I think a lot of us may ride for different reasons.
For me, it started with "the sound" and the fact that I love just about anything with a motor.


I first go the bug when I saw my first Harley!
I can't exactly remember how old I was (7 or 8 I think) but I was instantly sold.
Later on, the little Hondas started popping up everywhere but my parents weren't going for it so I had to wait until I moved away, got a job, and I bought my first "bike" within 6 months and I've had one (or some) just about since then.


I will say, that living in Michigan does make one appreciate their "summer toys" as the excitement grows as spring gets closer!

 

Because I don't want to be covered in dead bugs. When the corn is up sometimes after 30 miles you can't see through the windshield because of all of the gnats on it.

 

Funny how it has gone since the 60's first bikes were baggers,then Choppers, SuperGlides, Strokers, these days it's bare RK with Stroker. Wonder how long I will hang onto those bars. Stopped drinking and drugs on motorcycles a lot of years ago that's a good thing.

 

I don't know where I'm going, can't say how long I'll be gone. I'm getting weeds from the seeds I've been sowing, seems like everything I do is wrong. Ride on.
Sailcat 1972

 

I don't think that applies to folks who have been riding their whole lives.


It may apply to folks who started riding "the second half of their life". Just got to wonder how "wild and crazy" could they have been?

 

For me a two word answer to that question.....contact lenses. No windshield would be really fun for about half an hour - but I do get it.

 

Goggles?

 

When I was 12 in 1968 my neighbor took me for a ride on his chopped Triumph and I was hooked, been on two wheels ever since ! July of 2015 I had the privilege of having him being my witness on our Iron Butt ride that extended 28 days, 21 states and 8,635 miles, shortly after that trip he passed away unexpectedly. The first date with my wife in 1972 was on a motorcycle and hundreds of thousands of miles later the love for travel on two wheels can not be put into words for us, it's a passion for every aspect of the hobby !

 

Personally, I can barely remember when motorcycles weren't around. My dad was a biker. My first ride on his Panhead was at 5 years old. I started on dirt bikes at 11 years, and got my endorsement at 18. I love riding. I can't imagine I will ever stop. I will probably go sliding into Heaven on a Harley with sparks flying and screaming Woo-Hoo! Or not.

 

I started riding in the dirt at 13 with my brothers and cousins...and we all lived...lol and I'm still riding 50 years later. My wife of 40 years has never done it, too afraid...smart girl.
But she asked me a couple years ago why I love riding so much and I did not have a good answer at the time, but I chewed on it a while and came up with this explanation after returning from a several day trip with fantastic roads in the country, great road surface and long sweeping curves by the bunch and limited authority figures around...SWEET!!!!

Riding a motorcycle is like having your own private high speed roller coaster, that you decide where it's going and when...doesn't get much better than that in this life, except for your loved ones...

That made sense to her, but she still won't get on one...lol.
Ride safe and enjoy.
ps I don't have a windscreen either, the dog is right...lol