Freedom vs. Fear
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Freedom vs. Fear
This may sound like a really stupid question, but I need some help here.
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to ride. I've dreamt of me cruising a country road with friends from the saddle of my own Softail custom. As my 43rd birthday approaches, I've reached a point where I feel like i've got to to it.
So here's my problem. My father was a physician and never hesitated to share with me the stories of patients brought to the emergency room having suffered an accident on a motorcycle. My 15 year old daughter is absolutely scared to death that her father (me for those of you keeping score) will kill himself if he gets on a bike. And my wife is about as likely to approve of my getting a bike as she is likely to sprout wings and fly. And just for the record, all things being equal, I'm not in favor of dying or becoming paralyzed either.
But after all that, I still have this insatiable desire to get on that Deluxe, listen to those dual fishtails and just go.
How do I reconcile my common sense with my dream?
Andy.
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to ride. I've dreamt of me cruising a country road with friends from the saddle of my own Softail custom. As my 43rd birthday approaches, I've reached a point where I feel like i've got to to it.
So here's my problem. My father was a physician and never hesitated to share with me the stories of patients brought to the emergency room having suffered an accident on a motorcycle. My 15 year old daughter is absolutely scared to death that her father (me for those of you keeping score) will kill himself if he gets on a bike. And my wife is about as likely to approve of my getting a bike as she is likely to sprout wings and fly. And just for the record, all things being equal, I'm not in favor of dying or becoming paralyzed either.
But after all that, I still have this insatiable desire to get on that Deluxe, listen to those dual fishtails and just go.
How do I reconcile my common sense with my dream?
Andy.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 21
From: 11th State 518
RE: Freedom vs. Fear
did you dad ever tell you stories about people being in car accidents?do you and your wife drive a car?accidents happen thats the simple truth.to me the only differance is the protection you have in the car.other then that ride and enjoy life and don't worry about accidents.death can happen at anytime or anywhere.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Freedom vs. Fear
Nighttrain nailed it.... at least from the accident point of view. You ain't gonna live forever no matter how sedate a life you live...
Now as for the better half's attitude, that's going to be a lot tougher to get around. If she can't be convinced this is something important to you, and if she's not the type to lay her own fears aside because it's what you want, then you're going to have a fight every time you go for a ride. And that would suck...
Wives can make life miserable for us when they're upset, as I'm sure everyone on here knows...
Now as for the better half's attitude, that's going to be a lot tougher to get around. If she can't be convinced this is something important to you, and if she's not the type to lay her own fears aside because it's what you want, then you're going to have a fight every time you go for a ride. And that would suck...
Wives can make life miserable for us when they're upset, as I'm sure everyone on here knows...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,273
Likes: 7
From:
RE: Freedom vs. Fear
My mother and father never liked me having a bike. My dad is dead, my mother still does not like me having a bike. I have been riding for over 40 years. I am a professional in a high profile position and I ride daily to work. The people who have died, have done something stupid or let down their guard. You have to be aware of everything around you. You can not sleep behind the handle bars. You have to believe that every vehicle you see at a side road is going to pull out in front of you. Do not be the first to leave when a light changes. when the light changes, look both ways before leaving. Believe the vehicle in the other lane does not see you and is going to pull over into your lane. You just ride smart!
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Freedom vs. Fear
Hold onto the fear - it'll give you the freedom. My wife doesn't like that I got back into riding either after about an 8 year hiatus. During those 8 years we had 3 children (now 7-5-&2).
Keep it all in perspective - yeah, we can scrounge up some pretty horrific pics & stories of people who've been in motorcycle wrecks. Yeah, you're probably more likely to be killed or seriously injured on a motor if you're involved in a wreck. BUT - you can, to some degree, control your own destiny by riding a scooter using common sense & skill. A high percentage of the wrecks that are plastered all over the newspapers have other contributing factors... drinking, speeding, showin' off, tailgaiting, etc. Don't do those things and you start to swing the stats more to your side. Develop your skills by taking a good motorcycle safety course. Learn to drive defensively on a bike - better off to be thought a wuss because you brake at an intersection when things don't look quite right, than to be cool and plastered on the side of a mini-van.
But, if you ever get to the point where you lose the fear of what could happen to you on a bike, it's time to park it and stay off the road. We all suffer from the statistic swaying antics & tragedy's of the 10 foot tall & bulletproof young men... I was one once, luckily I lived through it. I no longer think it's fun to push the limits of myself and my machine. Although I'm still at risk when I'm out on the road, I think my risk is far less than it once was.
Ride Smart, Ride Safe & enjoy.
Dave
Keep it all in perspective - yeah, we can scrounge up some pretty horrific pics & stories of people who've been in motorcycle wrecks. Yeah, you're probably more likely to be killed or seriously injured on a motor if you're involved in a wreck. BUT - you can, to some degree, control your own destiny by riding a scooter using common sense & skill. A high percentage of the wrecks that are plastered all over the newspapers have other contributing factors... drinking, speeding, showin' off, tailgaiting, etc. Don't do those things and you start to swing the stats more to your side. Develop your skills by taking a good motorcycle safety course. Learn to drive defensively on a bike - better off to be thought a wuss because you brake at an intersection when things don't look quite right, than to be cool and plastered on the side of a mini-van.
But, if you ever get to the point where you lose the fear of what could happen to you on a bike, it's time to park it and stay off the road. We all suffer from the statistic swaying antics & tragedy's of the 10 foot tall & bulletproof young men... I was one once, luckily I lived through it. I no longer think it's fun to push the limits of myself and my machine. Although I'm still at risk when I'm out on the road, I think my risk is far less than it once was.
Ride Smart, Ride Safe & enjoy.
Dave
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,366
Likes: 3,663
From: SE NC
RE: Freedom vs. Fear
go get it andym, time's a tickin' Just ride carefully and take a motorcycle safety course and have at it.
As they say its better to live one day as a lion, than 10 years as a lamb!!
As they say its better to live one day as a lion, than 10 years as a lamb!!
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: Freedom vs. Fear
Hey Andy, my name is Andrew. I suffered a traumatic brain injury last year totally un motorcycle related. Hadn't had a motorcycle in a few years. Spent 9 days in a coma at UCLA hospital,woke up with no recollection of what happened. Couldn't walk for 4 weeks, or talk for about a week. Had to relearn how to do pretty much everything. A couple of months after arriving home, I decided to buy another motorcycle, a harley at that. I have ridden for about 10 years and have had a few accidents, mostly other peoples faults. But I was never injured seriously in any of these. No brain injuries or anything. The way I see it is if I survived the coma and was still able to drive, why the hell not. My god is watching over me as witnessed by the fact that I am still alive and he will protect me on the bike, as long as i don't do anything too stupid. go for it. The wife will want to sit on the back, and then get her own. You only live once, make it real.
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Joe Kucinski
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Freedom vs. Fear
ORIGINAL: Eyespy
Yet, plenty of physicians ride.
Yet, plenty of physicians ride.
Several years ago I was setting on the front porch of the motel I was staying at in Tombstone, Az (popular riding destination for bikers) when five Harleys pulled up and parked after registering. One of the riders sat in the chair next to mine and we started to chat and share a bit of my scotch on the rocks. Ended up he was an orthopedic surgeon from Phoenix. Now here's a guy that could probably tell some horror stories but it amused me that at the time we were visiting he was just another biker out having a good time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 2
From: LAKESIDE CA.
RE: Freedom vs. Fear
I never had your problem my wife made us get a harley ( had a 1500 vulcan)
she has fallen asleep on the back
I have taught all my kids to ride
my only problem now is my youngest daughter is now worried about me when I go on a trip
take a riding course havae your wife come with you and talk to other people there
drive her to a run and get to know other people that ride
if she can get used to the people and the riding life style and meet other
women that ride or passenger it could be a lot esier some with the daughter..
good luck and as somebody said keep the afraid part once you have mastered all riding skills
something new will hurt you
macho is not a skill
been riding 45 years just my .02 cents worth
[IMG]local://upfiles/5757/696E121FFF0C4E5D9683C57E033CBF7C.jpg[/IMG]
she has fallen asleep on the back
I have taught all my kids to ride
my only problem now is my youngest daughter is now worried about me when I go on a trip
take a riding course havae your wife come with you and talk to other people there
drive her to a run and get to know other people that ride
if she can get used to the people and the riding life style and meet other
women that ride or passenger it could be a lot esier some with the daughter..
good luck and as somebody said keep the afraid part once you have mastered all riding skills
something new will hurt you
macho is not a skill
been riding 45 years just my .02 cents worth
[IMG]local://upfiles/5757/696E121FFF0C4E5D9683C57E033CBF7C.jpg[/IMG]