Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I'm thinking of owning a motorcycle. Before I do, one thing has been on my mind: getting in an accident.
I'm a very safe driver. Obey laws and well as speed limits. Never have been in an accident.
I'm fully aware of the dangers and the importance of assuming that no one can see you.
Do you believe that if you do all of these things, and are very safe and careful, you can avoid an accident throughout your life while on a motorcycle?
Or are there too many cars out there that dont know what they are doing and chances are you will probably get into some accident at some point.
-Thanks

There's always a chance everytime you go out. Be prepared for anything.

i guess a better question to ask then is...what do you think the chances of never getting in an accident if you drive safetly?

wilsonhls wrote:i guess a better question to ask then is...what do you think the chances of never getting in an accident if you drive safetly?

You haven't been in an accident in your car, YET.

Remember, unexpected stuff happens everyday. Trucks lose their loads, cows get out of their pastures, a bee rides your shirt into your car, then stings you as you focus on some other vital task while driving. Rainstorms turn to ice storms. Gravel appears in curves that were clear yesterday.

There is simply NO way to get to: "If I do X, Y, and Z, I will never have an accident." There are just too many uncontrollable factors out there on the road. When you have half as many wheels holding the pavement, road condition and your machine's condition are a greater factor in remaining upright.
Part of the joy of motorcycling for most of us is facing the risks of riding, with competence and confidence and arriving home safely.

If you are looking for the path to absolutely safe motorcycling, get yourself a video game. If you are looking for reasonable assurance of safety, the first step you can take is to sign yourself up for a basic riders course, and learn all you can. Start small and build your skills.

Plan to wear protective gear every time you head out. Expect cage drivers to regularly do stupid stuff that puts you in danger, and give you the one finger salute if you dare to acknowledge them with a horn honk.

Most of the folks here have had some sort of mishap on their bikes: Be it a close call they escaped by skill or the grace of God, a simple tipover, or a genuine bonafide wreck. Hopefully, you'll do no worse than a parking lot drop. If you can't live with the potential for greater harm, then motorcycling is not for you.

P

You could be a world class driver. You could follow every rule in the book. You could do everything right.

But it doesn't stop the guy who left the bar after 15 drinks from coming into your lane.

First off, there is no such thing as an accident, only preventable collisions

Having an 'accident' presumes that there was nothing that could have been done to avoid having the collision (be it with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or simply laying the bike down while pushing too hard in a corner).

there is always something that can be done to avoid having a collision, and there are a few things that can help you out in this;

1. Take a rider training course
2. Practice, practice, practice
3. Stay alert and focused on not only what you are doing, but also on what is going on around you
4. Expect the unexpected
5. Did I mention practice?

With skills practice and mental discipline, you can go a very long way to reducing your risk of having a collision.

What Gadjet said.
Expect the unexpected.

Not every biker I know had a collision. Some of the ones I know that have had collisions were because of their own poor judgement.

wilsonhls wrote:I'm thinking of owning a motorcycle. Before I do, one thing has been on my mind: getting in an accident.
I'm a very safe driver. Obey laws and well as speed limits. Never have been in an accident.
I'm fully aware of the dangers and the importance of assuming that no one can see you.
Do you believe that if you do all of these things, and are very safe and careful, you can avoid an accident throughout your life while on a motorcycle?
Or are there too many cars out there that dont know what they are doing and chances are you will probably get into some accident at some point.
-Thanks

You're a little freaked out and you want some reassurance that you're going to be okay. I understand that. That is a very normal and healthy attitude that many beginners have.

Can you go through your whole motorcycle career and never have an accident? Yes.

Can you get creamed by a semi-truck on your way home from the dealership on your first motorcycle? Yes.

Chances are, neither one of those things will happen.

You sound like a safe and responsible person. Get over your fear and go forward with getting the bike. Take the MSF training course first. It will help you to feel more at-ease.

You could slip getting out of the tub tomorrow and end up dead or mentally mentally challenged for the rest of your life. Are you really going to let what could happen stop you from enjoying life?

Sevulturus wrote:You could slip getting out of the tub tomorrow and end up dead or mentally mentally challenged for the rest of your life. Are you really going to let what could happen stop you from enjoying life?

Thanks for the Sig Sev.