Riding makes you smarter!

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

results of a Yamaha sponsored university study, posted at Yahoo news (and a couple of magazines):

QUOTE:
The scientist who invented "Brain Age," a popular mental training game for the Nintendo DS, has discovered that riding motorcycles can improve cognitive function. Ryuta Kawashima partnered with Yamaha Japan and Tohoku University to study the effects of motorcycle riding on middle-aged men, finding, "In a convenient and easy environment, the human mind and body get used to setting the hurdle low. Our final conclusion is that riding motorcycles can lead to smart ageing."

22 men in their 40s and 50s who had motorcycle licenses but had not ridden for at least a decade were used for the study. Half were made to ride a motorcycle everyday for two months, while the other half were forbidden to. The two groups were given a series of tests before and after that period. "The group that rode motorbikes posted higher marks in cognitive function tests," Kawashima said.

One test had the group attempt to remember a set of numbers in reverse order. The motorcyclists improved their scores by more than 50% after the two months while the non-riders' scores decreased marginally. The motorcyclists also reported making fewer mistakes at work and generally feeling "happier."

Because riding a motorcycle requires a high level of alertness and rapid problem solving, Kawashima found, "the driver's brain gets activated by riding motorbikes." He went on to conclude, "Mental care is a very big issue in modern society. I think we made an interesting stir here as data showed you can improve your mental condition simply by using motorbikes to commute."

via Yahoo! News

SergioK · 03-05-2009, 09:09 AM

I commute so much on my m/c I figured I'd be in the Mensa category by now. Hasn't happened yet though my cooking skills are improving nicely.

Peter Parts · 03-05-2009, 09:39 AM

My guess is that it takes 49 years to start working. Well, that's what I hope anyway.

http://www.instantnews.net/riding-motorcycles-aids-smart-ageing.aspx

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

the cpsc has currently banned any motorcycle/atv meant for kids under 16 because of fears of lead content (cable ends, battery terminals).

i don't know too many kids who are out there sucking on their minibikes, but maybe somebody should show that study to the school boards.

"Ride a minibike. Raise your SAT score!"
Yamaha could do an ad: "The New R-7: Carve your way to a college scholarship!"

signit98 · 03-05-2009, 10:23 AM

Darn, here I was opening that thread, expecting a post from Bubba, promising to ride more and then that!

Actually, I use/play with Brain Age and it is quite cool... I can only recommend it!

squall_line · 03-05-2009, 10:47 AM

The days when I ride to and from school, I have more time "with my own thoughts" than if I'm in the cage, as the cage has music and other distractions (like professors who call while you're trying to negotiate a cloverleaf). It seems to keep my head clearer, and I find that I do better work for school and around the house. I think a lot of it also has to do with having good enough weather to ride in; winter took the life out of me even before I had a bike.

Of course, another way one could interpret the study is that, if I were in the half that was "forbidden to ride", I'd be pretty ticked, and bomb the tests just to spite the researchers...

Rapid Dog · 12:56 PM

...whoa, forbidden to ride...

I know ridin' sure wakes me up after a long saturday night...and I feel so much better at the end of the day!

PFFOG · 03-05-2009, 12:04 PM

We must have all started out as DUMB SOB's cause with all that improvement from riding, our mentality is still questionable.

Guest24 · 03-05-2009, 01:58 PM

If riding makes you smarter, then riding and hanging out on this website must make you a freakin' Einstein.

signit98 · 03-05-2009, 02:34 PM

but... I AM!

squall_line · 03-05-2009, 03:38 PM

Another thing I noticed was that all 22 test subjects apparently lived through the experience. Recent statistics are reported to show that people in their mid 40's and 50's that have been off of bikes for 10+ years tend to have quite a few more accidents than the rest of the population because of their slower reflexes, etc. having been off of their bikes for so long.

Then again, it's only 22 total test subjects. Not a very large sample group.

As far as people on THIS list are concerned, it's definitely a chicken and egg quandary. I bet that most of you old farts probably qualified for MENSA before you even started associating with the motley crew around these parts, but perhaps the Pelican list counter-acts the positive effects of riding. I know my pocketbook is certainly lighter because of this site, so I wouldn't be surprised if my brain mass had lightened from hanging out here, too.

EZ-RIDER · 03-05-2009, 04:24 PM

I haven't been able to ride since November!!

Guest24 · 03-05-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZ-RIDER

I haven't been able to ride since November!!

Do you feel yourself dumbing down, EZ? Are you keeping up with your bike mag reading.

EZ-RIDER · 03-05-2009, 04:39 PM

Yes

and watching my 401K go down the drain

lennie · 03-05-2009, 08:54 PM

Having not had my bike for 4 years I now understand my mental state.

chewie · chewie's Garage

Hang on a minute!

I've been riding the ct110 for 4 hours a day 5 days a week for roughly 5 years, plus my 'normal' weekend riding.

I have a large head but yet it seems I've still managed to slip through the dumb crack.

NASA! I'm here!

Right here!!

bah humbug, I'm betting there was a minimum cc requirement and it was higher than 110.

Anyway IQ is soo passe - it's all about EQ these days

RoLoo · RoLoo's Garage

.

...scientific proof for what I already knew...

...cause my wifes always says I act like a child...

.

Mad Otter · 03-06-2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradzdotcom

the cpsc has currently banned any motorcycle/atv meant for kids under 16 because of fears of lead content (cable ends, battery terminals).

i don't know too many kids who are out there sucking on their minibikes, but maybe somebody should show that study to the school boards.

"Ride a minibike. Raise your SAT score!"
Yamaha could do an ad: "The New R-7: Carve your way to a college scholarship!"

George W Bush is a living testimonial to the fact that sucking on battery cables does not in any way impair or effect intelligence...he has been doing it all his life along with inhaling various hydrocarbon vapors with no sign of reduction in brain function. As a matter of fact he was even able to be elected president of this nation.

IvanTT · IvanTT's Garage

what... what waz that .. I was sucking on a battery terminal and the screen thingy popped up and said i gatta ride to get smart. Charlie Gordon hada get a opuration to get smart ... but nots me!!! I go riding now.....

IvanTT · IvanTT's Garage

EQ ... you mean MQ.....

hummmm

CQ QC i saw that before....

HEY!

EQ=MQCQ^2Q

Divide both sides by Q

E=MC^2

Genius!!!

Maybe this riding thing is working...