TAN #29 The case of the disappearing TAN (Page 55)

chadtower - 2008-06-18 9:26 AM

regimom - 2008-06-18 10:20 AM Thats why you drive like everyone is trying to kill you. And hope. OR just stay away from neighborhoods.

 

Let's put it this way - I've already told both of my sons that while they live under my roof a motorcycle is strictly forbidden. And if they buy one after they move out I'll save the world the trouble and beat the crap out of them myself. Just ain't happening. I'm done with funerals, ICU visits, and rehab sessions for family members in motorcycle accidents. It amazes me here in RI. Helmets must not be mandatory - I see several bikes every day with guys not wearing helmets and riding like they are immortal. Cutting people off, driving between lanes in stopped traffic, it's insane.

Yep, it's dangerous.  The agreement I had with my parents when I bought my first bike was to always wear a helmet.  I just looked at them like they were dumb.  Of course I was going to wear a helmet.  I don't leave the house today without real riding boots, leather riding specific jacket (yep, even when it's hot), armored gloves, and my full face.  Both of my parents rode. Both of them actually rode my old bike occasionally.  But what in life that's fun isn't dangerous?  I could get killed tomorrow driving down I-80 for work, heart attack while running, who knows.

Rynamite - 2008-06-18 8:33 AM

Sprint_DA - 2008-06-18 10:30 AM

chadtower - 2008-06-18 9:26 AM

regimom - 2008-06-18 10:20 AM Thats why you drive like everyone is trying to kill you. And hope. OR just stay away from neighborhoods.

 

Let's put it this way - I've already told both of my sons that while they live under my roof a motorcycle is strictly forbidden. And if they buy one after they move out I'll save the world the trouble and beat the crap out of them myself. Just ain't happening. I'm done with funerals, ICU visits, and rehab sessions for family members in motorcycle accidents. It amazes me here in RI. Helmets must not be mandatory - I see several bikes every day with guys not wearing helmets and riding like they are immortal. Cutting people off, driving between lanes in stopped traffic, it's insane.

Yep, it's dangerous.  The agreement I had with my parents when I bought my first bike was to always wear a helmet.  I just looked at them like they were dumb.  Of course I was going to wear a helmet.  I don't leave the house today without real riding boots, leather riding specific jacket (yep, even when it's hot), armored gloves, and my full face.  Both of my parents rode. Both of them actually rode my old bike occasionally.  But what in life that's fun isn't dangerous?  I could get killed tomorrow driving down I-80 for work, heart attack while running, who knows.

Right. I always wear the gear too....even when it's hot.

I'm surpised my dad still has brown hair, instead of all gray. The best was "Hey dad, I started taking flying lessons!!"

Poor guy...

ha.

I agree.  Do what you love and as smart and safely as possible.

Ok, I'm working now.  Really.  I am.

Sniff...    

And my friend's helmet protected him from having his face ripped off when he high sided at 120+.  The only bit of gear he wasn't wearing was a proper set of riding boots.  Only injury: broken ankle.  But that's what's going to happen when you tumble through a roadside ditch for 200 yards while slowing down from WFO in 6th gear. Unfortunately a lot of it is based on luck. Sorry to hear about your dad and uncle.

Hey regimom!  Digging your eyes avatar....

Way to ride.....

Just also wanted to add, for the non riders, there are a LOT of nice defensive riding/driving tricks that most motorists DON'T learn because they are in the relative safety of a car.  A motorcyle has more options in a way.

Things like looking at a wheel - it's easier to tell if a car is starting to roll out of a stop by waching if the wheels are rotating than if the car is moving.  We have "3" lanes to chose from.  You can ride in the left, center, or right side of a traffic lane.  There is significance to chosing a proper lane in ride in on a multi lane road, to be better seen.  Things like this don't even occur to most motorists.  Motocycles have better brakes and better acceleration -they can bail out in tighter spots if needed.

I'm not saying there is not risk involved.  But it CAN be mitigated with proper attention.

Morning. 

Rynamite - 2008-06-18 7:27 AM

chadtower - 2008-06-18 10:26 AM

regimom - 2008-06-18 10:20 AM Thats why you drive like everyone is trying to kill you. And hope. OR just stay away from neighborhoods.

 

Let's put it this way - I've already told both of my sons that while they live under my roof a motorcycle is strictly forbidden. And if they buy one after they move out I'll save the world the trouble and beat the crap out of them myself. Just ain't happening. I'm done with funerals, ICU visits, and rehab sessions for family members in motorcycle accidents. It amazes me here in RI. Helmets must not be mandatory - I see several bikes every day with guys not wearing helmets and riding like they are immortal. Cutting people off, driving between lanes in stopped traffic, it's insane.

Helmets are optional here too, if you have had a license for 2 years and are over 21. I ALWAYS wear one, though.

1 more thing, I always assume everyone is going to pull out in front of me. Everyone.

yep

I wanted a motorcycle and was planning to take the motorcycle training course that the  State Police offer.  Then I started dating Sue.  Nothing will change your mind about learning to ride a motorcycle than dating an orthopedic surgeon who can describe, in grisly detail, what you're looking at if you go down just once.

So, thus ended my motorcycle desire.

Aikidoman - 2008-06-18 10:43 AM

Rynamite - 2008-06-18 7:27 AM

chadtower - 2008-06-18 10:26 AM

regimom - 2008-06-18 10:20 AM Thats why you drive like everyone is trying to kill you. And hope. OR just stay away from neighborhoods.

 

Let's put it this way - I've already told both of my sons that while they live under my roof a motorcycle is strictly forbidden. And if they buy one after they move out I'll save the world the trouble and beat the crap out of them myself. Just ain't happening. I'm done with funerals, ICU visits, and rehab sessions for family members in motorcycle accidents. It amazes me here in RI. Helmets must not be mandatory - I see several bikes every day with guys not wearing helmets and riding like they are immortal. Cutting people off, driving between lanes in stopped traffic, it's insane.

Helmets are optional here too, if you have had a license for 2 years and are over 21. I ALWAYS wear one, though.

1 more thing, I always assume everyone is going to pull out in front of me. Everyone.

yep

Good rule of thumb for riding a regular bike on the street. In car vs bike, car always wins. I don't like them odds.

My dad's a doctor and my mom's a nurse. Was an ER nurse for quite a while. They were both completely behind me getting a motorcycle, they also both rode until my sister and I were born. But I think there's an understanding from people who have ridden before. It's better to risk dieing doing something you love than sitting at home worrying about dieing.

ETA: I'd still take the course, if it's the same one I took when I got my license it's a long weekend, free course, someone else's motorcycle to ride, and a lot of fun. 

Someone I know lost an arm and almost died when they crashed into the back of a van. 

But I also know someone who got killed riding their tri bike and someone who died of a heart attack while running.

My Dad's younger brother was a crazy man when he was young.  Everyone in my family rides.  There is a picture of him when he was 20 or so.  He had just had an acccident (of his own doing, probably) and his leg was in a full cast.  There is a picture of him riding his bike with his "gang" and he has his casted leg up on the handlebars.  Dumb a$$.

I don't think you'll hear an argument on that from any of us. I haven't ever figured out why people don't wear helmets. I've also never figured out why some people buy motorcycles just to ride them a mile to the bar park them out front while they drink and then ride them home. People are dumb.

And as far as heart attacks during exercise vs motorcycle deaths, I bet you'd be surprised. 

Have any of you guys seen the movie On Any Sunday? It's from the 70's, has Steve McQueen in it.  All about riding.  Shows what some of those guys did to keep on the track.  Cutting off casts, bandanas to absorb blood from broken noses.  Racing with open face helmets, jeans, and work gloves.  Seems crazy when you've only seen modern MotoGP.