Bikes

[Woolly Blue]

Risk and reward? Even the most exciting cars are relatively risk and reward free (assuming some driving competence).

I and more so my Mrs take risks in mountaineering/off piste skiing yet the risk of biking seems greater, possibly through the greater variability of risk from 3rd parties.

Number of bikers killed on the road in any given year is broadly similar to the number of people killed as a result of falling off steps and stairs. Generally both are ~ 500 per year.

Granted it's not comparing like with like because the bikers tend to be younger and a lot of deaths from falls are complications from old people falling, but it's easy to lose perspective.

If you compared the number of deaths per hour of riding a bike to that per hour of mountaineering then you might be surprised at the answer.

 

[Dylan]

Horror story from Naval Submarine School while I was an instructor.

A student from another code had gone out and bought his first bike.....a shiny, brand new Suzuki GSXR-1000. For his first bike. Yep.

The weekend after he buys it he has duty on Sunday. Doesn't show for muster. Marked as UA (unauthorized absence). Monday rolls on, still doesnt show for muster. Tuesday....same thing. Students normally go UA for a couple of days then end up in the crapper when they come back as we in the military don't take too kindly to people just decideing to go off for a bender.

Except he didn't go off for a bender. He had left base on the Saturday for a ride on his new bike. He made it about a mile and a hlaf off base, along a costal road, going WAY too fast and went off on a corner. Sailed through the air....over the railroad track, obviously hit a couple of trees. Bike found in the Thames river, just by the shore, and he was found mangled. Took a few days to find him as he was at least half a mile from the nearest building.

It was actually a train driver who spotted articles of clothing hanging from a tree and had the maintenance team check it out.

Another less deadly and slightly upbeat story was a student who bought himself a Buell and crashed it leaving the dealership. He didn't even have a learners permit!!! But why would a dealership let something like a valid license stand in the way of a sale right? (The kid had the very basics down and decided to give it some leaving the dealership. Didn't expect the power and ended up ploughing it into a railing. The only damage was to his bike and his pride.

 

[The Esk]

Number of bikers killed on the road in any given year is broadly similar to the number of people killed as a result of falling off steps and stairs. Generally both are ~ 500 per year.

Granted it's not comparing like with like because the bikers tend to be younger and a lot of deaths from falls are complications from old people falling, but it's easy to lose perspective.

If you compared the number of deaths per hour of riding a bike to that per hour of mountaineering then you might be surprised at the answer.

I can see you and me cruising La Croisette on our Harleys whilst our Mrs sip cocktails at Le Carlton, Cannes, in our later years lol

 

[Woolly Blue]

I can see you and me cruising La Croisette on our Harleys whilst our Mrs sip cocktails at Le Carlton, Cannes, in our later years lol

We can work on your missus.

Mine wasn't keen at first but she's come round now and will probably be on the back of an Enfield in a few weeks pottering round the roads through the paddy fields marked in India. Travel insurance premiums are a 'mare though

 

[The Esk]

We can work on your missus.

Mine wasn't keen at first but she's come round now and will probably be on the back of an Enfield in a few weeks pottering round the roads through the paddy fields marked in India. Travel insurance premiums are a 'mare though

That is very cool, an Enfield in India!

 

[DualityNSNO]

All those horror stories with "power" bikes are the reason I want to casually step it up and start from 250cc... and I also really don't like "crotch rockets" and whatever else people call them anyway, like...

 

[summerisle]

WW1 Army motorbike testing :

 

[sageyefc]

All those horror stories with "power" bikes are the reason I want to casually step it up and start from 250cc... and I also really don't like "crotch rockets" and whatever else people call them anyway, like...

Don't be a wuss. Danger=fun

 

[sageyefc]

Ducati's are pure sexual

 

[SerenityNigh]

Goats Mar is a good ride

Loud pipes save lives

 

[Dylan]

All those horror stories with "power" bikes are the reason I want to casually step it up and start from 250cc... and I also really don't like "crotch rockets" and whatever else people call them anyway, like...

Which is why, for your first bike you shouldnt be buying something with lots of power, like the two berks in my example. It was tragic the first one died, but it was entirely his fault and completely avoidable.

I also adore bikes, but I have the self control not to buy one, because if I do, I doubt I would have the self control required to stay alive for very long.

 

[The Esk]

I also adore bikes, but I have the self control not to buy one, because if I do, I doubt I would have the self control required to stay alive for very long.

With a little assistance from my Dad I reached that conclusion. I nearly killed myself in a car let alone a bike in my 20's, now in my 50's I'm thinking maybe I am sensible enough to do it......

 

[arch stanton]

i dont ride on the road anymore but race a kawasaki zx10 and a honda cb500. Ace fun but mega expensive hobby.

 

[DualityNSNO]

Which is why, for your first bike you shouldnt be buying something with lots of power, like the two berks in my example. It was tragic the first one died, but it was entirely his fault and completely avoidable.

I also adore bikes, but I have the self control not to buy one, because if I do, I doubt I would have the self control required to stay alive for very long.

250cc isn't a lot at all, it's basically the second step after scooters.

And @sageyefc , I really like sports bikes, but they're not my thing at all. I love watching people with them do stunts and go 0-100 in .5 seconds though. Been to a few drag races - boss, but just not what I like. I'm the same with cars really - I love driving (fast), but extreme speeds and all that ain't my thing.

 

[heatmeiser]

My Dad pleaded with me never to buy a bike as he figured I'd end up a "statistic", @mrs the esk says similar, but I'd love to buy a bike and tour Europe.

Need to work on @mrs the esk

Why a bike though? Why not buy a car and tour Europe? A soft top? Open the sun roof?

I genuinely don't understand why people would prefer to balance on an engine on wheels rather than a vehicle to make a great journey like that. Like it somehow makes it more romantic because you've risked your life for it.

I can understand the convenience of bikes but not why someone would want to do something like that.