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Being VERY Irish, I Love my whiskey, your whiskey, everyones whiskey and used to take alot of pride in being the last man drinking at parties. Since my son was born, I don't drink and ride, drive or handle weapons (Sorry Dick Cheney). I will be the first one to volenteer to be the DD as I know the whiskey will be home waiting for me when I get there. I know, if I have one or two at dinner, I will want them all. I don't drink and ride, My Life, My choice- Flame on me if you wish
I do drink and drive have had 4 or 5 at one time and jumped right on the bike.But I only drink non alcoholic O Doul's.Still have to stop and pi$$ every 5 miles..Please dont drink and drive I think back about my younger day's and wonder how STUPID,I was and how I was very lucky not to mess up any more than I did..
LOL @ riding drunk. Each to his own unless you hit me or mine, and then its Hammer Time. Still, drunk bikers are probably better men than regular folks any time, so it could go either way.
Anyone who thinks one or two beer is okay should start researching this topic. One or two beer is not okay and you should never drink and ride a motorcycle. As several people here have already said, you not only risk your own life but that of others.
I also agree with wearing protective gear while riding, however, if you do not wear a helmet or any other gear then you are risking your own life not mine and it does not impair your safe operation of the motorcycle, so I say to each his own. If you drink even one beer, you are not 100% in control of that bike and now you risk other people's lives as well and I am not okay with that....
I am 62 years old and have logged in more than 200,000 miles on motorcycles since I was 18 yrears old, and never had a serious accident. At times in my life I have had way too much to drink to ride, but i have wized up in my elder years. I still have a lite beer with a burger at the local pub and feel that I am a safe rider. I don't understand this all or nothing pious attitude. It must be an age thing
What a bunch 'o pussies here. Boo hoo if I have one or 2 beers I'll kill somebody. Thats bull. Sincere sympathies and condolences to those who have been impacted by serious drinking and driving. We have all been impacted by it with tighter laws and legislation in the attempts to control peoples choices. It doesn't deter drunks from driving. Never will any laws or legislation have 100% control over morality or peoples ability to chose for themselves. Hence the word moderation and knowing ones tolerances. What most of the posters here seem to be doing is throwing conventional wisdom, voice of reason and moderation right out the window. I think a poster who stated that being drop dead drunk and NOT in control of ones actions is far from having 1-2 beers over a period of time and with a meal, is not unreasonable.
If you are in any way altered by 1-2 beers under those conditions you should totally stay away from alcohol.
Can there really be moderation when a outside element ( Alcohol, Drugs) is introduced that can alter behaviors, reactions, vision, reflex etc? All these nice bikes in these posts...can you draw the analogy that you would ride Knowing that there was a mechanical failure imminent that could cause harm to you?? Scary thing is after reading these posts I would have to say YEP!! " Hell I know my bike has low tires, loose spokes, open primary, one loose foot peg, loose bars and I NEVER had me a accident"
As I was typing this, I could swear I could hear the song softly playing from "Deliverance" in the background!
NEVER....Ever......It's true that on average your body can metabolize the alcohol equivelent of one beer, one glass of wine or one alcoholic drink per hour....That's an average that is affected by many things....Inlcuding your mental state, light, and a HOST of other factors........EVERYONE has some effects from alcohol....Perceived or not.....Why risk your life, the life of your passenger, or someone else's over a drink?
Sorry, but riding is virtually 100% controlled by coordination, awareness, and judgement....The three things that are affected by alcohol.......
If you have a couple beers and you get hurt or hurt someone else, one might always wonder if the alcohol might have contributed. After reading all these comments it is obvious that some people have some very strong opinions and take a very strong stand defending their position. Riding a motorcycle is a very dangerous hobby and just when you think you have it all mastered, the danger reality will will surface, sooner or later. Dealing with those variables why would a logical, rational person reduce their chances by being impaired with alcohol? The truth is, not everyone is logical or rational so they keep rolling the dice.
I don't have a beer when I'm out all day and stop for lunch, more psychological for me than anything, because we usually stop for more than an hour to eat. If I'm at a rally for the day I'll have a few beers. I stay long enough for the effects to wear off before I hit the road.
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