quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
...be honest with yourself that motorcycles are harder to see, offer little to no crash protection, and suck when the weather is bad.

True. If it’s wet, you’re probably wet too. Same for cold, dusty, hot, etc. Riding a motorcycle will expose you to the elements to some degree regardless of your gear. A full day on the bike can be physically exhausting, That’s just something that goes along with it.

quote:

and no, not riding a scooter doesn't mean you are wrapping yourself in bubble wrap).

Not at all. That wasn’t my point. The point was you can try to be as safe as possible and avoid all risks and there’s no guarantee of a longer life. Scooters, motorcycles, cars, jets, bicycles, walking up stairs, etc...it’s all a risk.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
I'm assuming the ankle is good to go now.

A little bit of decreased range of motion, but otherwise, the total replacement is good to go.

I'll be paying a bit more attention going forward though, as I hit and killed a deer just the other morning in my truck. They are thick around here and just appear out of nowhere.

It is a dangerous obsession that we have. But then, so are many things. In the end, it is everyone's choice as to whether they want to take the risk. You know this better than most having given it up due to the increased risk. I just think that starting from zero late in life may not be the best choice. But...that's just me.

Crashing and dying ain't so bad, crashing and being maimed kind of sucks.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
IMO where you live matters. I gave up my bikes because of the traffic here. (almost getting in 3 accidents in 2 days was the final straw for me) I miss it, but I also like walking, being alive etc.

I used to have a bike as my only mode of transportation. That was forever ago, no cell phones and a million less people in Maricopa county...no F’n way would I ride one now.

As someone already alluded to, I’ve worked many an organ donor from bikes crashes. A good number of them COMPLETELY the other drivers fault but the person(s) on the bike were just as dead.

Get a dirt bike and spend a year learning bike control and handling off road. Then go play in traffic.

Ride, don't ride. I said yes earlier. But a fair number say no. In all fairness, this is what can happen. Girl turned left in front of me in '98.


I still ride. I've been told I'm stupid, crazy, suicidal...I don't care. Draw your own conclusions.

Oldrider: Looks like you did a number on yourself.

Here's mine:



and after my third surgery, a total ankle replacement:

I'm for not getting a motorcycle...at least if you live in an area like me where deer regularly dart out into the road.

I really want something like an on/off-road 250cc like an old Honda XL to get me around the local area for photo opportunities. However, I know it won't come to pass. My motorcycling days have been over since early '90s when I stopped police motorcycle funeral escorts for extra money.

I want a motorcycle.

I bought a Jeep instead.

Scraped up too many bodies, carried a few appendages, from motorcycle crashes.

I love my kids too much.

quote:

Originally posted by sandman76:
Go take an MSF course. See if you like it. You probably will. Like someones sig. line on the forum. Any motorcycle is more fun to ride than any car is to drive. Paraphrasing here.

+1
I was already a licensed rider in PA when I took the course. However, the course was excellent and consisted of classroom and riding over a few evenings and days. At least in PA at the time if one had a MC learners permit, successful completion of the course earned the rider a full MC license. The course was free in 1988 may carry a cost today.

For me, it's worth the risk. Even here in Michigan with our straight, horribly paved roads, I just can't give it up. It has kept me sane through the hardest parts of my life.

Dirt bike first is a great way to go, as is MSF class.

"You can live more in 5 minutes on a motorcycle than others can in their whole lives" Burt Munro

A KLR might not be a bad first bike now that I think about it. A friend I workout with has one and he LOVES it. You tend to drop your first bike at least once but the KLR does have some amazing crash bars and armor available thanks to a pretty big aftermarket.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
I'm assuming the ankle is good to go now.

A little bit of decreased range of motion, but otherwise, the total replacement is good to go.

I'll be paying a bit more attention going forward though, as I hit and killed a deer just the other morning in my truck. They are thick around here and just appear out of nowhere.

It is a dangerous obsession that we have. But then, so are many things. In the end, it is everyone's choice as to whether they want to take the risk. You know this better than most having given it up due to the increased risk. I just think that starting from zero late in life may not be the best choice. But...that's just me.

Crashing and dying ain't so bad, crashing and being maimed kind of sucks.

Yeah, I hear ya. Giving it up was one of the hardest and wisest decisions I've ever made. Going through chemo, radiation and major surgery at the age of 68 did me in. I tried but quickly learned that it was folly to continue.

The hardest thing a hardcore rider can do, is to try and explain how therapeutic and relaxing riding a bike can be. It's either in you or it isn't. If it isn't than maybe try something else.

Jim

In the end something is going to kill you -
No one gets out alive

Take MSF, ride smart, and gradually increase your ride times.

If you're having fun then I say GO FOR IT.

Don't. Too late to start.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
Don't. Too late to start.

This is one of the more ridiculous statements I've seen recently. To the OP - ignore it.

quote:

Originally posted by sunburn:
Get a dirt bike and spend a year learning bike control and handling off road. Then go play in traffic.

IMO again, get a dirt bike to learn on and stay in the dirt.

And remember - a tree or a big rock will never make a left turn into you.

Motorcycling is the second best thing I’ve ever done in my life, after marrying my wife- who I would not have met had I not started riding. She’s a rider also.

As mentioned above, it keeps me sane and grounded. In addition to bringing my wife into my life, it has also brought many good friends and allowed me to see most of this beautiful country from the saddle. We relocated away from the East coast to get away from the craziness, and in order for me to enjoy riding more. Which I have.

I’m fortunate to have the high desert plains, forests and the mountains all nearby. A short ride and I am out in any of those types of surroundings. It really is a slice of heaven. The roads I frequent are very sparsely populated- it’s not unusual for me to see next to no one for long stretches, which is how I like it.

Yes, it’s dangerous. I have been down hard and I have lost friends. But I need to live my life. I won’t allow the possibility of something happening to dictate how I live.

I will never dissuade someone from trying it out, because the positives have so far outweighed the negatives in my case. If I were the OP in Dallas I would have some reservations- but there are ways to work around these things if you want something strongly enough.

I say; get one.
My story; I haven't ridden for almost 20 years, I am freshly divorced and in the market for an Africa Twin. I have missed riding so much, now I have a second chance and I'm going for it.

For those that say it's too dangerous....you can slip, fall and die in the shower or bathtub. Does that risk keep you from bathing?

I rode when younger, sold that bike when I realized I was pushing way outside the envelope. I took ten years away from riding before I thought I was ready to ride again. I bought a Ducati in 2011 at almost 40 and enjoy it immensely. What changed? In the decade off...smart phones and distracted drivers. I am no longer the biggest risk to myself. I don’t ride if I don’t feel completely rested, and I don’t ride if I have that feeling that I shouldn’t be out on it. I do not ever ride with any amount of alcohol. I just had a 42 y/o neighbor die in a freak golf cart accident driving through my neighborhood. He fell out and suffered a traumatic brain injury. I have a former colleague who was driving in his Porsche with his wife, when a tree fell and landed on his moving car, decapitating him and leaving his wife without a scratch. I understand the risk in riding, there is no denying there is plenty of it! I have been down twice, and was fortunate to walk away both times with a few bumps and bruises...thanks to great gear. I think taking the MSF course is a great way to start.