Your bike, like a part of your body?

[Maki]

After a while, does your bike become almost like an extension of your body? When you ride, it ceases to be a person riding a bike but a bike and person working together as a single unit? I am beginning to think this is the case and it explains things that have mystified me slightly.

For one thing, why do bikers view their bikes as such holy cows? Why is no one allowed to even touch the bike without their permission? Is it because touching your bike is the same as touching your body? You would not allow anyone to just walk up to you and start touching you, much less sit on you, would you? I think that explains a lot.

I think you come to veiw the bike as part, or an extension of your body so if someone touches your bike they are touching you.

I just went through the experience of selling a bike I have enjoyed owning for a year. I was surprised by how painful and emotional the experience turned out to be. It almost felt like I was saying goodbye to part of myself. ( I was however happy to see the bike going to an enthusiastic learner who is sure to appreciate it.)

I guess the talk of rider and bike working as one is true.

[Maha]

I guess that can viewed as 'Riding in the Zone'?

Something that has only happened a few times to me, its really noticable when it happens. You feel nothing can go wrong, but you are also very aware that it could. Thats also part of being in the zone. When you get home and get off the bike and say '' holy fuck, what an awesome day''...you owned the zone my friend!!

PS: Do not become complacent though....

[MSTRS:Me]

You would not allow anyone to just walk up to you and start touching you, much less sit on you, would you?

Wouldn't I?

[Big Dave]

Conditioned reflex, Pavlov me ol' dog.

[suckingair]

"For one thing, why do bikers view their bikes as such holy cows?"

Cause it cost an arm and a leg when some clown jumps on the bike, 'vroom vroom's the throttle and jumps off. Then the bike falls gracefully onto it's side to the crunch of plastic and glass.

Took me a long time to get over it.

[vtec]

Yes, the way I look at it is it's like a really fast set of legs, effectively giving you a superpower like the flash. It's amazing really, and I'll NEVER be able to live without it.

[Reckless]

When I was kart racing, this feeling used to happen a lot. I would imagine a lot of the racers here have the same feeling when they race. Some riders may feel "in the groove on the road" but not quite like feeling you are the machine. High pressure, high speed situations I suppose. Its strange, you don't really realise till after, but its a great feeling.
Just my 2c

[jtzzr]

I guess that can viewed as 'Riding in the Zone'?

Something that has only happened a few times to me, its really noticable when it happens. You feel nothing can go wrong, but you are also very aware that it could. Thats also part of being in the zone. When you get home and get off the bike and say '' holy fuck, what an awesome day''...you owned the zone my friend!!

PS: Do not become complacent though....

I know what you mean brother.

Everything is just happening, " THE ZONE"

Tis a great feeling of euphoria.

[Str8 Jacket]

I Guess that I could liken my bikes to my arse....

[Maha]

I Guess that I could liken my bikes to my arse....

On the ground and hairy????

[Str8 Jacket]

Round and hairy????

.

[Headbanger]

Everything I own is holy, Its paid for by my effort, and there is a lot of work hours tied up in a good motorcycle.

The same shit happens if I see some clown sitting on my wagon, I tell em to get their lazy unemployed assholes the fuck off my gear.

[MSTRS:Me]

I Guess that I could liken my bikes to my arse....

Must. Resist. Temptation.

[Riding LockedDown]

Live for the 'Zone'. Ride for the 'Zone' and eventually die in the 'Zone'.

[Blackshear]

Started riding dirtbikes at the age of 8, good old PW50. Hopped off the last of them, which was a KDX200. Rode around on my awesome Down Hill MTB for a few years till I got my Baby Bobbie.
On the dirt, you really have to feel the bike, as an extension of your body. Your fingers and feet are the tyres, feeling your way around the mud, clay and ruts. You really just slop the bike into corners and pin the throttle. Gets you a good feel for tyre slippage though.

The MTB, Twitchy as hell, and every tiny input matters. She was a bit of a goliath at around 20-23 something kilos, but boy was she nimble.
Haven't fallen off that pushbike in years. Even through the muddy bush on slicks (we're not slowing down for you, just cuase you've got bald tyres.), with my mates on their anorexic cross country and dirt-eating knobblies, an still beat em (It was a different story on the way up the bush though, goddamn front suspension)

Where was I getting at.

You just stop thinking of yourself sitting on a mechanical doohicky.
Once you're on the bike, your arms and hands are the front wheel, back wheel and the engine. You are controlling the bike, as a person sitting on it, but that stops once you start riding.

I luuuurve vodka and public forums