What an handsome beast. BMW sure pulled the stops for the r9t. I believe it was used in one of the Mission Impossible movies?
New at motorcycle
- Thread starter DrunkWhenSober
- Start date
What an handsome beast. BMW sure pulled the stops for the r9t. I believe it was used in one of the Mission Impossible movies?
I understand your point, and in all sincerity I cannot recall a single person I’ve known personally who has died in a car accident.
I wasn’t trying to stir up a car vs motorcycle debate - merely wishing the OP to be safe. But since you brought it up, here is some data from the Insurance Information Institute out of the US for the 2019 year
Fatalities per 100,000 registered car drivers:
9.42
Fatalities per 100,000 registered motorcycle drivers:
58.33
Fatalities per 100 million miles travelled in cars:
0.89
Fatalities per 100 million miles travelled on motorcycles:
25.47
So in any given year, there are more than 6 times more deaths per 100,000 on motorbikes than cars; and more than 28 times more on a mile by mile basis.
Here’s the source:
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes
This discussion about fatalities and how dangerous something is always with some bias and out of context. Sure, accidents happen. So whats the solution? Except accept it or not and educate yourself. Then do your best and enjoy!
I knew a man who never had a car - because its dangerous. Always walked. Then go hit by a car walking on the sidewalk! Luckily just injuries and they healed eventually.
More people die from vending machines each year than from shark attacks. But people will never preach about dangerous vending machines.
Same way, people will talk about how dangerous riding motorcycles is, then engage in countless dangerous activities. Some very obvious, like sky diving, some not so obvious and instant. We could start with cigarette smoking, which does not kill everyone, but surly does kill many. The list could go on.
I'd day its a choice, acceptance or not, and education and training. There is a learning curve in almost everything. Even screwing! And there are also those who died from it, yet we all take that chance full on.
I knew a man who never had a car - because its dangerous. Always walked. Then go hit by a car walking on the sidewalk! Luckily just injuries and they healed eventually.
More people die from vending machines each year than from shark attacks. But people will never preach about dangerous vending machines.
Same way, people will talk about how dangerous riding motorcycles is, then engage in countless dangerous activities. Some very obvious, like sky diving, some not so obvious and instant. We could start with cigarette smoking, which does not kill everyone, but surly does kill many. The list could go on.
I'd day its a choice, acceptance or not, and education and training. There is a learning curve in almost everything. Even screwing! And there are also those who died from it, yet we all take that chance full on.
with training and experience you do gain a sort of "spidey sense".. The way i ride, even drive car, i am always very alert and aware. Rarely zone out. I look at it as the same kind of concentration needed to drive in a race car (Formula one / NASCAR)
Or same as a pilot in a fighter jet landing on a Aircraft Carrier. That is one reason i love to ride, everything is zoned out but the ride, a very Zen like experience.
Had a very weird experience in 2015. I was east on 4th approaching Arbutus. There are always cars turning left here. I am always on high alert in situations like this. As i get close to the intersection, yep someone turns left. Now for the strange part.
I did not hit the car, do not even remember braking or swerving. I do recall seeing my headlight shining in the drivers eyes thru the passenger window and her hand outstretched to block the light.
I got down to 4th and Burrard and it was like nothing happened. Too weird. I would pass it off as maybe it wasnt as close as i thought. But there was a bus behind me at the intersection (Arbutus) I was in left lane at 4 and Burrard, the bus driver stopped beside me
and opened his window to say "boy! that was a close one"
Or same as a pilot in a fighter jet landing on a Aircraft Carrier. That is one reason i love to ride, everything is zoned out but the ride, a very Zen like experience.
Had a very weird experience in 2015. I was east on 4th approaching Arbutus. There are always cars turning left here. I am always on high alert in situations like this. As i get close to the intersection, yep someone turns left. Now for the strange part.
I did not hit the car, do not even remember braking or swerving. I do recall seeing my headlight shining in the drivers eyes thru the passenger window and her hand outstretched to block the light.
I got down to 4th and Burrard and it was like nothing happened. Too weird. I would pass it off as maybe it wasnt as close as i thought. But there was a bus behind me at the intersection (Arbutus) I was in left lane at 4 and Burrard, the bus driver stopped beside me
and opened his window to say "boy! that was a close one"
I just turn riding the bikes into a video game and yes have had a few crashes and broken bones over the years, I’ll be riding till I’m dead, once you’re hooked you’re hooked good!👍
As most have recommended, sign-up for a Motorcycle driving Course !
Some will supply a training Bike . Which might provide You with the insight whether a Motorcycle is the right Choice ? You have to be a Defensive Driver if you're going to ride a Motorcycle on the Street !
If You get past that, and still want to buy your 1st Bike . I would suggest a used Honda 500/600/750 Shadow . Honda's are cheap to maintain, and very reliable !
They're all going to be around 500 lbs, which is a fairly nimble weight for a Beginner .
I would also suggest looking for a used Bike with a Windshield, and Saddlebags .
You're going to want them, if You do any Highway travelling, or Touring .
Something like this with low Kms would be a good choice IMHO .
https://vancouver.craigslist.org/rds/mcy/d/surrey-outer-northwest-honda-shadow-2003/7347260628.html
Preferably, a quick release Windshield, if You're just cruising around Town on a hot Day .
Riding a Motorcycle, is essentially sitting on a Heat Pump !
If You get passionate about Motorcycling, look up the many Books by Neil Peart . "Ghost Rider" is one .
He rode his Motorcycle extensively while on Tour, and actually got lost on a Motorcycle for a couple years . After He lost his Wife, and Daughter to tragic circumstances within a year .
Brain Cancer took Neil's life, not Motorcycle riding ! 😉
Good luck, and be Safe ! 🙂
Mr Q.
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Thanks. I'll definitely take a course. Already been looking up a few schools. One of the main reasons I'm taking a course is to see if I would actually like to ride or not. Better to pay a few hundred now than to invest a few thousand into bike and ending up not liking to ride.
Just to add: one of the lessons from my safety course that I have never forgotten. Our instructor told us how he had been out riding with his buddy. The buddy was ahead when a dog ran on to the road. The buddy stuck out a foot to try and keep the dog off the bike, swerved into the opposite lane and was killed in a head-on. So the instructor's lesson was this: if it's a dog or cat, you don't see it. If it's a child, that's different but for a dog or cat you do not change speed or direction. Think it only happens on a bike? Nope. In Manitoba last week a senior citizen in a car was killled in a head-on. On the trans-Canada he was eastbound in the westbound lanes.
Congratulations! What bike are you using to learn? Do you plan to commute or enjoy a sunny summer weekend afternoon on back roads?
Do they? Some say they just piss off people and make them more annoyed and aggressive with bike riders in general.
I still remember when I took lessons from 2 rcmp motorcycle riders in 1999. The first thing one of them said to the group was "there are people who are so annoyed by bike riders zipping in and out of traffic, lane splitting, chirping their loud bikes that we see drivers in cages (cars) "accidentally" bumping them off the road. Then there's the "invisible" factor where some people just don't see bike riders for whatever reason. Bike riding is not just joyful riding all over the place. Its a constant state of being aware of everything going on around you. For the OP if you do decide to ride, and you join a riding group, make sure they break up into smaller groups. A lot of accidents we never hear about involve weekend warriors who ride in a big group, various skill levels including inexperienced who can"t keep up with experienced riders skill level. I used to ride in a max cluster of 6. If they wouldn't break it up to ride that way, I went off and rode by myself. My best rides were with 2-3 buddies, all experienced riders.
The faithful have a stake in it, especially vocal when municipalities are talking about laws against loud bikes. I admit when I bought my big Vtwin Victory I wanted more growl and muscle car sound when I punched the throttle but I never chirped it around the city. I love the sound of a rumbling harley..or a dual pipe big block car, but I get as annoyed as anyone when they tromp on it in the city to get attention. Just obnoxious.
In my teens My Dad would not let me get a motorcycle... He reminded me of the old headlamp in the cupboard in the garage... "That's all that is left of mine." end of story for many years. in my mid 40s a work colleague was leaving town, I bought his bike. It was such a deal I could not pass up. A Honda 250. Perfect bike to learn on. If it dumped I could pick it up by myself. (luckily I never dumped it, but came real close once.) After a bit of practice I got my class 6. I used it for work, saved a lot on gas. Did some pleasure riding in the countryside on my days off... Not a fast bike (max was prolly 60MPH) but for me it was not about how fast, it was about the open road, wind in your hair kind of freedom. The most fun ever ride. Beat all my sports cars to hell for a fin ride. Like you I am 5'6" this was the perfect ride. I finally sold it a cpl years ago. Getting too old for it and didn't trust myself on it. I asked my dad one day when I was in my early 50s, and riding my Honda, what his bike was.... a 29 Harley, and my Mom rode side saddle.
Bottom line recommend.... Take all the safety lessons you can get. and get a smaller light weight bike. before you buy it get the salesman to gently lay it on its side and see if you can pick it up. You just might have to do it one day.
Bottom line recommend.... Take all the safety lessons you can get. and get a smaller light weight bike. before you buy it get the salesman to gently lay it on its side and see if you can pick it up. You just might have to do it one day.
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Former boss of mine was given a custom harley by his sons who owned a shop. He probably weighed 130 wet. Dropped the bike on the way to bc from alberta. Couldnt list it himself. Yes it can be done. I had to lift my 880 lb victory one time. Was it easy? Hell no and have thigh muscles like tree trunks. Its my back that ain't so good.
Good visibility and maneuverability make bikes one of the safest vehicles on the road, up until the point of impact.
