Why do people park motorcycles right next to the front door of buildings?

I've noticed that most people will park their motorcycles on sidewalks or walkways right next to building entrances rather than in normal parking spaces. If I owned a motorcycle, I would park it in a normal parking spot. Obviously, bicycles can be parked next to entrances because there are usually bike lock-up areas for them, but why motorcycles?

Is it a security thing? (The closer it is to the building, the better I can keep an eye on it.)

Is it a lazy thing? (Why should I walk from the parking lot when it fits just fine on the curb?)

Or is it a completely normal thing? (Only cars or large vehicles need to use parking spaces.)

ccfuser: I don't tell people they can't, but in many states, the law does.

Motorcycles, unfortunately, are stolen often. Even when left in obvious, easy watch places (it only takes five minutes, a pick-up truck and a couple of guys to heave-ho a bike into a truck). It is a security thing to park a motorcycle close to the entrance of a building as well as a protection thing. Parked in a car parking stall leaves the bike vulnerable to being knocked over or damaged by careless car drivers (not paying attention).

I won't even sit down to eat at a restaurant unless I can easily see my cycle from the window. Motorcycle theft, unfortunately, isn't treated with the same seriousness car theft is. Most stolen bikes are never found.

The answer to your question is... yes. The reason is all three. Like everybody else has said a bike is easily stolen, easly vandalized and easily not seen until its underneath the soccer moms monster SUV that she uses to cart her two brats around in.
Many times its a lazy thing. I bet when you are looking for a spot you try to find the closest spot to the door. Many times in a bikers mind on the sidewalk is the closest spot.
Thirdly yeh its just a normal thing. It is one of the definate pirks on top of incredible gas milage that us bikers have grown to enjoy.

I have a 24000 harley and for me it is a security thing...Why should i park it far away if i can put it right in front...its almost self explanatory.....Also cars have no respect for motorcycles,they back up hit them etc,If its bothering you that much call a cop and have the bike ticketed

Typically, if they park in a normal spot, idiots hit their bike because they cant see the bike in that spot until last minute. Think about it..

Plus security, yes. All you gotta do is get some people to lift it into a truck and it's gone.

I wonder where you live. Only because I never see this happen here.
My motorcycle is always in the lot. It doesn't get stolen, knocked over, or run into. What I do find in front of the door is usually a minivan or one of those crossover(?) vehicles.

if it isnt in a highly visible area, there are plenty of people that would love a free bike for parts. All it takes is 3 people, a truck or box van and it can be gone in 30 seconds...
not many motorcycles come with gps tracking so... pretty easy target

hey... i had a bike get backed over and wrecked in a parking lot, i think i'm gonna start riding it around IN the damn mall if these ol fogies out there can't see 700 pounds of chrome and steel sitting right by their cars

People hit them. Kids mess with them. Low lifes steal them. I park next to the office building door because I own the bike and I own the building.

At hotels, it keeps it covered and dry, In mall lots, people bang them all the time, or steal off of them since their not enclosed like cars/trucks.

If you owned a motorcycle someone would back over it and drive away.

Safety and security.

All of the above. Plus in Arizona, its free shade. When its 106 outside, "blazing saddles" is the last thing you want.

Because motorcycles don't take up much space.

because they can...hahahaha

because we can. who are you to say we can't.

because my bike is my arm candy... i want people to see her :)

I think it is a combination of all three.

However, there is another important point you missed, and that is to park in a normal spot annoys the hell out of car drivers.

I know a lot of car drivers that resent that we can park beside the entrance while they have to park miles away from it, but if the car park is full and there is a motorbike taking up a full parking space, then that really annoys them. I have a friend that saw two bikes parked beside each other taking up two car parking spaces and she was fuming at the memory of it.

I normally park where there is bicycle parking as I can chain my bike to it. I live in the UK and as long as you are not blocking an entrance, fire exit, pavement or on private property then it is perfectly all right.