Hang Up Your Helmet

I hung mine up in 2005 when my son was born...

Staggering statistics

9 deaths a day in USA...sad.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics - LegalInfo.com

 

I'm glad you hung up yours, but don't tell me what to do with mine.


Mark

 

Staggering numbers! Worth the risk to me though. In fact, I rode the 'Busa to the office this morning at 20 degrees F

 

https://rideapart.com/articles/things-more-dangerous-than-riding-a-motorcycle

 

1 year after I did the same, after my youngest daughter was born. To each their own - I was a LIFELONG rider - learned when I was at most 9 years old. We had dirt bikes as kids for as long as I can remember and I transitioned easily to road bikes. Laid my classic Honda down 3 weeks before I was married, still rode after that.

Birth of my children changed a lot for me. The day I felt a sense of trepidation on a motorcycle - I'll never forget it. I knew right then and there it was over for me. I sold all my bikes (except for my Honda - my father was second owner in 1967 and it's still in the family) and purchased some classic cars. Never looked back.

That being said, there will be a Ducati 916 / 996 / 998 in my garage one day. Just not now.

 

I too was a lifetime rider from 'round 10 years old. Was also a MSF instructor for a bit thinking that would get me over my developed dread, but I've become totally worn out and honestly scared by the apathy on the roads.

Overly connected people in their mobile clubs (some louder than my Duc pipes!) and the ever-present cell phone were totally overcoming my well practiced skills. It wasn't a relaxing escape anymore. It was survival and it was exhausting sometimes.

Nothing is a guarantee of course, but I can say for sure I won't be injured in a left-hander accident again.

I miss it so much though... It really has left an emptiness. I will ride again. On a Brammo, but I don't know when...

 

I don't have any kids, and I've hurt myself more often & much worse when riding bicycles. That doesn't mean I'm immune to biting it big time, it could happen, but today marks my 45th anniversary of riding motorcycles (only 37 years on the street) and being lucky (or skilled?).

 

Well said, I quit for the same reasons.

But one day... hopefully... I'll ride again somewhere else

 

I don't ride often anymore like I used to... But I don't think would quit because of kids. Would be like laying responsability over loosing something important to Mr. Wouldn't be fair for all involved.

 

Never

 

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By the tone of this post I say you ride Harley
Probably a full dresser
Maybe a soft tail
Didnt mean to offend anyone
M x mas

 

I make motorcycles. Please don't stop riding...

😜

Kai

 

Not even close.


Mark

 

"hung up my helmet" will garner LOTS of understanding. "hang up your helmet" will garner lots of rebellious responses.

Former motorcyclists still aren't as bad as former smokers though in terms of the "do as I do now not as I did" crowd.

I will never understand the desire to encourage strangers to change their lives to lower their risk of injury.

I do understand street riding becoming less fun over the years with increased traffic regulation and decreased car driver attentiveness.

 

(and the latest stats are over 12 per day)

 

S-hitty thread. Most of us aren't 18 years old and we know the risks.

And with everything there is a risk and reward factor.

Thanks for posting the obvious.

 

All I can say is Merry ****ing Christmas to all.

Geez guys, lighten up a little.

It's advice, not a command from on high. One man's view of motorcycles, not a dictatorial order.

Oh, and BTW, I hung up my motorcycle helmet 30 years ago. I was not cut out for it. Loved it, but feared it too much.

I don't think Michael was looking to offend, just point out what some here feel is obvious. Motorcycle riding is inherently more dangerous than driving a car, or riding the bus, or walking to work. Those who recognize the risk, but do it anyway, have my unwavering support to do so. Those who see the risk and choose to avoid it, do as well.

HO HO HO.

D

 

I read that ~3300 people die in USA bathroom accidents per year, ~ 9 per day and I still take baths. I've been riding dirt and street since 1969 and all of my injuries have been in the dirt, fractured, arm, C7 and left wrist. On the street I always ride like everyone else on the road are trying to kill me and stick to curvy mountain roads in low traffic areas. I hope to be able to ride at lest a couple more decades

 

You're the only one cursing.

One man's internationally viewable opinion on motorcycles is going to get responses.

 

Here's my issue; I applaud anyone who says, XYZ is not for me, therefore, I'm not going to do XYZ. For example, firearms. Some people do not want the responsibility of owning a firearm. Great, I applaud you for recognizing something is not for you and acting accordingly.

However, don't tell me how to live my life. I can make life decisions for myself. I know the risks I take getting on a bike. I try my best to minimize those risks, but am willing to accept the danger of what I do. I don't put anyone else in danger, only myself.

It annoys me when anyone says, "I use to do this, but decided it's not for me, so no one else should do it."


Mark

 

Me either and my worst injury (collarbone in 3 pieces) came from a bicycle accident, so I certainly get you there. Weird huh? I had street and track incidents with zero injuries so that is a statistic that wasn't supposed to happen. Another one of the reasons I felt my time was borrowed whenever I swung over in public.

I came to the conclusion that skills are great and I mastered the machines. But only when on the instructor pad. As soon as I went out on the street with the infinite variables, it meant nothing.

Not sure where I lost the "immunity" but I didn't like being broken and will do my best to avoid it. For me that meant backing off of riding.

 

I would NEVER have guessed that!!!

OF course, folks tell us all day every day what we can and can not do. You, as a lawyer, should know that. (Edit) and, failure to comply has consequences, just like riding a motorcycle can. Difference is motorcycles aren't illegal, just not for everyone.

Mark. Go, ride, enjoy, be careful and be safe.

Dave

 

I rode dirt and street for many years, I sold my sport bike at at a point due to no covered/secure parking and finding it hard to find fun places to ride after a relocation.

If people want to ride, they should ride. I'm even against mandatory helmet laws on principle.

However - a contrarian thought; I would bet most posters here ride well-maintained bikes, have at least a modicum of skill, ride heads-up and use (what they think is) the right protective gear.

When I lived in San Francisco in the late 80's/early 90's, probably 90% of the people I knew who rode motorcycles wore zero protective gear, rode bikes with bad brakes or bald/underinflated tires, and had zero training. Probably the origin of the term "organ donor".

I got hit on my bike in the city by a woman who came over on me; turns out she had a glass right eye and didn't see me. Bike trashed, me slightly hurt. At the hospital being checked out, I was asked to interview with a motorcycle safety study. I was one of the rare accident victims who was wearing helmet/gear, had a license and insurance (!), had been to some form of training (Superbike School). They also told me that I was even more rare in that I had my own medical insurance.

That event changed my view a bit; I am fine with anyone who wants to ride. However, it aggravates me that people do not have the skill to ride, the wisdom to have a safe bike or the responsibility to train themselves; they end up in the hospital and we foot the bill. I cannot recall the number, but in that study the director mentioned that in SF, there were over 2 dozen accident victims on long-term, publicly paid medical support (due to head injuries).

I still want to get that Panigale I've been eyeing, I'm fine with people riding - you take your chances. I just dislike when somehow your judgment becomes my liability.

 

so given that motorcycle accidents where the rider has no insurance is such a minute fraction of uninsured medical costs, but that is your issue with it, what do you do about the rest of uninsured medical costs… you know, the other 99%?