Total Motorcycle Community Forums

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....

The answer to that question is yes and no. Guns can be a deadly thing if you don't respect them. Same applies with motorcycles. Start out slow, take your time and learn as you go. I started out just cruising around the streets where I live to get used to it. The speed limit is only 25 and there's not many cars around. Start out where you feel comfortable and don't think that in a day or two you have to be riding 70 mph on the interstate. Always be on the look out for the other drivers around you. Respect the bike and it will respect you. Good luck.

Good that you're taking the BRC. I'd also HIGHLY recommend Hough's book on Proficient Motorcycling. The BRC will teach you what to do; the Hough book will explain why it's important and what happens if you don't. He also explains in very clear and simple terms some of the important motorcycle design issues that dictate why a bike behaves the way it does, and he offers lots of helpful tips for dealing with gravel, angry dogs, bad weather, etc. All in all, it really helped me to internalize the practices that the BRC teaches. Just ignore all the stuff at the end on sidecars.

And you definitely have the right attitude - do everything you can to reduce the risks that you can control, which will make it easier to deal with the ones you can't control. Someone else on this forum gave some good advice recently that you should always ride at 80% - 90% of your capability so that you have that reserve for the unexpected things.

Are bikes that unsafe? You're traveling at 60+ MPH on a 600 lb piece of metal, on two wheels, among speeding cars, trucks and buses while your body is completely exposed except for a helmet and a few millimeters of leather. It's insane that people do it at all, if you think about it. Anything worthwhile is.

But somehow, most people do OK!

It's like everything else. Some people are gonna go hug a high speed tree, others are gonna ride for 50 years and tip their bike over in a parking lot once.

All in all, yes, riding a bike has more inherent risk than not riding. Then again so does turning on your AC, walking out your front door, sewing, coal mining, sitting in front of a monitor, riding a car, dieting.... you see where I'm going with this.


Self induced risk is very hard to eliminate entirely from your riding career. To me it's always been kind of a blend of things. You have a scenic view on your right, can you glance at that or should you be so focused on the road that you never see anything else?

All you can do, is be prepared for the worst, while enjoying the best.

Today you're alive. Tomorrow... maybe not. 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. Don't speed when it's going to get me in trouble, and I practise my skills constantly.

I guess you just need to decide what you're willing to risk, and what you aren't.

Anyone in any vehicle can get smacked at any time. Someone runs a red light, changes lanes without looking, crosses into the opposite lane...WHAMMO. And on a bike its worse.

The other part is the two wheel part. Bikes can start and stop quicker than anything else out there, and when the road goes slippery, (or someone tries to cram you) you'd better have a skill set to deal with it.

And that's the problem. For some people, bikes are a recreational vehicle. You can tell by the way they ride, and by what they wear. You'll likely go further if you OBSESS about practicing skill, and wearing your gear.

Keep in mind it could all be over in an instant.

It's not for everybody.

I started riding at 40 something (now been riding for 5 years). I had been riding for just over 2 years when I crashed.

Did something stupid. But I was wearing full gear, so wasn't seriously injured (hooked my thumb in the handgrip, fractured a hand bone - NO gear would have prevented that injury).

Once you get past the initial learning curve. The more dangerous period for us middle agers is probably the "honeymoon period" - when you're feeling confident in your skills and begin to push yourself a bit. This is where fatigue is probably most likely to bite you.

Being aware of the potential will help immensely.

P

Most accidents happen to riders with 2-4 years of experience, according to the Hurt Report.

Sev wrote: 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

I learn a lot from these forums. Nowadays, I won't get on my bike unless I'm wearing a bath towel.