interesting read

[metallyguitarded_imp]

I read that article with great interest, trying to mentally check off the factors that lessened my risk of dying. Helmet? Check. Speed? Well...half check. Age? Darn, not looking too good. Not as bad as over 60 but you're telling me those young kids who the article describes as preferring super sports are less likely to die?? The knuckle heads I see going triple digits and weaving in and out of traffic during rush hour?? Riding between 9pm and midnight? I'll give myself a 3/4 check for this one. I try not to ride during those hours but it happens.

Another concern of mine - I ride the brand of motorcycle most stolen, in the state with the greatest number of motorcycle thefts, in the city with the third greatest number of thefts. I'm hoping interest lies more with the CBR and thieves are much less likely to steal what they view as grandpa's bike. With such a small presence on the moto landscape, there can't be much of a market for stolen CB1100 parts (or bikes for that matter).

I am surprised by this as well. I know for a fact I am a smarter, and more careful rider and much more alert than I was at 20 or 25 years old. Plus, back then we didnt have 150 hp missiles to ride. We thought a 60 hp 650 was the end all. Not sure was is killing the older guys at a higher rate. Slower reflexes come to mind but that is kinda weak. Young guys here on crotch rockets run the living daylight out of them and will scare you half to death when they pass you.

So many of the 60+ riders are actually "newbies". Most of my acquaintance, are newly retired and have either never ridden before or not since their youth. The kids are grown and now they want to enjoy the things that have been denied to them by obligations of work and family life. Instead of starting small with a 250 and some basic training they go to the local Harley dealer and buy the biggest cruiser on the floor. It's only reasonable to presume that this is not a good plan.

Exactly! That skews the statistics as a bunch of old farts, that have never been on a bike in their life, suddenly want to cross off an item on their bucket list. So, down to the Harley dealer they go, and buy way too much bike.

Witnessed it a few month back, as an old guy on a loaded out bagger, with wife on the back, started around one of the few traffic circles we have in the Houston area. Kept creeping to the outside, because he had no skill to turn the beast, hit the curb, and off into the grass they both went. Narrowly missed slamming into a fire hydrant. No business on a bike by himself, much less with someone on the back.

Maybe I am just as stupid as he, but I keep telling myself that my 40+ years of riding experience are to my advantage, as opposed to my age being a detriment.

I tend to agree with you. At some point, the detriments of age will surpass the advantages of experience. I hope that I'll know when that day comes and I hang up my helmet before I learn this truth the hard way.