Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
RE: Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle
Mike,
You've received some good advice on this thread so let me just add my two cents. I'm 55 and started riding a motorcycle for the first time in my life a little over a year ago. I failed the BRC the first time due to a bout of nerves during which I dropped the bike. Rather than accept defeat, I bought a used Yamaha V-Star 650 and a set of traffic cones, got up at 5:00 a.m. every morning and practised all the BRC exercises in an empty parking lot. I retook the BRC and aced it. I rode the V-Star for 9 months during which time I crashed once by taking a curve in the Malibu canyons too fast. After 9 months I took the ERC and shortly after bought a Harley Street Glide which I've been riding and loving for the last six months. In August I took a fall on the bike and got some road rash. It took the dealer six weeks to replace the fiberglass but now I'm back in the saddle, often with my fiancee on the back. By the way, I have a 15-year-old son.
I guess the point here is that while you should take motorcycle riding very seriously and continuously take courses to maintain your skills, there is a good chance that you will have at least one spill during the first year or two. In all likelihood, it will be at a slow speed and you'll come away with only a few scrapes and bruises but you have to be realistic when you get on a scoot. It is a dangerous sport. Maybe that's part of the fun. I don't want to be a downer. Motorcycling is one of my passions and I intend to continue riding until I can longer do it.
Best of luck and ride safe!
You've received some good advice on this thread so let me just add my two cents. I'm 55 and started riding a motorcycle for the first time in my life a little over a year ago. I failed the BRC the first time due to a bout of nerves during which I dropped the bike. Rather than accept defeat, I bought a used Yamaha V-Star 650 and a set of traffic cones, got up at 5:00 a.m. every morning and practised all the BRC exercises in an empty parking lot. I retook the BRC and aced it. I rode the V-Star for 9 months during which time I crashed once by taking a curve in the Malibu canyons too fast. After 9 months I took the ERC and shortly after bought a Harley Street Glide which I've been riding and loving for the last six months. In August I took a fall on the bike and got some road rash. It took the dealer six weeks to replace the fiberglass but now I'm back in the saddle, often with my fiancee on the back. By the way, I have a 15-year-old son.
I guess the point here is that while you should take motorcycle riding very seriously and continuously take courses to maintain your skills, there is a good chance that you will have at least one spill during the first year or two. In all likelihood, it will be at a slow speed and you'll come away with only a few scrapes and bruises but you have to be realistic when you get on a scoot. It is a dangerous sport. Maybe that's part of the fun. I don't want to be a downer. Motorcycling is one of my passions and I intend to continue riding until I can longer do it.
Best of luck and ride safe!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
From: Weatherford, Texas
RE: Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle
I was relativley new to riding at age 45. Rode some in High School. I heard the same crap from family and friends but I always wanted my own. So I did after taking the MSF course. That was in March 2005. Now 23,000 mile later, no regrets - rode to Sturgis, Chicago and lots of Texas. I have seen some near accidents and in most cases it was my skills that kept me safe. I can honestly say that had it not been for the course and miles of practice, I would have been in one. And for the people that knew someone that was maimed or killed, in 99% of the time in my estimation, it was lack of skill that got them hurt. I'm still learning but once your skills become more 2nd nature, then you can focus on the idiots who are out there to kill you. GO FOR IT! What if tomorrow a doctor said that you only had a few weeks to live? The next thought is hell I wish I would have taken that chance and riden! Good Luck!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 7
From: hollywood, FL
RE: Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle
speaking for all - the worry/concern is a reality, however not a hinderance as you can tell from all the good advice. otherwise we'd all be in plastic bubbles (bubble boy).
my .02:
your chances of having your day ruined - God's Call
your chances of having a "heart pounding" catch your breath close call - 100%
manage your risk wisely
my .02:
your chances of having your day ruined - God's Call
your chances of having a "heart pounding" catch your breath close call - 100%
manage your risk wisely
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
RE: Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle
And WEAR A HELMET!! Good idea to always wear gloves and protective clothing. If you do get knocked off the bike, protective clothing goes a long way toward you riding again. JMO.[8D]
(40 years a motorcyclist, BTW)
(40 years a motorcyclist, BTW)
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 592
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle
Be prepared to put some serious $$ in your riding gear.
Like others have said, the MSF course is absolutely invaluable. Take baby steps at first.
Do it man...you'll regret not getting a bike- life is too short not to ride. Don't rule out a metric for a first bike- lot cheaper if you drop it. Or, if you feel ok about it after the MSF course, just get a harley. My first bike was my deuce- 4 years later still happy with it.
Like others have said, the MSF course is absolutely invaluable. Take baby steps at first.
Do it man...you'll regret not getting a bike- life is too short not to ride. Don't rule out a metric for a first bike- lot cheaper if you drop it. Or, if you feel ok about it after the MSF course, just get a harley. My first bike was my deuce- 4 years later still happy with it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle
Like everything else in life, Riding is a risk vs. reward thing. There are not many things that are risk free that give you any real satisfaction. I will have the memory of a good ride pop up in my mine at the strangest moments. The weather, or a smell or something I see will trigger it. I have wrecked once in 25 years and had numerous close calls. Memories of the bad times hardly ever pop up unless someone brings it up in conversation like we have done here. Heck, the other night I was having a dream about riding and got highly upset when a loud noise woke me up.
Think about your own situation and see if the rewards outweigh the risks. If they do, take the fine advice given above and approach riding with a very concientious attitude and you will do fine. Trust me when I say that when the wife and kids see how much you enjoy it, they will get involved too.
Think about your own situation and see if the rewards outweigh the risks. If they do, take the fine advice given above and approach riding with a very concientious attitude and you will do fine. Trust me when I say that when the wife and kids see how much you enjoy it, they will get involved too.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle
I have a riding buddy that I rode dirt bikes with for years, and now we just cruise around on our Harleys joking about the days. He rides a bicycle to work and back, about 20 mile round trip, and has for years. Rain ,shine dont matter, he takes even longer rides on his bicycle on the weekends than I ride my putt! He has had his fair share of wipe-outs on motorcycles, some of them really bad ones, but he swares that his bicycle is way more dangerous. Several times he has ended up in the front seat of someones car with them when they open there door on him, or on there hood when they cut him off. If you want to ride a motorcycle, take a riding course, and buy a bike. Lifes full of 'chance taking', like using your ATM after dark, so just do it.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 672
Likes: 1
From: Southern Indiana
RE: Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle
Riding your street bike is probably more dangerous than a motorcycle. I can't count the number of those guys I have had to dodge because they like to show they "have a right to the road too"! I have also noticed that they will have a 6 foot wide bike lane and ride right on the white line, cars missing them by 6 inches.
Buy a bike and ride it, if you get whacked you get whacked, at least you were man enough to give it a shot. Other posters have put out some excellent advice but the bottom line is it is a risky activity. I bought my first bike in 1975 and have had one ever since, I've only been involved in a minor lay-down that was my fault. Looking back on the way I used to ride when I was younger, I should be dead already. Most of the bike accidents I have witnessed were the fault of the riders who were careless, showing off, drunk or riding beyond their skill level, (I did all of those) of course there are those occasional cagers we just can't dodge.
Your family members will eventually come around and start wanting to be involved also. Heck before you know it you will get some cool tats, start riding with some outlaw bikers and do a weekend in jail every once-in-a-while and you won't believe life could be so fun!
Rick
Buy a bike and ride it, if you get whacked you get whacked, at least you were man enough to give it a shot. Other posters have put out some excellent advice but the bottom line is it is a risky activity. I bought my first bike in 1975 and have had one ever since, I've only been involved in a minor lay-down that was my fault. Looking back on the way I used to ride when I was younger, I should be dead already. Most of the bike accidents I have witnessed were the fault of the riders who were careless, showing off, drunk or riding beyond their skill level, (I did all of those) of course there are those occasional cagers we just can't dodge.
Your family members will eventually come around and start wanting to be involved also. Heck before you know it you will get some cool tats, start riding with some outlaw bikers and do a weekend in jail every once-in-a-while and you won't believe life could be so fun!
Rick