if this is a mid-life crisis, don't do it. the most dangerous thing about pursuing it for the wrong reason is that you are giving in to the beginning of the end of your life. do it for the thrill, not because you think you are getting old. i plan on growing old with dignity. i'm your age but intellectually and emotionally i'm still an adolescent, this helps keep the mid-life crises at bay.
I rode every day for over 2 years rain or shine in Houston Traffic. You must be very aware of your surroundings at all times. Houston drivers do not look out for motorcyclists.
I wouldn't say it's a mid-life crisis. I have always wanted a motorcycle. I just wanted my wife more at the time. Back then I wanted a sport bike. I would feel more comfortable on a cruiser now.
do it! obviously a lot of people will discourage you from riding bc of the obvious dangers you'll face not being in a car, and rightfully so bc they do exist. know that you'll lay it down inevitably, probably within the first 6 months, and whether or not you bounce back from that will depend on how much enjoyment you truly get out of the ride. i started up riding about a yr ago, and i'll admit i laid my bike down after 2 months, but got back up and still ride today. you learn a lot and wise up really quickly after something like that. don't ride beyond your limitations (you'll know what they are very very soon), gear up (helmet saved me from a concussion, leathers saved me a ton of skin), avoid the cages, and most of all have fun.
at the hosptial in northwest indiana where I worked (riding is huge out there) I saw ALOT of people in the ICU because of crashes. Be careful, no vote yes or no.
A serious question: Is it any safer to ride a Vespa, or a motorized scooter around the streets than it is to ride a full fledged motor bike? I hear many people say its safe to ride a Vespa, but not to ride a Harley. This didn't really make much sense to me.
I commuted 80 miles a day for several months on motorcycle for work. Motorcycles are allowed in the HOV lane even without passengers A few tips: there was a study done that seemed to indicate that white helmets were most noticeable - not because of the color, but because people associate white helmets with policemen, and take extra notice. At night, make sure your motorcycle jacket has reflective striping, or wear a reflective vest over it. You're damn near invisible at night without these. When you pull up behind a car, angle your car off to the side and watch your mirrors. This way, not only do you have an escape route in case the guy behind you doesn't stop, but you make your bike's profile larger to the guy behind you, and more easily noticeable.
I'll let you know. I really should buy a used bike, but I like the new Vulcans and they have had rave reviews for newbies and experienced riders. Do you have a picture posted somewhere?
I gave you a pass the first time. Now I'm calling you out. I don't mind people who don't ride. And I respect their reasons. And I don't complain EVERY TIME a non-rider opens their mouth about how I should ride, where I should ride, when I should ride, what I should be wearing when I ride, and why I ride. I don't complain. I bite my tongue. BUT, I'll be damned if I let someone like you come into MY world and try to redefine it. If you stand up a let your bike "lay down", you DROPPED your bike. When I see a situation where I know my only course of action is to "lay down" the bike versus hitting something upright, I LAY THE BIKE DOWN. RR
I don't know of statistics but I would guess they are marginally safer since they go much slower. Riding any vehicles without walls and a roof is going to be more dangerous than one with those so I'm guessing the speed you are travelling at becomes the biggest factor in the risk of two wheeled vehicles.
It is much safer for new riders, because they don't have the power to throw you off. You also don't have to worry about shifting, although that becomes second-nature with just a little experience. But I have never seen a scooter rider with proper gear on, and riding a scooter without full gear has much, much higher risk of death or serious injury than riding a motorcycle with proper gear.
Sorry.. one last post... A high school friend of mine was killed in a motorcycle accident and I watched the family go through immense suffering as a result. They had a very hard time dealing with it. I've been adamantly against motorcycles ever since (thus my struggle to keep my mouth shut). I apologize for being belligerent.
Don't take this personal. You are free to express your opinion. I fully expected a few anti's in this thread. When you re-word other's opinions, it might appear as though you're force feeding it a bit. I know what you meant and appreciate it.
