This Is Why I Love Motorcycles

This week, I've ridden Husqvarna's updated 701 Supermoto, the new BMW R nineT Racer, and argued about whether or not the Kawasaki Versys 650 is the most perfect motorcycle on earth (our video guy Spenser is all sorts of nutty).

In doing so, I’ve been faced with all sorts of reasons why I, or those around me, love motorcycles. It’s really made me ponder the idea of loving a motorcycle, the reasons why we do, and if some reasons are better than others.

Here are some things I thought/felt this week about various motorcycles:

I love this motorcycle. It's gorgeous and the purr it makes begs me to open it up anytime the road gives room. I'm excited every time I walk outside and stick the key in the ignition, and I don't really care that it's impractical and uncomfortable. It makes me feel alive, makes me glad to be alive, and makes me feel cool to sit on it.

There are faster motorcycles and more useful motorcycles, but this motorcycle is an escape moves my soul and nothing else really compares because nothing makes me feel like this. It reaches a part of me few other things do, and that’s all that matters.

I love this motorcycle. It's fast and shrieks in a way that screams speed. It begs me to go a little bit faster and to grow my riding abilities a little bit more. I'm excited every time I suit up and stick a key in the ignition, because I know I'm wielding a capable tool and we're going to push each other.

There are prettier or more useful motorcycles, but this motorcycle allows me to pursue this sport and perfection through speed. It makes me feel more capable than other things do and helps me go faster, safer, and that’s all that matters.

I love this motorcycle. It's the most utilitarian vehicle on the planet, perfect for commuting, quick weekends rips, and longer trips. It's capable, well thought out, styled to withstand the test of time, and incredibly economical. It makes me feel smart, knowing I've found such a perfect blend of so many things at such a great value.

There are prettier and faster motorcycles, but those aren’t as reliable or they cost too much. They’re unnecessary. This bike is perfectly adequate in every way, and makes the rest of what I want to do and see possible. Everything designed to be used as perfectly and easily as possible, and that’s all that matters.

If it seems like these three reasons to love motorcycles are contradictory, it’s because they are. Or, at least, they can be.

And it’s that fact that’s the cause for so much bickering and debating amongst us. While that’s all fun and great (I love the Versys 650, but refuse to be as excited about it as my man Spenser), it’s important to take a second to step back and realize that they’re all great reasons to love motorcycles.

You may adhere to a blend of two or even three of the reasons above, but I think it’s important to remember that they’re all just reasons and your reasons aren’t better than anyone else’s; they’re just your own.

We try hard as motorcycle reviewers to wear these different hats when testing the various types of motorcycles. To tell you where we think they fit and under what circumstances we think they’re worth it.

But in the end, it’s up to you to decide if you think the bike is moving enough, performs well enough, or is a good enough value/well rounded enough for what you want to love your motorcycle for given the info we provide.

So when someone buys some cruiser or scrambler/cafe/hipster nonsense because it makes them feel special, buys a sportbike/super naked/supermoto because it makes them feel like a badass, or buys a dorky Japanese touring bike because it makes them feel smart; just tell them congrats and that you’re happy they’re one of us.

Because I’m happy you’re one of us (and happy I'm one of you!).