The below is taken from "Hell For Leather" (http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2012/06/an-open-letter-to-every-person-i-meet-who-finds-out-i-ride-a-motorcycle/)magazine, sums it up neatly.
Let me stop you right there, mmmm-kay? I can tell by that little intake of breath what's coming next. Thank you in advance, but I already know that motorcycles are "dangerous." After nearly twenty years of riding on the streets, I am aware; telling me now will not be a revelation. It is not an insight into my lifestyle that has remained hidden from me until this, the moment of epiphany when you shine the light of outsider wisdom on my foolhardy choices.
Photo: Grant Ray
(http://hellforleathermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/letter-599x403.jpg)
There are ways I can minimize the risk — by riding defensively, riding sober, knowing my own and my machine's capabilities, etc. — but I also know there are some risks that are simply beyond my control. But you know what? There a lots of risks that are within my control. We've become so pathologically risk-averse that for most people it is inconceivable to assume any additional risk no matter how much joy you might get back in return.
You want to know what's truly dangerous? Not taking any risks. Hanging out with like-minded middle-of-the-roaders. Absorbing the same brain-ossifying shit from media factories every day. Jogging. Putting helmets, flotation devices, and auto-deploy epi-pens on your kids every time they leave the house. Passivity. Not paying attention to where your car, or your life, or you country is going.
If you don't get that, that's OK. I'm not trying to convert anybody, but here are a few tips to save us both a little aggravation:
You don't need to tell me the horror story about your uncle's buddy who wiped out his chopper while drag racing at some hooligan rally. That just makes me wish I were talking to your uncle's buddy instead of you. He sounds pretty cool.
Do not — do NOT — tell me about the time you almost Sausage Creatured a biker because you "couldn't see him" or he "came out of nowhere." I have never known a bike to come out of nowhere, but I have seen plenty of cars pull a Crazy Ivan and turn into a lane occupied by a biker or make an impromptu unsignalled left turn in front of an oncoming me. If you're expecting me to share your outrage at the temerity of bikers to be in the lane you want, you're more deluded than a goldfish with a passport. I can't make you see bikes. I can't make you hang up your phone. They won't let me mount a .50-caliber machine gun to my bike. So really, there's not much I can do to change the outcome of your anecdote, so save it for your coreligionists who also have stick-figure families and giant softball stickers with the name "Tailyr" or "Flynn" or "Shyly" on their rear windows.
I do wear a helmet, as a matter of fact, along with other protective gear. But, the fact that you "certainly hope" I wear a helmet is so condescending it makes me want to ride a tricycle completely naked doing doughnuts in your front yard screaming Beastie Boys lyrics at midnight. Trust me, you do not want that. My buttocks are extremely pale and unsightly, especially in moonlight.
Please, do not complain about bikes parking in car parking spaces. Where are we supposed to park? If they let us park up on the curb like in Europe, we would totally do that, and precious few parking lots have motorcycle parking areas. Most cops already have a hard-on for bikes, so parking anywhere but in a designated spot is asking to be impounded.
Yes, I know, some bikes have very loud exhaust. Maybe it's obnoxious, but at least you knew they were there, didn't you? They say loud pipes save lives. I don't know if that's true, because there hasn't been a serious comprehensive study of motorcycle safety since 1981, the poetically named Hurt Report. And yes, I know, at one point you probably saw some kid riding his 600cc sport bike at 100mph doing a wheelie down the freeway. He's a squid, and he'll either grow up or just take care of himself. Some bikers do crazy things. Anti-social things. Unsanctioned things. I don't represent him and he doesn't represent me — that's the great part of being a biker. I could be a Lowbrow Weirdo or Antoine Predock or Lyle Lovett or just whatever I want to be.
If you're really so all-fire concerned about my safety, don't preach at me. Just do me this one favor: pay attention when you're driving. Keep your greasy fingers off your touch-screen, put down your phone, use your turn signals and lay off the booze before you get on the road with me. You take care of your part and I'll take care of mine.
But hang-gliding, man, that shit is crazy.
Carter Edman is an architect, writer, and rider in Cleveland, Ohio. He teaches "Motorcycles and American Culture" and other courses at Case Western Reserve University.
round here we call them things "murder-sickles". Get it? cuz they'll kill ya. hyuk.
Quote from: ddlewis on June 06, 2012, 10:24:28 PM
round here we call them things "murder-sickles". Get it? cuz they'll kill ya. hyuk.
My company makes wheelchair lifts for vehicles, we call them that ride, future customers....
In a world looking to blame someone. Good to take stock and make a informed choice.
And only if we all did how sweet would the ride be.
Cheers.
If you live your life in fear of getting hurt or killed by the things you really wanna do (so therefore are not doing those things), then you're a dead man walking anyway.
so very true mate :drinks:
This just might be the best thing you've ever posted. :i_am_so_happy:
What about the time I posted the photo of you and the horses ass?
That was pretty good.
Awesome Post!
I certainly know the risks. I see them all the time, but for Me, The joy outweighs the risk by a far margin.............
When I'm leaned-over running through that canyon, rolling on the throttle out of the corner, heading for the next one...........I feel very much ALIVE!
:dance2:
by the way.........You were missed by ALL at the rallies. See you at the next one.
Quote from: Firehawk068 on June 11, 2012, 11:20:29 PM
.
When I'm leaned-over running through that canyon, rolling on the throttle out of the corner, heading for the next one...........I feel very much ALIVE!
:dance2:
+1
:dash2: Shit Klav I finally thought you had written something worth while only to find out it was someone elses :sarcastic:
Nice post tho Bud, tis too true they don't or won't pay attention then blame us for them not seeing us!!
Baldy
Quote from: baldy3853 on June 15, 2012, 02:55:23 PM
tis too true they don't or won't pay attention then blame us for them not seeing us!!
Kind of like the dickhead not paying attention to what he's doing, (picking his nose/ass or texting) either sitting at the green light or maybe drifting into your lane. So you give a short horn burst to snap him back to reality and .... he shoots YOU the finger!
Sorry, I didn't know it was my fault that your an asshat. Makes me wish I had my old '75 Malibu back and just plow into them.
DavidR.
In San Jose, Calif., it was actually illegal for many years to park a motorcycle anywhere - even in car parking spots, except of course private parking lots. This was a real issue downtown because there are virtually no private parking spots except around the SJSU campus, which might be a mile from your destination. Many riders actually got tickets. I never got one because I would find some spot on a building's property and rarely do building management actually impound smartly parked motorcycles (might be some VP of a tenant). A few years ago the city actually agreed to create some motorcycle only parking spots, which was amazing because nobody on the city council rode and of course only a very small number of people were complaining considering the city has a population of nearly 1 million.
Many people live in fear of many things- life is about overcoming obstacles, fear being one of them, otherwise how can one grow? I moved away from my birthplace [smalltown USA] to live in a larger city [200,000]. I thought I would get away from the old thinking , never change, never grow. Well that thinking is EVERYWHERE, I found out. But I don't mind as long as I can do as I please, without messing anyone else up.
In New Mexico, we are a no helmet state, as IT should be. Decide for oneself how to ride, take more or less responsibility. At the same time, the law says that I need to use a seatbelt in my car. Nope, got a couple tickets for that and then I decided to put in a fake strap to look like I am wearing a seatbelt. I have no reason to not follow the law 99% of the time, but I don't need the a law telling me to I HAVE to protect myself by wearing one. That is my own decision. Ride on, my brother.
Quote from: bigbore2 on June 16, 2012, 04:02:19 PM
Many people live in fear of many things- life is about overcoming obstacles, fear being one of them, otherwise how can one grow? I moved away from my birthplace [smalltown USA] to live in a larger city [200,000]. I thought I would get away from the old thinking , never change, never grow. Well that thinking is EVERYWHERE, I found out. But I don't mind as long as I can do as I please, without messing anyone else up.
In New Mexico, we are a no helmet state, as IT should be. Decide for oneself how to ride, take more or less responsibility. At the same time, the law says that I need to use a seatbelt in my car. Nope, got a couple tickets for that and then I decided to put in a fake strap to look like I am wearing a seatbelt. I have no reason to not follow the law 99% of the time, but I don't need the a law telling me to I HAVE to protect myself by wearing one. That is my own decision. Ride on, my brother.
in maine and nh you only need a helmet when you have your permit but other than that you dont need one, in nh if your 18 or older you dont need to wear a seat belt, it should be your own choice to make
Quote from: bigbore2 on June 16, 2012, 04:02:19 PM
I moved away from my birthplace [smalltown USA] to live in a larger city [200,000]. I thought I would get away from the old thinking , never change, never grow. Well that thinking is EVERYWHERE, I found out.
Sorry could not resist:
http://youtu.be/F0FBi5Rv1ho (http://youtu.be/F0FBi5Rv1ho)
i say - Bring on tha Naysayers - (popcorn) The Forbidden History of Unpopular People (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmuzrHwMkMU#ws)
(don`t ya hate peace)
If you, for ANY reason, don't wear a helmet when you ride, you are a retard.
Am I in favor of helmet laws??? No, I like it when I can just look and know if you are retarded.
Quote from: moonrunnah on June 16, 2012, 05:10:15 PM
in maine and nh you only need a helmet when you have your permit but other than that you dont need one, in nh if your 18 or older you dont need to wear a seat belt, it should be your own choice to make
Quote from: JCainFJ on June 16, 2012, 07:51:12 PM
If you, for ANY reason, don't wear a helmet when you ride, you are a retard.
Am I in favor of helmet laws??? No, I like it when I can just look and know if you are retarded.
+1
and I wear my seat-belt, buy insurance on things, don't drink [much] and drive, and look both ways before I cross the street, hell, I even floss!!
Dan
+2
i dont think you should have to be told what to do, personaly i dont wear seatbelts i hate them (i have first hand experienced that seat belts are not needed I.E. rolling a car well over a 100mph and walked out of it with noting but a bruise) i wear my helmet when im going more than 10 miles down the road i like the feeling of not haveing a helmet but it is comferting when your flying down the high way
In Australia where helmets are compulsory, motorcyclists are frequently referred to as, "Temporary Australians".
Wonder what those who refuse to wear seatbelts and/or helmets would be called.
I've been lucky and not attended a MVA* for a biker without helmet, but I have helped load an UNbelted truckie into an ambulance after he had departed his vehicle through the windscreen (windshield). :unknown:
I think JCain got it right.
Arnie
*MVA = Motor Vehicle Accident
(popcorn)
all im saying is there should not be a law about any of it it is your own choice to protect your self
When I was younger I visited my parents in Utah (where I now reside) and noticed a lot of riders without helmets. When I voiced my concern to my dad he replied "Don't worry they're Mormon and we got plenty to spare". Guess it's safe to say he not only disliked motorcycles but Mormons as well! I still laugh at how mater-of-fact he stated it and was totally serious. He died young of Par kinsons, not a big risk taker, but DID wear his seat belt. I've raced motocross for lots of years, rode street bikes, mountainbikes, etc., and always tried to dress for the crash (because I've had a number of them) SO that I might be able to enjoy it another day, or at least heal faster. If riders don't want to wear a helmet/seatbelt/life jacket/whatever might save your ass, I say more power to them (and natural selection). Personally I enjoy riding with my helmet on, sans bugs in teeth, wind deaf, gravel pocked face, listening to some good music as I'm carving up some twisty. I've always enjoyed watching people do stupid shit and participated on occasion myself. Like Dad used to say "go ahead and ride that thing but don't expect me to get blood on my good shovel scooping your bloody ass off the street!" Amen.
The problem with helmetless riders is not when they die, it's when they live, brain damaged.
Who pays the bill for their long term care?
I am all for freedom of choice, as long as my tax dollars don't have to pay for their poor choices.
The fact that I wear a helmet has saved my life on two occasions.
I'm all for choice, and like to make the right one.
Just my personal opinion.
Motorcycling is dangerous. Not wearing your gear/ helmet makes it that much more dangerous. I don't care what laws exists or don't about this. It's just plain common sense. I solve it this way, I tend to simply opt out of rides with folks that do not wear their gear as, when/ if they go down (and it sure seems to me that there is a higher likelihood of that person actually wrecking if they choose to not wear their gear) it becomes MY problem to take care of them, stop my ride, try to keep them alive, waive off traffic, talk to the cops, whatever. Riding without proper gear is your right, I simply will not be there if you decide to show up wearing shorts, t-shirt, flip flops and no helmet.
Dan
Quote from: Pat Conlon on June 19, 2012, 10:54:40 AM
I am all for freedom of choice, as long as my tax dollars don't have to pay for their poor choices.
+1 :drinks:
Quote from: Flynt on June 19, 2012, 09:15:31 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on June 19, 2012, 10:54:40 AM
I am all for freedom of choice, as long as my tax dollars don't have to pay for their poor choices.
+1 :drinks:
Darwin was almost correct, he did not predict that we would make rules that contradicted his concept. Now we have willing participants of natural selection, and we make rules and laws that prolong their lives long enough to produce offspring that should have snuffed them out. And the concept of population control gets tossed out as well. Bugger it all.....