Freedom! The Spirit of Motorcycling.

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Somewhere around the end of the 1800s, the horse, which had been man’s faithful partner in travel and adventure, was on the brink of being replaced (as a mode of short distance transportation, if not as a faithful companion) by the bicycle. There was an ongoing worldwide boom in pedal cycles, which offered a novel and relatively inexpensive form of transportation. For many, the bicycle became a great form of sport and recreation, with indoor board track racing becoming hugely popular. Of course, it wasn’t long before mechanics and inventors around the world began fitting bicycles with small clip-on engines.

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, William S. Harley and his next-door neighbor Arthur Davidson became fascinated by the efforts of the various individuals and companies around the world involved in motorizing bicycles. In 1903, the pair officially joined forces and combined their names to create Harley-Davidson, which was to become the most famous motorcycle brand in history. In the spring of that year, their first prototype motorcycle emerged into the light of day and the world has never been the same. From these humble beginnings, the motorcycle has grown into an industry with worldwide sales of approximately 60 million units in 2019 and remains an enduring symbol of freedom.

So, really, what is the attraction? Why do millions of us ride and millions of others want to? Of course, in many countries the motorcycle still offers an efficient, cost effective mode of transportation, but that doesn’t begin to explain the allure. A new Harley-Davidson CVO Limited has a list price of more than $44,000, while a KIA Rio has a starting MSRP of $15,850. And all you have to do is take one ride in the wind, rain, sleet and freezing temperatures to dispel the myth that the motorcycle is safe, comfortable and convenient compared to the automobile. Nonetheless, the motorcycle endures. It clearly means more to us than transportation. It clearly means something different to different people. In today’s motorcycle scene, there are as many varieties of motorcycle as there are reasons to ride them. They are classified largely based on their intended use and whatever motorcycling means to you. There is certainly one which is just right.

SO, WHAT DOES MOTORCYCLING MEAN TO YOU?

Clearly, for many, motorcycles represent a form of rebellion. Hollywood capitalized on this theme time and again with such classics as The Wild One in 1953 starring Marlon Brando, and Easy Rider in 1969 starring Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson and Dennis Hopper. Let’s face it, few mothers longed to see their pride and joy tearing down the street on a motorcycle, and even fewer fathers were delighted to see their daughter’s date pull up to the house on a Harley-Davidson Sportster. Nonetheless, this image appeals to many of us. If the “Bad Boy” persona resonates with you, the “cruiser” category is probably your choice. “Cruisers” like the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy (the bike made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator), the Indian Scout and the Triumph Rocket 3 are styled after American machines from the 1930s to the 1960s and value individuality — looking and sounding “cool” — above more practical considerations like comfort, nimble handling or fuel economy.

A good platform for artistic expression, these bikes lend themselves to extensive customization, often sporting one-of-a-kind custom paint jobs and lots of chrome (although totally “blacked-out” versions are popular as well). “Choppers,” as popularized by Peter Fonda in the film Easy Rider, are a type of cruiser. These are the type of bike you are most likely to see lined up outside a local bar or at a local “bike night.”

For others, speed and thrills are the attraction. For those riders, motorcycles are like legal drugs that give them an incredible adrenaline rush with just the flick of the wrist. This thrill keeps them coming back for more. These riders are likely drawn to the “sport” bike segment. “Sport” bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja, the Yamaha YZF-R1 and the Honda CBR1000 are optimized for speed, acceleration, braking and cornering on paved roads at the expense of comfort and fuel economy as compared to other street bikes. No doubt this category exists primarily for the thrill of speed. Who can forget Tom Cruise as Maverick in Top Gun saying, “I feel the need — the need for speed”? Not surprisingly, when not in a fighter jet, Maverick rode a Kawasaki Ninja.

Seeing the world is a powerful draw for many motorcyclists. These folks have a passion to get on their bikes and go see beaches, mountains, deserts, national parks and thousands of other landmarks and will devote a good amount of time, energy and money to doing just that. You are most likely to see this crowd on “touring” bikes. “Touring” bikes like the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, the Honda Goldwing and the BMW K1600 are specifically designed for long-distance touring and typically have large motors, large gas tanks, fairings and windshields to protect the riders from wind and rain and have generous saddlebags to carry gear. These characteristics are designed specifically to facilitate the rider’s ability to cover large distances and see as much of the country as possible.

Nostalgia plays a big part in the psyche of many motorcyclists. For some, it’s the memory of when Mom or Dad first let go of the back of that first bicycle, and you peddled away all on your own. No longer restricted to your space or held back by fear, this was your moment of freedom as you flew down the street unrestricted with the wind in your hair and open road ahead. Of course, nostalgia can take many forms, and yours may lead you to any type of motorcycle based on your own experiences. But if, like me, the memory of your first bicycle is the compelling factor, you are likely attracted to the “standard” segment. “Standard” motorcycles such as the Ducati Monster, the Triumph Bonneville and the Honda CB650F are versatile, general-purpose street motorcycles recognized primarily by their upright riding position. Standard motorcycles, also referred to as “naked bikes” or “roadsters,” tend not to have fairings, windshields or saddlebags. The most basic type of motorcycle, the standard is popular for its simplicity, reliability and versatility. This category had nearly died out as buyers opted, more and more, for specialized alternatives, but a recent resurgence has occurred, fueled to some degree by nostalgia for the time when a motorcycle was just a motorcycle.

Family fun is frequently stated as the reason many folks take up motorcycling as a hobby. It’s been said that anything that gets your blood racing is worth doing and motorcycling certainly does that. And, it’s an outdoor sport that gets families outside in nature while providing its thrills. This appeals to many families, and these folks most often participate in the “off- road” segment. “Off -road” or “dirt bikes,” are specifically designed for off-road action and are rarely street legal. Most of us learned to ride on a dirt bike. This is actually a very wide category with multiple subcategories based on the bikes' intended use. “Motocross” bikes like the Kawasaki KX250 or the Honda CRF250F are meant to be raced on short, closed-off road tracks with a variety of obstacles, including jumps. “Trail” or “Enduro” bikes like the KTM 350 EXC-F or the Yamaha WR250F are specifically designed to ride in the woods or on trails or to compete in longer courses with fewer man-made obstacles such as big jumps. And, of course, there is a wide variety of minibikes for the kids in this segment, like the KTM 50 SX Mini, the Yamaha TT-R50 and Honda XR80.

Belonging — friendship and a shared interest is what drives many motorcyclists. It may seem counterintuitive that something long associated with the “lone wolf” or the rebel, and long considered a symbol of individuality, is also the foundation of so many groups. Many people’s first thought is of the highly publicized “outlaw” groups. In reality, the vast majority of the groups of bikes you see is more likely to be involved in a charity event, of which there are thousands each year, than in some antisocial activity. With spring upon us, you will soon see large groups of riders cruising through towns on any nice weekend. While these groups of riders are most often seen on Harley-Davidsons and most often of the touring variety, the camaraderie enjoyed by these groups is far from limited to a particular segment. All that is required is a shared interest, and there are certainly groups for every type of motorcycle from cruisers to sport bikes. There are even groups dedicated to segments as narrow as Classic British Twins (basic two-cylinder motorcycles from the 1960s) like Triumphs and Nortons.

So, there are an unlimited number of reasons why we ride, each one of them meaningful. Whether for you it’s freedom, artistic expression, stress relief, thrills or camaraderie, there is a motorcycle that’s just right for you. I hope to see you out on the road!