Riding A Motorbike Makes Me Happy

 By Joanne Reed

There, I said it — again. Riding a motorbike makes me happy. Not a polite little smile-happy. I mean deep, grinning-under-my-helmet, wind-in-my-hair, soul-on-fire happy. Why? Because there’s something raw, real, and wildly liberating about being one with a machine that demands your full attention and gives you nothing less than exhilaration in return.

I’m a biker girl — always have been, always will be. And no, it’s not just about speed or leather (though I’ll take both, thank you very much). It’s about connection. It’s about presence. It’s about feeling every bump in the road and loving it anyway.

“I absolutely love them. Motorcycles to me, represent everything that’s exciting in the world. The feelings you get on a motorcycle are beyond anything else made by man. It’s what I imagine flying feels like. You’re free. And at the same time, all your senses are engaged. It’s like having sex with your clothes on, except it lasts longer – and that makes me happy.”

— David Parsons, Lifelong Motorbike Rider

The Zen of Two Wheels

If you’ve read any of my previous posts — and if not, where have you been hiding? — you’ll know I’m passionate about mindfulness. Riding a motorbike is mindfulness in motion. There’s no room for daydreaming or doom-scrolling. On two wheels, your mind is fully tuned to the now: every curve, every car, every change in the wind. It’s like yoga with horsepower.

The moment I swing a leg over the saddle and fire up the engine, the world goes quiet — and somehow louder at the same time. I’m alert. Alive. Anchored in the moment. The ride becomes a moving meditation, and I come home lighter, looser, and a whole lot happier.

“Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.”

— Anonymous, but probably smiling

Mental Health in Motion

Ever seen a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrist’s office? Me neither.

And no shade to therapists, but there’s a reason bikers don’t need a couch to feel better. Riding stimulates the brain — it demands focus, balance, coordination. According to one study, riding a motorcycle boosts brain activity and heightens awareness, giving your nervous system a wake-up call that feels suspiciously like… excitement.

The same study (yes, it’s science) even compared motorcycle arousal to the kind you’d feel at the sight of someone attractive. Let’s just say it explains why bikers get that look — you know the one — like they’ve just been kissed by adventure itself.

And while I won’t make jokes about straddling a throbbing engine or riding into satisfaction… let’s just agree: there’s pleasure in the motion.

A Workout in Disguise

Who needs a gym when you’ve got curves — on the road, I mean. Riding a motorbike isn’t just mentally stimulating; it’s physically demanding too. You’re not sitting in a cushy seat — you’re balancing, bracing, leaning, working your core and neck muscles like you mean it.

Cruising along at 50 mph (80 km/h) might feel relaxing, but push the speed or tackle mountain twisties, and you’ll find yourself gripping tighter and using muscles you forgot you had. My neck gets a serious workout from wind resistance alone. The bonus? I sleep like a baby after a long ride. Deep, delicious dreams with a hint of engine growl.

Also, calorie burn? Oh yes — up to 600 calories per hour. Add some adrenaline to that mix and you’re basically doing interval training with a smile.

The Thrill Factor

Let’s not pretend we don’t love the thrill. Bikers aren’t just chasing balance — we’re chasing a feeling. That heart-in-throat, butterflies-in-stomach, “holy shift this is amazing” kind of feeling.

Cars may get you from A to B, but bikes make the journey feel like a full-body symphony. When I take my Honda Shadow 750 Aero up Bukaksan Mountain in Seoul, I’m not just riding. I’m flying low, dancing with the road, flirting with the edge.

You want speed? Sure. But more than that, it’s the sensation — the lean into the turn, the hum of the engine, the echo of your own breath in your helmet. It’s intimacy with your machine. (And unlike some relationships, the bike doesn’t talk back.)

“It’s like having sex with your clothes on… except it lasts longer.”

— David Parsons, clearly speaking my language

Urban Jungle, Seoul Style

Now, not every ride is a weekend escape. A lot of my mileage is urban — specifically through the wild streets of Seoul, South Korea. You might think that’s less exciting. You’d be wrong.

Seoul is a biker’s playground: wide roads, lots of lane-splitting opportunities, and a surprising tolerance for nimble navigation. Yes, the traffic can be a circus, but that’s half the fun. Buses lurch, taxis swerve, pedestrians glide across the road like characters in a video game — and you, the rider, are dodging it all with ninja-like precision.

Bonus? The traffic cameras are front-facing, and motorcycles only have rear plates. I’m not saying I take advantage… I’m just saying I haven’t had a ticket in years. And yes, that makes me happy too.

Biker Girl, Biker World

Let’s talk style. Motorbikes are cool. Always have been. But there’s something extra electric about a woman on a bike — it turns heads, raises eyebrows, and occasionally sparks a little envy.

We’re a biker family now. His and hers bikes. Weekend rides. School runs with my youngest daughter on the back — helmet on, grinning like she owns the road. She’s got the spark. She’s in training. One day, it’ll be her Honda.

And let’s be honest — there’s a bit of attitude in all this. The gear, the engine, the confidence… it’s not just a ride, it’s a statement. It says, “I’m here. I’m alive. And I like my thrills with two wheels and no apologies.”

Life Is a Journey… So Make It a Good Ride

Riding a motorbike makes me happy. Still true. Always will be.

It keeps me focused, fit, free. It clears my mind and boosts my mood. It challenges my body and gives my soul a little jolt of joy. And whether I’m gliding through city streets or carving curves in the mountains, it never fails to remind me that happiness isn’t found — it’s felt.

So if you’re still on the fence about motorbikes, maybe it’s time to swing a leg over and see for yourself. You might just find your happy place at the end of the throttle.

After all — life is a journey. Enjoy the ride.

Riding a motorbike makes me happy, Your Quest is to find out if riding them makes you happy too. Life is a Journey, enjoy the ride!

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