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Doom, Gloom and dealing with negativity from non riders

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

Sorry about the delay in my response, School has been keeping me really busy.

You've all given me a lot to think about. It's interesting to hear the kind of flak you've received and the way that each of you have responded. And even now, I'm still on the fence about how I should respond. I guess that is something that I will just have to take on a case by case basis.. and as my experience grows, my confidence about how to handle the matter will too.

I do think that a part of it may be the type of people that I work with. They aren't exactly the kind to sacrifice the security of existence for the thrills of living. So, although some of their comments are downright rude, they may not be worth the effort. But the people that seem genuinely concerned.. well.. those are the ones that I might try to educate.

The funny thing is that my mom is the most supportive person of my riding. She not only went with me when I bought my first bike, she went to the Dainese shop and sneakily asked the sales person what items I had been eyeing so that she could surprise me with some top quality gear. How is it that someone that raised me, and has an actual emotional investment in my life can be happy that I have found something that makes me feel so free and the jerk that sits in the cubicle across from me is wishing me death?

Riding is dangerous. I know this. I knew this even before I rode. Every single time I got on my back of my boyfriend's bike, I would think about how my life was in his hands.

And I know that the odds are stacked against me. But all I can do is be alert, safe, wear my gear every single time I go out and trust that when it's finally my time to check out.. that I did everything I could to make the time that I had here worth while.
 
SmallButScrappy said:
Riding is dangerous. I know this. I knew this even before I rode. Every single time I got on my back of my boyfriend's bike, I would think about how my life was in his hands.

And I know that the odds are stacked against me. But all I can do is be alert, safe, wear my gear every single time I go out and trust that when it's finally my time to check out.. that I did everything I could to make the time that I had here worth while.
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Sounds like you figured out how to answer! :)
 
I don't know how much of it's gender. I suspect people that want to bully others look for someone they think they can get away with pushing around.

I'm small, older and I've been hit (almost died) but I'll be back on both bikes this season. People want to tell me I'm crazy to ride again but if they seem to be genuinely concerned I take the time to explain how carefuly I ride and the quality of my gear. Some continue and say that even if I'm careful motorcycles just don't have the protection of a car and I should stop riding. At that point I tell them that cars just don't have any protection from busses and trucks so they should stop driving. That usualy ends it.

If it's someone that clearly says it just to swing what they don't have then I'll say whatever responce leaves them looking like the limp idiot they are.
 
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It's rather amusing how much "advice" people are willing to share without your asking. I don't know that guys have it any easier in this department than we as women do, other than from other women, and that can range from admiration to outright disdain.

My usual response to the "OMG, YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!" type is simply this: "Yup, I might die, but that's a risk I choose to take because this is something I love THAT much."

I don't think anyone has bothered to continue with their tirade after that response.

My mother is the only one who continues to ask if I'm going to quite riding every time there's been an incident. My last get off (track) was super minor - didn't even get a bruise out of it, bike just needed a new bar. That exact same day, my mother tripped over her puppy while walking him - she broke her eye socket and possible other facial bones, broke her wrist, and got a good gash on her head too. It was my turn to be like "so I guess puppies are WAY more dangerous that motorcycles!" Her response was a disgruntled "I guess so....." :laughing

The other thing I've found is to let people get to know you a little bit. Once they have a person behind the helmet (so to speak) they tend to back off a little bit. They know you understand the risks, and that you choose to do it anyways. Life is for living - don't worry about those who aren't living theirs.
 
SmallButScrappy said:
How is it that someone that raised me, and has an actual emotional investment in my life can be happy that I have found something that makes me feel so free and the jerk that sits in the cubicle across from me is wishing me death?
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Just guessing, but it sounds like your mom understands your zest for life and adventure. Maybe she shares it to an extent.

The co-worker feels shitty every time he sees you because you remind him that he's too scared to live a little more boldly.
 
tzrider said:
Just guessing, but it sounds like your mom understands your zest for life and adventure. Maybe she shares it to an extent.

The co-worker feels shitty every time he sees you because you remind him that he's too scared to live a little more boldly.
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Bingo
 
That guy: Motorcycle are way to dangerous. I hope your a donor.

Me: Yes, and when I get taken out you can have my balls, since you never grew a pair.
 
kingchicknstrip said:
That guy: Motorcycle are way to dangerous. I hope your a donor.

Me: Yes, and when I get taken out you can have my balls, since you never grew a pair.
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Coffee spewed outta my nose and all over my keyboard! :rofl
 
Yea when they start with the gory details I tell them about my big one and that shuts them up pretty quick, caus they can't under stand when I tell them I couldn't wait to heal up and get back on the bike!

They always say you are nuts.
 
I like to tell folks "Yeah, well you never see a motorcycle parked out front of a psychiatrists office!".

It's kind of true. We live in a stressful world. Motorcycles have always been a stress reliever for me. Nothing like a little helmet time to clear the head!

Your mom is likely super supportive for exactly this reason. Since she's close to you she sees how happy motorbikes make you, and like a good mom, wants you to be happy. That's pretty damn rad! Folks at work just don't know you that well.
 
asthmodeus said:
Brown81
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Raliegh, NC
Motorcycles: Gone.
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???
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:mad:mad:mad
 
When someone tells me "motorcycles are dangerous" I look them square in the eye and say "So are a million other things. I accept the risks and take proper precautions."

My father witnessed a horrendous bike crash when he was a kid that scarred him for life. Even hearing a motorcycle ride by would make him flinch a little. So it comes as no surprise that my whole life, he constantly went on about how dangerous riding is, how I'd "never have a bike, so long as I was his son" and on and on. He even used to threaten that if I came home with one, he'd go to town on it with a golf club, and then come after me.

Fast forward to 2008. I started my career, bought a bike (nothing could keep me away from it, I've been obsessed with motorcycles since before I could say the word), and said nothing to him about it. Rode for a year, put about 40k miles under my belt, and then showed up at his house on my (new to me) 2000 Concours.

He looked at it and went "WTF?" and I replied: "This is mine. Be happy for me, cause I sure as hell am."

He never bashed bikes again after that, and even went so far as to kick me some new gear for my birthday one year. I don't expect him to want to get into it himself, but he came around on it in his own way.

I think there are things in life that you just have to do, regardless of what others think or say. You can try to reason with people, and be logical, but in the end, you gotta live your life, your way. :thumbup
 
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