Motorcycles?

[brick4956]

Sort of on the fence about wanting to learn how to ride anyone here ever drive motorcycles and how did you get drawn into wanting to ride

 

[Fbolt]

They're cool. And fun.

Take an MSF course.

 

[rtrn2glory]

will never hop on one.

my brother almost died in a wreck. don't think it's worth it, but to each his/her own.

 

[Irish#1]

I've owned one for a few years. Ask yourself these two questions.

1. Have you had a real desire to ride a motorcycle for a few years?
2. Is it something that caught your attention and you think you'd like to try it?
3. Are you looking to pick up chicks?

If you answered #1 or #3, then get one. If you answered #2 then I would probably pass.

 

[Irish Insanity]

There's actually already a thread on here somewhere with some info and stories of those that have, or do, own one.
A few things:
1. ALWAYS respect the motorcycle.
2. ALWAYS assume you are invisible to the other drivers around you.
3. Take a safety course. And spend time learning to ride the bike you chose. Anyone can hop on, start it, and go. But there is a HUGE difference in that and acually knowing what you're doing. That difference can save your life.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

A friend's coworker (&friend) who was near retirement age, had always ridden and done it safely, was in an accident because a car pulled out in front of him. He was airlifted to a mega hospital center where they kept him on life support and did numerous surgeries until he finally said he was too tired to continue.

He passed away a day later or so.

You can be the best motorcyclist in the world and it still won't prevent some 2000lb vehicle piloted by an assclown from pulling out in front of you with no reaction time.

If you do it, do it because you have to not because you think you might want to. Some people would be incomplete without riding, I'm not one of them.

I have a son and wife that I can't leave for a thrill.

 

[rtrn2glory]

A friend's coworker (&friend) who was near retirement age, had always ridden and done it safely, was in an accident because a car pulled out in front of him. He was airlifted to a mega hospital center where they kept him on life support and did numerous surgeries until he finally said he was too tired to continue.

He passed away a day later or so.

You can be the best motorcyclist in the world and it still won't prevent some 2000lb vehicle piloted by an assclown from pulling out in front of you with no reaction time.

If you do it, do it because you have to not because you think you might want to. Some people would be incomplete without riding, I'm not one of them.

I have a son and wife that I can't leave for a thrill.

Couldn't have said it any better.

 

[Monk]

I had one and loved it. Then I got into an accident (oil and stone road + 90 deg turn = broken ankle and dislocated thumb). I took the course and it was amazing. It is so well worth the few hundred dollars to learn to ride on there 250cc bikes.

I would love to ride again, but as stated earlier family is more important. In the course they tell you, "there are two types of riders. The riders that have gone down and the riders that will go down." It was hard to believe them at the time, but it only takes a split second for someone else to make the wrong decision.

 

[Irish Insanity]

A friend's coworker (&friend) who was near retirement age, had always ridden and done it safely, was in an accident because a car pulled out in front of him. He was airlifted to a mega hospital center where they kept him on life support and did numerous surgeries until he finally said he was too tired to continue.

He passed away a day later or so.

You can be the best motorcyclist in the world and it still won't prevent some 2000lb vehicle piloted by an assclown from pulling out in front of you with no reaction time.

If you do it, do it because you have to not because you think you might want to. Some people would be incomplete without riding, I'm not one of them.

I have a son and wife that I can't leave for a thrill.

I had one and loved it. Then I got into an accident (oil and stone road + 90 deg turn = broken ankle and dislocated thumb). I took the course and it was amazing. It is so well worth the few hundred dollars to learn to ride on there 250cc bikes.

I would love to ride again, but as stated earlier family is more important. In the course they tell you, "there are two types of riders. The riders that have gone down and the riders that will go down." It was hard to believe them at the time, but it only takes a split second for someone else to make the wrong decision.

I have an uncle who lost his life by the stupidity of another driver.
My father still rides, and has for years. And he laid one down many years ago.
My brother shattered both arms when he t-boned an at fault driver.
I laid mine down, by my own stupidity, at well north of 120 mph. I shouldn't be here today. I was lucky. I do have continuing issues 12 years later. But it could've, and should've, been so much worse.

If you want sometime sweet, buy a bad ass car.

 

[wizards8507]

There's actually already a thread on here somewhere with some info and stories of those that have, or do, own one.
A few things:
1. ALWAYS respect the motorcycle.
2. ALWAYS assume you are invisible to the other drivers around you.
3. Take a safety course. And spend time learning to ride the bike you chose. Anyone can hop on, start it, and go. But there is a HUGE difference in that and acually knowing what you're doing. That difference can save your life.

Coincidentally, the same rules apply to firearms.

A friend's coworker (&friend) who was near retirement age, had always ridden and done it safely, was in an accident because a car pulled out in front of him. He was airlifted to a mega hospital center where they kept him on life support and did numerous surgeries until he finally said he was too tired to continue.

He passed away a day later or so.

You can be the best motorcyclist in the world and it still won't prevent some 2000lb vehicle piloted by an assclown from pulling out in front of you with no reaction time.

If you do it, do it because you have to not because you think you might want to. Some people would be incomplete without riding, I'm not one of them.

I have a son and wife that I can't leave for a thrill.

I respect your anecdote, but it's a statistical anomaly, not the rule. Once you control for rider-caused factors (reckless driving, improper safety equipment), motorcycle accidents are less likely to result in a fatality than automobile accidents. Fatalities usually occur from getting trapped or crushed. If you're thrown from a motorcycle, you'll sustain significant injuries, but a fatality is unlikely if you're wearing the proper safety equipment.

Bike bros who weave in and out of traffic on their 350 lb Kawasaki Ninjas at 95 MPH have a disproportionate effect on "motorcycles are dangerous" stats.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Coincidentally, the same rules apply to firearms.


I respect your anecdote, but it's a statistical anomaly, not the rule. Once you control for rider-caused factors (reckless driving, improper safety equipment), motorcycle accidents are less likely to result in a fatality than automobile accidents. Fatalities usually occur from getting trapped or crushed. If you're thrown from a motorcycle, you'll sustain significant injuries, but a fatality is unlikely if you're wearing the proper safety equipment.

Bike bros who weave in and out of traffic on their 350 lb Kawasaki Ninjas at 95 MPH have a disproportionate effect on "motorcycles are dangerous" stats.

I don't have a dog in this fight, just another n = 1. It's no sweat off my back if there's another motorcyclist in this world. I've at times really wanted a motorcycle but every time I got close to buying one, something like the story above would occur. No shit.

The story above may not be considered a motorcycle fatality since they were able to tourniquet him and get him to the hospital for a few weeks of surgeries but he ultimately wore out.

He was building a retirement home to read and live in the country. It's all gone and his family has been left to pay the medical expenses. This was a guy who lived and rode by the book.

But as you said, it's just one person.

 

[tussin]

I also know 3 people that were killed in motorcycle accidents.

 

[goldandblue]

Motorcycles are great. I've had many over the years. My recommendation is that whether your state has a helmet law or not, wear one.

 

[PigtownIrish]

I took a motorcycle safety and licensure class slightly over a year ago. I have friends that ride and wanted to try it out. The class covers all of the basics for safety and gives you a taste as to whether it's something you might really love doing. I ended up buying a Honda 500 after the class as a starter bike and have put about 3,000 miles on it since with no problems/drops.

Unfortunately, as others have said here you can't control accidents caused by other drivers not paying attention.

 

[ND NYC]

rode dirt bikes as a kid but never had the itch to get a "street" bike. had a helluva time on my Yamaha YZ-125 blowing thru open sand pits, wooded trails, getting chased by cops all over the northeast

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm a lifelong AMA member, raced back in the 70's - 90's. Put 60k miles on my streetbike when it was the only vehicle I owned in college. I stopped riding on the street when it became apparent that people were trying to kill me. I swore off the road and now only ride at the dunes or mountain / desert single track. If you have access to large areas of off road areas, get a dirt bike or atv. If you don't, buy a convertible.

If you MUST ride, get a loud Harley / Victory / Indian and ride with large groups.

 

[Wild Bill]

I respect your anecdote, but it's a statistical anomaly, not the rule. Once you control for rider-caused factors (reckless driving, improper safety equipment), motorcycle accidents are less likely to result in a fatality than automobile accidents. Fatalities usually occur from getting trapped or crushed. If you're thrown from a motorcycle, you'll sustain significant injuries, but a fatality is unlikely if you're wearing the proper safety equipment.

Bike bros who weave in and out of traffic on their 350 lb Kawasaki Ninjas at 95 MPH have a disproportionate effect on "motorcycles are dangerous" stats.

You could be correct but the reality is that many people who intend to drive safe still have moments of weakness where they make reckless decisions. I have a clean driving record and tend to abide by speed limits. I bought a car with some ponies under the hood. I still keep it safe about 99% of the time. But there are moments when I let it rip. It's irresponsible and irrational to take a dumb risk to feel the power the car possesses but it's hard to resist. It's even harder to resist on a bike. It's really hard to not let it fly sometimes. I can't control myself so I just stay away from them.