Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[James7]

I am new to this site but not a new rider. After getting the bug to start riding after a couple year layoff, I decided to go get a bike and fell in love with 2014 CVO Road King.
I was perusing this site and started reading through the "rider down" link.
As someone who is on his 5th bike over the last 13 years I have definitely thought through the risks of this pursuit many times.
After sifting through 25 pages of all the unfortunate circumstances that have occurred it does have me re-thinking this whole recreation though. Its amazing how many things can happen out there...deer, road debris, left turning cagers, diesel on road, on and on.....
Just curious how others have processed the risks involved and if anyone else contemplates hanging it up before its their time?

[SIKBIRD]

I understand where you are coming from.  I often think about my family before and during my rides and what would happen to them if I get taken out.  Statiscally speaking I am much more likely to meet my demise in an auto accident given how much I travel for work.  That being said, you can't live your life in fear of the unknown.  God did not design us to live like that.  You are not ready to live until you are ready to die...So get right with Jesus, stop reading the Rider Down pages, pay your life insurance, slow down a little, always be on the lookout for danger, and go RIDE! 

[jc15025]

Welcome from SW PA....... JC

[GregKhougaz]

Interesting point. It is also part of the mystique  of motorcycle riding. You sit in a car. You take command of a motorcycle with all of its risks. Not everyone can do it and not everyone has the disposition for it. That's part of the allure .

I moved your first post here because it's really more of a question than an introduction. Please feel free to repost an introduction of yourself.

[JCZ]

I understand where you are coming from.  I often think about my family before and during my rides and what would happen to them if I get taken out.  Statiscally speaking I am much more likely to meet my demise in an auto accident given how much I travel for work.  That being said, you can't live your life in fear of the unknown.  God did not design us to live like that.  You are not ready to live until you are ready to die...So get right with Jesus, stop reading the Rider Down pages, pay your life insurance, slow down a little, always be on the lookout for danger, and go RIDE!

Very well said!   

[110tHunDer]

I understand where you are coming from.  I often think about my family before and during my rides and what would happen to them if I get taken out.  Statiscally speaking I am much more likely to meet my demise in an auto accident given how much I travel for work.  That being said, you can't live your life in fear of the unknown.  God did not design us to live like that.  You are not ready to live until you are ready to die...So get right with Jesus, stop reading the Rider Down pages, pay your life insurance, slow down a little, always be on the lookout for danger, and go RIDE! 

Agree. 

25 pages over almost 12 years shouldn't freak one out too much, IMO.  But when you get to the point that your concerns over "what if" come to mind before, or more often than, your memories of good times and the rides you've taken, that could be your signal to hang it up.

[Twolanerider]

I'm not smart enough or deep enough to think about stuff.  Makes life easier.  Especially when it doesn't distract my riding.

[MIKEYTEE]

James the decision to ride or not to ride can only be answered by you. I have been riding off and on since I was 15. I quit riding in 1975 as I didn't have the time and had 2 young children. In 1999
I decided it was time to ride again as the children were grown and the pull was too much to resist.
I wanted a touring bike so the wife would be comfortable riding with me so I bought a used 98 Electra Glide Classic. In 2001 I bought my Road Glide Ultra.

Last year going out to Eureka Springs Arkansas I laid her down @ 70 MPH on I-40 in Tennessee.
I had gone into a tank slapper and laid her down rather than take a sure trip to the hospital by going high side. Slid 300 feet before stopping.  Oh and I was towing a trailer at the time. I was 68 years old at the time. I straightened out the fender and road her 30 + miles to Bumpas HD in Jackson Tn. Yes, I had some reservations about getting back on but, that didn't happen until the next day. I knew if I didn't get back on, my riding days were over. I am still riding, and going back to Eureka Springs this June for the NMITM.

As they say: There are 2 types of riders. Those that have been down and those that are going to go down.

Oh, I only had a small raspberry on my elbow and a little larger one on my left butt cheek. I did ruin my rain suit ( pants and jacket ), a pair of jeans, a pair of underwear ( ripped ), and a long sleeve shirt.

Being alert and well trained is what saved my a**.
Good luck on your decision. It is up to you.

Mike
 


 

[coloradotom]

My riding style has certainly changed over the years and some of it is related to risks and some of it is related to experience. I can say that I am more aggressive in certain situations than I used to be but on the flip side I am more conservative in other situations than I used to be.

As far as the rider down pages, you've been around so you know the whole when not if deal. Its comforting to be wished well be a lot of people who know what its like out there and perhaps have even have been in your situation. It also can be a learning experience to maybe read about something you may not have even considered as a risk and then that goes on the ever expanding list of chit to look out for.

Sikbird put it perfectly - you can't live your life in fear of the unknown. There are a lot more what if and holy crap scenarios on a bike than there are tooling around in a cage and now more than ever with all the distracted cagers and the increase in traffic that you just gotta pay more attention, and enjoy the ride.

[RAINEY]

I think about the risk often.  I stopped riding for a couple of years since I had a young family.  I finally realized that things will happen in life randomly no matter how careful you are.  I was miserable not having a motorcycle in the garage.  Riding was my main stress relief and how I actually refocus on may daily life.  Only you can decide if it for you and the risk/reward associated with riding a motorcycle.  You do have to live life.  If the thought of what if and the risk is over whelming to you, you will never feel the way I do when riding.

I do however take every precaution with safety.  Motorcycle specific jacket with armor in the elbows, shoulder and back, best helmet that fits me correctly, denim riding pants with kevlar reinforcement and riding boots with ankle protection.  If I go down and slide will live another day.  If I'm whacked by a car or truck I'm most likely dead.  If I crash into a tree or stationary object I'm also most likley going to be dead.

 

[fastfreddy]

 when your number comes up... it comes up, it dont mater what your doing. 

[Cvostu]

If the concerns are more frequent than the smiles...... It's time to say goodbye to the motorcycle. . Stuart.

[bigchuck]

Newsflash riding a motorcycle can be dangerous. Get life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance to take care your family in case the worst does happen. Take all of the safety precautions you feel are necessary (riding classes, protective gear etc) and the then PUT YOUR BIG BOY PANTS ON AND RIDE. Or you could just sell that death trap.

[FLSTFI Dave]

My wife, is the number two thread in the rider down.  She went down at 70 mph on I-75.  She was riding with another lady rider.  My wife is anxious to be able to get back on a bike.  Is already working on getting a new bike set up.  Her out look is, she hit the interstate at 70 mph, and spent only 12 hours in the ER, must not be her time to go yet.  She loves riding, and know proper training, and practicing those skills help.  She also is a firm believer in dress for the slide, not the ride.  I was not with her when she went down, I was out riding else where.  The only thing her going down did is make me start thinking about what I wear when riding, as I am not near as protected as she was.

Now her lady friend who was following her, who did not go down.  Is very apprehensive about riding again.  She keeps saying, she just can not un-see my wife's wreck.

I think it is something we have all thought about.  The older we get the more we think about it and the risks.  That said, for me I would be miserable if I gave up riding.  My wife and I both love it, and its our life style and helps us bond.

[SDCVO]

Been riding since I was 14 and have always loved being on a MC, any MC. In 2001 I found out i had Renal cancer with a tumor the size of a very large grapefruit and 1st prognosis not good. Was definitely a very difficult time but thankfully had major surgery where they took the tumor, kidney and a rib and obviously I survived. Didn't get to ride my bike often for the next years with a 60+ hour a week job and trying to spend as much time with my family as possible when i wasn't working. In 2011 I found out that the cancer had come back in my lung (never good when cancer metastasize's) and again was a very difficult time for me and my family. To say that "I couldn't get what was going to happen" out of my mind is a huge understatement! Though I never talked about it to anyone at the time (everyone in my world would be amazed I am sharing this now..) my family knew what I was going through in my head so my daughter started asking me to take her for a ride. She was 18 at the time and had never wanted to ride with me before so of course I was thrilled to take her. When we were riding it was the first time since I had got the news that I wasn't thinking about the cancer and went to "that place" that we all go to when we ride and it was amazing! From that day forward my bike became my therapist and every chance I had I was riding. Few months later I had successful surgery and though I certainly never want to "get cocky" about it, have had good checkups since.
Of course riding a MC is dangerous and I try to never forget that but for me one of my biggest fears in life (behind the obvious) is not being able to ride. I couldn't imagine life without it and I know that sounds ridiculously dramatic and I hate drama but really is true..