Are bikes really that unsafe?

[Sev]

Now you could die getting out of the shower. Or you could die hitting a truck at 120mph. You're not going to stop showering (I hope). And I'm not going to stop riding. But that doesn't mean you can't manage the risks. I keep a bath towel on the floor so I won't slip, and I wear my gear when I ride.

Best analogy ever, compare showering to motorcycling

As far as I'm concerned they're both activities that should be engaged in at least every second day.

[roscowgo]

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.

Running off and leaving the new fella thats obeying the speed limit was pretty asshattish of em dude. That's kinda like leavin the skinny kid in the car at a restaurant, because he can't eat as much.

[JC Viper]

It seems more people are coping with that fact of motorcycles being less protected. I say this because I'm seeing more motorcycles and scooters popping up in my neighborhood. Still not seeing everyone who rides wearing much in the way of protective riding gear but at least more of them are wearing pants.

[intotherain]

Now you could die getting out of the shower. Or you could die hitting a truck at 120mph. You're not going to stop showering (I hope). And I'm not going to stop riding. But that doesn't mean you can't manage the risks. I keep a bath towel on the floor so I won't slip, and I wear my gear when I ride.

Best analogy ever, compare showering to motorcycling

As far as I'm concerned they're both activities that should be engaged in at least every second day.

Except in showering you don't have concrete/asphalt sliding past you at 100 KMPH.

[JC Viper]

Now you could die getting out of the shower. Or you could die hitting a truck at 120mph. You're not going to stop showering (I hope). And I'm not going to stop riding. But that doesn't mean you can't manage the risks. I keep a bath towel on the floor so I won't slip, and I wear my gear when I ride.

Best analogy ever, compare showering to motorcycling

As far as I'm concerned they're both activities that should be engaged in at least every second day.

Except in showering you don't have concrete/asphalt sliding past you at 100 KMPH.

Then you don't watch the Indy 500 in Hi-Def while showering huh?

[ofblong]

Now you could die getting out of the shower. Or you could die hitting a truck at 120mph. You're not going to stop showering (I hope). And I'm not going to stop riding. But that doesn't mean you can't manage the risks. I keep a bath towel on the floor so I won't slip, and I wear my gear when I ride.

Best analogy ever, compare showering to motorcycling

As far as I'm concerned they're both activities that should be engaged in at least every second day.

Except in showering you don't have concrete/asphalt sliding past you at 100 KMPH.

Then you don't watch the Indy 500 in Hi-Def while showering huh?

I almost bought a Refigerator that has an HDTV in it the other day at home depot just so I can watch my fav HD stuff while I am cooking in the kitchen (yes I cook cause my wife wont do it).

[Sev]

Now you could die getting out of the shower. Or you could die hitting a truck at 120mph. You're not going to stop showering (I hope). And I'm not going to stop riding. But that doesn't mean you can't manage the risks. I keep a bath towel on the floor so I won't slip, and I wear my gear when I ride.

Best analogy ever, compare showering to motorcycling

As far as I'm concerned they're both activities that should be engaged in at least every second day.

Except in showering you don't have concrete/asphalt sliding past you at 100 KMPH.

...

[Kal]

You are 16 times more likely to die per mile travelled on a bike than in a car.

The majority of serious accidents are Single Vehicle Collisions with operator error being the cause.

The group most likely to have a serious accident are 16-25 year old males who have less than two years under their belts.

Second most likely group are 35+ BABs, and the numbers are rising.


I've watched my bike slide away from me on a slow speed corner because I'd failed to consider the weather conditions

I've broken my wrist in a 30mph down

I've body-surfed the crash barrier at 60mph

I buried three men with ten years plus experience all of them very good riders in a matter of weeks during 2004 all of whom were taken out by other road users.



So why do I continue to ride?

Quite simply because I am 16 times more alive on my bike and that affects every part of my life.

If you want safe get a car, if you want to LIVE get a bike.

[ofblong]

You are 16 times more likely to die per mile travelled on a bike than in a car.

The majority of serious accidents are Single Vehicle Collisions with operator error being the cause.

The group most likely to have a serious accident are 16-25 year old males who have less than two years under their belts.

Second most likely group are 35+ BABs, and the numbers are rising.


I've watched my bike slide away from me on a slow speed corner because I'd failed to consider the weather conditions

I've broken my wrist in a 30mph down

I've body-surfed the crash barrier at 60mph

I buried three men with ten years plus experience all of them very good riders in a matter of weeks during 2004 all of whom were taken out by other road users.



So why do I continue to ride?

Quite simply because I am 16 times more alive on my bike and that affects every part of my life.

If you want safe get a car, if you want to LIVE get a bike.

actually if you want safe move right next door to work and just walk though even that isnt safe.

[ceemes]

You are 16 times more likely to die per mile travelled on a bike than in a car.

The majority of serious accidents are Single Vehicle Collisions with operator error being the cause.

The group most likely to have a serious accident are 16-25 year old males who have less than two years under their belts.

Second most likely group are 35+ BABs, and the numbers are rising.


I've watched my bike slide away from me on a slow speed corner because I'd failed to consider the weather conditions

I've broken my wrist in a 30mph down

I've body-surfed the crash barrier at 60mph

I buried three men with ten years plus experience all of them very good riders in a matter of weeks during 2004 all of whom were taken out by other road users.



So why do I continue to ride?

Quite simply because I am 16 times more alive on my bike and that affects every part of my life.

If you want safe get a car, if you want to LIVE get a bike.

Bloody good answer Kal and so true. The more I ride, the more alive I feel, especially after a good fast and technically challenging trip like todays.

After my last crash, I didnt ride for 13 years, got back on a bike finally this year and its as if I have been reborn. Whoever coined the phrase "Live to Ride and Ride to Live" got it right in a nutshell. Sure its dangerous, sure you could be killed, maimed, crippled or left a drooling veg-case, but that is what makes life worth living.

Better to get it a shot then sit back safe and comfortable and bored to tears at home.