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There are plenty of external, superficial reasons for owning a motorcycle. Sport, recreation, and transportation top the list. But if you go just a few layers deeper, closer to the heart of the matter, you will see that these reasons are more like excuses. You can easily find other sports and safer modes of recreation—and when it comes to transportation, a good economy car beats the motorcycle hands down. So why buy a motorcycle? Have you ever read Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach? If you haven't, then you might not understand what riding a motorcycle is all about. Even if you rode a motorcycle to the bookstore in search of this title, you should still read about Jonathan's life. The one word that sums up what Jonathan was looking for, and the one word that sums up what you express when you choose to ride a motorcycle, are the same word—freedom. In a society intent on tightening its grip of conventionality, you have often felt the need to run hard and fast to avoid the trappings of conformity. You have fought long and hard to retain individuality. That is really why you want to ride a motorcycle. Not because it will fulfill your desire for freedom and individualism, but because it will give you a way to express this desire in a way that nothing else can. Motorcycles express this freedom in many ways. In a world where everyone is in a hurry, motorcycle touring can turn a vacation into an experience that will provide memories and stories for a lifetime. In a culture where every house looks the same, motorcycle customizing offers a chance to demonstrate your unique style. In a workplace where the ups and downs aren't all that fun, off-road motorcycling can provide a fast-paced release of pent-up tension. The pure enjoyment of riding motorcycles can be all that, and more. You are not alone. Within the motorcycle community you will find many of similar mindset, decent people who share your thirst for freedom, and you will be able to find them easily because they are all there, atop motorcycles. Contrary to the Hollywood depiction of the Lone-Wolf biker, the community that shares your interests is genuinely social and highly accessible. There are literally hundreds of motorcycle organizations with a diverse focus of interests. No matter what your particular two-wheel love is, you will easily find others who share that interest and who can give you a head start on your new interest. There are organizations that concentrate on touring, customizing, off-road riding, and even racing. Fantastic resources for motorcycle enthusiasts are available at many levels: very affordable and widely accredited rider safety courses for the beginner, advanced studies for the experienced, even racing schools which will improve upon your road skills and get you ready to be a road racer.
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