Up until a few months ago, motorcycles were foreign to me. Not foreign in the sense I didn’t know they existed, but, rather, it didn’t evoke the same emotion or feeling as a car did.

I felt as though all motorcycles, apart from giant touring bikes, were all the same. That may or may not have stemmed from ignorance or a lack of discernment.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve shot many motorcycles and scooters for my friends at Bello Moto and EuroClassix Cars, and while these two-wheeled machines were beautiful to look at and photograph, that’s where my fascination ended.

Yet, all that changed.

What causes a person to get an M1 license so “late” in age?

Simple: a scooter ride with my father-in-law during my vacation in Vietnam earlier this year in January.

Granted, I was the passenger, but there was a sense of freedom I felt for the first time while being on a set of wheels. Riding around Vietnam in a car is one thing, but when riding on a scooter, all sensations and emotions are heightened.

A keen appreciation of the environment swells inside of you. The sights, the sounds, the heat beating on your back, the wind in your face…beyond the smog and traffic congestion, there is a feeling of openness.

As quoted in a popular motorcycle novel…

You see things vacationing on a motorcycle in a way that is completely different from any other. In a car you’re always in a compartment, and because you’re used to it you don’t realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You’re a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.

On a cycle the frame is gone. You’re completely in contact with it all. You’re in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming. That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing, the same stuff you walk on, it’s right there, so blurred you can’t focus on it, yet you can put your foot down and touch it anytime, and the whole thing, the whole experience, is never removed from immediate consciousness.

Pirsig, Robert M.. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (p. 4). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Back in early May of this year, I took the CMSP course hosted by TWST with my friend Jason on a whim. While I didn’t exactly plan on pursuing the M1 until later in the year, it was a good “screw it, let’s do it” approach. Paid for the class, bought the appropriate motorcycle gear, dusted off the old go-karting helmet, and I was set.

My motorcycle of choice as I went through the program was the BMW G310 GS, a standard “naked” bike that was perfect for my frame.

After learning the basics of motorcycle operation, I can tell you right now that the rush of fresh air, even in a parking lot, evoked the same sense of emotion when first learning how to ride a bicycle as a kid. The drills, the leaning, the weaving, the counter-steering…they all called back the experiences I had in my younger years pretending I rode a motorcycle instead of a bicycle.

The 3-day program came and went. I felt emotional leaving behind the BMW I rode around on, but was happy to have passed the skills course without dropping the motorcycle once and passing the written course with flying colors!

Two weeks later, I found myself entering the DMV armed with the DL389 and lots of YouTube motorcycle rider knowledge and ready to take the written exam. Having passed that, it was on to my first bike rental the following week.

Just my luck, I happened to come across a BMW G310 R in Pacifica on the Twisted Road app and I booked it immediately!

Deciding to make it a family outing on my first ride beyond the parking lot, my wife and daughter came with me to pick up the bike. My wife drove the car while I followed around in the BMW. The first stop was a coffee shop nearby and we had to get back on Highway 1 for that… and well, I can tell you right now my emotions were a mix between scared and thrilled! My senses needed to adjust fast because at one point I thought I was already going the speed limit when in fact I was only going 40 mph!

Throughout the day, however, my confidence grew and grew. I put what learned in the class into use; went through twisties, kept my awareness up while cruising around and while at stoplights, and generally made sure to ride safely. I had so much fun that I had to refill the tank!

Of course, the fun had to come to an end. We returned the BMW back to its owners in Pacifica and it was time to head on home.

Needless to say, the two-wheel life is definitely a thrill. Key takeaways:

1. Awareness is key – assuming every driver out there does not see you will, in fact, save your life. This applies to both cars and motorcycles. Safety and self-preservation will always be number 1.
   
2. Just like the above quote from “Zen”, it truly is better to be in the scene than to just watch the scene like a TV show. So, be in the moment, especially when you feel like busting out your smartphone to record any special moments in your life. Burn the memory into your brain instead.
   
3. As cliche as it is, it’s really not about the destination, but rather, it’s what happens on the way there. I may get bored eventually, but not having any GPS, music, HUDs, or other creature comforts that a car offers actually put me more in tune with my environment. A car can numb out a lot of the sensations of the road whereas the pure exposure of riding allows you to soak up everything that’s happening around you. Just as in life, getting out of your comfort zone is highly recommended.
   
4. While I would have been able to enjoy riding around with the bike by myself, it was a great decision to have my wife and daughter “along” for the ride, albeit in a separate vehicle. Therefore, when you have a chance, bring your family around when you can. More often than not, there are moments in life better enjoyed with your loved ones.
   

Getting the M1 license means so much more than just being able to (legally) ride a motorcycle. It’s a new way to express myself while also enjoying what the world has to offer. For instance, I can finally go operate a scooter (or do some cross-country exploration on a rented motorcycle) in Vietnam!

Does riding come with its risks? Yes, much like driving a car or walking through a crosswalk. Everything has inherent “risks”, though there are ways to mitigate them. The biggest risk in life, however, is while reflecting on the years gone by as you reach the end of your life, you silently say to yourself, “I wish I had done it.”