This past May I decided to let something special into my life, a motorcycle. I did not realize how big of an impact it was going to have on me until it was too late. I read through the Illinois Motorcycle Handbook and then went to get my M permit, 7 days later I bought my first bike. I was on the fence about buying one as I never saw myself as “biker”. Whenever you hear that someone rides a bike either think of some Jersey Shore looking guy in flip flops and a dago-t on a crotch rocket or some bad-ass looking, tattooed biker on his Harley. I didn’t see where I would fit in.

I bought my 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 500 from a guy on Craigslist for $1400. The bike ran and needed a little work. After a couple hard days of work and help from some of my friends we had her running perfectly. I took a picture of the beautiful machine and posted her on my Facebook. I was immediately bombarded with “Don’t kill yourself”, “You bought a bike?!”, “Why?”, and “I hope your life insurance is paid” (my mother said this) comments on the photo. After all the people had left their thoughts and condolences I decided to call a few friends who I knew rode. They were both average riders and had sportbikes. They showed me the basic operations of the bike and took me out riding occasionally. After a few months it was time to take the MSF course that I had enrolled in at the beginning of the year.

I went through the course learning how to control the bike and how to handle the bike in various situations. The test day rolled around and I passed. I was officially a rider. I took my MSF card over to the DMV and they put a “M” on my license. I felt…free. I drove my car home and took the bike out. I went to the forest preserves and then to the city. I rode for hours and still wasn’t tired of it. I took the bike every chance I could get. I would run into people that I hadn’t seen in a while and they were either really surprised and happy for me or they were extremely “disappointed”. I had one lady that I used to work with ask me if “I valued my life why would I ride one?”. I replied with that’s why I ride one because I value my life and want the most out of it.

Going back to my initial impressions and attitude of a motorcycle. I was always one of those people that said I wouldn’t get one and it was too risky but something changed. From the moment that I shifted the bike from neutral to 1st gear I just knew that it was for me. The only way I can describe how it feels to ride is “alive”. The feel of the wind against your body. The power of the bike beneath you. The sights and smells of the world around you. I have never felt so in tune with the world than when I am on the bike. There is no comparison to flying down the road taking everything in, just you, the bike, and the world. It’s a big change but its for the better.

While the feeling of being on the bike is unsurpassed by anything else there is something else that comes with owning a bike, community. Whether you like it or not when you buy a bike you are automatically enrolled in a “club”. Other bikers will wave or nod at you. Why would they do this do you ask? Because they get it and you do too. Riding isn’t for everyone but for those that do it they get it. Up until I got the bike I wouldn’t be very inclined to talk to random strangers just because they had a Harley jacket on or because they were carrying a helmet. But now I’ve managed to strike up conversations everywhere. I’ve found that most riders are pretty friendly and love talking shop.

I’ve since purchased another bike and I am passing my Ninja onto my father so he can share the experience with me. I hope that other people would approach riding with an open mind and see how amazing it is. Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down.