10 Reasons To Ride A Motorcycle

In San Diego & Across The Country

1. Forget About Public Transportation

San Diego has a trolly and bus system, but if you’re coming from a place like New York, Washington DC or Chicago you’re in for a rude awakening if you think you’ll be able to get around as easy you did there. San Diego County is huge, and if you want to see anywhere close to half of it, you’re going to need your own set of wheels. Get a motorcycle.

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System isn’t knocking it out the park on Yelp.

2. Perfect Weather

With the awesome weather we have out here, why wouldn’t you ride a motorcycle?

Average highs and lows of San Diego. Image courtesy of U.S. News & World Report.

3. Splitting Lanes

So this isn’t unique to just San Diego, but it’s a great reason to have a bike. In California motorcyclists are allowed to split lanes between cars. This really is a perk when you are jammed in traffic on the 805, and you just want to get home. It can be safe if you are smart, and not stupid when doing it.

Here’s an example of a skilled and compeptent rider safely splitting lanes. Video from wildbillroarer.

4. Parking

Ever go to the Gaslamp district to watch a game with friends, and end up driving around for 45 minutes looking for a parking space? Parking isn’t a problem on a bike. Odds are you’ll probably be able to find a parking space right in front of where you are meeting your friends.

Get this sign on Amazon.

5. Gas

California has the most expensive gas in the contiguous lower 48 of the United States. The only reason Hawaii and Alaska have more expensive gas is because they are so remote. With gas averaging $3.30 a gallon it’s not cheap to get around. A motorcycle can help ease that pain you’ll feel in the wallet.

Heat map showing where the most expensive gas in America is. Courtesy of GasBuddy.

6. Cool Factor

This isn’t just for America or San Diego, all over the world motorcycles are “cool.” You may never be Marlon Brando on a motorcycle cool, but having a bike will definitly give you some cool points.

You can buy this poster on Amazon.

7. Really Experience Somewhere

On a motorcycle you really get to see what a place is like. There are no climate controlled environments keeping you comfortable. When you ride up a mountain you feel it get colder, when you ride through the desert you feel the baking dry heat.

The Beartooth Highway near Yellowstone National Park. Riding up this road you could feel the temperature dropping.

8. Vacations Last Longer

When you go on a vacation it starts when you get to where you are going, and ends when you leave there. On a motorcycle your vacation starts when you leave your house, and ends when you get back. The journey on a motorcycle is a great time, and a lot of times is the highlight of the vacation.

I saw this in New Mexico on the way back from a trip. I wouldn’t have seen and experienced this if I was jammed in a plane on the way home. Sure, I rode through a little bit of rain before this, but it made it even better.

9. Make Friends Wherever You Go

As a motorcyclist whenever you see another rider you’ll find conversation with them is easy. I’ve never met a motorcyclist who wasn’t passionate about riding. You could be the complete opposite of someone, but if you both ride, you share a bond and connection. People you meet through riding can be some of your best friends.

HOG (Harley Owners Group) is a great way to meet other riders.

10. Be Adventurous

Whether you are running errands, going to work or riding across the country; riding a motorcycle makes even the mundane an adventure. Don’t believe me? Ask any other motorcyclist, or better yet be adventurous yourself, and go get yourself an iron horse, and see what it’s all about. Hopefully I’ll see you out on the open road.

Route 50 in Nevada. “The Loneliest Road In America.”

I hope you have enjoyed reading this. If you’d like, you can read other things I have written on Medium here. I also wrote about riding across the country that I put in an ebook on Amazon and iBooks. You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram.