How safe or dangerous is it?
 

Looking at a bike this summer. Road dirt bikes as a kid a lot and street bikes in late teens and early 20s when my brother wasnt looking (stole his bike kaw ltd750). Went for many rides north on taconic from bronx to Poughkeepsie ny

Now almost 50 it is time to get back to riding. Wife says it's way too dangerous and refuses but feel she can be persuaded.

Looking for facts. How dangerous (or safe) is it if compared to other sports or transportation? Would drive on weekends and recreational, and stay away from large towns or cities. I like long country 2 lane roads in the mountains. Etc

Looking for your thoughts.

Listen to your wife

I agree with Rip , If you got to ask , Don't do it

Take a rider safety course and go for it.....I can't imagine life without 2 wheels. But I have rode all my life...59 now.
But one has to wonder with this question maybe you should listen to your wife????
Cagers are always trying to hit you....you have to remember that...always!

The motorcycle death rate is 35 times as high as the rate for cars on a per mile basis. On a per vehicle basis it's about 6 times as high.

Well, that's like asking "How blue is the sky?" You're going to get a lot of answers.

I would estimate that most of the time it's as dangerous as you make it (skill, or lack thereof). Then there's the other small percentage of the time where things are completely beyond your control (blind luck, good & bad). Others would rate that at far less than that but I was a traffic cop for 29 years and watched a LOT of traffic (most people have no idea how close they come to oblivion on a daily basis) and I have handled many accidents where motorists were out there minding their own business, doing everything right and they still got rubbed out..

What cannot be argued against is the fact that accidents on motorcycles do have a certain quality of finality that doesn't exist nearly as much as with driving cars.

The good news is, my estimations about risk while riding are very much the same as your risks while driving a car. If you're a skilled and thoughtful driver on four wheels, you will likely be the same driver on two. I feel the key to safe operation, whether you are driving or riding, begins and ends with correct risk assessment, risk management and mitigation of risk.

If you take up riding and you really love it (but it turns out that your wife is only going to be a reluctant passenger) there is a middle ground. If you want your motorcycle travels to happen at locales that are somewhat more exotic than just around home, get a trailer for your motorcycle and bring it along, or travel and rent a bike at your destination. Plenty of reasons to rent, by the way, not the least of which is getting to try out other motorcycles.

There is only one guarantee in life and that is - there is nothing worse than a lifetime of regret. Could have. Should have. Would have.

Cheers,
M3A1

Do a search on how many motorcycle accidents with guys over 50 that are getting back into riding after a long lay off.
Its very dangerous as every car is trying to kill you. Just get a nice life insurance policy and your wife will be good to go.

You're never to old to try something new , just make sure you dig really deep inside yourself and decide that's exactly what " You " want to do . Then take the appropriate steps to make that wish come true . If I were you , I would take the course and watch some video's like " ride like a pro " . You never stop learning how to ride , but the more miles you get under your belt , the easier it will be to overcome whatever makes you anxious , doubtful and possibly fearful . If you know someone who rides , ask him to take you out and give you pointers and advice , not saying that you should not take the course , I still would . I say go for it , and if you find it's just not for you , then at least you can say you gave it a shot . And always learn at your own pace , don't rush and don't let anyone rush you . Enjoy , riding is the best thing in the world if you have it in your heart .

Now , If my wife was totally against me riding , I would have to seriously take that into consideration , especially if I had kids . Think about the consequences .

It's dangerous. But it's fun. Take a safety course. Read books like Proficient Motorcycling, by David Hough. Ride like you're invisible. Assume everyone is trying to kill you, and never underestimate the stupidity of cage drivers.

I started riding at 47 and have 75k accident free miles. But I have had many close calls, most of them when I started to get complacent.

You'll get some ribbing about our wife being concerned about you, don't let it faze you. My wife was an ER nurse and calls motorcycles donorcycles. After 7 years of solo riding on a Vulcan 750, she asked to ride with me, and that's when I bought an Ultra. I recommend starting out with a bike less than 500lbs/900cc and getting some experience, then moving into a big twin. Don't ride 2 up until you are an accomplished solo rider.

Good luck.