Hanging up road riding boots for good :-(

I got a bike at 17, had a few incidents but nothing big until August 2012, when I was 24. I hit a patch of diesel whilst braking for a set of lights, front tucked and I shattered my right forearm. I was recently married, with a 6 month old son, self-employed, 4 nights in hospital, surgery, months of rehab. The worst thing was not being able to help with my kid, and obviously being not able to work was a real worry Thankfully I was only in a cast for a month. I hung up my boots after that crash though. Albeit not permanently, but for as long as needed. I miss riding every day.
 
I got my bike knowing I'd probably die on it, that doesn't worry me too much but life changing injuries do. I got a very minor taste of that as my wrist hasn't been the same since that small accident I had which bugs me lot. I know another accident will probably put me off biking for good but I think what will actually kill it for me is the amount of money it's costing me.
 
I rode every day from the age of 16 right up to my mid 40's. I was hardly ever off my bike, but I haven't ridden for five years now. The roads have just got ridiculously dangerous IMO.
 
Well this thread is all rather depressing. Sounds like a lot of you that quit are not scared of biking so much as you are your lack of self control. You'll probably get maimed driving fast in your car too if that's your attitude.
 
Its more everything about biking. No one (no matter what they say) buys a bike to tootle around on, there's always that buzz from hoofing it... otherwise we'd all have our bikes limited to 70mph tops wouldn't we lol. There's a time and a place and I would never say I have ever knowingly riden dangerously or without caution BUT a couple of time, I have been in the juju... and when that happens... it's not right.

However, it's everything that goes to biking; dangerous drivers, idiot other bikers, grit on road, diesel on road, riding too quickly, riding too cautously... etc etc etc...
 
Only reason i would give up road riding is if i got bored of not getting near the limits of my bike on the road... which does happen a fair bit. Im thinking of getting a track bike. But will be keeping road bike for a while.
 
There's no right or wrong to this - you have to do what you feel is right.

Personally I have experienced that 'relief' at getting home safely, although it was much more common when I had a sports bike and went out with the intention of having a hoon. I really don't do that anymore, and am quite happy to bimble around most of the time within the speed limit looking at the views. I tend to enjoy the acceleration and torque of the GS, which is all at sensible speeds, unlike the GSXR1000 I had before.

My 17 year old daughter is just about to go for her CBT, which will make me nervous, but then it's not surprising when I've taken her on foreign bike trips since she was 14. I'm neither encouraging or discouraging her from doing it, and if I'm 100% honest a little bit of me is hoping she hates it and sticks to cars!

For me biking is too engrained though - especially touring. Can't envisage giving it up.
 
pugheaven said:
However, it's everything that goes to biking; dangerous drivers, idiot other bikers, grit on road, diesel on road, riding too quickly, riding too cautously... etc etc etc...
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I ride a bike every day sometimes over hundreds of miles, I engage in full contact combat sports with weaponry, I'm involved in hobbies that use live ammunition and lots of explosives, plus a number of other activities that an insurer generally runs a mile from.

All my injuries and accidents that have resulted in anything more than a bit of bruising have occurred through normal everyday things, such as opening a cupboard resulting in a broken wrist. I've even been shot before, but not while out hunting or target shooting!
 
I've injured myself more seriously while asleep than I have in the 2 offs and being smacked by a white van wing mirror I've had since I started riding.
 
I ride sensibly most of the time, so it's rare that I find myself surprised I made it home alive. It's my view that the ride is as dangerous as I make it. Half the time we kill ourselves anyway.
 
I have never been scared or been put off riding a bike
have lost a fair few mates back in the late 70s early 80s, before they banned the 250cc bikes and not once did I think of stopping.
I just stopped because I needed a car and couldn't have both at the time.
Now I can and do have both.

but if you feel scared/worried etc every time your on it, then stop
 
id understand folks being worried who have children to think of ect,motorcycling does tend to be a selfish hobby to a certain degree
 
wazza300 said:
motorcycling does tend to be a selfish hobby to a certain degree
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To some.
Personal preferences, lifestyle and all that aside, I still cannot afford a car and am having considerable difficulty even just managing to drive one in the lessons.
For work, for home life and for financial reasons, I have to have the bike. If any kids come into my life, they will be right behind me when they're big enough and if they're up for it.
 
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