10-14-2016, 02:34 AM
When I had a scary high-side up at Angeles Crest in the mountains about 5 years ago, I got spooked enough that I didn't get back on a bike for a while. Fortunately, thanks to my air-bag vest and Kevlar jeans, I was mostly unscathed. I was pushing my little Suzuki cruiser beyond its (and my own) limits due to some jerk in a big SUV tailgating me.
Everyone makes a choice about how much risk he is willing to accept and how to mitigate it. I avoid riding in morning rush hour. It seems like every other morning I hear on the radio "motorcycle down on Ixx". I do most of my riding on weekends and on trips with my club. To me, that is the most enjoyable form of riding, and I've still managed to rack up some decent mileage.
I also believe in ATGATT (and safety gadgets) as much as possible, and wear a jacket even on hot days - better to sweat than bleed. I have a flashing brake light and headlight modulator I use, mostly at intersections and while lane-splitting. When I do ride in traffic, I try to practice hyper awareness. I see so many cagers on their phones texting and talking and it always infuriates me. I'm getting to the point where I want to get involved politically and lobby to stiffen the fines and enforcement. The penalty should be closer to that of a DUI as it has been proven to be just as dangerous, if not more so.
Anyway, best of luck to you whatever you decide. For me, the call of two wheels was too much to stay away for too long, and now with the camaraderie of being in a club it is even more fulfilling.
Everyone makes a choice about how much risk he is willing to accept and how to mitigate it. I avoid riding in morning rush hour. It seems like every other morning I hear on the radio "motorcycle down on Ixx". I do most of my riding on weekends and on trips with my club. To me, that is the most enjoyable form of riding, and I've still managed to rack up some decent mileage.
I also believe in ATGATT (and safety gadgets) as much as possible, and wear a jacket even on hot days - better to sweat than bleed. I have a flashing brake light and headlight modulator I use, mostly at intersections and while lane-splitting. When I do ride in traffic, I try to practice hyper awareness. I see so many cagers on their phones texting and talking and it always infuriates me. I'm getting to the point where I want to get involved politically and lobby to stiffen the fines and enforcement. The penalty should be closer to that of a DUI as it has been proven to be just as dangerous, if not more so.
Anyway, best of luck to you whatever you decide. For me, the call of two wheels was too much to stay away for too long, and now with the camaraderie of being in a club it is even more fulfilling.