This was an article today in Raleigh's News and Observer.
I was surprised to see that over half of the fatalities on motorcycles are over 40. It doesn't say who is at fault in these accidents.
I am presently 66 years old, soon to be 67. Last year I bought my first Harley and you know what, I became younger overnight. My reflexes improved my vision improved, my outlook on life improved, I don't need Viagra anymore. Life is Good and I credit it all to my Harley. Screw it, just ride.
The thing these "scare tactic" articles never mention is that if more than half of all riders are over 40, then one would expect more than half of the fatalities to also be over 40, all other things being equal.
The 2007 Harly demographics indicate that the median age of harley riders is about 47--meaning half are over 47 and half under. That means that quite a bit more than half are over 40. If they are experienceing only half of the fatalities, that means that older riders must have a lower fatality rate than younger riders.
Of course, you can't draw that conclusion based on only Harley demographics, as some other segments of the market are younger. However, it wouldn't surprise me if the median age for all riders was about 40.
This is just another example of the press being stupid, or deliberately trying to mislead the public in pursuit of it's own agenda.
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2005 XL 1200 Custom
"THOR" The Sound of Thunder
I LOVE MY SPORTSTER!
I am presently 66 years old, soon to be 67. Last year I bought my first Harley and you know what, I became younger overnight. My reflexes improved my vision improved, my outlook on life improved, I don't need Viagra anymore. Life is Good and I credit it all to my Harley. Screw it, just ride.
+1
Just turned 53 Wednesday.
Had my bike for 1 year now. Today is the 1 year anniversary.
Hadnt ridden for 23 years and I cant believe how much I missed.
I feel great!!!
Get the **** out of my way.
Most of motorcycle accidents happen to inexperienced riders..... 50 year olds who "remember" how they rode 25 years ago, often make mistakes...... and mistakes on a motorcycle can be deadly..... the news isn't really new.... it's the same old story....
Most of motorcycle accidents happen to inexperienced riders..... 50 year olds who "remember" how they rode 25 years ago, often make mistakes...... and mistakes on a motorcycle can be deadly..... the news isn't really new.... it's the same old story....
Which is probably why most of the riders who sign up for Ride Like A Pro are in that age bracket. They know they cannot ride like the did 30 years ago, anymore than they can hit an inside fastball like they did 30 years ago. So they wise up, take a course and practice.
All I know is I sometimes visit our local insurance salvage "pool" and on occasion I walk past the wrecked bikes that they keep inside their garage and If there are 100 bikes there at anyone time I can tell you for sure that 85% are motorcycles other than HD's mostly crotch rockets. I don't know anyone over 40 that owns a crotcher. So for me actually seeing the results of reel crashed bikes and the type of bikes I can honestly tell you that it is the UNDER 40 crowd that is usually the statistic. It makes sense with the rise in poularity that motorcycle crashes are going to increase when there are more motorcycles on the road today than ever in history. - DUh! I sometimes thing that reporters have nothing else to report so they find an interesting topic but don't put in the research before they release their story. I guess that what makes the world go around.
Aging riders
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