Riding a scooter or motorcycle is good for your health

Now, so far the title of this blog post doesn't find much support on the Internet, judging from a comprehensive two-minute Google search that I just performed.

But I wanted to be one of the first -- heck, maybe the absolute first! -- to point out the undeniable health benefits of riding a scooter or motorcycle. By "undeniable," naturally I mean my personal opinion -- par for the course in the blogging world.

I will, however, back up that claim with some solid evidence from a trustworthy source, TIME magazine. Here's what I read in the August 17, 2009 issue, in an article about why exercise doesn't make you thin:

But there's some confusion about whether it is exercise -- sweaty, exhausting, hunger-producing bursts of activity done exclusively to benefit our health -- that leads to all these benefits or something simpler: regularly moving during our waking hours.

...Many obesity researchers now believe that frequent, low-level physical activity -- the kind humans did for tens of thousands of years before the leaf blower was invented -- may actually work better for us than the occasional bouts of exercise you get as a gym rat.

I've been enjoying the Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive scooter that I got last June much more than I thought I would. And I expected to enjoy it a lot.

Much of the appeal of scootering, as with motorcycling, is the increased physicality -- compared to getting around in a car.

Starting off, I need to rock the rather heavy Burgman off of its center stand. Then I push it backward out of its narrow carport parking area using my feet (no reverse gear). Motoring along, there's some pushing on the handlebars into and out of turns, plus movement of my upper body as the scooter leans.

Coming to a stop, I put my feet down, balancing the scooter while I'm at a standstill. Taking off again, the reverse. At low speeds, creeping along, it's a lot like balancing a bicycle -- adjusting my weight slightly this way and that to keep the scooter upright. Parking downtown, I pull past a space, then push the Burgman backwards while turning the handlebars until it's properly positioned against the curb.

All in all, quite a bit of physical activity, involving considerable acts of coordination. Certainly much more than when I'm driving a car.

Being an avid Tai Chi student, I recognize that much of what I'm doing on my scooter (not to be confused with this very different kind) is the sort of balancing and muscular movements that have been proven to be beneficial to seniors and younger people alike.

"Use it or lose it" is an especially important adage for those of us over 60. Sure, there are risks associated with riding a motorcycle or scooter. But there also are health benefits, not the least of which are mental.

As soon as I get on my Burgman 650, I feel happier. More relaxed. Centered. Focused on the here and now. In touch with nature. Energized.

Scooters and motorcycles aren't for everybody. I seem to have a scooter personality, because I've driven our cars as minimally as possible since I got the Burgman, only when I need to do some errands, like grocery shopping, that require me to carry around a large amount of stuff.

When the Oregon rain and cold hits, I'll probably return to driving a car most of the time. But to stay healthy, both mentally and physically, I'll get on my scooter as often as I can.

Here's an article about the accommodations some senior motorcycle riders need to make as they grow older. Motorcycles are less disability-friendly than scooters, given that you have to step over them to get on, and few have automatic transmissions, like scooters do.

I'll share an excerpt, that I agree with obviously, since I have a Suzuki Burgman (I think this was written some time ago, since much of what he forecasts has come to pass):

Have you seen the new large Honda and Suzuki Scooters? With automatic transmissions and easy highway speed, they can ride two up with maximum weather protection and little effort. Many of the older riders, especially those with physical limitations, such as a bad back, have been riding the Honda Helix, a 250cc automatic scooter that easily cruises at 65, sold in the U.S. since the mid-80's.

My look at the future shows a blending of the scooter and the motorcycle. Are you ready for a 100-hp scooter/cycle like Vetter's Defiant, with automatic transmission, very low seat height, low weight, and a big Harley engine? How about the Suzuki Burgman scooter with its 650cc twin cylinder engine, 5-speed push button automatic transmission, and over 100-mph top speed? Look at the new Honda FSC 600 Silverwing scooter; displacing 600 cc it will easily cruise with most motorcycles. Or Dan Gurney's scooter-like Alligator motorcycle with its lightweight and low seating position.

Put a Honda Goldwing (which is almost a scooter now) on a strict diet, reducing its weight to 500 pounds, add an optional automatic transmission, and you would have a perfect motorcycle/motor scooter. I don't know what to call it--a cyclescoot, a scootcycle?

Comments

[Pam]

Brian - Can your scooter carry passengers? If so, does your wife go scootering with you sometimes? It sounds like a lot of fun.

[Blogger Brian]

Pam, it does carry a passenger. And my wife never rides with me. Laurel is accepting of my scootering, but not approving. She considers motorcycles and scooters to be too dangerous for sane human transportation. I differ. That's fine. If everybody thought like me, they'd all be me -- which would leave me in a world of only me. Pretty boring and lonely.

[Randy Walker]

Brian, I also just turned 60, and bought a Burgman 650, small world. Both my wife and I had ridden motorcycles 20 years ago, but quit because we were concerned about who would raise our kids if we were killed or injured while riding. When I turned 60 and the kids were all off on there own lives so I decided to take up riding again. When I first suggested getting a scooter she said she thought we were over that. I made sure she would at least try to ride if I got one and she said she would so I we went looking. I found a used one and test drove it, when I returned I asked how I looked on it. She said the one thing that convinced me I need one. She said "You looked younger" Since than she riding on the back so much we bought her a Red 400 and I found a Red 650 Executive so now we match. We are loving our rediscovered lives. Your stories are so much like what we are experiencing but not able to put in word. Thanks for doing it for us and keep up the great work.

Randy

[Blogger Brian]

Randy, our stories do sound similar. Except, my wife has no interest in riding with me, or by herself. That's fine. We don't have to enjoy all of the same things.

Congratulations on looking younger on your Burgman. I definitely feel younger. And my full-face helmet does a good job of covering up my gray hair and beard -- along with the rest of my head. So I guess I also look young on my scooter. Or at least, not old. Not anything, really, until I take my helmet off.

[Billy Carson]

I have an 09 Burgman and my wife loves riding with me. WQe are planning some longer trips this summer. I Love the way my Burgman Handles and it instant power. ) to 115 very quickly leaves most Cruiser wondering where did he go. HA Just riding and going through my second childhood. The BUrgman is a great Ride. Check mine out under pictures at www.billycarson.com

[Sunayon]

Riding a scooter/motorcycle is not always good for all. It depends on many criteria. As I'm a regular scooter rider is saying that It fall me in back pain issue. But I'm mention all you rider's please Put a helmet every time on riding. It is really safe for your health with your brain. #Lol

[Scooters]

Great article! 100% agree. It is important to continue do the things you love. Motorcycling gets bad press as being dangerous. However, if you do it safely your risk of injury is minimal.