@haulingthescoreup wrote:
I used to love riding (passenger only, too klutzy to operate), but between the fools in cars and trucks, the dogs, and random patches of sand, I just can't do it. They're great until they aren't.
I'm always amazed when I drive through states with no helmet law. My term for these people is "organ donors." And before anyone rants at me about individual freedoms (which I support), I just want to point out that too many people on bikes don't carry decent --or any --medical insurance, and the rest of us wind up paying their million-dollar hospital and rehab bills. I see their medical records, and I know how much this is costing in Medicaid and Medicare.
My sympathies to those of you have have lost friends and family this way.
edit to add: poor nosxih, we really hijacked your thread, didn't we?Enjoy your new ride, but stay safe!
Message Edited by haulingthescoreup on 05-22-2008 11:35 AM
When I was about 24, I wanted a bike really badly. My roommates and I were walking by the lake (Michigan) and I was commenting that I wanted to go test drive one later that day. We all agreed to go, after I convinced them that my mom won't kill us all for allowing me to buy a bike. No sooner than we had settled on it, some idiot comes roaring around the corner doing about 75 MPH in a 30 MPH zone, wearing only a pair of shorts and a helmet (no shoes, no shirt, plenty of service at the local St. Mary's Hospital). He must've mis-shifted or something, because he lost control of the bike big time. I watched in amazement as he tried to steady the bike with his bare feet at 75 MPH. Alas, it was too much for him, and he laid it down for about 50 ft or so.
As we all rushed to him, I can see that he had lost most of his skin on his back, chest, arms and legs. I felt badly for him, but that quickly faded as he started cussing up a storm and being an even bigger idiot than he was before the accident. The fireman looked at me and said that they were just going to dunk him in alcohol. Oh yeah, that'll leave a mark.
Needless to say, I canceled that test drive and haven't been on a bike since then.
My friend's fiance (a police officer) was racing on a city street and hit a school bus. You know how buses pull out to make a left turn, but have to stop for the cross-traffic, consequently leaving their tail end in the lanes? Well, he hit the tail end of the school bus, the other joker laid his bike down and went under the bus. My friend's fiance, not so lucky: Dead at the scene.
Message Edited by ByrdMan on 05-22-2008 07:14 PM
Starting Score: 469
I know that there are some bad stories about motorcycle accidents and they are very real and very sad stories. but there is nothing that will take me off of the two-wheeler. I have driven over 200K miles in the last 5 years going from job site to job site (in my truck not the bike) and I have seen many a accident along the way but never a motorcycle accident. So, I would venture to say that the odds of crashing are slim if you are safe and those who you are sharing the road with are safe.
I have been riding since 1980 and I have also seen motorcyclists' who dart in and out of traffic and who ride down between lanes. They have no business on a bike (at least not in traffic) they are reckless and sometimes give motorcycles a bad name and create a fear of them.
I myself have a motorcycle that I built myself which can exceed 160mph and it is currently undergoing modifications to increase the horsepower. It is for the strip and that is all it is for. Where the conditions are designed for speed.
You will not find me in a dangerous situation that could cause myself or you harm because I ride the way a motorcycle was intended to be ridden. This also goes for most riders on the road today. However, in case anyone does not know it, a person on a motorcycle is often placed in danger by those in vehicles who are not watching for them. Crashes are caused by a biker being foolish or another vehicle being careless. Rarely does a rider crash while riding safely.
The bike I just bought is a 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 and it is made for getting on the back road twisties and cruzin', enjoyment and escaping the office. It is not a fast bike. This is the bike that I started this thread about. It is a beauty and sooooo enjoyable to ride. Is is extremely good on gas and in this day and age that is a real added bonus.
I am not trying to sell anyone on motorcycling
(although you don't know what you are missing
) But on the other hand, I don't want everyone to think that I am a motorcycle rider who has an eminent crash and burn in his future.
I have been riding since 1980 and I have also seen motorcyclists' who dart in and out of traffic and who ride down between lanes. They have no business on a bike (at least not in traffic) they are reckless and sometimes give motorcycles a bad name and create a fear of them.
I myself have a motorcycle that I built myself which can exceed 160mph and it is currently undergoing modifications to increase the horsepower. It is for the strip and that is all it is for. Where the conditions are designed for speed.
You will not find me in a dangerous situation that could cause myself or you harm because I ride the way a motorcycle was intended to be ridden. This also goes for most riders on the road today. However, in case anyone does not know it, a person on a motorcycle is often placed in danger by those in vehicles who are not watching for them. Crashes are caused by a biker being foolish or another vehicle being careless. Rarely does a rider crash while riding safely.
The bike I just bought is a 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 and it is made for getting on the back road twisties and cruzin', enjoyment and escaping the office. It is not a fast bike. This is the bike that I started this thread about. It is a beauty and sooooo enjoyable to ride. Is is extremely good on gas and in this day and age that is a real added bonus.
I am not trying to sell anyone on motorcycling
(although you don't know what you are missing
) But on the other hand, I don't want everyone to think that I am a motorcycle rider who has an eminent crash and burn in his future.
Nos, I certainly wish you all the safety on the road. I have a very dear friend who rides a fatboy. You are right, most of the accidents that I have seen are with cars too. In fact, my friend's (the friend who drives the fatboy) wife just got killed in a single car accident veering from a deer. She was in a car.
I really respect riders and try to look out for them. However, today, it was rather brisk this AM in the Milwaukee area (sunny and about 50 degrees tops) and I got caught behind this rider who was too cold to come within 10 MPH of the speed limit. He was ticking me off. So, then he merges on the same highway that I take to get to my house (65 MPH) and he still won't do more than 40. He was a danger to himself, his girl on the back of the bike, my sons and I and everyone else on the highway. I couldn't wait to pass him and get out of the way of that accident waiting to happen.
BTW, I would never try to talk you out of riding. I will probably start riding again (rode very briefly back in the late 80's) after my kids leave the nest.
I really respect riders and try to look out for them. However, today, it was rather brisk this AM in the Milwaukee area (sunny and about 50 degrees tops) and I got caught behind this rider who was too cold to come within 10 MPH of the speed limit. He was ticking me off. So, then he merges on the same highway that I take to get to my house (65 MPH) and he still won't do more than 40. He was a danger to himself, his girl on the back of the bike, my sons and I and everyone else on the highway. I couldn't wait to pass him and get out of the way of that accident waiting to happen.
BTW, I would never try to talk you out of riding. I will probably start riding again (rode very briefly back in the late 80's) after my kids leave the nest.
Yea I tried this. The cost of the bike was far more than the cost of gas. I started out getting good gas mileage but then added some exhaust mods and fuel changes. Got no better mileage than my car. I think it hit close to 189 mph. Melted the tires, another $300, constant oil changes, had to carry chains. I sold the bike and relax in air condition during traffic. I still want another one. The scooters are dangerous if you live with traffic. Otherwise wear protective gear and be safe. Think about the cost of the scooter -vs- gas. If you have to pay $2000 for a scooter is it really worth it?
I still want another one. The scooters are dangerous if you live with traffic. Otherwise wear protective gear and be safe. Think about the cost of the scooter -vs- gas. If you have to pay $2000 for a scooter is it really worth it?
