Motorcyclists: Do you ever think about the danger?

That's what will get you killed.


I find when I putt around I have more....not close calls...but...eye openers.

Mildly aggressive riding, i.e., 5% faster than other traffic, not getting jammed up behind grandpa, etc keeps you in control of the surroundings.

Rear ends at stop lights always possible, so keep it in gear, be right on the outer edge of the car in front (for a quick move if needed) and be ready to dump the clutch as you watch the rear approach in your mirror.

Expect everyone to be actively trying to kill you and remember you are invisible.

Or you can sell the bikes and take up golf.

 

I've had two HD's, a Sporty and V-Rod, and, most recently, a Honda VTX 1800C. I sold it when my second, and final, child was born. I couldn't live their mom with these two monsters!!

Dane

 

How 'bout riding around in a cart drinkin?' Problem solved!

Dane

 

I have been an active rider since 1972 and never have been in an accident. I too wonder when my number will be up. I hope its a small one. I love riding so much and it has been a big part of my life. Ride less and keep the bike. Pick your outings carefully.

 

I'm a relatively new rider. I have a HD Fat Boy! I'll admit to thinking about getting hit or an accident everytime I get on it! I really enjoy riding. I've had some "eye openers" as well! I've only been riding stedily for about 2 years now! At this point...I won't stop! We'll see what happens when I get married and kids come around.

J

 

Rode for about 15 years and somehow no accidents. Then 7 years ago when my daughter was born stopped riding. Always felt it was inevitable that I would be involved in an accident and having a child just made me realize I had to worry about more than just myself

 

A UK bike rag, wrote an article about old farts on organ donor bikes. These blokes were in their 70's. Rock on !!!!

 

I bought my very first bike, a '99 Yamaha R6, 3 years ago. I took a tumble on it the first year (got a little heroic through a curve, didn't make it, and slid the bike). Luckily, just a few scrapes and bruises was all I got. I continued to ride after that, into the second year. However, the thought of that slide was always in the back of my head. Result? I sold it at the beginning of this summer. I had my fun with bikes.

 

I am aware of the danger while i am riding, but i can't let that get me otherwise i'll be distracted, ride more tentatively, and that's asking for trouble. I also think about it more when i am not on the bike, but the exhileration draws me back- you are probably right from a rational perspective, but i suppose that is part of the thrill, too. I try to avoid traffic, but i'm not as worried in stop and go urban situations as i could be on the remote mountain pass; if those thoughts creep in too much, i would take a break. There are certainly days when i ride more hesitantly than others, and i have to agree, i'm probably more at risk then, since my fluid motion is not there. But, lately, i've been craving the riding experience and look forward to it. If you think you've reached the point where it's no longer enjoyable, stop, at least for now. You can always come back to it when your brain craves it.

 

I was totally into bikes since about 13 and about 2 years ago was hit by an SUV that was pulling out and trying to beat a car coming from the other way. Broken collar bone and I was lucky to sort of walk away. People just don't see you.

I've still got a bike but don't ride it much. I was planning to sell recently but changed my mind.

Anyway, the answer is get an F-car or similar You get the same buzz but without the danger of people just not seeing you. Give it a whirl, it could save your life.

 

I actually started getting more nervous of having a heart attack than an accident. Even though I am only 44, I have high cholesterol and a family history of heart disease. A couple of times when I had close calls I would actual feel like my heart skipped a beat, Knew it was time to stop

 

I have never owned a bike, but have ridden many times. I have stopped doing that and have decided to never own one. Sure the 'family man' thing plays a role, but for me, it was working at a hospital and having involvement in the Trauma area. We are a regional trauma center and I see all of the 'bad stuff'...some of it really really bad (not just deaths, but life-altering injuries), and only about 1/2 I would say are from doing something stupid yourself, 1/2 are from others doing something stupid (or just 'not seeing you'). For me, the odds aren't worth the thrill. I get the same thrill pushing my 3 year old around on his bigwheel.

 

I agree with Uro about riding a little (not a lot) faster than the surrounding traffic. You need to be looking ahead, around AND behind, which is a lot to do. Minimizing the risk factors is important. Moreover, my bike really only starts handling well in the 70-80mph range, so that's the sweet spot and it's easy to keep it at that pace. However, the most dangerous times, I find are in stop and go traffic or when drivers in 4-wheeled cages drive at the same speed so as to prevent the left lane from passing. You're all bottled up, drivers get impatient, drivers slot-in frequently when there's really not enough room to, and following distances tighten up. I've glanced in my mirror and thought, "I hope I don't have a problem, because the guy behind me isn't going to be able to stop." He's just going to use me as additional stopping distance.

I agree that the rider needs to think, and drive, for everyone else. Assume they don't see you. Don't drive like a 16-year old. You'll avoid most all problems. Note I didn't say all problems. So, use your safety gear. Good helmets, jackets, pants, gloves and boots are an absolute necessity. I know they're hot and uncomfortable, but what is your life worth? Now, I don't think that this safety gear will save your life if you hit something stationary hard enough, but, for the most part, that kind of error (a high-speed mistake) will be my own fault.

I read an account yesterday about a rider who was changing lanes on a highway, but the road surface was under construction. The rider was going from a ground-down surface to a 2-3" higher re-paved surface. You know how much your steering wheel kicks when you're in a car. On a bike, it's pretty much a disaster. He's pretty messed up, but the point is that frequently these matters are totally out of your control and the only thing you can do is slow down. What fun is that?

It's true that riding has inherently more risk than driving, and I have struggled with what to do with my bike. I'm considering moving it to my mountain home. There's less congestion, better roads (generally) and just more scenery. I can't drive 50 feet in the city without having to stop, check both ways and then go another 50 feet and do the same. It takes me an hour of riding just to get to the point when I can enjoy the ride. Too stressful. However, moving the bike will undoubtedly result in the pain in the a$$ factor. Everytime I want to ride it, I'll go out to the house and something won't work. The battery will be dead. The injectors clogged. The widget broken. Regular riding is the only way to make sure the bike is ready to go. Just sitting in the garage isn't good. So, I think I may end up selling mine. My family would certainly like that. I'm not married and don't have kids, so I have no "obligations" that are putting pressure on me.

But, no, I don't conciously think about going down or the consequences. If I did, it would be time to get off without discussion. It's like racing; if you're worried about crashing it's time to get out of the car.

Ride safe,

CW

 

I've been in 1 car accident, but hit twice by golf balls.

I've also seen 2 rollover accidents involving golf carts.

 

In 1991 while on leave i was out with my best mate Billy, he was on his Suzuki Katana i was on my Honda VFR. It was on a sunday morning and all was well. Then we tore over the crest of a hill and a car was in the middle of the road doing a 3 pointer. Billy went to the right of it and then knew he could not make it and jumped of,i could see this becourse he was ahead.I went to the left of the car and just made it. As i was doing this and pulled up on the other side i am seeing billys bike running down the road on both wheels upright. The bike made the run through the space after billy jumped,but billy did not. As i walked back up to the car i could hear the screams from the inside of the car and i knew. Billy was wearing a Simpson helmet which had come of his head and inturn billys head hit the curb and he died that day right there as i held him, and apart of me died at the road side. He left two children Paris 3 and Jamie 2.
I sold my bike for a song and never rode again until some 4-5 years ago. I like to go fast and i love speed and ride my bikes at all mighty speeds. Does death scare me...no, but the thought of leaving my children alone does.
Billy Love from Scotland 1969-15,9,1991.

 

there's no way any 4 wheeler could deliver the joy of riding a bike.

 

Guys, riding bikes is very exhilarating...but eventually you reach a point in your life where it isn't worth...

I have wiped out twice - once my fault, once not. At that point I decided the odds were not in my favor. Keep in mind EVERYONE on a motorcycle will have accidents, if you ride long enough. Odds are you will be injured, to some degree. Its just the reality of it - you can think otherwise if it makes you feel better...

I would love to still ride bikes, would love to buy a plane, etc. But I am willing to sacrifice it so that I can be around for my kids. Sure, I can get joy out of doing it - but it doesn't cancel out the lifetime of agony my wife and kids would face if I died...not worth it.

Motorcycles are great for the young or childless...otherwise, drive the porsche turbo or ferrari...

ex owner: Ninja 900, Katana 600, FZR 600, and several others...

 

Had one older gent down here going north in the southbound lane on I-75 in his golf cart. Apparently escaped from "the grounds." Couldn't figure out what FHP was upset about.

 

Been riding for 12 years with no accidents.

I do think about the danger...all the time.

According to the laws of probability, I'm no more likely to have an accident because of 12 'lucky' years. Just as if you flip a coin 12 times and it comes up heads every time, the 13th toss is still a 50/50 chance.

 

When I took my MSF course, they were quoting a 1% per year driven fatality rate for motorcyclists... Of course the injury rate is much higher...

Not sure what the figures are now... but in case you haven't figured it out - wiping out on a bike at 40-50 mph hurts a helluva lot more than it does in a car...

Try this - go out side and run at your maximum speed - likely 8mph or so. Then jump onto the tarmac. Try and land at a realistic angle - you know - head first. Better yet - run into a car at your max speed. Hurts, huh? Now, repeat at 50mph...

Nothing wrong with riding bikes. Just realize how dangerous they are. Unfortunately for most - it takes a big wipeout to really decide if riding is the thing for you. Thats what it took for me...

 

I rode street bikes from 1969 until this spring. Cross country coast to coast 4 times, probably 200k total miles. Never had a wreck, never even dropped a bike in a parking lot. But I hit a deer in my convertible car (top down, deer went right over my head) and I was sure glad I wasn't riding that day. I also realized I wasn't quite as good a rider as I used to be so I sold my Valkyrie. I just felt like the odds were switching against me.

 

Happened this summer. Fortunately with full gear on. I'm back to 100% and have decided that riding is definately the thing for me.

There is nothing in this world that can provide you with the feeling that riding can give you- anytime you desire.

Riders will know, cagers will wonder.