Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi guys (and girls), I'm another new poster. I'm 24 and live in southwestern Ohio, and I'm about to buy my first motorcycle. I've never ridden before but I'm taking my safety class next week, getting my temp license, and going from there.

Oh, and I'm really glad I read everyone's advice on getting a 500 vs. say, a 600 or higher. I'm looking at the GS500F.

Enjoy your class. We'll be looking forward to hearing about it.

Here's a good question for anyone reading. I've encountered a lot of negative opinions from people when I tell them I'm getting a bike. "Oh they're so dangerous I hate them people get killed blah blah blah..." and it's actually starting to make me second-guess myself. I know the risks involved, especially with a lack of training and/or adverse conditions, and I'm prepared to face those. However, with everyone telling me what incredible danger I'm putting myself in, I'm getting a little nervous about getting on a bike now.

Is this normal? How can I not let this bother me like it's starting to?

travdiddy84 wrote:Here's a good question for anyone reading. I've encountered a lot of negative opinions from people when I tell them I'm getting a bike. "Oh they're so dangerous I hate them people get killed blah blah blah..." and it's actually starting to make me second-guess myself. I know the risks involved, especially with a lack of training and/or adverse conditions, and I'm prepared to face those. However, with everyone telling me what incredible danger I'm putting myself in, I'm getting a little nervous about getting on a bike now.

Is this normal? How can I not let this bother me like it's starting to?

Yes, it's normal. I always rebuttle with but people fall in bathtubs and hurt themselves. People fall down their basement stairs and hurt themselves. People have industrial accidents and get killed, pedestrians get injured or killed frequently on the streets and sometimes even on the sidewalks by street racers or drunk drivers, people get injured on transit buses, too......and so on and so forth.....

Yes, there is an element of risk by riding a motorcycle, but we can minimize that risk with wearing proper gear, taking the lessons, practicing what you learn in the lessons and always being aware of your surroundings.

Tell them you are aware of the risks and if they have nothing positive to say, then please say nothing.

A lot of riders on this site have encountered resistance from family, friends and loved ones.

Sometimes, even when you have all your ducks in a row, and acknowledge the higher risk, it is difficult to bridge the gulf between rider and non-rider.

At least two of the people I work with have lost close friends/relatives in motorcycle accidents and one came over after the funeral and had 'the talk' with me. You know, birds, bees and getting killed on bikes.

In the end, though, it is your risk analysis and the determination that if you die riding a bike - are you prepared for that?

But doubly, it is your risk analysis and the determination that if you die driving a car - are you prepared for that.

Similar to the Spanish Inquisition - no one really expects death. Ok, most people don't expect death as they walk out the door.

RhadamYgg

travdiddy84 wrote:Hi guys (and girls), I'm another new poster. I'm 24 and live in southwestern Ohio, and I'm about to buy my first motorcycle. I've never ridden before but I'm taking my safety class next week, getting my temp license, and going from there.

Oh, and I'm really glad I read everyone's advice on getting a 500 vs. say, a 600 or higher. I'm looking at the GS500F.

You're always going to have someone telling you that you should not do something, simply because they cannot or are unwilling to do it themselves. Most people who talk about how dangerous motorcycles are know absolutely nothing about motorcycles and very little about the circumstances surrounding the accidents they hear about. As with anything, use your own judgement. Motorcycling is a higher risk activity. As Blues said, as individuals, we each make choices to reduce the risk of injury and death via gear, classes, etc. To me, it's all about individual perspectives. Some people who see motorcycling as too dangerous an activity choose to drive home drunk from the bar every weekend. Don't ask me how that makes sense, but that's their choice based on their perception of risk. Make your own decisions and be safe. Good luck with your training.