Lots of reasons:
- It's one of the few activities that (either) overwhelm my ADHD or make effective use of it. It's a nice reprieve to be able to be singularly focused on the activity at hand.
- The thrill of one of the purest forms of man, machine, physics, and nature all exploring/feeling/testing one another's limits and sweet spots
- The people. At least half of my closest/best friends in life are somehow tied to riding in one way or another - met on a ride, at the track, or through varous moto-related forums
- Release stress, tension, anger, or sadness. Few things wipe negative emotions away like a long, beautiful, spirited ride. That said, I don't ride angry and alone. If I'm angry, I'll have someone join and let them lead, to prevent me from letting myself get carried away.
- Overcoming my fear. Fear never really entered the equation until it temporarily killed me and kept my arm. Now, a not-insignificant part of the joy of riding is in facing and overcoming my fear. People (particularly non-riders) have told me I'm crazy for riding again, after such extreme, life-long injury. I don't think they're necessarily wrong, however, I think, outside of romantic love, MOST people never find something they're truly passionate about in life. When I share that and people still don't understand it, I've started to ask them what hobbies/interest/sports/passions they have in their life that they would be willing to sacrifice a truly significant amount of money (or body part) to keep doing. Few can find an answer, which is fine, we all have our own priorities... but the hypothetical often switches on a lightbulb over their head and I can practically see them wondering about what things they love to do in life.
- Many, many more.