accidents
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
hi,
I am a newbie, 44 yr old mom of two...husband and I are buying a friends older bike, not sure what it is lol
We have never owned a motorcycle before, my husband has been riding family memebers etc. for years. When I tell people we are buying a bike, every one of them is appauled and becomes experts on motorcycle death statistics. annoying. I love it and am excited...my question...does everyone who rides a motorcycle at some point get in an accident, or is there a chance of riding for years and not a scratch!?
Thanks!
I am a newbie, 44 yr old mom of two...husband and I are buying a friends older bike, not sure what it is lol
We have never owned a motorcycle before, my husband has been riding family memebers etc. for years. When I tell people we are buying a bike, every one of them is appauled and becomes experts on motorcycle death statistics. annoying. I love it and am excited...my question...does everyone who rides a motorcycle at some point get in an accident, or is there a chance of riding for years and not a scratch!?
Thanks!
BUT. I would advise you to get as much training as you can. Not sure what's available where you are but search for motorcycle safety classes and see if your local Police department offers rider training from the motorcycle cops. You should do basic, intermediate and advanced training if you can find it - and always KEEP learning.
Also read some books. Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough would be an excellent starting point.
You can of course ride for years without having any kind of accident, but it will depend a lot on your level of proficiency and situational awareness.
I can't speak for others, but personally I always wear a helmet and protective gear. Jacket, kevlar jeans, boots and gloves.
You might never need it - but you will be pleased you have it if you do.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Aug 16, 2016 at 08:59 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,287
Likes: 7,773
From: West Central FL
Whaaat??? That's a defeatist attitude. Kind of like saying, "the more times you get out of bed in the morning the more likely you are to slip and break your neck."
I've been wrenching and riding since 1968 and I haven't hit anything yet and nothing has hit me. Can't say I haven't had a couple thousand close calls though. Fortunately paying attention to what I'm doing has always saved me. Never had to lay it down to avoid a crash either. That would be like saying I crashed to avoid a crash.
thanks for the replies everyone...I guess I was just wondering if there are a lot of people that have been riding for years and never had an incident...kind of sounds like everyone has had something happen...I have had my share of car accidents and know people with brain injuries from falling on the sidewalk and skiing. I just want to know it's possible to ride for years and never get a scratch...hoping someone will pipe in and say that! lol! I haven't worn a helmet yet, I love the air blowing in my face and the freedom...but with a 12 and 9 year old, I better look into it...
Riding a motorcycle as it relates to accidents is no different than skiing, driving a car, jumping out of airplanes, skate boarding etc.... There are tons of folks that do it their entire life with never a real injury to speak of and there are also those that have bad accidents.
Riding a motorcycle is just like anything else you decide to do, you take the best precautions you can and go with it. Proper safety gear will minimize your injury risk but no guarantees. Riders safety courses put you on the right foot of being a safer rider and avoiding accidents, but again there is no guarantees.
I think your second post in this thread sums up the real issue
thanks for the reply, so you have crashed? interested to hear from others too...gonna be tough to convince people in my life I will be fine if I ride
Last edited by Mxdad; Aug 16, 2016 at 06:36 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 168
Likes: 29
From: Elkridge, MD
I have been riding since 1982. The only real accident I had was in 1984 showing off for some friends and being a general idiot. No severe injuries other than my Norton Commando and my pride.
In 1987 I started as a State Trooper. I learned a ton and rode a ton. I have ridden in all sorts of circumstances, high speed, low speed, weather and so on. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET. A huge number of motorcycle accidents are very low speed and the helmet will save you from smacking your pumpkin on the pavement, guardrail, gas pump, car next to you in the parking lot, or many other places as I have seen.
It is dangerous, but if you wear a helmet and NEVER drink and ride - even a little you GREATLY reduce your chances of an accident. I am a very attentive rider and driver, if you apply common sense and awareness motorcycling can be a lifetime of pure motorized fun.
these days I ride for fun, I have just over 90k miles on my Electra Glide and are looking for a new machine. Relax and enjoy, just pay attention - there is no law saying you must be in an accident.
In 1987 I started as a State Trooper. I learned a ton and rode a ton. I have ridden in all sorts of circumstances, high speed, low speed, weather and so on. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET. A huge number of motorcycle accidents are very low speed and the helmet will save you from smacking your pumpkin on the pavement, guardrail, gas pump, car next to you in the parking lot, or many other places as I have seen.
It is dangerous, but if you wear a helmet and NEVER drink and ride - even a little you GREATLY reduce your chances of an accident. I am a very attentive rider and driver, if you apply common sense and awareness motorcycling can be a lifetime of pure motorized fun.
these days I ride for fun, I have just over 90k miles on my Electra Glide and are looking for a new machine. Relax and enjoy, just pay attention - there is no law saying you must be in an accident.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 1,735
From: Variable
It's my view that motorcycling isn't so much dangerous as it is unforgiving.
Life threatening accidents can happen anywhere, anytime, no matter what you are doing. The closest I've ever come to cashing it in was about five years ago, working on a high powered piece of equipment in my plant. I neglected to discharge a particular big capacitor before I reached inside the machine. My arm brushed up against a hot element, and I had a brief awareness of a flash of light. The next thing I knew I was lying on my back surrounded by a bunch of people with "Do you think he's dead?" looks on their faces.
That one was close. If the current I took had grounded through my heart, that would have been it.
When you break down motorcycle accidents, the stats are quite clear: Eliminate chemical impairment, youth, inexperience, and excessive speed, and you've eliminated the vast majority. There will always be 'X-Factors' that you can't control, but that's true for anything. I have a friend who's mother was killed in a pickup truck when a piece of heavy farm equipment bounced off of a flatbed in the oncoming lane. Insanely bad luck. Both vehicles were going 50MPH. A fraction a second either way and she'd have lived.
Sometimes **** just happens. You can't live in a bubble. Prepare yourself, be smart, be cautious, be alert. The rest is out of our hands.
Life threatening accidents can happen anywhere, anytime, no matter what you are doing. The closest I've ever come to cashing it in was about five years ago, working on a high powered piece of equipment in my plant. I neglected to discharge a particular big capacitor before I reached inside the machine. My arm brushed up against a hot element, and I had a brief awareness of a flash of light. The next thing I knew I was lying on my back surrounded by a bunch of people with "Do you think he's dead?" looks on their faces.
That one was close. If the current I took had grounded through my heart, that would have been it.
When you break down motorcycle accidents, the stats are quite clear: Eliminate chemical impairment, youth, inexperience, and excessive speed, and you've eliminated the vast majority. There will always be 'X-Factors' that you can't control, but that's true for anything. I have a friend who's mother was killed in a pickup truck when a piece of heavy farm equipment bounced off of a flatbed in the oncoming lane. Insanely bad luck. Both vehicles were going 50MPH. A fraction a second either way and she'd have lived.
Sometimes **** just happens. You can't live in a bubble. Prepare yourself, be smart, be cautious, be alert. The rest is out of our hands.
This sums it up perfectly for me. Thanks!
R,
Sanjuro
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 243
From: NC
Don't worry about a crash. You will get yourself fixated on what might happen. Both of you should take a motorcycle safety course and practice what you learn.
Ride safe, rubber side down and keep it between the ditches. Welcome from NC.
Ride safe, rubber side down and keep it between the ditches. Welcome from NC.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 1,735
From: Variable
Or, "hubby" should not get on the back of that bike until she has more experience riding...
R,
Sanjuro
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 283
Likes: 22
From: Grand Prairie, TX
1. Take a motorcycle safety class, MSF or otherwise; this applies to passengers as well. Even if the passenger never intends to ride their own it will give them a new sense of what's going on in the front seat. They can also help the rider spot potential things to focus on.
2. Practice, practice, practice
3. Have fun and don't listen to the horror stories from your coworkers about their brother's neighbors second cousin's childhood friend's mini bike accident.
Whether you choose to wear all the gear all the time will ultimately be up to you. Wearing good quality, well-fitting gear not only protects you but it can actually make the ride more comfortable. As I tell my students, if you want to protect it, cover it. Getting hit by even a small stone at 70 mph definitely stings but just imagine if it hits bare skin what it would feel like.
Riding a motorcycle has its risks; you just have to choose to do your best to manage those risks.
Have fun on your new adventure!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,085
Likes: 1,128
From:
Some people have an accident and some do not, just like in cars.
The difference between a car and a motorcycle is that an injury is likely to be more significant due to exposure (no metal protective cage).
Regardless of transportation mode it would be a good idea to educate (rider/passenger training) and protect yourself.
If there are individuals dependent on you then it would be wise to make provisions for their care regardless of transportation mode.
As a general example: life insurance (not just through employer), disability insurance (not through employer), health insurance, assigned care giver for children and just basically planning ahead.
An incident can happen at any time regardless of transportation mode.
The difference between a car and a motorcycle is that an injury is likely to be more significant due to exposure (no metal protective cage).
Regardless of transportation mode it would be a good idea to educate (rider/passenger training) and protect yourself.
If there are individuals dependent on you then it would be wise to make provisions for their care regardless of transportation mode.
As a general example: life insurance (not just through employer), disability insurance (not through employer), health insurance, assigned care giver for children and just basically planning ahead.
An incident can happen at any time regardless of transportation mode.