Want to throw your leg over two wheels without the risk of the road, or release your passion for power? You don't need a Class M1 motorcycle license to be street-legal at these five places handpicked to satisfy your motorcycle hunger or ignite your bike-builder gene.

1. Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker's Saloon, San Francisco

Named after the auto racer and World War I hero, Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker's doesn't skimp on french fries or decor. Dine on a New York steak sandwich amid 40 motorcycles hanging from the ceiling, lining the windows and crowding into corners. Nosh on nostalgia, from a black 1919 Model H Triumph, a favorite commuter bike for British schoolgirls, to Clark Gable's maroon 1941 Indian with a tasseled seat. 133 Second Street,

(415) 543-3498, www.capteddiericks.com.

2. Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, Solvang (Santa Barbara County)

You don't need a helmet or a jacket to get close (no ropes) to more than 100 rare motorcycles from three continents, including the Britton V1000 racer and BMW R12 military mount. It is easy to say "yes" to a return visit; bikes rotate as new arrivals get refurbished and displayed. If you catch the riding bug, bring your wallet and ask to see what is for sale. Call before visiting during the week. 320 Alisal Road, (805) 686-9522, www.motosolvang.com.

3. The Cycle School, Las Vegas

Curious about twisting the throttle? The Cycle School offers the Introductory Motorcycle Experience: a two-hour, hands-on session to get acquainted with a motorcycle in a low-risk environment. Capture the engine feel as you sit on the bike and turn the key. Reach to squeeze the clutch and flick the throttle with your wrist. Carpe diem when you power-walk between parking lot cones, grabbing a handful of brake for a smooth stop. 3470 Boulder Highway, (702) 528-8077, www.cycleschool.com.

4. Garage Company, Inglewood (Los Angeles County)

Want to inhale the Southern California motorcycle scene while you pick up a copy of "Crash Kings: Bikes 3," the ultimate video of racing wipeouts? Head to the Garage Company. What started as a hobby for collector Yoshi Kasaka morphed into an 18,000-square-foot retail heaven of racing parts, rubber stamps, obscure decals, vintage wear, helmets and memorabilia. You might even find the perfect pair of aviator goggles. Everything is "out in the open, not stacked in the rafters." 956 W. Hyde Park Blvd., (310) 330-9933, www.garagecompany.com.

5. SFO Museum, San Francisco International Airport

Combining the post-wartime need for mobility with a citizenship synonymous with beauty, an Italian motorcycle triumph emerges. Step into the story through "Moto Bellissima: Italian Motorcycles From the 1950s and 1960s." Spread your wings viewing the MV Agusta CSS Disco Volante, or Flying Saucer. What better place for your motorcycle love to take flight than at the airport? San Francisco Airport, International Terminal Main Hall, through April, (650) 821-6700, bit.ly/fKqwPf