Popularity of motorcycles takes grim toll

[cobra de capell]

The guy not only look like someone that rides Harley's - he has the same look of enjoyment that one sees on Harley riders. Therefore, if you have a 'big' woman (wife-girlfriend) - it's the same as having a Harley! The only thing to look out for would be the greenhouse gas.

[SPF2245]

I also have to wonder if the horsepower wars have also added to the number of accidents. My first sport bike was a Kawi 900, it made a little over 90hp. A little over a decade later, my GSXR1000 makes nearly 160 at the rear tire. Heck, most of the 600s out there are making near 115-120hp. Add that to an inexperienced rider, more traffic on the roadways, poor roadway surfaces due to a lack of repairs...and these stats don't surprise me a bit.

[cobra de capell]

Over 5,000 deaths in one year is a huge number, let's face it - it's much more dangerous on a motorcycle and riders are apparently much more likely to take risks and the horsepower is there to go over the line, easily. One last thrill before sure death.

I want to go out in my sleep, painfree.

[392cobra]

Some of y'all knowI ride too.I have been a licensed rider since I was 14 years old,over 46 years. Wow,kind of makes me feel old seeing it spelled out.

Riding is a hazardous activity,period.You either accept that and learn to deal with it or stay in a car.Some can ,most can't.

The biggest threat are cars or should I say the boneheads behind the steering wheel.It has gotten worse as time passes.Sure more cars are a problem but it is the inattentive drivers more than anything.Add the increased impatience,aggressiveness and rudeness of people in general,it gets dangerous.

I go out riding most everyday of the year. I try to keep in mind that I'm invisible to cars and they are trying to kill me. Defensive driving takes on a whole new meaning when you're on two wheels. I will say that I think it has also made me a better car driver.

I don't have the stats,just what I have observed and heard. The young,indestructible,know everything riders on the crotch rockets are most likely the majority of self caused deaths & accidents.Young kids on a piece of inexpensive plastic that can do 150 mph is insane.
The average age of us that ride Harley's are 47 years old.The vast majority of us have learned to slow down and pay attention. Enjoy the ride,not how fast you can get there.
This is the same as us Baby Boomers that get 400-600 hp Cobras versus a 20 year old getting hold of the same.

Way too few of you have ever taken a school to drive your Cobras.That is damned dangerous too.(I have)

Most States now require a MSF riding course to get a motorcycle endorsement. Worth every penny. I know other riders that retake the course every few years just to break bad habits they may have picked up.
I still look at the course for new riders as a two wheeled "Driver's Ed".Good enough to maybe get you to the 7-11 and back alive.

PRACTICE - PRACTICE - PRACTICE

I do everything I can to make my scooter visible to others,I ride within my skills and the abilities on my scoot,I practice,I ride defensively and I ride with a smile on my face.
It is easy to get real pissed off at the stupid way a lot of cagers drive. I learned to let it go. A 800 pound bike will lose every time to a 4000 pound car/truck.

If I get killed on my scooter,I died doing what I love and with a smile in my heart.

My choice.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by 392cobra

I do everything I can to make my scooter visible to others,I ride within my skills and the abilities on my scoot,I practice,I ride defensively and I ride with a smile on my face.

If I get killed on my scooter,I died doing what I love and with a smile in my heart.

My choice.

For those of you who are wondering who "scooter" is, that's his pet name for the gal in the pic a few posts above (I think her real name is Cindy)

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by 392cobra

The biggest threat are cars or should I say the boneheads behind the steering wheel.It has gotten worse as time passes.Sure more cars are a problem but it is the inattentive drivers more than anything.
I go out riding most everyday of the year. I try to keep in mind that I'm invisible to cars and they are trying to kill me. A 800 pound bike will lose every time to a 4000 pound car/truck.

A fine example....
http://hdforums.com/forum/5325334-post1.html

[Fordzilla]

Gave up Bikes years ago. Too many moron drivers. Also deer & woodchucks here can mess you up fast.

BTW, Love that pic!

[Fordzilla]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGweIOKSePQ

[Fordzilla]

Part II:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpvZW...eature=related

[Fordzilla]

Here's another great compilation for your viewing enjoyment. Lots of street footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsA-U...eature=related

[tcrist]

Any one trying to do stunts or tricks and wrecks should just eat the medical and bike repair costs. How many of those people in the videos do you think turned the damage and medical bills into their insurance.
Any wreck in those videos should not add to the statistics. That does not mean that it did not.

Great videos anyway Fordzilla.

I rode bikes for over 30 years. Had to dodge many cars and had to lay my bike down to miss a car only once. What really pi$$ed me off was that the driver looked straight at me and pulled right in front of me (with my wife on the back). With luck there was only minor road rash and minimal damage to the bike.

One of the things that I instilled into my boys was that when riding a bike, remember that you are a/the target. Allways ride as if you are.

Terry

[cobra de capell]

One of the things that I instilled into my boys was that when riding a bike, remember that you are a/the target. Allways ride as if you are.

That's how I drive my Cobra!

[jmillington]

Yes, riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than a car...but driving a Cobra is more dangerous than driving a modern car, and some would say that we are crazy for driving a Cobra.
I guess the question is, how danger tolerant are you?

[Bill Bess]

You might improve your chances on a motorcycle if you ride like your on a 10 spd. road bike ( one you peddle).

When you go down...there is no good outcome!

Slow Bill

[DAVID GAGNARD]

I knew am EMT who told me that many ambalance technicians call these bikes "donor bikes". She said that in many accidents the only things that are usable are some of the riders organs.

EMTs around here call bike riders "organ donors" and they like when riders wear helmets and proper clothing, makes cleaning up the mess easier........

Sad but true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David

[SP01715]

I almost sold the Harley a few times after being on the scene of several motorcycle vs car/truck accidents. I rarely ride it, and I don't take my wife on it anymore. I have seen body parts torn off, heads smashed etc... Makes you think.

[JoeT]

I've been riding since 1990 and have put over a couple hundred thousand miles on 2 wheels. As I age, I'm 41, my fears have changed. I still love to ride, but the last few years, I'm always thinking of getting hit. Not because I'm afraid to die, but I'm afraid to live on a ventilator and having my kids (2 girls aged 6 and 7) remember their dad's life being one of pain. I've seen 2 friends die on bikes, and a few more spend months in a hospital.

I don't ride like I use to, both in mileage and speed. 6 years ago, there were 4 bikes in the garage. I'm now down to 1, and that's for sale (anyone interested in a Confederate Hellcat? I'll give you a great deal).

[Aussie Mike]

I've arrived at the scene of 2 Motorcycle fatalities now. Both HD riders, both middle aged men like myself. One was hit by a truck and semi trailer. the other was hit by a car. Both at intersections.

I've owned bikes since I was 15 and love them. I still have a couple in the shed but don't ride any more. I think I'm too aware of my own mortality now. More so after seeing both accidents. The thought of potentially leaving my little girl with no dad kind of takes the enjoyment out of it. I guess it's all in my head but so's the enjoyment of riding.

Cheers

[Fordzilla]

The last few posts are reasons I don't ride them anymore. It's not my ability that scares me it's the things you can't control- Cars & Trucks not seeing you or seeing you & not having it register in their brains, or something simple as a deer running out into you. Your chances of survival are greatly reduced on a bike. I've been to plenty of accidents involving motorcycles (as a LEO), & it rarely comes out good for the person on a bike.

[392cobra]

If it weren't for cars ,Life would be easier & a lot safer for bikers.

This happened last Saturday to a fellow rider and he got proactive...

"This past saturday evening the wife and I were on our way back home on one of our 55 mph highways. As we approached an intersection controled by a light we saw a car waiting to turn, so I thought. Had that strange feeling so I began to slow down, once in the intersection they turned in front of us! I hit my rear and began working the fronts, missed the rear of the car by inches. After a few FBombs I made a U-turn to follow the person. I found the car parked in a driveway and the young female was standing outside talking to a young dude. I asked the two who was driving the car but neither one would answer so I walked past them and knocked on the door. This lady answered the door, I asked her who was driving the car that was in her driveway. She seemed to sense something was wrong so she asked if I would speak with her husband who was inside the garage. I heard the garage door opening so we went to the front of it only to find a couple Harleys parked inside. The husband asked what was going on so I explained what had happened. He asked the girl who happened to be his sons girlfriend if she had been done what we said. Her answer was "yeah but nothing happened" The father came unglued on her and told his son that she was never welcomed at their home ever again, told her to get into her car and leave his property! The father then asked us to pull our bike inside and stay for dinner!"