Posted on 07/15/2007 7:30:18 AM PDT by BraveMan
Part of my commute is through a very busy section of an interstate. I quit riding to work solely because in that section, the drivers aren't paying attention to anything jumping in and out of lanes. Loud pipes should save lives, and I have them, but on this road it doesn't really matter as the drivers aren't paying attention at all.
I think to begin with, Wisconsin is probably one of the states that “sees” motorcyclists and bicyclists more than others (as indicated in the graph, “one of the lowest”).
It used to be said Wisconsin is the only state you can ride across on a bicycle trail. That may still be true.
I see couples not wearing helmets on cycles all the time and although I do admit it is their choice to wear one or not; riding motorcycles with a woman on back is like classic cars in the summer; a lot of the appeal is to the eye, to say cosmetic, but I think it is overtly dangerous to not wear a motorcycle helmet.
Check out pictures where helmets are not used, they are extremely grisly. I’ve come to the conclusion that a man doesn’t care about the passenger on the motorcycle if the passenger is not wearing a helmet.
... Save for a few jaunts in a neighborhood itself without helmets may be safe enough, but not anywhere where there is substantial traffic.
... But it looks cool!
Please cite your source. In my experience, people who die from traumatic brain injuries - especially (and unfortunately) young ones - are the prime source of organ donations. What ER do you work in?
I see lots of traumatic injuries from auto accidents but most are survivable. I see lots of very gruesome injuries from MC accidents and the worst ones I don’t see because they go right to the county morgue.
Sorry, you just can’t get around those pesky laws of physics.
Right on. They've been waiting forty years to "harvest" me. I'm going to make 'em wait a little longer.
I've got a R1100S I need to wear out first...
Fact: Reckless drivers exist among both automotive and motorcycle riders.
For me, the concept of riding a bike among cars and trucks is like bringing a knife to a gun fight.
I do see a lot more of the little scooters around. Perhaps that's leading to more full size motorcycle sales as well. I'm sure they're popularity is due somewhat to the great mileage that they offer. A lady down the street, (I'm guessing in her 40's), just bought a chopper.
I had a scooter many years ago. It was a blast to ride. I never wore a helmet and luckily never had an incident where I wished I'd had one.
If I rode one today, I'd probably wear a helmet. The scooters are smaller so keep your eyes open folks.
OK, I thought about it. How fast do you drive your car?
Funny thing is that I don’t get the tailgaters on my 1700 that I do on my 1000.
I don’t like tailgaters, I don’t stay in the blindspots, I make myself visible, and I always look for the dumbass that can’t/won’t see me.
No garantees, mind you.
There's another thread about a gal who wrecked her pa's Porsche, doing 100 mph . She lost her head, literally.
The California Highway Patrol leaked the crash scene photos. Not a pretty sight.
I drive my 1 ton pickup truck as fast as conditions allow. It has lap and shoulder restraints and an airbag. Plus I’m surrounded by 3 tons of “cager” material.
Ever seen a motorcycle with those features?
Yeah, scooters get something like 4500 miles to the pint or something like that.
Mine gets about 47 mpg average. But I can’t put it in my backpack and carry it to class.
With some vehicles the airbag is behind the steering wheel instead of inside the steering wheel.
Traumatic injuries to the human body that occur at high velocities are rarely a pretty sight. Drive - or ride - carefully and it won’t likely happen.
Be a fool and I’ll see you in the ER.
"But, officer, I didn't see him!"
This is almost always a lie, and I have proof. Well, anecdotal evidence, anyway.
When I lived in AZ I rode a lot (on a candy-apple red Harley FX), and one day some guy tried to run me off the road, so after that I decided to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights while riding.
After strapping on a stainless steel revolver, suddenly EVERYONE in car was courteous and respectful, and never once was my right of way challenged.
People can't see a 600 lb. bright red motorcycle, but they sure can see 30 oz. of steel on your hip!
A friend of mine tried the same thing with the exact same results.
I think you mean “airhead” don’t you?
Do you mean, you don’t think you can effectively lock it up?
The biggest "I don't care" statement is the rider who allows his wife/girlfriend/floozie to ride wearing shorts. A high speed bug, or a piece of gravel will shred the skin down to the muscle, cause an abrupt reaction/distraction and momentary loss of concentration which could ultimately toss both of you as fast as being t-boned by a drunk.
I truly believe you.
Just as some drivers of huge SUV’s develop a ‘screw you I’m bigger’ attitude, some cagers have the same damn attitude no matter what they drive.
Just sold my Suzuki SV650. Bought it when I was 49, crashed it the third day when a van did a U-turn in front of me and I over-braked. Put another 450 miles on it, then decided I didn’t like riding around paranoid all the time. Now I have a fast road bicycle. At least I’m on the side of the road and not competing with cars. Good exercise too.
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