Daily Slideshow: Biker Therapy (or How Motorcycles Can Be What The Doctor Ordered)

1. Seriously Good For You

We have all heard it before: "Some get therapy, some ride motorcycles." Many take this as just something funny that riders say but there is much truth to this. You know that you should be more active, get a hobby, spent time outside, get off the computer and make "real friends," and laugh more. 

>>Join the conversation about Biker Therapy right here in HDForums.com.

2. What Does The Doctor Say?

To most of us who find that riding a motorcycle is far more than a method of transportation we can safely say that we do all of this. Since the early 1900's when motorcycles made their debut on America's roads people have been bonding together in order to enjoy a common hobby and socialize, but why? Once again, if you ride habitually as a sport, this is a question you can easily answer: riding is fun, invigorating, and a little rebellious. 

>>Join the conversation about Biker Therapy right here in HDForums.com.

3. What Does It Do For You?

You know it happens, although you might not realize its impact in your life. You ride to work and by the time you get there you are feeling... awesome. You rode your bike through traffic, rain or shine, and you do this often, what do "car people" know? You are often the talk of some circles or around the water cooler. Maybe it's your beard, maybe it's your perceived disregard for safety, as motorcycles are dangerous, or perhaps it's your transformation from a leather-clad hooligan to a suit-and-tie executive. Regardless, someone has something to say. To you however, the ride was invigorating, you arrived happy, excited, and ready to go. The feel-good chemicals in your brain are in high gear and your day is good. NO, it wasn't that cup of coffee you had at home. You know you only get this feeling everytime you ride and that is why you continue to do it. It makes you a happier person, a more productive person, a person with something to look forward to: the ride home. 

>>Join the conversation about Biker Therapy right here in HDForums.com.

4. It Will Keep You Young

Just like any activity that keeps your mind distracted from stress and the monotony of life, motorcycling is not only a good distraction but good for you in other ways. it might not be a workout like a trip to the gym, but it will keep you young as it requires that your body increases the demand for balance, concentration, and the production of good hormones as your brain does a pleasurable activity. Touring riders are no strangers to sharing the road with others well past their 70's, and they will tell you that is just getting better. Like Benjamin Franklin once said, "We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing."

>>Join the conversation about Biker Therapy right here in HDForums.com.

5. Good For The Body And The Mind

Injuries and afflictions can be both mental and physical. Rides with injured and recovering veterans reveal that riding, either alone or with a group, is a powerful way to heal the body and the mind. Riding alone can be your very own way of meditating as your thoughts, problems, and the rest of the world is drowned out in the V-Twin grumble. Ever missed that exit because you were just, well, riding? 

>>Join the conversation about Biker Therapy right here in HDForums.com.

6. Acceptance In Isolation

If you own and ride a motorcycle, you have heard every reason why you shouldn't. These (mostly unsolicited) comments tend to come from family and friends who don't understand the desire to ride or the thrill it provides. Finding you have a true passion for riding, however, can be a great source of self-gratification and the camaraderie within the motorcycle community has been shown, time and time again to be unlike any other. Still, some prefer the solitude of their own existence as riders which is just as rewarding. In either case, self-awareness on how and why motorcycling helps you and makes you a better person will allow you to exploit its benefits that much more. So listen to your inner-doctor, hop on that bike, and ride like you mean it.

>>Join the conversation about Biker Therapy right here in HDForums.com.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.