Are bikes really that unsafe?

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Wrider
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#11 Unread post by Wrider »

Septimus wrote:I learn a lot from these forums. Nowadays, I won't get on my bike unless I'm wearing a bath towel.
Just make sure you don't ride in a bath towel on a supersport... :twisted:
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tropicalhotdog
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#12 Unread post by tropicalhotdog »

I just lowered my shower as my most recent mod. The chromed head is now only 2" from the bottom of the tub. I get a nice throaty rumble when I twist either the C or H faucet (with Kuryakyn Iso H20 grips, with built-in towel racks), but I had to re-jet the sprayers for richer mix. Some people like the American made Crane (the "water company") showers , but I find that they're over priced and leak too much so I stick with the Japanese fixtures.
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JC Viper
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#13 Unread post by JC Viper »

The day you stop being afraid of riding a motorcycle is the day you should quit riding one.
One thing you can count on: You push a man too far, and sooner or later he'll start pushing back.

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intotherain
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#14 Unread post by intotherain »

JC Viper wrote:The day you stop being afraid of riding a motorcycle is the day you should quit riding one.
Hehe, good one. Deep down I'm always scared to get on my bike, each time I thumb the starter means a time I could die. :cry:
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#15 Unread post by Super Dave »

when you ride with a group of experienced riders you definitely know what your skill level is. I rode with some guys from a forum in my town and they went so fast I was the last guy in the group. They took the twisties effortlessly while I stayed the speed limit.

I know that my skills are sub par but I ride my ride and try to concentrate on what I'm doing. Cagers tend to relax too much when driving but you can't afford to do that. So stay sharp and have faith in yourself.....and practice.
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Re: Are bikes really that unsafe?

#16 Unread post by shane-o »

bclinton wrote:Well, I am one week away from taking the BRC course. I already bought my bike (Honda Shadow 750) and it has basically been sitting in the garage. I made the decision to wait and ride until after I take the course. Thanks to the very knowledgeable folks on here. Since I bought it I have been trolling the forums to gain some experience through knowledge. Anyways, here is my question/point. I have been making myself read articles about accidents and many of the posts on here. I can see how doing that can make someone almost back out of even trying to ride a bike. One thing I have noticed is that a good portion of them are caused by the rider going too fast or doing something that is pretty much stupid. I'm 45 now and have a much better respect for making decisions and the risk they carry than I had 20 years ago. I don't see myself going down that road.The way I see it, if I can manage to remove self induced risk than i have a much better chance of riding without accidents. Basically when i ride I assume that every car on the road will make a mistake and I should position myself to react to that mistake 100% of the time....


Statistically, the age group 30-45 in my country, represent the most annual fatalities.

Probably cause, the guys think that they are older, wiser and more experienced, therefore they are better equipped to handle traffic/road issues than they were when they were 20.




Riding is like anything else, its as dangerous as you want to make it, Ive meet people who have ridden 50+ years and never had an off, Ive meet people who have been off their bike in the first week of riding.
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#17 Unread post by JC Viper »

We as motorcyclists are constantly striving to be better at our sport even if we are using ours just to commute. Once you stop being afraid you grow complacent and may even get cocky.
One thing you can count on: You push a man too far, and sooner or later he'll start pushing back.

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#18 Unread post by dr_bar »

I don't think I've ever been afraid of any bike I owned, but I have been afraid of how I rode some of my bikes. Losing respect of your bike and the rules of the road is what gets people in trouble.


I guess luck has been on my side for a lot of my riding years... It's about time that skill finally took some of the credit.
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#19 Unread post by ofblong »

You can die by a properly placed ink pen.

You can die by a screwdriver.

You can die welding 2 metals together.

You can die swimming.

etc etc etc. If you dont experience it, however, what is life? Do you just want to sit at home do nothing? In that case your gonna die of boredom. No matter what we do there is a risk of dieing. So live it up while you can cause no one really knows whats after life (well I do I am going to see God and live a happy afterlife).
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#20 Unread post by KingRobb »

the answer to the thread title is yes.

the next question is...whatyagonna do about it?

I am gonna ride anyway.
Dyin'? Boy, he can have this little life any time he wants to. Do ya hear that? Are ya hearin' it? Come on. You're welcome to it, ol' timer. Let me know you're up there. Come on. Love me, hate me, kill me, anything. Just let me know it.

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