by Adam Paul

Created on: January 29, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Shiny chrome cruisers roll on by, pipes roaring, hair flying in the wind and polished black leather shining in the sun. As they pass me not one rider fails to have a baffled look on their face. You see, the reason I was the subject of such attention was that I was located not on a paved side street, driveway or lot. It was because I was located on the embankment of a dirt ATV trail coming out of the woods. Unlike them, I was wearing all black Kevlar a mat black full face helmet all the while straddling a completely muddy, not shiny, 500 pound knobby tired BMW motorcycle.

Many people look at motorcycling as a recreational sport with one bike being like another bike. The truth is that although some may prefer one style over another, each style is a completely different vehicle with different handling characteristics. A cruiser with its forward footing position and pulled back handlebars is very comfortable on the freeway and byways. A sport bike sometimes called a crotch rocket with its rear positioned pegs and forward seating style is better suited to sharp curves or twisties. The dual sport has the ability to do everything, including riding in dirt, mud, sand, road, and highway. Each type of bike appeals to a different type of rider, and requires a different set of skills

All bikes have the same basic equipment, a couple wheels, handlebars, engine, hopefully some brakes and a few lights. Same applies with people; most people have a couple legs, a head, 10 fingers and toes etc. People, like bikes, are also vastly different. You have the loud pipes, no helmet leather clad cruiser types who like to party, shine their bikes and go for Sunday rides with there wives or girlfriends on the back. Then there are the hardcore Harley outlaw types who are stereotypically the gang type. The chopper crowd is a reoccurring niche in the market which is still filled with those who can pay big money for a custom bike or have the skill set to create one. The sport bike riders ride in groups and prefer to carve the twisties, go fast and do stunts traveling mostly short distances. Then there is the recreational touring couple which usually has the giant touring bikes like the Honda Goldwing that are equipped with more gadgets than the space shuttle and travel the 50 states all year. Finally, the dual sport adventure touring group who travel the world on all sorts of terrain usually also traveling alone making their bikes follow function before form.

Those who ride bikes accept the risks associated with riding, some people accept more risk than others. This risk is the possibility of getting hurt or killed by an irresponsible driver, act of nature or act of personal stupidity. Risk can be limited by continued practice in parking lots, motorcycle safety courses, and protective gear such as Kevlar and most importantly, helmets. Either it be a veteran rider or a new rider, it's the acceptance of the risks and an overall love of the freedom provided by this two wheeled motorized contraption that unites us all.

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