You hear a lot about close calls and danger when looking at motorcycles from the outside. I'm looking at motorcycles now for the first time, and my wife is concerned. As I just want a chill cruiser, I thought maybe some perspective from actual riders might help with the perceived danger. What do you guys think? Do you have any stories or opinions? Anyone experience any accidents that armor/air vests came in clutch? I appreciate any insight you guys may have!
So I've been riding on the street for 12 years now and racing heavily for 2 and in my biased opinion it's a fantastic way to experience the world.
However if you get on a motorcycke you must accept that at some point you will become very intimate with the asphalt. Now the damage that comes from that is something to be mitigated, as many have said all the gear all the time. And it's important that you get GOOD gear, cheaping out on a helmet is not smart. If I didn't have the helmets I've had I guarantee I would still be here.
I personally never go without a helmet (living is cool) Gloves (hand injuries are the worst)
Riding shoes (the stats on foot Injuries are out there and proper equipment has an insane effect on outcome)
Spine protector (because walking is cool)
Now if I'm being honest I occasionally slip out on a bike in helmet + gloves. This is dumb and I've seen my own bones more than once so do as I say not as I do I suppose.
Some important tips are
Stay away from cars in general, if you have to speed up a bit or slow down a bit it doesn't matter. You're not gonna win against a car.
Get a bike you are comfortable on and is safe to start learning on. 1000cc sports bikes are obviously not the best first choice, but neither are large heavy cruisers with a ton of rake that get out braked by city busses.
Absolutely no alcohol, a huge percentage of motorcycle fatalities involve some level of intoxication.
Now to put it more in perspective, in my 12 years most of my bad wrecks have been on the street. Most involved little gear beyond a helmet and gloves. Several resulted in broken bits
However I still own a motocycle and I still ride as often as I can. I have probably 8-10 friends who still ride consistently, and I by far have the highest rate of accidents. (I am dumb don't be like me).
It's honestly one of the most enjoyable things I do
It's visceral
It's freeing
It's liberating