Motorcycles: Worth the risk? - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

grim reaper · 06-15-2003, 09:15 PM

i think the most important this is to make sure you get proper lessions /training. even if you only get a few, the experience and advice of an instructor who has been riding for many years and has taught many many people is extremely valuable.

nothing annoys me more then seeing guys ride around and not doing proper checks and stuff. i don't care if you ride like a crazy person, but there's a big difference between crazy and plain stupid

last point. always ride within your limits. it's real easy to get drawn out of your limits and if you aren't ready for it, it's just asking for trouble. so make sure you don't get stuck in the trap of pushing yourself too far when your not ready.

and most of all, have fun

after all, that's what bikes are all about

Otaku · 06-17-2003, 03:50 PM

If you do decide to take up riding (and believe me it is a lot of fun), make sure you listen to some of the advice that has been given on here.
to re-iterate:

1) go do a safety course
2) ride defensively (always consider people in cages to be complete gits out for your blood)
3) get the right safety gear (a crash at 60kmh[35mph?] is the equivalent of putting your knees against an angle grinder- so dont wear shorts or jeans, go for leather)
4) have fun - i know i do

Snakeyes · 06-18-2003, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashton
I prefer dirtbikes to streetbikes, out riding in the hills feels much safer than on the road with old people and soccer moms in two ton SUVs and Cadillacs.....

Amen to that!
Although I love my streetbike ('78 CB750K), I love nature and riding around with my friends. Plus, being able to do jumps and see some interesting stuff... I'd say streetbikes are more of a necessary form of transportation (though fun), while dirtbikes are full out leisure, and twice as fun to ride.

Ohh... I just want an XR 200R so badly..

boredjerk · 06-19-2003, 12:00 AM

Your head will hit the pavement like a big wet melon.

Ambition · 06-24-2003, 07:41 AM

My small tid bit on bikes is I work in the EMS field, and I have to scrape up a lot of people off the street. If you've seen what i've seen chances are you wouldn't want a bike. All I'm saying is be careful. Cause in some cases it's actually not the riders fault. Usually the case with cruisers as opposed to Jap bikes. I've always been infatuated with bikes but after working the the rescue field my views have changed.

geeza · 06-26-2003, 02:18 AM

And when you finally get the hang of the riding thing, go on a road trip lasting more than a week. It's a truly Zen experience.

gggd · 06-26-2003, 08:41 PM

whoa, never ridden a motorcycle, but i'd take an old harley over a speed demon kawasuki any day, but that's cuz im into leisure over speed....i like to enjoy the ride to my destination, it's not about how fast i get there, that doesnt get me off

lt1s10 · 06-26-2003, 09:11 PM

I rode a lot of dirt as I was growing up. And in college an old suzuki 125 was my transportation around town. My other friends that ride just convinced me to get a street bike so I can ride with them. I'm loving being back on a bike again.

Take an MSF course if you are thinking about it. The 3 days of classroom/riding will tell you whether it's something you want to pursue. It's geared towards people who have never rode ever and thats how they teach regardless of experience. I learned a lot from the class even though I knew how to ride already. It helps to have someone telling you what's wrong as you ride by. Reinforces things that you know you should be doing but don't always do if you only tell yourself . It's one of those things that the more you do it the better you get. Doesn't mean you still can't get hurt or killed you just get better.

To me nothing is without risk. Waking up and living life is full of risk. If I can do enough to make the risk acceptable to myself and the people I feel accountable too (family, gf, etc) then it's worth it for me to ride. Everybody makes their own choice. I do other things that also involve risk. I'm okay with that risk.

cartmen34 · 06-27-2003, 08:47 AM

Are the worth it? YES! Are they dangerous? YYYEEESSS!!!! Having raced MX for 6 years, and riding street for the past 6, I can tell you for certain they are worth it. It's a rush like you have never felt before.

Street riding is more dangerous, mostly from the higher speeds and all THE STUPID PEOPLE on the road. Although I see bikers do stupid things every day as well. On the other hand, riding off-road/MX will get you more "minor", less serious injuries. When I was racing MX, it always seemed like I was hurt in one place or another.

My philosophy towards riding is this:
(quote taken from a fellow poster on a bike messageboard)

"I refuse to tip-toe through like only to arrive safely at death."

In other words, you only live once, so enjoy the show while you can still see the picture.

06-19-2003, 12:00 AM	#44 (permalink)
boredjerk Insane Location: Antarctica	Your head will hit the pavement like a big wet melon. __________________ Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.

06-24-2003, 07:41 AM	#45 (permalink)
Ambition Insane Location: Miami, FL	My small tid bit on bikes is I work in the EMS field, and I have to scrape up a lot of people off the street. If you've seen what i've seen chances are you wouldn't want a bike. All I'm saying is be careful. Cause in some cases it's actually not the riders fault. Usually the case with cruisers as opposed to Jap bikes. I've always been infatuated with bikes but after working the the rescue field my views have changed. __________________ Looking for answers to questions that can't be answered.

06-27-2003, 08:47 AM	#49 (permalink)
cartmen34 Psycho Location: the hills of aquafina.	Are the worth it? YES! Are they dangerous? YYYEEESSS!!!! Having raced MX for 6 years, and riding street for the past 6, I can tell you for certain they are worth it. It's a rush like you have never felt before. Street riding is more dangerous, mostly from the higher speeds and all THE STUPID PEOPLE on the road. Although I see bikers do stupid things every day as well. On the other hand, riding off-road/MX will get you more "minor", less serious injuries. When I was racing MX, it always seemed like I was hurt in one place or another. My philosophy towards riding is this: (quote taken from a fellow poster on a bike messageboard) "I refuse to tip-toe through like only to arrive safely at death." In other words, you only live once, so enjoy the show while you can still see the picture. __________________ "The problem with quick and dirty, as some people have said, is that the dirty remains long after the quick has been forgotten" - Steve McConnell

06-15-2003, 09:15 PM	#41 (permalink)
grim reaper Upright	i think the most important this is to make sure you get proper lessions /training. even if you only get a few, the experience and advice of an instructor who has been riding for many years and has taught many many people is extremely valuable. nothing annoys me more then seeing guys ride around and not doing proper checks and stuff. i don't care if you ride like a crazy person, but there's a big difference between crazy and plain stupid last point. always ride within your limits. it's real easy to get drawn out of your limits and if you aren't ready for it, it's just asking for trouble. so make sure you don't get stuck in the trap of pushing yourself too far when your not ready. and most of all, have fun after all, that's what bikes are all about

06-17-2003, 03:50 PM	#42 (permalink)
Otaku Tilted	If you do decide to take up riding (and believe me it is a lot of fun), make sure you listen to some of the advice that has been given on here. to re-iterate: 1) go do a safety course 2) ride defensively (always consider people in cages to be complete gits out for your blood) 3) get the right safety gear (a crash at 60kmh[35mph?] is the equivalent of putting your knees against an angle grinder- so dont wear shorts or jeans, go for leather) 4) have fun - i know i do

06-26-2003, 02:18 AM	#46 (permalink)
geeza Crazy	And when you finally get the hang of the riding thing, go on a road trip lasting more than a week. It's a truly Zen experience.

06-26-2003, 08:41 PM	#47 (permalink)
gggd Upright	whoa, never ridden a motorcycle, but i'd take an old harley over a speed demon kawasuki any day, but that's cuz im into leisure over speed....i like to enjoy the ride to my destination, it's not about how fast i get there, that doesnt get me off

06-26-2003, 09:11 PM	#48 (permalink)
lt1s10 Crazy	I rode a lot of dirt as I was growing up. And in college an old suzuki 125 was my transportation around town. My other friends that ride just convinced me to get a street bike so I can ride with them. I'm loving being back on a bike again. Take an MSF course if you are thinking about it. The 3 days of classroom/riding will tell you whether it's something you want to pursue. It's geared towards people who have never rode ever and thats how they teach regardless of experience. I learned a lot from the class even though I knew how to ride already. It helps to have someone telling you what's wrong as you ride by. Reinforces things that you know you should be doing but don't always do if you only tell yourself . It's one of those things that the more you do it the better you get. Doesn't mean you still can't get hurt or killed you just get better. To me nothing is without risk. Waking up and living life is full of risk. If I can do enough to make the risk acceptable to myself and the people I feel accountable too (family, gf, etc) then it's worth it for me to ride. Everybody makes their own choice. I do other things that also involve risk. I'm okay with that risk.