New Rider

[loup001]

I am shocked at the comments on this site - I know everyone is offering their best advice and trying to help, but I have been riding a small bike for a year and I am 45 years old and looking for a new bike in the 800cc range and find this site to be a wealth of information.

Based on the comments and remarks on this site I am now afraid to buy a new bike. It sounds like everyone who gets a bike has an accident, drops the bike and gets hurt. You guys make riding bikes on the street sound like the #1 most dangerous activity anyone can undertake. I think I would be safer skydiving or mountain climbing.

After reading many of the comments on this forum, I am rethinking the whole bike thing and think I may stick we 4 wheels rather that 2.

My goal is not to be a world touring motorcyclist, but to be a weekend rider – I love riding motorcycles and love the outdoors, but feel I have been very luck this past year that I have not wrecked or gotten hurt.

[Flak Monkey]

Sorry you feel that way, but motorcycling is as dangerous activity. Not everyone was made to ride a motorcycle and if the risk seems like too much to you then, by all means, don't ride. However, that's a decision only you can make and I hope you choose to continue enjoying riding.
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Futurama Forum

[Septimus]

I didn't get that impression at all from reading this site, but suit yourself.

If you want to know about accident statistics, look up accident statistics. Don't look at anecdotes.

[Ian522]

I think you may have misunderstood. Statistically you are extremely likely to "drop" your bike while you are in the early stages of your riding, not necessarily "crash". A drop could be described as tipping over while walking the bike around, forgetting to put the kickstand down, etc...typically less than 5mph and in which nothing serious happens except maybe some dents/scratches. Most new riders have had moments like these, myself included.

But I think actual "crashes" involving bodily injury and serious damage arent anywhere near as common. But of course they do happen and the risk can never be eliminated, but if you do everything in your power to ride safely, you can minimize the risk of a crash ever happening. (wear bright colors, know your riding limits, ride defensively, wear proper gear, never drink and ride, etc. etc.)

[Veda]

Also, remember most people post when an "exciting" event happens. Most people on the forum post about their crash to get feedback or warn other riders about the dangers. They don't post about the other 100 days they rode this season where nothing eventful happened. They just got from point A to point B so nothing exciting to write about.

[Flesher]

Based on the comments and remarks on this site I am now afraid to buy a new bike.

Everyone is a little afraid and some are a lot afraid. If you look for validation that you should not be scared then all that will happen is every "crash" story validates that fear and amplifies it. Accept that you are a little afraid, it's healthy (I know. Pretty arrogant of me eh? -- lol)

I think of it like this; people tell all kinds of stories about what happens in the dark, and so we are afraid of the dark. But when it is dark, if you hear a creaking door be afraid and prepared, if you hear footsteps be afraid, if you hear blood curdling cries be afraid. But if you don't hear any of that then look around and you will see that when it's dark you can also see the stars sparkling in the heavens.

Good luck and enjoy riding, keep a little of that fear, it will make you a better rider.

[BusaEater]

Good luck and enjoy riding, keep a little of that fear, it will make you a better rider.

Well said.

[dr_bar]

loup001

It actually sounds like you've followed a lot of the advice on this board already. You've ridden your first year on a small bike, this is a good thing because that's where you'll learn most of your skills.

Moving up to an 800cc bike isn't out of the question unless you don't feel that you're ready for it.

Like jumping out of a plane, there are risks associated with riding, most of the info here will help reduce those risks if you take the free advice that's offered.

Now, if you're still hesitant to buy that bigger bike, just spend another season or half of one on your current ride, you will know when you're ready to move up.

[JC Viper]

Here's a story, someone driving a car was t-boned by a drunk driver. The driver of the boned car was killed. This was on the news. So there's a risk with everything including just staying home.

Just buy some padded gear and a good helmet to lessen those fears if you want.

[Diecast61]

I think quite the opposite.....


The advice is I garnered is to not to let down your guard .... ride smart ..... but have fun.

Minor "accidents" ie ..... dropping your bike ...... typically happens to most new riders ..... don't sweat it .... learn from it ..... and keep on riding. This is also a good reason to buy your first bike used.

It's like anything else that requires a skill. Ever hit your thumb with a hammer. Did you ever put a nail into anything after that. Just learn from your mistakes and move on.

When riding a bike stops being fun ..... just don't do it any more.


The choice is yours ...... and only yours.