Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I live in South Jersey & it seems like there is an accident involving a motorcycle everyother day & everyother accident is fatal. It's starting to freak my wife out. She came home in a panic last night after seeing an accident between a truck & a bike & the bike lost, as she past she saw the guy on the side of the road covered with a sheet. I just started riding about 3 months ago after taking the MSF basic course & I truly love it. My feelings are that when God punches your ticket it doesn't matter if your on the back of a Bike or behind a desk it's your time to go & I'd rather go doing something I love.

Any advice on how to calm her down a little!!!!!

My wife isn't comfortable with my riding, but she's not hysterical. I think it's important to let her know that you understand how dangerous it is and that you a proactive in minimizing those dangers. Don't try to convince her that it's not dangerous. Then it'll just look like you are ignorant about what you are doing.

Hopefully with time she will grow more comfortable with it, but it's hard to overcome seeing a dead body and knowing that it could have been you.

ask your wife if she'd consider taking the MSF, as it happens in an enclosed area.

It'll give her more of an insight as to how you're taking special care not to become a statistic, and she can make a better informed judgement (and also call you out on any bad habits you pick up)

Double your life insurance policy. If that doesn't work, rationalize with her or you might have to cut back on riding. Making your wife hysterical doesn't sound like much fun.

Yeah, I remember hearing something on Channel 6 yesterday morning about a bike down, didn't know it was a fatality. And there was a guy killed in Egg Harbor township by a drunken teenager a couple of months ago.

I think the Hurt Report had it pegged, the majority of accidents are cagers pulling out, or turning in front of bikes. The major threat is from in front of the bike, and the big reason is "I just didn't see him." Yesterday evening a guy, looking straight at me, almost cut out in front until a sustained 125db blast from my horn. I could see him startle and his expression change, like, "oh s***, where did that come from?" I was in full view of him all the time, his brain just didn't connect with what his eyes were seeing.

So to address your wife's concerns, anything you invest in visibility is a plus. Add auxiliary lights to the bike. Wear high visibility clothing. Install a headlight modulator. Ride only in groups. These steps will all mitigate risk, but nothing eliminates it.

I love how people accept the excuse of "I didnt see him" rather than the truth, "I dont pay attention to anything while I drive because I'm too busy zoned out, listening to the radio, or talking on the phone".

CNF2002 wrote:I love how people accept the excuse of "I didnt see him" rather than the truth.........

To successfully change peoples' behavior, I have to start with where peoples' brains are, not with where I want them to be.......

ask your wife if she'd consider taking the MSF, as it happens in an enclosed area. [quote="Nibblet99"]


I have asked her to take the course she really has no interest in taking it. Although I would love for her to get her own bike.

I know exactly what you're going through. It took me 20 years to get my wife's blessing to get a bike. The deal breaker was the Hurt Report. It reports that in over 90% of all accidents, the rider did NOT have any formal safety training. The true meaning of these numbers can be a lengthy discussion in itself. Recognizing and accepting the risks is vital.

The MSF class lays down a good foundation to build on. If your wife was willing to take the class, it may help ease her mind a lot. Who knows, maybe she'll want to get her own bike and join you on the road.

Good Luck.

I wish my husband cared when I said anything!
You guys have great wives! And you must be great guys!