky comment to the side and just piggy backing this one.

         6. When I got my motorcycle my mother told me “why don’t you get a scooter” and I told her “I am not delivering Chinese food mom”
            Not sure if that makes sense outside of the city where every single Chinese food restaurant is sending their delivery out on an army of scooters.

         8. Oh, don’t hold it inside, let’s hear it!

         9. nah, already done.
            I was showing up to a gun fight with a knife

         10. It could be worse, you could be riding this office chair wheel backwards.

         11. Hell’s Accountants.

         12. They’re a weird bunch. Every year we get a couple of them show up to events. They try to be social and nice, but it’s clear a lot of actual real bikers hold them in a barely concealed contempt. I don’t care one way or the other, but it is funny to see how much money they spend on advertising on other people’s behalf. Looks really weird to me.

         13. Around here the same contempt is felt towards those on crotch rockets by the guys on Harley’s or similar bikes. Just a bunch of teenagers to them.

         14. For whatever reason, that looks like an angry snail to me.

         15. Yeah. Used to be that way, but the young bucks are starting to show up to bike events, and I think everybody knows we need some new blood in the ranks, so they’re tolerated.

         16. I never understood that contempt when I had my crotch rocket. It didn’t make sense. Crotch Rockets are fun and I had the money to buy one and enjoyed driving it. Why should anyone be hostile or hold that in contempt. Just never made any sense. I thought the whole point was to get on our bikes and drive off and not pay attention to the rest of the bullshit of the world and live, at least for a bit, by our own rules….oh but in doing that it should matter what your preference in bike is.
             I didn’t find a lot of guys like that, but the ones I did always confused me.

         17. Theres one of these parked in our lot here. It’s for old people who can’t ride a motorcycle anymore.

         18. I can see the appeal to the crotch rockets, but I think something like your bike is more my speed.

         19. My need to get between stop lights in 0.35 seconds vanished long, long ago. Plus those things are great fun but uncomfortable as fuck if you have to put 600 miles a day on them.

         20. Yeah, I don’t think it is so much that it is a non biker who just wants to have fun and ride a bike, but it is someone who basically went into a store and said give me all the expensive stuff.
             As for the logos, one of my favorite memories is of my Great Aunt (grandfathers sister).
             God she was an old bitter cunt. I used to hate when my mom would make me go to her house. Anyway, I didn’t grow up with much money to say the least…we basically didn’t have shit.
             So when I got this nike cap it was a HUGE deal for me. I was like 11 and thought I was the biggest bad ass for having my nike cap.
             Anyway, I go to aunt ruth’s house and the first thing she wants to know is “how much are they paying you to wear that hat”
             I was so pissed.
             As I grew older I started to realize, that loopy old bat was right all along.

         21. It’s like a faster scoot mobile then? Pretty aggressive looking for a scoot mobile:-).

         22. Yup. Got his handicapped parking sticker and everything. I kid you not.

         23. It reminds me of those silly experimental videos in black and white from the 40s “And now….Norman is going to fly this 32 winged beast of the cliffs for a piece of pie” and video cuts right after he goes down……..for a reason……Oh Norman dun killed himself now!

         24. Very much so. The trip from New York out to Montauk in a car is about 3 hours. ON my Yamaha it was about an hour 15 if I left early in the morning.
             All highway. Cops didn’t bother you if you were north of 100. They just figured fuck it, they aren’t gonna kill themselves trying to give you a ticket when you are prob gonna give yourself a death sentence soon any way.
             Exits are like 1.5-3 miles apart and they blasted by so fast it was funny.
             I would get out there and hang out for about an hour and do the ride home.
             It was fucking exhilarating. However, I was usually sore as fuck afterwards.

         25. but it is someone who basically went into a store and said give me all the expensive stuff.
             This.
             If they’re really ambitious they’ll trailer the bike to Daytona or Sturgis, then un-trailer them 2 miles prior to reaching the city(ies) and “ride in” like they made the whole trip on their bikes. What’s funny is that they are so inexperienced in actual hard core riding that they don’t understand that after you’ve crossed half of Iowa and the length of South Dakota, you are coated in dirt and soot, so that if you are seen riding in sparkly and clean you’re immediately indicating “poser”.
             I have a T-shirt that I wear once I hit South Dakota. It’s black and has large yellow letters on that back that say “Nice trailer, you pussy!”
             The glares I get.

         26. I have always taken riding to be a solitary thing. The idea of riding with a bunch of other people never appealed to me. Still, I admit, since you told me about it I googled Sturgis and it does look interested….please don’t take that for my saying that it is ever a possibility…but it does look interesting

         27. Group riding can be a challenge. You want the noobs up front, the hard core experienced in the rear, and the average experience in the middle, then one guy flying point in front of the pack, usually highly experienced, so that he can stop at places and block traffic as you pull in somewhere. Never let the noobs anywhere near the middle or rear, they tend to ride *really* bad.

         28. Keep going, GoJ…you’re breaking him down. Today: Sturgis
             Tomorrow: Camping

         29. Whoa whoa whoa…one step at a time hoss. Don’t rush it. Don’t want to spook him off.

         30. Maybe we need to break it down into progressive steps?
             Step 1: Lolknee spending the night in a 3 star hotel.
             Step 2: Lolknee spending a weekend in a motel.
             Step 3: Lolknee sleeping in an enclosed back yard in a tent with A/C, air mattress, TV, and lighting….

         31. I used to bicycle in college in groups. A 9 man group which rotated like a volley ball team to change who had the drag and we rode lock step so the front line had all the work to do.
             When I have been on a motorcycle it has always been a meditative thing for me once I found my zone.

         32. Neither of those things will ever happen.

         33. Or a hermit crab

         34. I think he does a pretty good job doing that himself. All in due time my brother. All in due time.

         35. lol

         36. Yeah man, chicks are for fags.

         37. thats just the trail she’s let on the seat

         38. Oh, so you’re from somewhere between Waterloo and Des Moines? I’m from the QC area.

         39. God help you, cause I can’t.

         40. Avoid them like the plague on a group fundraiser ride.

         41. I know you come from out of Ohio, but you gotta hit the Beartooth Highway. There’s a little side road called Rock Creek that is worth taking. It’s just a little north of the Montana south border. We used to camp up there when you could get off on a side road and do that without getting hassled.
             Trailer Queens, what can I say?

         42. GoJ, the clubs put the unknown in the back. No freaking way I want a noob up front to take the entire pack down.

         43. -takes another sip of brandy.

         44. I do brother, I do.

         45. Will check it out, thanks.

         46. Naw, it’s just that Des Moines is the halfway point for me on my two day ride to Sturgis. I ride from Columbus, Ohio to Des Moines, stop, then the next day do another 600+ miles straight into the Sturgis.

         47. Not us, always in the front so if they fuck up we can take care of them. If we stuck them in the back and they dropped out/crashed we wouldn’t know. Plus we do staggered rows to help mitigate the risk if somebody wipes. At least that’s the thinking. Plus this is more casual non-mc riding, where the chances are much higher of novices being present. Kind of a caretaker mindset I guess.
             That’s an interesting switch there, isn’t it? What part of the country do you normally ride in?

         48. When I was a kid I went to watch my sister’s boyfriend race motorcycles at Willow Springs. He’s in scuffed up boots, leather one piece with duct tape around one elbow and both kness. I look over and there are a bunch of folks in gleaming leathers, shiny bikes (Interceptors were particularly popular back then). I ask him, ‘So those or the pros with sponsors?’ He laughs, ‘No, those are the guys who trailer their bikes here to watch and pose for chicks.’

         49. My friends ride Harley’s, I was on a bright yellow Kawasaki, and it’s a beautiful saturday in SoCal. They head out to bar/restaurant out in east county on a frontage road about 500 yards long. Lined with full dress Harley’s in all the traditional colors, must of been a couple hundred bikes with folks walking the line admiring them. My bike being the only bright yellow or Japanese blot to be seen. ‘Great guys, you brought me here to get the [email protected] beat out of me.’
             ‘No man, look here come some other sporters’ Yeah, three guys on super sports coming down the frontage road, lead rider looks right and left then just speeds up ….
             ‘Notice– they aren’t stopping!’
             From across the road a guy is laughing hysterically, big grey beard in vest and do rag– “Dude, come on over, some day you’ll grow up and get a real bike.” Bought each other a round and he pontificated on the advantages of the various Harley’s over my pitiful mount. Good times. I’ve found most riders share a camaraderie regardless of their chosen type.

         50. I get the thinking and approach regarding your group. We have our road captain pay attention to the entire group instead of taking off like a bat outta hell. It’s why one of the most experienced guys set the pace; we don’t leave anyone in the dust. If a new guy is along he rides in back with a regular who can assess his skill level and determine how much more practice he needs. So, I guess we both look to take care of new folks so they still have a good experience.
             I still can’t imagine having an unknown quantity in front of the group. Had one in the middle of the pack on a fundraiser and he about wiped out the twenty or so behind him because he was busy adjusting his MoCo textile jacket instead of paying attention; relegated to the rear quickly with a caretaker.
             I ride in the midwest, mostly Kansas and the surrounding states.

      2. …

6. 43-year old John McGuinness, Isle of Man TT lap record holder
   That guy is nearly half a decade younger than me and looks like 15 years older. Must be a stressful thing.

   1. It is well known that wearing a Monster energy piece of merchandise takes years off your real age.

      1. Heh. Well, to be fair, it’s likely a sponsor and he has to wear it, I’d wager.
         I can’t believe how old he looks. Fuck.
         So now I’m wondering if the guys at the gym who look like 57+ are actually my age or younger? Weird.

         1. Looks like success got to his head, well chin! ha
            I would have gave him 50 max, he’s just been hitting the burger van too often.

         2. Actually I think you’re right. What I guess I’m thinking is that somehow, I’ve stopped aging around the year 35 or so. Need to start asking people their ages, in a sly fashion. In real life I hear all the time “Yeah, you’re about my age I’d guess” and I ask how old they are and get “34/35/36” most of the time.
            Had a cute chick at a bike night compliment my build, out of the thin blue air, and the guy standing next to her (not with her, they were just walking in) said “Well yeah, I used to be built like that too, let’s just wait until he’s 43 like me and he won’t look so impressive”.
            “Dude, I’m 46”
            She laughed at him in that giggly little laugh that conveys the concept of contempt and pity perfectly.

         3. Ouch, the type of situation where all he could do is laugh it off! That’s savage!

         4. I had a split second of hesitation before I said it, but figured he was trying to AMOG me in front of this hot babe, so slam, down on the mat he went.

         5. Love it.

         6. GoJ how are you in the hair department? Keeping it really helps to look younger.

         7. I get that at 54; ain’t it the shit? I think we got less chemicals in the water or something when we were growing up.

         8. I know for a fact that I did. Grew up drinking water from a community well (and bathing in it, etc). It was filtered through a small pump connected to the (large) creek at the bottom on the hill and fed a community of about 100. We had to use a softener of course. But the important thing is NO chemicals were added to it whatsoever, like nothing, no flouride, no chlorine, nothing.

         9. Have most of it, although my hairline did recede and it did thin out a bit on top, no way to help it. I’ve been mulling the idea of doing the full bald route but not sure if I want to take that leap yet.

         10. I’m 25 with a noticeably receding hairline, there’s a lot of baldness in my family so I’m also contemplating the shaved head route. Its either that or become a hat guy, too bad the manginas ruined that avenue.

         11. I generally wear a “cowboy” hat everywhere. My hair is good enough that when I take it off it doesn’t look like I’m wearing one ‘because I have to’. And bonus, nobody else wears them in central Ohio, or so few do that we could form a small drinking club at a bar and have all of us covered.
             Chicks go fucking *wild* for that look here, too. Why more men don’t do it is a mystery to me.

         12. While I’m sure you pull it off GoJ, I have a feeling many men, myself included, would just look like try hard posers, especially in Australia.

         13. Well, Australia, right, didn’t know that.
             Folks still raise horses out here, so you’ll see them. And of course when you go out West they seem nearly mandatory.

      2. In my particular region, a Monster logo is a good way to get murdered.

   2. He has the look of a heavy smoker.

      1. And frequent visitor to All You Can Eat Buffets too.

      2. Half a decade? Surely GoJ jests. Didn’t we pin GoJ down to the Old Testament timeline earlier?

         1. I was born in the summer of love, which apparently followed the Thanksgiving of sneaking off to the guest bedroom after Thanksgiving dinner.

         2. back in his days a “decade” meant 10 sets of centuries.

         3. Thanksgiving? ….Oh! You mean Passover.

         4. After thanksgiving I am more prone to sneak off to the guest bathroom than the guest bedroom.

         5. Apparently my mother and father were of a different mind. heh

         6. They’re not mutually exclusive options. Relieve the stomach pressure then relieve some other pressure.

         7. I believe that is called a Blumpie.

         8. Is that term safe to google search at work?
            EDIT: No…no it’s not.

         9. Nope unless you go to urbandictionary

         10. come on dude, what did you think

         11. Curiosity typically gets the best of me.

         12. a trait I will use to the advantage of my lols

         13. Guess anything you say from this point on I’ll be searching on my phone instead of my work laptop.

         14. blumpie was pretty good

         15. Agreed. I’ll give you that one.

         16. I was educated to give respect to the elderly. You guys are forming male bonding. Imagine that, over a website…
             Who would have thought?

7. I miss riding….I put up my 900ss 4 years ago because I was doing stupid stuff on it right after leaving my wife(best thing I ever did!) I’m getting it back on the road here soon though!!

8. Cool vids, man. Excellent analogies too.

9. Guy Martin’s a cool dude but watching the TT on TV is just watching TV. Get a bike. The first time you hit 45 mph will be more awesome than all the TV you’ve ever watched.
   Get decent gear though, take a course first (MSF in the U.S.) and try to be halfway sane in the risks you take. “Try” is the key word there.
   I know racers in their late 60s. Don’t believe the Eeyore retards whining YER GONNA DIIIEEE!!!

   1. Been riding a couple of years now, love it. Although I try to ride safely. Outside the U.S. in many nations the majority of the population gets around on two wheels. I don’t know why it’s viewed as such death-defying behavior to even ride…other than a lot of guys try to show their ass there vs. here abroad where it’s just transportation. (The “watch this” crowd racks up fatalities and injuries. Most accidents are single vehicle speed related and drivers that turn in front of you. So always assume the idiot cager will turn in front of you and adjust accordingly.)
      Wouldn’t trade my time riding for just about anything. Nothing like the wind and sun in my hair with a hot bitch in the back holding on to me. I could die, yes, but I could also fall in my home and die as 20,000 people a year do.
      Nobody gets out of life alive, and not everybody lives.

      1. Very well said. Some of us though have been riding since before our age was measured in double digits and in your teens the demons of speed and all that can put you in a very bad place.
         That said it is indeed a unique feeling to be on the open road with pair of 18yr old tits pressing in your back and gas, money, and time to make anything happen.

         1. I prefer my woman to have had her boob job more recently than 18 years ago.

         2. I detest riding double either as the driver or passenger. I gave rides to some of my now ex-wifes friends, but I really don’t like it.

         3. I can see where your coming from, most people suck as passengers, and I for one don’t like the feeling of not being in control.
            But I have had some chicks who were actually fun sometimes, and knew how to not fuck the balance up. They were also petite, around 45kg.
            When I had nothing to do, I’d drive to one and just tell her to hop on, and then go do whatever I found that seemed fun, just unplanned random shit.

         4. I’ve heard that, one of the friends was an experienced passenger but I still wasn’t comfortable. Maybe it’s just not wanting to be responsible for another person, and not being comfortable giving someone else control.
            Now, if I could find a woman who feels the same and wants to be on her own bike…

         5. Bike chicks are annoying. The usual shit: As good as any man, better than most, and damned well insist on full credit for it — until the time comes to back it up, and then suddenly they’re juuust a giiiirrrlll!!! It’s not faaaiiirrrr!!!!
            At track days they park in the corners, but at least you can always pass them. None of this Ducati-lawyer crap where they find their balls again between the turns. I’ll give ’em that.
            They crash so stupid though. Saw one ride straight into a tire wall this weekend. She saw a red flag while riding slowly into a tight turn, stood it straight up and down, and watched the flag until she hit the wall. I could see her helmet turning to track the flag as she passed it.
            She was on a pretty little yellow Ducati Scrambler. I heard she was OK, hope she didn’t break her bike too bad.
            Nice girl, btw. Just shouldn’t be on a track.

   2. This. A thousand times, this. I’ve had my M1 for going on five years now. I did the MSF too. And every time I mention that I ride, some putz pops off at the mouth with some lame story about a motorcycle wreck, usually ending the story with some comment about how crazy I am to be riding a bike in Southern California.
      The reality of it is that you CAN ride safe and responsibly.Take the MSF courses. Practice riding. Wear full gear when riding. And try to keep your wrist out of it when you’re on a rocket.
      That last bit is hard though, especially when you’re on a crotch rocket. One of the reasons I ride a hog now, instead of the rockets. Way too much temptation out there.

      1. Only remaining reason to stay in California- lane sharing. Ride safe.

      2. The wrist has a mind of its own, yeah. As if one secondary brain somewhere below my neck making silly decisions weren’t enough.
         God, it’s fun though.

10. Better even than riding: working on your bike. Riding is a great way to get from A to B, with just a hint of calculated risk, and it’s a great way to heighten your situational awareness. But maintenance is a thing unto itself.
    I’ve been reviving a 1980 CB650C (classic bike) for the past couple of months. Got the engine clean, personally repainted the tank, cleaned and oiled the chain, replaced fluids, reworked the wiring and made it street legal. Only took it to the shop when I needed some precision work and measurements done.

    1. The greybeards used to consider a “biker” someone who could tear down their bike, engine and all, and rebuild it.

       1. Used to? Still kind of do. If somebody says “I took my bike in for an oil change” he will usually be ridiculed and shamed and then instructed on learning how to take his engine entirely apart.

11. man I want a bike so bad. but I have two main fears about motorcycles
    the first is of course serious injury, death wouldn’t be ideal but it wouldn’t be as bad as being half way dead ya know? every since I was about 3 or 4 I have either witnessed horrible bike accidents or known people close to me literally lose limbs in biking accidents. sometimes I wonder is that an omen, but it’s still not enough to kill the motorcycle desire I’ve got.
    the second is, I’m a big car guy. I love cars. my fav is my hellcat challenger. but I fear if I really get into bike riding, I may not enjoy cars as much any more. anybody ever experienced that before?

    1. I dunno about the second question – I love my SUV, but I’m not a car guy.
       As for the first, life is full of risks. Riding a sport bike hopped up on adrenaline tends to be one of the bigger risks, especially for younger guys. I’ve seen a few nasty wrecks, too, but if you maintain focus and keep situational awareness you’re usually fine.
       Basic rules are to keep your field of awareness about five seconds in every direction (so you have time to account for idiot drivers), treat every intersection as an accident waiting to happen, and ride a loud bike with bright lights. Oh, and invest a few hundred in quality safety gear (kevlar pants, sturdy boots, good gloves, solid helmet, and maybe some braces for the spine and neck).

       1. thank for the advice my friend, yea I already made up my mind that at least in the beginning I’d be an all the gear all the time guy. had a friend tell me that riding a bike makes you a better driver. somethin about bikes tho man…just gives me goosebumps when somebody’s passin by me with it wide open gunnin it. really wouldn’t mind a nightrod v-rod and a ducatti alice…those bikes are calling me man

          1. I’d advise to do all gear all the time forever… I crashed on a ride home after dropping off a girl – no helmet. Now my face is part titanium and my nerves are fucked. It took over a year to get back from that and I’m still having to fix stuff more than 15years later…
             Edit to add yes it will make you a better driver, you will learn that you have to plan more with a bike, and anticipate more like T said. So you will start slowing down and shifting lanes with more care and what not.

          2. eeesh…sorry to hear that man, but glad that you made a recovery. yea I def wouldn’t go out without a helmet, my friends give me shit cuz I ride my renegade with an atv helmet. but I don’t even wanna take that risk. let me ask you, did riding your bike decrease how much you loved driving a car, assuming that you drove fast cars before the bike?

          3. Hmm to be honest yes it did but probably more because it is more crazy, higher acceleration, and no box around you. I drove a Celica 4×4, basically a WRC car so yeah I think that’d qualify as a fast car. I was 20 years old…
             But after I recovered I directly got on a bike again, and then crazier shit ending in a tuned V-max but there is some kind of shit feeling that just won’t go away, and now that I’m married with a housewife I don’t think it’s responsible for me to fuck around with it anymore.
             I’m thinking I’ll get something I have to drive carefully down the line, but for now I’m not going to get a bike again.

          4. Recovery with bad damage is always relative. I still have to pay attention when I drink from certain kinds of glasses or I’ll spill. A friend lost a good part of his intestines so he has to eat baby food in part and small portions often for the rest of his life. My uncle will never run. I shattered my elbow so bad they had to get rid of a good part of it and now I can’t do push-ups normally because the angle is wrong.
             But I can’t complain because I got a new chance and fuck it, people live with worse shit somewhere and they hack it.
             Speed can be like a drug too, and all other things equal the more risk taking driver will have the best time if he doesn’t crash.

          5. damn…sorry to hear that chief. I have a friend who lost one of his legs below his knee, four fingers off of one of his hands, and the worst — one of his nuts. I still cringe when I think about it. I know how speed is man…I got a hellcat chally…I love the feeling of getting yanked into my seat and blowing by ppl. so much so that when I’m in my other more tame car it just seems stale smh. that’s one reason why I’m hesitant on a bike, I don’t want my muscle car to seem stale in comparison lol

          6. I know what you mean, I’ve never had a bike but it’s something about it that just keeps calling me, even tho I know how bad it could screw me over and how many bad bike wrecks I’ve seen first hand, and how many ppl I know who are amputees because of it. it’s like it’s just something in you eh?

          7. Gasoline in your blood is what we call it where I come from.

          8. Well the main thing is your appetite grows, and it’s a lot easier to tune a bike than it is a car… And cheaper…
             But you can buy a cruiser like GoJ has, plenty of power but it’s not remotely close to the race ready stuff I used to drive.
             The race level stuff you can push so far that even a minimal slip of judgement is death or getting maimed some way. Don’t go there if you have the speed bug already.

          9. at heart I’m a car guy, but not one of those brand loyalists or type loyalists. I love a camaro zl1 just as much as I love a nissan gt-r, just as much as I love an amg s65. so it’s kinda the same with bikes, I really want a harley nightrod and a ducatti alice. maybe even a victory vegas 8ball. I just think the whole bike lifestyle is dope man. I love it tbh.

          10. You’re describing dangerous behavior in an auto. Now multiply the risk factor by about 20 if you choose to disregard safety on a bike. The sheer torque and acceleration will make your “chally” seem like a scooter for fat people in Walmart.
              And “blowing by ppl” is bad juju on the streets. You want to get your rocks off, go to the track. You do that shit in public on a bike, I’ll be passing your dried remains a week or two after you buy it.

          11. You are describing three VERY different bikes.

          12. IF you do, take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course and follow it up with the advanced course. Once you learn how to handle a bike at slower speeds (think 10 ft circle with your pegs scraping), you are better prepared to ride at speed.
              I’m always concerned about being on the same roads as guys who have the bug, but not the discipline. Those types are death for themselves AND others.

          13. yada yada yada. I get it. but in your own logic you are saying you should only have one type of bike. in my logic I am saying you can take your logic and stick it my G.
              number one, it’s not dangerous to drive a hellcat and an s65. I know personally. it is only dangerous to drive a fast car if you are a poor driver. which, I would suspect that it is dangerous to ride fast bike if you are a poor rider.
              number two, I am certain that the speed of a bike is unlike the speed of a car. for instance, 40mph on a bike would prob seem like 60-80mph on a bike.
              and if blowing by ppl on the street is bad juju then the majority of bike riders have bad juju. just being honest, how many times have you pushed your bike past 100mph on the expressway or maybe the interstate where you live? if never, congrats you are a rare breed.

          14. I agree with you in full. I def wanted to take the msf, if for no other reason I should at least know the rules from experienced riders who are good teachers. I can understand how you feel, I would feel the same way about a 16 year old getting a hellcat as his first car. it is not easy to handle power. it is certainly not easy to handle the power of your own life and death if you have more power than you can handle

          15. A big thing to take into account is that bikes and bikers engine brake; you’ve got to pay attention ALL the time 360 degrees. Automobiles are just not the same; ever. I keep one riding mantra, “Ride as though everyone is trying to kill you.”

          16. you are right, i won’t disagree with you at all. are you a sport bike or cruiser rider? which ever one, what’s the best advice you have for a novice?

          17. I am a rare breed. I’ve ridden dirt bikes, sport bikes, road and heavily customized long bikes. I don’t care if you listen to me or not, just stay out of my neck of the woods if that’s your style.
              What you are not taking into account is that even the best driver gets taken down by another dumbass on the road. That’s exactly how my last accident happened and when you get hit on a bike it’s serious and right now serious.
              I’ve had friends that were ex-motor cops and could ride circles around me that were taken out by one cage driver failing to obey the rules of the road and trying to “impress” his date. Anybody who can buy enough horsepower can drive like an asshole.

          18. Young man, I’ve already given it.

          19. I dig it. are you on a sport bike or a cruiser?

          20. Yes.

          21. so you can honestly say you’ve never went 100+ on the open expressway? congrats man.
              as I said in the beginning, I have literally witnessed firsthand multiple horrible bike crashes. so I know it’s not always on the biker. anybody who can buy the horsepower can drive like shit and anybody who can buy the cc’s can be stupid.
              let me ask you, why do you still ride?

          22. I’ve was an EMT in my 20’s when I first started riding road bikes and cleaned up my share of bike wrecks. Let’s say that is why I knew better than to push high speed on a uncontrolled road. Have I ridden at speed? Damn skippy. As I’ve said, that’s what the track is for; nothing like pucker factor.
              I’ve had two wrecks in 32 years and they were 30 years apart. Both from an auto driver playing “Speed Racer” on city streets. I agree that it is easy to afford the motor to be stupid, but I haven’t known too many who were able to afford it mentally when they caused the loss of another person’s life.
              I still ride because I love to ride. If I have to explain it further you wouldn’t understand anyway, and that’s not just some cliche.
              “I ride because I love freedom, independence, and the movement of the ground beneath me. But most of all, I ride to better understand myself.”

          23. I totally understand. The first hundred miles are scary as hell. But it does get easier, and the awareness will make your driving better.
              Another great trick that works for cars and bikes: keep a bit more distance between you and the car in front. Then, watch the lights IN FRONT of the car ahead of you – that gives you an extra second or two before changing speed. Also, if you have some space and slow down as you see the need arise, you can avoid having to stop at many lights (you hit the light in first or second gear, then ramp back up immediately to avoid static friction and additional gear changes).

          24. When you ride 1000 miles in a single day with nothing other than your own thoughts (and can still stand your own company) and you want to do it again the next day, you might begin to understand.

          25. Fucking A if that ain’t true, your second paragraph. Stupid kids on rice rockets doing stupid shit on the road, end up almost always as a long red skid mark on the highway, or smacked into the back of a semi. I’m convinced that 90% of all motorcycle fatalities happen to younger men doing this shit.

          26. 1000 in a day? Fuck dude, that’s pretty serious. I normally plan 600 a day doing cross country, but will push it to 7000-800 if I have to. Another 200 on top of that would have me on the road nearly 20 hours. Fuck.

          27. That’s what I’ve been teaching my son as well.
              See that girl in the car over there? See how she looked right at you? See how she smiled and winked? Notice how she waved at you? Yeah, she can’t see you and is trying to murder you. React accordingly when riding.

          28. A relative of mine worked at Nation Wide as an actuarial crunching the numbers on drivers insurance. Motorcycle accidents are 90% due to other people in cars not seeing / paying attention. The odds of a life long motorcycle rider NOT getting hit are pretty slim.

          29. I think that riding like you took riding lessons from Tie Fighter School contributes a *lot* to folks in cars not seeing you.
              All of this talk of getting hit is making me a bit nervous. Been riding since I was 11 or so (dirt bike) and am late 40’s now, not been hit once. Need to do a couple of prayers to the saint of road safety I suspect to keep current on my luck.

          30. thanks man…this is gold. what kind of bike are you on chief?

          31. I had a valid motorcycle license even though I hadn’t ridden in a couple decades and I still took the MSF course prior to even test-riding a bike to buy. Can’t endorse the MSF to new riders or folks getting back in the saddle strongly enough.

          32. Get Icon gear, most of the jackets and vests have St. Christopher medals in them– if you find comfort in that kind of thing.

          33. 1980 Honda CB650C. It’s a classic road bike.
              I’ve heard less-than-great things about entry-price Harleys, but the cheaper Japanese brands (Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, etc) are great bikes.
              A great place to start is the Honda Rebel. It’s a 250cc (read: weak) little bike, but it gets exceptional mileage and is the standard for most training programs. Very forgiving of basic riding mistakes, and not so powerful that it runs away with you. And it’s not a crotch rocket 🙂 .
              Starting price for a used Rebel tends to be between 2k and 5k, depending on the year. If you decide you don’t like riding, it resells for basically the same price, so you don’t lose much.

          34. nice bike man, it’s just got that classic look to it. timeless really.
              yea I would want to get some real time in before I dropped some paper on a harley only to be pissed about dropping it a few times.
              now I’m a fairly big guy, 6’3 240ish and a few of the beginner bikes I’ve sat on felt a bit small to me, would the rebel be a decent bike for a person my size?

          35. Check out the IBA:
              http://ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm?CFID=19385554&CFTOKEN=28574880

          36. I couldn’t say – I’m only 5’7. It’s probably best to go take an MSF course – they use the Rebel exclusively in their road training, so you should find out fairly quickly how comfortable you are on that bike.
              If it’s not for you, then get the license and test some bikes out at the local dealers (or Craigslist sellers). Find what works for you.
              I’ve heard often that beginners should stay below 600cc, if at all possible. I ignored the rule because I’m not a speed demon and it’s not a speed bike, but generally you should be shopping for something in that lower range.

          37. preciate the good will and great advice my friend. you’re a good dude man. much peace and prosperity to you.

          38. You too, my friend.

    2. You don’t have the stones for it. I’ve ridden 32 years now and had two major rack ups; lost the best of friends that weren’t so fortunate. This last one past June took 9 months of recovery through five surgeries and I’m back on two wheels again. And you’re worried about your love affair with your Dodge? Yup, you can’t hack it. It’s best you stick to a cage.

       1. sorry man…but I spent over 70k on my hellcat straight cash and it’s been worth every penny. love it lol.
          hey if “not having the stones” means avoiding serious injury and crazy hospital bills, maybe it’s not the stones that should be checked.
          but aside from childish little jabs…I’m sure your bike wasn’t your first vehicle…how did you feel in your “cage” after many miles on your bike? assuming you had a “cage” that wouldn’t get ran or laughed off a drag strip that is.

          1. First cage was a 1960 Olds Starfire at 16. I get automotive power, I just don’t feel like bragging. Good deal you were able to drop 70k, but I’m not that impressed. BUILD that sort of power and you might get my attention.
             What I’m trying to tell you is you either do it or you don’t, but your comments already mentioned “fear” more than once. I’m not afraid of rattlesnakes, but I have a healthy respect for them. Know what I’m trying to say?
             They are two entirely separate worlds, but can be compatible. It depends upon the individual’s personal makeup. You’re asking a question that can’t be answered by anyone but you. The jabs come from reading your Dodge horseshit you’ve had to repeat to anyone you can. Insecure much?

          2. very nice. how did you feel about it after two wheeling?

          3. Didn’t lose one love, just gained another.

          4. make your mind up at first your first car was a stang and now it’s an olds. don’t try to play me. I want genuine advice. my first car was an 80 something chrysler new yorker.
             tbh my friend, I don’t talk money to brag. I’m used to it by now. search my posts…but at the end of the day, anybody with a brain doesn’t want to waste 70. period. I don’t mention a hellcat to brag. the car speaks for itself. im just pointing out that I am used to speed.
             of course there is fear. the only way to have courage is to acknowledge fear and overcome it. don’t get superman syndrome on me. but if you take risk without calculation you are fucking up. that’s just stupid.

          5. I started wrenching cars when I was 13 or so. Edited my comment because I realized that it wasn’t accurate (was my 2nd car because I was still working on it). Next time I’ll remember to mention that I am editing.
             A simple, “I drive fast cars” would suffice. The rest I’ll leave for the audience to decide upon.
             What I am telling you is that taking risks on a bike without being in a controlled environment IS stupid and constitutes the definition of “fucking up”. And I mean public roadways as an “uncontrolled” environment. You should have a little anxiety each and every time you saddle up, but fear will get ya killed.
             Ever see what a bike at 120+ mph does to a car in a T-bone? Faster? Ever pick up a guy’s head still in the helmet when he tried to get under a semi trailer? Ever listen to a little old lady who just killed your friend say, “I just didn’t see him.”? All the above goes with the turf when you’re not wrapped in metal.

       2. I never thought about not riding. I rode baby bitch on a cousin’s Honda 50 when I was six and I was hooked.

12. I ride dirt bikes and one of the things I like most about it is thats its one of the few masculine activities that haven’t been heavily infiltrated by girls yet. Its just a bunch of dudes in the bush joking around having fun.
    Every now an then a chick shows up and tries it out. But they just don’t have the strength or dexterity to make it work. Its also an activity that requires a certain amount of mechanical knowledge.
    Even just starting a flooded bike is out of the realm of most women, so the tend to just stay away.

13. “You live more for five minutes going fast on a bike than other people do all their life”
    Marco Simoncelli
    There’s nothing on the face of this earth like riding and racing motorcycles. Whether it be dirt or road, its an experience that makes you feel alive. I’m in the middle of the longest break off motorcycles of my life, due to a broken collar bone from racing motocross. But I love it more than ever and can’t wait to get back at it.

14. The electric bikes freaking rock the Isle of Man TT.

15. I always thought this photo was badass, never been on sport bike just an old Harley but it looks like a great time

16. That poem by Dean Alfange is very similar to this excerpt from Common Sense by Thomas Paine in 1776
    I do not choose to be a common man.
    It is my right to be uncommon … if I can.
    I seek opportunity … not security.
    I do not wish to be a kept citizen,
    Humbled and dulled by having the State look after me.
    I want to take the calculated risk,
    To dream and to build. To fail and to succeed.
    I refuse to barter incentive for a dole;
    I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence;
    The thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia.
    I will not trade freedom for beneficence
    Nor my dignity for a handout
    I will never cower before any master
    Nor bend to any threat.
    It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid;
    To think and act for myself,
    To enjoy the benefit of my creations
    And to face the world boldly and say:
    This, with God’s help, I have done.
    All this is what it means to be an Entrepreneur.

17. used to ride in college. college room mate became a cop…sold his harley. asked him why? he had a cop partner become disabled and went to multiple bikers being peeled off the pavement on calls. bikes are a fantasy when you’re mad max when there’s no traffic. when you have 1000 soccer moms on their cell phones it ain’t that cool

18. This is the kind of thinking too much Kratom leads to.

    1. You applied the words “too much” to “Kratom”?
       Dude, that’s ban hammer material right there, donchaknow!

       1. But…. I meant it like, you know, too much is never enough?

19. One of the coolest sports around. It has its risks, but the TT on the Isle of Man is kind of an exception and that is mainly because it is a road course.
    Racing on a track is not as dangerous as some might think.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rider_deaths_in_motorcycle_racing#By_circuit
    I remember a documentary about MotoGP and the narrator asked all the top racers if they rode a bike on the street. With the exception of 1 or 2, all of them said they didn’t because it’s too dangerous.

    1. Word (at least not like they ride them on the track).

20. The only reason to live in California is lane sharing being legal.
    Hadn’t ridden since college after a couple of late night incidents of cars/trucks deliberately attempting to kill me. Not accidents– tried to run me down for no reason. Several decades later I’m stuck in traffic yet again on my commute, watching the bikes whiz by and thought, I could get back an hour of my life to spend with my kids every day and I’ve still get my motorcycle license. Got a bike and put ~60K miles on it in three years, pulled over three times and lectured by police but no tickets, a good chunk of time over 100. (Kawasaki ZR7S, incredibly stable at high speed). Anyway, ex moved out, I kept the kids and the house and stopped riding so the kids wouldn’t worry about losing Dad in addition to mom treating them like an impediment to her happiness. Told them I wouldn’t ride until the youngest hit 18. That was just over 6 years ago and the ZR7S is waiting on September. Life begins at 10,000 rpm (eta– well, ~7,500 rpm since the ZR7S redline is 10k). Commuting is going to be fun vice torture again.

21. Street/Drag racing cars is a guilty pleasure, occasional obsession. Never raced bikes. Never would, knowing what happened to my father.

22. Anyone reading the comments who is interested in getting into bikes:
    Tooj, Ghost of Jefferson, and Unabashed are full of great wisdom. Read every word of every comment – it’s definitely worth your time.

23. It’s manly. Effete liberals begin attacking it in 3… 2… 1…

    1. Took a bit longer but look above

24. Activities like the Isle of Man TT, F1, Rally racing, street drifting, Paris Dakar, Baha, off shore boat racing, Top fuel, and street racing, are all things that make me laugh internally when I hear guys talk about being into “sports” – such as baseball, football, or basketball – when really they’really just fans of games.
    If there’s no inherent risk of death, then I can’t co-sign it as a “manly sport”. I have far more respect for a boxer than a basketballer, or a Bobsledder or a ski jumper, verses a soccer or even American football player. No matter how hard I try to see common athletics based activities as “sports” they just come off as games to pass time, not endeavors of man against fate or some other great achievement, like motor racing, marshal arts, or even rock climbing.
    In the past the difference in these activities was widely recognized. Now it seems as if consistant stats while playing mere games is a greater achievement verses the ability to master ones performance and abilities at the limits of life and death.
    I for one feel the latter is a far better measure of a man.

    1. You did realize we are talking about riding bikes to the max physically? Yes?
       Not games…
       I failed pull off a turn by about 2-3″ on a bike, and hit a brick pole, the bike just obliterated and I flew into a brick covered armor concrete pillar face first with bits of the bike flying into me.
       When the cops came they told the ambulance service not to hurry, they had a DOA.
       45min later they came, but even at the hospital they looked at me and thought I will die in a few minutes. So after about an hour of this I got really angry and yelled at them, which finally made them realize I’m not going to die and leave them alone.
       Lots more people die on bikes than in the boxing ring.

       1. Exactly! Pushing yourself to the limit on a motorcycle is far more of a traditionally “manly” test than a game such as football. That’s my point.
          I said what I said about boxing, because it’s also a true sport where one puts thier life on the line to be the best. In boxing or any other marshal art, you literally beat your opponent in a contest of who is best. The last man standing wins; in a perfect match least.

          1. Misunderstood your initial post. But yeah, if your life is not on the line directly it’s just a game.

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