The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

Get’em into Motorcycles
November 6, 2009

Motorcycling is a great hobby filled with fun, adventure, and camaraderie. For Harley, sport bike, and custom cruiser owners, the thrill of the open road and unbridled horsepower can be as intoxicating and addictive as any drug. It’s hard for most bikers to understand why everyone doesn’t enjoy the two wheel lifestyle.

Motorcycling can also be a very tough hobby for those whose significant other doesn’t understand or appreciate the fun of riding. Even the most hardcore bikers have a hard time riding as much as they would like when someone at home gives you grief for it.

In most cases, the grief centers around;

• Fear: Many non-riders are afraid that if they ride on a motorcycle, they will be seriously injured
• Perceived danger: Motorcycles are dangerous but some non-riders have an acute sense of danger which makes them have a negative opinion about riding.
• Bad personal experiences: Stories of friends, family, and even strangers’ accidents on motorcycles sometime cripple non-riders’ ability to jump on a bike.
• Lack of knowledge: Some non-riders know nothing about motorcycles but somehow formed a negative opinion.

These are some major hurdles to overcome but it can be done. With some careful thought and strategy, you might even get your hardcore anti-biker to start riding along. Of course, every situation is different but here are a few tips to try to turn your significant other into motorcycling fan.

• Motorcycle apparel: Men and women love cool biker clothing and getting a few motorcycle apparel items first may be a good segue into riding
• Motorcycle rider safety course: Knowledge is king. By getting your non-rider to learn how to ride in a safe environment, you’ll have a great chance of getting their support.
• Meeting other bikers: Meeting responsible bikers can help the non-biker in your life understand that bikers are regular people, respect traffic laws, and value their lives.
• Motorcycle events: Motorcycle events are exciting and they can get your non-rider excited about bikes, apparel, and potentially riding.
• Small steps: Try not to overwhelm your non-biker all at once. It will take some time to turn their negative opinion around.

Let’s not pretend, turning your non-riding significant other into a biker fan is an uphill climb. It may not be easy and it may not be quick. Consistency and patience is the key to getting them on your side. Your significant other may surprise you and become a biker fan sooner than you think.