7 Ways Why Traveling by Motorcycle is Better

Photo by Gary Lopater on Unsplash

It's ALL About The Journey

For your vacation you can get on a plane and be at your destination in a matter of hours. But when you travel via Motorcycle you really get to the heart of where you're going. Turns out a Motorcycle is an even better way to see the world.

We have several large continents with lots and lots of roads. Those roadways provide access to popular tourist spots, charming towns, beautiful back-roads and hidden gems you won't see from the air.

Here's why we at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson think a Motorcycle Road Trip is the best way to travel and really get to know the country.

1. Save the Air Faire

Average ticket prices are roughly $380 -not including baggage fees, over-priced airport food, and feeling like cattle as you are herded onto and off of a stuffed bus with wings. 

Added bonus of traveling by Bike: you can skip being felt-up by TSA.

2. Travel in Comfort

No kids kicking the back of your seat, no cramped seating without any leg-room, no seatbelt cutting off circulation and no canned air recirculating other people's germs. 

On a Motorcycle you are free in the fresh air, so stretch out and enjoy the ride.

3. Stop Where You Like

On a plane you can't ask the pilot to change where they're going to land... Just another perk of traveling by Bike.

Want to stop and see that vintage roadside attraction? Saw a cool diner you'd like to try? Just want to stop and enjoy the view? You can!!

4. Easily get to Hard-to-Reach Places

Any type of travel involves time spent in transit. Of course a bike is no different.

Except your family reunion is in a little town that's going to take two planes and then another two hours by car just to get there. But on a Motorcycle you can 'fly' directly to your destination!

5. Taste the Town

If you're like us, you've gone out of your way just to try the local famous cuisine. Beans in Boston, Cheesesteak on the Chesapeake Bay, Tacos in Tijuana and Lobster in Louisiana...  

Added bonus of traveling by Bike: ask the local Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) to point you in the right direction so you can eat where the locals do. 

6. Go Greener

Jet wash: something not even Maverick in Top Gun can fly through. A Motorcycle emits the smallest fraction of that = no brainer.

7. Instant Friends

No matter if you're riding solo, with your SO, or with a small group of friends, you'll meet people along the road -some of them will even become life-long friends.

L to R: Queen Mother, Nance, Irish (me), Black Widow, Halo & LoLo

To Biker Wave or Not to Biker Wave -that is the question

I'm getting ready to Ride out to Milwaukee for Harley-Davidson's 115th Anniversary Celebration over Labor Day Weekend. So, in addition to taking the long way to and from work, I just finished a 3 day trip over to Ticonderoga (check out my pics on Instagram).

Summer Riding in the Adirondacks -this is one of my favorite things!! The way the road just stretches out before me, inviting me to twist the throttle and fly...

From Route 84, between Newcomb and Interstate 87

And the crystal clear lakes -I always feel like I've found a slice of heaven. (These three pictures are from Google Maps -I'm not that technologically advanced to go with a personal camera. But this is from the route I took.)

Route 74 by Eagle Lake

Of course, I'm not the only motorcycle enthusiast who enjoys riding in Northern New York. I saw Kawasaki, Yamaha, BMW, Honda and -my favorite (obviously)- Harley all out and about enjoying the day.

Some bikers waved at me, others didn't...

The tradition of the Biker Wave supposedly goes back to the day Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson passed each other while riding and gave each a friendly wave.

Some think it goes back to the days of Knights on Horseback, lifting their visor to acknowledge each other.

And there are as many styles of biker waves as there are motorcycle manufacturers: two fingers (like ✌) pointed down, pointed up, open handed regular wave, a 'thumbs up', etc., etc.

There are a few Bikers out there who will only wave to other Harley Riders. Sport Bike Riders sometimes fall into this as well. 

As for me, I'm a little different.

At first I wouldn't wave to anyone on a Can-Am Spyder, believing that since they never started out as an actual motorcycle those riding them weren't 'true' Bikers. I wouldn't wave at anyone on a scooter either.

But then I had an 'ah-ha' moment. 

Those that are brave enough to get out of their cage [of their car or truck] and share the road deserve to be recognized. 

There's a whole lot of people in this great wide world, and those of us that ride are truly linked in a special way. 

The Bike doesn't make the Biker. It's the Biker that makes the Bike.

So, I choose to wave. Hoping you'll wave back.