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MFGUSA · 04-20-2014 12:10 PM

Germanys roads are twice the thickness of US roads from what I recall. In '08 my wife and I rented a Audi A3 turbo diesel and I bumped 130mph a few times. Never did drive there in the winter and never on a bike though. The only accident we saw involved a Jeep and Ford van. Go figure.

**The ferret** · 04-20-2014 12:10 PM

"On several occasions I've walked out to the garage, stood there for a minute, then turned around and walked right back in the house."

Yea me too, because I usually forgot what I was headed out there for (could be the basement, or the kitchen for that matter.)

pechorin75 · 04-20-2014 12:12 PM

(04-20-2014 12:10 PM)The ferret Wrote: Yea me too, because I usually forgot what I was headed out there for (could be the basement, or the kitchen for that matter.)

Ha! That's been known to happen on occasion, too (usually because I forgot the key).

Tortuga · 04-20-2014 01:06 PM

(04-20-2014 12:06 PM)The Spaceman Wrote: I think it was Jorge Lorenzo who said "if we ever really believed that we were going to crash at speed, we would never get on the bikes." Most of us dont truly internalize the risks we take. We think it'll happen to the other guy, or that we have special circumstances that make us immune, like living in the country, ATGATT, riding carefully, etc. Of course none of that matters when your day comes.

I've had two major wrecks that left me seriously f'd up for months. One time was my fault, one time wasn't, but it didn't matter. Both times there was never any doubt in my mind that as soon as I could, is ride again. In fact, the first time I expoxied a paint stir stick to my cast so I could shift the bike. Whatever the risks, its worth it to me.

Wise words Spaceman. "If you fall off the horse.." And all that.

(04-20-2014 12:06 PM)The ferret Wrote: You don't get my age without beginning to think about your own demise.

Who doesn't know riding a motorcycle is dangerous and can get you hurt or killed?

Like the good Captain I ride with my head.

I won't watch those gore vids on purpose. I also don't watch operations on TV. I even turned off Dr Pol last night. I don't like gore.

Over 34,000 people died in their cars last year in the US surrounded by a metal cage and a slew of air bags.

Now..... are you afraid to drive your car?

Yes but how many cars compared to bikes are there compared to bikes, and what's the death rate for either mode of transport?

**Guth** · 04-20-2014 01:16 PM

I hope that I'm never seriously injured, or lose my life in a motorcycle accident. However, I do realize that it is always a possibility. I think about it every single time I get ready to head out on the bike and I'm always sure to let my wife and son know that I love them before I leave.

Like others, I do my best to stay in my head while riding, maintaining the utmost concentration and paying attention to the task at hand. I've taken the MSF course and I do tend to ride fairly conservatively. I'm aware that as much as we try to avoid accidents, there are still, and always will be some elements that are out of our control. All of that said, I love to ride.

I developed my interest in motorcycles through my dad. They were more of a hobby for him than a lifestyle choice and he probably spent more time working on them (his own and those of his friends) than he did riding them. For safety reasons, he ended up selling his last bike in when he was in his late 40's after experiencing a close call. A few years later, he ended up dying of a heart attack at the age of 52. We might be able to minimize our risks in life, but we have no control over the final script. In the end, for me it's all about finding a balance in life.

With all of that said, I wish everyone here safe travels whenever you happen to be out on two wheels.

Tortuga · 04-20-2014 01:22 PM

(04-20-2014 01:16 PM)Guth Wrote: I hope that I'm never seriously injured, or lose my life in a motorcycle accident. However, I do realize that it is always a possibility. I think about it every single time I get ready to head out on the bike and I'm always sure to let my wife and son know that I love them before I leave.

Like others, I do my best to stay in my head while riding, maintaining the utmost concentration and paying attention to the task at hand. I've taken the MSF course and I do tend to ride fairly conservatively. I'm aware that as much as we try to avoid accidents, there are still, and always will be some elements that are out of our control. All of that said, I love to ride.

I developed my interest in motorcycles through my dad. They were more of a hobby for him than a lifestyle choice and he probably spent more time working on them (his own and those of his friends) than he did riding them. For safety reasons, he ended up selling his last bike in when he was in his late 40's after experiencing a close call. A few years later, he ended up dying of a heart attack at the age of 52. We might be able to minimize our risks in life, but we have no control over the final script. In the end, for me it's all about finding a balance in life.

With all of that said, I wish everyone here safe travels whenever you happen to be out on two wheels.

Very poignant words there.

As you rightly say, we could cease to be at any time, for any reason, so let's try to be careful and enjoy our bikes 'responsibly'. Wink

Rboe · 04-20-2014 02:34 PM

I've seen one or two of those vids and don't care to see any more. Kinda like the gory film we had to watch in Drivers Ed to scare the bajeebers out of beginning drivers ( kids should still get those; especially the ones involving texting). I don't believe in fate and when your time is up it's up. We have a lot more control (aside from choosing our genes) over how we go by our actions. Sometimes it's the actions of others. Do your best.

Reminds me of PSA on Minnesota TV in the 70's. Whether the mirror hits the rock or the rock hits the mirror, it's going to be very bad for the mirror.

pechorin75 · 04-20-2014 02:51 PM

Just for the record, for those who didn't watch the video...I didn't see anything that I'd remotely qualify as "gore." Certainly a few bad accidents, in which there would have been some ugly injuries (if you could see them) and probably a couple of fatals--but nothing that's going to turn your stomach. The solid majority of it is low-speed stuff where you see the rider get up and walk around.

Gingersdaddy · 04-20-2014 03:10 PM

(04-20-2014 01:16 PM)Guth Wrote: I hope that I'm never seriously injured, or lose my life in a motorcycle accident. However, I do realize that it is always a possibility. I think about it every single time I get ready to head out on the bike and I'm always sure to let my wife and son know that I love them before I leave.

Like others, I do my best to stay in my head while riding, maintaining the utmost concentration and paying attention to the task at hand. I've taken the MSF course and I do tend to ride fairly conservatively. I'm aware that as much as we try to avoid accidents, there are still, and always will be some elements that are out of our control. All of that said, I love to ride.

I developed my interest in motorcycles through my dad. They were more of a hobby for him than a lifestyle choice and he probably spent more time working on them (his own and those of his friends) than he did riding them. For safety reasons, he ended up selling his last bike in when he was in his late 40's after experiencing a close call. A few years later, he ended up dying of a heart attack at the age of 52. We might be able to minimize our risks in life, but we have no control over the final script. In the end, for me it's all about finding a balance in life.

With all of that said, I wish everyone here safe travels whenever you happen to be out on two wheels.

+1 Guth, I told my wife life is short and I want to enjoy it to its fullest. If I die bicycling, kayaking, motorcycle riding etc., I died doing something that I loved to do. There is risk in everything we do, but its not going to keep me from an adventure. A little fear is a good thing, reminds us to be careful.

PowderToastMan · 04-20-2014 03:30 PM

(04-20-2014 11:57 AM)Greg Wrote: Everyone is going to die and it's a damn shame to die without ever living.

Exactly! Rather live a little with the risk of dying early than not-live and be miserable for a long time. And I think those of us who are actively doing things to mitigate the risk are in a fairly good position (not to say that you magicially become invincible by being a safety nut, but the statistics start to slide a little in our favor IMO).

For my wife's sake I do have this bad feeling that it is selfish of me to pursue such a high risk activity, but if I stop riding entirely, I feel like I will pretty much be dead on the inside anyway.
I could get hit by a car and die crossing the street on foot going to 7-eleven, or in the car on the way to/from work but am I supposed to stop doing those as well?