Why I Ride Fast Motorcycles

People are so interesting. 

It's pretty amusing when I tell people that I ride sport motorcycles at high speeds (like on a racetrack).  When I tell people this, I always try and get really attentive because their reactions are enjoyable to really watch.  These reactions normally fall into about 3 categories:

Category 1:  The Alarmists - these people generally immediately go to the risk and inherent danger of riding motorcycles.  Facial expressions are typically filled with disdain, followed by commentary  using the words "donor cycle" (as in organ donor... clever) or "do I know how dangerous that is?" or my all-time favorite, "My uncle Johnny was killed on a motorcycle in 1978...".  It's odd to me, because I wouldn't criticize their hobbies, as in, "Knitting is a really slow way to make a scarf.  Don't you know that?"  I always ask these people, "Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?" knowing that their answer is always the same.  When I first started to ride motorcycles, I would always try and explain it to them but now I've stopped trying.  The most interesting aspect of their response is this underlying feeling of contempt that oozes out over something that they've never really even tried, and their lack of consideration for whether I might take offense at their critical words. 

Category 2:  The Contrarians - These people are downright shocked that a clean cut corporate guy like myself would do something so... on the fringe.  I suppose I may not fit The Mold, but that's the great thing about motorcycling...you never really know who does it.  We are kind of like a secret society.  The Contrarians generally get really inquisitive about my hobby after that, saying things like, "I never would have guessed you ride a motorcycle..." and "That is so interesting..." and then asking (always) "How fast have you gone?" (175 mph) and "Have you ever crashed?" (only once) and "What kind of a bike do you a ride?" (Honda CBR1000RR).  These are people that don't quite get it, but appreciate that I do something kind of cool and (at least I think) that I wear a leather suit sometimes.  Not everyone wears a leather suit at some point in their life.  Or admits it.

Category 3:  The Other Renegades - These people are either motorcyclists themselves, or if they aren't, completely understand why I would want to do something like ride a motorcycle through a corner with my knee dragging on the ground at 80mph.  These people's faces light up, and we usually end up talking about this and simiar topics for as long as time permits.  These are the skydiving, bungee-jumping, scuba-diving, safari-trekking, mountain-climbing, marathon-running, kayak-paddling, drop-everything-to-go-to-Europe-with-too-little-money-but-way-to-much-time type of people.  I love these people, because they appreciate that life is short.  It is really cool to talk to people who extract a lot of joy out of their lives.

I ride motorcycles for a lot of reasons.  Mostly because it's completely all-engaging.  It's not like driving a car with four wheels where you can get by and only pay attention halfway.  You are in the game when you are on a motorcycle.  There's this inherent tension between the risk of crashing (always present) and the pure exhilaration of seemingly defying physics and carving through a corner or braking so hard going into Turn 1 at Portland International Raceway that you have to slide back in your seat to keep the back wheel on the ground. 

There is really nothing like it that I've found in life.  It's actually one aspect of moving to California that I'm really excited about - being close to some really great racetracks like Laguna Seca but also some of the best weather and motorcycling roads around.

People are so interesting. 

Comments

[Todd]

What a great post. Reminds me of someone who recently told me that it's dangerous to walk outside in a certain neighborhood at night -- though she said it while she was driving a car, talking on the phone, and steering momentarily with her knee. I guess everyone is seen as dangerous -- but ourselves.

[hans gieskes]

Hi Jason,

I knew you liked fast cars, but find out now that two wheels + lot of hps works for you too! Last bike I owned, some 30 year ago, was a British Army surplus BSA Matchless bike, one cylinder 350cc, wiht a very big ass leather saddle. Did not go fast, but was fun nonetheless. When our sons started getting into tuning up ther 50cc mopeds to do 55mph through busy Dutch traffic I stopped romanticizing about motorbikes. Big chicken? Perhaps, but I still miss the feeling though!

Good luck in California! Be safe.

[Brock Hierlmeier]

Jason,

Best of luck to you at Google. Work hard play hard. Whenever you are ready for some track time at Laguna Seca I'll meet you out there.
I moved to Campbell, CA by way of West Palm Beach, FL. Although we have beautiful beaches in FL there is nothing like riding Hwy 9 to Santa Cruz and track days at Laguna Seca. Make 2007 a huge success!

http://www.iandonald.com/events/class/112406/11240613/11240613.htm
that's me in the top right corner carving #4

Brock

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