considering quitting

[ninja79]

I don't know if this is for me any more. I keep reading all these stories about people getting killed or injured. I've had 2 close calls myself (both times a stupid grandma making a left turn in front of me). I am paranoid when I ride, watching side streets for some jerks making their turns. I don't trust the suit I'm wearing.

Twisties are nice, and I like being able to pull up to the front of the stop light. But overall, I'm starting to think this was not such a good idea.

[VermilionX]

hmmm...

im sure many others have gone through that.

me, i guess one big reason im so carefree is that i don't have anyone depending on me... like kids, spouse etc.

also, im not afraid of dying. im just afraid of getting bored. riding is very exciting.

anyway... it's time for you to take some time and think about it more.

if everytime you ride you'll be paranoid, you might as well quit.

[Jamers!]

I don't know if this is for me any more. I keep reading all these stories about people getting killed or injured. I've had 2 close calls myself (both times a stupid grandma making a left turn in front of me). I am paranoid when I ride, watching side streets for some jerks making their turns. I don't trust the suit I'm wearing.

Twisties are nice, and I like being able to pull up to the front of the stop light. But overall, I'm starting to think this was not such a good idea.

i would say some paranoia is good when riding. you need to be alert and looking for danger so you can avoid it. If you are scared of riding or so paranoid it becomes a problem or is no longer fun then you should consider this sport, thats my




JWF

[TheImp]

I sometimes feel the same way. I suppose its pretty much like the saying goes where only you can determine how much risk you're willing to take. I love riding despite all the risks out there. I love the feeling of having this greater sense of control I get from biking.

A funny thing when I think about it is that I don't know if I'd have started riding on my own without the massive amount of information available to me through the internet and through the MSF class I took. I combat my fear through knowledge and road practice.

It's unfortunate that you've had cagers make turns across your path too close, but I knew that to be a very common cause of collisions even before I started riding and from day 1 in my riding on public roads its the one thing I always keep my eyes peeled out for. When I see a car ahead waiting to turn left I pull toward the edge of my lane closest to the middle of all the lanes traveling same-direction and roll off the throttle a bit and watch closely. When able, I even countersteer the bike a little in my lane left and right sort of like waving your hand in someone's face. So far it's worked, but nothing is 100%, we just have to do what we can to minimize risk.

[Mintbread]

I keep reading all these stories about people getting killed or injured.

You must have known people were killed and or injured whilst riding before you got a bike.

In the end it is your loss.

[shawnhpi]

I also understand what you are talking about.. But i do LOVE riding.. Its the best thing I have ever done. Its great to just jump on and clear the mind..

and as verm said .. I also don't have anyone depending on me.. i just don't want it to be my fault if something where to happen. some will say thats just pointless to think like that but its only the truth, and untill some one is in my life to make me change my ways-thats the way it goes.....

..any way you got the downsides of hearing about this and that.. having close calls.. Ive had my fair share in the 2 (going on 3) seasons of riding.

I don't think I can ever stop riding.. I say keep riding just don't use it as a daily driver. ride side roads for fun. Cagers will never stop pullin in front of us, its the way it goes.. I can say being a rider my self, and when im drivin my cage (06 civic Si) if i see a biker i stay clear. your always gonna have that drunk, or old person who can barley see over the wheel let alone SEE at all.. I read in another post, is outlawin motorcycles the way to prevent this,, I say no... get picky with who you give a lic to and special lic to the elderly people.. They should be tested every year.

Shawn.

[runsilent]

your always gonna have that drunk, or old person who can barley see over the wheel let alone SEE at all.. I read in another post, is outlawin motorcycles the way to prevent this,, I say no... get picky with who you give a lic to and special lic to the elderly people.. They should be tested every year. Shawn.

Yes, get picky who you give a license to. Raise the age to start driving to 35 and we'll all be safer out there! Under 25 should be re-tested every month.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... sbyage.jpg

[onlinesmurf]

Everything is a risk in life. The problem here isn't the inherent risk of motorcycling its your awareness of it. You are afraid that you will get hurt which why this seems like a bad situation. Motorcycling can get you into trouble, but you we all know that. The thing is since you are armed with this knowledge before you toss that leg over, you are ahead of the game. Be paranoid (you have to be), just make sure that it leads to you being more evasive.

It sounds like you are expecting the cagers to do the right thing; they wont. You see granny waiting to left, you better shield yourself with a car or do something that leaves you with an escape WHEN (not if) granny pulls out. Expect drivers to do bad things so that you will always have an out. The situations you were in, think if you could have handled them better.

Oh IMO in that situation its better to lay off the throttle and move toward your escape route with controls covered (I like to flash the brake lights with the rear brake to try and wake up the cagers behind me) n situations where people are waiting to turn left and you don't have a car as cover.

Let them turn if you can (safely). If you are in a situation where you have to go through it now, and you still aren't sure TWIST THAT THROTTLE and be through there in 2 seconds or less. I usually use a combination of both where I zoom through after a point when I know I can make it through before the car turns even if they do something silly.

Being paranoid is the step to being a good motorcyclist complacency = death. Again expect dumb things, that way you will always be prepared for them.

Give it a shot again, you can do it and when you get over this you will be happy you stuck with it. Motorcycling is a wonderful thing.

[Gnarlyroad]

I can relate. This is my worst nightmare. Yet I keep riding.
http://media.ebaumsworld.com/wmv/backgroundaccident.wmv
.A little paranoia is sometimes a good thing.

[sapaul]

A friend of mine said that he had just read a report on all the different types of cancer you can get from smoking, he said it was really horrible some of the things that can happen. I asked him if he was going to quit smoking, he said, Nah he is just going to stop reading.