Silver City, New Mexico
When I enlisted in the Marine Corps Infantry, I was surprised with the responses I received when others learned the news. Most, probably envisioning me marching away to war, expressed concern for my safety, a handful indicated they were proud of me, and the vast majority tried to relate: “hey, I have a cousin in the Army. He says he likes it, I guess.” A few, however, blurted that I was going to get myself killed. Thankfully, that reaction (a disconcerting one) was rare. But when I purchased a motorcycle, it was the norm.
“So you just got a motorcycle, huh? Well, you’re gonna crash and die.”
An incredible number also felt compelled to tell me about specific incidents where that had happened, too. It was always somebody distant to them, like the husband of a cousin’s neighbor’s niece. Invariably, something horrible had taken place. That, too, was disconcerting. It was always bad news…
“You got a motorcycle? Yeah, I just had a patient who ground his entire lower body to a nub when he skidded off his bike doing 100mph on a back road. Have fun riding.”
“You got a motorcycle? Our prayer requests in Bible study yesterday were for the surviving family of a man killed when he was riding his motorcycle on his farm.”
“Motorcycle, huh…..you ever seen that video of Evil Knievel hitting the pavement after his jump? I think he broke every bone in his body – at least twice. It was heinous. He looked like a rag doll.”
“Yeah, my cousin bought a bike, but he crashed it on his first ride and now he’s in a wheelchair.”
“One of the neighbor’s kids used to ride, but then he wrapped himself around a tree and died. I think he was about 20.”
“Well, bikes are neat, but I’m too afraid to ride. I’m terrified that somebody will open a car door and I’ll go flying off. Have you seen that movie where there’s this scene….the guy landed in an intersection and got run over. It was pretty cool. But I don’t want to ride a bike, though. Too risky.”
I even had one person offer to pay me NOT to purchase a motorcycle. Naturally, I declined.
Yes, it may be dangerous, but so is life itself. Besides which, there are number of measures one can easily take to mitigate the risks – beginning with a motorcycle safety course, leathers, and a motorcycle helmet. Furthermore, most other risks can be drastically reduced if riders set aside their pride, ignore the compulsion to exceed the speed limit, and simply enjoy the road. That you have a bike – a sleek, powerful beast with lots of shiny parts – is showing off enough. Respect it, be hyper-vigilant, and you’ll be just fine. You have a greater risk of injury riding a horse (according to the Hughston Sports Medicine Foundation).
In looking back on the whole ordeal, I’ve reached the conclusion that the first thing that comes to mind with a non-rider is the dangers of motorcycling. Thus, that’s what comes out of their mouths. For a rider, however, is the freedom, the road, the roar of the pipes inside your helmet, and the known fact that people in their boring little cars are staring at you with envy. All their kids are waving, too, much to the horror of their mothers. Maybe everybody’s a killjoy because they’re jealous that I’m going to have a lot of fun and they’re not.
And here’s the best part: Now only two years after purchasing my first motorcycle, nearly every person who said something negative about riding has since gone riding with me and thoroughly enjoyed it – to include the person who offered to pay me to not buy the bike. At least one has purchased a bike of his own, and several more have expressed interest in buying them in the future. I win, folks. Well, motorcycles win. (I will note that one passenger kept peering over my shoulder to monitor the speedometer, but I think she still had fun.)
There’s something about a motorcycle that’s almost universally appealing. Something about the way it hugs the road in curves and bolts up the long inclines that cars struggle to climb. Or the deep rumble as you cut through tunnels and under overpasses. Maybe it’s the subtle statement that, “I can go fast if I want to, but I’m happy just relishing the ride.” All you naysayers, we’ll win you over yet. And then, we’ll see you out there on a bike of your own. You can’t help it; it’s just fun.
About Ben Shaw, the author
Motorcycle Trip Planning-To Plan or Not To
MH
madmoto
There are a lot of other stigmas attached to motorcycle riders that don’t appeal to many in the mainstream; that we’re miscreant outlaws, young punks out to prove something, or just noisy roadsharing nuisances. I’ve embraced this interest as a lifestyle for 35 years, and have run into the same types of people you describe in your blog. The best way to avoid being pidgeonholed by these people is to be a classy representation of your sport. I’ve never been accused of being a “biker”, but have always taken the time to explain to people that I’m an “enthusiast”. I own and ride all styles of bikes, but never try to fit a stereotype of a particular style by my manner of dress or by portraying myself as someone you wouldn’t want to mess with. The only abuse that I have suffered is from people that do behave in that manner(because I prefer “metric” machines). It’s all perception, and if you behave in a responsible, courteous manner around non riders, you can help only help further our “cause” Cheers!
I was born in 1954. My first vehicle was a Honda Dream that I bought when I turned 16. My uncle, who raced motorcycles, made me promise to wear a helmet, leathers and tall boots and to never ride recklessly.
I dumped my first bike twice in the first few weeks I rode. After only a few days of riding I was run off the road when I naively expected a teenager in a car to observe the right of way. A couple of weeks later I was showing off for a girl and released the clutch too quickly during a very tight turn. That time I actually rode into a ditch backwards!
I have never dumped a motorcycle since then.
I get a kick out of all the guys telling me about their big bike wrecks and how it wasn’t their fault. I say that unless you suffered completely unpredictable mechanical failure, it was at least partly your fault.
As much as possible, I don’t let other vehicles anywhere near me. If I can’t see around a visual obstacle near the road, I slow down and cover the brakes. I never ride with other motorcyclists because I need to ride the way I see fit; not fit-in to someone else’s formation. When the woods come close to the road I hug the center to allow more time to avoid animals. I could go on all day.
My present bike is a 2008 Triumph Bonneville T100, a standard naked motorcycle.
I have always ridden standard naked bikes and I believe they are the safest.
I don’t like fairings because they prevent you from seeing some of the road in front of you. I don’t like laying face-down on a bike for the same reason, plus other drivers can see you better if you sit erect.
I prefer my foot-pegs straight under me so that I can stand on the pegs when the road gets rough. You can’t do that with a pegs-forward cruiser or a “racer” with the pegs to the rear.
It all adds up to being as prepared as you can for whatever surprises might be waiting round the bend. If you aren’t going to ride like you’re in running a gauntlet, do us all a favor and don’t ride.
Howard W Tate
I’m looking forward to getting a Harley soon and everyone in my family except my mom and dad who also ride are “concerned” for me. I was in the Army Light Infantry and miss adventure and want to feel free. I also lost my 9 year old daughter to cancer in July 08 so I think riding and hopefully camping on trips will be therapeutic. I say hopefully camping because I have had 2 back surgeries due to my time in the “light” infantry. (Gotta laugh at the light part!)
I have only ridden motocross bikes when I was a kid so I’ll need to go to a riding course and get my certification but I can’t stop thinking of going on trips either by myself or with a buddy from the Army if I can talk him into, and if he can afford to get a bike again. I’m also a photographer so that will be a great way for me to get around and explore for photos!
The bike I want is a Harley Davidson Iron 883 (flat black). Any advice, especially if you do any camping while biking, would be appreciated! I also plan on blogging about my trips to include photos and video! I’m hoping to get my bike this or next Summer.
Added this blog to my blogroll
sure, motorcycles are risky but isn’t that part of the thrill?
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