Motorcycles help keep you young: software expert
Mar 4, 2009


TOKYO (AFP) — Riding motorcycles helps keep drivers young by invigorating their brains, the scientist behind popular "Brain Training" computer software said Wednesday, citing a new scientific study.
"The driver's brain gets activated by riding motorbikes" in part because it requires heightened alertness, Ryuta Kawashima said after his research team and Yamaha Motor conducted a string of experiments involving middle-aged men.
"In a convenient and easy environment, the human mind and body get used to setting the hurdle low," he warned. "Our final conclusion is that riding motorcycles can lead to smart ageing."
Kawashima is the designer of "Brain Training" software, which incorporates quizzes and other games and is available on the Nintendo DS game console under the name "Brain Age" in North America.
A self-professed motorcycle fan, 49-year-old Kawashima cited a new study conducted jointly by Yamaha and Tohoku University, for which he works.
One experiment involved 22 men, all in their 40s and 50s, who held motorcycle licences but had not taken a ride for at least a decade.
They were randomly split into two groups -- one asked to resume riding motorcycles in everyday life for two months, and another that kept using bicycles or cars.
"The group that rode motorbikes posted higher marks in cognitive function tests," Kawashima said.
In one test, which required the men to remember a set of numbers in reverse order, the riders' scores jumped by more than 50 percent in two months, while the non-riders' marks deteriorated slightly, he said.
The riders also said they made fewer mistakes at work and felt happier.
"Mental care is a very big issue in modern society," said Kawashima. "I think we made an interesting stir here as data showed you can improve your mental condition simply by using motorbikes to commute."

 

Yea riding motorcycles keeps you young. But increases your chances of dying.
I think I'll stick with driving my car.

 

As a statistician, if find there are a lot of flaws with that report.

That is probably way too small of a sample size to reach any statistically significant finding.

Also, I would say there are tons of other cross correlated variables. I would think that you could have the 2nd group, instead of ride bikes, workout 3-5 times a week or do brain exercises and they would yield the same results without the injury risks.

So really, it could be just the additional and not the bike riding.

Also, how did they pick the people in the sample? How did they divide them into the groups? How did they monitor the bike usage?

BTW, I have no problem with bike riders at all, they are free to live their life and take risks as they see fit. I might even try them someday.

 

It's just more marketing... otherwise, Yamaha would never have gotten involved. I'm sure it could have started as something more worthwhile, but once the big names step in, the project usually becomes one giant marketing scheme.

 

yeah. what about overall life expectancy

 

motorcycles are for girls.

 

I think old motorcyclists defenately must have have good motor skills and reflexes. Thats why their old motorcyclists and not dead motorcyclists

Seriously though, are there a lot of G35Driver members who ride? Has there been a G35driver Sunday morning ride before??

 

Thats a good question wonder how many do actually ride, I have a bike i ride often lol... If my car isnt done by Sat ill prob be riding it to the SYTFU gathering lol.

 

I actually commute on my BMW K1200RS just about everyday here in Ohio from about Late February to December. Last year I rode 11000 miles and drove my G only 4k miles. I have been riding 17 years now and have owned 4 motorcycles. I am an educator by trade and it pays for me to stay sharp mentally for the simple fact of having the role of an educator. Also, I have been serving in the Military for 14.5 years alongside my career and again it pays to stay sharp mentally for both my safety and those I protect as a 50 Cal operator...

Now related to story at hand, I can't give all the credit to feeling mentally sharper at 32 than some others my age soley to riding all these years. I would like to think that this is credited to good family genes. But it would be interesting to see a further study of it and possibly without the direct involvement of a manufactuer.

Here in Ohio, I know of only one other G owner who rides. It would be interesting to get a G35 riders group together...

 

Im only 24 I been riding motorcycles for 4 years and I feel old as hell... oh well.

 

not yet....but thanks for setting it up brian!

 

My thoughts exactly. Yamaha must have slipped a little bit in the standings. If they wanna sell more motorcycles, they are gonna have to lower the price in these economic times instead of trying that lame azz pitch.

 

That sucks....

I wanna get a bike in the next few months
ethir a cbr 600 or gsxr 750

ehhh money talks.. will see

 

get cbr bro depends which one you more comfortable

 

Mid life crisis - yup that's me.
Honda CRF450R. Scares the crap out of me sometimes, but it's fun fun fun.
Don't ride asphalt, too many knuckleheads out there that don't see you.
Have a couple friends not here to tell their stories b/c of that.

Agree on that study...marketing.