Worried about my boyfriend getting a motorbike..what do I do?

Question

My boyfriend wants to get a motorbike. I know that they can be a lot of fun but I am worried about it. I mean are they really dangerous? He really has his heart set on it and I don't want to tell him that he shouldn't get it. He also wants it because he is kinda broke right now and wants to just have that for transportation because gas for a car is so expensive nowadays. But I would die if he got in a really bad wreck. And it didn't help when both of our parents and some of our friends told us that it was dangerous. He was saying that he wanted me to ride with him too and I don't know what to do because deep down I'm really scared to. I kinda of tried talking to him about it before and I really don't think he will change his mind about getting one.

Answer 1

Yes it really is dangerous. I've owned 3 bikes so far. Many bikers say that "it isn't matter of IF you get into an accident, but when."

But many people get it out of their system after the first accident (and hopefully a small one). But you shouldn't MAKE him do anything. That's his choice. I not being biased but if you were married (or life partner, etc.) to each other then it would be a different question.

But if you DON'T want to get on the back, that's also your choice. I'm a biker but I would NEVER get on the back. People in the back often gets hurt worse than the person doing the driving / riding.
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Good Luck

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Answer 2

I had the same problem with my boyfriend wanting one.
I told him that if he gets one, I wouldn't ever go on it, and that I would rather hitchhike to where I wanted to go rather than get on a death trap.
They are really dangerous, I have witnessed 3 accidents on a street near me and all 2 of the men died, one survived, and he only survived because there was a pedestrain walking down the street, who was a off duty paramedic.
You say you have kind of tried talking to him, you really do need to sit him down and explain all the dangers to him, if he won't change his mind and is 100% for getting a motorbike, there really isn't much you can do.
If it is possible, do you or any of your family / friends know anyone that has been involved in a motorbike crash ?
If so, get them to give your boyfriend a warning on exactly how dangerous motorbikes are.
If he goes ahead and buys one, you're just going to have to accept it, but make sure you buy the best gear and the best helmet there is avaliable to buy, even if it is expensive, it could save his life if he ever was involved in an accident.
Also, if you don't want to ride on the bike with him, don't.
It is your choice and if he pressures you into getting on the bike with him, you're going to have to leave him, because he doesn't respect your decisions.
Read through this site, and make sure your boyfriend reads through it aswell :
http://www.geocities.com/jusjih/motorcycles.html
You also need to know why your boyfriend wants a motorbike, is it to look good on ? Drive fast ? Cut through traffic ? Cheaper ?
Can't you buy a cheap car instead, after all motorbikes can be pretty pricey to get a decent one.
Good Luck.
( Sorry this was so long ! )

Answer 3

Here are some facts from the NTSB. Yes motorcycling is dangerous but so are a lot of other things. By the way...45% of all motorcycle deaths are single vehicle accidents. This means....be sure he knows how to ride, have him take a safety course and he should gain some experience solo before he has riders.

Per capita Death Rate Injury Rate
from cancer 2,010 N/A
from pneumonia/flu 237 N/A
from poisoning 73.5 1,842
from falling 50.9 27,100
from suffocation 44.0 137
while walking 16.9 280
from drowning 14.8 28.5
while driving 12.9 987
while motorcyclng 9.8 717
on horseback 3.8 127
while bicycling 2.5 453
struck by lightning 2.0 8.0
while skiing 0.2 43

Answer 4

A few points

If you are uncomfortable with going on the back of a bike....just dont do it,its unlikely you will change your opinion in one ride,and there is nothing worse for a rider than to have a wooden and unhappy pillion clamping to them like a limpet.

Motorcycles are not dangerous,they are classed as vulnerable....this means that they dont have a mind of their own and kill their riders at random...but the rider is more at risk of injury in an accident.

Motorcycles are not especially cheaper to run than cars,,,well in Britain they are not anyway,once the insurance,protective clothing and running costs are added up they can be more expensive.

Please,Please will people stop with the propaganda about riders being akin to having committed suicide as soon as they set off on their bikes.....Yes motorcyclists have accidents,but i know multitudes more car drivers who have accidents...because they are safe in their crumple zones,it doesnt even worry them,A biker is constantly alert and reading the road ahead to avoid any problems.

In the UK,Horse riding has 23 times more fatal accidents than motorcyclists do in proportion....never hear calls to execute Black Beauty?

Ive left 3 girlfriends over the years due to their refusal to accept that i love to ride motorbikes...they knew i rode them when we met....their loss not mine..If your partner forbade you to do something you loved....doesnt bode well for a long term deeply loving relationship does it.

Answer 5

Everybody knows somebody who has been injured or killed on a motorcycle. Everybody knows somebody who has or died from cancer, too. As a rider, I accept the inherant risks associated with motorcycles, and do everything I can to prevent myself from becoming crack filler on an interstate. Many of the dangers of riding a motorcycle can be mitigated with proper training, proper equipment, and having a respect for the road.

Answer 6

You can get hurt on one the main thing is does he know how to ride and does he have common sense?.I was on one months back and i didn't know the man i was with,he was a blind date and picked me up on a motorcycle,well about a hour latter he recked with me on there we both were not hurt just bruised,but if your man is safe and watch other drivers you both will love it.I do.

Answer 7

make sure he gets a good helmet

Answer 8

have you told HIM any of this?