My answer...  To ride is to be, To be is to ride  So(fast)crates and Des(evenfaster)cartes.  You know, the Italian and French racers :nana:

I love that I can blow away my friends $50,000 BMW with my $1800 bike

Wayne

I like the safty gear it looks cool  :mrgreen:
Actually I had a dirtbike when I was little. A Kawasaki KDX 80
My brother eventually got a Ninja 600R and almost killed himself on it because he was the very definition of Squid. Only had it 1 summer before he sold it. Made $500 though. Bought it in Febuary and sold it in June.

Anyway I had kinda forgoten about bikes but then I started working with some Harley guys and I got bitten by the bug. Started looking at some bikes. Took the MSF and finally decided on the GS when I found a good deal on one. . . well, actually found one at all so I guess that makes it a good deal

I was considering a Ninja 500 but the ones available were more expensive and I liked the naked look of the GS better. I also heard it was easier to mod and I love tinkering on things.

QuoteI like it alot.

-Anti

yeah, what he said.

i have a few rather interesting reasons as to how i came to own a bike, however, they were just a means to an end.  as it happens, last summer is was chraged with possession of one thing or another   , and was told my liscense might be suspended.     so i thought, hey, i don't need a real liscense for a moped, maybe i'll get one of those.  however, after digging through some laws and fine print, i found they had no legal grounds to take my liscense.  that was the end of that.  but then 3 weeks later, some stupid driver perfectly t'd my car, totalling it.  i got 6.5k for it, and was at no fault whatsoever.  so, after having my moped ideas, losing my car, and having a free 6.5k to blow on a new mode of transportation, a motorcycle seemed the perfect choice.  i had been wanting one for a while, and my dad always wanted one as a kid, and his mom never let him have one.  so i got lucky.  but now i ride simply because i love it.  it's such a feeling of freedom, and tranquilty on the open rode; and then at high speeds it's exhileration and a rush.  it doesn't get any better than this.

I started riding when I was in training with the Army.  I needed/wanted a mode of transportation, and couldn't find any good deals on a car.  Started looking at bikes, and found myself greatly interested.  Took the MSF course, got my license the next day, and got my bike the next weekend.  Happy with it, but I'm going to buy a CBR600RR when I get back from Iraq.  I'm going to hold on to the GS for more modding/racing after I go to school for it.  That's my story.  And I will never stop riding!

Ride on, brothers (and sisters), ride on!

I love putting on the gear.  I had a friend who used to hate putting on boots, gloves etc, don't know why.  I feel like a pilot,  

maybe someday I'll get a bike.

Nah just kiddin.  I like it cause it's fun and it wakes me up in the mornings especially in winter. :lol:

The reason that got me riding was basic transport.

Some of you guys say you drive cars and bikes to school, well I cycled a bicycle to school. When I got a job, I was spending more than two hours a day getting to and from work, and that pissed me off, that and the crowds on the trains.
I realised that a car would be useless for the traffic, and it would actually take me longer to get into work than the train.
So, I thought about a motorbike. I'd put the idea well out of my mind years ago, as I knew they were dangerous and I didn't trust myself not to kill myself on one, but I changed my mind as I knew I'd be able to get into and out of work in less than half the time.
So, I took a couple of lessons (2 lessons X 2 hours each) and then got a motorbike - a Honda Rebel 125cc.
I had that for 2 years and then got a gs500, which I've had for 2 and a half years and 16,000 miles.

So, the reason that got me going was cheap and quick transport through heavy city traffic, but once I sat on one I was absolutely hooked. I rode a shitty battered up gs125 for the lessons, from one side of a mucky car park to the other, in the cold rain during February and I loved it.
Now, I can't imagine what it would be like to be without a bike.

Every morning I get out of bed and look forward to a cool ride into work. And when I leave work, I get to ride home!
Every day I have a great time on my bike (unless the rain is particularly heavy) simply getting to and from work. How many users of public transport enjoy it? How many car drivers enjoy sitting in traffic like a sucker?

Before I got a motorbike I used to cycle bicycles, so I already knew and enjoyed two wheels. But two wheels with a motor is even better. The enjoyment and satisfaction I get from riding a motorbike cannot be beaten by any other motorised vehicle that I know of.

Because it's a desire that can't be relieved by smoking a cigarette.

Because sometimes the RPM dial on the Toyota doesn't cut it. 6000 my ass.

Because ball bearings do wonders for getting the attention of the soccer mom driven Yukon on the cell phone.     There went that windshield...

Because when a cop pulls me over, it better be for doing 115 redline. Not 72.

It's about giving the chick at the mall a ride home and the seeing the smile on her face when she walks out cause she's gotta hold tight to make it there.

It's about getting past that yuppie in the Honda who's rice shooting his exhaust at the red light right next to you. Many disappointed Honda's in this town, my friend.

It's about not having to turn on the A/C in that damn car.

Matter of fact, it's really about not having to get in that damn car.

It's all about the bike my friend. It's all about the bike and the ride ahead.

Troy

had old bmw w/almost 280,000 mi on it. sold it. had 74cb750a (hondamatic) sold it, 97 gs kept it :mrgreen: ,kinda looks like a miniature ducati monster ?, i ride because 1 can be a chick magnet, plus even if you are a total loser?, pull up on a bike, and usually you are surrounded by people. lotsa females plus it is like sex. once you get it, you will always want more :mrgreen:   i will ride until the day they put the last nail into my coffin.

Quote from: RCSo what's your reason for riding and have you noticed more people riding in your town?

Top ten answers are up for grabs!


RC
Houston, TX

No, at this time of year in my town I'm the only dimwit stupid enogh to be out on a bike.  (eg coming in to work tonight the temp was 0C or about 32F and the snow was just starting to fall).  As to why I ride- why do you breathe?  Cos' you'll die if you don't!   I've been doing this for so long now that it has become part of who and what I am, so I can't even imagine life without riding.

I have an incurable insatiable urge to be on 2 wheels.

I'm pretty sure it's genetic - kinda like bown eyes or something.

Riding is definitely part seasonal, so when it's the season you see more riders.
And when you start something new, you notice it in others more as well.  So have a bike=see more bikes.

As for why... (ok, so I'm still pillion, but it counts).  No cage.  It's hot out, but not once you get moving.  Head out of town.  The ocean is on the left.  You can feel the wind, the little bits of morning fog still hugging the coast.  You can smell the salt air.  You can hear things, even over the engine, it's different than the safety bubble of a car.
Turn right inland.  The road starts twisting.  Summer buzz of bugs.  Flicker of sun and shadow.  Hot smell of trees and lupine and whoa! didn't know that creek was there! never saw it before!  turn left.  No more ocean.  Hot nearly deserted back roads.  Straightaway, pat on leg and press on hand says "get comfy and hold on", tuck down and hold on for dear life.  Both laughing hysterically when we slow back down.
turn right.  Redwoods. roads that are an annoyance in a car are now an e ticket ride with full sensory overload.  Pine and hidden water falls.  The curve is longer than expected.  Hold it, have faith, don't sit up.  Road flips the other way, but the shift feels natural.  Some goomba squid zips past with a girl on the back who is sitting up ramrod stiff and obviously not happy.  She's missing the point.
Round a corner and roll into little mountain town.  Mob of full race leather clad super bikes fly past.  All wave.  Rumbling herd of Harleys thump the other direction.  Terminator glances and a couple grudging nods.
Dodge tourists, stop for stretch and coffee.  Don't care that have helmet head.  Get back on.  Floozy in coffee shop pouts with jealousy, that the frump mama gets to get on the bike.  
The air is hot and still in the "valley".  Redwoods make shade.  Tourists and locals duel on the roads, pleasure battling everyday errands.  The bike slides thru the traffic.  The only regret is that the antique desk in that yard sale would *not* fit on the bike.  The twists start again, tracing the river.
Must remember the cool side roads for next time.  Post over the railroad tracks.  Wave the batch of tank top and sandle wearing squids to slow down for the cop hiding at the last turn out (and their own safety).  Same for the next Harley's, but who knows if they see you.  Little girl in the back of huge SUV gives "v" up wave, and smooshes her face to the glass.  Grin and wave.
The road smoothes back into town and commute traffic...
Do we have to go home?
Inner child bounces while pillion rider carefully doesn't -do it again! do it again!-

All right everyone, thanks for the replies.

Looks like the majority of folks ride for the experience.
Even if the initial need was for cheap transportation the
feeling of being on the bike and experiencing the ride
makes all the difference.

You actually have to use the old noodle to ride; that awakens
all the senses from the sound of the engine, feel of the wind,
blur of the road, and the comforting grip of your hand on the
throttle.

Last but not least, it seems to attract chicks.

R

Quote from: RCLast but not least, it seems to attract chicks.

R

Hence the growing membership of Dykes on Bikes!