| Ever think about quitting riding? | Rate Topic |
| Moderators: redbaron, MDKramer, Flyone, AZgl1500 | Page: 1 2 3 4   |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 12:28 am | 1st Post |
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Seems like everywhere I look lately someone is almost having a wreck or having a wreck and some did not end well. Everyone at work (most not riders) has a story about there friend or someone they know that got killed on a bike. Most made bad choices and it cost them. Rode for 18 years had a 12 year break and been back for over 2 years now, 14,000 mi. last year. I'm 49 and I don't drink, don't speed (much), wear a fillface helmet, armor pants and jacket, gloves, modulating brake light and ride like I'm invisible, but every once in a while I get to thinking I should stop riding and be safe LOL. Anybody else go through this? How do you get over it? dlprater
____________________ 196? Cushman Scooter 1972 Honda SL100 1974 Kaw 250 1980 Yam 175 1982 Kaw 650 1984 Yam 1100 special 1986 Kaw KLR 650 2005 Honda Aero 750 1997 Goldwing |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 12:38 am | 2nd Post |
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I had two very close calls within a few days of each other, about a year ago. That got me to thinking about how lucky I've been to avoid any trouble on a bike, after all the miles I've ridden. I parked the bike for a few days to think it over, and wound up selling it. After a few months I realized that was a little hasty, so I bought another one. Unfortunately, I don't know how to shake the feeling without doing what I did.
____________________ '88 GL1500 ¡Viva Los Cargadores! IBA #33900 |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 12:38 am | 3rd Post |
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I'd go out and fly a little aerobatics. I'm in a better position to take the risks anyway, I'm 65 and my family is grown and doing well on their own. The woman who hangs around here would probably miss me a bit but it wouldn't be a catastrophe for any of them. Add to that I've always felt what when your number is up it doesn't matter what you're doing. Most people die in bed after all so maybe that's what one should avoid. I'll give up riding when I can't do it but not until then.
____________________ If you can't ride, fly or sail it, why bother? 2001 Goldwing 1800 Paul W. |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 12:40 am | 4th Post |
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dlprater wrote: .... but every once in a while I get to thinking I should stop riding and be safe LOL. I take my wifes SUV to the gas station .  Seriously its a choice we all make . Some think it over more frequently I suppose . I have seen a few accidents and known a couple folks who died from them . Others I know have been hurt . On the same thought level though I have been in a few auto accidents , seen a good many of those ( former VFD ) and known folks who were hurt or died of auto collisions. We are all given a limited time here . I prefer to ride when I have the chance .
____________________ Mike You meet the nicest people on a Honda ! 83 Interstate '93 1500 Aspencade , fastest color at night ! some assembley required . Thankyou Brian for the second chance. 94SE 187000 miles |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 01:07 am | 5th Post |
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I ride for a living. As some of you aready know Im a motor deputy. I am also an instructor. Because of the way I have to ride I have alot of close calls. I also see alot of motorcycle crashes. Although most of the time the cage is at fault if the rider had better training they would have avoided the accident. It does worry me some times more than others that I might be a statistic some day, but I love to ride. I train hard. I have seen fellow motors hurt and die. Riding is a personal decision. If you ride concerned its healthy if you ride scared it might be time to hang it up. All I ask is that you,all my friends practice and stay safe.
____________________ Training will keep you alive. Practice evasive and braking techniques. Please stay safe. Scott My Baby http://s644.photobucket.com/albums/uu164/motor22pc/ 08 1800 Airbag 86 1200SE-i (gone) 78 Suzuki GS550 (gone) 85 Yamaha 750 Seca (gone) 00 Suzuki 800 Intruder (gone) |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 01:12 am | 6th Post |
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There is a much greater danger than riding a motorcycle...... and that is the danger of being in an "assisted living" center, with some muscular nurse wiping my bum, with tubes coming out of all my orfices, and me thinking, "why did I ever give up riding? Why didn't I ride more, ride a whole lot more in the sun, wind, and rain, why didn't I ride more when wild and free, when I was able to think, walk, and talk and choose for myself......why, God, oh why? Why did I waste my life trying to prolong it?" (all apologies to James Bond, Ian Fleming)
____________________ First name: Mel (Red's: Sandy) "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." (Bilbo Baggins) |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 01:13 am | 7th Post |
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NO I will never quit. If I go out of this world doing something I love to do so be it.
____________________ Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - - body thoroughly used up, screaming WOOHOO!! what a ride!! |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 01:22 am | 8th Post |
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I had a couple of Kawasakis for a few years, put on about 70,000 miles on them and kinda got bored with the last bike. Got tired of working on it. Took a 12 year break as well, started watching the chopper shows and bike building shows a few years ago, and got the itch BAD. Brother called saying he was selling a Goldwing, would I be interested... Rode a GL1200 back in '87 and loved it. Took a while but I finally got a Goldwing too. Had it 4 years now. Raymond
____________________ 1983 GL1100 Interstate Black 1997 GL1500 SE Pearl Sapphire Black |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 01:29 am | 9th Post |
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I always said I wouldn't quit until I couldn't pick it up anymore. Then I had a very close call with a 60 ton ore truck, the sun was in his eyes, he probably didn't see me. Then I got high blood pressure and stuff so I quit. Every time we went out I would look longingly at the bikes until my wife said for G's sake go and get one. So I did. When I hear things like our own AZgl1500, Wolfman's friend and so on I am reminded of my mortality and the need to ride safe, always. But once you've laid on an operating table and watched the video of bits of stainless mesh being inserted in to your heart you get a different perspective on life. Especially when the surgeon tells you that another couple of mm on that blockage and your wife would have been inheriting. The only fly in the ointment is the C.A.M.E. won't clear me to fly, even though he admitted that driving a Wing 10 - 15k miles per year is probably a lot more dangerous. So I'd love to follow Exavid's advice, but no go!!!!!!
____________________ John |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 01:50 am | 10th Post |
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Like some of you I rode for quite some time and quit. I've enjoyed being on some sort of morotized bike since I was around 8 or 9 years old. I got a full dress Kawasaki just out of high school, went thru the MSF courses a couple of times and rode as often as I could. Had a few close calls mostly from cagers not paying attention but other than with the dirt bikes I've never been down on the highway (and pray to keep it that way). Had to take a brake for about 12 years also due to having back surgery, the time just didn't feel right while the kids were in school so I waited. Had almost given up the idea of getting another bike. My girls were both raised around bikes and I had the pleasure when they were younger to take them on some good rides, so when my oldest daughter talked her new husband into buying an '88 Goldwing I was rather pleased, however when he had to work on the night they were to pick it up and they asked me to ride it home it made me nervous, a 12 year break is a long time, I felt uncomfortable and kinda scared about doing it, but when my youngest girl (17 at the time) came walking out of the house holding a helmet and looked up at me and said "I'm riding back with you" I almost fainted. I explained to her how I felt having not rode in so long and she said "I know you can do it, you won't let anything happen to me" so we rode that bike home. The wife and I borrowed it a couple of times and it wasn't long till we had another Wing of our own parked in the garage and we plan on having one as long as I'm able to ride. So in essence I've thought about quitting but will I, apparently not.
____________________ TNroadrider |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 01:56 am | 11th Post |
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Where to start? For many of us, life has already taken a lot of good folks around us. The inevitable can't be avoided. I agree with some of the statements of all of those who have spoken before me here. Limiting risk in life, in all things, is training/experience and being alert at all times. Bulletproof youth was a wonderfull, foolhardy time and I am thankful to have survived it and improved my skills. I have to accept that when I ride my scooter, just live my life or even sleeping, that there is risk. I am all about limiting my exposure by analyzing my risk, preparing for it and living life until I hit the wall. dj
____________________ '73 450k,'79 CBX,'80 GL1100S new,'83 GL1100A now |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 03:19 am | 12th Post |
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If the price of gas goes up much more, I'll have to quit riding.......... Because I won't be able to afford my motorcycle payment. 3/4 ton 460's and GMC Yukon's seemed like a great idea at the time, not so much now tho'   
____________________ 2007 Vulcan 2053cc |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 03:20 am | 13th Post |
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Live each day like it is your last. For me, my Goldwing fits nicely into that philosophy. YOu see, I am dying. If God is willing, I have another 30-40 years, that's all. If I am not so lucky, then I have less time. I want to live life on my terms. If I go tomorrow, no regrets.
____________________ Gun totin', motorcycle ridin', whisky drinkin', meat eatin' American. That's who I am... Joined the Darkside-03.28.2010 IBA #38226 |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 05:47 am | 14th Post |
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dlprater wrote: Seems like everywhere I look lately someone is almost having a wreck or having a wreck and some did not end well. Everyone at work (most not riders) has a story about there friend or someone they know that got killed on a bike. Most made bad choices and it cost them. After I had the accident with the Vulcan, I wasn't seriously injured, but had a lot of pain from the broken ribs. Couldn't lie down, couldn't sit, couldn't stand. I swore I'd never have another motorbike. That lasted about a year. One day I was going by the local dealer and saw that nice blue Goldwing 1200. Had to have it, you know the rest of the story. I'm a lot more cautious now and sometimes I think "What am I doing on one of these things again at my age?" Well, motorbikes are like a virus that gets in your blood. You might suppress it for a while, but you can't be cured.
____________________ Larry G. 1985 GL1200 Interstate Previous bikes: 1971 Suzuki Hustler 250 1973 Yamaha RD 350 1982 Yamaha Seca 650 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 08:03 am | 15th Post |
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you will spend a long time pushing up the flowers so ride ride ride.
____________________ ulster |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 10:32 am | 16th Post |
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I would like to meet Cousin Jack one day......he seems to have just about my thoughts on life.......is a whole lot more of a poet with words.....but yes I also have no desire to live in an assisted care center........I also have a desire to prolong things for another 20 years too. You would have to be brain dead not to be concerned about riding a motorcycle this day in age.....and yes I think this thought passes most of our minds occasionally, especially after we may have a friend get hurt badly or die on one. That is what gets to me some......for a day or so......I know they were responsible, and had a lot of experience......how?? Yes that thought I think enters all our minds. The daily crashes......there is one on the news locally last night.......some fool with no helmet and had been out drinking and making the big bar and poker runs all day, crashed and died.......was drinking........was going too fast and had no helmet and hit a tree after he slid through an intersection..........I have learned to not even consider stuff like this.......to me this was just a fool........a 44 year old yuppie with his first bike and that modern attitude that helmets are not cool......I am macho man!! All you can do is be aware........work on safety daily......by work on it I do not mean let it consume you.....just be aware.......and what I have learned to do is simply every time I get on the bike.....it took awhile to do it.....but I trained myself to simply take a few minutes and just say to myself......I am going to pay attention today.....and it is just about as simple as that. Yes I said above.....a friend an experienced rider.....How? Well I have the answer to that one to.......sometimes our mind does not register what our eyes see....I myself last year....zipped right through a double intersection.....with two large fully red lights How can I do such a thing? It simply happens sometimes.......we are human, we are not perfect......this was a new light installation......just down the road from my house, and had not been working.....suddenly it was.......I saw it I can even to this day see it.....well to make it short.......things just happen sometimes......you look...you look again......and your brain just does not compute.......hey it happens. I see a lot of reports on motorcycle crashes.........the news media loves them.....it is something to yap about for a day or two......if you just step back and look at things......people die every day in car crashes.....some maniac walks into a school or someplace and shoots a bunch of people........you are taking a bath and slip and fall and your life is changed..........all manner of things can happen...... I should have been dead long ago in Vietnam......a lot of friends are.......I have one last child to put through college......I have the money sitting there for her.......after this .....I really am not concerned........these big machines are something that are a part of me.....always will be.....they get into your blood. One thing I would like to say......I was young and dumb like the zoomsplats also long ago......I am still young 53.......just responsible.......I have ridden a bike of some type or another not daily but weekly since I was 17......once past age 25 and with some sense......I have managed to ride since then which is 28 years and the most serious thing I have done is get my shoelace tangled up in the shift of a Harley Ultra and drop it in the parking lot. Oh yes I have close calls all the time......but this is what defensive riding is all about...learn to do it. Enjoy your life.......do not let life's daily worries worry you........God gave you a spirit, a sense of humor......a love for life........I think you will find if you just follow a few simple things ......you may be granted quite a long time on a bike....... Just my thoughts on this subject......If I one day die on one of these things....that is ok with me......I will work on safety......I will be observant.......I will do my best.....and I hope in the next life they have motorcycles. Respectfully Kit
____________________ The 1800 is my bike. The very best motorcycle ever made. I was enthralled with my first test ride on this machine. It is a great bike. A crotch rocket with storage bags.............As for oil I use the slick kind, and I like round tires, but as of late I have found square ones work best on the rear. Pirelli Eufori 195/55/16 @ 32 PSI Kit |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 11:17 am | 17th Post |
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I did quit several years ago. I was out riding and a feeling came over me that something bad was going to happen, I was almost too scared to ride home but I did and sold the bike. Then a couple years ago I got a chance at a deal on a bike and am glad I bought it. I got over that feeling and love to ride now. I think after I became a Christian and realized I'm only passing through this life on the way to my eternal home it gave me comfort and the worries stopped.
____________________ I am doing the best I can so don't give me any crap. Honorary Wild Rhino Darksider #304 the force is strong in this one. |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 11:19 am | 18th Post |
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Every month, my copy of WING WORLD comes. Inside are stories of GWRRA riders who have ridden 100,000 to 500,000 miles without an accident. Motorcycle riding is more risky than some other forms of transportation. However, we Goldwing riders as a whole do not operate our bikes in a risky manner. Most, if not all of our risk comes from careless and or drunk cage drivers. I agree with previous writers who said that when your time is up, it's up. Linheart 
____________________ 1966 Honda Super Hawk 1970 Honda CB 750 Four 1998 BMW R1200C 1997 Honda GL1500 SE |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 11:49 am | 19th Post |
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I would like to thank each one for there views on riding or not. I can see that it's OK and probably healthy to give some though on riding safety but not to let it consume me. From the response I can see that I'm not the only one that has pondered this. I sometime let myself over think things and needed to here someone elses views. The bike that got me back into rideing was a Shadow Aero 750 (great return bike) I will never forget the feeling I had on the first long ride it was (that I had found my long lost friend). Then last October I got the Wing  .Well' I have the motorcycle virus, guess there is no cure so I will keep practiceing panic stops (in parking lots), riding good lines through curves, wear my safety gear, watch those cagers and enjoy my rides. Thanks again for taking the time to write your thoughts, this has helped me see what I was thinking all the time. Kit Carson I live in Lexington lets ride sometime. dlprater
____________________ 196? Cushman Scooter 1972 Honda SL100 1974 Kaw 250 1980 Yam 175 1982 Kaw 650 1984 Yam 1100 special 1986 Kaw KLR 650 2005 Honda Aero 750 1997 Goldwing |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15th, 2008 12:20 pm | 20th Post |
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dlprater wrote: Seems like everywhere I look lately someone is almost having a wreck or having a wreck and some did not end well. Everyone at work (most not riders) has a story about there friend or someone they know that got killed on a bike. Most made bad choices and it cost them. NEVER!!!!!!!!!
____________________ Angela "fysty-1" & Dani, S.Surrey, B.C. "Baby Blue" 1985 Gold Wing GL1200 Interstate "No matter how blue it may get, there is always a rainbow in the sky." "Blue is not the fastest color, but it is the prettiest" http://gl1200goldwings.com/portal.php http://classicgoldwings.com/forum/ http://www.womenridersnow.com/forum/index.php (women only) |
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