Survival - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

jawkreno · 06-03-2004, 03:39 PM

This site seems to have a great group of level-headed riders. Here's the question from a complete novice to motorcycles: Will I kill myself (age 48, fit, not a speed freak, family, no riding experience yet) or will I GET killed by the traffic at large?

How do you ride defensively?

bat4255 · 06-03-2004, 04:23 PM

Like I told my 25 yr. old son, Remember you are a target for everyone. I'm 52 and took about 25 yrs. off from bikes till the kids were grown up. Just got back last year and have to keep reminding myself, I'm the target, I'm the target.

Start with something smaller and less expensive to make sure this is your cup of tea. If it is, Comfort is really nice at our age (sorry my mind is 20 ish but the body just ain't). I bought a Burgman 650 scooter (don't laugh) I like it a lot, Cruser's typically sit lower, and sport bikes you lean a little foward, whatever makes you comfortable and happy is all that really matters.

Start out in rural areas (if you can) before you tackle heavy traffic or main roads.

Last but NOT least MSF course
Jim

jawkreno · 06-03-2004, 05:04 PM

I'm too much of a stud for a scooter

. Actually I looked the Burgman up on the web and was shocked at the size of it. I guess they can blow down the road as well.

**Clint** · 06-03-2004, 06:39 PM

Your best bet is to have an accident caused by another driver. Then it's branded into your brain to never trust anyone else.

Seriously, the fact that you're concerned about it puts you leaps ahead of the safety curve. Just don't forget.

prekarious1 · 06-03-2004, 08:22 PM

just think that every single other person out on the road is out to get you and you will be getting the right frame of mind.

mikemilburn · 06-04-2004, 06:34 AM

Same situation as me, 48 years old, son got a bike last year and looked like a good time so I got one myself, an '82 GS750TZ. It's a bit bigger than I would have gotten for a first bike but I got a good deal so I couldn't pass it up.
As was said, take the course, drive like you're invisable, keep the speed down, (at least for awhile

) and you'll have a blast....Mike

tlwisner · 06-05-2004, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawkreno

This site seems to have a great group of level-headed riders. Here's the question from a complete novice to motorcycles: Will I kill myself (age 48, fit, not a speed freak, family, no riding experience yet) or will I GET killed by the traffic at large?

How do you ride defensively?

Get training and you will do the single best thing to improve your odds. Keep space between your bike and other vehicles to minimize surprises. Be aware of all vehicles around you and what they're doing and may do. Be psychic!

jawkreno · 06-05-2004, 06:45 PM

Well, not what I expected. I guess the real motorcyclists out there are not all fatalists.

I certainly plan to take the MSF course and will probably start with a small bike to get the hang of shifing, braking with your feet???? and doing it all at 50mph. Thanks and you-all be safe!

DrBob · 06-05-2004, 11:19 PM

You are certainly on the right track: take the course, and think about safety, and you are already WAY ahead of most riders.
The advice I give new riders is this: be aware of what is going on around you, and leave an escape route. For every car around you, think about what stupid thing they could do to you (change lanes into you, run up on you from behind, stop suddenly, turn left in front of you, etc) and think about what you would do if they did that stupid thing. After a while it become second nature and you don't even realize you are doing it. But someday someone will cut in front of you on the highway, and you will think "I knew you were going to do that" as you automatically change lanes, having spaced yourself between cars in the next lane rather than directly next to one.

Fox · 06-06-2004, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawkreno

This site seems to have a great group of level-headed riders. Here's the question from a complete novice to motorcycles: Will I kill myself (age 48, fit, not a speed freak, family, no riding experience yet) or will I GET killed by the traffic at large?

How do you ride defensively?

One thing that was suggested to me which helped greatly after almost a decade off motorcycles was running out to a book store. If you have not read it yet, get "Sport Riding Techiques" by Nick Ienatsch and "A Twist of the Wrist" by Keith Code volumes I and II.

tlwisner · 06-07-2004, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

One thing that was suggested to me which helped greatly after almost a decade off motorcycles was running out to a book store. If you have not read it yet, get "Sport Riding Techiques" by Nick Ienatsch and "A Twist of the Wrist" by Keith Code volumes I and II.

Let me add "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough to a suggested reading list.

jawkreno · 06-07-2004, 11:35 AM

You guys are really great....and literate too. Thanks again

TL chris · 06-22-2004, 10:23 PM

Welcome back and please just take it easy. Just don't forget to ride within your limits and within the bikes, always be aware of whats around you, guess what that idiot next to you is going to do, ride like you're invisible and(this one may sound stupid), trust the bike. Happy Trails.

06-03-2004, 03:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
jawkreno Newbie Joined: May 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 8	Survival This site seems to have a great group of level-headed riders. Here's the question from a complete novice to motorcycles: Will I kill myself (age 48, fit, not a speed freak, family, no riding experience yet) or will I GET killed by the traffic at large? How do you ride defensively? __________________ Swing for the fence!

06-03-2004, 05:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
jawkreno Newbie Joined: May 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 8	I'm too much of a stud for a scooter . Actually I looked the Burgman up on the web and was shocked at the size of it. I guess they can blow down the road as well. __________________ Swing for the fence!

06-03-2004, 08:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
prekarious1 Sprocket Pilot Joined: May 2004 Bike: 02 busa LE Location: Pensacola Fl Posts: 879	just think that every single other person out on the road is out to get you and you will be getting the right frame of mind. __________________ If my busa is so slow in the twisties, why can't you keep up?

06-04-2004, 06:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
mikemilburn Newbie Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22	new driver Same situation as me, 48 years old, son got a bike last year and looked like a good time so I got one myself, an '82 GS750TZ. It's a bit bigger than I would have gotten for a first bike but I got a good deal so I couldn't pass it up. As was said, take the course, drive like you're invisable, keep the speed down, (at least for awhile ) and you'll have a blast....Mike

06-05-2004, 06:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
jawkreno Newbie Joined: May 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 8	Well, not what I expected. I guess the real motorcyclists out there are not all fatalists. I certainly plan to take the MSF course and will probably start with a small bike to get the hang of shifing, braking with your feet???? and doing it all at 50mph. Thanks and you-all be safe! __________________ Swing for the fence!

06-03-2004, 04:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
bat4255 Squirrel Target Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: Burgman 650 K3- 29,100 miles as of 10-20-08 Location: Dodge Co. Wisconsin Posts: 663	Like I told my 25 yr. old son, Remember you are a target for everyone. I'm 52 and took about 25 yrs. off from bikes till the kids were grown up. Just got back last year and have to keep reminding myself, I'm the target, I'm the target. Start with something smaller and less expensive to make sure this is your cup of tea. If it is, Comfort is really nice at our age (sorry my mind is 20 ish but the body just ain't). I bought a Burgman 650 scooter (don't laugh) I like it a lot, Cruser's typically sit lower, and sport bikes you lean a little foward, whatever makes you comfortable and happy is all that really matters. Start out in rural areas (if you can) before you tackle heavy traffic or main roads. Last but NOT least MSF course Jim

06-05-2004, 11:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,765	You are certainly on the right track: take the course, and think about safety, and you are already WAY ahead of most riders. The advice I give new riders is this: be aware of what is going on around you, and leave an escape route. For every car around you, think about what stupid thing they could do to you (change lanes into you, run up on you from behind, stop suddenly, turn left in front of you, etc) and think about what you would do if they did that stupid thing. After a while it become second nature and you don't even realize you are doing it. But someday someone will cut in front of you on the highway, and you will think "I knew you were going to do that" as you automatically change lanes, having spaced yourself between cars in the next lane rather than directly next to one. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

06-07-2004, 11:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
jawkreno Newbie Joined: May 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 8	You guys are really great....and literate too. Thanks again __________________ Swing for the fence!

06-22-2004, 10:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
TL chris Tater Salad Joined: Jun 2004 Bike: 1999 TL1000R Location: NorCal Posts: 1,926	Welcome back and please just take it easy. Just don't forget to ride within your limits and within the bikes, always be aware of whats around you, guess what that idiot next to you is going to do, ride like you're invisible and(this one may sound stupid), trust the bike. Happy Trails. __________________ 1999 Suzuki TL1000R, Yosh RS-3, TRE, PC II, Custom Paint, OEM sweetness

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