Hanging up road riding boots for good :-(
- Thread starter pugheaven
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Soldato
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I haven't even looked at running costs - This is just a cheap banger, tax and insurance so far!
But yeah, part of biking is knowing one's limits. If that limit is risk-based, that's the choice you have to make.
That was close, bet that guy was grateful he got home! Thing is, I have a choice. Family, I own three cars currently lol... and for me, safety is the issue. It's not really me riding too quickly (I'm not good enough lol), it's purely that I know the risks. Eric (the bike) is all tucked up now in his total enclosure outside having a kip... and I don't think he'll see another road.
Interesting to hear peoples views though from people who have stopped, never would stop and those who share views...
I don't blame you for wanting to quit. If something don't feel right and your concerns are your safety then you have to address it and stop. I went through a phase about 13 year ago where I would have a feeling of dread as I was suiting up and think 'Is this my last ride?' To be fair I was going through a fair bit of rubbish in my life at that time and I'd also lost 2 friends in motorcycle accidents.
The thing is, as most will tell you, there is an element of risk to everything you do in life, whatever it is. Just look at the amount of people die from accidents in their homes each year, shocking.
I do feel sorry for people, young or old, that want to start motorcycling these days, when I started on the riding on the road in 1988 there were approx. 22 million vehicles registered, currently there are around 35-38 million. All you can do is be defensive as possible, treat every road user like they haven't seen you and never assume anything where they are concerned.
You've done the right thing, park it up for the winter, have 6 months off and see how you feel next spring.
The thing is, as most will tell you, there is an element of risk to everything you do in life, whatever it is. Just look at the amount of people die from accidents in their homes each year, shocking.
I do feel sorry for people, young or old, that want to start motorcycling these days, when I started on the riding on the road in 1988 there were approx. 22 million vehicles registered, currently there are around 35-38 million. All you can do is be defensive as possible, treat every road user like they haven't seen you and never assume anything where they are concerned.
You've done the right thing, park it up for the winter, have 6 months off and see how you feel next spring.
I hate the commute almost more and more everyday, still cant bring myself to give up riding though, even with the two big mishaps I have had... I'd even go and get the train before taking the car.
Only one thing stirred me at the NEC, the brand new ZX10R... I feel dirty
Only one thing stirred me at the NEC, the brand new ZX10R... I feel dirty
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Think I can relate a little bit - Mrs gave birth to my son in Dec 2014 and then had a good friend, early 30's, just married trying for their first child die in a bike accident in April 2015.
Ive been on the bike once during 2015 (899 Pani). I think my friend dying and leaving his mrs made me think about my mrs and son. Strange really, thought i might 'grow' out of it but still have little intention in getting the bike out come summer. Will maybe take up gardening...
I haven't been out since November. Even though I've got my engine running there's still a fair amount I need to do. Oil change and replace a leaking oil pipe. New brake pads. Re-set tickover on the carbs. Re-torque head. I bet it'll be mid to end of March before I get round to doing it all. I need to get round to buying a house, then I'll know exactly what spare cash I have for a modern bike I don't have to worry about fixing.
I'm really looking forward to getting it back on the road though.
I'm really looking forward to getting it back on the road though.
hang up your biking boots....you might aswell hang up your penis
The only time I've been relieved to get home is when riding in crappy weather, e.g. Brand Hatch to Plymouth in torrential rain was no fun at all.
I have a life saving trick: Apparently most accidents happen close to home, so I always give it 10 miles or so before starting the mental hooning.
Never thought about giving up motorcycling I first bought a bike for a buzz and even now I still feel the same rush when going to rallies and meeting up with all the girls for the first time who put there bikes up for winter
Also I don't consider anyone hanging there boots up unless they done 20 years + you got to of started before you stop
Also I don't consider anyone hanging there boots up unless they done 20 years + you got to of started before you stop
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Soldato
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Not being funny, but I get a *LOT* of people who see my bike kit coming up and telling me they "could/would NEVER ride a motorcycle", often reinforced by one or more tales of how they knew someone who died in a motorcycle crash, then a lecture on how dangerous bikes are, how I'm gambling with my life, etc, etc...
A couple of my own biking friends have even given up after they had comparatively minor incidents.
My question is - How come no-one ever (seemingly) gives up cars?
I knew loads of people who died in car crashes, as well as knowing that many people still do either die in them or survive to live out the rest of their lives horribly disfigured and disabled and traumatised, etc, etc...
But still, it's always the biking that gets given up and never the cars.
Weird, huh?
Probably because to the vast majority of people a bike is seen as a toy for you to take out for a ride when you want a bit of fun on a sunny afternoon rather than a serious means of transport.
Also let's face it never mind how you spin it the risks of death or serious injury are much higher on a bike than in a car.
This is true and becomes boring after a while "Big bad motorcycles" please.
Soldato
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I bet most of them would be fine riding a horse...
Yet that is statistically more dangerous than riding a motorbike.
I got rid of both my bikes, the last one my DRZ400SM went got sold last year, I had never owed a car until I was 48 and I am 51 now but riding I think as you get older your reactions are not as fast even if your brain thinks it is. I was going to buy another bike late last year as I was missing the fun and the speed, then road tested my current Fiesta ST and that made me realise they you can go like stink and be nice and warm and dry and it gives me the buzz a bike always did.
Being a porter at a hospital I have seen a few fatalities and taken them to the mortuary I won't go into detail but a couple were bike related. Not a bad run from 16 to 48 and still kicking and as a few people have already said I lost a mates along the way.
Being a porter at a hospital I have seen a few fatalities and taken them to the mortuary I won't go into detail but a couple were bike related. Not a bad run from 16 to 48 and still kicking and as a few people have already said I lost a mates along the way.