Re-assurance and/or Brutal Honesty

Hello everyone. I've been lurking around in this group for a while,
researching for my first motorcycle. My probable choices would either
be the GPX250 or ZZR250. However, I need some guidance and advice, and
I'll be honest in asking the people whom asked themselves this question
before.

I'm only 20 y/old. I'm still at uni. My question is, I'm rather unsure
how safe it is to ride a motorcycle. There's just so many incompetent
drivers out there who don't watch out for riders.

I personally don't want to lose any limbs, or like die... for a 20
y/old is it 'worth' the risk, even if I did try to reduce the risk by
always being alert and doing those HART advanced riding courses, is the
price to personal danger too great?

Don't get me wrong, I want to ride. It's something I personally want to
do for myself. But then I wonder if the worst can happen.

 

There are many here who've been riding with no limbs (or lives) lost during
the course of their riding lives. Not to say that it wont happen, but life
in general, is full of risks and it's up to the individual to choose for
their own fulfilment.
Advanced riding lessons will help riding on the road in learning how to
avoid or predict other motorists and incidents, and places like HART let
you use their bikes so you don't have to worry about minor drops and the
damage that ensues.
Ask yourself what you want to do, but remember, it is a choice. Most people
ride because (to them) it's more enjoyable than driving.

TB

 

Of course bad things can happen and with learners half the time they stuff
up by themselves. Dont ask anyone should you ride or be scared or shit like
that because its all your choice.

 

Nah, most of us are heavily deluded, sedated or just plain nuts.

It is unsafe to ride a motorcycle. It is unsafe not to ride
a motorcycle. It is, in short, unsafe to be alive.

Don't worry about _them_ noticing _you_ ... you can't do anything
about that anyway. Notice _them_ first.

On the one hand, at 20 you have your whole life in front of
you, and it'd be a shame to throw all that away. On the
other hand, your kidneys are probably still worth something,
unlike the rest of us, so it's not like you'd go entirely
to waste.

Certainly it can. Dieing of old age isn't all it's cracked up to
be either.

-----sharks

 

In aus.motorcycles on 20 Nov 2004 04:59:19 -0800

THey don't need to if *you* use *your* brain....

YOur safety is in your own hands and head, just like it is when you
cross the road, or cook breakfast

You'll get good advice at rider training on how to think on the road -
how to position yourself, how to spot potential problems - that if you
follow it will mean you have as good a chance out there as anyone else
to stay upright.

Many young riders get hurt. They get hurt not when they've just go
their licence, but about a year in when they are certain they know it
all and start taking silly risks.

You know yourself best... are you the kind of person who is impatient
and very self confident and learns quickly and finds most people are too
timid and uncertain? If you are, I think your chances of coming a
cropper are reasonably high. Same if you are someone who is generally
a bit careless and easily distracted and finds many things are boring
chores that just get in the way of what you really want to do.

But if you are someone who is more or less normal, you should be fine.

Zebee

 

Well said.

I agree.

Just one thing though.

Could you define "normal" just a little bit more please ?

Cheers
Charmayne (with hangover and wheelchair still)

 

Hello,

Like previously said.

Life in general is one big risk. There is risk in every single decision you
make.

The fact is you need to weigh up the positives and the negatives.

Riding is a shit load of fun and an awesome experience. However, as you
know, the only protection you will have is your ability to foresee danger or
potential hazards. As well as not being a smart ass.

Think of riding as a sport. The more practice you get, the more experience
you gain.

Hey I/we don't have all the answers, and we can't predict the future. All
you have to rely on is yourself.

I know I'm not wise or as old as some, but it sure took a lot of guts and
courage. As well as a whole lot of arguments before, during and after
getting my L's and my bike. But like previously stated. I love my bike and I
love riding. The positives outweighed the negatives, for me anyway.

Even though at this point in time, I am sitting in a wheelchair (hurt my
knee) after having slipped on some gravel doing 5k's in a car park.

Even so, I can't wait till my bike and me are fixed so we can go cruising
again together.

Cheers
Lady chat-alot *big smile*
Charmayne

 

That's the spirit Charmayne!
It was "I guess some of us aren't meant to ride. "
only 5 days ago so you've definitely got the bug!
Clem

 

Yes it seems so !!

How can I get better quicker ?

Cheers
Charmayne

 

The worst can certainly happen, don't start out with any delusions
Have to weigh up the risk vs benefit for you personally. Myself I think
a road bike would be fun, but I get plenty of enjoyment on the dirt and
don't need the extra bit the road would give me, at the risk level it
appears to be. If I was sure I wanted one I'd get one for weekend
enjoyment and not ride around the city, at least then any injuries are
more likely to be my fault...

Charlie

 

Ha. I like to say "If you can give it up, you probably should."

-----sharks

 

Fucken Dangerous but lots of fun, better then sex, been ridden for 30 years
and still love it on the ST2 (yes I am Old) But those who know me think that
they are a obssession to me, bikes that is.
Lushy

 

You poor sick twisted perverted person!

Nobody wants to die, but I have some bad news for you......
it will happen. The trick is living. ;-)

Dunno. It's your life.

You could be walking across the street, some time in the future,
thinking, "Geez, I wish I had tried riding a motorcycle, and you get
creamed by a truck."

BTW, what's with the Takagawa nick?

regards,
CrazyCam

 

I personally don't want to lose any limbs, or like die... for a 20

I don't think anybody wants to lose a limb or die.

I hate to break it to you but people get killed walking across the road.

I am 19 and have been riding since January this year.

Once you get your licence and jump on a bike, you won't want to stop.

If you haven't already done the pre-learner course, go do it and see what
you think. They teach you about the risks involved and if you freak out,
then its not for you.

 

Go for it, just work out what kind of person you are in relation to
accidents. Do you ride a pushie and crash frequently, do you drive a car and
have had a few accidents, are you one of those inherently dumb ass people
that are prone to do stupid shit? If yes, then you might learn the hard way.
If however you can read the road and other road users, have a decent concept
of how riding all goes together and good relfexes as well as coordination
you'll probably be fine!

Cam

 

You can't......
....but you CAN ride hurt!!
--
Clem
[I broke my left wrist 10 days before leaving for a 4500km round trip to
Phillip Island.
That's what Panadiene is for!]
~

 

I think mine are tangy-pork and cheese!
Clem

 

Hmmm... I think I agree with this too. (dammit!)
Clem

 

I've ridden back from wintersun with a broken gear shifter.. does that
count?

TB

 

I was thinking roasted, salted, and crushed.

Gary