Riding Concerns

Blinkz

Blinkz

Blinkz

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
3,183
Location
Frimley, Surrey or 38,000ft
Hey folks,

Looking for a few different opinions, although I can probably guess what most of you here will think!

3 years ago I did my direct entry course and passed it all, so have a full bike licence. However since my test I haven't been near a bike. Initially it was because I couldn't afford a bike, and then other issues just pushed riding further away (bought a house, new car etc).

I have to admit as well that whilst I enjoyed all my training, and riding itself I always had in the back of my mind how vulnerable I was and this has lead to me being on the fence as to whether to get back into riding or not. It hasn't helped that most of my family as well as my girlfriend are totally against motorcycles, and they remind me of this fact if riding ever even vaguely comes up in conversation! In fact I only have 2 friends who ride and are keen for me to get a bike and join them on the roads.

Another concern I have is that my career relies on me passing a fairly strict medical every year, and as such if I were to have an accident it is more likely then most that I could loose my medical and as such end my career. Obviously not an ideal situation.

I have always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie, I love snowboarding, mountain biking, climbing, driving etc and yet as I get older (although am only 33!) I find myself pausing when its comes to such activities, and especially when it comes to riding motorbikes.

I would love to be as care free as I was before, and I don't know if its just a little lack of confidence that is holding me back!

I guess my question to you all is are my worries a little over the top? Should I just bite the bullet? or am I likely to end up as a statistic?

Any advice welcome!
 
I toy with the idea of getting a bike on an almost daily basis, the crashing/hurting myself bit puts me off as I am sure to crash.

My wife and mum both have bike licences but when I even mention it I get told no, doesn't help that a close friend of mine died in a bike crash.

I think you should do it, even if to say you have done it. Either way be safe.

As for the lack of confidence, I don't think it is that, I think as we grown up and get older we are more aware of the dangers involved in everything, especially as we have bills/mortgages and jobs to protect.

One day I will get my bike licence, will just have to tell the wife afterwards and deal with the incoming then! I will have my Triumph Street Triple, I will!
 
Last edited:
I have a friend who is like you, but younger by 10 years, he enjoyed it for a while then got scared of corners, traffic . in the end he gave up becuase he didnt anjoy it as was worried about every possiable scinario.

id say dont waste your time and money and the fact you feel vulnerable meant to me your a liability and i wouldnt want to be near you on the road.
in the nicest way possiable.
 
leigh_boy said:
id say dont waste your time and money and the fact you feel vulnerable meant to me your a liability and i wouldnt want to be near you on the road.
in the nicest way possiable.
Click to expand...

That is a fair comment tbh, there is nothing worse than a scared rider, they're a liability to both them selves & other people on the roads.

To the op, given how your allready pausing for thought when it comes to snow boarding etc, then adding a motorcycle to the mix is frankly a waste of time & money, purely & simply because i guarantee in a year or 2's time you'll decide its definatley not for you, the risks are too great, time to get rid.

And there is no shame in that what so ever, not every one is suited to a life on two wheels.
 
Blinkz said:
Another concern I have is that my career relies on me passing a fairly strict medical every year, and as such if I were to have an accident it is more likely then most that I could loose my medical and as such end my career. Obviously not an ideal situation.
Click to expand...

This is the bit that i'd be concerned about in your position. But then again, you could get hit my car crossing the street, so you'll always be at risk here. Riding a bike can increase this risk, with a variable on how fast, where and what the drivers are like around you etc.

It's your call at the end of the day. I love riding but i have less to lose than you.
 
Just to offer the other perspective...


That's the thing about bikes - People seem to look on riding as an inevitable death sentence. I get really narked going out and hearing people come up saying, "Oh you ride a bike, do you? Yeah, I knew someone who rode a bike... they got killed", as if it were the friendliest ice-breaker around!!

I've known three bikers who died. Known, as in knew well enough to get a funeral invite. Two had cancer, the other was run over while walking his dog.

But you know what?
I saw a documentary recently where a truck driver was busy messing on his mobile phone and didn't see that the cars in front were stopped. He ploughed into the traffic, injuring the occupants of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th vehicles in front.
The 1st vehicle, the one he hit first, was crushed to just over a metre in length. The vehicle was a car with all the modern safety features imaginable.
The driver was a 23 year old girl and she had to be identified from the contents of her handbag.

People get killed or left permanently injured in car accidents all the time. Maybe you should reconsider whether you drive...?


I've been riding for many years and had 4 'incidents'.
Three were my own stupid fault, as I was a newbie and they were very minor things, ie clipping the kerb and braking too hard while leant over.
The last one was being rear-ended at 60mph while stationary and I'd say I came off much better because I *wasn't* in a car. Pretty much no damage to me whatsoever.
My mrs has been riding even longer than me and has zero incidents to her name!

I know LOADS of people who ride bikes, many of whom have never so much as dropped it. One local chap has been riding for 52 years, with not a single incident (and no speeding tickets either, though you'd never believe it from the way he rides).

A great deal of this depends on *how* you ride.
We're about to get hit by the Summer Rider brigade - Only come out in good weather, haven't ridden for at least 6 months since they put their Summer toy away, gun it up, hop on and blaze off into the nearest hedge.

Others think that because the bike can go fast, it MUST go fast.
If you blaze around at 90 everywhere, behave like a hoolie and use it to get your thrills, it's the same as charging into a Call Of Duty match with twin pistols (held sideways, of course) blazing away... except you don't respawn.
My FJ can easily do 0-60mph in under 3 seconds and will go much faster than the 140mph I've had it up to... but you have to *make* it do that. YOU control that speed.

"There are old riders and there are bold riders... there are no old, bold riders".

If you are taking a mature and sensible approach, there's no reason you shouldn't get your bike and go enjoy yourself. I'd suggest taking some refresher training, of course.
But remember, this is your choice. Not your other half's, not her family and no-one else's. Along with the, "I knew a biker. He died" stories, I usually hear most of those same people lamenting how they gave up or never even got a bike.

Will you have those regrets?

You've already proven you can ride and have passed your full test. Confidence will come with experience and you can start off with refresher training, even using the school's bikes. Weather is pretty good right now, as well. 2nd hand 400-600cc bikes can be pretty cheap and will hold their value if you change your mind.

However, if you just don't trust yourself not to do something stupid, then by all means stay home.
 
I know more people who injure themselves regularly from skiing and snowboarding, I would consider those more dangerous than biking :D
 
a lot of it is down to other road users,cars ect simply not seeing you or caring tbh

you are vulnerable on a bike you just have to keep your witts about you
 
There is a time and a place for riding like a loon. This generally is when you can see.

Do it and get some trackdays booked. I guarantee it will give a buzz like snowboarding. Except its more expensive.
 
My sympathies. If there is one thing I can't stand it's ignorant 'biking is incredibly dangerous' rubbish. They might just be some of the one's using their ruddy mobiles, or driving so close behind other vehicles you can barely see daylight between them.

Hateful ignorance, it's a shame some people have to be so one sided. :(
 
I rationalize it as most serious accidents don't involve another vehicles and are the riders fault. Therefore it's largely in your own hands. Don't ride like a dick and you'll probably be fine. There are always exceptions like the video Fireskull posted, but that can happen when crossing the road.
 
Yeah I have had two big accidents in 10 years of riding everyday nearly all year around, so even that is probably beating the statistics? :D

1 as above was my fault, and the second one wasn't my fault :D
 
Sagalout said:
I rationalize it as most serious accidents don't involve another vehicles and are the riders fault.
Click to expand...

Apparently 87% of them DO involve another vehicle, usually the other pulling out on the bike from a side junction or roundabout entrance.

Outside of that, filtering and Summer/born-again riders on country road bends are the biggest ones, the latter being seasonal. I blame Fox's Diner for being so far out the way!!
 
taxi drivers/white van man/bus drivers/lemming pedestrians

all of those are to blame:D plus the god damn potholes and diesel spills:(
 
I know people injured and killed in cars
someone always knows someone killed be it car or motorbike even pushbike.
I had my first bike at 12 and over the years have seen a few friends and mates of friends killed on bikes and it has never put me off.

but reading your post, i'd say a bike is not for you
 
Last edited:
tbh get in touch with a local riding school book a few lessons/rides.

i swallowed my pride when i got my vara, the lessons i booked made me ride better and the instructor was brilliant.
 
Thanks for all your posts, appreciate the different views.

To clarify, I'm not scared of riding and I'm a competent rider (if totally out of practice and of course lacking experience). As I said it is just a little concern at the 'what-ifs'.

I think I'll book a lesson or two and see how they go. Thanks!
 
Blinkz said:
As I said it is just a little concern at the 'what-ifs'.
Click to expand...

That's easy - Just keep thinking "what if..." as you ride toward each situation and plan in advance. Forward observation and planning are key to safe riding and the method by which I could outride bigger, faster bikes on my slow, heavy 125cc Cruiser (through town, anyway).

There will be a few things you can do nothing about, but in most cases there are usually little things you can do to completely avoid or at least mitigate bad situations.

Get some riding in, but get some further training too.
Bikesafe days with the Police are raved about, often over the Advanced Riding groups. If you like to read - Roadcraft: The Police Riders Handbook, along with A Twist Of The Wrist (vols 1 and 2) are the two most highy recommended.
Both can usually be had pretty cheap on Kindle ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom