MOTORBIKES HAVE BEEN a big feature through my entire life. As a 4-year old boy, I had rides in a motorcycle sidecar. My mother rode pillion in Trinidad; my older brother owned a Triumph motorbike he had rebuilt. The picture above is me with my pal Peter, armed with bags of peas and pea shooters. I would even go so far to say that we were probably the first black motorbiking family in the UK. By the time I became a teenager……, all I ever wanted was a motorbike – unlike my friends who were buying cars like a Ford Capri or Cortina to get the girls. I purchased a motorbike to achieve my freedom, but sadly I didn’t get the girls.
Three years ago, I moved out of my spacious flat and into my studio, I sold my worldly possessions – including my beloved motorbike that was in my DNA – to help finance a dream:-the Super-A project. Today, I’m living my dream, and creating a new motorcycle chapter into my life. I have a new bike and, again, I see people looking enviously at me from the inside their car, longing for that feeling of freedom and the wind on their faces, as I cruise past them as they sit in traffic – whilst I am freed from the ties of smartphones, and the confines of a tiny tin capsule.
Yes, motorcycles are dangerous, and the chances of me dying riding are greater than if I didn’t ride. I have injured every major joint in my body, had knee surgery, and hip re-surfacing, as a result of several motorbike accidents. So, think of all the stories you’ve heard about people crashing and dying and how it’s not the motorbikers but the bad drivers around them, and I’ve heard them all – at least twice. Ok, now we’ve got that out of the way.
This article is not me trying to persuade you that riding a motorbike is safe, when it is not; neither am I here to promote motorbikes. I do, however, want to share the psychology and joy of being a motorcyclist. Not only in the UK, but also in places like India, Asia and Indonesia. I have witnessed how motorbiking and brotherhood cuts across economic, cultural, and ethnic barriers in these countries.
The benefits of motorbiking are almost endless – it’s the easiest way to get around where I live in London, and to get out of London. That said, there are times you can immerse yourself into the motorbiking experience as a path to a clarity of thought that any form of meditation can bring. Motorbiking can open the same space inside of you that is akin to a yoga practice – giving you time to process worries and solve problems. Being outdoors gives you space for gratitude, creativity, and exploring new perspectives on life. When you’re in the right setting, motorbiking can evoke peacefulness and a sense of calm; to help you to reach a zen-like meditative state.
If someone has to ask me: “Why would you want to ride a motorcycle?”, they’ll never really understand. Put simply, motorbikes are cool. Period. They tell the world you live your life fully and laugh at fear; you are adventurous! Everyone who sees anyone on any motorbike thinks that person is cool.
Motorbike Ownership
If you’re buying a new motorbike, you can expect to spend between £3,000 and £11,000. Summer is the best time to ride but not the best time to buy. I bought my motorbike at the end of summer (as an investment) intending to garage it for most of the winter months.
Insurance
An older biker will be seen as a responsible rider, so can get a decent rate on insurance. If you live in London or any other big city with a high population density, be prepared to be penalised – this is where insurance companies slam-dunk you with high premiums. The bottom line is: make sure you shop around for a good deal.
Equipment and Maintenance
Maintenance is not the same as owning a car because motorcycle service intervals are more frequent than cars. Tyres can be expensive on motorbikes and, depending on the type of riding that you do, or how hard you ride, there’s the prospect of having to change the back tyre after only a few thousand miles. Chains may also need replacing and that, coupled with servicing costs, can add up to a tidy sum of money.
Last Word
I believe that the psychology of a motorcyclist is such that they develop an intimate relationship with their motorbike and the capacity for expansion beyond their personal space; a total mind-body experience that requires all their extremities and mental faculties to work seamlessly with the machine. The link between increased brain activity and long-term cognitive function is documented in numerous medical journals. Riding a motorbike is not only good for your brain, but it has also been shown to help people who struggle with mental health issues, such as depression.
