Motorcycle article rubs me the wrong way...
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 3
A lot of good stuff here. I always take the atricles that spout stats with a grain of salt. First, they never tell you how they actually gathered the stats and they never (at least in my experience) tell you who interpreted the data and then give you access to that person. All that said, I think the best thing to do is draw from it one positive aspect and that is to remind you of how things can go wrong. It does not really matter to me what the actual stat numbers are but my take-away is that it serves to remind me of what to be aware of and what to think about while riding to stay safe.
I'm sure, like me, you also get those folks that when you tell them you ride (how ever it works into the conversation) you get this diatribe about how dangerous it is, etc., etc. They always seem to have a car vs MC accident story. I am sure they mean well but I like to leave them with asking that they don't use their cell when driving and I will feel safer on the road.
I'm sure, like me, you also get those folks that when you tell them you ride (how ever it works into the conversation) you get this diatribe about how dangerous it is, etc., etc. They always seem to have a car vs MC accident story. I am sure they mean well but I like to leave them with asking that they don't use their cell when driving and I will feel safer on the road.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
Likes: 7,936
From: Long Island, New York
Gotta agree with everyone here. Motorcycle riding can lead to an accident and injury or death. All fact.
Therefore we should ban motorcycles before we all die in accidents.
OR
We can live our lives as we see fit, I believe we call this "the pursuit of happiness".
I'm done, that article was crap and it is 5 minutes of my life I will not get back.
Therefore we should ban motorcycles before we all die in accidents.
OR
We can live our lives as we see fit, I believe we call this "the pursuit of happiness".
I'm done, that article was crap and it is 5 minutes of my life I will not get back.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Well say what you want, the statistic and personal observation of seeing these accidents motivated me to go out and practice thinking through a curve. The natural instinct of hitting a curve to fast is to panic and hit the brake when they need to let off the throttle and turn harder into the turn. It takes a concious effort to turn harder.
Beary
Beary
I did some extensive research a few years ago, and really wish I would have saved everything on an external drive so I would still have it..
Statistically, you are no safer with a helmet than without, and vice versa. I did honest, drill-down research, without any biased fluff.
Seatbelts WILL SAVE LIVES, without a doubt. I was an extrication specialist on the Jaws of life for a few years back before the oilfield seduced me with all her money... and first hand I have seen what seatbelts can do.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Highland Park, Il
Well, based on THOSE statistics (I'm just making an observation)..
If 50% were single vehicle accidents, no one else involved, and 50% were involving another vehicle, a reasonable person could assume that a percentage of the second 50% were also the motorcyclists fault, even if it were a VERY small percentage.
Example, based on above assumptions:
In the first scenario, 50 of 50 caused by the motorcyclist.
In the second, lets say 1 of 50 caused by the motorcyclist.
Then 51% of ALL accidents caused by the motorcyclist, and therefore, the LARGEST threat, and biggest enemy, is themselves....
Not saying I agree, but "they" can skew the numbers to look however they want...
If 50% were single vehicle accidents, no one else involved, and 50% were involving another vehicle, a reasonable person could assume that a percentage of the second 50% were also the motorcyclists fault, even if it were a VERY small percentage.
Example, based on above assumptions:
In the first scenario, 50 of 50 caused by the motorcyclist.
In the second, lets say 1 of 50 caused by the motorcyclist.
Then 51% of ALL accidents caused by the motorcyclist, and therefore, the LARGEST threat, and biggest enemy, is themselves....
Not saying I agree, but "they" can skew the numbers to look however they want...
Besides, 87% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 839
Likes: 6
From: Virginia
I respectfully disagree.
I did some extensive research a few years ago, and really wish I would have saved everything on an external drive so I would still have it..
Statistically, you are no safer with a helmet than without, and vice versa. I did honest, drill-down research, without any biased fluff.
Seatbelts WILL SAVE LIVES, without a doubt. I was an extrication specialist on the Jaws of life for a few years back before the oilfield seduced me with all her money... and first hand I have seen what seatbelts can do.
I did some extensive research a few years ago, and really wish I would have saved everything on an external drive so I would still have it..
Statistically, you are no safer with a helmet than without, and vice versa. I did honest, drill-down research, without any biased fluff.
Seatbelts WILL SAVE LIVES, without a doubt. I was an extrication specialist on the Jaws of life for a few years back before the oilfield seduced me with all her money... and first hand I have seen what seatbelts can do.
Bad/inexperienced riders endanger others and I DO have an issue with that. I also agree with those who say sport bikers are the bigger problem. More often than not, the riders I see riding like maniacs are on sport bikes.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
In Washington state the number one killer is failure to negotiate a curve. We stress this in the MSF courses, it isn't working. We also stress drunk riding as a cause of fatalities and injuries, also not working. Protective clothing (beyond helmets) is stressed as a prevention to injury, it isn't working. Motorcyclists can be their own worst enemy.
It's right up there with the claim "she wouldn't make the turn."
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Read the Hurt Report if you want actual statistics on motorcycle crashes. Not much has changed nor has the government ever sponsored research in motorcycle safety at that level since. Its from several years ago, but in general the findings still ring true.
Riding a motorcycle is not inherently dangerous, but if something goes wrong, it is very unforgiving.
It's all about mitigating risk. Some routinely take more risks than others, so what's new.
Riding a motorcycle is not inherently dangerous, but if something goes wrong, it is very unforgiving.
It's all about mitigating risk. Some routinely take more risks than others, so what's new.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
There's a million videos on you tube that show people on bikes doing all kinds of stupid manuvers. You gotta believe some of those guys didn't make it after their wreck. One of my favourites were the two guys on the tail of the dragon that pass a mobile home on a curve, then disappear in a big drop off. You can be entertained for hours watching sport bike riders wreck out doing the typical hooligan manuvers. So yeah, I believe 50% of the riders are their own worst enemy's.,,
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 765
Likes: 356
From: Missouri
I really think motorcycles are fun,nice to drive and not to dangerous. The people who drive them, on the other hand, probably not so much. As was said in a movie, "A man has to know his limitations".
I have exceeded mine on occasions, and got lucky sometimes. Once I didn't.
Hopefully you drive safe and influence others to do same. Some listen, some don't.
Didn't care for the article either.
I have exceeded mine on occasions, and got lucky sometimes. Once I didn't.
Hopefully you drive safe and influence others to do same. Some listen, some don't.
Didn't care for the article either.