are motorcycles too dangerous for you to ride?
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From: Cinnaminson, NJ
are motorcycles too dangerous for you to ride?
Just curious as to how many of you ride bikes on a regular basis?
I ask this because I have always said a motor cycle is too dangerous. I did ride on one in highschool and it was a ton of fun... but soon after I learned to ride a motorcycle my friend's cousin was killed on one so I stopped. 3 years ago I found out my ex was riding on the back of her boyfriends bike when a car pulled out in front of them and they t-boned the car. She walks with a major limp today from the broken bones in her legs. And the insurance didnt pay for a big portion of the medical bills...
Today I went to work like it was any other day and I opened my e-mail when I got to my jobsite this morning. Found out that the service planner from our truck shop was killed last nigh on his motorcycle. He pulled out of our shop at 5pm heading home from a days worth of work. Made it about 100 yards down the street and was in an accident. Somehow he ended up under the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was only about 30 years old (maybe 31, same age as me) and had a wife and 2 little girls, ages 6 and 3. Neither have a father anymore because of a motorcycle accident.
Just seems to me that its too dangerous to ride a bike. What would have been a broken bumper, crushed fender and a hefty insurance claim is now a funeral... was it worth it? For those of you who ride bikes do you ever consider riding a bike dangerous? Just curious as to what others think is or isnt too dangerous.
IMO a bike is too dangerous for me on a public street.
I ask this because I have always said a motor cycle is too dangerous. I did ride on one in highschool and it was a ton of fun... but soon after I learned to ride a motorcycle my friend's cousin was killed on one so I stopped. 3 years ago I found out my ex was riding on the back of her boyfriends bike when a car pulled out in front of them and they t-boned the car. She walks with a major limp today from the broken bones in her legs. And the insurance didnt pay for a big portion of the medical bills...
Today I went to work like it was any other day and I opened my e-mail when I got to my jobsite this morning. Found out that the service planner from our truck shop was killed last nigh on his motorcycle. He pulled out of our shop at 5pm heading home from a days worth of work. Made it about 100 yards down the street and was in an accident. Somehow he ended up under the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was only about 30 years old (maybe 31, same age as me) and had a wife and 2 little girls, ages 6 and 3. Neither have a father anymore because of a motorcycle accident.
Just seems to me that its too dangerous to ride a bike. What would have been a broken bumper, crushed fender and a hefty insurance claim is now a funeral... was it worth it? For those of you who ride bikes do you ever consider riding a bike dangerous? Just curious as to what others think is or isnt too dangerous.
IMO a bike is too dangerous for me on a public street.
Last edited by Projectz28; Jul 13, 2007 at 11:18 AM.
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From: Cinnaminson, NJ
I undersand... I enjoy racing so once and a while (when the car is running) I go racing. That can be dangerous too but at least I am strapped into the car, wearing tons of safety stuff and there is an ambulance within 100 feet of me at all times.
I just feel bad for the paul's family... he was a good dude and he was well liked at the shop. I just cant take that risk. Today I look at this:
and I chose not to ride a bike for transportation. You have to get around but having something like that at home keeps me from taking that risk. Maybe its just me but I know way too many people who have been hurt or killed on a bike for minor things.
Last year a guy from our Bear branch was on his bike and blew out a tire. ended up doing a face plant and tore up his face bad. in a car he would have been on the phone calling AAA for a to truck. He is still having surgeries to fix his face.
I just feel bad for the paul's family... he was a good dude and he was well liked at the shop. I just cant take that risk. Today I look at this:
and I chose not to ride a bike for transportation. You have to get around but having something like that at home keeps me from taking that risk. Maybe its just me but I know way too many people who have been hurt or killed on a bike for minor things.
Last year a guy from our Bear branch was on his bike and blew out a tire. ended up doing a face plant and tore up his face bad. in a car he would have been on the phone calling AAA for a to truck. He is still having surgeries to fix his face.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: 18036
If I lived in a part of the country where I felt comfortable riding a bike, I would. I would love to own one, but feel it is way too dangerous. Too many other people can screw up and I'll get dead. It sucks because it would be a very viable and economical solution to commuting.
My Dad used to ride when he was younger. He put it on his side twice. After the second time he never got back on it. The first accident someone was in his lane and forced him into the shoulder. Thirty seven years later he still pushes small pebbles out of his body. The second accident left his w/ very limited mobility in his left wrist.
My Dad used to ride when he was younger. He put it on his side twice. After the second time he never got back on it. The first accident someone was in his lane and forced him into the shoulder. Thirty seven years later he still pushes small pebbles out of his body. The second accident left his w/ very limited mobility in his left wrist.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Langhorne, Pa.
I just got back for a 2200 miles cycle trip al throw west virgina. I have 30,000 miles on my bike now. It is dangerous to ride, but you always have to expect something is going to happen. The minute you get confident or let your gaurd down, that is when something happens. I alway expect that someone is going to pull out in front of me and I watch my mirrors to make sure they see me from behind. I would say that 90% of the time I am also riding with others and I am on country roads. I really don't like riding on major roads. Also I don't drive around like an idiot.
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From: Cinnaminson, NJ
yeah I dont know anything about his driving habits... for all I know he was flying out of there on 1 wheel... Its just a shame to see his 2 kids loose their father over what would have been a minor accident in a car. Maybe it wouldnt have even happened if it was a car... but I guess thats the chance you take.
The bike was pretty new from what the guys in the shop tell me. He bought this year but he was apparently no stranger to motorcycles. Not sure what he was riding... some sort of a sport bike.
The bike was pretty new from what the guys in the shop tell me. He bought this year but he was apparently no stranger to motorcycles. Not sure what he was riding... some sort of a sport bike.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Chalfont, Pa.
Use to ride decades ago in Norfolk / VA Beach area during the non-summer time. Majority of the traffic lights were set to blinking yellow /red and forgotten. Did wekends runs from Roanoke VA to Mrytle Beach SC. Was great.
But I would never get back on a bike around here, that being southeastern PA. People pull out without any regards in a car right in front of a Tahoe!!! Its just too congested, everyone in a hurry, very agressive driving, cell phones in the ear, all the time. I hate it enough not to bring out the Trans Am sometimes for these very reasons.
Funny how ya begin to think differently when ya have a little one around,eh Bri.
But I would never get back on a bike around here, that being southeastern PA. People pull out without any regards in a car right in front of a Tahoe!!! Its just too congested, everyone in a hurry, very agressive driving, cell phones in the ear, all the time. I hate it enough not to bring out the Trans Am sometimes for these very reasons.
Funny how ya begin to think differently when ya have a little one around,eh Bri.
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 352
From: Mentor, OH USA
i've been riding for a few years now and i absolutely love it! it is so much funner to ride my sportbike than drive my camaro. i agree with you 100% that it is extremely dangerous on 2 wheels though. like the guy who posted earlier, you have to constantly scan in front of you and behind you and expect other people to cause accidents. i am confident enough with my riding skills that i don't let the danger of being on a motorcycle get to me. i had a wake up call on tuesday though. my girlfriends friend died tuesday on his bike. the funeral was today. he just got the bike monday, and tuesday the 10th was his 21st birthday. he was on his way to his buddys shop and a car ran a stop sign and he slammed right into the side of the car and the car kept driving. heres a link to what happened: http://www.19actionnews.com/Global/story.asp?s=6771355 and the worst part is that the driver of the car hasnt been caught yet. its extremely sad! heres another link: http://www.myfoxcleveland.com/myfox/...d=1.1.1&sflg=1
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2000
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From: Cinnaminson, NJ
yeah having a little one definately changes things... but even before the boy arrived in January I thought they were too danerous. No doubt they are fun to ride.
Its funny you guys say that you are confident in your riding skills. That is exactly what Paul said too...
I have a few more details. He left the shop and went down the road. There was a car stopped at the stop sign at the cross road just a few hundred feet up. The guy in the car just didnt even see him and pulled out. Paul some how tried to swerve but slid and dumped the bike and slid under the car. The driver of the car didnt know there was a problem till he ran over Paul and killed him. Just a minor mistake by the guy in the car, but its a major incedent now. If Paul were in a car and the same thing happened he would have been at work on Friday on the phone with his insurance company.
I dot know... I guess everyone is entitled to do what they want. After all this is america and we are free to ride a bike or drive an appartment on wheels. What ever we chose. It just seems that every time a bike is involved in an accident the person on the bike is either killed or seriously hurt. No way I could ride one around here. Maybe if I lived out in the the farm land of Nebraska or something but not here. Not for me anyway...
Its funny you guys say that you are confident in your riding skills. That is exactly what Paul said too...
I have a few more details. He left the shop and went down the road. There was a car stopped at the stop sign at the cross road just a few hundred feet up. The guy in the car just didnt even see him and pulled out. Paul some how tried to swerve but slid and dumped the bike and slid under the car. The driver of the car didnt know there was a problem till he ran over Paul and killed him. Just a minor mistake by the guy in the car, but its a major incedent now. If Paul were in a car and the same thing happened he would have been at work on Friday on the phone with his insurance company.
I dot know... I guess everyone is entitled to do what they want. After all this is america and we are free to ride a bike or drive an appartment on wheels. What ever we chose. It just seems that every time a bike is involved in an accident the person on the bike is either killed or seriously hurt. No way I could ride one around here. Maybe if I lived out in the the farm land of Nebraska or something but not here. Not for me anyway...
Last edited by Projectz28; Jul 14, 2007 at 09:39 PM.
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From: Cinnaminson, NJ
On a side note I also know first hand now whay motorcycle insurance is so cheap. Most people involved in an accident bad enough to wreck a bike dont live to talk about it.
My ex and her hubby got stuck with some hefty bills. The motorcycle insurance didnt cover much. The hospital actually kicked him out because his insurance hit the limit. He was still in bad shape but he was alive and he would live. The insurance cut him off after a few weeks in the hospital. his personal insurance wouldnt pick up the differance either.
My ex and her hubby got stuck with some hefty bills. The motorcycle insurance didnt cover much. The hospital actually kicked him out because his insurance hit the limit. He was still in bad shape but he was alive and he would live. The insurance cut him off after a few weeks in the hospital. his personal insurance wouldnt pick up the differance either.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Ewing, NJ
I would never ride a motorcycle around this area. People don't pay enough attention nowadays with their cell phones, Ipods, DVD's, laptops. I usually give motorcycles extra space but someone else always jumps in and gets dangerously close. But what gets me the most is how some of the sport bike riders ride. I hate to generalize, but most of these guys drive like idiots. Several guys I work with are the most mellow, laid back guys but they turn into overly aggressive drivers when they get on their bikes. So I think it's a combination of bad driver's not paying attention and riders that are way too aggressive that lead to accidents.
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,223
From: Browns Mills, New Jersey
I would kill myself ,I know it, reason being it would be a crotch rocket (bigger then a 600) and I would mod the hell outta it 
, plus there's alot of idiots on the road(especially jersey) .90% of the guys I know that ride have fell atleast twice for some reason or another 
....4 wheels and some fiberglass are much more forgiving w/ mistakes as opposed to 2 and a helmet...jmo
, plus there's alot of idiots on the road(especially jersey) .90% of the guys I know that ride have fell atleast twice for some reason or another ....4 wheels and some fiberglass are much more forgiving w/ mistakes as opposed to 2 and a helmet...jmo
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,223
From: Browns Mills, New Jersey
I would never ride a motorcycle around this area. People don't pay enough attention nowadays with their cell phones, Ipods, DVD's, laptops. I usually give motorcycles extra space but someone else always jumps in and gets dangerously close. But what gets me the most is how some of the sport bike riders ride. I hate to generalize, but most of these guys drive like idiots. Several guys I work with are the most mellow, laid back guys but they turn into overly aggressive drivers when they get on their bikes. So I think it's a combination of bad driver's not paying attention and riders that are way too aggressive that lead to accidents.
Katana didnt have the nuts to cut our 06 Corrola S 
off at higher speeds. These are the times i wish i had a nice Kenne bell terminator to even things up
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,903
From: Littlestown, PA
I've been a cop for 14 years in Baltimore and when I was in patrol I saw lots of motorcycle accidents where many were fatal...Its been said before, but the problem doesn't lie in the rider's abilities, but rather in the other folks inabilities to see you, as was the case with the accident you mention...
Sure there are some fools who like to wheelie their sport bikes thru traffic and speed on the beltway at over 100, but most of the accidents occurred because the drivers of cars just didn't see them at all until it was too late...
I used to ride a bit years ago, BC (before children) but now I have to think about my 6 and 8 year old girls...It bad enough that I break down doors at 5am in Baltimore trying to lock up felons...I don't need to survive that only to be killed on a motorcycle on the way home...I choose not to ride at this point in my life and don't miss it at all...As long as I have a semi fast car to drive I'm happy...
--Alan
Sure there are some fools who like to wheelie their sport bikes thru traffic and speed on the beltway at over 100, but most of the accidents occurred because the drivers of cars just didn't see them at all until it was too late...
I used to ride a bit years ago, BC (before children) but now I have to think about my 6 and 8 year old girls...It bad enough that I break down doors at 5am in Baltimore trying to lock up felons...I don't need to survive that only to be killed on a motorcycle on the way home...I choose not to ride at this point in my life and don't miss it at all...As long as I have a semi fast car to drive I'm happy...
--Alan