is it safe to drive a motorcycle?

Answer 1

You can die anytime on the road, no matter whether your driving an armored SUV, a Volkswagen Beetle, or a 1000cc sportsbike...it only takes an instant.

I'm not trying to scare you but there are terrors on the road. I'm saying this because it is obvious that there are some very young people here, who may also be just a little naive...

There are a few differences, obviously, when you're on a motorcycle. Differences that are both good and bad. Yes, you're riding on two wheels...a feat which many people would think would be more difficult than a vehicle with four wheels...only it's not. Remember riding a bicycle, and how it felt that you only needed to shift your weight slightly to keep perfect balance? Centripetal force/motion is keeping you upright, so that you could actually steer the bike with no hands...and merely shifting your body weight. The same rule applies to riding motorcycles. What would happen if you let go of the steering wheel of a car and just shifted your weight around in the drivers seat? You'd just be looking really stupid while you're slamming your car into a tree. +1 for bikes.

When you are on a busy freeway on a motorcycle, you have plenty of forces to deal with: high speed, close quarter driving, unpredictable wind gusts coming from large vehicles, millions of road imperfections, millions of things lying in the middle of the middle of the road that would throw you off if you were to hit...basically this list could go on forever. You have no choice but to notice everything that could go wrong when the only thing separating you from the flesh-grating asphalt beneath you is a measly two wheels, motor & frame, and some fancy plastic bodywork. You learn to see these things in advance, and if you don't learn...well, I'm sure you've probably heard some horror stories of someone getting seriously hurt or killed while riding. It's unfortunate, but it does happen.

I'm 25 years old with a wife and child. Most people think I'm crazy when they see my bike. I drive a 2004 Suzuki GSX-R, with plenty of horsepower producing extras...and a twin bottle nitrous-oxide system. I'm not sure exactly how fast this bike could go on a long straight-away, I'm still trying to get up the courage to take it to Bonneville. I don't want to know, but I can guarantee that it would be well over 200 miles per hour. On a track it is amazing...and blindingly fast. I've never used the nitrous system, I only bought it because I built this bike to be a show-bike...but it has proven to be way to fun to be carried around in a trailer. The point is this: many 25 year old kids have killed themselves on bikes like mine. Notice I said "killed themselves", not "gotten killed". I've crashed before, and gotten hurt pretty bad. Cracked ribs & sternums are no fun...take it from me. But I wrecked because I pushed my limits on the road when I should have been doing it on a track. Now I know better. I am a much better rider because of it, and since I've started...I haven't wrecked. I'm not saying it won't happen again, but hopefully it won't be due to my own volition.

If you buy a motorcycle for the sole reason of flying between cars at 100mph, or popping wheelies everywhere you go, I just want you to know that you are going to get hurt, and yes, even possibly killed. It's what you deserve. People like that give motorcycle riders a bad name. If you get killed because of circumstances that are beyond your control, then it's very unfortunate and tragic. There is a difference. But remember, there are plenty of fatalities in cars too, many more than on motorcycles. The percentage may be higher on motorcycles, but your odds are still better. A modern sportsbike is typically finely tuned and very responsive. If someone is getting in your lane, you can hit the throttle and ( if your RPMs are high enough ) quickly avoid a disaster. Swerving is simple once you learn how to do it...and you will. You must do it to pass most motorcycle license tests. Brakes are superior to those found in cars. All in all, you are capable of utilizing the road better on two wheels...you must, to survive.

I don't beat around the bush. If you think you're the kind of person who would drive way too fast, take too many unnecessary risks, and prove to be dangerous on a bike...then don't buy one. I'm tired of being ridiculed because some stupid 18 year old splattered himself onto the grill of a cement truck by driving way to fast, or being drunk, or high. Idiots like that deserve what they get, and I feel no remorse for them. But, if you want to ride a motorcycle because of the camaraderie...or the exhilaration...or the freedom, then I urge you to take a defensive driving course, spend some time honing your skills on a track, and become one of us.

Become that type of rider and you'll earn your respect.

Answer 2

I've just gotten into motorcycling two months ago. It is not as safe as driving a car - it's easier for a bike to fall over, and there's less protection if you crash. But you can reduce the risks by wearing good protective gear even in the hottest weather (there's now mesh gear out that is pretty comfortable even when it's nearly 100 degress out), getting a training class before you go out onto the street, paying close attention when riding, and picking a sensible bike to learn on (instead of something that's got enough horsepower for a small car).

If you want some more safety tips, check out www.beginnerbikers.org - they have a lot of useful info there.

Answer 3

Not really. But being on the road isn't safe. If you drive or ride in a car on a regular basis its more likely that you will be killed in an accident than a smoker will get lung cancer.

A lot depends on you. On a cycle if you have a wreck its your fault. If you have a wreck it's going to hurt, no matter how minor the wreck.

I always we gloves, boots and a helmet, I assume everyone else on the road is there to run me over. I keep good tires on the bikes and make sure the bike is in good mechanical condition. A blow out on the bike means a wreck see the consequences of wrecking above.

All that being said I ride my bike every day I can. I find driving a car boring.

Answer 4

The biggest danger in bikes is the rider. Half of all motorcycle accidents and fatalities happen to riders with less than a year's experience. But what that really means is that how safe you are is up to you! The second biggest danger is the idiots in the cars who pull into your lane or pull out in front of you because they don't see you. The reason they don't see you is because they don't LOOK! They are looking for another car and a motorcycle doesn't register on their little minds. So you learn to watch out for them, to pretend you're invisible, to EXPECT people to make a left in front of you or pull into your lane. The old saying is: There are rights worth dying for, but the right of way isn't one of them. I would say you need at least a helmet, a good jacket and a good pair of gloves. Leather used to be best but these days there are textiles that are equally abrasion-resistant. Gloves are important because if you fall, even a very minor fall, you instinctively put your hands out in front of you and they can get really badly chewed up. The jacket is also to protect you from sliding on the ground. For Summer you can get a 'mesh jacket', which lets the air pass right through but supposedly has the same abrasion resistance as leather (I say 'supposedly' because I haven't had the bad fortune to test mine yet.) Accidents in city traffic are more likely because you have people backing out of driveways without looking, making left turns into your path, etc. The freeway is safer because everyone's going in the same direction, in his own lane (hopefully) but since the speed is higher what accidents there are are have more serious consequences. If you're -just- riding around town, all you need is a scooter. They are easier and safer to ride, and also easier to learn because they mostly have automatic transmissions. A larger scooter, say 150cc, is also good for short trips on the freeway. Good luck! I hope you enjoy biking as much as I do!

Answer 5

i ride or should i say rode on a super moto bike. until i crashed into a school bus full of children head on. The mother ****** was driving on the wrong side of the road and still had the balls to sue me for $25000 because i supposedly scared the children

So no, it is not safe

Answer 6

Motorcycling is a high risk activity. Its as safe as you make it.

Answer 7

more dangerous than a car. Take a motorcycle safety course.

Answer 8

not really.
hard to drive them on very slick roads especially the start of and during rain.
other drivers do not give you adequate space.

there are only 2 wheels, so you can't even scratch your nose without losing control.

they are not very fuel efficient.

they have hot exhaust pipes.

the cost of their parts are high.

wearing leather body suits is the safest attire, if you like your skin.

Answer 9

No, especially if someone pulls out in front of you, or an animal crosses the road and you have to swerve.
It can be a blast though.

Answer 10

Driving it is very safe! Falling off and crashing...not so safe.