Motorcycling = Hobby or just a Part of Life

[mxstone]

I drop in and out of this site every few months and read up on some of the things people post and have even posted a few things about my life with motorcycles. The thing that makes me scratch my head every time I come back is the feeling I get from some folks that to them, motorcycles are a hobby. By that I mean that they fuss over the brands and styles and gear and they fuss even more about the type of biking crowd they hang with (squids|Harleys|Touring|sport-touring). They REALLY fuss about whether or not you're ATGATT or maybe SOTGATT.

Motorcycling is just baked into my life and has been for a very long time. If I have to move my body from point A to point B and I don't have my kids with me, chances are I'll be one 2 wheels. I happen to ride a BMW right now because of some odd twists of fate. Tomorrow that could change. I don't much care for farkles and crap but if you do, that's fine. I care a ton about the feeling of flying over the road on 2 wheels and feeling that absolute connection to the machine under me. That's a feeling I can get almost every day on the way to work or just to pick up a gallon of milk. I try to be safe but on occasion you'll see me ride across town in shorts and a t-shirt but I'll always have my helmet on.

I just don't understand the vibe I get from some folks that bikes are a hobby to be fussed over and discussed and debated like scrap-booking.

Not sure what my point really is so I'll just check out again until I wander back in a few months and try to Grok it some more.

[AzItLies]

yeah... just go for a ride. who cares why they do it?

[cbsnbiker]

For me it's also in part a vocation: I teach people to ride, and love doing so.

[Mr.Black]

Have you ever tried scrap-booking??  

[Scratch33]

I drop in and out of this site every few months and read up on some of the things people post and have even posted a few things about my life with motorcycles. The thing that makes me scratch my head every time I come back is the feeling I get from some folks that to them, motorcycles are a hobby. By that I mean that they fuss over the brands and styles and gear and they fuss even more about the type of biking crowd they hang with (squids|Harleys|Touring|sport-touring). They REALLY fuss about whether or not you're ATGATT or maybe SOTGATT.

Motorcycling is just baked into my life and has been for a very long time. If I have to move my body from point A to point B and I don't have my kids with me, chances are I'll be one 2 wheels. I happen to ride a BMW right now because of some odd twists of fate. Tomorrow that could change. I don't much care for farkles and crap but if you do, that's fine. I care a ton about the feeling of flying over the road on 2 wheels and feeling that absolute connection to the machine under me. That's a feeling I can get almost every day on the way to work or just to pick up a gallon of milk. I try to be safe but on occasion you'll see me ride across town in shorts and a t-shirt but I'll always have my helmet on.

I just don't understand the vibe I get from some folks that bikes are a hobby to be fussed over and discussed and debated like scrap-booking.

Not sure what my point really is so I'll just check out again until I wander back in a few months and try to Grok it some more.

You're so cool.  

[DrD]

Have you ever tried scrap-booking??  

I am thinking of giving that a try. But I can't decide what is the best paste to use?  

[TBone]

I am thinking of giving that a try. But I can't decide what is the best paste to use?  

Synthetic paste lasts longer and doesn't degrade the paper. Use anything else and you're just asking for trouble down the road, you'll probably wind up having to rebuild the entire scrapbook.

[dan88z]

I am thinking of giving that a try. But I can't decide what is the best paste to use?  

The one that tastes the best of course.

[dan88z]

I drop in and out of this site every few months and read up on some of the things people post and have even posted a few things about my life with motorcycles. The thing that makes me scratch my head every time I come back is the feeling I get from some folks that to them, motorcycles are a hobby. By that I mean that they fuss over the brands and styles and gear and they fuss even more about the type of biking crowd they hang with (squids|Harleys|Touring|sport-touring). They REALLY fuss about whether or not you're ATGATT or maybe SOTGATT.

Motorcycling is just baked into my life and has been for a very long time. If I have to move my body from point A to point B and I don't have my kids with me, chances are I'll be one 2 wheels. I happen to ride a BMW right now because of some odd twists of fate. Tomorrow that could change. I don't much care for farkles and crap but if you do, that's fine. I care a ton about the feeling of flying over the road on 2 wheels and feeling that absolute connection to the machine under me. That's a feeling I can get almost every day on the way to work or just to pick up a gallon of milk. I try to be safe but on occasion you'll see me ride across town in shorts and a t-shirt but I'll always have my helmet on.

I just don't understand the vibe I get from some folks that bikes are a hobby to be fussed over and discussed and debated like scrap-booking.

Not sure what my point really is so I'll just check out again until I wander back in a few months and try to Grok it some more.

I strive to be as cool as you. Maybe someday I too can drive a BMW across town in shorts and a t-shirt to pick up a gallon of milk.

[Cablebandit]

You do realize this is the internet?

[Mr.Black]

I am thinking of giving that a try. But I can't decide what is the best paste to use?  

I'd have to agree with Dan in this one.

I choose whichever tastes best.  

[wibornz]

The funniest things hapeen when you leave your PC unattended and open to STn.

[Hotbrakes]

If we could spend every waking moment riding this place would be a ghost town.  But we can't, so why not pass the time discussing and debating the best oil, best tires, and sharing our experiences of our lives on motorcycles.

[hovmaven]

Because it takes time away from scrapbooking?  

[CosmicCowboy]

Not sure what my point really is

Well, that makes (at least) two of us.

[volleykinginnc]

The one that tastes smells the best of course.

Fixed.

[Kraz]

Part of life?  I thought motorcycles WERE life.  


Rubber cement is fun to play with and smells great to boot.  

[bluepoof]

What if we're scrapbooking about motorcycling?  

[bljakkl]

I think that the people spending time farkling their bikes and posting on STn during work hours and staring at rider reports of warm places during the cold months ARE passionate about bikes.
Farkling for most people is about making the bike perfect for them as an individual because it's something they care so much about.  They want to ride longer and more often and prefer a bike customized to their liking.
When annoying things like making a living and those pesky family obligations get in the way, people are on here talking about motorcycles and dreaming about their next ride.  
Sure there are people not riding as much as someone else.  But maybe an epic ride report is the motivation they need to get them out on the road for an adventure of their own.  

I started riding at 6.  It's a part of my life as well.  But like any other activity the passion that one person feels for it may be more or less.  We are all individuals.

[cbsnbiker]

What if we're scrapbooking about motorcycling?  

We're a scrappy bunch.

Are you making your scrapbook to share with Baby Poof?  

[Rattlehead]

I think that the people spending time farkling their bikes and posting on STn during work hours and staring at rider reports of warm places during the cold months ARE passionate about bikes.
Farkling for most people is about making the bike perfect for them as an individual because it's something they care so much about.  They want to ride longer and more often and prefer a bike customized to their liking.
When annoying things like making a living and those pesky family obligations get in the way, people are on here talking about motorcycles and dreaming about their next ride.  
Sure there are people not riding as much as someone else.  But maybe an epic ride report is the motivation they need to get them out on the road for an adventure of their own.  

I started riding at 6.  It's a part of my life as well.  But like any other activity the passion that one person feels for it may be more or less.  We are all individuals.

Well said.  

Some of us also have this horrid time of year to deal with called "winter". It's cold, it's dangerous to ride in, it's hard on the bike as well as the rider and it sucks worse than anything "warm climate" riders will ever have to suffer through. The discussions and bantering are the only way we stay sane enough to last until spring.  

[Dan K]

Not a hobby, not just a part if life.  Therapy is what I call it, from the same feeling we all get from powering down the road on 2 wheels, hoping to lean the bike over on the way around the bend...

And in the winter, I get batty.

- Dan

[Mr.Black]

Work is my hobby.

Motorcycles, guns, kayaking, bicycling, sex and cigars are my life.


Priorities children, priorities.

[county]

I am thinking of giving that a try. But I can't decide what is the best paste to use?  

Well, if you are just getting started you should consider a scrap booking club....

[Papa Lazarou]

Priorities children, priorities.

Prioritising children will lead to no end of trouble.

[stew71]

Prioritising children will lead to no end of trouble.

Just ask Jerry Sandusky.

[CosmicCowboy]

If you're making a joke, that's clever.

If you're not, methinks you missed his point.  

Ok, seriously, what was his point? Because all I got from it was "I don't understand people that don't take motorcycles as seriously as I do."

[county]

Well, I think he is differentiating between those who mainly ride for pleasure and those who mainly ride for transportation yet derive  pleasure from their transportation.

[Scratch33]

I absolutely love this post.  

Suckup.

[Dan K]

I kinda thought it was the opposite... it sounded to me like he was saying "ya'll worry too much about some unimportant shit. Just go ride the damned thing."

Or thereabouts...

He was deriding those who 'judge' riders and riding by what they ride and how thery worry about what is most accepted or how they are viewed.  he rides just because he likes it - that should be enough, whatever you ride.

my $.02


by the way, i like salsa on my egg and cheese burritos.

[CosmicCowboy]

I kinda thought it was the opposite... it sounded to me like he was saying "ya'll worry too much about some unimportant shit. Just go ride the damned thing."

Or thereabouts...

OK, I can see that.

[Dan K]

Hmm... Like I said, I read it more as exasperation than derision, but ok. I can see that.


Semantics.  As for the drooling...


 

 

[Orson]

I'm confuzzled  

so, it's not ok to make fun of ducati man purses anymore?  

[county]

I'm confuzzled  

so, it's not ok to make fun of ducati man purses anymore?  

Not if you are carrying one...

[Flyer]

Hobby or just a Part of Life?  
It's just an excuse to get out of lycra and into leather.

[Cablebandit]

We usually have to book our region six winter meet around the scrapbooker's schedule.  Between them and the puzzle people we usually only have one January weekend from which to choose at our chosen local.

[Silverbird]

Hobby? More like a obsession I wouldn't have it any other way

[Mortech]

Survival in my case , its my escape from the Land of the Menopausal ...er ... N/M , I think you all get my drift .... so I guess it is now an obsession . I had a bike before marriage ..now I ride to mentally survive ...

[Kootenanny]

Well, that makes (at least) two of us.

At least three...

[R Doug]

n. pl. hob·bies
An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.

For me it's a hobby. I guess that means I am not cool.  

[stromgal]

...engaged in primarily for pleasure.

Mmmmmmmm, pleasure.  

[Mr.Black]

Mmmmmmmm, pleasure.  

Mmmmm, engaged in pleasure....................

[sleazy rider]

If I have to move about, I prefer two wheels over four.    It's cheaper, more efficient and way more fun.  Planes, trains and autos do nothing for my soul.  In my next life, I'm coming back as a dog, so I can hang my head out the window without the strange looks.

[NoGear]

I just want to say that I agree with Frenchie's assessment of the original comment (man, that was hard to say) and   without pics of scrapbooking!!

[jfurf]

+1

We have a lot of overly-fussy bitches on this site.  

But in the end every single ST-Ner I've ever ridden with has been cool. So even if some do obsess over their hi-viz gear and plug-in farkles all the time, I'm willing to overlook the dorkiness.  

[Cablebandit]

We have a lot of overly-fussy bitches on this site.  

But in the end every single ST-Ner I've ever ridden with has been cool. So even if some do obsess over their hi-viz gear and plug-in farkles all the time, I'm willing to overlook the dorkiness.  

However, once they return to the comfort of the keyboard they revert to their inner douche.

[Mr.Black]

However, once they return to the comfort of the keyboard they revert to their inner douche.

Heh heh heh

[Cablebandit]

 

[sammyseaman]

+1

We have a lot of overly-fussy bitches on this site.  

But in the end every single ST-Ner I've ever ridden with has been cool. So even if some do obsess over their hi-viz gear and plug-in farkles all the time, I'm willing to overlook the dorkiness.  

   

[sammyseaman]

I drop in and out of this site every few months and read up on some of the things people post and have even posted a few things about my life with motorcycles. The thing that makes me scratch my head every time I come back is the feeling I get from some folks that to them, motorcycles are a hobby. By that I mean that they fuss over the brands and styles and gear and they fuss even more about the type of biking crowd they hang with (squids|Harleys|Touring|sport-touring). They REALLY fuss about whether or not you're ATGATT or maybe SOTGATT.

Motorcycling is just baked into my life and has been for a very long time. If I have to move my body from point A to point B and I don't have my kids with me, chances are I'll be one 2 wheels. I happen to ride a BMW right now because of some odd twists of fate. Tomorrow that could change. I don't much care for farkles and crap but if you do, that's fine. I care a ton about the feeling of flying over the road on 2 wheels and feeling that absolute connection to the machine under me. That's a feeling I can get almost every day on the way to work or just to pick up a gallon of milk. I try to be safe but on occasion you'll see me ride across town in shorts and a t-shirt but I'll always have my helmet on.

I just don't understand the vibe I get from some folks that bikes are a hobby to be fussed over and discussed and debated like scrap-booking.

Not sure what my point really is so I'll just check out again until I wander back in a few months and try to Grok it some more.

I like this guy  

[Bushwickklr]

Definitely a part of my life. Met my wife while on a bike. On our first date my motorcycle is what took us there. Now my daughters both ride so i guess it's part of our lives. Not just a hobby anymore.

[JReazor]

I don't see the point in defining it. I mean, isn't a hobby a part of your life anyway?

There are two reasons to do a thing. Either you have to or you want to. Fortunately, motorcycling is one of the few that fits in to both categories to some degree. As far as the fussing and the discussing and debating goes, people like to talk about the things that they're interested in. Other wise there wouldn't be much point in message boards and mailing lists. Most of the internet for that matter.

[gradus]

I'm not really into the whole 'motorcycles are part of my life.'  It's a hobby.  It's been a lifelong hobby since I was 5 and my wife shouldn't ask me to choose, but still a hobby.    

[Kootenanny]

I don't see the point in defining it. I mean, isn't a hobby a part of your life anyway?...As far as the fussing and the discussing and debating goes, people like to talk about the things that they're interested in.

Exactly.

[TracyZZR12]

both hobby and part of my life

[tthompsr]

both hobby and part of my life

+1

[phatphil]

Your "point" is that some fuss about stuff (in this case, motorcyle stuff) more than others.  And some, like yourself, don't.  And you need to express that. So you really are fussing about fuss.  And I'm fussing about your fussing.  It's all the same...  

[wibornz]

Motorcycling is a hobby and part of my life.  

[X1Glider]

Part of life since I ride Monday through Friday but rarely on a weekend.  If I went for weekend joy rides, that's probably considered a hobby.  Not so much a part of life where I would ever consider joining a club.  I just don't have that kind of need to belong.  It for my sanity and mine alone.

I just like anything with 2 wheels.  Except that blasted swively skateboard thingy!!!

[HipGnosis]

Motorcycling is a hobby of mine.

Riding is a deeply entrentched part of my life.

[mxstone]

Subby here. I didn't articulate my point as well as I wanted and I'm still struggling so maybe I should just shut up

(that was for the benefit of the haters - go ahead and clip that last part of the sentence and quip something witty)

If you've read Robert Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance", what I'm talking about is the same thing he talks about when describing how his buddy was offended when he suggested that a piece of beer can would make an excellent shim for his droopy handlebars. The friend was aghast that such a mundane and pedestrian thing could be used on the machine he worshiped. Pirsig made the point much more eloquently than I did that function trumps form and the value was in what it does, not what it is. The friend in that scene reminds me of some folks on this board (not all, but a healthy number of them).

If you worship and focus and invest energy in the things, you'll always be chasing the next brightest bauble. That may be what you want. Fine. I'm not trying to be cooler than anyone else. I just think that if you can appreciate the doing more and focus less on the having, you'll find it's so much more enjoyable. It's a Zen thing.

Here's the full passage on someone's blog: http://owyheemountainfiddleshop.blogspot.com/2011/05/zen-and-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.html

While looking, I also found this quote that seems appropriate:

“The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed.”
― Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values

Peace

[Kootenanny]

If you worship and focus and invest energy in the things, you'll always be chasing the next brightest bauble. That may be what you want. Fine. I'm not trying to be cooler than anyone else. I just think that if you can appreciate the doing more and focus less on the having, you'll find it's so much more enjoyable. It's a Zen thing.

Yes, this is much better stated.

I agree, there is a difference-but it's between people for whom motorcycling is a hobby, and people for whom motorcycles are a hobby.  And of course, these are just concepts, and there is a whole lot of overlap--all of us have a bit of each, there are very few who are wholly on one side of the spectrum or the other.

A person can be wholly happy with their machine, and enjoy the simple pleasure of riding it, and still enjoy coming on ST.N to quibble about the farkles.  Being interested in the machine itself does NOT degrade the experience of riding it (and I believe Pirsig made that point very well in his book).

And also, a person's enjoyment of riding should not be measured in distance ridden...some people get as much enjoyment of a few short blasts as others get from 2-week trips.  I know, blasphemy on this site

[cbsnbiker]

Different people bring different interests and different skills to the table.

For example, there are those who love working on motorcycles. Their idea of fun is going out to the garage and puttering on the bike, or rebuilding a basket case, or modifying a bike to do something it didn't originally do. As soon as the project is done, it's time for the next project.

I prefer to ride. Working on motorcycles is a means to a goal for me, one that I usually delegate to someone else (e.g. the repair shop). It's not the goal for me. But there's nothing wrong with others who prefer wrenching.

And so forth.

[st2sam]

motorcycling[/i] is a hobby, and people for whom motorcycles are a hobby.  And of course, these are just concepts, and there is a whole lot of overlap--all of us have a bit of each, there are very few who are wholly on one side of the spectrum or the other.

A person can be wholly happy with their machine, and enjoy the simple pleasure of riding it, and still enjoy coming on ST.N to quibble about the farkles.  Being interested in the machine itself does NOT degrade the experience of riding it (and I believe Pirsig made that point very well in his book).

And also, a person's enjoyment of riding should not be measured in distance ridden...some people get as much enjoyment of a few short blasts as others get from 2-week trips.  I know, blasphemy on this site

WHOA. That's it, you hit the nail on the head Koot, end of thread.  

[Brad1445]

life

[sagerat]

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycling Maintenance" there is about 15 hours of my life I'll never have back.  

I should've gone for two long rides, instead.

Riding is life; time spent doing other non-motorcycle things are hobbies.  

[Orson]

I just don't understand the vibe I get

We're here to help you.

[kitkat]

cool thing about hobbies--or whatever you call what you do in your non-money makin' time...is that all such activities require no justification, no legitimizing, beyond "I Like!".  Cause you do it for yourself, for your pleasure and NObody has a legit say in that but you.  So farkle, gizmo and bejewel away or...go ride your ratbike all the damn time.  Or do both. You don't owe an explanation to anyone cause it's nobody's biz but your own.

[JReazor]

cool thing about hobbies--or whatever you call what you do in your non-money makin' time...is that all such activities require no justification, no legitimizing, beyond "I Like!".  Cause you do it for yourself, for your pleasure and NObody has a legit say in that but you.  So farkle, gizmo and bejewel away or...go ride your ratbike all the damn time.  Or do both. You don't owe an explanation to anyone cause it's nobody's biz but your own.

QFT

[greywolf]

Motorcycles have been a part of my life for 40 years , far more than a hobby .. it is a passion

[Jim M.]

Motorcycles have been a part of my life for 40 years , far more than a hobby .. it is a passion

This ^^^

[Jay S.]

Your "point" is that some fuss about stuff (in this case, motorcyle stuff) more than others.  And some, like yourself, don't.  And you need to express that. So you really are fussing about fuss.  And I'm fussing about your fussing.  It's all the same...  

^^^ what he said.

 

[county]

“The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed.”
― Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values

Peace

Well, I submit that there is another valid test....weight.

[Bad Dad]

Both.