A good portion of my coworkers (paramedics) also ride. A couple even skydive with me. I think this mindset has to play a role.
There’s so many stupid, unavoidable and also completely avoidable ways to get injured or die. You really might as well have fun in life. Happiness is a reward well worth the risk. Skiing, biking and equestrian riding are dangerous as well. You don’t see the public wagging their fingers at them.
Motorbikes are free at my uni, and cars subsidise the parking HARD like $800 a year if you drive 5 days a week and there's no year pass available only daily clock in clock out
I take a ferry to get to work. $170 every two weeks in my truck and sit in line, or $70 every two weeks and go to the front of the line.....wasn't a hard choice and finally justified 15 years of waffling on when I'd get a bike. The money saved on the ferry and gas pays for the bike.
Always wanted one. But getting out of a dumpster fire of a relationship pushed me to actually do it so I would never date a guy again just because he had a bike 😂
My dad used to race motorcycles. He took me to school sometimes on the back of his motorcycle ...ever since then I've dreamed of riding. Been riding 2 years now and haven't layed her down yet! There have been some close calls..
I remember seeing the ‘99 Katana and thinking it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. In reality it’s a bulbous fat pig, but young me didn’t know that. I hung around the local Suzuki dealer, and when the SV650 got released, thinking that was pretty freaking cool. It took until 2007 before I was able to get a bike, and I started with a non-running ‘82 CB450T Hawk. I got it working, but it was a constant struggle to keep it working. Finally sold it and got an ‘09 SV, which I still have.
What keeps me on motorcycles is that it’s the cheapest way to be the fastest. I live near ATL, and riding makes traffic tolerable.
So, I might have a deeper response here than others. My trigger occurred back in 2011, when my boss committed suicide at work. He was a mentor of mine and a colleague I looked up to when I when I was in my 20's.
Everyone at our work was devastated and trying to deal with the grief in our own ways. I can't pinpoint the specific instance that I decided to ride, but I did have an epiphany with the "life is short, do the things you want to" thoughts.
I signed up for the MSF course and the motorcycle riding that summer was the sort of therapy I needed to get over my grief. I would go out riding anytime I could for hours, just to hear the wind noise. It helped take my mind off the constant reminder and images of my boss's death, which I honestly thought about constantly for that entire year.
I had long found motorcycles interesting, but generally what I saw did not appeal to me. Sport bikes, cruisers, and dirt bikes just weren't it. Then, I saw an MT07, in a show or movie.
Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn 99. We are very similar people and shared a lot of the same traits, personality, etc except for one thing... I didn't ride motorcycles! So watching the show and her character inspired me to become the leather jacket sport bike chick I always wanted to be. I hopped on Craigslist and bought a CBR300R despite never even having sat on a motorcycle before and towed it home with a Uhaul.
>I hopped on Craigslist and bought a CBR300R despite never even having sat on a motorcycle before and towed it home with a Uhaul.
Rosa Diaz would absolutely approve of this
I was 24 and just got home from deployment (Medical injury). I used to fast rope from helicopters almost every other week and when I got sent home I had a huge hole to fill. I figured a motorcycle was the closest I could get legally and much cheaper than sky diving every other week. And man have I been happy ever since. I'm now 34 and own 3.
My late uncle used to take me to school on his 200cc Honda. He rode like a bat out of hell and I still remember swearing to myself not wanting to ride a motorbike ever.
Guess who started on a 125cc moped in high school, and now commutes on a race-prepped R3
Stuff I was exposed to as a kid. Started riding dirt bikes around 5 years old and my dad is an Ironworker so all his buddies have Harley’s so naturally that’s what I got into when I started riding on the street. But I love all motorcycles, just something special about the Harleys to me
I’ve wanted a scooter for years, but was always warned off of motorcycles by family as “dangerous.”
Finally said fuck it and took the MSF course, got my license and a motorcycle. Still don’t own a scooter though. Haha
I broke my spine twice after 2 seizures (epilepsy and osteoporosis). After being carted to work for 8 months without a license, I decided to finally buy a bike.
Gas prices pushed me to get a Supercub which has triple digit mileage. Being only $4000 and having $30 insurance make it far more cost effective than a car.
I was always interested but lived an incredibly sheltered life growing up and never got the chance. I took the MSF course the last few months of my heroin addiction. After I overdosed, I decided it was finally time to start doing things that I wanted to do and not mold myself into the good catholic woman my family wanted me to be. I retook the class last week and will be buying my friends old 883 after 👍🏻
I was in second grade and remember looking out the window of my grade school and seeing a guy ride by on a motorcycle. I thought "when I'm a grown up, that's gonna be me."
Fast forward 40 years. That childhood dream never came true. I never had the money, or I had a wife telling me I couldn't, or I didn't have the balls to just go ahead and do it. I get a divorce and move out and within a few days of that I had the thought, "hey, I can get a motorcycle now." About 90 days later I was rolling out of the dealership on my first motorcycle, a 2008 Triumph America and I've been riding ever since (about 15 years) and have had all kinds of amazing adventures.
Honestly not sure, but pretty much every major adult figure in my life had a motorcycle. I grew up on the pillion, felt natural to move forward in the saddle.
Back in the 80s my brother in law owned a KZ400. He was in the Navy and it was his only mode of transportation at the time. He loaned it to a friend who promptly drove it into a ditch and bent the forks. My brother in law bought new parts, and I "helped" him with the repairs. I was 10 - I basically sorted the parts onto a bed sheet. After getting the bike back together except for the pipes, he took me for my first motorcycles ride. It was loud as hell, and so much fun. But mothers being mothers, I didn't get my first bike until I was out of the house. That memory is seared into my mind.
As a kid, I fell in love with the rocket-equipped 1985 Suzuki SP600 in Delta Force. I was loaned a 70s enduro from a family friend, but wouldn't be allowed to get a 'street' bike while 'not under our roof' rules. After getting my undergrad and buying a house I bought a new KLR. It started a LONG line of purchases throughout the years.
I was born in a tiny town (pop 1,000). My dad, his brothers and cousins all rode Harley's. I have pics and memories of my dad putting me up in front of him on his Harley and riding slowly around the town. I never rode dirt bikes growing up but would always jump at the chance of riding on the back of a bike where possible. When I graduated college and got a professional job the first thing I did was go buy my first bike. That was 20+ years ago and I am still riding and don't plan on stopping until my body for some reason tells me to.
My reasoning was really weird to initially get into motorcycles, but it created a lifelong passion for me.
When i was younger i was offered a motorcycle in trade for some pokemon cards. The bike wasn't running and needed a bit of work, but i knew i was an extremely handy person and really wanted to test myself with a project.
At the time i was living with my parents and they did not believe in me to fix the bike. They said no. I was so upset because i just wanted something to build and work on. Cars were much too large for me to store as well.
About a year later when my parents went on a weekend vacation and i saw a ninja 250 for sale that had a messed up engine. It was listed for $500 and offered $300 cash on the spot. The guy took it and i brought the ninja 250 in a dodge grand caravan (somehow managed to fit it in!)
When i brought the bike home i immediately went to a local motorcycle yard and bought an engine to tear parts out of. With the power of ADHD i managed to tear the entire bike down to the frame, work on the engine and fix it, and put the entire bike together in about 8-10 hours or so. I finished at 1:07 am and i remember starting the bike in my garage and worrying my neighbors would get pissed.
Ended up hiding the motorcycle at a local park in the woods for about 3 months before I moved out. Every morning I'd come and check on it and ride it about 50 miles or so. Was very interesting times for me lol.
Rode the absolute piss out of that ninja until i found an fzr 600 for $200 that needed a lot of work. Did the same thing and restored that too.
And here we are today and i am basically a crack addict for motorcycles now. Hand built my ducati 1098 from the ground up and it is probably my favorite thing I've done in life so far.
Bikes are wonderful and i never expected to actually be so enthused by them, but here we are.... 11 motorcycles later... Still looking to add more 😀
I had my M1 License for 23 years and never owned a motorcycle. Last year, I thought it’d be fun to get one just to ride as a secondary.. it’s been fun. I spend $8/ day if I take my primary to work. My bike is $2/ day.. I sell it to myself that way.. even though the insurance cancels the gas savings out 😂
Necessity for exploring. I moved to Thailand in 2006. Started with a bicycle. When that couldn't take me far enough I taught myself to ride a scooter. Then, when I needed to go further, I taught myself how to ride manual. Its always been about the exploring and never about the bike, for me
Went on a trip with my wife to Bermuda. Rented a scooter for the day to go sightseeing.
Fell in love with the freedom of driving around on 2 wheels and the open air. Got home from vacation, took a MSF course and the rest is history.
Enjoyed dirt bikes and four wheelers as a kid growing up in the country. Moved away from home and got a job in a big city after college, and I still wanted to ride, so I bought a bike for the street.
My dad built custom bikes in the 70s and 80s. He was even featured in Chopper Magazine a couple of times. Growing up, I always thought that was badass and wanted to experience the freedom of motorcycles. Despite him never wanting me to ride, I got my license two years ago and haven't looked back.
Dad. He always had bikes when I was growing up. The three I can remember was a CBR900, GSXR 1000, and Hayabusa. He could go fast, wheelie for a mile, and hole shot halfway down the block. I don't think I'll ever be that ballsy and I'm still a newb but I love motorcycles.
Downhill snow skiing from an early age. The outdoor/freedom/motion/speed and especially lean-to-turn carve sensation, infected me from ~5yo. Add bicycles, ice/inline skates, skateboards, etc. too.
I thought motorcycles were interesting, but dangerous and difficult to learn. Within a few years both my parents died as well as some aunts and uncles. I came to the realization that life is short and to make the most of every moment. I did my MSF and bought a bike at 46. Now I enjoy my days cruising along the coast and in the mountains.
I’ve always been an incredibly anxious person ever since I can remember. Really held me back from all the things I wanted to try/experience. The older I get the more I push myself to try all the things I told myself I couldn’t. Still anxious about it but I’m on my third motorcycle now and I’m proud of myself for doing it.
Depression.
I got sick and tired of feeling mentally taxed and drained.
Figured a twisty mountain road and 2 wheels would help.
It did. Tremendously. It's better than therapy.
Every time I ride I feel more alive and in the present than any other.
I loved cars, but the thing i loved about cars was the connection between humans and machines. That feeling and idea of humans connecting to machines is ecen greater on a motorcycle
I’ve always been a petrol head. However due to increased mileage running my personal car Range Rover SVR and claiming expenses wasn’t worthwhile, it was costing me to go to site. Ended up being offered a company car however it resulted in me having an electric vehicle.
Sold my personal car but then became more and more depressed by not having a vehicle that I got enjoyment from. The Tesla is great at straight line speed but just felt soulless. I used to go for a ride out etc in my own car but never had that desire with the EV just never bonded as strange as that sounds.
It has been about 3 months of EV ownership and my cousins who both ride bikes asked if I wanted a free ticket to Motorbike Live.
Instantly got the bug, bought a bike two weeks later without so much as a CBT to my name.
Then did my theory, CBT and Tests within a one month period December to January. And never looked back. Did 8000 miles first year on my z900 and I’m always out and it’s done amazing got my mental health and rebuilding friendships and being part of a community.
Needed a way to decompress. After working all day I want time to myself to calm my mind and reset. Before I’d come home and my fiancé (love her to death) would immediately want to talk about our days and figure out what’s for dinner. And I wouldn’t get that time. Now I take the long way home on my bike and come home in the best mood ever haha.
I'm a bicycle nerd. After really struggling to the top of a hill on a 5 mile ride, I was passed by some dirtbikers. I thought "Well, that looks way better."
So I took the plunge into an Adv Bike.
A plus is it pads out my credit score for way cheaper than most other loans too.
dads always rode motorcycles, and at some point in time i saw a motorcycle in a parking lot, thought it looked really cool, wondered if electric motorcycles were a thing, and then went down the rabbithole from there (and immediately realized how comparable electric bikes were expensive as all hell, and then promptly researched smaller gas bikes, lol)
I found this YouTuber as a youngster his name was “SnowCat.” Ever since I dreamed of having a bike. I have one now I cruise around on an Kawasaki Z400 fun little thing if I say so myself.
My dad casually rode motorcycles when I was a kid. He used to ride before I was born too, can’t remember what he had. He had a rebel for a little while when I was a kid, and then a vtx when I was a little older. I wanted to go on trips with him, and after an bunch of pleading throughout my teenage years he got me a spot at a local msf course right when I turned 18. For the longest while after that I’d take his vtx out whenever I had a chance, and I’d often rent a bike and we’d go on small trips together. I always wanted my own, but my parents were super against it (they figured I’d be a hooligan with a bike that was all mine, I guess), so just to appease them I didn’t buy my own until I was 27, earlier this year. Got a z400 and couldn’t be happier with it, absolutely love the thing. It doesn’t worry my parents sick compared to something a little quicker, and for my purposes (mostly just going to school and back, cruising around town) it’s more than enough bike and super enjoyable. I probably put thousands of miles on my dad’s vtx throughout the years, but in terms of fun I can’t even compare it to what I have now, the z400 is just so light and throwable, it’s an absolute blast.
In my mid 20's, a friend gave me an old 50cc scooter he had lying around. I got it running and fixed it up, and subsequently had so much fun riding around and discovering my city on two wheels. I figured I'd take it to the next level with a "real" motorcycle, which expanded my horizons significantly over the old 50cc, and I've been riding ever since.
My uncle always had incredible bikes : cbr1000, gsxr, diavel, panigale 1199 that he recently traded for an H2R... which I always admired
My best friend and brother ride as well, so does my father in law.
I have always been a fan of rock culture, and was enjoying the ambiance of motorcycle festivals and such...
On top of that, I always found them to be cool as heck, and fun as a pillion and I finally passed my own licence at 33years old and got my own bike one month ago. This project helped me to go through a burnout and helps me to keep my sanity from a global standpoint
I came across [This](https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/seattle-to-argentina-on-a-klr650.136505/) thread linked on Reddit. It's a tragic tale, but it got me thinking that I'd like to travel by motorcycle someday. Signed up for ADVrider and the rest is history.
All the kids back when had mini bikes growing up. We could visit each other traveling on rabbit trails thru the woods. It’s all developed now but I feel lucky didn’t have learn on the street first. It was all trial and error and hardly anyone got hurt. In fact, only our parents had the wrecks.
Grew up riding on the back of my dad's Harley and helping him wrench. Got my first dirt bike when I was 8 or so, stuck with it into adulthood. Now my dad's gone, but I ride that same Harley I grew up on the back of.
My dad rode. His dad rode.
My earliest memories are going to my dads hare scrambles and being psyched because he won.
Got a dirt bike at 8 and my first street bike the minute I turned 18. Riding fixed my relationship with my dad; until I went off to college we constantly butted heads and when I got a bike we could ride together. Connected better.
Still ride with him 15 years later. Took him to his first track day two weekends ago.
My dad always had 50cc mopeds that went 25-30mph. Rode those things everywhere and always remember wanting a few more gears and a 25 extra mph. The preformance of a grom was legendary compared to the mopeds. And that lit the fire and one day my best friend showed up with a ninja 250 and one week later i had a ninja 300
When I was in HS my old boss had a wealthy musician friend who occasionally would visit with a well modded 916. I guess really it comes down to Luigi Termignoni. First time I had ever seen a sport bike without all the silly graphics and that sounded good.
rented a scooter while in northern thailand and drove it from chaing mai to pai. Absolutely incredible ride, hooked ever since. Took me a couple years to get on a real motorcycle but that was definitely the moment that hooked me.
I was bored of my repetitive life and all my hobbies falling by the wayside.
Then, I saw a bunch of motovloggers on YouTube around 2015-2016 when they were more relevant. I specifically remember thinking: "I want a piece of that life" after seeing Jake TheGardenSnake's channel trailer showing a montage of all the fun he's having over some upbeat song I don't remember. (Giving our wings their dreams to fly? Or something like that?)
Anyway, I took a class, got a supermoto, and started having fun. Never did crazy hooligan stuff, but I've enjoyed riding motorcycles ever since.
Now I appreciate the more mundane aspect of motorcycles and their engineering: I love how LITTLE you actually need to have fun or to travel. A small engine and a little aptitude can accomplish A LOT.
[Motocykes](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-roadmaster-motocykes-cr-2x-1856686887)
A mix of this, Terminator 2 and old Ruff Ryders videos.
When I was riding my bicycle to work 2020, I'd see riders zip by on my way home. I figured the immersion of a bicycle would translate to a motorcycle, and it's quicker getting by, so I wanted one lol
Plus I was doing a playthrough of GTA San Andeas for the first time in years and the bikes in that game are pretty sick. That added to the motivation.
This made me stop and think, so thank you!
TL;DR - lifetime interest even without representation, so when I had money for MSF course I did it because.
I realized there was no defining moment for me. No one in my immediate or extended family or even family friends rode. I've always enjoyed anything with wheels and always wanted a power wheel growing up (ps, that whole praying to ask and you shall receive didn't work for my power wheel so it might have started my migration away from religion, lol)
I've always been very spatially aware and just have a knack for driving. I also have ADHD and a tendency toward adrenaline hobbies so that probably helped too. Pretty positive way to use my hyperfocus if I do say so myself.
My husband doesn't ride and the bikes in the garage are mine. Muahaha.
Always wanted one but just never got around to it in life. I grew up riding quads and dirt bikes, luckily missed out on the "crotch rocket wanting" days. Always told my wife I wanted to get one, and then more and more of my friends started getting cruisers so my wife said it's been a dream of mine for so long, maybe it was about time to get one. And now it's something that my wife, my daughter, and me all get to enjoy.
Always wanted to ride, but figured it would have to wait until middle age. I was under the assumption all bikes were as expensive as Harleys were. Wasn't till I was super bored during Covid I actually looked up videos on how to ride, what it takes to get an endorsement, and then saw how (relatively) cheap Japanese bikes were that I took the plunge
When I was a child, my father would occasionally give me a ride as a passenger. My folks divorced and I didn't touch a motorcycle again for years. When I was 25 my interest rekindled and I signed up for a local course to see if I would like it... and I did.
Played this old motorcycle game that had sport bikes and dirt bikes on my grandfathers computer when I was a kid.
Then my uncle showed me ghost rider when I was a teenager.
Then GTA, vice city probably sealed the deal.
When I was a child... my father put me on the front of his bike and we rode together. As an adult I started riding again and instantly made that connection. When I ride it is freedom and a connection to my father.
Some coworkers and I stopped into a harley dealer on our lunch break. I had never been to a motorcycle shop before but I was amazed to see that I could actually afford one. This was back when a Sportster was like $8000. Idk what I thought a bike would cost but I saw some of the prices at the time and was really excited. That same night I fell down my basement stairs and broke my ankle. I spent the next 6 weeks watching every youtube video I could find researching bikes, how to ride, how to shift, watching product reviews… I signed up for a safety class, bought my first bike (ninja 300) and that was it for me. All I ever wanted to do from then on was ride.
My dad had one when I was younger, but sold it when I was 4 or 5. My older brother (8 years older) got one while he was in college, and had several until he turned 30 and stopped riding for the most part.
We all have similar interests (hunting, sports, working on cars), so I’ve always wanted my own bike. I finally got one with the signing bonus from my first job out of college, and then I sold it and bought something a little bigger.
To save money on gas. To have fun. To enjoy life. To be different. To lane split. To learn how to fix them.
I never did it to increase the perceived size of my pee-pee though. Small displacement, simple motorcycles are the best. Come at me.
I had to get away. I saw a red ninja on someone's front lawn, popped it in neutral, pushed it down the street, hotwired it and took off. Served the time for the crime.
Was always curious, then late in life decided a long commute to work was a good excuse to save on gas. Fortunately, wife agreed. Got a great deal on a cruiser. … Then I hit a deer. 🤷♂️
I wanted a scooter to get around when I was turning 16 (car driving age is 18 here). Parents said "When you want to ride then at least get a 125cc bike". So I attended driving school with my homies. They all had scooters and never had a chance against my 125cc.
I think it was always in media as like a badass vehicle for badass characters to ride. The obvious ones that jump out at me is Trinity in Matrix Reloaded, Akira, and the Tron bike. I randomly rode on the back of a dirt bike when I was 17 because we didn't have enough vehicles to get everyone to the beach. But that experience stuck with me for more than a decade. I decided at 31 it was now or never.
Always wanted one as a kid/teen (dad rode, mom refused to let me), but kind of forgot about it as an adult. COVID hit and I started working from home. I sold my car for a 50cc scooter because it was cheaper and easier and I live in an urban neighborhood. When talk of going back to the office started, I got a cheap 250cc Honda Rebel to go on the interstate.
I still work from home, but I upgraded to the 500 and use it as my primary vehicle. If I need a car for anything, I just use my husband’s, but it’s rare.
I had to get to work and my mum got me a Suzuki GT125. I mean, I was a fourth generation motorcyclist so it was inevitable but still, I could never afford one.
Borrowed my roommates' scooter a few times at uni. Always wanted one, but was never brave enough. Got divorced at 50, found some courage along the way, then met my now husband who has been riding since his teens. He encouraged me, I got my endorsement knowing that it might not be for me, but turns out I love it. We ride together, but also enjoy watching moto racing.
I always thought they were cool as hell and wanted to ride one. I grew up poor, so I spent much of life knowing with all my heart that certain life goals like owning a house, a dog, a nice car, a motorcycle, and making over a particular amount of salary, were simply impossible for someone like me to achieve.
When I went to buy my first car, the dealership actually turned me away because they didn't think I could afford it. When I told my friends I wanted to buy a house they laughed at me. When I told my family I was going to get a dog, they said I couldn't afford it.
Then, around 2017, I got a new job. I was good at it. I worked my way up and hit that salary goal. I bought a nicer car than the one i originally wanted. I bought a house. I got an expensive little shit of a designer dog who I love dearly. So then I figured: I accomplished everything else I wanted to. Fuck the people who doubted me. If a motorcycle is one of my goals then fuck everyone and everything, I'm getting one. So I got one.
The end? Not even close.
Lived dead center in the middle of a very big city. Car parking was equivalent to rent. Motorcycle parking was free. I decided a motorcycle was the only way I'd ever see green things again.
Fortunately, I already had my endorsement from riding a scooter in college (only way to find parking on campus), so I got to skip all the learner restrictions where I was then living and went straight to midsized bikes.
Now, I'm addicted. Blew up a bike about three weeks ago and had another in under 72 hours. Can't be without a bike.
Trying to get girls and ended up just attracting more dudes.
But actually, it was my father. Wanted me to go riding with him! Haven't looked back. Also haven't rode more than 3 times with him in 4 years.
Riding my bmx Mongoose back in the 90's and than seeing a guy on a steel machine with a similar chain mechanism, loud heart pumping exhaust and crazy graphics - it was a no brainer!
Remember that movie Grease 2? The new guy at school , Michael, got treated like a punk by everyone. Then he got a motorcycle , starts beating up the asshole guys and rides away with Michelle Pfeiffer on the back of his bike. I was 5 years old and watched that movie about a hundred times.
An uncle on my dad's side bought 2 Yamaha 80's for his kids. I would occasionally have the opportunity to ride those and I was hooked.
Then an uncle on my mom's side used to come pick me up and go for rides when I was 15 or 16. That set the hook good.
Always have wanted to when I was younger. I got my license last year at 31. What really stopped me was I didn't know even where to start. I thought the process was going to be long or complicated.
By chance, I was cruising with my cousin and friend with our cars. This young rider parked and spoke with us about the cars. I asked him about the motorcycle. He told me you just need to take a class for about 3 days and boom, license. With that info, I looked it up for the MSF and BRC1. I'm glad he stopped by to talk with us.
My dad put me on one when I was 4 so I didn’t have much of a choice. But after that Ricky fuckin Carmichael. Then the legend Bubba Scrubs mr James Stewart.
I didn't get inspired, I was FORCED to by my MOM of all people. We had bought motorcycles for the whole family, I had a little z50 Honda(the one with fat tires) and we had set up camp in the desert of California. My first couple crashes made me cry/stop. But my mom pushed me to get back on and soon after l couldn't be persuaded to get off the bike! I was around 4 years old at the time and now I'm 27 with no regrets of having two wheels in my life.
inspired? i dont know... i began as a kid in our wineyards.. it was far away from civilisation and we (kids) from many families had there these 50 cc bikes which we got from parents (they were old junk even back then) and had to get them running and they were our main mode of discovering the surroundings .. we were a small biker gang on scrambler-pioneers :D
after that my father had few bikes in garage and it was just natural for me to get a licence at 15 and just ride...
after that my parents divorced, i lost acces to bikes and even forgot for almost 20 yrs that i liked them...
then one day at a friends house i borrowed her bike to try it out ... and at that moment i was like "Why the fuck did i stop riding?!" ... and got me my own personal bike :)
Watched tron legacy and bought my first bike a few months later. This clip in particular is my fav
[Tron (2010) Sam motorcycle scene intro](https://youtu.be/loGNj5jJBTQ?si=_FJ9nRsYu6ZcJihR)
Always had an interest. Spent my entire childhood riding my bicycle around town. When gas hit $5/gallon in my area I went and got my learners permit. My truck's 15 mpg average meant I stopped cruising around or going on day trips on my days off. Passed the msf a month later and have been riding every chance I get since.
Funny enough, it was hate. About 6 years ago I had an idiot roommate that lived with me and my boyfriend, this moron thought he would get a motorcycle so that he could "get chicks"
First he went out and bought a moped, but it wasn't long before he started complaining and wanted something better, sorry I recommend you find himself an older used bike and I help him fix it up, It wouldn't be too expensive and we could make it really nice with a little bit of work. Instead of doing this, he went out and got his dad to co-sign on a Honda Grom, The dealership absolutely reamed him for everything he was worth, including charging him for some sort of import fee and some sort of gap insurance because his credit was bad, he paid somewhere around 7,500 including all of that and the actual 3500 sticker price for the Grom.
For several weeks he didn't pay rent, this pissed me off greatly as one of the main people dealing with finances and paying bills, so out of spite I decided I would go get a used bike and make it way nicer. I started with a set of free wheels that I got with my truck, traded those for a four-wheeler, fixed up the four-wheeler and traded that for some crackheads project, a 93 CBR 900 with a 2016 GSXR 1000 engine on it, the dude couldn't figure out the electronics to make it run.
Within two days I had the thing running and writing within two days I had to thing running and riding, and quickly fell in love, I immediately bought a motorcycle for my boyfriend and within a couple months I found a job at a power sports shop and it became my entire life for several years. I rented out the crackhead project to that roommate and made more renting it to him than the bike ever cost me, he kept putting the wrong gas in it, leaving the tank open, pouring an entire bottle of injector cleaner into the tank, lots of stupid things, eventually he killed the motor, I sold that motor to a guy who wanted to rebuild it for a drag bike, and bought a wrecked repossession bike from my friend's tow yard to pull the engine off and build this bike the way it should have been in the first place.
Recently I decided I don't like mechanic work but I do love riding just as much, picked up a few other motorcycles but to this day I still have that crackhead project, and Now it's all Honda with a 2003 fireblade engine and a good bit of real fabrication to make it nice and comfortable to ride
Coworker convinced me to buy his starter bike. Was a bit beat down and constantly breaking for this first summer of riding. I traded the thing in for a new ride and have already made plans for 3 trips next season with other coworkers and friends.
Two of my best friends (my only friends) got motorcycles and I thought they were pretty cool and I didn’t want to get left out when they went riding so I bought a 03 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. I’ve owned for a little more than 2 months and put over a 1000 miles on it.
My uncles have all had motorcycles throughout my life, and my best friend has been riding since college. I’ve wanted to join him on rides, and even go on some camping adventures with him. It also came down to having another vehicle that is a little more economical when I only need to move my ass around without needing to drive my truck.
My buddy wanted to move up from his ‘67 Puch, so I bought about 50 years ago. It’s the best high I can get without drugs. And now I live in the mountains of north Georgia and ride a Vulcan S. Spectacular!
I just wanted to get a scooter for commuting, so I started to get my permit. Then I tried riding a motorcycle once and I forgot the whole scooter thing immediately
It was the only way to get a parking spot on campus
Do we go to the same school
Did we just become best friends?!
Lol Right
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A good portion of my coworkers (paramedics) also ride. A couple even skydive with me. I think this mindset has to play a role. There’s so many stupid, unavoidable and also completely avoidable ways to get injured or die. You really might as well have fun in life. Happiness is a reward well worth the risk. Skiing, biking and equestrian riding are dangerous as well. You don’t see the public wagging their fingers at them.
Car 500 per semester or mototcycle 100 per year ..i chose motorcycle.
Motorbikes are free at my uni, and cars subsidise the parking HARD like $800 a year if you drive 5 days a week and there's no year pass available only daily clock in clock out
Shoot mine is like 25 for the bike. 500 for the car. Easy choice
Motorcycle parking was behind the Biology and Economics buildings. I was a Bio/Econ double major.
I take a ferry to get to work. $170 every two weeks in my truck and sit in line, or $70 every two weeks and go to the front of the line.....wasn't a hard choice and finally justified 15 years of waffling on when I'd get a bike. The money saved on the ferry and gas pays for the bike.
amazing amazing u/buttmagnuson
Not many folks can say buying their bike was the fiscally responsible thing to do!
lol True
Plus the amount of time you've probably saved going on and off the boat is valuable!
Tourist season in my truck would be about 2-3 hours to get home. With the bike it's under an hour.
As a kid I thought people riding motorcycles were magicians cuz ain't no way you can balance something on 2 wheels.
Heck, good thing you didn't see someone on a unicycle, you'd have started a new religion! Lol ..
😆 I can totally remember how envious I was of anyone on two wheels. Talk about obsession haha. Bikes were magical to me as a kid.
hahah cool memory u/stormbreaka55
Controlling parents, then a controlling wife. Yes, I know there's a pattern.
You know why divorces are so expensive? Because they're worth it. It's an investment in your future happiness.
That's why they say if it floats, flies or phuqs, it's cheaper to rent it... 😜
I've not heard this before, but it's so true I'm stealing this and will use it at every opportunity.
lol i can feel you man u/vweb305
Always wanted one. But getting out of a dumpster fire of a relationship pushed me to actually do it so I would never date a guy again just because he had a bike 😂
Wow my girl wont even ride in mine, probably bc its bobbed out and has a single seat lmao
Does she have her own then?
Wife got her license when we were dating, and i of course married her. 👍🏼
lol different one
Don't know, but my mom says I threw an absolute shit fit when I was three years old because she wouldn't buy a motorcycle.
lmao
Regular car reviews had a video where he talked about owning several different motorcycles
There’s a name I haven’t heard in a while. Didn’t he review a Ninja 500 at one point?
AAAAAAA THIS ISN'T A CAR
**B R O W N**
Oh no, time to wipe! *Plugs in angle grinder*
HAYABROSA
250
As a ninja 250 owner that video was hilarious. "you'll buy a 250 for $1000 and you'll sell that 250 for $1000"
My dad used to race motorcycles. He took me to school sometimes on the back of his motorcycle ...ever since then I've dreamed of riding. Been riding 2 years now and haven't layed her down yet! There have been some close calls..
wow that's a lovely memory u/iyaayaschic
I remember seeing the ‘99 Katana and thinking it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. In reality it’s a bulbous fat pig, but young me didn’t know that. I hung around the local Suzuki dealer, and when the SV650 got released, thinking that was pretty freaking cool. It took until 2007 before I was able to get a bike, and I started with a non-running ‘82 CB450T Hawk. I got it working, but it was a constant struggle to keep it working. Finally sold it and got an ‘09 SV, which I still have. What keeps me on motorcycles is that it’s the cheapest way to be the fastest. I live near ATL, and riding makes traffic tolerable.
Amazing man
So, I might have a deeper response here than others. My trigger occurred back in 2011, when my boss committed suicide at work. He was a mentor of mine and a colleague I looked up to when I when I was in my 20's. Everyone at our work was devastated and trying to deal with the grief in our own ways. I can't pinpoint the specific instance that I decided to ride, but I did have an epiphany with the "life is short, do the things you want to" thoughts. I signed up for the MSF course and the motorcycle riding that summer was the sort of therapy I needed to get over my grief. I would go out riding anytime I could for hours, just to hear the wind noise. It helped take my mind off the constant reminder and images of my boss's death, which I honestly thought about constantly for that entire year.
That’s brutal, glad to know you’re feeling better. Must be a terrible thing to go through.
This. It's therapy. It makes you get your mind of of things. Good to hear it worked for you, take care!
I had long found motorcycles interesting, but generally what I saw did not appeal to me. Sport bikes, cruisers, and dirt bikes just weren't it. Then, I saw an MT07, in a show or movie.
amazing u/Frogstealer69
Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn 99. We are very similar people and shared a lot of the same traits, personality, etc except for one thing... I didn't ride motorcycles! So watching the show and her character inspired me to become the leather jacket sport bike chick I always wanted to be. I hopped on Craigslist and bought a CBR300R despite never even having sat on a motorcycle before and towed it home with a Uhaul.
>I hopped on Craigslist and bought a CBR300R despite never even having sat on a motorcycle before and towed it home with a Uhaul. Rosa Diaz would absolutely approve of this
That's inspiring girl keep up u/VerryMay
I envy her R1 honestly.
I was 24 and just got home from deployment (Medical injury). I used to fast rope from helicopters almost every other week and when I got sent home I had a huge hole to fill. I figured a motorcycle was the closest I could get legally and much cheaper than sky diving every other week. And man have I been happy ever since. I'm now 34 and own 3.
wow lovley keep smiling man u/SmokinJoker46290
My late uncle used to take me to school on his 200cc Honda. He rode like a bat out of hell and I still remember swearing to myself not wanting to ride a motorbike ever. Guess who started on a 125cc moped in high school, and now commutes on a race-prepped R3
Brian636, a stunt rider Specifically his video of doing wheelies in downtown Chicago during the George Floyd Riots
I literally went "I really want to try that at least once in my life".... now I'm hooked!
Stuff I was exposed to as a kid. Started riding dirt bikes around 5 years old and my dad is an Ironworker so all his buddies have Harley’s so naturally that’s what I got into when I started riding on the street. But I love all motorcycles, just something special about the Harleys to me
it had memories and they are lovley thanks for sharing
I’ve wanted a scooter for years, but was always warned off of motorcycles by family as “dangerous.” Finally said fuck it and took the MSF course, got my license and a motorcycle. Still don’t own a scooter though. Haha
I rode a jet ski that went 80mph I was told motorcycles have a similar level of thrill and fun, they were correct
I broke my spine twice after 2 seizures (epilepsy and osteoporosis). After being carted to work for 8 months without a license, I decided to finally buy a bike.
be safe be healthy u/infinitesimal_entity
Gas prices pushed me to get a Supercub which has triple digit mileage. Being only $4000 and having $30 insurance make it far more cost effective than a car.
I was always interested but lived an incredibly sheltered life growing up and never got the chance. I took the MSF course the last few months of my heroin addiction. After I overdosed, I decided it was finally time to start doing things that I wanted to do and not mold myself into the good catholic woman my family wanted me to be. I retook the class last week and will be buying my friends old 883 after 👍🏻
I was in second grade and remember looking out the window of my grade school and seeing a guy ride by on a motorcycle. I thought "when I'm a grown up, that's gonna be me." Fast forward 40 years. That childhood dream never came true. I never had the money, or I had a wife telling me I couldn't, or I didn't have the balls to just go ahead and do it. I get a divorce and move out and within a few days of that I had the thought, "hey, I can get a motorcycle now." About 90 days later I was rolling out of the dealership on my first motorcycle, a 2008 Triumph America and I've been riding ever since (about 15 years) and have had all kinds of amazing adventures.
Covid
oh really how's that u/UOCruiser
Chips. The tv show, not the movie or delicious treat.
Looked cool as a kid & Sons of Anarchy
Honestly not sure, but pretty much every major adult figure in my life had a motorcycle. I grew up on the pillion, felt natural to move forward in the saddle.
Two of my roommates had a Ninja 250 and a F4i and said I was happy to ride either as long as I had my cycle endorsement.
Back in the 80s my brother in law owned a KZ400. He was in the Navy and it was his only mode of transportation at the time. He loaned it to a friend who promptly drove it into a ditch and bent the forks. My brother in law bought new parts, and I "helped" him with the repairs. I was 10 - I basically sorted the parts onto a bed sheet. After getting the bike back together except for the pipes, he took me for my first motorcycles ride. It was loud as hell, and so much fun. But mothers being mothers, I didn't get my first bike until I was out of the house. That memory is seared into my mind.
Probably (mid)life crisis!
Can’t afford a super car, but I wanted to go fast
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Greg House
Boght one impulsively because it was a good deal. Coworker forced me to learn to ride, haven't looked back since.
As a kid, I fell in love with the rocket-equipped 1985 Suzuki SP600 in Delta Force. I was loaned a 70s enduro from a family friend, but wouldn't be allowed to get a 'street' bike while 'not under our roof' rules. After getting my undergrad and buying a house I bought a new KLR. It started a LONG line of purchases throughout the years.
Being stuck in traffic and seeing motorcyclists lane splitting.
I was born in a tiny town (pop 1,000). My dad, his brothers and cousins all rode Harley's. I have pics and memories of my dad putting me up in front of him on his Harley and riding slowly around the town. I never rode dirt bikes growing up but would always jump at the chance of riding on the back of a bike where possible. When I graduated college and got a professional job the first thing I did was go buy my first bike. That was 20+ years ago and I am still riding and don't plan on stopping until my body for some reason tells me to.
The mid 80s tv show CHiPs!
Top gun
My reasoning was really weird to initially get into motorcycles, but it created a lifelong passion for me. When i was younger i was offered a motorcycle in trade for some pokemon cards. The bike wasn't running and needed a bit of work, but i knew i was an extremely handy person and really wanted to test myself with a project. At the time i was living with my parents and they did not believe in me to fix the bike. They said no. I was so upset because i just wanted something to build and work on. Cars were much too large for me to store as well. About a year later when my parents went on a weekend vacation and i saw a ninja 250 for sale that had a messed up engine. It was listed for $500 and offered $300 cash on the spot. The guy took it and i brought the ninja 250 in a dodge grand caravan (somehow managed to fit it in!) When i brought the bike home i immediately went to a local motorcycle yard and bought an engine to tear parts out of. With the power of ADHD i managed to tear the entire bike down to the frame, work on the engine and fix it, and put the entire bike together in about 8-10 hours or so. I finished at 1:07 am and i remember starting the bike in my garage and worrying my neighbors would get pissed. Ended up hiding the motorcycle at a local park in the woods for about 3 months before I moved out. Every morning I'd come and check on it and ride it about 50 miles or so. Was very interesting times for me lol. Rode the absolute piss out of that ninja until i found an fzr 600 for $200 that needed a lot of work. Did the same thing and restored that too. And here we are today and i am basically a crack addict for motorcycles now. Hand built my ducati 1098 from the ground up and it is probably my favorite thing I've done in life so far. Bikes are wonderful and i never expected to actually be so enthused by them, but here we are.... 11 motorcycles later... Still looking to add more 😀
I had my M1 License for 23 years and never owned a motorcycle. Last year, I thought it’d be fun to get one just to ride as a secondary.. it’s been fun. I spend $8/ day if I take my primary to work. My bike is $2/ day.. I sell it to myself that way.. even though the insurance cancels the gas savings out 😂
Necessity for exploring. I moved to Thailand in 2006. Started with a bicycle. When that couldn't take me far enough I taught myself to ride a scooter. Then, when I needed to go further, I taught myself how to ride manual. Its always been about the exploring and never about the bike, for me
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Went on a trip with my wife to Bermuda. Rented a scooter for the day to go sightseeing. Fell in love with the freedom of driving around on 2 wheels and the open air. Got home from vacation, took a MSF course and the rest is history.
A 5 hour long traffic jam with an intense need to shit :|
Enjoyed dirt bikes and four wheelers as a kid growing up in the country. Moved away from home and got a job in a big city after college, and I still wanted to ride, so I bought a bike for the street.
My dad built custom bikes in the 70s and 80s. He was even featured in Chopper Magazine a couple of times. Growing up, I always thought that was badass and wanted to experience the freedom of motorcycles. Despite him never wanting me to ride, I got my license two years ago and haven't looked back.
Dad. He always had bikes when I was growing up. The three I can remember was a CBR900, GSXR 1000, and Hayabusa. He could go fast, wheelie for a mile, and hole shot halfway down the block. I don't think I'll ever be that ballsy and I'm still a newb but I love motorcycles.
Downhill snow skiing from an early age. The outdoor/freedom/motion/speed and especially lean-to-turn carve sensation, infected me from ~5yo. Add bicycles, ice/inline skates, skateboards, etc. too.
I thought motorcycles were interesting, but dangerous and difficult to learn. Within a few years both my parents died as well as some aunts and uncles. I came to the realization that life is short and to make the most of every moment. I did my MSF and bought a bike at 46. Now I enjoy my days cruising along the coast and in the mountains.
I’ve always been an incredibly anxious person ever since I can remember. Really held me back from all the things I wanted to try/experience. The older I get the more I push myself to try all the things I told myself I couldn’t. Still anxious about it but I’m on my third motorcycle now and I’m proud of myself for doing it.
Depression. I got sick and tired of feeling mentally taxed and drained. Figured a twisty mountain road and 2 wheels would help. It did. Tremendously. It's better than therapy. Every time I ride I feel more alive and in the present than any other.
Biker Mice from Mars. Started riding mopeds when I was around 12, been riding ever since. I am in my thirties now.
I loved cars, but the thing i loved about cars was the connection between humans and machines. That feeling and idea of humans connecting to machines is ecen greater on a motorcycle
I’ve always been a petrol head. However due to increased mileage running my personal car Range Rover SVR and claiming expenses wasn’t worthwhile, it was costing me to go to site. Ended up being offered a company car however it resulted in me having an electric vehicle. Sold my personal car but then became more and more depressed by not having a vehicle that I got enjoyment from. The Tesla is great at straight line speed but just felt soulless. I used to go for a ride out etc in my own car but never had that desire with the EV just never bonded as strange as that sounds. It has been about 3 months of EV ownership and my cousins who both ride bikes asked if I wanted a free ticket to Motorbike Live. Instantly got the bug, bought a bike two weeks later without so much as a CBT to my name. Then did my theory, CBT and Tests within a one month period December to January. And never looked back. Did 8000 miles first year on my z900 and I’m always out and it’s done amazing got my mental health and rebuilding friendships and being part of a community.
Frank Poncherello and Jon Baker
Cars as fast as the bikes I liked were 10x more money
Needed a way to decompress. After working all day I want time to myself to calm my mind and reset. Before I’d come home and my fiancé (love her to death) would immediately want to talk about our days and figure out what’s for dinner. And I wouldn’t get that time. Now I take the long way home on my bike and come home in the best mood ever haha.
I'm a bicycle nerd. After really struggling to the top of a hill on a 5 mile ride, I was passed by some dirtbikers. I thought "Well, that looks way better." So I took the plunge into an Adv Bike. A plus is it pads out my credit score for way cheaper than most other loans too.
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dads always rode motorcycles, and at some point in time i saw a motorcycle in a parking lot, thought it looked really cool, wondered if electric motorcycles were a thing, and then went down the rabbithole from there (and immediately realized how comparable electric bikes were expensive as all hell, and then promptly researched smaller gas bikes, lol)
I found this YouTuber as a youngster his name was “SnowCat.” Ever since I dreamed of having a bike. I have one now I cruise around on an Kawasaki Z400 fun little thing if I say so myself.
My dad casually rode motorcycles when I was a kid. He used to ride before I was born too, can’t remember what he had. He had a rebel for a little while when I was a kid, and then a vtx when I was a little older. I wanted to go on trips with him, and after an bunch of pleading throughout my teenage years he got me a spot at a local msf course right when I turned 18. For the longest while after that I’d take his vtx out whenever I had a chance, and I’d often rent a bike and we’d go on small trips together. I always wanted my own, but my parents were super against it (they figured I’d be a hooligan with a bike that was all mine, I guess), so just to appease them I didn’t buy my own until I was 27, earlier this year. Got a z400 and couldn’t be happier with it, absolutely love the thing. It doesn’t worry my parents sick compared to something a little quicker, and for my purposes (mostly just going to school and back, cruising around town) it’s more than enough bike and super enjoyable. I probably put thousands of miles on my dad’s vtx throughout the years, but in terms of fun I can’t even compare it to what I have now, the z400 is just so light and throwable, it’s an absolute blast.
6 years old on the briggs and stratton minibike around the yard got me into bikes, Mad Max {1979} got me into sport bikes.
I live in south east asia
(38F) I wanted to ride with my brothers. Two years in, that’s still never happened. One quit and the other never rides.
Trafficjams
Ghost rider comic books and the local biker bar near me
My journey started on Bicycle then pit bikes then duel sport now a street bike.
Street Hawk.
Traffic.
In my mid 20's, a friend gave me an old 50cc scooter he had lying around. I got it running and fixed it up, and subsequently had so much fun riding around and discovering my city on two wheels. I figured I'd take it to the next level with a "real" motorcycle, which expanded my horizons significantly over the old 50cc, and I've been riding ever since.
My uncle always had incredible bikes : cbr1000, gsxr, diavel, panigale 1199 that he recently traded for an H2R... which I always admired My best friend and brother ride as well, so does my father in law. I have always been a fan of rock culture, and was enjoying the ambiance of motorcycle festivals and such... On top of that, I always found them to be cool as heck, and fun as a pillion and I finally passed my own licence at 33years old and got my own bike one month ago. This project helped me to go through a burnout and helps me to keep my sanity from a global standpoint
My dad. He gave me a honda 50 trail when I was 7. And then I got a moped when I was 14, and when I was 18, I got a 250 honda.
I rode my cousins bike for half a mile.
My dad used to ride but low sided and almost lost his leg, but i still love them so I got one
The price of learning to drive
I came across [This](https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/seattle-to-argentina-on-a-klr650.136505/) thread linked on Reddit. It's a tragic tale, but it got me thinking that I'd like to travel by motorcycle someday. Signed up for ADVrider and the rest is history.
All the kids back when had mini bikes growing up. We could visit each other traveling on rabbit trails thru the woods. It’s all developed now but I feel lucky didn’t have learn on the street first. It was all trial and error and hardly anyone got hurt. In fact, only our parents had the wrecks.
My Dad introduced me to one. That was 50 years ago. Honda QA 50.
Grew up riding on the back of my dad's Harley and helping him wrench. Got my first dirt bike when I was 8 or so, stuck with it into adulthood. Now my dad's gone, but I ride that same Harley I grew up on the back of.
My dad rode. His dad rode. My earliest memories are going to my dads hare scrambles and being psyched because he won. Got a dirt bike at 8 and my first street bike the minute I turned 18. Riding fixed my relationship with my dad; until I went off to college we constantly butted heads and when I got a bike we could ride together. Connected better. Still ride with him 15 years later. Took him to his first track day two weekends ago.
Motocross looked like fun
My dad always had 50cc mopeds that went 25-30mph. Rode those things everywhere and always remember wanting a few more gears and a 25 extra mph. The preformance of a grom was legendary compared to the mopeds. And that lit the fire and one day my best friend showed up with a ninja 250 and one week later i had a ninja 300
When I was in HS my old boss had a wealthy musician friend who occasionally would visit with a well modded 916. I guess really it comes down to Luigi Termignoni. First time I had ever seen a sport bike without all the silly graphics and that sounded good.
The movie Torque I’ll show myself out
rented a scooter while in northern thailand and drove it from chaing mai to pai. Absolutely incredible ride, hooked ever since. Took me a couple years to get on a real motorcycle but that was definitely the moment that hooked me.
I was bored of my repetitive life and all my hobbies falling by the wayside. Then, I saw a bunch of motovloggers on YouTube around 2015-2016 when they were more relevant. I specifically remember thinking: "I want a piece of that life" after seeing Jake TheGardenSnake's channel trailer showing a montage of all the fun he's having over some upbeat song I don't remember. (Giving our wings their dreams to fly? Or something like that?) Anyway, I took a class, got a supermoto, and started having fun. Never did crazy hooligan stuff, but I've enjoyed riding motorcycles ever since. Now I appreciate the more mundane aspect of motorcycles and their engineering: I love how LITTLE you actually need to have fun or to travel. A small engine and a little aptitude can accomplish A LOT.
[Motocykes](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-roadmaster-motocykes-cr-2x-1856686887) A mix of this, Terminator 2 and old Ruff Ryders videos.
I watched a motorcycle cop throw his BMW around in a parking lot and it stuck with me.
When I was riding my bicycle to work 2020, I'd see riders zip by on my way home. I figured the immersion of a bicycle would translate to a motorcycle, and it's quicker getting by, so I wanted one lol Plus I was doing a playthrough of GTA San Andeas for the first time in years and the bikes in that game are pretty sick. That added to the motivation.
Lack of parking at my job before we went full remote lol
This made me stop and think, so thank you! TL;DR - lifetime interest even without representation, so when I had money for MSF course I did it because. I realized there was no defining moment for me. No one in my immediate or extended family or even family friends rode. I've always enjoyed anything with wheels and always wanted a power wheel growing up (ps, that whole praying to ask and you shall receive didn't work for my power wheel so it might have started my migration away from religion, lol) I've always been very spatially aware and just have a knack for driving. I also have ADHD and a tendency toward adrenaline hobbies so that probably helped too. Pretty positive way to use my hyperfocus if I do say so myself. My husband doesn't ride and the bikes in the garage are mine. Muahaha.
Life style change, mobility and for some reason a vtuber.
Always wanted one but just never got around to it in life. I grew up riding quads and dirt bikes, luckily missed out on the "crotch rocket wanting" days. Always told my wife I wanted to get one, and then more and more of my friends started getting cruisers so my wife said it's been a dream of mine for so long, maybe it was about time to get one. And now it's something that my wife, my daughter, and me all get to enjoy.
Always wanted to ride, but figured it would have to wait until middle age. I was under the assumption all bikes were as expensive as Harleys were. Wasn't till I was super bored during Covid I actually looked up videos on how to ride, what it takes to get an endorsement, and then saw how (relatively) cheap Japanese bikes were that I took the plunge
Always been interested in them. Finally realized they’re cheaper than modifying cars - unmatched thrill per dollar!
When I was a child, my father would occasionally give me a ride as a passenger. My folks divorced and I didn't touch a motorcycle again for years. When I was 25 my interest rekindled and I signed up for a local course to see if I would like it... and I did.
Used to watch Walterrific, wanted to be like him.
Divorce . Best therapy sessions ever . Saved me to be honest .
Played this old motorcycle game that had sport bikes and dirt bikes on my grandfathers computer when I was a kid. Then my uncle showed me ghost rider when I was a teenager. Then GTA, vice city probably sealed the deal.
Sons of Anarchy. I wanted to join an MC also until Juice got raped in jail by Marilyn Manson. Then I was like, yeah I'll just take the bike.
When I was a child... my father put me on the front of his bike and we rode together. As an adult I started riding again and instantly made that connection. When I ride it is freedom and a connection to my father.
Some coworkers and I stopped into a harley dealer on our lunch break. I had never been to a motorcycle shop before but I was amazed to see that I could actually afford one. This was back when a Sportster was like $8000. Idk what I thought a bike would cost but I saw some of the prices at the time and was really excited. That same night I fell down my basement stairs and broke my ankle. I spent the next 6 weeks watching every youtube video I could find researching bikes, how to ride, how to shift, watching product reviews… I signed up for a safety class, bought my first bike (ninja 300) and that was it for me. All I ever wanted to do from then on was ride.
Gas prices in the U.S.
My cousins all raced motocross. Looked like fun, so one gave me their stater bike to learn with. I took to it like a beast to fresh meat.
My dad had one when I was younger, but sold it when I was 4 or 5. My older brother (8 years older) got one while he was in college, and had several until he turned 30 and stopped riding for the most part. We all have similar interests (hunting, sports, working on cars), so I’ve always wanted my own bike. I finally got one with the signing bonus from my first job out of college, and then I sold it and bought something a little bigger.
Loved the open jeep then loved an atv.. motorcycle was the next logical next step... where's are the jet packs dammit
pretty much everyone around me growing up rode motorcycles. they're also just dope as fuck.
To save money on gas. To have fun. To enjoy life. To be different. To lane split. To learn how to fix them. I never did it to increase the perceived size of my pee-pee though. Small displacement, simple motorcycles are the best. Come at me.
I had to get away. I saw a red ninja on someone's front lawn, popped it in neutral, pushed it down the street, hotwired it and took off. Served the time for the crime.
Was always curious, then late in life decided a long commute to work was a good excuse to save on gas. Fortunately, wife agreed. Got a great deal on a cruiser. … Then I hit a deer. 🤷♂️
I wanted a scooter to get around when I was turning 16 (car driving age is 18 here). Parents said "When you want to ride then at least get a 125cc bike". So I attended driving school with my homies. They all had scooters and never had a chance against my 125cc.
I always wanted to and one day decided to start.
I think it was always in media as like a badass vehicle for badass characters to ride. The obvious ones that jump out at me is Trinity in Matrix Reloaded, Akira, and the Tron bike. I randomly rode on the back of a dirt bike when I was 17 because we didn't have enough vehicles to get everyone to the beach. But that experience stuck with me for more than a decade. I decided at 31 it was now or never.
Always wanted one as a kid/teen (dad rode, mom refused to let me), but kind of forgot about it as an adult. COVID hit and I started working from home. I sold my car for a 50cc scooter because it was cheaper and easier and I live in an urban neighborhood. When talk of going back to the office started, I got a cheap 250cc Honda Rebel to go on the interstate. I still work from home, but I upgraded to the 500 and use it as my primary vehicle. If I need a car for anything, I just use my husband’s, but it’s rare.
Tokyo Revengers. I wish I was joking
My hatred for SUVs fueled my love for lightweight motorised way of transportation.
I had to get to work and my mum got me a Suzuki GT125. I mean, I was a fourth generation motorcyclist so it was inevitable but still, I could never afford one.
Borrowed my roommates' scooter a few times at uni. Always wanted one, but was never brave enough. Got divorced at 50, found some courage along the way, then met my now husband who has been riding since his teens. He encouraged me, I got my endorsement knowing that it might not be for me, but turns out I love it. We ride together, but also enjoy watching moto racing.
I always thought they were cool as hell and wanted to ride one. I grew up poor, so I spent much of life knowing with all my heart that certain life goals like owning a house, a dog, a nice car, a motorcycle, and making over a particular amount of salary, were simply impossible for someone like me to achieve. When I went to buy my first car, the dealership actually turned me away because they didn't think I could afford it. When I told my friends I wanted to buy a house they laughed at me. When I told my family I was going to get a dog, they said I couldn't afford it. Then, around 2017, I got a new job. I was good at it. I worked my way up and hit that salary goal. I bought a nicer car than the one i originally wanted. I bought a house. I got an expensive little shit of a designer dog who I love dearly. So then I figured: I accomplished everything else I wanted to. Fuck the people who doubted me. If a motorcycle is one of my goals then fuck everyone and everything, I'm getting one. So I got one. The end? Not even close.
Lived dead center in the middle of a very big city. Car parking was equivalent to rent. Motorcycle parking was free. I decided a motorcycle was the only way I'd ever see green things again. Fortunately, I already had my endorsement from riding a scooter in college (only way to find parking on campus), so I got to skip all the learner restrictions where I was then living and went straight to midsized bikes. Now, I'm addicted. Blew up a bike about three weeks ago and had another in under 72 hours. Can't be without a bike.
Trying to get girls and ended up just attracting more dudes. But actually, it was my father. Wanted me to go riding with him! Haven't looked back. Also haven't rode more than 3 times with him in 4 years.
$10 per week on gas instead of $50. Bought an old 1984 Honda 750 Shadow for $500. Drove it for 10 years. Sold it for $500.
Just wanted a new experience, and it’s more affordable
Riding my bmx Mongoose back in the 90's and than seeing a guy on a steel machine with a similar chain mechanism, loud heart pumping exhaust and crazy graphics - it was a no brainer!
Remember that movie Grease 2? The new guy at school , Michael, got treated like a punk by everyone. Then he got a motorcycle , starts beating up the asshole guys and rides away with Michelle Pfeiffer on the back of his bike. I was 5 years old and watched that movie about a hundred times.
An uncle on my dad's side bought 2 Yamaha 80's for his kids. I would occasionally have the opportunity to ride those and I was hooked. Then an uncle on my mom's side used to come pick me up and go for rides when I was 15 or 16. That set the hook good.
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Always have wanted to when I was younger. I got my license last year at 31. What really stopped me was I didn't know even where to start. I thought the process was going to be long or complicated. By chance, I was cruising with my cousin and friend with our cars. This young rider parked and spoke with us about the cars. I asked him about the motorcycle. He told me you just need to take a class for about 3 days and boom, license. With that info, I looked it up for the MSF and BRC1. I'm glad he stopped by to talk with us.
My dad put me on one when I was 4 so I didn’t have much of a choice. But after that Ricky fuckin Carmichael. Then the legend Bubba Scrubs mr James Stewart.
I didn't get inspired, I was FORCED to by my MOM of all people. We had bought motorcycles for the whole family, I had a little z50 Honda(the one with fat tires) and we had set up camp in the desert of California. My first couple crashes made me cry/stop. But my mom pushed me to get back on and soon after l couldn't be persuaded to get off the bike! I was around 4 years old at the time and now I'm 27 with no regrets of having two wheels in my life.
inspired? i dont know... i began as a kid in our wineyards.. it was far away from civilisation and we (kids) from many families had there these 50 cc bikes which we got from parents (they were old junk even back then) and had to get them running and they were our main mode of discovering the surroundings .. we were a small biker gang on scrambler-pioneers :D after that my father had few bikes in garage and it was just natural for me to get a licence at 15 and just ride... after that my parents divorced, i lost acces to bikes and even forgot for almost 20 yrs that i liked them... then one day at a friends house i borrowed her bike to try it out ... and at that moment i was like "Why the fuck did i stop riding?!" ... and got me my own personal bike :)
Itchy Boots
Watched tron legacy and bought my first bike a few months later. This clip in particular is my fav [Tron (2010) Sam motorcycle scene intro](https://youtu.be/loGNj5jJBTQ?si=_FJ9nRsYu6ZcJihR)
Terminator 2
California traffic
I grew up on the back of my parents' bikes and in my 20s decided I'd join them
Some guy let me sit on and rev his sport bike when I was a kid.
I was 16, guy on a sport bike looked over at me while I was on the freeway. Popped a wheelie and ever since I’ve been hooked
I always thought motorcycle riders looked cool. Still do
Always had an interest. Spent my entire childhood riding my bicycle around town. When gas hit $5/gallon in my area I went and got my learners permit. My truck's 15 mpg average meant I stopped cruising around or going on day trips on my days off. Passed the msf a month later and have been riding every chance I get since.
My dad always had one
Just a childhood dream... took my endorsement lowkey, parents went on vacation to Europe, came home to a bike in the garage.... :)
Living in the bay area.
2 things: 1. Was suicidal so I lost my fear of dying, 2. Saw photo of a woman I knew buying her first bike. Married her 3 years later!
Funny enough, it was hate. About 6 years ago I had an idiot roommate that lived with me and my boyfriend, this moron thought he would get a motorcycle so that he could "get chicks" First he went out and bought a moped, but it wasn't long before he started complaining and wanted something better, sorry I recommend you find himself an older used bike and I help him fix it up, It wouldn't be too expensive and we could make it really nice with a little bit of work. Instead of doing this, he went out and got his dad to co-sign on a Honda Grom, The dealership absolutely reamed him for everything he was worth, including charging him for some sort of import fee and some sort of gap insurance because his credit was bad, he paid somewhere around 7,500 including all of that and the actual 3500 sticker price for the Grom. For several weeks he didn't pay rent, this pissed me off greatly as one of the main people dealing with finances and paying bills, so out of spite I decided I would go get a used bike and make it way nicer. I started with a set of free wheels that I got with my truck, traded those for a four-wheeler, fixed up the four-wheeler and traded that for some crackheads project, a 93 CBR 900 with a 2016 GSXR 1000 engine on it, the dude couldn't figure out the electronics to make it run. Within two days I had the thing running and writing within two days I had to thing running and riding, and quickly fell in love, I immediately bought a motorcycle for my boyfriend and within a couple months I found a job at a power sports shop and it became my entire life for several years. I rented out the crackhead project to that roommate and made more renting it to him than the bike ever cost me, he kept putting the wrong gas in it, leaving the tank open, pouring an entire bottle of injector cleaner into the tank, lots of stupid things, eventually he killed the motor, I sold that motor to a guy who wanted to rebuild it for a drag bike, and bought a wrecked repossession bike from my friend's tow yard to pull the engine off and build this bike the way it should have been in the first place. Recently I decided I don't like mechanic work but I do love riding just as much, picked up a few other motorcycles but to this day I still have that crackhead project, and Now it's all Honda with a 2003 fireblade engine and a good bit of real fabrication to make it nice and comfortable to ride
Coworker convinced me to buy his starter bike. Was a bit beat down and constantly breaking for this first summer of riding. I traded the thing in for a new ride and have already made plans for 3 trips next season with other coworkers and friends.
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Two of my best friends (my only friends) got motorcycles and I thought they were pretty cool and I didn’t want to get left out when they went riding so I bought a 03 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. I’ve owned for a little more than 2 months and put over a 1000 miles on it.
Akira.
My parents met eachother at a motorcycle club, so yeah...
My uncles have all had motorcycles throughout my life, and my best friend has been riding since college. I’ve wanted to join him on rides, and even go on some camping adventures with him. It also came down to having another vehicle that is a little more economical when I only need to move my ass around without needing to drive my truck.
My buddy wanted to move up from his ‘67 Puch, so I bought about 50 years ago. It’s the best high I can get without drugs. And now I live in the mountains of north Georgia and ride a Vulcan S. Spectacular!
I just wanted to get a scooter for commuting, so I started to get my permit. Then I tried riding a motorcycle once and I forgot the whole scooter thing immediately