I don't get the fear of riding motorcycles

[ComputernerdParticipant 465]

Anytime the topic of motorcycles come up, whether it’s with family or friends, most if not all of them give these bulls~~~ excuses as to why “motorcycles are dangerous, you should never ride one” I just can’t help but call them on their bulls~~~.

If anything, riding motorcycles are far SAFER than riding motor vehicles. This is because when you ride a motorcycle, you’re FORCED to be aware of your surroundings every second you’re driving.

If anything, driving a car or a truck is more dangerous because you have more blind spots since the vehicle is bigger. You’re also more comfortable, which means you’re prone to making more mistakes.

The only time I ever see motorcyclists get into a crash is because they were trying to lane split at high speeds, trying to be a show off and do stunts, race, or because other drivers in cars and trucks weren’t paying attention to the road.

I’ve been thinking about getting my motorcycle license and taking classes in a few months, but I don’t think I’ll ever tell my family I did for the main reason they’ll bring up all the fake bulls~~~ on why “motorcycles are dangerous.”

From what I’ve seen, in motorcycle vlogs on Youtube especially, most motorcyclists are some of the safest drivers ever. They’re always trying to look for ways to improve how they can drive safe on the road and are always aware of their surroundings.

This fear of riding motorcycles is complete bulls~~~ to me honestly. I have no idea why people are so fearful to even try riding a motorcycle at least once in their life.

[RusskyParticipant 13503]

You must have not attended biker funerals or saw your friends in full body cast at a hospital…
I am somewhat fearless daredevil, which makes me even more cautious against buying a bike – I know I’d be very tempted to push its limits, but I have to look at things rationally.

Watch some motorcycle crash videos on youtube (Isle of man for example)- this should set your head straight.

But on the other hand – yeah, I might get a bike one day. A cruiser or maybe enduro, but not a crotch rocket for sure. But I’d be super careful, especially with an attitude like yours – “fear of riding motorcycles is complete bulls~~~”. It’s not bulls~~~. It’s matter of life and death. S~~~ is serious

You can be super careful and serious, but some bitch in an SUV will be texting and won’t see you there – and you’ll be dead. It’s not just up to you. A lot of other factors are involved.

proud carrier of the 'why?' chromosome

[Anonymous 42]

Drove trucks, tracks, cars, and bikes.

Bikes are the most dangerous, did your car ever fall over on it’s side? The most a cage ever did in oil is to peel out or skid a little, but it was a motorcycle that slid on patch and damn nearly sent me over the high side as I did the wiggle wobble trying JUST TO STAY ALIVE!

Then there was the time I T-boned a car with a truck, had it been bike I would have gotten a good look inside!

[ComputernerdParticipant 465]

Russky wrote:

But on the other hand – yeah, I might get a bike one day. A cruiser or maybe enduro, but not a crotch rocket for sure. But I’d be super careful, especially with an attitude like yours – “fear of riding motorcycles is complete bulls~~~”. It’s not bulls~~~. It’s matter of life and death. S~~~ is serious

You can also die in a car crash. If everyone who went to their friends funeral that were in a car crash tried to tell me “I shouldn’t buy a car, they’re dangerous” I’d have the same attitude.

I see the fear of riding motorcycles as over paranoid bulls~~~. Yes, their are risks of riding motorcycles, but their are also risks of walking outside in the morning, driving cars/trucks, riding in buses, etc.

Living in fear of what “can happen” will just hold you back in life.

[The Batman 2020Participant 2112]

Computernerd wrote:

The only time I ever see motorcyclists get into a crash is because they were trying to lane split at high speeds, trying to be a show off and do stunts, race, or because other drivers in cars and trucks weren’t paying attention to the road.

Look around at all the c~~~s looking down at their cell phones while driving some time… That’s enough for me to stay off the streets on a motorcycle..

Your 20's are for learning, your 30's are for earning.

[Biggvs_DickvsParticipant 3725]

Computernerd wrote:

If anything, riding motorcycles are far SAFER than riding motor vehicles.

LOL. Talk to any ER nurse. There’s a reason they call them “donor-cycles.”

"Data, I would be delighted to offer any advice I can on understanding women. When I have some, I'll let you know." --Captain Picard,

[RusskyParticipant 13503]

dude, you can’t comprare cars to bikes.
some texting bitch cuts you off – if you’re in a car – some bodywork will be needed to fix the car
if you’re on a bike – YOU will need some bodywork. There is a huge difference

proud carrier of the 'why?' chromosome

[Anonymous 54]

Your kidding right.

[Duke TogoParticipant 2664]

Computernerd wrote:

This fear of riding motorcycles is complete bulls~~~ to me honestly. I have no idea why people are so fearful to even try riding a motorcycle at least once in their life.

I ride a motorcycle. Let me tell you, the fear is real and you need to accept it. I am a safe rider because I want to come back home to my family and not have my father outlive his son. I still have been in two accidents where I have come of the bike and I was extremely lucky to have survived and walked away uninjured.

It doesn’t matter how safe you ride, as a motorcyclist, you are a second class citizen on the road. People don’t care and cut you off or pay no attention to you. It is usually someone else’s mistake or carelessness that will get you into a life threatening situation as a safe motorcyclist. You must always be vigilant, and then when there re no cars around, a pothole appearing quickly which you cannot avoid can even throw you off. So many things can happen to you that you need to be aware of.

In Australia it is said that riding a motorcycle is the most deadly thing one can do that is legal.

Despite everything above, I love the ride. I don’t go nuts and “fang it”, I just ride safe and smooth. It feels awesome and relaxing (despite needing to remain vigilant).

I do recommend everyone go get their motorcycle license to learn the associated road craft as it will make you a safer car driver as well due to the road craft you learn to survive as a motorcyclist. If I had it my way, I wouldn’t allow anyone to drive a car unless they could safely ride a motorcycle.

[KeymasterKeymaster]

I can argue in either direction on this.

First, against…..

Had 2 friends/colleagues who died on bikes. LONG before their time.
(one was a deliberate suicide so that doesn’t count because he drove himself off a bridge)
A 3rd I didn’t know very well.

But the first one was HIGHLY accomplished rider, and it’s always the best swimmers who drown. I actually predicted he would go that way, because he raced down a side street once, and I even said it out loud “he’s gonna die on his bike going 200MPH with his hair on fire”. I was half right. A car door opened and the glass killed him on the streets of New York.

Computernerd wrote:

When you ride a motorcycle, you’re FORCED to be aware of your surroundings every second you’re driving.

This I agree with because I just got my license about 4 weeks ago – after putting it off for a LONG time. After the lessons were over, I got in my car, and it was “boring” compared to the level of alertness required for being on a bike.

I drive a stick(!!) and it was STILL like being asleep at the wheel compared to a bike.

I don’t get the fear of riding motorcycles

The “fear” was instilled in me. For the longest time since I was 19, my mother always said “don’t you EVER get a motorcycle”. She was a nurse and saw some BRUTAL injuries come in to the hospital.

But I was in motorboats fishing (20+ HP) since I was 12. As a teen, I rode on a bike through the downtown city streets of Europe with my uncle up and down the length of Germany when I visited family there, but I was forbidden to ride a motorbike? Doesn’t make any sense.

So I finally told her I took a course and got my license. She was not impressed to say the least. But I can honestly say, the “fear” is gone. I don’t think it ever existed. It was put in my head.

And you know…. even she didn’t object too much in the end.
She wasn’t “happy” about it, but she didn’t kill me for it like she promised.

If you keep doing what you've always done... you're gonna keep getting what you always got.

[ComputernerdParticipant 465]

I just see this as baseless fearmongering.

[Anonymous 54]

I anit even reading any of this s~~~. If it aint scared ya ,go ahead and ride. But the reson it doesnt scare some of us isnt cause its not dangerous. Good lord wake up.

[KeymasterKeymaster]

Computernerd wrote:

I just see this as baseless fearmongering.

In my opinion, that’s half of it. I do know that I have seen some riders who p~~~ me off the way they split lanes and come screaming by…. when any idiot can just change lanes without signaling and end their lives. I feel like taking off after them sometimes to pull them over so I can say “YOU CRAZY F~~~.”

Otherwise I’m on the fence about it.

I’m the one in the car, and I’m afraid FOR them.

If you keep doing what you've always done... you're gonna keep getting what you always got.

[RusskyParticipant 13503]

the only thing that’s more dangerous that riding motorcycles – is wingsuit cliff jumping
I think even base jumping is safer, though I’m not sure. Gotta look up some statistic

proud carrier of the 'why?' chromosome

[Old RottweilerParticipant 1520]

I’ve been riding for 45 years.

1) ride like everyone is trying to run you over, don’t give them the chance.

2) It has gotten far more dangerous recently with all the texting and old people that think they should still be able to drive but really can’t.

3)AMA, American Motorcyclist association offers various courses for riders, TAKE THEM ALL.

4) if you are old, your kids are grown and now you figure you can risk your life on a bike, don’t. Your reflexes are shot. I still ride because I have been doing it forever, so a lot of my reflexes are automatic. If you just started riding you don’t have motorcycle reflexes yet.

5) I got rear ended in my pickup by another pickup. I was stopped behind a car. The other driver was doing 60, texting and never touched his brakes. If I would have been on a bike I would have been dead. Not my time.

Riding is safe, but not as safe as a car.

[HitmanParticipant]

Fear is a healthy emotion.
You have it to warn you of dangers.
I’ve dropped a few bikes and was lucky. .Each time teaches you something. .
Took class and got the license. .but I liked dirt biking the most.
In a big city, a motorcycle is not wise. .on country roads it’s incredible. .
I had buddies killed from accidents. .
Fear is good.
Letting it paralyze you is not good.

[ComputernerdParticipant 465]

It’s hypocritical to see that a lot of you road motorcycles, but the very same people, who’ve road them, are trying to convince me to not ride them. That’s a very pointless effort.

Keymaster wrote:

Had 2 friends/colleagues who died on bikes. LONG before their time.
(one was a deliberate suicide so that doesn’t count because he drove himself off a bridge)
A 3rd I didn’t know very well.

I definitely get the risks in riding motorcycles. But, I’m not going to be scared to ride them because other people are afraid to. Just doesn’t make any sense to me.

[Duke TogoParticipant 2664]

Computernerd wrote:

It’s hypocritical to see that a lot of you road motorcycles, but the very same people, who’ve road them, are trying to convince me to not ride them. That’s a very pointless effort.

Ride a motorcycle, they are great. But do not discount the dangers associated with riding one bit.

[ComputernerdParticipant 465]

Old Rottweiler wrote:

3)AMA, American Motorcyclist association offers various courses for riders, TAKE THEM ALL

I’ll definitely end up doing this. I’m not some mindless t~~~ that’s going to go 90mph on a motorcycle without regarding safety for myself on the road. That would be completely retarded in of itself.

I just think all this “fear” of riding motorcycles is completely hyped up. It’s like it’s so hyped up that most people throw away logic when talking about motorcycles to the point of paranoia.

I blame this partly on the media and partly on overprotective parents/family members/friends.

They always cite motorcycle crashes, yet, they never do the same when you get a car or truck. That’s irrational and based on emotion. Not in logic.

[KeymasterKeymaster]

Computernerd wrote:

I definitely get the risks in riding motorcycles. But, I’m not going to be scared to ride them because other people are afraid to. Just doesn’t make any sense to me.

Man I am right there with you. My “fear” is gone since it was planted in my head.

As a kid (on visits there), I have been through FAR more dangerous European streets than American motorways. Looking back, I actually can’t believe my parents permitted that.

Italy, France, cobble stone roads, hills, rocks, mountain slides, streetcar tracks, improperly marked lanes, bad conditions, that s~~~ will kill you WAY sooner.

And Asia??? Holy f~~~. American streets are liked roped red carpets compared to that chaos.

Comparatively, there is NO EXCUSE for a car “accident” to happen here at all.

If you keep doing what you've always done... you're gonna keep getting what you always got.

[Author]

Posts