TexasCHLforum.com

edmart001 wrote:I agree with Bronco78. When each of my sons started riding I had them take them MSF course and get their licenses, then I rode with them for weeks on uncrowded country roads. One of the things I emphasized every time we got on the bikes and again when we got off is this:

"When riding a motorcycle, you may well be in the right, but the chances are that you are still going to be the one who gets to be dead if things go south. And, it won't matter to you who's at fault if you are dead. The safe motorcyclist must take the responsibility for every other vehicle on the road and assume everyone else is trying to know him down."

Some people have told me that they can't enjoy the ride if they have to ride with that type of attitude. I've always replied that they should probably rethink the entire idea of motorcycling...

I do not enjoy my ride as much when in traffic for that reason. The rider that stops looking around is the one that gets hit. The only time I can enjoy my ride is out on country roads and even then I'm watching out for animals. I've avoided just about everything from squirrels to deer and a couple of birds.

Interesting thread and what do you know, there are a bunch of smart folks here.

I have also been riding for over 30 years. I've been down on a street bike several times. Only twice was it my fault. Once I rode though some loose gravel in a turn and the other I rear-ended someone while looking back to see if I could change lanes. The other three times were the car driver's fault. The worst for the bike was when a car ran a stop sign and I t-boned her doing 45mph. I didn't get a scratch and she spent a week in the hospital with head injuries because she didn't have her seatbelt on. The worst for me was when I was doing about 25mph and someone tried to cross in front of me to make a left turn from my right. I stopped so fast, in roughly 10 feet, that I lost my balance and tipped over and a post on the bottom of the foot peg went through my boot and tore my foot open. 4 stitches! I didn't even realize I was hurt until after I carried my wife out of the road and thought I had gotten hydraulic fluid or something on my boot.

I believe that, generally, motorcycles are much safer than cars until you are in an accident. Motorcycles can avoid an accident much easier, but once you're in it they usually get real nasty pretty quick. I've been very lucky and despite riding some fast bikes I also apparently had an even faster guardian angel.

That being said, I have a charcoal grey, 2005 Limited Edition Suzuki Hayabusa that I'm going to sell. The last time I rode, about a month ago, it just wasn't fun for me any more and I have other interests now. The bike has about 21,000 miles on it and it is in nearly perfect condition if anyone is interested or knows someone who might be.