Happier on a bike?

[wildbears]

Study Finds Motorcyclists Happier Than Motorists, Says riding a motorcycle can help improve both mental and physical health.

https://advrider.com/study-finds-mot...ent=11_18_2020

But we already knew that!

[beech]

I feel way more at ease on one of my bikes. More road to use that in a car. I have my little wrx but I have to be way more attentive to lane control in a car. Love my K bike. b

[955i]

I agree with the general propositions of this article. However, it doesn't address one of the likely factors - that motorcyclist simply are a self-selecting group of people who are generally happier than the population at large. First, motorcycles are mostly a "luxury item" in the sense that they are not usually the sole mode of transportation for the owner, so the owners presumably have some extra time and cash available. Second, motorcyclists have a different "risk matrix" than many people - one that weighs risk against rewards in a logical manner.

I would speculate, that this reflects a more relaxed attitude toward life. (On this forum, there were different opinions about Covid, its risks and what actions individuals should do. BUT, I never saw the panic and terror of the unknown that permeated much of the mainstream news and social media. This is probably a reflection of what I'm talking about as rational people comfortable with risk and the unknown.)

So, there. Just my opinion.

Oh, by the way. Twisting the throttle real fast always puts a smile on our faces!

[Doctor350]

It's all about giving it the berries

[beech]

One day ten years ago, my Auntie was troubled by my being her executor. She thought my riding motorcycles was a terminal endeavor and had great concern. That snapped my eyes open. I've ridden all my life, through the process of having a family (probably fairly selfish then) and on. For awhile only transportation for years to work, left the car home for the wife. One memorable evening I had to ride 50 miles and a ferry to work the night shift on a boat in drydock in a ship yard, got there and the bottom was open due to steel plate replacement. No boiler for heat. The night was 17 degrees F, serious bummer as I thought I was going to defrost. But riding is all about those kinds of things. We all have lost friends to riding incidents. Most of us have crashed in one way or another. I sit around trying to hide from this virus but when I jump on the bike and go for a ride these days I ride it hard. It's me and always will be. I love bikes. I know I have spent plenty on my fixation but that is life. And, when I come home from a ride the wife likes it as she says I'm smiling.

[wildbears]

I've had many similar experiences.

Sure hate not having an "escape hatch" these days since I sold my K12RS.

[955i]

Wildbears, you can fix that with a few hours at the bike shop and a credit card.

[wildbears]

Working on it.

[jpel]

No doubt there are probably many reasons. But one thing I noticed many years ago when I first started riding is the "loss of the mental therapeutic value of riding" during the winter months.
Jim

[wildbears]

Same here.

Winter is tough in Ohio with the cold and overcast skies.

[Scot]

Ah but gearing up in heated gear and riding when the leaves are down. Smoke from chimneys, can see deep into the woods, is kind of a rush. Even here in Ohio.

[wildbears]

Agree!

And clear skies help.