It's all about the ride...and by "all" I mean *ALL*...

[Daniel Meyer]

But I knew this already...

http://www.motofotostudio.com/2013/04/23/this-is-your-brain-on-a-motorcycle/#.VA3KQfldWGH

[BF]

But I knew this already...

http://www.motofotostudio.com/2013/04/23/this-is-your-brain-on-a-motorcycle/#.VA3KQfldWGH

Exactly.   

I think that Kawashima's experiments only confirm what we as motorcycle riders already know. 

I've often said that cars are just extensions of people's living rooms.  Once inside their vehicle, they feel just as comfortable, safe and cosey as they do in their favorite Barcolounger in their living room.  There's no connection with the outside world for them while inside their car. 

[Willow]

I'm with BF.  The study confirms what we have actually known all along.

The study demonstrated that riders between the age of 40 and 50 were shown to improve their levels of cognitive functioning, compared to a control group, after riding their motorcycles  daily to their workplace for a mere two months.

Unfortuanately as I read about the study I found myself guessing at who among our group actually rides regularly and which ones just own a motorcycle that is parked in the garage waiting for that special occasion.   

I'm happy to be a regular motorcyclist.

[hubcapsc]

On the sixth day of the Mason Dixon ride, when I spent all day until after dark
riding home from West Virginia on back roads, I got to feeling kind of
"zen-like" near the end of the ride... perhaps this study is a more scientific
explanation 

-Mike

[Daniel Meyer]

... and which ones just own a motorcycle that is parked in the garage waiting for that special occasion.   

I call those "butt jewelry"

[bentwrench]

One thing I've noticed about us high milers is we're pretty content inside our own heads.riding with people who need constant entertainment can be scary.

[Regis]

On the sixth day of the Mason Dixon ride, when I spent all day until after dark
riding home from West Virginia on back roads, I got to feeling kind of
"zen-like" near the end of the ride... perhaps this study is a more scientific
explanation 

-Mike

That is correct ! And the farther you ride in a day the more the feeling increases. I noticed that yrs ago !

[Yfx4]

I ride 3-400 miles a week. If weather does not allow it I start getting grumpy.

As far as the car being an extension of the house.....all you have to do is watch people to see the truth in that.

[bentwrench]

On the sixth day of the Mason Dixon ride, when I spent all day until after dark
riding home from West Virginia on back roads, I got to feeling kind of
"zen-like" near the end of the ride... perhaps this study is a more scientific
explanation 

-Mike

This is so true,after several days on road with a bike the first ride in a car doesn't even feel natural.

[The emperor has no clothes]

On the sixth day of the Mason Dixon ride, when I spent all day until after dark
riding home from West Virginia on back roads, I got to feeling kind of
"zen-like" near the end of the ride... perhaps this study is a more scientific
explanation 

-Mike

This is so true,after several days on road with a bike the first ride in a car doesn't even feel natural.

Makes me feel claustrophobic 

[old2soon]

Rightly or wrongly I consider myself a "rider". The cage still has the same gasoline I put in it back in June before I left for I-14. Back on Aug 9 my great niece got married and my oldest half sister asked-are you up here(Illinois)on your preferred mode of transportation?  Now mind you we haven't had a face to face in about 10 years BUT she KNOW'S what I prefer to be riding on rather than in. While a ride on a motorcycle may not cure all your problems-the ride fer real and fer certain makes the problem(s) a hell of a lot easier to deal with.  Butt jewelry indeed.  RIDE SAFE.

[Chrisj CMA]

I'm with BF.  The study confirms what we have actually known all along.

The study demonstrated that riders between the age of 40 and 50 were shown to improve their levels of cognitive functioning, compared to a control group, after riding their motorcycles  daily to their workplace for a mere two months.

Unfortuanately as I read about the study I found myself guessing at who among our group actually rides regularly and which ones just own a motorcycle that is parked in the garage waiting for that special occasion.   

I'm happy to be a regular motorcyclist.

a regular motorcyclist...does this mean you have a bowel movement every day?  So basically at least one of us in here is NOT full of $hit.


I ride just about every day too.....however this article got me thinking.  If riding a motorcycle regularly increases your brain activity, just think what years of skydiving will do.  I have over 7 hours of freefall time.  It takes lots of jumps to get an hour of time, most are less than a minute each.  Skydiving is much more intense than motorcycle riding as far as concentration and consequences.  Now I understand why some people cant agree with other people......different brain activity levels

[GeoffreyB]

Now I understand why some people cant agree with other people......different brain activity levels

Chris, I'm stealing this as my new favorite for expressing my disdain for those who "get lost in thought because it's unfamiliar territory".   It's right behind "well, bless your heart"

[BF]

My bike hasn't moved since the first of June.  

Had surgery and woke up unable to move.  Has taken several months to recover.  

My bike "is parked in the garage waiting for that special occasion"  when I'm fully recovered enough to get back on it.  

Am I looked down upon because I'm not a regular motorcyclist?  

[Daniel Meyer]

Am I looked down upon because I'm not a regular motorcyclist?  

The answer is obvious...but just to make it moreso... it's "no".

[Gryphon Rider]

Am I looked down upon because I'm not a regular motorcyclist?  

That depends... The article says, "And you may also get some mental and physical benefits from just thinking about going for a ride on your machine."

Have you been spending your immobile time imagining yourself riding your Valkyrie?

[BF]

Am I looked down upon because I'm not a regular motorcyclist?  

That depends... The article says, "And you may also get some mental and physical benefits from just thinking about going for a ride on your machine."

Have you been spending your immobile time imagining yourself riding your Valkyrie?

Most of it actually. 

[Gary]

Am I looked down upon because I'm not a regular motorcyclist?  

No matter how you look at it, you will be sporting some pretty dang'd nice butt jewelry when you do!    Of course, I am partial to black & chrome... 

[Highbinder]

I ride just about every day providing I have to go somewhere, night or day, rain or shine...add in a few snow storms I've got caught in...I don't know what you call it, the motorcycle is my and my wifes primary vehicles, she does all her shopping with her bike and rides it every day she works, to get to and from work, does her own repairs too...but, the article reminded me of a story I read several years ago...it went something like this...
               A man here in Va. at the age of 83 was told by his doctor to get his affairs in order, that most he had about 6 mos. to live....he decided that all his life he wanted to ride a motorcycle...a Harley Davidson...so he bought one, learned to ride and started riding every day...he would get up and ride every morning to N.C. for breakfast and return home, each day trying a different route...he did this every morning....he was then 87, for all I know he's still alive, so maybe there is something to this article...