Are Motorcycles Safe?

Sherardp

As much as I would like to say they are safe, I can't. Even if you do everything perfect, you still take that risk. So you take a chance with it, far from safe but very addicting.

nadams

They're not safe, and I don't care! Been down twice in 3 years riding, and both were my fault for being inattentive to my surroundings.

Did 55 miles 2up with my fiancee on Saturday and loved it

steveinaz

Nothing fun is ever safe. Live to ride, ride to live baby. Use your head, and always have a way out....then....GO ENJOY LIFE.

steveinaz

On a serious note, don't let ANYONE push you into riding beyond your skills/abilities*. This is key. You have to put the ego away, and only ride at a level you are comfortable with. If this means falling behind in a group ride---so be it. Have the balls to say "guys, you're riding beyond my abilities" 99 out of 100 times everyone will understand, and adapt to your level of riding. The fine skills only come with saddle time, so take your time and don't try to shortcut it.

Every single time I would start my bike, I would run a scenario in my head of how it might feel to hit the pavement---thats always kept me straight, and respectful of the seriousness of motorcycle riding.

Finally, get some formal training. You'll learn some useful fundamentals and increase your practice time. I took both the introductory and advanced rider safety courses; both are excellent. A 2-wheeled vehicle is very different from an automobile; traction is EVERYTHING, and these courses will teach you some techiques to maximize traction---and therefore---safety.

*Heed what I say, I've got 30 years of accident free riding for a reason.

madmax

If you are ever going to ride you should do it when you are young. When you break all your bones and skid across 5 lanes of the highway into the nearest wall, on your back, you have a chance of healing up if you are not dead. Having an accident after middle age you will remain a cripple for the rest of your life.
madmax

Rodeo0530

Didn't even bother reading what everyone else has said on this one, but I just about saw a motorcyclist eat $hit big time today. Was driving on a 4 lane road with a suicide lane in the middle today and saw a woman in a minivan slowly pull out across traffic to make a left hand turn instead of utilizing the suicide lane. Well, that's all fine and dandy if she would have happened to see the guy on the motorcycle that she just happened to be kind enough to stop right in front of. She never saw the bike at all, even though it was some bright @ss color. I would love to buy a bike, but I don't trust the other people on the road at all because they're probably talking on their phone, texting, changing the radio, or fixing their hair while brushing their teeth.

Gadabout

Riding a motor cycle will make you more aware of the road, conditions, your space in traffic, and escape route etc.... . In fact I think it should be mandatory that everyone ride a motorcycle for a month, on the road, before getting their drivers license. Everyone would be better drivers, if this was the case.

That being said....
There are only 2 types of riders...

Those that have been down and those that are going down.

You need to plan on mitigating damage whether it is *not* sitting in someones blind spot or having an escape planned for someone doing something stupid or wearing the right gear so you can survive human meets pavement. It's all about trying to minimize risk.

I have been riding for 30+ years and I can't make the claim of being accident free.

Scott

RuSsMaN

Not safe. Wear a helmet if you ride, if you don't - make sure your organ donor card is filled out.

Cheers,
Russ

ViperZ

The actual experience is fun, but not safe. If you are going to ride, the least you can do is make sure you are as safe as possible.
Make sure you are riding safe - not irritated, alert all the time. If "that a-hole" is running the light or turning in front of you - please let him thru - remember, you're not in a car.
Make sure you are visible - wear bright(er) gear.
Make sure your signals/headlight/breaklight works.
Make sure that you are wearing the safety gear - not just the helmet - jacket, gloves, boots, pants.

Our local forum is pretty good for advice - www.gtamotorcycle.com

F1nut

Are Motorcycles Safe?

Alex, simply judging by your posts here on CP, you have no business on a bike.

Serendipity

Thanks for the advice everyone.

exalted512

RuSsMaN wrote: »

Not safe. Wear a helmet if you ride, if you don't - make sure your organ donor card is filled out.

Cheers,
Russ

Which brings up a pet peeve of mine. When cruiser riders call sport bike riders organ donors and get on their cruiser with a freakin bandanna, leather vest, and fingerless gloves...and in russman's case, assless chaps.:p

All kidding aside, my sport bike can speed up faster to get out of the way, slow down quicker, and is 10x more agile...not to mention I'm wearing a full face helmet, jacket with armor, and gloves with armor and im the organ donor!!!! grrrr

/rant.
-Cody

Demiurge

Motorcycles are super safe if you wear your seatbelt.

Jetmaker737

steveinaz wrote: »

Cagers can kill you, so you have to have a plan B (escape plan) whenever you ride. If you're not a good, defensive car driver, don't even think about riding a motorcycle.

That's the truth right there. On a bike you need to be hyper-aware. That's part of what makes it such a great escape... you're totally absorbed in it.

NotaSuv

I find the training wheels really adds to the safety factor.....havent dropped it yet....:D

zarrdoss

after riding since I was 8 and riding street since I was 15 I would have to say no, with all the road hazards and distracted drivers its a safe bet in time you will have an accident, minute to fatal. But its a risk I might be willing to take again when the time comes to get another bike. I will only ride for recreation though.

exalted512

Just get one of these suits:
<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mo9Vlt5tGwY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mo9Vlt5tGwY&hl=en_US&fs=1&&quot; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

or buy a goldwing
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/18zKUlxWW08&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/18zKUlxWW08&hl=en_US&fs=1&&quot; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

-Cody

snow

Safer than what? Safe as an automobile? No of course not. Is it safer than crab fishing? yes of course. Is it safer than being on the front lines in an infantry battle? Yes. It's more about what you want your level of risk to be versus your enjoyment of life. If you want to be safe never leave your house

REGARDS SNOW

Rivrrat

I found all of the bikes I've had to be really safe sitting in the garage, it was when I was on them that it became an issue.

That being said, I used to love to ride....Before I got older and discovered my own mortality. I decided it wasn't fun anymore riding nervous, so I stopped riding.

thsmith

Rivrrat wrote: »

I found all of the bikes I've had to be really safe sitting in the garage, it was when I was on them that it became an issue.

That being said, I used to love to ride....Before I got older and discovered my own mortality. I decided it wasn't fun anymore riding nervous, so I stopped riding.

Agree, I went down hard 3 years ago and have not ridden much since. Selling my Ultra and wifes low rider.

The traffic in Dallas has gotten so crazy it not fun anymore.

I will miss it but I had my fun.

My kids think Audio has replaced bikes.

Sami

Of course you guys had to jinx me, got into my first MC accident after 25 years of riding. Luckily it was at low speeds and I didn't even lay the bike down. Was rear-ended in an intersection, register holder and turn signals are in pieces and looks like the rear wheel was slightly bent. Nothing major although a slight bend on the wheel is a new wheel and that is $$$.

steveinaz

Lemme guess, the A-hole that rear-ended you was texting?

steveinaz

exalted512 wrote: »

Just get one of these suits:

Those "devices" are the anti-Christ of motorcycling. No thanks.

Sami

steveinaz wrote: »

Lemme guess, the A-hole that rear-ended you was texting?

No, and he really wasn't an a-hole. Just an accident on an intersection with lots of traffic and poor visibility. He most likely thought I was going to go instead of stop.

exalted512

steveinaz wrote: »

Those "devices" are the anti-Christ of motorcycling. No thanks.

I could see the suit a good thing for racers.

I got rear ended on my current bike a week after I got it. My new $11k bike...Luckily, there was no damage. The lady was looking somewhere else and started rolling forward and didnt know it...bumped me. Scared the **** out of me but nothing was hurt, just a black mark on her bumper.

I was about to kill someone until I saw no damage...she was very apologetic and sincerely sorry...older lady.

But I've had people literally hand motion for me to move over and start coming into my lane. I now have a way to deal with these people, which I wont discuss here.
-Cody

DarqueKnight

I'd own a bike and ride daily...if I were from Krypton.:)

audiobliss

Glad to hear you're ok after that Sami. I hope the damage to the bike really is as superficial as it seems.

Sami

audiobliss wrote: »

Glad to hear you're ok after that Sami. I hope the damage to the bike really is as superficial as it seems.

Well, we will find out. Hopefully it's only the rear plastics and the rim, nothing on the body. It wasn't a hard hit, but if so unfortunate that they salvage this bike it means a brand new one my way as I just got it a few months ago. 1300 miles on it.

acmf74

With today's drivers having more distractions (phone,GPS,gadgets) in the car made me give up riding. I know what I'm doing but I cant control other drivers around me.

steveinaz

We could just lock ourselves in our bathroom, and we'd never be in danger.