Ever considered leaving riding all together?

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Condolences to you and your friend's family.

Sometimes I think "I should know better..." But every time I get on her I forget I ever had doubts.... I put my family through a lot especially my muuma... But in order for me to fully enjoy my life, I have to ride, they understand this. So even though they worry most of time I step out, they just learn to deal with it and I go on enjoying life.

With that said, I've never had anyone I remotely know die on two wheels so my outlook is different than yours. I say go with you gut because if youre on the road not concentrating on the ride, things can go badly. If you need a break take one. If you love it you'll be back eventually.
 
Really sorry to hear about your friend. I've had a couple of high school friends pass away in motorcycle accidents. A lot of folks here have given great advice and he only thing I can add is practice and more practice. If a bad situation were to arise you would need to rely on skills rather than just plain ol' luck. While luck can play a big part, I guess that skills and defensive riding are just added insurance. I don't mean that you should ride like a sissy, but with practice comes confidence; Especially practicing emergency evasive and stopping maneuvers.

All in all after every prcaution is taken, things can still go wrong. And that can happen at anytime, not just while riding a motorcycle. As others have said in earlier posts: You have to go on living.

I really hope you continue riding!! All the best mate :)
 
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Kuro said:
Whats the point in living if you don't get to enjoy the things you love?
Just ask yourself, how much do you love riding?

Roller coasters are dangerous, white water rafting is dangerous, heck skiing is dangerous, but we don't stop doing those things because if we did, we wouldn't be living life. Can't avoid living life cuz its dangerous. Just use your head, calculate risk and do your due diligence. Nothing more you can do.

Thats my 0.02 anyway.
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+1

You got to live your life doing the things you love. Anything can happen to you at any time so what is the point in being miserable or scared to do things cause of the "what if" factor.

I was hit by a car standing on a side walk waiting for the light to change...can't stop living though. Got to enjoy everyday like it's your last.

You need to do what is right for you. Sorry for your loss though:(
 
crossed my mind but nowhere near quitting. I do feel that sooner or later something bad might happen, and if i get seriously hurt would it really be worth it? Until that day comes im going to say yes. IMO there is not much else that brings me the same type of joy and feeling. I just try my best to be totally aware of my surroundings and get from point A to B without any incident.

a lot of riders quit once there older once a family is involved, i doubt i will quite then either

riding a bike is a huge risks and it comes with the territory each time you throw your leg over. its up to you to lower the odds in your favor.
 
Every man dies, not every man really lives...

I love that quote from the movie Braveheart.

I started riding in my mid 30's and every year I feel more and more comfortable on my bike. I still ride like I'm invisible and I'm surrounded by idiots in cages. I try to be very aware of everyone around me all the time while riding and driving for that matter. You have to be.

I've thought about what I would do if I were in a serious accident, would I give it up? Not sure. I know I love riding. My wife is hooked after riding on the back last few years and is planning getting her own bike next year.

In fact we are now planning a RTW trip on bikes. We are going to continue to live out lives to the fullest in the meantime.

I certainly think it's normal to at least think about giving it up especially after losing someone you know. I know I would probably hang up the helmet if I no longer enjoyed it like I do.

I'm sorry for your loss.
 
I know someone who had the exact same feeling as you, but he kept riding because he loved riding motorcycles soo much. But he still decided to quit after a few month.....Why? I guess, once you get that feeling of quitting, there will always be a voice in your head when your on a bike, telling you how dangerous motorbiking is.
 
daytona675 said:
Just last week, an old friend of mine passed away in a motorcycle accident. At the time, I was understandably upset, but was also trying to justify why the accident happened. I blamed lack of experience, an overly powerful SS bike (for a new rider), and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The more I think about it though, does the fact that I've ridden for a couple years more than him make me any better? What we do is dangerous, and until last week, I've been feeling invincible on 2 wheels. This really brought me back down to earth.

I got back from the viewing just a few hours ago, and it's really got me thinking. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE riding my bike. I enjoy it so much I ride to work (75km one way) as long as there's no rain in the forecast, and ride my bike on my off days regardless of weather. Over the past 2 years it's become my favourite hobby...but at the end of the day, as much as I enjoy it, I don't know how I could bare to put my mother through those tears should anything happen to me.

I'm sure you've all had important people in your lives tell you to leave to game. Help me out here, I need something to keep me in it.

Have you considered leaving? And if you have, why didn't you leave?
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I think what you are going through is a good thing and perfectly natural. We all go through times when we consider our own mortality and how it will impact our loved ones if something was to happen. For people like yourself, and me, especially when I have been riding since the early eighties on the street, we tend to think we are untouchable. However it is good to be reminded and grounded in knowing that we could be seriously injured or worse at any point. I think it sharpens our wits and riding to be reminded of this from time to time. It is a way or reminding us how precious life is and that riding a motorcycle is a luxury we shouldn't abuse.
 
I'm sorry about your friend. In his passing he has taught you something that might save your life. Don't waste that knowledge.

Riding is part of my semi-balanced lifestyle. If I eliminated it I would have to replace it with something. The balance includes family, economics, local conditions, health and space. If something comes along to change one key part of my life the other parts get adjusted.

It's human nature to question things when you have a "But for the grace of God" moment. Think about the balance part but keep in mind as you weigh the risk you should also weigh the reward.
 
I think everyone has though of this at least once in there riding life. Maybe for reasons like you , with a friend or family member passing away on one. maybe financial reasons.... many different reasons im sure, but i would think 95% would consider it permanently.

I am reading about people saying thats when its your time to go, its your time to go no matter what. i dont believe that, i think if you ride like a bloody @ss, your eventually gonna die on a bike, but maybe not meant to be your time. With that being said though, you could die from walking down the street!
I know someone, who was quite young, walking down the street with there daughter and boom! They got a brain anyerism and passed away instantly!! Nothing could have been done!
So anything, anytime can happen! You have to enjoy your short life while you are here. As long as you ride safe, and have some experience your chance of getting killed on a bike are no greater then anything else.

Ride safe, have fun and im sure your buddy would want you to continue riding!
 
daytona675 said:
Just last week, an old friend of mine passed away in a motorcycle accident. At the time, I was understandably upset, but was also trying to justify why the accident happened. I blamed lack of experience, an overly powerful SS bike (for a new rider), and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
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Sorry to take this route, but really, you kinda pointed it out yourself. Was that person doing anything they shouldn't have been? An SS doesn't make for a poor choice if you really have a respect for the machine and also a good degree of clutch control. But if the person was wreckless (i know a few myself), could you say they sorta walked over the safety/responsible line? Death is never a good thing but also ask yourself if that person was at fault.

I say this cuz you're obviously shaking and positioning in a light that it could happen to you? I have seen ppl come and go due to wrecklessness, and while it's sad, I always shake my head that they were being ***** at the time. If you have a different attittude than the other rider, then I dont' see any reason you should suspect it'll happen to you too. Keep positive.

On the note of leaving the sport....i have about 3 times. One, cuz i was bored and it was before the internet forum was around, and didn't have riding partners. Second, I got married and thought it was the responsible thing to do...and third time was due to having kids, again, the responsible mentality.

But I always thought about going back to it and after nudges from the wife, i did...and haven't looked back. I ride with a sensible head for the most part, so I approach riding situations with respect...
 
daytona675 said:
Have you considered leaving? And if you have, why didn't you leave?
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Yes, twice. The first time was my first summer riding and I dropped my bike four times. I figured perhaps I just couldn't do it and perhaps it would be safer to just give up. I didn't leave it because my b/f at the time would have kicked my butt for it. Ha! So I just took a refresher MSF course the following spring and it helped me a lot.

The second time was after the death of a riding friend who highsided on a highway on-ramp. I thought, if he was such a fantastic rider (and he certainly was) and died, then I certainly have no place on a bike. His parents asked all of us to come to his funeral on our bikes. That was the most difficult ride of my life. His mom and dad even met every one of us at the entrance to the funeral home parking lot as we pulled in to shake our hands. There were almost 100 of us on bikes alone. That said, if I gave up and sold the bike, his spirit would have come back and kicked my butt for it, so I stuck it out. He would not have wanted someone to give up riding on account of him. Quite the opposite. But his passing did make me rethink a lot of things and SLOW IT DOWN on the street.

I hope this helps you, Daytona675.
 
Well said....sorry about your friend, touching story though.....with his parents wanting you to ride to his funeral. Sounds like they knew it was a passion of his....

stormcat said:
Yes, twice. The first time was my first summer riding and I dropped my bike four times. I figured perhaps I just couldn't do it and perhaps it would be safer to just give up. I didn't leave it because my b/f at the time would have kicked my butt for it. Ha! So I just took a refresher MSF course the following spring and it helped me a lot.

The second time was after the death of a riding friend who highsided on a highway on-ramp. I thought, if he was such a fantastic rider (and he certainly was) and died, then I certainly have no place on a bike. His parents asked all of us to come to his funeral on our bikes. That was the most difficult ride of my life. His mom and dad even met every one of us at the entrance to the funeral home parking lot as we pulled in to shake our hands. There were almost 100 of us on bikes alone. That said, if I gave up and sold the bike, his spirit would have come back and kicked my butt for it, so I stuck it out. He would not have wanted someone to give up riding on account of him. Quite the opposite. But his passing did make me rethink a lot of things and SLOW IT DOWN on the street.

I hope this helps you, Daytona675.
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Dr.Manhattan said:
I was contemplating making the exact same thread. Reading the fallen riders section ( been a lot of entries so far this year, including track days ) and also reading experiences online about people that have been in tragic accidents reminds me about my own that happened just last year, which side lined me for about 8 months. I bought my new bike this year, and consider myself a spirited rider when I do go. I have been very apprehensive lately riding though. Making corners thinking about the condition of the road, gravel on the road, animals crossing, cars in the oncoming lane, all of the factors everytime I tip the bike into a sharp corner. Getting into an accident and being killed is one thing, it's another being in an extremely tragic motorcycle accident, and surviving with tons of physical ailments and multiple surgeries / hospital visits.

I love riding and seeing the scenery, but with all the stupid drivers on the road, and the failing road conditions, at what cost is it that I get to enjoy this ?. In my accident last year, it was not my fault at all, and I still left with broken bones, and even this year we have seen 2 motorcycle trainers ( god bless Liz ) go down with it not being their fault at all. I considered track days but I bought my bike for A) A nice scenic ride with friends and B) Seeing the world and experiencing new destinations ( I also enjoy going fast, hence why I would not buy a HD, or any other tourer. )

I was riding my motorcycle every single day for the past few years in the summer. Ride to work, to the gym, friends place, even throw a backpack on and just get some quick groceries. Now I think my bike has been out a total of maybe 10 times this whole summer so far. It's not the feeling that I don't want to ride..... it's the sinking pit in my stomach of not trusting anyone else on the road at all, and having to pay with my body, which I've looked after quite well, for some morons mistake while he makes a blind lane change or texts on his phone approaching a red light.
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+1 - Even though I love to ride, this post is the reason why my bike has been sitting on stands. I love my life and my family more then my bike.
 
When you're too scared to ride a motorcycle, its time to give it up and take up golf.
 
turbodish said:
What we do carries more risk than driving a car. That's inherent when you give up seat belts, air bags, and a sturdy occupant compartment around you to take the hit in a crash.

That doesn't mean that riding has to be overly dangerous. You realizing that you are not invincible is part of the awareness that one needs to help avoid becoming a statistic. Your personal riding habits and awareness are what will determine your risk of crash more than anything else out there.

I've never considered leaving. I enjoy riding too much both for personal pleasure and as a very economical way to put on thousands of miles exploring the countryside around the province. I'll stop riding only when my vision and reaction times are no longer sufficient to help me offset the risks inherent to riding a motorcycle.
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Well said and I agree with Turbo (gives me a kick to write that).


stevex said:
When you're too scared to ride a motorcycle, its time to give it up and take up golf.
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I just started playing golf - the clubs strap to the back of the bike okay, no need for me to give up riding.

To the OP, sorry about your friend but if you've come to realize you aren't invincible that's one positive from such a crappy circumstance. I have always been very aware of my mortality when riding a motorcycle, even when I first started riding at 17.
 
I'm sorry for your loss.

At 31, I'm just getting into the sport. I have my M1 and I've passed my ministry approved motorcycle course, but I'm still nervous about riding.... maybe nervous isn't the right word... let's say respectful of the potential dangers. I'll probably have a better opinion once I spend some time on a bike on the road. I know how utterly bad other drivers are from a G-class point of view, but I have limited experience looking at drivers from an M-class point of view.

I did want to say this though; if/when I have kids, I want them to get an M license as soon as they can. As a G driver I've always respected the bikers on the road, but even after 15 years of driving, it was only after taking the motorcycle course that I was given a better insight into the mindset of bikers on the road. I knew they had to be proactive, but I didn't realize HOW proactive dominated the thought process of most good drivers.

To add, after decades of having a driver's license, a friend of mine was taken for a ride on a transport truck. It was only then that he saw the dangers of cutting off (or doing other stupid things around) a transport truck.
 
If history or the experiences of friends make you apprehensive about an activity (could be many things, not just motorcycling) then you really should consider either taking a break from it or quitting altogether. I know many riders that have quit or will take a break when a friend is involved in a crash, but most of them end up getting back on the bike when they have the confidence to ride again. That is the key - you must have the confidence that you can be safe in the environment because of your training, gear, preparation and attitude - otherwise you could be the next accident. Ride safe!
 
Never will I give it up.
I've had friends die both on the road and off the road, and numerous serious injuries. I myself have crashed so many times I can't remember, even tho I do remember the really good ones. Haven't dropped it on the street yet.
In my line of work I see the results of accidents.
None of it deters me. It does however, remind me to keep it calm out on the streets and when I hit the race track to not push so far that I'm really nervous.

My first word was bike, all I ever wanted to do was ride motocross and street bikes. First time I took a ride on a street bike I was about 3 years old, without a helmet and I can still remember it. Bikes will always be my fascination, it's not just a hobby or a past time to me. From March to November I ride through almost any weather.

I've done snowmobiling and got in and out of that sport a few times.
Took up flying, got my license and haven't flown in about 10 years now, and even tho I would love to get back in to it, I would rather have my bikes!

Take this learning opportunity to make yourself a better rider and get out and enjoy your life, leave no coulda woulda shoulda's in your past. I've taken some pretty damn big risks in my life and they have all turned out to be the best memories I'll have.
 
You're the only one who can answer the question for yourself. Lots of "I'll ride till I die" type responses, along with "If you ain't livin', you're dyin'" and "I'd rather die riding". Make for nifty t-shirts and maybe appeal to some of the more IQ-challenged members on the distaff side but don't take into account feelings and obligations to family and self.
Nobody has ever asked me to give it up; I think they all know what a huge part of my life it's been and continues to be. Asking me to quit would be very unfair (except for mothers, they get a pass because, well, they're mothers). But I do get told to be careful almost every time I head out and my daughter, rather sweetly, will call if she hears about a bike accident just to make sure it's not me. She always acts as though it's a casual call but she's told my wife more than once she was worried.
There's no shame in hanging it up, for any reason. If you're head and your heart aren't 100% into it, you probably shouldn't ride. But give yourself a bit of time before hanging a For Sale sign on your bike. You've had an emotional event, one that's close to home, and that will colour your judgement for a while.
And if you do decide to continue riding, maybe the best way to honour your late friend is to ride as safely as you can, doing the miles he no longer can.
 
I agree with Canadian Biker on this one. If your heart isn't in it then maybe its time to walk away - there is nothing wrong with that. I watched a buddy take a nasty fall this year and had close call myself - if near misses like these do not make you question riding then something is wrong. The test for me is wether I am able to put that noise out of my head when i get on the bike and enjoy the ride. If you cannot enjoy it then whats the point? Sorry to hear about your friend .
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