by P.J. Francis

Created on: March 25, 2009

It is extremely easy to tell if riding a motorcycle is for you. You just know. A sixth sense tells you.

Motorcycle enthusiasts are born that way. They know from an early age they have the desire to not only ride motorcycles but to know everything there is to know about them. It is an all-encompassing hobby with many different facets. Some concentrate on one facet and others explore many.

The only thing the touring Gold Wing rider and the arena motocross competitor have in common is a machine with two wheels and an engine. Despite the differences each knew instinctively which particular motorcycle activity they wished to pursue. Rarely does a touring rider wish to jump a berm or the motocrosser have a desire to ride 500 miles in a day.

The road-racer with his one-piece leathers and Arai full-coverage helmet has no idea why the trials rider likes riding a lightweight machine capable of negotiating rocks and streams with the agility of a mountain goat. The fact both need to transport their bikes to their respective riding venues may be the only thing they have in common. Being fastest is the road-racer;s goal while the trials' rider strives to master the art of balance.

The guy riding the loud cruiser wearing nothing more than sunglasses, a T-shirt, jeans and boots does not understand any other type of rider. He has nothing in common with the adventure-tourer in full weather-protective apparell who wants, and someday will, ride to the ends of the earth. (Riding to Alaska was fun.)

Scooter-dude loves what he does but will never go to a drag-strip to see someone who attempts to break acceleration records on a twin-engined, turbocharged machine of his own creation. Come to think of it the former will never commute on a dragster or the latter will never race a scooter. When an intriguing thought, though.

There are many, many more types of motorcycle enthusiasts. Those who only ride old bikes either as everyday transportation or in specially organized events. Some people lovingly restore old bikes and never ride them. The Dakar and Baja racers who spend hours, days and even weeks riding at speed over inhospitable terrain. The all-weather fanatic and the fine Sunday guy. The sidecar enthusiast and the one who chooses a trike-conversion. The bike owner who likes to service and maintain his pride and joy and the no less enthusiastic rider who entrusts even the most minor work to a dealer.

Not alone does an enthusiast know instinctively riding a motorcycle is for him/her but he/she know exactly which facet of the pastime is the one to pursue.

If you have not always been in possession of an overwhelming desire to ride then motorcycling is probably not for you.

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