MrCrash
King of FAIL
It's kind of funny how many people associate sport riding with pushing the envelope. That sort of riding collects far too many tickets (or worse) for a rider to have any real future in motorcycling.
To me, sport riding *is* sport touring. Fluidity of motion through visually stunning environments. It involves achieving a zen-like sensation, rather than a pucker-induced adrenaline rush.
I'm a control freak. Adrenaline doesn't go too well with that.
As a result, I'm also not too big on "pushing it". I tend to think of it as widening the boundaries of my performance envelope through knowledge and applied skill, rather than a borderline-reckless display of bravado.
I've met a number of people who do trackdays, and claim "the street just doesn't do it for them anymore". I'm betting most of them tried to get the same "rush" out of street riding that they do on the track. Sport touring offers different rushes and sensations that are just as great in their own way. I doubt most of the adrenaline junkies have ever really tried it.
I know some racers and track addicts who no longer street ride, and don't really miss much about it. The one thing they do miss? The adventuresome sport touring rides.
Sport Touring is probably the only way to have anything resembling a responsible future in motorcycling. A few generalizations (with notable exceptions in each case), based on my observations in the last decade:
- Racers will eventually lose their competitiveness, or the ability to be competitive. Or they just flat out go broke.
- Trackday junkies eventually become racers, or grow tiresome of pouring money into the pursuit of an infrequent adrenaline rush.
- Aggressive canyon riders eventually destroy their machines, their bodies, or their driving records too much to continue riding.
Many will get married and procreate, forcing them to pursue more conservative and responsible activities.
Sport Touring, you can do forever. My hat's off to all of you who have chosen to go that route.
To me, sport riding *is* sport touring. Fluidity of motion through visually stunning environments. It involves achieving a zen-like sensation, rather than a pucker-induced adrenaline rush.
I'm a control freak. Adrenaline doesn't go too well with that.
As a result, I'm also not too big on "pushing it". I tend to think of it as widening the boundaries of my performance envelope through knowledge and applied skill, rather than a borderline-reckless display of bravado.
I've met a number of people who do trackdays, and claim "the street just doesn't do it for them anymore". I'm betting most of them tried to get the same "rush" out of street riding that they do on the track. Sport touring offers different rushes and sensations that are just as great in their own way. I doubt most of the adrenaline junkies have ever really tried it.
I know some racers and track addicts who no longer street ride, and don't really miss much about it. The one thing they do miss? The adventuresome sport touring rides.
Sport Touring is probably the only way to have anything resembling a responsible future in motorcycling. A few generalizations (with notable exceptions in each case), based on my observations in the last decade:
- Racers will eventually lose their competitiveness, or the ability to be competitive. Or they just flat out go broke.
- Trackday junkies eventually become racers, or grow tiresome of pouring money into the pursuit of an infrequent adrenaline rush.
- Aggressive canyon riders eventually destroy their machines, their bodies, or their driving records too much to continue riding.
Many will get married and procreate, forcing them to pursue more conservative and responsible activities.
Sport Touring, you can do forever. My hat's off to all of you who have chosen to go that route.
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