Some reflections from a young guy - then till now

[Brett]

I first rode my 2 wheeler bmx without training wheels when i was about 2 or 3 from memory. My cousin, who is 6 days older than myself, and I basically grew up together. By the ripe old age of about 4 we were alreaedy making little jumps to go over on our little bmx's...two wheeled action was in our blood. We could kill whole days pedalling around our yards pretending we were on motorbikes.

Hit the teenage years, well into freestyle BMX, hanging out for that magical year when you can be allowed to start captaining cars around on the road legally, of course being the naughty little buggers we were, we had both learnt to drive before we were 12, but this was different. This was freedom. Neither of our parents would let us ride motorbikes yet. There was the old attempt at even getting scooters and go-peds, however each time to no avail. They were just a total no no.

Then came the first full time jobs and decent money. Suddenly i was a youngish adult(19) and I could really do what I wanted. I first helped my cousin find a bike, he had more money than I did you see since he had been working as an apprentice sparkie since he was 15, but i stayed in school the whole way and thus he had a bit more time to get the funds up.
We found him a cosmetically worn but mechanically mint little CBR250rr, and i took it out for the odd ride. Thus the biking bug was bitten.

It was about this time I joined KB. I did not have a bike, and from memory one of my first posts was asking which bike i should get. I also started meeting some really brilliant people including a few who had transitioned over from the car scene just like i had.

Within about a month, i had bought my own ZXR250c, and bought all the basic safety gear. Thus began a long and very awarding new experience.
It started off with rides out to maraetai/clevedon etc. at what can only be described as learner speeds, since , well i was! I will never forget the feeling of the zxr when i first got it. I came from driving pretty decent cages, however this little thing sorta made my mind go back from the acceleration:Punk: (them were the days).

Many rides later going down the coast, up north, to kaiaua and many other routes and i was well on the way to knwing this bike inside and out.

The first little crash came one sunday night when i was coming back thorugh twilght road racing, it the dark on a damp road with a tinted visor. I just didnt see the corner, and by the time i was in it, the bike just couldn't hold the lean i was trying to put it through. I was lucky, wearing just jeans i only got a sore hip, and the bike only suffered fairing road rash. This was the first major lesson in self preservation, and saw a bit of an end to being quite so cocky and bullet proof.

The send crash was pretty pathetic, I was riding at 20kph looking behind me for N4CR and R6 Kid when i rode into a ditch...no bike damage, but i looked pretty stupid when the boysall came riding around the corner. Some of you will remember that ride.

By this point I had learnt the bike really well, could shred the sides of the tyres and was comfortable chaisng some of the quicker boys ont heir 600's and thou's, was happy getting wheelies on to balance point (not too frequently, mostly they went up for 10m and slowly dropped back down!) and good old rolling stoppies. It had got to the point where i could make the bike do what i wanted to, but the power was lacking and my 93kg on it really was a limit in the handling department.

It was at this time I saw the gsxr 600, and decided it would be a worthy upgrade and would hopefully be a loyal and worthy steed. I didn't yet have my full, but was close enough that it could sit in the garage, and I could wait in eager anticipation.

Two weeks of defensive driving classes (where i just happened to be booked in with Tristan aka N4CR, and between us we had quite a laugh) and one riding test and I was legal on the gixxer.

That brings me to this last weekend. I was pretty keen on doing the coro loop ride, however like an idiot had thought it was sunday, and thus missed it. It was that afternoon that I heard about Bruce and Darryl via the grapevine. That put a real dampener on the day, as does the serious injury or death of any KB'r, SB'r or riding buddy.

Nonetheless, i headed out on the 250 learner ride organised by Maverick, and had a bit of fun with Gremlin heading out to Kaiua. It was not a fast pased ride at all, just a chance to feel the new bike out and play with the suspension a bit. Got through the ride and came home and started to read the forums and threads about the recent crashes and injuries. Thus started a new line of thinking.

I love my riding, i love my bikes. I love the company and the people. I do not think i have ever met a crowd of blokes and girls that are more generous, friendly and good fun than since i started riding. KB'r and SB'r has been bloody good. However I now find myself asking myself whether this is worth the risk.

Dont get me wrong, i am not saying i want to throw in the rag and stop riding, however i have reached a point where i am doing some real soul searching. I am 22, have finally got a bloody well paying job, have a beautiful wife and my whole life ahead of me.

I am a person who, once i get into something, dive in head first. Such is biking. Many people on here are the same. How many of you have reached the point where you really truthfully ask yourself whether the riding is worth the risk, and what did you decide and why?
I starte from the beginning, because it shows that bikes are just something that i am insanely passionate about, and shows that this is really something running through my mind a lot.

At the end of the day, like Motobob, Inline4, UncleB, Loosebruce and Darryl as well as all the others who were just hurt or killed too early in life.. THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO I.

Let the thoughts flow.

[Kendog]

A great post Brett.

Only you can decide what is the right thing to do, let your head and heart guide you.

[bull]

have similar feelings at present Brett, UncleB was mentoring me and being new he was my fricking riding hero. After reading last nights post i was devastated and was thinking the consequences on my loved ones if that had been me. Im 28, 3 boys and loving wife. Lots to live for.... i thought maybe i should give it up, i mean UncleB was a long time rider whom had plenty of experience, talked about saftey the whole time and about good riding technique, yet he was plucked off this earth in an afternoon, so wondered how an inexperienced noob like me would have any chance.
Took today off work to think about UncleB and the few things he had talked to me about.
Spoke to my wife about riding and we both agreed that accidents happen - her reccomendation was life insurance so at least the family will benefit financialy(oh the love!!!!).
Got out on the bike tonight for a quiet little ride around some back streets(pillion pegs down for UncleB) and felt as safe as i had before.
Reality is i should not ride anymore - but the pure enjoyment of riding that UncleB had talked about is something i want to experience, for me i think the best thing i can do to keep myself safe is to ride to the conditions and wear all the gear at all times. I cant avoid a freak accident but i can prepare and try and limit its chances as much as possible. I will keep riding and learning for now.

[vtec]

I'm pretty cut up about what's happened. But I know that it was riding and racing bikes that made these guys great, and gave us all a common ground and a purpose. And these events have only made me more determined to take over where they left off. I will definitely start attempting wheelies and stoppies more often now, in the pursuit of being as good as Daryl and Bruce. And I will continue my quest to be the best racer that I can be, as was the unfinished quest that both Daryl and Bruce were on. The riding is what let their characters shine through the most. I'm only more determined now to be like them.

[vamr]

I try to live day by day without a grand plan in mind... enjoying as it comes and not get hung up with regrets.

If I die in a crash then be it, at least it would be doing something I enjoyed as opposed to in a sickbed unable to take care of myself.

This may be cynicle and nihilistic but that's how I am.

[Sanx]

A few years ago, my father's best friend and business partner of 14 years - Pete - was killed in a freak bike accident. He took a corner too fast, stood the bike up, brought it to a stop and as he put his foot down on the gravel verge, slipped and fell into the road. The mate he was out with rode into him and killed him instantly.

I wasn't riding bikes at the time, but I watched my father go through the same soul searching. My sister and I, then both keen wannabe bikers, thought he wouldn't ride again, but he got back on the bike almost instantly. One of his first rides was to pick up Pete's bike from the cop-shop where it had been taken after the accident. The hardest thing for my father to take was the condition of the bike; undamaged other than a few cosmetic scratches where it had tipped over.

Six years on, my dad's still riding (and occasionally crashing) bikes, does track-days and does more miles in a year than most.

In the end, you have to accept that, as Bull said, freak accidents do happen. Prepare for them as best you can - set your family up financially for one - but only give up something you love if the consequence of persuing that hobby is worse than the act of abandoning it.

For my father, riding a bike is his escape. It's his relaxation. It's his expression of living.

I guess it helped him that my mother and both of us kids supported his decision to continue riding. Ultimately, you have to do what makes you happy. If you have the support of your family and you decide to still get on out there, then you've made the right choice. If you have the support of your family and decide to give up two wheels, you've made the right choice.

Good luck and good choosing.

[riffer]

You know Danny, the big guy can take any of us out any time he likes.

And you could give up riding and get run over by a bus tomorrow.

[gamgee]

yeah I've had those thoughts, funnily enough, cagers nearly knocking me off makes me more determined, it's like 'yeah see that ya missed me, I'm more nimble and just plain better than you!'
the main time i have those thoughts is hearing terrible news as has been posted over the weekend, and thinking about the impact it is having on so many people, but then those people are cared about by such a large community because of who they were, which is a result of taking that risk and riding bikes, and the best way to clear those thoughts is to go start your bike up and go for a ride, hopefully realising why you're doing it, but then if the buzz just isn't there, then maybe it is time to let it go, or maybe get into trail biking, less cages, more everything else

[svs]

I guess I'm a little older (but not necessarily wiser :) ), I was a late starter - didn't start riding motorbikes until I was about 22, started racing about 3 years later and I'm still at it another 8 years later.

I've had some bad crashes that make me think about what I'm doing. I've taken time out, but always got back on. It's just something I can't imagine myself not doing.

I've had friends hurt and killed, and that makes you think too. At the end of the day though, they were doing what they loved. And that's one reason why I keep riding. I know they wouldn't want me to stop.

Do what you want. Understand the risks, and if you're happy with them go for it and ride. And get life insurance :)

[Forest]

I try to live day by day without a grand plan in mind... enjoying as it comes and not get hung up with regrets.

If I die in a crash then be it, at least it would be doing something I enjoyed as opposed to in a sickbed unable to take care of myself.

This may be cynicle and nihilistic but that's how I am.

Nihilism is fine.

But please make an effort not to take anyone with you when you finally check out.

[lukelin250]

yeah it does make you think aye,, well personally i dont think ive ever felt so alive quite the way i do when im riding, so if i die doing it at least im dying doing what really made me feel at one with the reality of this life.

[Dadpole]

You should never trade the quality of life for the quantity of life.

[Ixion]

Anyone who rides motorcycles, and keeps riding long enough is very probably going to die doing it. And like as not , die in a horrible messy fashion

Go check out some of the blood and gore crash pics that have been posted. The ones with riders ripped in half, and heads amputated and so on.

And now stop and think that if you keep riding, sooner or later that'll be you in those pictures.

If you can't stare down the face of that reality, dispassionately and objectively, and admit that you are going to die - give up biking. Now

If you can't picture your loved ones (mother/wife/partner/kids) having to go to the morgue to identify your mangled bloody dismembered body - give up biking. Now.

If you are a parent and you can't face up to admitting that your kids are going to grow up without their father/mother - give up biking. Now.

Sorry. That's the way it is. Reality.

Not inevitable. There are bikers who manage to ride for a lifetime and never get hurt. But the odds are way against you. You can push the odds in your favour, but most bikers aren't willing to do that.

So, odds are, you're going to die. Most bikers do a pretty good job of refusing to face that fact. Which is partly why they die.

If you can't face it - give up biking. Now.

Me, I'm just going to keep riding. Until I die. I expect that'll be tomorrow.

[vamr]

Nihilism is fine.

But please make an effort not to take anyone with you when you finally check out.

Thats the general idea... sociopathic I am not.

[insane1]

there is much wisdom from someone so young this last weekend from hell makes me think is it really worth it?.

[R6_kid]

Brett, you know as well as i do what is in your heart man. For me last weekend was bad enough with Motobob sustaining his injuries... this weekend put a real damper on things just as I was starting to get back into it. What I can tell you is that all those who have lost their lives or been injured recently wouldnt want you to give up your passion on their account of misfortune.

You know all too well that you could be taken any time, and that when your 'time' comes thats it.

What you have to think is that you are living your life to the max. If you are giving of yourself (i know you are bro, dont be so modest), treat your missus good and all the rest then you are doing good already.

For me biking is what takes me away from the shit stuff in life. Hell, even a shit evening of lane splitting will put a smile on my face after a shit day at work, especially when i get to pop a wheelie off from the lights at the end of the motorway. Biking is what sets me free, it sets me apart from 'the rest', its what makes me 'me'.

Riding is what makes you feel alive - but yes, it can kill you.

So that brings me to the balancing poing of your arguement - Is it worth it? For me, it is, and you can be darned sure that everytime i hit Coro it'll be with those blokes on my shoulder, and with the thought in my mind that if i dont leave room for error that it could be my end. Road riding is dangerous, i've found of late that i dont need to go 'fast' on the road to enjoy it, 7/10 pace is good, you get to see the scenery and the occasional corner can be taken at higher than posted speed and savioured. I've chosen to take my extreme riding to the track, no bullshit now, the really fast stuff stays in the controlled environment.

If for you, you cant weigh it all up and have your bike making you happy then maybe its not so bad for you to 'throw in the towel', no one will hold it against you bro, its a personal decision, and anyone that does hold it against you can get lost because its not their business. The good thing about biking is that it's always going to be here, you can pick it up later on if need be. I suggest you go for a ride down 'those roads' that you love, at legal speed, or maybe a little bit over and see if you still enjoy it, think about what you are doing and maybe push it a little bit on the odd corner. When you get home i'm sure you'll be on the same buzz, maybe not as intense, but you sure as hell wont be as tired! Either way bro, choice is yours... if you do choose out, lose some weight and i'll take you pillion sometime.:dodge:

[Ixion]

there is much wisdom from someone so young this last weekend from hell makes me think is it really worth it?.

Yes. Yes it is.

[insane1]

as some one has said riding is not a hobby it"s a way of life .

[Ixion]

And, death .

[Motu]

I've never really thought about it to tell the truth,I'm kinda shallow.But I did pause for thought at 18.I bought my Chev Coupe off a guy I kinda knew (he was an apprentice a year behind me,so I saw him around Tech) and 3 weeks later he was killed as a pillion on a Commando....he went 30ft straight up and then down,no protective gear at all in those days.I'm very superstisious though,like most bikers.....always put the left glove on first because last time I did it the otherway I crashed,oh how I miss the kick through to clear the clutch plates,all part of the ritual before a ride...like Rossi squatting beside his bike.So I thought it might of been a killer car,y'know....like Christine,everyone who owned it died a horrible death.

I only kept the car 3 months and I'm still here.

Whatever it takes to ensure your survival....we all do it different ways.

[McJim]

I think the last few days have seen a lot of people doing a bit of soul searching. The human condition is to be fragile by definition - we are not robustly made. We can be taken by many things, crossing the road, a knife from being in the wrong place at the wrong time, cancer etc.

The important thing for me is that I want to live before I die - I don't think about my own mortality a great deal as it has a tendancy to spoil the quality of my life. For me riding a bike is has become a huge part of what makes me feel alive - as are my wife and children.

Tragic as the loss of the weekend past is, I firmly believe, from all that I've read, that these three souls truly lived before they died and we should celebrate those 3 lives well lived.

[Pumba]

It has really suprised me on how I have been feeling after the events of the last week, givin that I have never meet Bruce or Daryl personaly, and by reading peoples thoughts over the last few days I dont think I have been the only one. Riding for me is three things, a release from the worries of life, a way of meeting other people with a simular passion, and family bonding as both my pearents ride and my sister when se is in the country just loves sitting pillion.

These things are what makes riding for me special, however if I was to start being scared or dreading going riding I would give up the things above in a heart beat, as much as it may cause me pain, because I know if I think like I am going to die, or hert my syself and that is all I can think of that is what would happen.

Look at yourself, and ask yourself do you have these thoughts while riding. Only you can answer these questions

[MSTRS]

So, odds are, you're going to die. Most bikers do a pretty good job of refusing to face that fact. Which is partly why they die.


No. It is partly why we keep riding.
On a more reflective note...Life is a terminal condition. If we go through life not doing things because of a fear of dying, then we never really live. And we are going to die sometime anyway. So what did we achieve by not living?

[TLDV8]

How many of you have reached the point where you really truthfully ask yourself whether the riding is worth the risk, and what did you decide and why?

Never given it a thought.What i have pondered lately is.... You ride your bike and 9 times out of 10 the destination is the place you left from,but you get to meet other folk along the way.
When you ride your bike you are always trying to get to the horizon but it keeps getting further away until you are heading for the horizon that was behind you when you left....... :laugh:....... I think i will just keep riding until something better comes along.I hope i see you out there too. :scooter:

[pritch]

Late last summer we had a serious crash on a group ride to Whangmomona and back. That caused me to think.

The accident John (Inline4) had again caused me to think.

Last Saturday, a lovely day, I had a great backroads blast at a pace that had me concentrating so hard I was holding my breath. I had to remind myself to breathe several times. When riding like that, if something goes wrong, there aren't too many options...

Then I read the posts about the fatalities.

I'm sixty two and I'd like to be sixty three, there are still a lot of roads to ride.
I will not consider giving up riding but I think I should certainly give serious consideration as to how I ride.

[TLDV8]

Never given it a thought.

I guess i should have said consciously .. Subconsiously everyone would be aware of the possible dangers and give them some thought but not to the point where than became a danger in itself. ?

I remember going to a party sometime around 1977.... I was a newbie then on a Kawasaki S1 250 Triple...... I got talking bikes to a guy named Peter who wanted to get a Triumph 650 for his first bike, i suggested starting at the bottom and working up in size.
A few weeks later my Mum seemed upset one day when i came home from work.....A young guy who was always friendly and helped her pack the car (food stuff's warehouse) had been killed on his motorcycle,his name was Peter.

The last time i had an off,my TL had failed its WOF (forgot about no horn)..I would not have had time to return home and fit it and would not have ridden the next day without a WOF..... but was let off and said i would refit it asap....... I fell off the next day when technically i shouldn't have been there.

Who knows what may or may not happen when you come to an intersection ( life in general) and make a choice between turning left or right... Who knows how the cards might fall for good or bad,thats life.

[BarBender]

I am a person who, once i get into something, dive in head first. Such is biking. Many people on here are the same. How many of you have reached the point where you really truthfully ask yourself whether the riding is worth the risk, and what did you decide and why?

23 yrs ago I had a bike accident. I was 17 at the time and very lucky to come out with minor injuries. But the experience was serious and real enough for me to know what death looked like close up. In one weekend 3 years later I lost a friend and almost another to separate bike accidents. A couple of weeks later I decided no more. Upon reflection I can think of a number of factors that contributed to me making my decision. But the one that sticks out was the emotional burden I felt (largely generated out of then recent events) every time I got on a bike. Your body is on the bike but your soul and passion to ride is somewhere else. They’ll be a number of folk out there who’ll know what this feels like.

Two years ago at the age of 38 and with a loving wife and two babes in tow, ‘we’ decided that I should get back on a bike. It didn’t take long for me to get my groove back. However the real bonus during my time off was to rid some of the emotional stuff that I was holding. People ask me if I regretted having spent 20 years off two wheels. I say no. There is a season for everything and I’m thankful that I had the courage to make a decision that led to me to lead a completely different life and in the end lead me full circle to my love of bikes. In short I’m a better person on a bike.

Like you, the recent weekend has made me reflect. Getting on the bike on Monday and riding with the pillion pegs down brought back some sad memories. Admittedly I did think whether the risk was all worth it. Almost immediately I thought of my son. You met him at Kaiaua on Sunday. We have ‘Man Land’ time every Sunday and often that means a ride to get some fast food. He loves bikes and he knows that Dad loves bikes. I love taking him on rides with me because he reminds me so much of what I could have been and what I would have liked to have done as a kid. No one wants to see anything bad happen in this scenario. But if there is a risk then we'd gladly take it to spend time together. Obviously there’s more to our relationship than the Ninja in my garage - but the last two years have done more to pulling us together than any time previous.

This is my story. Its going to be different for most people but in the end I did make the choice to stop riding. I don’t regret it. I went full cycle and ended up back in the saddle anyway. The way time flies these days 20 years feels just like yesterday.

Good luck with your decision.


RIP to those who have left us.

[madandy]

Your chances of being involved in an accident may be a little higher on a bike and the severity of the injuries sustained in an accident are higher, sure...but riding a motorcycle doesn't guarantee you'll die because you chose to ride...You may die of heart disease or cancer or driving your cage to the shops one rainy night...
I like the point that's been raised by a few in this thread about reflecting on HOW they ride...that will go a long way to bettering the odds:yes:

I'm just looking for another bike after 18 months away from riding...and I aint put off by recent events...this latest spate of losses hurts more because they are KBers - and what a growing family it is...I haven't seen this depth of reflection following the deaths of non KBers before.

Best wishes on your deliberation mate and may you never regret which ever decision you make.

Andy

[slowpoke]

I'm at work at the mo and we've just had another bullshit ra ra meeting....but suprise suprise there was actually something useful mentioned at this one. Nothing mindblowing, but someone brought up some saying from a NASA manager, something about mankinds "natural aptitude for ineptitude" and how they try and redress every possible cause for failure.

It's just a reminder that sooner or later, it doesn't matter what we are doing, we are going to fuck up. It could be a complex task, or a simple no brainer, but a moments inattention, a distraction, an outside influence, equipment failure, change in conditions etc etc but something could go awry at any given moment.

Who hasn't caught a shoe or tripped on what seemed a perfectly flat surface? Who hasn't had a bit of food go down the wrong pipe? Who hasn't hit their head or stumbled on a KNOWN protrusion? Who hasn't misspelled a word they KNOW how to spell? I could go on and on but these are "no brainer" tasks that we screw up on a daily basis. Now think of the complex act of controlling an inherently unstable motorcycle (it's only got two wheels and won't stand up by itself) on a constantly changing surface whilst negotiating a series of hazardous and threatening situations where the penalty for a "failure to proceed" is astronomically higher. It's not a case of IF something is going to go awry but WHEN.

Whether we like it or not motorcycling is a gamble. The speed and attitude you ride with has a huge impact on the odds as to whether or not they are in your favour. The first rule of gambling is never gamble what you can't afford to lose.

Seeing as how our lives are on the line does this mean we should never ride motorcycles?

Well, it all depends on your own set of values. How important is motorcycling to you? Would your life be significantly different without it? Can you mitigate the risks? Are other people affected by your riding? Is it more about the people than the bikes? Do you more enjoy just working on bikes etc etc

Myself, I can't imagine being without a bike, even if I can't get out any where near as much as I'd like to (fuggin' work). Apart from my relationship with my partner it's far and away the high point of a life that has kind of been in limbo for the last year or so. Due to the nature of my work I don't have to commute so it's purely, simpley and completely hedonistic. Selfish in the extreme, 'cos in some form or other my family (partner and dog) would be better off if I didn't have this affliction. While I do my best to put their minds at ease (our dog still packs a sad everytime I get the gear out) I make damned sure they are looked after financially should the worst occur. Income protection and death/disability insurance are expensive but I'm buggered if they are going to suffer financially for something they gained no benefit from.

Each of us gets something different out of the experience and attaches varying importance to certain aspects, so make your own risk/benefit calculations and respond accordingly.

Oh yeah, if you ride your bike fast enough it'll last you the rest of your life...

[sunhuntin]

I try to live day by day without a grand plan in mind... enjoying as it comes and not get hung up with regrets.

If I die in a crash then be it, at least it would be doing something I enjoyed as opposed to in a sickbed unable to take care of myself.

This may be cynicle and nihilistic but that's how I am.

thats my thoughts exactly. id rather die on the road than in a bed, unable to move. i dont want to get old...i want to die young. my only regret is the damage the bike will receive when it comes.

ixion...i read your post about giving up now if certain things bother you. im not giving up, cos none of that bothers me. ive looked at crash pics and videos and it hasnt affected me in the slightest. i dont ride in a way that will bring early death, but i wont fight when it comes either.

[dawnrazor]

Anyone who rides motorcycles, and keeps riding long enough is very probably going to die doing it. And like as not , die in a horrible messy fashion

Go check out some of the blood and gore crash pics that have been posted. The ones with riders ripped in half, and heads amputated and so on.

And now stop and think that if you keep riding, sooner or later that'll be you in those pictures.

If you can't stare down the face of that reality, dispassionately and objectively, and admit that you are going to die - give up biking. Now

If you can't picture your loved ones (mother/wife/partner/kids) having to go to the morgue to identify your mangled bloody dismembered body - give up biking. Now.

If you are a parent and you can't face up to admitting that your kids are going to grow up without their father/mother - give up biking. Now.

Sorry. That's the way it is. Reality.

Not inevitable. There are bikers who manage to ride for a lifetime and never get hurt. But the odds are way against you. You can push the odds in your favour, but most bikers aren't willing to do that.

So, odds are, you're going to die. Most bikers do a pretty good job of refusing to face that fact. Which is partly why they die.

If you can't face it - give up biking. Now.

Me, I'm just going to keep riding. Until I die. I expect that'll be tomorrow.

Ixion - In general you are an unwavering voice of reason, but in this case, whilst I agree with what your saying, do you not think its just a tad early for the hard word.....

[Ixion]

t..
ixion...i read your post about giving up now if certain things bother you. im not giving up, cos none of that bothers me. I've looked at crash pics and videos and it hasnt affected me in the slightest. I dont ride in a way that will bring early death, but i wont fight when it comes either.

Not suggesting anyone should stop riding. I won't be . But let the decision to accept the dangers that entails be a cold headed one. I've considered all those risks, accepted them, and decided it's worth it.

Life is about assessing odds. If we weren't willing to take any risks, we'd never drive car, walk down stairs, swim. All dangerous things. So long as the risks have been identified,and the odds objectively assessed and weighed against the benefits, riding (or any other dangerous activity) is a perfectly rational decision. But just don't stick your head (not your head personally, a generic head) in the sand and ignore the risks. They are there, they're real .I think it's worth it. But others might not. No shame to them in deciding that. Every persons situation different.

And I will do what I can to push the odds my way. The danger is real, I accept it , but I see no reason not to minimise it as much as I can. And, for me, if death come I WILL fight it - to the end.

[onearmedbandit]

Unfortunately we all have to die, might as well do it doing something you love. Either that or die knowing you lived your life the way you wanted. I'm not completely cold, I have a wife and 2 young children, who I care for more than anything. And so I try to limit the risks. But I'm not about to give up biking anytime soon because it might kill me.

[riffer]

Ixion, OAB and others, you're all correct.

We do this because we love it. Like all extreme sports, and let's face it, motorcycling IS an extreme sport, there are risks.

I have four great kids and a wonderful wife who would be gutted if I left them. And it's something I never want to happen.

But it may. UncleB has shown me that. And I make sure I have the maximum amount of life insurance I can afford. I'm also eternally grateful that AXA doesn't consider motorcycling dangerous until you do it on the track - kind of ironic isn't it?

I happily pay that $120 every month.

[Brett]

I am fully aware of the dangers of riding and have seen many graphic bike crash pics. I suppose this stage of life is more of a reflection than anything else. I dont think i would ever stop riding, road riding maybe, but i would then buy a racebike.

I know we are all going to die one way or another, and i would much rather die doing something that I love. I suppose one of the things i am struggling wihtt he most is my own mortality, which is an odd issue since i am a christian.(I dont want to go bringing any religious debate into this however)

While i think that the risks are huge, i just dont think i could live without riding, my enjoyment of life has increased since i started. Riding is just something unique. I WISH i didn't love riding, I WISH Icould find something to replace, and when the day comes I will, however riding is just so much of a passion. In fact, I am about to head out on one last ride on my ZXR before the new owner comes to pick it up!

Riding really is a big journey in life. You really get to meet some awesome people, and experience some really free moments.

[Sketchy_Racer]

I live to ride, I ride to live.

The thing that saved my life sure could take my life, but it was worth every second.

No thinking twice about riding. They ARE a way of life.

[Clivoris]

And now stop and think that if you keep riding, sooner or later that'll be you in those pictures.

Sorry. That's the way it is. Reality.

Not inevitable. There are bikers who manage to ride for a lifetime and never get hurt. But the odds are way against you. You can push the odds in your favour, but most bikers aren't willing to do that.

So, odds are, you're going to die. Most bikers do a pretty good job of refusing to face that fact. Which is partly why they die.


Sorry mate. Simply not true. We may be more at risk than cage drivers of dieing in an accident, but how many motorcyclists die out of all the people who ride motorcycles? My best guess without any numbers would be 1%. My reading of your post is that if I ride I will die on a bike. If I ride, I may die on my bike but I think it is very very unlikely.

[Ixion]

Sorry mate. Simply not true. We may be more at risk than cage drivers of dieing in an accident, but how many motorcyclists die out of all the people who ride motorcycles? My best guess without any numbers would be 1%. My reading of your post is that if I ride I will die on a bike. If I ride, I may die on my bike but I think it is very very unlikely.



Anyone who rides motorcycles, and keeps riding long enough is very probably going to die doing it.
,,,
Not inevitable. There are bikers who manage to ride for a lifetime and never get hurt. But the odds are way against you. You can push the odds in your favour, but most bikers aren't willing to do that.
,,


Not many motorcyclists ride for very long. Most give it up after a relatively few years.

[Brett]

I live to ride, I ride to live.

The thing that saved my life sure could take my life, but it was worth every second.

No thinking twice about riding. They ARE a way of life.

Unfortuanately that is true, riding IS living. There is very little like the feeling of being in the groove and controlloing a bike well. But as I said before, it is also the people. They make the experience. Hence we feel more emotion for someone dieing whom we may have only spoken tofor half an hour than we do for someone we know equally well from another peer group.

[Clivoris]

I still believe that most riders who ride for all their lives die in their beds. To suggest otherwise doesn't stack up or match the evidence.