Motorcycles have long been associated with freedom, adventure, and a sense of rebellion. And while motorcycles are often thought of as the domain of the young and restless, more and more riders are taking up the sport later in life. This includes some of our nation’s most powerful leaders: U.S. presidents.
Many presidents have been known to ride motorcycles, and some have even owned their own bikes. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the presidents who ride and explore the connection between midlife motorcycling and the commander-in-chief.
- George W. Bush The 43rd President of the United States was an avid motorcyclist and owned several Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He even hosted the annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride at the White House during his time in office. Bush has been known to talk about the freedom and exhilaration of riding a motorcycle, and he continues to ride today.
- Ronald Reagan The 40th President of the United States was also a motorcycle enthusiast and owned a 750cc Honda custom motorcycle. He even rode his motorcycle on the White House grounds during his time in office. Reagan was known to enjoy the sense of adventure and independence that came with riding a motorcycle.
- Bill Clinton The 42nd President of the United States was known to ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and he once famously crashed it into a curb outside of a fundraiser in Washington D.C. Clinton has been known to talk about the thrill and sense of freedom that comes with riding a motorcycle.
- Teddy Roosevelt The 26th President of the United States was known to ride motorcycles, although he was in office before motorcycles were widely available. He was a big supporter of technological advancements and was known to be interested in new forms of transportation, including motorcycles.
- Lyndon B. Johnson The 36th President of the United States enjoyed riding motorcycles on his Texas ranch. He was even known to take reporters on motorcycle rides around the ranch. Johnson was known to enjoy the sense of freedom and adventure that came with riding a motorcycle.
These presidents are just a few examples of the many riders who take up motorcycling later in life. There are many reasons why someone might choose to start riding a motorcycle in their middle age years. For some, it’s a way to reconnect with their youth and recapture a sense of adventure and excitement. For others, it’s a way to escape the stresses of everyday life and enjoy some much-needed relaxation.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that motorcycling is a popular activity among presidents and people from all walks of life. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just starting out, there’s something special about the sense of freedom and adventure that comes with riding a motorcycle.
If you want to learn more about presidents who ride motorcycles, check out these articles:
- “10 Presidents Who Rode Motorcycles” from Cycle World
- “George W. Bush: The Motorcyclist President” from RideApart
- “Ronald Reagan, Motorcyclist” from Ultimate Motorcycling
So if you’re thinking about taking up motorcycling, remember that you’re in good company. And who knows? You might even become the next commander-in-chief to take up the sport.