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Isaiah Brown's 1998 Suzuki GSX-R750

Some say riding is like medicine. For Isaiah Brown, it really was.

November 17, 2016

Four wheels move the body but two wheels move the soul. Cliche as the saying is, it rang true for this rider.Submitted by Isaiah Brown

NAME: Isaiah Brown
AGE: 24
HOMETOWN: Chicago, IL
OCCUPATION: Medical-transport driver

Two years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I was absolutely devastated. I saw my career goals vanish, and a rift developed in my relationship with my dad as I failed to come to terms with this newfound imperfection. I was mad as hell, felt truly lost, and in desperate need of something to keep me busy. I needed a victory, as my dad put it.

Then one day my dad came up to me and said “go get your motorcycle endorsement and we’ll figure out the rest.” It was game on. I’d wanted to ride since I was eight years old, so I poured myself into preparing for the safety course. I passed it on my first try, and one of the instructors even thought I had ridden before. I felt like a badass, but not in an arrogant way—it just felt awesome to accomplish something for once and to be told “yes.” I had my victory.

The first day out riding with my dad was surreal to put it simply. I had been waiting for this to happen for years, and I was going to ride the same Suzuki GSX-R750 that my dad had owned since I was a kid. This was the bike that had sparked my fascination in the first place. To top it all off I was wearing all his old gear—the same gear I used to try on as a kid just to see how it felt. As a kid sometimes I'd cry because I couldn't go out and ride with my dad and the boys. Now I am one of the boys.

"On the bike I had a head free of insecurities and perceived shortcomings. Nothing else mattered, and nothing else should have mattered," said Isaiah Brown.Submitted by Isaiah Brown

That first ride was amazing, and it lit a new insatiable passion within me. On the bike I had a head free of insecurities and perceived shortcomings. Nothing else mattered, and nothing else should have mattered. When I opened the throttle I was able to leave my demons behind me for the time being. I felt at home on that Gixxer.

Four wheels move the body but two wheels move the soul. I never particularly cared for this saying because I thought it was corny, yet it has proven its truthfulness in my life. Motorcycling moved my soul from a place of pain, confusion, and loneliness to a place of joy, clear headedness, and belonging.