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How do you excuse motorcycles dangers to your loved ones?

my dad used to say this when i was almost 19... "go ahead and knock yourself out, one less child to worry about"
 
photographynut4 said:
havent taken msf yet. Cant afford it right now with school. But I haven't gone on any long riders or anything yet. I have just been staying in the neighborhood working on all my skills. There are some hills by my house that I go up to and I practice my turning techniques and all that in the twisties. I know I am being safe I just don't know how to pass that on to others who think motorcycle riding is crazy dangerous.
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How do you work on skills if you've never been taught any? You are doing yourself a huge disservice by not taking a class. If you can afford the bike and proper gear, you can afford to educate yourself. If you refuse to get training you are giving your loved ones legitimate reasons to worry about you.
 
Well, it is dangerous. And, gear is fundamental to your safety.

But, NOTHING, again let me repeat, NOTHING will save your ass like training, understanding, and experience.

You have none of those things right now. Take MSF, read as many books as you can, and really try to internalize and apply what you learn. Soon, you will be old and experienced, and wonder how in the world you ever made it that far!!
 
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sinncere said:
I told them it's either this, or I jump out of airplanes.

The irony is that skydiving is safer than motorcycling, especially with those wingsuits. But you know how it is with people. Jumping out of an airplane always evokes danger more than riding a motorcycle would.:laughing
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That reminds me of a time (afew years back) I ran into an old friend:

"Hey dude!! What is up? What have you been doing????"

"Hey Dave!! Man, it's been awhile! I have been skydiving a lot. I am teaching now and doing exibitions and whatnot!! It's awesome and I totally love it!! What have you been doing?"

"Awwwm man, just been riding a lot"

"You mean on a street bike??"

"Yep. Took a long time off and recently my buddies got me back into it"


"Man, that shit is dangerous!! I'd be more likely to die riding to the airport to skydive than to actually die skydiving....."


"Thanks....."

:laughing
 
Brown81 said:
Well, it is dangerous. And, gear is fundamental to your safety.

But, NOTHING, again let me repeat, NOTHING will save your ass like training, understanding, and experience.

You have none of those things right now. Take MSF, read as many books as you can, and really try to internalize and apply what you learn. Soon, you will be old and experienced, and wonder how in the world you ever made it that far!!
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+ eleventy billion

I had a big "moment" on mines this weekend (totally my fault). I misjudged my speed for a decreasing radius corner. I was way too hot and needed to brake much deeper into the turn than I had planned for. This moved my new tip-in point very close to the edge of the road and tons of loose gravel. So obviously I blew it, I locked the front and it tucked.

However, before my conscious brain could even get to "crap this is going to hurt" the muscle memory and reflexes from countless threshold braking drills, track days and miles and miles of crappy goat trails (thanks Carl :thumbup) kicked-in. It was off-the-brake-regain-traction-tip-in-hard-on-the-gas in a single reflex. Followed by some serious analysis over a coffee at the next stop.

I am certain that without the formal instruction (MSF and California Superbike) and the practice, practice, practice - I would be rebuilding my bike right now (and/or in a cast/casket) :thumbup
 
photographynut4 said:
havent taken msf yet. Cant afford it right now with school.

I know I am being safe I just don't know how to pass that on to others who think motorcycle riding is crazy dangerous.
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It is crazy dangerous at your skill level. $150 for an MSF course will likely save you quite a bit of money, at the very, very least. It may also save you from pain, recovery, missed school, or death.
 
Yes....op. She used to bitch about it all the time then i mentioned that her boyfriend would probably enjoy the two that are left. She now encourages my riding.:thumbup
 
Get the book Proficient Motorcycling. It has good information on how to ride safely, but it also has lots of data on the cause of accidents.

Motorcycling is dangerous, no getting around that, but by learning about the risk factors, I was able to explain to myself about how much risk I'm taking (and then you could explain to others). Never drinking and riding cuts your risk in half. Taking MSF cuts it further. Proper gear even more, etc. Educate yourself, understand the risk, and then you will either feel comfortable explaining it or realize you are living to close to the edge.

+1 on all the advice to get trained and wear proper gear. MSF is a lot cheaper than greater odds of accidents and dropping the bike. Plus it will qualify you for a discount on your insurance.
 
I skipped to the end, sorry I'm lazy.

I don't "excuse" them at all, instead I show folks that I'm aware of them and that I'm constantly doing what I can to avoid/mitigate the risks so I can enjoy my ride. Part of that is proper gear, another part is proper training, yet another is proper awareness, etc. Let them know that you recognize and appreciate the danger, but that like all things you're taking a planned and calculated risk.

Attempting to excuse them will only increase worries in many as they'll then think "damn, it's so dangerous and he's clueless and ignorant about those dangers, yeesh..."


Edit: and now it's clear from my post and those above, take that MSF class now! Save up and do it, that will show your loved ones that you are stone cold serious about riding and riding safely, not just "riding now". :thumbup
 
After you move out of your parents house, you wont hear this kind of talk very often. After you have a head full of grey hair, you wont hear that kind of talk at all. At least not from my friends, we all ride.

Thanx, Russ
 
Well if couldnt afford the msf course and they asked me about safety,I would tell them that there is this course I could take but I need the money to join.How about a loan?
 
"i have a big insurance policy. you're the beneficiary." odd look. starts to say something. seems to reconsider. starts again. nothing. another odd look. i wait a bit. then consider the conversation over. "so how's pinkyville? you know. that place where you live."
 
as other have said... I don't have any excuses. The mom and fam. worries occasionally, but she know i try my best to stay alive. Luckily the is the type who understands, "when it's your time, it's your time".

Truth is, i find any justification of why i ride, be it technical or practical, to be disingenuous.

Existentially, all i can honestly say is riding is selfish pleasure that makes me happy as a pig in shit. And every opportunity I ride, I am grateful.
 
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:laughing Too expensive! Good one, op. :rofl


How much was your bike and gear? Even an average used 250 (good choice, btw :thumbup) could have bought you 10 (or 20, if you're under 21) msf classes by now. You can tell your loved ones whatever you want, but don't delude yourself.
 
look, don't make any excuses about the dangers of motorcycling, because you'll
just end up sounding retarded. motorcycles are incredibly dangerous and there is no
responsible article to read that will tell you otherwise. so you say, "I know they're super dangerous but I love them and accept all the risks."
 
My wife has been thoroughly supportive of me riding since I bought a fat ass life insurance policy.:cool
 
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