Motorcycle choice - it's not about size...
I recently read a report about a young Japanese girl who rode from Alaska to the very bottom of South America on a Yamaha 125 trail bike.
I find this inspiring. Because nowadays with big bikes everywhere, we have become accustomed to thinking that we need a 1000 or 1300cc bike for a meaningful trip or experience.
When I started riding in 1968, a 250cc British bike was considered powerful (probably 15 bhp)- and I was frightened about the power within a 500 Triumph - would it be too much?!
Of course much of the 'buzz' we get from riding is the power and exhilaration.
But the most fundamental purpose of a motorcycle is travel, on two wheels, appreciating the journey and environment. If we rode smaller bikes our journeys may be a little slower, but our appreciation and sense of accomplishment would be much higher.
And smaller motorcycles are cheaper and cost less to insure too!
I find this inspiring. Because nowadays with big bikes everywhere, we have become accustomed to thinking that we need a 1000 or 1300cc bike for a meaningful trip or experience.
When I started riding in 1968, a 250cc British bike was considered powerful (probably 15 bhp)- and I was frightened about the power within a 500 Triumph - would it be too much?!
Of course much of the 'buzz' we get from riding is the power and exhilaration.
But the most fundamental purpose of a motorcycle is travel, on two wheels, appreciating the journey and environment. If we rode smaller bikes our journeys may be a little slower, but our appreciation and sense of accomplishment would be much higher.
And smaller motorcycles are cheaper and cost less to insure too!
posted by Motorcycle Matters | 2:17 PM
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