Survival and riding a pedal bike vs riding a motorcycle

[CO_Tim]

Who else on this list considers themselves a strong bicyclist? I've raced both road (8 yrs) and mountain bikes (4 yrs), and think it gives me a huge advantage surviving as a new motorcyclist. Countersteering, straightening the bike up before braking hard, grabbing the front brake hard, riding in strong crosswinds, and predicting what drivers are going to do all come fairly naturally to me. The only disadvantage I've seen is that my instincts tell me to release the rear brake if it locks up, which can cause a motorcycle to high-side. What pros/cons have you noticed?

Also, I am totally comfortable riding w/ full safety gear. I've done about 30,000 miles on bicycles and I've destroyed 4 helmets; 2 while racing, 1 on a group ride -- all 3 due to people crashing right in front of me (1 because I exceeded my abilities). So I'm going to stay away from motorcycle group rides (and congested roads) for a while. My group ride crash was at 20 mph, even with a helmet I had a bad headache and double-vision for several hours. Imagine crashing at speeds over 20 mph. Ever picked gravel out of the palm of your hand? It sucks, hands take forever to heal. Because of these experiences I just shake my head when I see motorcyclists without a helmet/jacket/pants/gloves. If the memory of their last bicycle crash was fresh in their minds I doubt they would be so reckless. Doesn't matter how skilled a rider you are, somewhere there's a piece of gravel or a cage with your name on it. That's why I budgeted $3000 for a bike and $1000 for safety gear.

PS - I don't like helmet laws. People should have the right to commit suicide any way they choose. But I resent that it drives up medical costs for the rest of us.

[kellanv]

I've done quite a bit of cycling myself and I have had my share of ugly crashes. No major damage but plenty of road rash.

I ride in traffic regularly so I know that has given me advantage on a motorcycle. You are MUCH smaller with less options on a bicycle so you have to be even more careful.

On a motorcycle I almost always wear full gear if I'm on the road. Sometimes if its just dirt I'll forgo pants or a jacket or something, but ALWAYS a helmet.

[CO_Tim]

Yeah, good point. After numerous mountain bike crashes I can safely say that it's much harder to get hurt when crashing on dirt. I would consider riding off-road w/o full gear if I wasn't pushing my limits. No cages to dodge, and you'll be expecting gravel/sand/roots in the corners.

[smakawhat]

I have spent more time on a bicycle and riding through traffic compared to a motorcycle. In short (IMO) it is not the same thing but lots of things can compare most of it having to deal with other cagers and using road smarts to get out of a bad situation.

I use to bmx my bikes to death and had LOTS of spills when I was young 2 of them broke both my wrists, and one I almost chopped the tip of my finger off in my chain. Neither times I fell did I wear any gear, back in those days if you rode a bicycle with a helmet you were considered "a mentally challenged". Now everyone wears them.

Actually when I got more mature and SMARTENED up, I bought my first bike helmet for my mountain bike and in 20+ years riding on my bicycle I have NEVER crashed. I can't think of a better omen.

[Mintbread]

As a young tacker I came off my bicycle more times than I care to admit. A broken collar bone and a broken leg were never enough to deter me from getting back on that bike (although my mother having to carry me to the car when my leg had an s-bend in it put a bit of a dent in my teenage pride).

I never used to wear safety gear as a kid but I always wear it on my motorcycle as the stakes are far higher.

[Sev]

I cannot recall any major bike accidents, but I still wear full gear, just in case.

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

Ever picked gravel out of the palm of your hand? I have, it sucks, hands take forever to heal.

Yup I actualy have... not a nice experience. I've had my fair share of spills on bicycles one of them being hit by a car that was backing out of a driveway. I didn't break any bones but had some nice road rash for a while. It has been a big factor in why I wear gear. If I had that much road rash with a bicycle accident I can't imagine on a motorcycle. Actualy I CAN imagine I have seen the pictures. The last piece of gear I need to invest in are riding jeans, still haven't done that.

[Sculelos]

I've have had my fair share of crashes when I am on a bicycle, strangly enough I only had one crash where I hit my head and I strangly was wearing a helmet that day, otherwise I don't wear any safety gear on a bicycle, except for maby jeans and some gloves, but on a motorcycle I take my gear very seriously so I have a 1 Piece suit, very good boots and good gloves, and a decent helmet.

[oldschoolorange]

I have had both, crashed both (dirtbikes not street). I find the biggest advantag was having been on a dirtbike for about 4 years before i bought my current bike. Wheel lockups do not phase me adn I am not afraid to let the "O Ring" end slide a little bit under power. Kind of weired thoug, I would not feel right riding offroad without my shinpads and body armor on as I have bounced off many trees and other hard objects

[Flting Duck]

The only disadvantage I've seen is that my instincts tell me to release the rear brake if it locks up, which can cause a motorcycle to high-side.

This is not a hard and fast rule. It's something that's taught to newbies to help them avoid highsides. Since you've you've ridden bikes alot, you obviously know that it's possible to compensate to offset the rear end sliding out to the side. What causes highsides is the rear end coming around too much and then releasing the brake, not just locking then releasing the rear brake.

I've ridden MCs over 60k and when I lock up the rear, I will get the bike straightened out a little while still locked up before releasing the rear brake in a lockup - thus avoiding a highside while getting rear traction back. If you have the ability and experience to keep the bike straightened out while the rear is locked up and know whne to release the rear brake, then you will not highside when the rear brake is released. Most newbies dont have enough experience or feel for riding to a) keep the bike straightened out while sliding and b) have a feel for where the "point of no return" is for the rear end coming around and putting yourself at risk of a highside.