Riding a motorcycle

Someone requested a post about how it is to ride a motorcycle, and I took that as an excuse to start this post.

Motorcycling is great, because you feel connected with everything, you are not just seated on top of a 2 wheeled engine, your whole body (position, weight, movements) will influence what the bike does, in return, your whole senses will feel the road, the scenery, the wind, the sun, the slopes ..

there is nothing like it.

Sometimes you are on a nice road, you dont know whats behind the next turn, and you are simply excited about it :)

I cant find it on youtube, watch the scene in House MD when he test ride a bikes, thats exactly how it feels

The wave is what makes riding a community. Pass another biker, and you two will usually exchange a hand wave. Unless someone is really busy with his hands and simply gives a head nod. It ok too.

What does it means ? It's like "Hey, having lotta fun, you?" "Yeah me too buddy !!"

We all like to think we are good on a motorbike. Truth is, we regularly drop our bikes during stops (or parking), and there is always someone who can ride faster than you. So stay humble and learn to respect the bike.

Edit : Due to many comments from fellow motorcyclist, yeah maybe you didnt dropped your bike, like ever, maaaybe, Also a bit of self mockery never hurts.

There is a lot of different 2 wheelers, the more commonly seen on road, are the roadsters, simple, efficient and practicals. But there are a lot of different way to ride.

Sportbikes and supermoto are racing oriented, the first are for fast curves, the second for extremely sharp corners.

more about it
http://www.motointro.com/how-choose-right-type-motorcycle
still want more ? oh boy, you got trapped, see you on the road buddy.

Every. single. time.

btw, that's me bike : http://imgur.com/gallery/x4Uxa

Truth be talled, each one of us is a bit of everyone of those.

Security time ! riding is dangerous, accidents WILL happen and you would be more exposed than in a car. Always wear your gear. Reinforced jeans, formal looking shoes and jacket exist. You dont have to look like a power ranger.

Knee dragging is the holy grall of road motorcyclist. It mean you lean low enough to drag a piece of plastic (a slider) attached to your pants. Now doing this on a road is dangerous and most of the time stupid. Roads are simply not adapted (grip, curve angle, traffic, bumps ..) for that kind of riding.

Go to the closest track, and discover riding fast, its hella different, and you'll learn a lot.
And when you finally learn to knee drag, you realize its only the first step to riding fast and you are actually still slow as a donkey.
Also, thats me on the pic, yay.

Well, some of us die on motorcycles. Still, we are all gonna die at some point, there's not escape for this. If you drive responsibly, listen to your sensations instead of trying to push too far the limit, you'll live long enough. The greatest danger is to have the time of your life and never want to quit.

Riding in the rain ! Its hard, everything is slippery, cant brake a lot, visibility is reduced, its cold and you usually end up complety soaked not matter the gear.

But it forces you to listen to the bike reactions, and its a good exercise and helps practicing smooth riding.
Smooth riding is the key to being safer and faster. Dont be a dry only rider, ride in the rain once in a while

Some of us ride every single day, no matter the conditions, I admire them. Crazy bastards.

nuff said.

ride safe and enjoy

most pics are not mine. But this my cat : http://imgur.com/gallery/PIUWz

Obligatory Edit : wow front page !!!! love you all ! Send naked bikes !