Why ride street bikes?

[Sigarms]

I get it, it's your life, do what you want with it.

Recently worked a funeral for a friend who had her brother litterally run over by a car (took a couple days for him to die).

Late last year, had a cousin killed on a motorcycle as well.

I used to have a KZ100 a VERY long time ago, but gave it up. I would drive reckless on the bike (VERY fast), but that's NOT was scared me. What scared me was all the idiot drivers in cars even when I was riding "safe", and that was close to 30 years ago. Decided to stop riding, wasn't worth my life dying at someone else's hands.

I've done crap that could of killed me if it weren't for my skill and knowing my limitations, but the one thing I could NEVER shake is dying at the hands of a total idiot that I had no control over. Riding a street bike made me realize how many idiot drivers there are on the road because I had to notice EVERYTHING me around when riding. Even then, sometimes I would have a "close call". It was people that would come out from a stop sign when I had the right of way (with no stop sign on my end) that made me throw in the towel on riding when it seemed like they were trying to F with me waiting until the last minute to pull out.

Very few things I would let my boys do (they don't have drivers licenses yet). One thing that is non negotiable while living under our roof is I will NEVER allow them to get a street bike.

So, if you ride a street bike, do you understand the amount of idiot car drivers on the road?

On a plus note, the young man whose funeral I helped out at has already given 20 organs away, including his heart. In some aspects, a wonderful gift that could never be replaced, but at a cost of a life ended by stupidity of a driver of a car.

I did however agree that if "off road biking" was an interest, no problems there (as long as you know your limitations). Up in the coal region in PA, you could ride a bike an entire day and never cross the same trail twice if you wanted to, and it was fun (and sometimes illegal depending on who owned the land, but it was "corporate land" not privately owned). Thing is, there weren't any car drivers you had to cross paths with.

 

[Streetcar]

Motorcycles are hard to see. I had coworker who was hit by another cycle. Many idiot drivers on motorcycles as well as cars

 

[Sigarms]

Motorcycles are hard to see. I had coworker who was hit by another cycle. Many idiot drivers on motorcycles as well as cars

I would push my bike VERY fast on the open road, to see what it would do. There were some "records" that I could never ever beat in a car per distance traveled vs time.

I was as observant on a bike as I was in a kayak doing some pretty rough stuff in whitewater, or going down a moutain of snow on a snowboard. Bottom line, it was a thrill, but you had to know what you were doing.

On a bike, you CAN'T be an idiot driver, in a car, you have more leeway IMO if you make a mistake . Going 80 in a car is different than going 80 on a bike IMO.

Per your statement, perhaps there are more idiot bike riders, I honestly don't know (I would think the same rules 30 years ago dealing with idiot car drivers apply the same today). I do think perhaps there are more idiot car drivers on the road today just due to sheer population density increase from 30 years ago and you're bound to have at least the same amount of idiots born.

 

[CalG]

Riding is a full time job.

Pay attention. That is why I ride. I like to pay attention. It's a focus thing.

If you don't like it, don't do it. sort of like breathing.

 

[cqaigy2]

That's part of the reason i started riding bicycle off road, plus it being a whole bunch more interesting and fun. You still need to pay attention, but without the illogical driver dangers. I make the assumption, right or wrong, that the other animals out and about are usually thinking, are you a meal, attacking me or my cubs or maybe just entertaining. The rest is gravity, friction and inertia.

 

[Sigarms]

Riding is a full time job.

Pay attention. That is why I ride. I like to pay attention. It's a focus thing.

If you don't like it, don't do it. sort of like breathing.

I completely understand it's a focus thing. That said, no matter how much you focus, some 70 year old not paying attention can take you out in split second.

I also completely understand you can be taken out walking across the road by someone not paying attention driving a car. No one is promised life.

I just see the odds increasing that you will die riding a motorcycle due to the stupidity of a car driver.

About 15 years ago going to a creek to paddle. Came across a biker with him on the bike in the ditch with one of his legs out in the middle of the road. He died due to blood loss. The car driver was riding outside his lane around the bend and took the biker out (both coming in different directions of each other). 15 years ago on that scene justified my decision on giving up riding.

I'm not trying to preach, and if it comes across that way, apologies.

 

[ae_ted]

I agree totally!!! I used to ride street also, I gave it up due to same reasons. May I add a even more important reason to STOP and that is the riders family that they leave behind because they "have" to ride.
A lot of the riders have young families that are depending on them and riding in this day age just seems selfish to me.

 

[Deere Dude]

Preach away Sigarms. I sold mine to a friend 20 years ago because of other drivers and bad road conditions in some areas. I drive a dually most of the time now because I see people texting, yapping on the phone zoning or just bad situational awareness for them.

Within the last two weeks I had what I consider close calls with my easy to see truck. On an intersection with two turn lanes I was the outside vehicle. The inside vehicle was abreast of me in the turn and before I know it she was about 3-4 feet over the line almost into my door. I saw her on the phone at the stop sign talking on the phone and my wife said she was still on the phone when she crossed the line. Then yesterday at a T intersection (No stop for me) and guy on my right with a PU slowed down to about 8 MPH at his stop sign and motored through just as I was getting there. I had to brake hard as did he and our noses were a couple feet apart. Phew

I was seriously considering a bike again a few months ago, but that urge went out the window. The road in TN are a major suck anyway. No shoulders, just drop offs at the white line. Sometimes the white line is in the ditch.

 

[Jstpssng]

I gave up for the same reasons as the OP. An auto driver will look at you, pull out and laugh about it when you go into a skid to miss them.
Edit

A relative is a paramedic for Lifeflight, which is Maine's air ambulance. He calls bikes "Donorcycles", and says that riders are his biggest customer.

 

[Travelover]

I rode until I was 20 when I married a nurse who worked in ER. The tales she told and the close calls I'd had from stupid auto drivers convinced me. I really shake my head when I see helmetless riders in short pants. Their lives, but wow......

 

[charlton289]

I used to run tow trucks in Daytona Beach for 20+ years I have seen things that make you not ride bikes ANYMORE I never learned how to ride a motorcycle don't care to after so many years of picking up body parts both flesh and not flesh. So many people i knew would go for a ride to Sturgis, or anywhere and come home but in a bag not riding. So many times I witnessed idiots riding or flying down I 95 at triple digits go by me as I was sitting still only to have stop because they wrecked sorry for those of you who have lost friends or family members but every time you throw your leg over that seat your risking your life not because of your driving but because of the others who don't take the time to double check and check again before going on down the road. Please if you ride wear your gear and be as safe as you can be.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^
What never ceases to amaze me is the number of women I see sitting on back hanging on to their "man" for dear life while he's driving like an idiot... then they get on behind him again.
To me it makes as much sense as putting your life in the hands of an airplane pilot after watching him down a few whiskey shots.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Sold my bike and gave it up in the mid 90's. For the same reasons as everyone else. Riding in Phoenix, AZ, it was only a matter of "when", never "if" you were going to get creamed. Had many, many close calls. One friend who also gave up riding before me likened it to "You're driving at night, full black bike, full black clothing, and no lights on bike, no street lights". That's the way you have to ride, like you are utterly invisible. Had countless times where someone would look directly "at you", and then pull out anyway. Used to ride with 2 fingers over the brake handle all the time.

Also drove a tow truck, same area, for 3 years. Had to clean up some pretty horrific accident scenes in that time. It sticks with you. The only thing a helmet will do for you is MAYBE your next of kin will have the option of an open casket funeral if you're wearing your helmet. Unless you just miss your footing and topple over when coming to a stop sign that is. May keep you from getting a knot on the side of your head if you bounce it off the pavement. But if a car hits you, at speed, you better try and crawl your whole body up into that helmet before the impact. At highway speeds, you're going to die. Helmet or no helmet.

Or the Wild Hog's wannabees (referencing the movie with Tim Allen, John Travolta, etc), that get all gussied up in their bad-assed wannabee biker outfits, and try to keep from dumping over their full dress Harley's that they clearly can't ride well, with a power to weight ratio that they just aren't capable of handling, so they can play "Biker" a couple times a year, ride to Sturgis, etc, etc. Most can't even negotiate a curve in the road, let alone actually ride along staying in their lane, and God Forbid, keep a steady speed on riding down the highway.

Sometimes I miss riding, when the weather's nice, nice open road, etc. I still have my bike endorsement on my license, but I doubt I'll have another street bike again.

 

[the old grind]

I see riding a motorcycles as a metaphor for life in general. You might think everyone notices you and cares about 'whatever' just like you do. You should know better.

I'm still riding 'street' after 50 yrs of it, but like anyone else I assume the risks and expect the presence of danger. My brand doesn't go fast compared to other bikes, and I don't ride often. I've broken more bones (in place, btw) when laying bikes down to avoid hitting cars. I've even had one literally drop out from under me at 55mph ('70s on a cafe'd CB305 Honda w/steering damper backed-off ).

btw, it's almost Fall, and when I'm sure the Perseid meteor shower has well passed and I won't be struck by one I'll get 'er out soon and go for a putt.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Used to have a lot of biker friends, so have a lot of awful stories. A teenage friend, car vs. dirt bike and lost his entire right arm. He was never the same after that, I mean mentally. A professional bartender friend who was struck by a car at 25MPH, was launched over the handlebars and both hands/wrists were destroyed; had to find a new career. etc., etc. Saw a doozy in Miami (most reckless drivers in the US) where a young guy on a crotch rocket (no helmet of course) was zipping by rush-hour traffic doing around 80 in the emergency pullover lane, on an exit ramp, and OF COURSE there was a 2X4 lying in the lane. Guy literally had no where to go: concrete barrier on the left; line of stopped cars on the right. He hit the board and went airborne, right over the barrier, probably an 80-foot drop to the highway below where he caused several more fatalities.

Living in the mountains we get a lot of weekend warriors who come up from the city to ride the twisty mountain roads. Just recently on a 55mph two-lane, a biker decided to go around a line of cars that were stopped for a logging truck that was preparing to make a left turn. Raced by them at high speed on the left just as the truck swung over into that lane. Slammed right into the side of the rig. Killed instantly of course. Another guy hit a deer at fairly low speed and was also killed. You can get killed in a car too, but the thing is on a bike there is zero safety margin. One board on the road, one pothole, one stupid driver, and off you go. No airbags, no seatbelts, just your unprotected body hurtling through the air at full speed. Plus, there's something about a bike that makes even sensible people take more risks--the exhilaration I guess. You won't find many ER doctors or EMT's riding. I'm not saying it's stupid to ride; if you enjoy it that much it's a choice you make. And I get the love people have for riding. I once dated a guy who parked his Harley in his kitchen. That was never gonna last.

I do think road risks have increased a lot these days because of idiots that phone or text while driving. If I DID ride, that would probably be the final straw.

 

[CalG]

I ride a flashy red Sport bike. But ride in a way that reflects my maturity . 'been riding since I was 12 and am now pushing 67 years.
No hospital trips for me knock on wood. But my older brother has not been as fortunate. He is a good reminder to me.

I don't go out on "risky" days, like week ends in the summer or at all this week end since Friday (I did ride both Thursday and Friday morning)

I'll go for a pleasure ride tomorrow. The weather is so hot as to be unbearable to do any thing physical. I've got some favorite loops and there are roads that need discovering. Even with a full sport "Plastic" covered bike and street smooth tires, the dirt roads and even forest roads are to be enjoyed. Plus, we have miles and miles of twisty black top.

I'll give a smile for all those not out in the wind.

 

[LouNY]

I ride a flashy red Sport bike. But ride in a way that reflects my maturity . 'been riding since I was 12 and am now pushing 67 years.
No hospital trips for me knock on wood. But my older brother has not been as fortunate. He is a good reminder to me.

I don't go out on "risky" days, like week ends in the summer or at all this week end since Friday (I did ride both Thursday and Friday morning)

I'll go for a pleasure ride tomorrow. The weather is so hot as to be unbearable to do any thing physical. I've got some favorite loops and there are roads that need discovering. Even with a full sport "Plastic" covered bike and street smooth tires, the dirt roads and even forest roads are to be enjoyed. Plus, we have miles and miles of twisty black top.

I'll give a smile for all those not out in the wind.

I'm the same age, my current ride is a 2013 Ultra Limited, previous where several Yamaha Ventures, A couple of Honda 4's, Suzuki 1000's and on down to Yamaha RD's and Honda XL's beginning with Norton and BSA'as.

I am not putting the miles on that I used too only 4-5000 miles a year now, used to do 12-20,000 a year because I commuted to work from salt-free in spring to first snow of the fall with bikes as much as possible.

Some people can and will ride, many won't and they shouldn't.

 

[YLee Kioti]

Riding my ZX10 at 130 was almost as much fun as flying in a Huey with the doors open, belted in and feet on the skid flying nap of the earth and feel the wind, and listen to the pop-pop-pop of the blades.
Exhilarating as all get out.
We all have our reasons, right. When I was forced out of my MOS of 35K/P due to Nam winding down, never did get that same 'feeling' in life.
Took the ZX up to 147 after rebuilding and synching the carbs. When I pulled into the garage looked at my 14 year old son and realized I wanted to see him grow to be a man.
Sold it afterwards.

I've out run deputy sheriffs with ease, in my feeble mind I was King Kenny Roberts. Worked the track at Texas World Speedway and got see see lots of great races and meet good folks.
In my mid 60's now and still pine for that rush that I used to have; endorphins must be a powerful drug.
When I get this land cleaned up (can see daylight now); I will transfer that energy to competing against myself. 300 meter targets are not as physically satisfying but more visceral in a sense of skill set enhancements.

Today's environment, no matter how vigilant, the new norm of texting drivers really makes me wish for a James Bond Aston Martin. They certainly contribute to keeping my paramedic brother working overtime.

For those freedom loving souls that still ride, keep the rubber side down and happy trails!

 

[PILOON]

Motorcycles are hard to see. I had coworker who was hit by another cycle. Many idiot drivers on motorcycles as well as cars

When I flew a lot I bought a cool motor bike, a HONDA 'monkey'.
I loaded it into my Cessna to have my ground transportation with me.

Well the Monkey only made one flight with me. (LOL, it was afraid of heights)

We were in Calgary, I believe, and I was at a stop light and realized that I could not see over a cars hood and decided if I could not see them the could not see me.
End of ball game.
Liking bikes I got a regular sized but low power (125CC) and drove it up north on the highway.
Well not wanting to hold up traffic I'd keep to the right only to find that no car respected my presence. Scary ride to say the least.
Even if I held my own (center of my lane) they'd always try to pass on either the right or often on the left.
Today just too many drivers want to arrive B4 they leave.

NO. no more 2 wheeled rides 4 me!
More and more I think what we need today is an armored car. Just too many 'privileged' drivers out there. (BMW's and Benz leading the pack)

Hey, one school zone with bus stop always have BMW and other SUV's double parked during rush hour as the 'entitled moms' need to pick up their little entitled brats. Note that is a 'no stopping bus zone'. Ties up traffic every week day.
Those SUV moms actually use the day care to park their brats while they go shopping. Making it worst they use the subsidized day care only when they shop thus depriving the real needy moms a chance to get a job.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I once dated a guy who parked his Harley in his kitchen. That was never gonna last.

Can't blame you there. Everyone knows you park the bike in the living room. I did once bring my '84 1100 GPZ into my dorm room on a weekend (had fun getting it up to the 2nd floor), back when I was stationed in CO that winter. My First Sargent was not amused.