Am I just asking to die? Bike riders opinions wanted...

[Certaindeaf]

It isn't so much the dying as it is the quadriplegia or paraplegia. I once knew a guy who was hit by an old woman who ran a stop light in Colorado Springs. His life was a mess in spite of the insurance settlement. Colostomy bags, daily health care... and for what? Just to "Live to ride, ride to live"... Another guy rode with his helmet unstrapped in protest of Michigan's helmet laws. When he went over the hood of a car, the helmet came off, he hit the pavement, and had to relearn everything most of us learn after age 2... Personally I've always chosen to wear an "approved" helmet, regardless of the laws.
Ive courted the Reaper a few times in my life and always been a risk-taker... and have owned several bikes and ridden my share, no denying it, and no denying the rush- but I've been lucky and being stuck in a bed or in a chair as a result would have been a poor trade indeed. Some things just aren't worth the risk... course I'm saying this as an old guy...

Yeabut chicks dig colostomy bags so..
Lol, the dangers are extreme.
Sitting here now, I'm glad for my motorbike experiences.. not much can rival the the act. I somehow made it through the literal gauntlet despite all of my cavalier antics and everyone and everything trying to actively kill me.

 

[oremike]

I wanted to add why I'm a former long time motorcyclist. It has nothing to do with the motorcycles themselves but with my deteriorating spinal disks. I've had pinched nerve issues and to have that happen while ridding could be a bad thing. I wish it wasn't so but getting old has it's price.

 

[jackrv]

In regards to a mountain bike, my ideal bike was a Yamaha TT500 . Heavy but fun.

Jack

 

[Flopsweat]

In regards to a mountain bike, my ideal bike was a Yamaha TT500 . Heavy but fun.

Jack

Very cool old bike but the suspension is 80's tech.

 

[Certaindeaf]

In regards to a mountain bike, my ideal bike was a Yamaha TT500 . Heavy but fun.

Jack

I had a tricked out DRZ400S.. etc.

 

[Flopsweat]

I had a tricked out DRZ400S.. etc.

They still make that. Great bike. Solid, torquey motor. Dead nuts reliable.

 

[jackrv]

Very cool old bike but the suspension is 80's tech.

That's when I was riding it

 

[ilikegunspdx]

No way would a ride a motorcycle near Portland. Too many drugged out drivers. A couple days ago guy flipped his car and crashed into a bus t stop near the library at 39th and Belmont. He killed a librarian. Speed is about 35 mph there.

Then last night at 63rd and Powell 2 killed, 1 critically injured, another injured. Speed is usually about 40 mph there.

I've seen people run red lights (2 this morning!) and people using oncoming lanes to pass in residential areas. Couple months ago lady ran red light and totalled our car.

The combo of zero traffic enforcement and free drug use means it's damn dangerous even in a car but suicidal on a motorbike imo.

 

[Certaindeaf]

No way would a ride a motorcycle near Portland. Too many drugged out drivers. A couple days ago guy flipped his car and crashed into a bus t stop near the library at 39th and Belmont. He killed a librarian. Speed is about 35 mph there.

Then last night at 63rd and Powell 2 killed, 1 critically injured, another injured. Speed is usually about 40 mph there.

I've seen people run red lights (2 this morning!) and people using oncoming lanes to pass in residential areas. Couple months ago lady ran red light and totalled our car.

The combo of zero traffic enforcement and free drug use means it's damn dangerous even in a car but suicidal on a motorbike imo.

Yeabut in Madmax times you'd already be trained up so..




lulz

 

[ilikegunspdx]

No way would a ride a motorcycle near Portland. Too many drugged out drivers. A couple days ago guy flipped his car and crashed into a bus t stop near the library at 39th and Belmont. He killed a librarian. Speed is about 35 mph there.

Then last night at 63rd and Powell 2 killed, 1 critically injured, another injured. Speed is usually about 40 mph there.

I've seen people run red lights (2 this morning!) and people using oncoming lanes to pass in residential areas. Couple months ago lady ran red light and totalled our car.

The combo of zero traffic enforcement and free drug use means it's damn dangerous even in a car but suicidal on a motorbike imo.

They updated it to 3 killed now. So a drugged out drivers kills 3 a day or so after another kills one and there is no uproar at all. But if someone shot 3 in a "mass shooting" there would be all kind s of uproar.

I guess they can't say anything bad against the "all drugs legal is great" narrative.

 

[YippeeKiYoRed]

To the original post:

Was an avid rider for several years. Even did one track day at Portland International Raceway. Stopped riding because health issues prevented me from taking my favorite rides, which were hours long or all day excursions.

In all high-risk hobbies (motorcycling, skydiving, extreme skiing, sports car racing) there has to be a certain confidence "my skills will allow me to succeed." Those who like and those who dislike high risk hobbies can debate the veracity of that statement until the cows come home. Regardless of the debate, confidence versus apprehension makes a huge difference in reaction to sudden danger. A confident attitude must be present. Otherwise, it's just too easy to freeze from fear.

Some Tips
* To get your endorsement in Oregon you'll have to pass the basic training from Team Oregon. They do cover the mechanics of operating a bike, but more importantly they teach survival skills. What it boils down to is constant situational awareness. A helmet can only do so much for impact protection. The only sure way to survive an accident unscathed is to avoid it.
* Sonny Barger, late President of the Hell's Angels, wrote a book called "Let's Ride". Has nothing to do with an outlaw lifestyle. Instead, he offers advice for new riders of any stripe. His safety advice and Team Oregon's safety training complement each other.
* In terms of practical transportation, be aware there are significant differences in fuel mileage and there's no strong correlation to engine size. My 250cc TU250 got 70+ mpg, my 250cc Ninja got 46 mpg. My 1200cc Triumph got 50+ mpg. If you're looking to save gas do some research.
* Do not let your ego get you into an unsuitable bike as a first bike. Bikes that are too heavy are easier to tip over. Fast sportbikes can be unforgiving on throttle mistakes. Maybe the bike is slow and light but the saddle is too high. Ride for a year first, then get that 800 lb cruiser, or high saddle dual-sport, or 600cc sportbike. My track-day experience was a personal requirement before buying my first 100 hp bike. I had to first complete a track day without crashing before letting myself buy a really fast bike.
* Here in the U.S. with your very first ride you will become part of an unofficial brotherhood and sisterhood of riders. So when a rider coming from the opposite direction gives you a wave be sure to wave back in acknowledgement. Don't try to judge their clothes or motorcycle first before deciding to wave. And please don't wave like you're picking up your mom at the airport.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

This lady hit by car at ne 49th and Prescott yesterday. It's like bumper cars here except people dying.

@Mikej I think this one is in your AO.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Saw this on news just now but is from July 15. Sounds like 21 year old involved with street takeover event so definitely not typical accident or riding it sounds like. Guy on bike died, peopel in jeep not injured.

Police ID motorcyclist killed in Marine Drive crash linked to street takeover event

Police have identified the motorcyclist killed in a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of North Marine Drive and North Bybee Lake Road in St. Johns on July 15.

www.koin.com

 

[CLT65]

Sounds like you made the right choice. I wouldn't recommend a motorcycle for cheap transportation around town either.

I grew up riding dirt bikes around the farm and in the woods. My favorite was a Honda XR350R. I loved that bike.

As an adult I transitioned to road bikes. I took the Team Oregon class nearly 25 years ago; it was really good. I loved riding country roads with little traffic, town not so much. I was very careful and conservative around traffic, but on a wide open road with nobody around, going fast on a bike that can is a lot of temptation.

So, around 18 years ago I remember sitting in traffic on my way home from work on a hot summer afternoon, on my "Midnight Special" Yamaha XS11 (loved that bike too), and the realization hit me. I wasn't enjoying it anymore.

I had been married a couple years, had a new baby, a house, career, mortgage. I told myself I was saving money on gas, but adding everything up, I really wasn't. I sold my bike and never looked back.

I love motorcycles and had a lot of good times of two wheels, but the hard, cold fact is that statistically they are more dangerous than driving a car. Riding for fun is nice if that's your thing, but riding for economy doesn't really add up.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Pretty ironic tonight I was driving near oaks park. I told the kiddo you have to be careful through here cuz there is barely enough room for two cars and there are always bikes and people around. Within like 1-5 seconds I see a guy unconscious on the sidewalk from a bicycle crash. I pull over and another couple that was walking called 911.

He was not moving at all for about five minutes then finally flinched his arm so I asked him questions to get him to wake up. He eventually woke up and kept saying I'm fine I'm totally fine and he didn't want us to call 911 to send an ambulance. There was a broken end piece of the handlebar on the ground, his phone was half underneath him and he had scrapes in all the usual places. Poor guy. I don't think he had any idea who he was or where. Probably won't for another half hour or whatever. Helped him up and all he asked is "are you following the tour?"

He was riding a very nice cannondale road bike, had white/grey hair and a backpack. Sounded like a Latin American accent or something. I still don't know if he was on drugs and passed out and crashed or just crashed or what. Just too hard to tell in that situation. If I was to guess I would say he was either using his phone while riding or high and crashed. But only a guess. Did not look like homeless meth head (you know the skinny shaved head dirty type) more like hippy type. He looked fine no broken bones ets but I bet he's gonna have a headache for a while.

 

[made in china]

I had a tricked out DRZ400S.. etc.

My last motorcycle was the DRZ400 "K" no electrics, bigger cam and upgraded Keihin carb. Beastly....

 

[Flopsweat]

My last motorcycle was the DRZ400 "K" no electrics, bigger cam and upgraded Keihin carb. Beastly....

My quads have the DRZ400 engine in them. They don't keep up with the 700's in a straight line, but they beat them up in the twisty stuff.

 

[Mikej]

This lady hit by car at ne 49th and Prescott yesterday. It's like bumper cars here except people dying.

@Mikej I think this one is in your AO.

View attachment 1457099

About 10 blocks away. Had already read part of that. Anymore it's just the norm in this city. The collective is losing their mind.

I started riding motorized two-wheeled machines at about 5. Of course that was sitting in front of my dad on his home built Tote Goat. Always had a trail bike. Love it for the purpose of of getting me to the dirt. Started with a hand me down, from dad, Honda 55. Then a 90. Then an Honda XL 250 that I stroked and cammed it, modified suspension, and rode for the years until I moved here. Wasn't interested in jumping through all their hoops and having to put the dangerous factory turn signals back on. Scares the Jeebus out of me just thinking about riding again in this world! Still got all the tools I bought when I was wrenching on them!

 

[Nosferatu]

I love to ride. I commute to work 3 days of the week and ride in the 37 miles each way whenever I can, rain or shine. I'm currently planning a 10-ish day riding/camping trip to Texas to do a pig hunt.

Like anything, training and practice matters. Lots of info online and some great courses in every state as well. I just did an ADV course with Bret Tkacs and am looking for more.

I have been rear-ended once at a stoplight and I high-sided once in freezing weather. Other than that, no real negative encounters in 300,000+ miles of riding over the years.

Get some training beyond the state mandated stuff. And more importantly PRACTICE. Go to a parking lot and do some low-speed drills for 15 minutes or so. Every week I hit the parking lot in the casino at lunch and do some cone drills, figure eights, u-turns, sharp turns, swerving and braking drills. Any idiot can twist the throttle, takes some real skill to manipulate the clutch, balance and maneuver at a walking pace.

Keep your head on a swivel and be seen. Lane position, speed, staying out of blind spots and understanding that YOU very well could be the problem that gets YOU killed. I know there are a lot of distracted drivers out there, but most motorcycle related incidents are the fault of the rider.

It is a risk and certainly more so than driving a car, but you can get killed walking across the street as well. Some are more passionate about it and some see it as cheap transportation. I'm guessing you didn't buy a gun and stick it in your waistband thinking you're covered. The same applies to riding. Training and practice matters, a LOT. I can't stress that enough. I went 20-ish years between any MC training. I have become a massively better rider just in the last couple months since I've been doing more training and practice. Complacency comes easy.

On a weird note; I learned the other day that I'm very allergic to bee stings. I was going out for a quick ride around the lake and about a quarter mile from the house, got smacked in the neck @ 35mph by a bug. I didn't think anything of it until a couple miles later when I started itching badly and the spot it hit me was swelling and had a burning/stinging sensation. I also felt my ears closing in. I pulled over and looked in the mirror to a bright red neck and welts forming all over my body. I hauled bubblegum back home and downed a couple Benedryl. I can't remember the last time I had been stung, but I never had a reaction to it.

 

[DunRanull]

I love to ride. I commute to work 3 days of the week and ride in the 37 miles each way whenever I can, rain or shine. I'm currently planning a 10-ish day riding/camping trip to Texas to do a pig hunt.

Like anything, training and practice matters. Lots of info online and some great courses in every state as well. I just did an ADV course with Bret Tkacs and am looking for more.

I have been rear-ended once at a stoplight and I high-sided once in freezing weather. Other than that, no real negative encounters in 300,000+ miles of riding over the years.

Get some training beyond the state mandated stuff. And more importantly PRACTICE. Go to a parking lot and do some low-speed drills for 15 minutes or so. Every week I hit the parking lot in the casino at lunch and do some cone drills, figure eights, u-turns, sharp turns, swerving and braking drills. Any idiot can twist the throttle, takes some real skill to manipulate the clutch, balance and maneuver at a walking pace.

Keep your head on a swivel and be seen. Lane position, speed, staying out of blind spots and understanding that YOU very well could be the problem that gets YOU killed. I know there are a lot of distracted drivers out there, but most motorcycle related incidents are the fault of the rider.

It is a risk and certainly more so than driving a car, but you can get killed walking across the street as well. Some are more passionate about it and some see it as cheap transportation. I'm guessing you didn't buy a gun and stick it in your waistband thinking you're covered. The same applies to riding. Training and practice matters, a LOT. I can't stress that enough. I went 20-ish years between any MC training. I have become a massively better rider just in the last couple months since I've been doing more training and practice. Complacency comes easy.

On a weird note; I learned the other day that I'm very allergic to bee stings. I was going out for a quick ride around the lake and about a quarter mile from the house, got smacked in the neck @ 35mph by a bug. I didn't think anything of it until a couple miles later when I started itching badly and the spot it hit me was swelling and had a burning/stinging sensation. I also felt my ears closing in. I pulled over and looked in the mirror to a bright red neck and welts forming all over my body. I hauled bubblegum back home and downed a couple Benedryl. I can't remember the last time I had been stung, but I never had a reaction to it.

I got bumblebeed in the chest while riding.. thought at first I had caught a flung cigarette butt.. the bugger just landed on my chest and stung stung stung away!... I learned from my MD much later after an allergic reaction that the allergy gets worse every time you get stung. So I keep a strong anti-histamine around...
Great post on riding... possibly the the best in the thread...