Some riders make riding a motorcycle look easy, effortlessly gliding down the highway without care. Actually, riding a motorcycle can be a great workout. Riding a motorcycle can be great for core, neck, and leg strength. You will also get the added benefit of better mental health as well. 

Let’s take a look at why riding a motorcycle is not only good for leg day, but it has many other health and financial benefits as well.

Riding a motorcycle can improve the health of your wallet

One of the most obvious benefits of owning a motorcycle is the better gas mileage. A motorcycle can get from 40 to 80 mpg. Depending on your commute, it could save you thousands a year on fuel alone.

A motorcycle will get you a cheaper insurance rate as well. This is because in an at-fault accident, motorcycles are less likely to cause serious bodily injury or property damage to other people, which lowers your liability costs. A motorcycle can also save you thousands when purchasing as well as maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle.

Riding a motorcycle is a great leg and whole body workout

As soon as you get on your motorcycle, you begin a low-impact work session for your legs and other muscle groups. Moving forward on the bike works the gastrocnemius, or calf muscles, bicep femoris, or rear leg bicep, and gluteus maximus, or bum muscles. 

Every time you stop at a traffic light or lean into a curve by putting pressure on the opposite foot peg, you are working the four large muscles in your thigh or the quadriceps. Even with your hands resting comfortably on the grips, you still engage your abdominal stabilizers to stay upright on the bike. 

As you work the clutch, brake, and throttle, you are engaging your forearm muscles. Wearing a properly fitted helmet will work out your anterior and posterior neck muscles while you contend with headwinds and turn your head side to side.

Riding a motorcycle can improve your mental health

According to Motorcycle Direct, the benefits of riding a motorcycle goes far beyond physical. According to extensive research conducted by Japanese neuroscientist Ryuta Kawashima at the University of Tokyo and Yamaha, riding a motorcycle can help prevent dementia. 

From the moment you pick up the helmet and turn the key in the ignition, your brain is preparing to ride by engaging the right side of the frontal lobe, which is the part of the brain that processes complex thought, planning, voluntary movement, and speech. All of this is necessary for spotting a potential hazard and taking action to avoid an accident.

Additionally, riding a motorcycle releases adrenaline. A 30 minute motorcycle ride increased adrenaline levels by almost 30% and the heart rate by 11% in a study funded by Harley–Davidson at the University of California’s Department of Neuroscience. Endorphins are released into the body as a result of this. These endorphins produce a positive feeling similar to that felt when exercising.

Riding a motorcycle is a great way to enjoy a nice sunny day, but it can also help you physically and mentally. The benefits of owning a motorcycle are many, though the risks should not be taken lightly. Wearing protective gear when riding is always a good idea. So next time you decide to skip the gym, no need to feel guilty. A short jaunt on your two-wheeled exercise machine can give you a great workout with a host of health and mental benefits.