Driveing motorcycles is not dagerest at all. The people who are saying they are, are not bikers. What is dangerous are car drivers they chage lanes with out looking if a biker is next to them. Killing the biker! That's why HD riders always use loud pipes so other people can hear them comming!
2006-06-20 10:48:29
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answer #1
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answered by hdchackz 5
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Motorcycles are safe. People are dangerous. It is the riders and the drivers of the vehicles around them that are dangerous. When I am on my bike I ALWAYS assume that the drivers around me do not see me. You must always ride defensively The other thing never to forget. On a motorcycle stupid hurts. My suggestion. If you decide to let him ride a motorcycle, make absolutely certain that the motorcycle he rides matches his skill level. Your son is more than likely want a sleek, sexy, Sport Bike. However a Sport Bike is essentially a street legal racing bike. Any decent Sport Bike can go from zero to deadly faster than he can say "Oh Sh**!". Getting your son a Sport Bike for his first motorcycle is like getting him a ZR1 Corvette for his first car. Not a good idea. Don't buy into the excuse that he will be careful and not ride his sleek, sexy, very fast, Sport Bike fast. The moment he is out of your sight his testosterone will kick in and look out. Instead get him a Standard or Cruiser bike in the 250cc to 500cc range. These have much less power than their Sport Bike counter parts. It would still be plenty fast enough for him to get into trouble. But these type bikes are far more forgiving than Sport Bikes. Get him something used for this first bike. This is because he won't have it more than a couple years. He will then want to upgrade to a nicer bike. A new bike depreciates the most in the first couple of years. Win an older used bike much of the depreciation has been absorbed by the previous owners. Finally, be the parent. If you have too much of a problem with him on a motorcycle, you have every right to say no. If you decide to let him get a motorcycle, you have every right to have the final decision on which bike he will get.
2016-03-15 11:42:49
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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They don't call bikers 'organ donors' for nothing...the major drawback to motorcycling is that you have exactly NO protection if you get in an accident. You'll do your best 'superman' impression for about 50 ft., and then skip and bounce down the road, abrading your tender, water-filled flesh with each bounce, and if you're lucky, you'll only break an arm or a hand or something. If you want insights to motorcycling, read about Evel Knievel, his son Robby, and then start looking at what the insurance companies have to say about motorcycles.
A motorcycle is not inherently stable, it's forward progress relies on the maintenance of balance, and constant rider inputs. The newer bikes are better in terms of stability than their older cousins, but they're still susceptible to things like gravel and oil patches on the road. And, no motorcycle is safe if the rider is untrained. If you're gonna be on 2 wheels, do it right, don't skimp on stuff like tires, good riding gear(for the eventuality that you DO put it down, just expect it), and the MSF basic course. An investment, all of these, but considering that the asset you're most worried about is your own skin, it's money well-spent. Motorcycling is kind of one of those 'do it right, or don't do it at all' type-things, so consider carefully....get a GOOD helmet, too.
Finally, remember that you're the lowest thing on the traffic food chain next to bicyclists and pedestrians, and that things like road trash, deer, dogs, raccoons, a good-sized rock, can immediately ruin your whole day on a bike. If you're concerned about the safety aspects, learn more about motorcycling, look for the online resources, get educated, get equipped, and have a great ride! All that having been said, motorcycling is a great thrill, and you can have a lot of great memories on 2 wheels.
2006-06-20 04:58:20
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answer #3
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answered by gokart121 6
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They are only as dangerous as you make them. The main thing is wearing the proper protective gear and staying alert (this means NO ALCOHOL). It is best to take the Motorcycle Safety Course before you really begin riding because they go through all the basics. The only reason more people are hurt on motorcycles are because they are the minority on the road. If everyone drove a motorcycle, there would be much less fatalities. Also, most people who are killed or hurt on motorcycles were injured because of stupidity, i.e. showing off, driving too fast, drinking.
2006-06-20 02:57:37
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answer #4
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answered by Kelly 3
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You've already gotten links above to some good websites. To add my own .02 American Samoleans to the mix ...
Riding is dangerous. I don't know a rider who hasn't fallen. Falling is part of the deal. It may be completely out of your control (coming around a bend doing the speed limit or below, and there's a cow in the road, or the tarmac is covered with sand, or a car swinging wide into your lane), but wrecks are far less surviveable on a bike.
That said, there are some excellent precautions to reduce the risk to acceptable levels ...
1) Don't ride in bad weather. Sure, people get caught in the rain sometimes, but never set out in rain, snow, ice or high winds. The risk is too great.
2) Always wear a helmet, a jacket (and no, they are not "too hot" in the summer ... just get a vented or perferated jacket for summer riding), gloves, boots, and long pants (preferably riding pants of leather or re-inforced fabric).
3) Never drink and ride. Not even "a little." Pretend you are a pilot. (Someone noted the similarity is fatality numbers above). Stay sober until you are done riding for the day.
4) Ride as if you are invisible. This means that cars and trucks and other bikes should be given a wide berth, given Right of Way wherever there is a question (even if technically you own the intersection), and always trusted to do the most stupid and lethal maneuver imaginable. At least half the time, you'll be right.
5) Keep your bike mechnically sound. Bad brakes, defective signals, a sticky throttle, a notchy triple tree ... folks learn to "work around" these little things. Don't. Get them fixed before they kill you dead Dead DEAD.
And have a great time out there!
2006-06-20 04:26:07
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answer #5
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answered by Grendle 6
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Motorcycles are NOT dangerous, it'is the people on them and around them that can be dangerous. As for all this crap about poor Ben Roethlisberger, he is just another squid riding a bike he couldn't handle, and doing it illegally. He didn't have a motorcycle license and because he wasn't wearing a helmet as required by PA state law for new riders.
2006-06-20 14:20:21
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answer #6
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answered by voyager01964 2
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I think many people would be surprised at how rarely the accident is the motorcyclist's fault. Unfortunately, many automobile drivers look and think "no cars coming" before pulling out in front of a motorcycle.
Bullet bikers are the exception - they have a greater tendency to suffer injury as a result of an accident that they've caused because they have a greater tendency to ride recklessly and to ride for speed. Luckily, these accidents are for the most part single-vehicle accidents.
Cruiser and touring bikers are very rarely at fault.
2006-06-20 09:57:20
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answer #7
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answered by Chris H 2
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I don't know if this is a reputable site, but here is some data on motorcycle accident statistics:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/crash.htm
And take a look at this story about Ben Roethlisberger, a famous football star, and what happened to his life and career after not wearing a helmet in a motorcycle accident.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060619/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_steelers_roethlisberger_accident_6
2006-06-20 02:40:24
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answer #8
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answered by Cap'n Eridani 3
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i have no numbers for you, but here is what i think. motorcycles are only as dangerous as the rider makes them. Driving a cycle with no permit to do so? that makes it more dangerous, riding without a helmet? that makes it more dangerous. Riding while intoxicated? that makes it more dangerous. What really makes it
dangerous is the person that is living their day unaware that the cycle rider thats headed their way is not qualified to ride that bike or is impaired or both
2006-06-20 02:41:31
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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In the US the accident rate is about 7%. Oddly enough, this is also about the same rate as for General Aviation pilots. Ride to the airport and your odds are about equal.
Also, 95% of motorcycle accidents occur within the first year of driving a cycle.
2006-06-20 02:42:05
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answer #10
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answered by rvogelpohl2001 4
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