Motorcycling = Hobby or just a Part of 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.