Daily Slideshow: Get Off the Fence and Get in the Saddle- Buy the Bike!
We've all heard every reason why we shouldn't buy a motorcycle. Well, here are a few reasons that you should buy one...or maybe even two.
Motorcyclists are all outlaws
We've all heard them before- every reason why we shouldn't buy or ride, or even look at motorcycles! Let's explore a few of the most common reasons and do our best to debunk them.
No, no, no. There may be a few, like say...1%...of the motorcycling community that lives on the fringe of polite society, but most motorcycle riders are just regular folks. Actually, even most of those guys that don't consider themselves to be a part of the "99% of motorcyclists that are law-abiding citizens," are still regular, hard-working folks that would stop and help you if you were broke down on the side of the road.
Riding a motorcycle doesn't mean you have to try to be a tough guy (or gal) and it doesn't give you exclusive rights to be a jerk. Just be yourself and show everyone the same respect, on and off the road, that you would like to be given and you'll be just fine. But that's not just a good rule for riding motorcycles, that's good common-sense advice for anywhere you go and anything you do.
Motorcycles are DANGEROUS
Well, yes and no. If you ride like this guy...you are probably going to experience an ill-fated demise. There is so much wrong with this picture, that it would be easier to find what is right about it, instead. While I am not exactly one of the ATGATT (All The Gear, All The Time) guys...I do believe in wearing a pair of proper riding boots, some good denim jeans, a DOT approved helmet, gloves and, if the weather allows, a decent riding jacket. I also believe in strapping your gear down properly and doing regular maintenance on your bike. Ride what you want and how you want to ride it, but don't blame the bike for your bad decisions.
Ride within your abilities
How many of us have heard "my cousin's nephew's best friend's dad was killed while riding a motorcycle and he always wore the proper gear"?
Well, that may be true, but Evel Knievel wore all the proper gear and he lived a long life, even after breaking every bone in his body...LITERALLY. Evel spent more than his share of time in a hospital bed because, as a professional stuntman, he rode his bike beyond its abilities (and sometimes beyond his own). He died at the age 69 of pulmonary disease, of all things!
The point is, if you wear the proper gear, ride defensively and do it within your own riding abilities (and the abilities of your machine), the chances are pretty great that you are going to live a long and happy life, full of motorcycling memories.
I can't afford it
I've found that if you want something bad enough, you can almost always find a way to fit it into your budget. Figure out how much you spend on the little things, then decide which of them you might be willing to sacrifice to get the bike.
For example, maybe you have a gym membership that costs you $20 a month but you haven't even driven past there in the last six months. Maybe you have the premium channels on your cable bill but you barely watch them. Take a close look at how much you spend each month on your daily coffee and/or lunch and you might be surprised at how many bikes you can actually afford by simply bringing a thermos and a lunch bag from home!
To top it off, most bikes can be financed out for several years and, usually, at ridiculously low-interest rates. Those terms can help to get the payments on your dream bike low enough to fit it into just about any budget. Just be sure that you buy a bike that you will be able to afford- start small and work your way up, if necessary.
For those of you following along so far that already have a bike and are waiting for my advice on how to justify an extra one...well, this goes for you, too. If you want it and you can afford it, buy it. Keep reading, the next slide is for you.
You can only ride one at a time
True. We each only have one ass, but that doesn't mean we have to only have one saddle to put it in. The basic rule to follow here is, "what can you manage?"
Let me explain if your significant other will divorce you if you bring home that next bike...you may not be able to manage that. If you don't have, and can't make, the space in your garage to fit the spare scooter, you may not be able to manage it. If you are struggling to make the payments on the one you already have...well, obviously you didn't read my previous slide about your budget, and you probably can't manage to get another one.
If you don't have a garage like Jay Leno's (in the above picture) or a bank account like his, and you still need a little help justifying your next bike, let's look at what you want and then ask some basic questions:
- Is it different than what you already have?
- Does it perform a different function or task?
- Does it have some specific meaning or represent something special in your life?
- Is it a potential investment?
Life is too short to be afraid
Everything has risks. Sometimes, you just have to face your fears if you want to do something amazing. One thing I tell new riders is, there are two types of motorcyclists- the ones that have crashed and the ones that will crash. But, why don't we share that same insight with regards to driving a car? For example, how many of your friends, family members or "cousin's nephew's best friend's dads" have been involved in a car accident? I'd be willing to bet that the number will surprise you. But, we have to get to work, go to the movies, take our kids to the doctor and go drive to the country to see mom and dad, so we just assume the risk of getting behind the wheel and heading out on the open road with the tens of thousands of other drivers.
Statistically, there are fewer motorcycle crashes each year than there are car crashes. For example, there were just over 4,000 motorcyclists killed in 2014. While that is a significant number of people, compare that to over 32,000 drivers killed in car crashes the same year. It's a numbers game- yes, motorcycle crashes can be more severe, but you are also 8x as likely to get killed in a car because, statistically, cars crash more often. That's because motorcycles are nimble, easier to maneuver, have better braking and better acceleration to get you away from trouble, than an average sedan. Plus, there are fewer of them on the road.
Have fun, ride motorcycles
Yes, motorcycles are inherently dangerous. So is eating fried food, but that doesn't stop me from riding my Harley to the local Popeye's for the three-piece spicy box. Fun stuff isn't always safe, after all, it's the danger that excites the senses.
The biggest obstacle to overcome isn't on the road, it's in your own head. Confidence is instrumental in riding. You have to embrace your fears before you can overcome them. If you know what the risks are, then you can mitigate them by taking your time and learning how to ride your bike safely, by buying and using the right gear and by riding within your own abilities.
Motorcycling is a great way to experience local communities in a new way. It's an awesome way to hear, see, smell and feel the environment that you inevitably miss out on while riding along in that sealed up, hypoallergenic, filtered air bubble that is your car. The motorcycling community is one of diversity, authenticity, and generosity.
What's it feel like to ride a motorcycle...yeah, this picture is pretty close. That is why my advice to anyone that is interested in riding is- get off the fence and get in the saddle! Buy the bike and then go buy another one!
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.
