Just how dangerous is this hobby?

[Zeke013]

I am new to motorcycling. And I know that you can absolutely be killed on a motorcycle. But I have been struck by the number of folks that say things like:

- Drive defensively, like everyone is trying to kill you
- My front tire just gave way, without explanation - no debris on the road
- If you haven't wrecked yet, you will
- You will hit things you look at
- ATGATT - you will get seriously hurt without it
- The average age of motorcyclists killed in accidents is 38 - due to slowing reaction time
- Half of all motorcyclists that are killed didn't strike another vehicle but simply couldn't manage a corner
Etc.

Now I realize some of these are facts - and some are tips.

But after reading about the stunning breadth of risks, I am curious about - at the end of the day - what the risks are.

In your mind, how do you quantify the risk?

Are there a few people struck by really bad luck and or decisions? Or is your time defintiely coming on a bike - the only question is when?

[DAKEZ]

Road sheep are easy. My only real fear while riding is a deer strike.

[Bill Harris]

It is easy to get injured or killed while riding. Be alert and keep a sense of situational awareness. Eventually you'll develop a sixth sense (your "spidey sense") about things. Deal with it.

Is it worth it? Yep.

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by Zeke013

- Drive defensively, like everyone is trying to kill you Pay attention
- My front tire just gave way, without explanation - no debris on the road lie
- If you haven't wrecked yet, you will myth
- You will hit things you look at
- ATGATT - you will get seriously hurt without it you will get hurt a lot less if you are wearing it when you need it
- The average age of motorcyclists killed in accidents is 38 - due to slowing reaction time
- Half of all motorcyclists that are killed didn't strike another vehicle but simply couldn't manage a corner look through the turn
Etc.

Now I realize some of these are facts - and some are tips.

But after reading about the stunning breadth of risks, I am curious about - at the end of the day - what the risks are. Don't hit anything and don't get hit.

In your mind, how do you quantify the risk?

Are there a few people struck by really bad luck and or decisions? Or is your time defintiely coming on a bike - the only question is when?

60% of riders NEVER go down or crash. (be one of those)

When are we going riding?

[Daz-o-matic]

Originally Posted by Bill Harris

It is easy to get injured or killed while riding. Be alert and keep a sense of situational awareness. Eventually you'll develop a sixth sense (your "spidey sense") about things. Deal with it.

Is it worth it? Yep.

+1.

I'm pretty new to riding, but I'm transitioning between two careers (old ski patrol avalanche technician, new helicopter pilot) that carry with them certain risks - both have taught me a lot about risk management.

Be smart, plan for the worst case scenario, and do whatever you can to stack the odds in your favour. But, don't forget to have fun.

D.

[B.Curvin]

Originally Posted by Zeke013

Just how dangerous is this hobby?

In your mind, how do you quantify the risk?

Plenty dangerous without the correct mindset. Don't drink and ride, take training courses, wear gear.

Do the above and your chances of injury or death are massively reduced.

After 35 years of it, riding is just part of who I am. I do what I feel is necessary to mitigate the risks, but otherwise I don't think about them.

Just today I was riding back from a bit of trout fishing. I was running ~55 or so and a Beagle came out of a hedgerow a short distance in front of me. Lots of front brake applied and I came to a safe stop short of the dog. If I had relied on the rear brake I would have certainly run the dog over and probably gone down.

[Harvey Krumpet]

It's only as dangerous as you make it. S!#t can happen at any time whether your riding or not.
Thing is with a bike you will never beat physics so the more you learn, practice & improve, the fewer risks you face.
The only time I have had an "off" I have been totally to blame. Fortunately I think my brain has improved as my testosterone has declined.

Ride & enjoy!!!

[Harvey Krumpet]

Originally Posted by Daz-o-matic

+1.

I'm pretty new to riding, but I'm transitioning between two careers (old ski patrol avalanche technician, new helicopter pilot) that carry with them certain risks - both have taught me a lot about risk management.

Be smart, plan for the worst case scenario, and do whatever you can to stack the odds in your favour. But, don't forget to have fun.

D.

I should imagine object fixation will not be an issue for you?

[istephens]

My first reaction when I read the thread title was to say out loud "if you have to ask then you might have answered your own question". But when I read the full post I was reminded of the many many times coworkers and family have asked me about the risk of riding.

My answers usually boil down to paranoia, situational awareness, and gear.

Paranoia - because while you may be paranoid, it doesn't mean that they're not out to get you. I think that cagers are the biggest danger to me. I believe that I'm skilled enough to handle the bike in most situations and old enough (read mortal) to try to ride within my limits, so I am on the constant lookout for that one cage that's out to get me.

That leads directly into situational awareness - I am always aware of my lane position, sight lines and blind spots of the cagers around me, left turns ahead, entries onto the road I'm on .... I never trust that a cager sees me, even when looking right at me. By the way, I never drink and ride. There's more to this, I'm just touching the surface.

Gear - I choose to wear AGATT - an Aerostich, gloves, boots, full face helmet. It's just common sense - from the perspective of the weather, visibility, protection and yeah, just in case the worse happens and I go down or get hit.

To me it's all risk mitigation - I'll never eliminate the risk, but I can certainly reduce it to a manageable acceptable level, while recognizing that riding is always going to be riskier than driving a car.

It all comes down to the level of risk YOU are willing to take on - the guy in flip-flops, shorts and a tank top is far more willing to accept risks than I am. Likewise, someone who rides occasionally, relies on loud pipes for safety, and never took a training course is also taking on a far bigger risk than I am willing to take.

Of course this is just my opinion, others may differ ...

Ian

[bloodandmotoroil]

you figure to live forever? well.. you might.. there's plenty of old bikers.

[windmill]

Statistically a rider is his own worst enemy,

Refrain from doing stupid things, shun "lifestyle" influences, never think you know-it-all, and never expect or try to force others to look out for your safety.

Respect the road, don't fear it.

[Wired]

How dangerous is it? It can be deadly. Unfortunately, you will always lose against most of the other vehicles on the road as well. You can take precautions like wearing your protective gear and riding defensively, pay attention.

I would highly recommend the MSF course. They help teach you the good habits and techniques needed to be a safe rider. You might also get an insurance discount as well.

[dbuzz]

Gray haired riders don't get that way from pure luck

[tkent02]

Some folks are dangerous walking in a city park, mowing the lawn or cooking. Others can safely climb mountains, race cars and ride motorcycles their entire lives without much drama. Some people crash their cars every time someone screws up in traffic, others never do. Some routinely get hurt skiing, or riding a bicycle, or working on things around the house, some rarely get hurt at all, ever.

Which type are you?

Riding seems safe enough to me, but I've been doing it a long time, and I'm definitely the later of these two types
I have fallen off a time or two, that really doesn't matter to me.

Perhaps a better question, are you the type to read books, take training, think, practice and learn all of the little bits and pieces about motorcycles and how they work, how to operate them correctly? Or are you the type who will be out racing his buddies next week, riding too big a motorcycle way over your head, drinking a beer or two, riding without adequate protection, and otherwise doing stupid things like most so called riders do? Learning to ride by listening to stories from idiots who are afraid to use the front brake, depend on loud pipes and the deity of their choice to keep them safe and sound, who have to occasionally "lay her down" because they cannot use the brakes effectively?

Only you know the answer to this.

Is it worth the risk? For me absolutely it is.

[willis 2000]

As a hobby, woodworking and golf are less scary.