Fear
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 72
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From: NC
Fear
I have always loved riding my dads old Harley and 4 wheelers, and basically anything with a motor. Now I have a new Street Bob, and after looking around the forum, to be honest, I am a little bit fearful. I read all these horror storys about people dying on motorcycles. I am not into speed, or doing anything stupid, just out for a good ride. But man, I need to quit reading these downer threads
RE: Fear
the best way to be prepared for a situation is to read and know the situations that others have been in... as they say knowledge is power... then again every biker knows the risk when they toss a leg over and turn the key... knowing your bike and your lititaions as well as what is going on around you is one of the best defences
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 40
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RE: Fear
I pretty much just think if you are always worried about dieing, your not living. Fear profits a man nothing.
As mentioned, just expect everyone else to make the worst possible move and be ready to counter it. Ride with confidence and don't let fear rob you of your enjoyment.
As mentioned, just expect everyone else to make the worst possible move and be ready to counter it. Ride with confidence and don't let fear rob you of your enjoyment.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,448
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From: Massachusetts
RE: Fear
Not all, but most of the accident stories you hear about are in one way or another the rider's fault or error. Of course we can't do anything about a deer running out in the middle of the road, but 9/10 times when you ask whoever posted the "horror story" about the details of the accident it either involves drugs, alcohol, excessive speed or riding at ridiculous hours of the night. Send a PM to the author of the guy who got killed in Boston a few weeks ago & see what he tells you. I get really pissed off when someone just posts a "horror story" about someone getting killed or badly hurt with no explanation of how the accident happened, which of course gets followed by all the "he'll be in my prayers" or "sorry for your lost" follow-up posts...please!!!...give me a f....'n break!!!Sorry if I offend anyone but you know what...if he/she was riding at 2:00 am drunk as a skunk hammerin' down a 40 mph road at 85 mph then they set themselves up for disaster to strike & under these circumstances it usually does. These "horror storys" with no explanation of the details of the accident lead new riders to believe that the more you ride the more your days are numbered; causing many people who love the sport to "pack it up" because of idiots. If your friend or relative wasdumb enough to disrespect the bike & himself then he got what he deserved because maybe the next person he would of hurt or killed just might have been your son/daughter. Ride smart, safe & alert...you'll be fine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
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From:
RE: Fear
Look at it this way, you have way less chance of dying from riding a motorcycle than if you were shot in the face.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: NC
RE: Fear
FXDC Rider, that was my thoughts exactly. Being a "newer" or "born again rider", some of the stories I read put a little fear in me, but I did read into most of them to find out speed and alcohol were to blame. I dont speed, and I gave up alcohol about 6 months ago, so I should be in good shape. Thanks for all who chimed in...I will ride as I ride in a car, defensively, and ride smart...
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From: By the "Betty water and the Wire"
RE: Fear
Hope this helps, it's a very condensed story, edited for space limitations
I had an "older gentelman" pull out in front of me, not 2 months after getting my new bike. He was found to be totally at fault, and his insurance paid for everything. I've been riding road bikes,on and off since Carter was President[:@] I was stone sober and 3 blocks from my house, going about 25mph. Which if you get down to it, is about the bestway (if there is such a thing as a good way) to 'lay 'er down". I too was a little apprehensive about getting back in the saddle. But after realizing that I was not in the wrong, and you always have to be prepared for the unexpected, by the time my scooter was fixed I was ready to roll again, too. Like someone else said... "they're trying to kill you". No seriouslyeverytime you throw a leg over, you're taking a risk. Just don't dwell on it, you'll be fine. Always be prepared for 'cagers' to do the unexpected., and play the 'what if' game. What if that car pulls out in front of me? What if that truck drops a bit of gravel/debris? What if...
I had an "older gentelman" pull out in front of me, not 2 months after getting my new bike. He was found to be totally at fault, and his insurance paid for everything. I've been riding road bikes,on and off since Carter was President[:@] I was stone sober and 3 blocks from my house, going about 25mph. Which if you get down to it, is about the bestway (if there is such a thing as a good way) to 'lay 'er down". I too was a little apprehensive about getting back in the saddle. But after realizing that I was not in the wrong, and you always have to be prepared for the unexpected, by the time my scooter was fixed I was ready to roll again, too. Like someone else said... "they're trying to kill you". No seriouslyeverytime you throw a leg over, you're taking a risk. Just don't dwell on it, you'll be fine. Always be prepared for 'cagers' to do the unexpected., and play the 'what if' game. What if that car pulls out in front of me? What if that truck drops a bit of gravel/debris? What if...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
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RE: Fear
Riding with a little fear in you is all-in-all not such a bad thing. However, consider what you read and hear with perspective and consider how many bikes are on the road at any given time. My wife doesn't like to fly on a plane because one goes down or bursts into flames now and then but compare that to how many flights there are day and day out. Yet, when an accident occurs, you hear about it all over the news. Well, everything here is about bikes so of course you're going to see a few accident stories. Sure, it's more dangerous if you're in an accident - no two ways about it. But, know your limitations and abilities, ride defensively and use your head.
A year ago, I was invited on a weekend road trip with some friends who were all riding their bikes. They knew I didn't have one and wanted me to drive a "chase truck" behind them so we could carry extra gear and use it to drive out on the beach and fish one day. Well, watching them ride made me want to ride as well but I remember telling them I didn't think I had the nerve to get out on 2 wheels on the highway. I had ridden dirt bikes off-road basically all my life up to that point but putting myself in traffic at high speeds with no metal around me scared the crap out of me. Next they took me to the Harley shop and within 60 days I had my brand new FXDC. Since then, I've put more miles on my bike than any of those other guys and I'm a very confident, yet safe and defensive rider. Doesn't take much of anything to get me into road-rage mode in my pickup but put me on my bike and I'm more forgiving than Jesus himself. As they say - live to ride, ride to live. You only go around once - may as well enjoy it.
A year ago, I was invited on a weekend road trip with some friends who were all riding their bikes. They knew I didn't have one and wanted me to drive a "chase truck" behind them so we could carry extra gear and use it to drive out on the beach and fish one day. Well, watching them ride made me want to ride as well but I remember telling them I didn't think I had the nerve to get out on 2 wheels on the highway. I had ridden dirt bikes off-road basically all my life up to that point but putting myself in traffic at high speeds with no metal around me scared the crap out of me. Next they took me to the Harley shop and within 60 days I had my brand new FXDC. Since then, I've put more miles on my bike than any of those other guys and I'm a very confident, yet safe and defensive rider. Doesn't take much of anything to get me into road-rage mode in my pickup but put me on my bike and I'm more forgiving than Jesus himself. As they say - live to ride, ride to live. You only go around once - may as well enjoy it.