Author Topic: What will it take to make you stop riding your bike? (Read 3356 times)

bluezboy · « **on:** May 31, 2011, 11:07:03 AM »

It seems like every other week, some one I know is telling me about motorcycle crashes they've heard about and I'm beginning to get a little tired of hearing them. Just this past weekend, I met an older man who had a collection of old Triumphs on his 30 acres of property, at one point he took me into his barn to see more of them including, "that's the bike my son was riding in Chicago when he was killed in 1982". A left hand-turner nailed him.
Then today another friend told me about a friend of hers who wiped out on his brand new Ducati around Ashville, NC and he may never walk again. He took a curve too fast and went to wide. Is the Universe trying to tell me something or what? I really don't care how many stories you tell me or how many videos you post on youtube, I'm still going to go out there and jump on my bike with the mindset that it's really up to ME to keep myself alive at all cost.
About the only thing I don't have much control over is someone hitting me head-on me and even then I give my self a 60% chance of avoiding that because I'm VERY diligent about watching everything approaching me from all sides. Hell, I'll jump off of the damn thing before I'll take a head-on hit. I know the risks of what we do and I can live with that. How about you? $:-\$

scunny · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2011, 11:12:20 AM »

+1

JosepyK · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2011, 11:21:22 AM »

What will make me stop riding? The cold of the reapers hand-shake. But then, he'd have to catch me.

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2011, 11:40:46 AM »

I don't know. I think cold might do it. Bikes don't start well when it is too cold. But then, thats what snowmobiles are for!

xfactor · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2011, 11:54:57 AM »

A broken bike, cold, or extreme heat.

Trav-i · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2011, 12:01:10 PM »

The only thing that might get me to park the F would be exceedingly high dino fuel prices. Other then that I enjoy the freedom of riding too much to give it up. Unless I'm rolling in dads vette, in which case it offers the same thing only on 4 wheels instead.

Really? · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2011, 12:13:08 PM »

Getting another one!

tramp · « **Reply #7 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:05:49 PM »

can't think of a thing

Radam · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:15:00 PM »

Maybe if jetpacks get to where you can travel long distances at high speeds (and be relatively safe)....MAYBE!

dave500 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:23:10 PM »

statistics have shown that people on new and or unfamiliar machines have a higher tendancy to crash,,stay with the same bike and that lessens the odds against you,close to home is also where crashes occur more often,take a bit more care when leaving and returning home,only an anti honda law will stop me though.

ofreen · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:52:38 PM »

How many people do you hear of that are injured or killed in cars? Does that make you think maybe you should give up driving cars?

madmtnmotors · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2011, 02:05:33 PM »

I can't take credit for this quote, and I don't remember who to credit for saying it first, but:

"If you ride a motorcycle you will be killed doing so. The idea is, through due diligence, to put that eventuality so far off into the future that you die of old age first."

flybox1 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2011, 02:59:06 PM »

2 broken hands and a kick in the nutz!

Gordon · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2011, 03:00:40 PM »

Quote from: ofreen on May 31, 2011, 01:52:38 PM

How many people do you hear of that are injured or killed in cars? Does that make you think maybe you should give up driving cars?

Nobody ever gets it when I make that comparison after they ask me why I want to ride when so many people die in motorcycle wrecks. Nor does anybody I know wear a full-face helmet, armored jacket and leather boots every time they drive their car.

I will have to be physically unable to ride a motorcycle before I will stop riding. And even then, if I'm able, I will ride a sidehack, or trike, or something as close to a motorcycle as possible.

BobbyR · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2011, 04:21:49 PM »

I am with Gordon on this. I started riding at 18 and i will be 61 in a few weeks. I know i do not have the reflexes I had at 18 or 40 for that matter. I had set ages to stop riding, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60. Each year I fired up the bike and ride. I used those early rides to be certain I still have what it takes.

Having said that I know I cannot ride as long safely as I could 10 years ago. Once you get fatigued you lose your reflexes and concentration.
If I don't have it next year, I will know it and I will stop riding. I will reply again next year. This year I am good.

bluezboy · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2011, 05:41:15 PM »

Quote from: Gordon on May 31, 2011, 03:00:40 PM

Quote from: ofreen on May 31, 2011, 01:52:38 PM
How many people do you hear of that are injured or killed in cars? Does that make you think maybe you should give up driving cars?

Amen to that Gordon!

Nobody ever gets it when I make that comparison after they ask me why I want to ride when so many people die in motorcycle wrecks. Nor does anybody I know wear a full-face helmet, armored jacket and leather boots every time they drive their car.

I will have to be physically unable to ride a motorcycle before I will stop riding. And even then, if I'm able, I will ride a sidehack, or trike, or something as close to a motorcycle as possible.

Mondo Endo · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2011, 06:44:41 PM »

Im 54 and have been riding bikes since I was ten. I am more addicted than ever and cant even imagine not riding... My son works at Malcolm Smiths dealer and recently sold a new Yamaha R1 to an 80yr old... I want to be that guy.

roy1 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2011, 07:06:23 PM »

Old age...

DH · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2011, 09:37:25 PM »

ridding since i was 13. Rode first 750 at 16. Added a cbr600rr at 50.
The arthritis in my spine worsening, incontinence, or blindness, whichever comes first.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2011, 10:15:15 PM »

I would not give it up until I am physically unable. Hopefully I have another 20 years yet, even if it's only for short rides around the lake once a week in my waning years. I just don't see me being without a bike, ever.

After an accident I hung it up for a couple of years due to fear but got back on.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #20 on:** May 31, 2011, 11:18:46 PM »

Whens the next "end of the world".......

Kframe · « **Reply #21 on:** May 31, 2011, 11:24:33 PM »

I'm not going to stop, but I'm going to be a bit more careful now that I've got a child on the way (very soon).
I certainly wouldn't say I've been reckless, I'm ATGATT and have had training and am very selective about where and when I ride, and usually avoid group rides. So, I think I'm toward the safer end of the spectrum, but I'm going to be even more cognizant, as I just can't see leaving an orphan and young widow, or worse, caretakers of a vegetable.

ofreen · « **Reply #22 on:** June 01, 2011, 02:34:40 AM »

Quote from: Gordon on May 31, 2011, 03:00:40 PM

Nor does anybody I know wear a full-face helmet, armored jacket and leather boots every time they drive their car.

Just think how many lives would be saved if car drivers were required to wear helmets.

Operator · « **Reply #23 on:** June 01, 2011, 05:43:11 AM »

Quote from: ofreen on June 01, 2011, 02:34:40 AM

Quote from: Gordon on May 31, 2011, 03:00:40 PM
Nor does anybody I know wear a full-face helmet, armored jacket and leather boots every time they drive their car.

Just think how many lives would be saved if car drivers were required to wear helmets.

How are you supposed to drink your Starbucks, talk on the cell phone and ignore the guy on the motorcycle when you are wearing a helmet???

To answer the question; If I ever get to a point where it is unsafe for me or the people around me, I am done. But I am sure by then my boys will have one around to tinker with.

Gordon · « **Reply #24 on:** June 01, 2011, 05:58:24 AM »

Quote from: ofreen on June 01, 2011, 02:34:40 AM

Quote from: Gordon on May 31, 2011, 03:00:40 PM
Nor does anybody I know wear a full-face helmet, armored jacket and leather boots every time they drive their car.

Just think how many lives would be saved if car drivers were required to wear helmets.

And don't forget the HANS device, 5-point harness and fire-resistant suits.

News:

Author Topic: What will it take to make you stop riding your bike? (Read 3356 times)

DH