Motorcycling accidents.. biking...OPINIONS please?

Question

Yesterday I read ANOTHER newspaper article about a crash in th UK, two motorcyclists dead, 25 yr old car driver arrested for dangerous driving..etc etc...
I really want to start biking, it's not something on a 'whim' I've wanted a bike since I was 15, (35 now)..
What scares me is the accidents I hear about CONSTANTLY, I have a young family, would I be being , I dunno, 'reckless' by following my dream of biking?
I don''t want anyone having a go because I would be a 'beginner', I just want some thoughts from experienced bikers.
Would YOU do it all again, given the chance?

Answer 1

Oh!Im still chancin' it. Starting and stopping can be learned in a day. feeling comfortable doin' it, another 20 hrs....mastering it, you never stop learning. Read all these answers here and nobody said anything about the most important thing you need to survive on a motorcycle.......
Automatic reactions. Like bein at the
zoo, standing in front of the rattlesnake cage...tap the glass, the snake strikes, even w/ the glass between you...you automatically jerked away, no thinkin to it. Now days
cell phones, multitaskers, an idiots, still. None of which, are lookin out for you. You have to be aware of everything thats goin on around you at all times. Create good habits. Watch head position, use their mirrors to look at them, look at their front tire, watch whats goin on way up front, to your sides, an rear. where you goin if something happens? This all becomes habit, pretty quick. Close
calls...think about what you would have done, everytime...dont let all this thinkin scare ya. Soon enough youll be smellin the coffe, feelin the wind an enjoyin the view, because these habits are now on auto-pilot.
One final example...true story. July 4,
1979, Los Angeles. Goin for a 40 mile ride, by the beach, thru some hills, 11am b 4 goin to pick kids up for,the 4th {independence day here}. Got about 60 yds dn the road, 32mph, when a ******* made a lefthand turn in front of me, w/ 25 ft between us an stopped, people crossing in her path.
Locked the brakes up..not goin in front of car...big curb, people at bus stop, bad idea....go behind the car, maybe?? if she didnt stop, another car makin a turn, visioned my leg gettin hooked on back of her car, squeezin between the two. Go on wrong side of st. not enough room an oncoming traffic. nx option...lay bike dn, an slide face 1st into side of car, not really enough space, an I dont like that result....by now, still upright, and gonna hit this car...any options left....right, left, cant stop, well yeah, you always haveta have one more....
Superman-it over the car!!! unlocked brks, put feet back, an at impact, pushed off. Yes, my handlebars were loose enough, so my body weight moved them forward with me, an didnt split me like a chicken. I landed face 1st, 15-20 ft on the other side of the car. even though it was a summer day, I still had a leather jacket an short gloves on. Got my arm underneath my face, resulting in only minor scratches. After a body check, got up kinda bowl-legged, cause my boys put a dent in my gas tank.....
But I walked away..at the time, this was my 3rd, an worst accident. None of the 3...were my fault. Oh!! almost forgot a most important fact...all that happened in about 2 seconds

Answer 2

Follow your dream-but be careful. I've been riding bikes since i was 6. 13 on the road. I never took the driving test-if it is even offered in your country, so I can not tell you how helpful it is, but I'm sure you would learn something. The best advice for riding I could give you is this: When you are on a bike-you do not have the luxury of riding for yourself. You must constantly be watching everyone and everything. The best way to do this is to ride for 6 people. Ride for you, Ride for the drivers in the cages to your left and right. The drivers to your front and back, and the driver a block ahead getting ready to turn onto the street. Watch everything and always have an escape route. And to answer your final question-Would you do it all again- Without a doubt--YES. You never see a Harley parked outside a Psychiatrist office. No matter how your day is-you take off on that bike and your worries are a world behind you. I wish you a good journey and ride safe.

Answer 3

With every day pass, our country is getting into more and more trouble. The inflation, unemployment and falling value of dollar are the main concern for our Government but authorities are just sleeping, they don’t want to face the fact. Media is also involve in it, they are force to stop showing the real economic situation to the people. I start getting more concern about my future as well as my family after watching the response of our Government for the people that affected by hurricane Katrina.

According to recent studies made by World Bank, the coming crisis will be far worse than initially predicted. So if you're already preparing for the crisis (or haven't started yet) make sure you watch this video at http://www.familysurvival.tv and discover the 4 BIG issues you'll have to deal with when the crisis hits, and how to solve them fast (before the disaster strikes your town!) without spending $1,000s on overrated items and useless survival books.

Answer 4

You hear about them constantly because that's what the media covers. If someone isn't dead, badly hurt, bleeding, blown up, stabbed, mugged, molested, arrested, assaulted, run down, shot or drunk, it doesn't make the news.

When you watch the news, count how many people have to die until they say something good. It's usually at least 6, but often it's 10 or more.

Yes, there are idiots out there who don't see bikes, but as a rider it's your job to look out for them because no matter whose fault it is, the rider loses.

If you are careful and understand how to ride, you're just as likely to get into an accident as anyone else. Probably less so, because on a bike you can't watch a DVD, shave, paint your nails, smoke, drink, eat, talk on the phone, etc. All you have to do is ride.

Take it safe and have fun. I never even thought about motorcycles until I was 30, but I'm glad I have one now!

Answer 5

i live in the states, and unless u are under 18, the msf course is NOT manditory. if 18 or over, ur choice. some states have helmet laws....every1 on a bike has to have 1. other states are optional, and a couple have no law sayin anything about a helmet.

instead of waitin till i was 37 to start riding, i think i woulda started earlier. u guys in the UK actually have it 3x's rougher to get licensed than the teen cage drivers in the states. for the states, even those that have a learning permit for as short as a day is legal to hop on a 1000cc rice rocket and commit suicide. from what i hear in the uk, u have to have a year in on a 250cc bike before u can bounce to a higher 'class'.

the on cycle test is ridiculously easy. easy enough to pass the cone weave on an ultra classic if u use the right technique. u dont even ride on the highway on the on-cycle test here in ohio. pass the test, u have the endorsement, and ur free and clear to ride with passengers, at night, on interstates, and after a year, no helmet. they should test to see if u actually do have what it takes to avoid a potential killer cage....but they dont.

my suggestion is....stay away from the rice rockets. especially the 600cc and up. u'd have alot more fun on a cruiser, and they're way more forgiveable to a mistake than a rocket ever will be. there's a thing called SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. all this is....is the ability to be able to detect an prioritize as a threat/non-threat anything and everything that comes into ur 'airspace', and keep tabs on same. those who have this down to an art form seem to have this 'ability' to accurately predict the idiot that is most likely to pull out in front of em.
i leave nothing to chance. i ride as if i'm a ghost and that i'm completely invisible. i never trust a turn signal, always watch my mirrors at stoplights, and i dont waste time gettin around cages. on approach, i watch a car on a side street stop sign's wheels....if they move so much a foot, i cover the brakes and get ready for an all-out shotgun stop.....just in case the car is drivin by a moron.

when its ur time to go, u go...doesnt matter if its on a bike or in a car. stupidity is what will get a rider killed quicker than a distracted cager. like this case that happened down in this area last night. a biker was on an interstate and ridin at pretty high speed darting in and out of traffic. he cuts in front of a car too soon and his back tire clips the bumper. obviously, the guy went down and got ejected. at last word, he still lives, but has a major case of road rash. and no, he didnt have a helmet on.

Answer 6

The unfortunate fact is that survival is often based on experience and you have to survive for long enough to get that experience!

Powerful bikes in inexperienced hands will get people into trouble very quickly. If they ride like the majority of the population drive their cars, then they will not last very long. Riders must learn the techniques of defensive driving to be in with a chance.

Sadly in some cases, like a crash I saw today, there is sometimes nothing that a rider can do when some dumbf*ck pulls right out 50 ft in front of them. Fortunately i don't think this guy was badly hurt.

Until regulators/courts inflict suitable penalties on inconsiderate killers in cars, bikers will be seen as fair game.

But I still enjoy my riding after more than 35 years.

Answer 7

Here in the states, it's required for new riders to take a Motorcycle Safety course. I don't know if they have them in the UK, but I'd check. I was in a bad bike accident in 1985, I didn't ride again until a few years ago. I bought a new Cruiser in 2005 and have taken several long trips and ride it around town. You have to be very careful of the cagers (cars), specially the ones on their cell phones, tailgating, reading etc. You must be alert at all times and be aware of where you are at in traffic and have an escape route if you need it.

Answer 8

You're totally justified in your concerns, and the sad fact is: Nobody is completely safe on a motorcycle.

I'm by no means a veteran rider, but I do have almost 7 years under my belt. I've had multiple "close calls" and have crashed once. Keep in mind, I ride a 1000cc sportbike, and I ride aggressively, through insanely twisty (and narrow) mountain roads very frequently (almost every weekend). The way I ride warrants close calls, because I am an adrenaline junkie, and I sometimes take unnecessary risks.

...but another thing to keep in mind is that I probably have close to 200 hours of experience on a closed track, where I could learn the limits of my machine without all of the obstacles. If you plan to ride a sportbike, it would be wise to invest in some track time. Also try to get in at least one safety course, which will also help give you insight into emergency maneuvers. Even if you plan on riding a bulky cruiser, the experience you'll get on a track (with someone else's bike) can greatly improve your defensive and offensive riding skills. Don't get fooled into complacency by thinking that a cruiser is any safer than a Japanese pocket rocket, though. There is an inherent danger when your on two wheels, regardless of what type of bike you ride. People who ride big-fast sportbikes like mine tend to hurt themselves more frequently, mostly due to inexperience and the raw horsepower and torque that these bikes produce. But, if you ride smart, you're just as safe on my bike as you are on a 1600cc Harley.

You'll understand why so many people risk life & limb when you crack open a throttle, kick the bike in gear, and ease out the clutch lever. It can be a life altering experience, and probably will be if you ride long enough.

90% of the time, your biggest obstacle on the street is going to be other drivers. You have to be ready to defend yourself against any oncoming - and completely oblivious - vehicles. Whether it means pulling in front of the intruder, if your RPMs are high enough, or slowing down and getting behind the driver. You'll have about half of a second to make the decision, and with experience, this is more than enough time...because you'll have already seen it coming, before it ever actually happens.

The other 10% of the time, you'll be defending yourself from road obstacles, including; gravel, oil, other slick substances, pot-holes, animals, and plenty more unexpected surprises. Again, with the right training, you'll become proficient enough to avoid disaster (most of the time) by swerving, accelerating, or making a quick stop.

Invest in some good riding gear, just to be on the safe side. There is plenty of junk out there, so make sure that the brand at least manufactures quality gear...namely jacket, lid, and gloves. If you're going to be getting down and dirty in the mountains on a sportbike, consider also getting some quality pants with knee-sliders. Touching your knee down on any road is an amazing experience, but do it without some pucks between your kneecaps and the pavement, and you'll be walking funny for a long time to come! Take it from me.

Answer 9

There is an old saying about this rather dangerous sport.
"There are two types of riders; those who have crashed, and those who are gonna."
As a rider for over 40 years, I can attest to the truth of this. Riding a motorcycle is one of the greatest thrills known to man.
You just have to remember a few things when participating:
Caution, safety first.
Relax, as with anything, tension causes mistakes.
The guy in the car is an idiot, treat every driver as though they are trying to kill you, they just might be.
Know your limits, drinking or drugs mix as well with motorcycles as they do with firearms. That is NOT AT ALL.
Have fun, that is after all, the whole reason we do it.
Don't let fear hold you back, just get out there. When it's your time to go, where do you want to be? In the wind, or sitting on your couch wishing you were?

Answer 10

Its all a matter of how much risk you are comfortable with and willing to accept. Some people are more comfortable with higher risk activities then others. Its a personal choice. No one can make it for you. Very few people would be comfortable being a lion tamer. Not many folks are willing to go "base jumping". Riding a motorcycle is not necessarily a high-adrenilin activity but it does entail a certain amount of risk. If you are comfortable on the back of a bike as a rider, then I'd say you'd do fine as a driver too.
I'm a family man, yet I choose to ride (safely) knowing the potential risks involved.