To all the cage riders out there

[obed]

never once in my over 50 years of riding have I ever thought "well, I am going to go down so this might as well be the day", I tend to think more along the lines of riding so this is NOT the day. We are human and have human limitations, and we deal with the limitations of other humans...lots of folks have ambitions that exceed their ability. I ride in such a manner as to reduce the risk of that being my problem. Know that if you ride long enough at some point you will go down, but ride every day, every time, to reduce this being the day. , if you drive a cage long enough, you are going to be in an accident, just a fact of life and sometimes I think being in the Houston area is a multiplying factor in the odds.

[Rttoys]

Originally Posted by *Princess*

I'd say so. Texting while driving much?!

Are you alright?

Yep, texting driver........oh wait, their insurance said I can’t prove that. it’s a long story on the chain of events, but I somehow got thrown from the bike about 10’ and landed on my side/back. I was fully geared up like usual and only had some bruising. The hyper was toast. but I got enough money to fund my new project

[Rttoys]

I also don’t believe in the “everyone crashes” mentality, but I do believe you need to be prepared in case it happens, sometimes it’s beyond your control.

[*Princess*]

Originally Posted by Rttoys

Yep, texting driver........oh wait, their insurance said I can’t prove that. it’s a long story on the chain of events, but I somehow got thrown from the bike about 10’ and landed on my side/back. I was fully geared up like usual and only had some bruising. The hyper was toast. but I got enough money to fund my new project

Poor Hyper.

Glad you weren't crushed along with it.

[*Princess*]

Originally Posted by obed

never once in my over 50 years of riding have I ever thought "well, I am going to go down so this might as well be the day"

Maybe YOU haven't, but I worry that being told "Remember this, there are two kinds of motorcycle riders: Those who have crashed and those that are going to." could put that thought in some riders heads when they're coming into a turn a little too hot or the like - in the moment they have to make an instant decision of what to do.

Like you, I know that crashing is an absolute possibility every time I get on a bike, and like you, I do everything I can to stay safe. Part of that, for me, is to have a positive mind-set and a productive game-plan.

Do what works for you, and ride your own ride.

[*Princess*]

They may be few and far between, but there ARE riders who haven't crashed and who never will.

Hoping and praying I am one of those.

[obed]

Originally Posted by *Princess*

Maybe YOU haven't, but I worry that being told "Remember this, there are two kinds of motorcycle riders: Those who have crashed and those that are going to." could put that thought in some riders heads when they're coming into a turn a little too hot or the like - in the moment they have to make an instant decision of what to do.

Like you, I know that crashing is an absolute possibility every time I get on a bike, and like you, I do everything I can to stay safe. Part of that, for me, is to have a positive mind-set and a productive game-plan.

Do what works for you, and ride your own ride.

I may be a realist, or I may just be an . I do not believe that going down is just a possibility, I think it is an eventuality. I am a strict constitutional conservative so understand that when I say one "should" or "should not" it is just a personal opinion and in no way suggests that I think any law or rule should be passed to prevent someone from doing what they want or make them do something they do not want to do.
I think that there are folks who simply should not ride, the same as I think there are folks who should not own a firearm or skydive...if one is the type to panic in exciting situations, that one should not ride, carry a firearm or skydive....among other things. You will likely be riding your own ride when you go down.

[*Princess*]

At this point I’d say you’re the later…and a pessimist. I respected your opinion and your diplomacy until this post. I appreciated that you use the saying as motivation for riding safe and I explained why I reject it. My last post was very gracious and I get this insulting response from you.

I have stated that I am very aware of the danger of riding, I know that crashing is a very real possibility, and that I am as prepared as I can be; part of which is having a positive mental attitude. Not sure where you got the impression that I’m walking around with my head in the clouds, oblivious.

Telling someone they are going to crash is like putting a curse on them. Extremely rude and extremely hateful. I don’t appreciate it.

[obed]

it might be rude, hateful and you might resent it, but it does not change the fact that if you ride long enough, you are going to crash. I had no intention of insulting you with my post, but a simple fact of life is that if you ride your ride you are still a human, still on the road or the track and subject to the laws of nature and it was not a poke at you when I said you will likely be riding your ride when you go down. I am not a pessimist, I simply am aware that many of the things that bring me pleasure have risk associated with them. If you do those things often enough and long enough, the odds will catch up to you.

[Rod]

Originally Posted by obed

it might be rude, hateful and you might resent it, but it does not change the fact that if you ride long enough, you are going to crash. I had no intention of insulting you with my post, but a simple fact of life is that if you ride your ride you are still a human, still on the road or the track and subject to the laws of nature and it was not a poke at you when I said you will likely be riding your ride when you go down. I am not a pessimist, I simply am aware that many of the things that bring me pleasure have risk associated with them. If you do those things often enough and long enough, the odds will catch up to you.

I couldn't agree more.

There are old riders and there are bold riders but there are no old and bold riders.

[CARVER]

Originally Posted by cbrfxr67

Had my 1st opportunity yesterday riding home. Filtering through traffic and chevy truck closes to where I can't get through. I change lanes and he gasses it, crosses over to cut me off. Traffic is dead stopped so I lift my visor & ask him why he's so upset........ I think engaging other drivers and simply acknowledging them with calmness might even change their perspective a bit.

Thx for the share. I agree with engagement. I often waive at drivers or give a salute, occasionally throw up my arms as in "why buddy, what did that solve!" ( swerving at me). I think many drivers get caught up in their angst and quick tempers. When asked if given a chance for thought they'd likely feel bad or dumb, I know I have before. Ultimately we're sharing the roads and as a motorcyclist im not negatively impacting anyone. AND I always leave the right lane open if I'm in front,esp in my truck, and not blocking the right turners at a red light.

[CARVER]

Originally Posted by loosenoose

this is why you dress for the slide, and not the ride. thinking that you wont ever crash, just because you haven't yet isnt going to save you when you get flattened by an 18 wheeler running a red light at a blind intersection.

I still don't dress appropriately and continue to ride knowing as a squid i still may slide like a dumbass

"noviceveteran" good one

[CARVER]

Originally Posted by obed

never once in my over 50 years of riding have I ever thought "well, I am going to go down so this might as well be the day", I tend to think more along the lines of riding so this is NOT the day. We are human and have human limitations, and we deal with the limitations of other humans...lots of folks have ambitions that exceed their ability. I ride in such a manner as to reduce the risk of that being my problem. Know that if you ride long enough at some point you will go down, but ride every day, every time, to reduce this being the day. , if you drive a cage long enough, you are going to be in an accident, just a fact of life and sometimes I think being in the Houston area is a multiplying factor in the odds.

My father daily rider for decades no crash or downs. Brother rides 8+ yrs no crashes or downs
However, me, before every time I get in bike I wonder if today will be the day.

[CARVER]

Originally Posted by Rttoys

Yep, texting driver........oh wait, their insurance said I can’t prove that. it’s a long story on the chain of events, but I somehow got thrown from the bike about 10’ and landed on my side/back. I was fully geared up like usual and only had some bruising. The hyper was toast. but I got enough money to fund my new project

LEOs and investigators do it all the time with mobile transcripts, gps, and traffic grid details. I bet they do too If the scenario were viceversa. They're Simply trying to screw you and they know it.

[CARVER]

Originally Posted by *Princess*

Telling someone they are going to crash is like putting a curse on them. Extremely rude and extremely hateful. I don’t appreciate it.

I slightly agree with this. I feel hexed every time someone tells me such or "be careful" in general, but esp about the 'premonitions' grrr. All I can really respond with is "not yet" to save my soul from such disasters ugh...

[obed]

Originally Posted by CARVER

My father daily rider for decades no crash or downs. Brother rides 8+ yrs no crashes or downs
However, me, before every time I get in bike I wonder if today will be the day.

I wish I could say that about myself, as far as no "downs" and no crashes, but I can't. It has been a long time since I went down on the street...
I have done it twice, both times my own fault when I had one of those " my ambitions over rode my abilities moments". The first time was in 1966 and and the last time was in 1968. Neither time was I seriously injured and both times were just me, no other vehicles involved.

[TrollBrosteen]

Holy bro did you type all that out on a cell phone?

[Oskar_Z28]

Maybe if we all responsibly when around other traffic, we would be treated with more respect:

You said it : "we often ride like the rules don't apply to us."

I see this attitude alot of times and have low opinion of about 50% of people on motorcycles out there myself.

[CARVER]

Originally Posted by TrollBrosteen

Holy bro did you type all that out on a cell phone?

Hahahhahaa nah lol I still use a computer and keyboard these days..

[CARVER]

Originally Posted by Oskar_Z28

Maybe if we all responsibly when around other traffic, we would be treated with more respect:

You said it : "we often ride like the rules don't apply to us."

I see this attitude alot of times and have low opinion of about 50% of people on motorcycles out there myself.

Ya I feel ya, but I think the rules would also be quite different had they had motorcycles in mind when creating such rukes. They were intended for safer auto travel, which isn't always best for motos. Nor do all autos abide by such and try to make moto riders pay for the auto drivers animosity towards motos.
Just like as I'm sure those that wrote up the Dec of Ind , with today's bickering battles of Amendment 2 as well as free speech amongst many others.
Yes only my opinion..