Fear of death or injury

[cbdtran_imp]

it took a wreck for me to realize these things are VERY dangerous. It woke me up very quickly, now I ride nice & slow, and if I'm in the mood for go-fast fun I head to the track.

My fear isn't going too fast and blowing a corner in the mountains, I'm afraid of some jacka## texting and ramming me, or crossing into my lane, or blowing a red light. Since all of my fears are car-related I try to ride wayyy out of the city and get away from cars to minimize my risk.

I've always said that if you take drugs/alcohol & breaking traffic laws out of the equation bikes become much safer ("safe" being a relative term).

And I already ride 100% geared up...

riding is a state of mind, giving euphoria of being free and connected to the environment, a relationship of rider and machine, having wind blasted on chest, face and misty rain on the body with unobstructed views of landscape. It is free, live free and being free unconstrainted by protection. It is like walking out of the house and into the sea shore, the forest, the mountain to have a feel of what it is like being free by feeling small, be absorbed by environment, to feel like a dot in huge landscape.

this is how i like riding ... me and the machine with protective gears (of course) ... and within my own limits

[sanoke_imp]

Fascinating thread! I've been riding since about 1965 and near as I can figure, that amounts to about a half a million miles. In reflecting on that, I've come to the conclusion that I average one close call about every 100,000 miles. So far, in every close call I've had on a bike, I've somehow managed to maneuver out of the way safely. This has been largely due to the maneuverability of a bike. Had I been in a car, I'm sure I wouldn't have fared so well. In fact, I've had more accidents in a car than I've had on a bike and I probably have five times as many miles on a bike than a car. So for me, I feel that a bike is safer than a car. The key is that you can't drive a bike like a car. You have to keep your skills honed, be aware of your surroundings and don't let your ego or your temper dictate your actions.

I know that can all change in a heart beat but for me riding is living and that's what I'll continue to do as long as I can.

Happy Trails!
sanoke

[konakai_imp]

O.k, I just watched a whole load of crash compilation videos on YouTube.

Some were the funny type where old granny has a go on young Timmy's new 80cc dirt bike round the grade and wheelies off the back at 3 mph.

Some were the horrific Russian high speed jobs where the rider is flung spinning through the air like a rag doll as the bike somersaults and disintegrates down the road.

Some, are the sort of 'first person view' a helmet cam offers and we see our GoPro hero misjudge a corner, or get hit by a car on the wrong side of the road head on.

Sometimes it's their buddy in front that bites the dust.

Watching these videos always leaves me with a very real and quite sickening sense of my own mortality, particularly in respect to my 'choice' to ride a motorbike for 'pleasure'.

If I were an impoverished Chinese factory worker or lived in a slum in India, having a cheap crappy scooter would be life-enhancing, and a great alternative to walking or riding a water buffalo (in leathers).

The fact is, I'm a lucky swine who was born in the right part of the world, has a relatively easy job that pays reasonably well.

I have a nice top-of-the range car to swan about in and go shopping, Mrs. T (well GF. T) has one too, so we can see that the bike is a mere indulgence.

Now that's all good and well, but it's when I mentally analyse the risk and watch these wretched videos that I ponder such questions as

"Maybe if I sold my bike or never rode it I'll avoid a gruesome horrific early death, or becoming paralysed or an amputee?"

I don't want to become like that because then you would love a life devoid of risk, or excitement, which are essential parts of our being. (I think).

Be honest guys, does this ever bother you? Or am I just a big poof?

http://youtu.be/Nbhk2zqEuWM

This is the sort of video, for the uninitiated.
I don't expect any replies for 20 minutes, I mean you'll have to read the post, then watch the video, then have a stiff drink.

By the way Spaceman, I've already pre-empted your reply;

"You're right Tortuga, it's just you..you big fairy!"

I can understand your caution and survival instinct as it pertains to motorcycle safety. As an anesthesiologist I have seen probably hundreds of motorcycle related injuries come thru the O.R. from simple abrasions and contusions to loss of limbs and death. I never know how their accidents occurred nor do I want to know. A motorcycle is inherently dangerous; it;s not IF one will be involved in a motorcycle accident but WHEN. I am conscientious of my own driving skills, it's the other idiots on the road who provide most of the dangers. There's nothing like riding a motorcycle but the risk we are willing to take must be taken into consideration. Please be safe everyone, I don't want to meet you at work.

[Ridem32_imp]

Stay inside watch TV. Be safe I will be out riding my bikes it's life to me. But as you sit on the couch a mouse runs by. Your wife screams and grabs a broom throws it at the mouse hits you in the head now your dead in your safe house. I'm still riding I hear about the mouse and broom and say well they should go been riding that new CB !!
Michael

[Tortuga_imp]

Stay inside watch TV. Be safe I will be out riding my bikes it's life to me. But as you sit on the couch a mouse runs by. Your wife screams and grabs a broom throws it at the mouse hits you in the head now your dead in your safe house. I'm still riding I hear about the mouse and broom and say well they should go been riding that new CB !!
Michael

A bit far fetched, but ok.

[Cormanus]

Good thread Tortuga. One of the reasons this is such a great forum is people's willingness to discuss these other issue.

As we get older the list of things that might kill or incapacitate us soon—vehicle accidents, disease, age, dementia, etc etc—gets longer or the moment gets closer or both. Seems to me it gets more important to try to do as many of the things that give you pleasure as possible even if that involves risk.

I choose not to watch the spills videos. Probably because ignorance is bliss and constant reminders of how vulnerable one is might lessen the pleasure. I wear safety gear, take the best care I can and try to become a better rider. I know I'm not as good as many others and always try to ride within my abilities.

I'm glad I got back into it. It is a great source of pleasure, risk or no risk.

By the way, Pterodactyl, I endorse your sentiments about the nanny state and latte, but there's nothing wrong with a fine Chardonnay. Nothing at all.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Good thread Tortuga. One of the reasons this is such a great forum is people's willingness to discuss these other issue.

As we get older the list of things that might kill or incapacitate us soon—vehicle accidents, disease, age, dementia, etc etc—gets longer or the moment gets closer or both. Seems to me it gets more important to try to do as many of the things that give you pleasure as possible even if that involves risk.

I choose not to watch the spills videos. Probably because ignorance is bliss and constant reminders of how vulnerable one is might lessen the pleasure. I wear safety gear, take the best care I can and try to become a better rider. I know I'm not as good as many others and always try to ride within my abilities.

I'm glad I got back into it. It is a great source of pleasure, risk or no risk.

By the way, Pterodactyl, I endorse your sentiments about the nanny state and latte, but there's nothing wrong with a fine Chardonnay. Nothing at all.

And a good post from you to, Cormanus.

Quoterobably because ignorance is bliss and constant reminders of how vulnerable one is might lessen the pleasure.
I would have to say, however, that I would disagree that ignorance is bliss, but agree with you that overthinking can definitely reduce the pleasure. Members may have thought my post (#28) was flippant.

Quoteost: #28RE: Fear of death or injury

Strewth, you blokes think too much.
To me that sums up my attitude to most of the risk I accept in my life. Once the level of acceptable risk is defined then I get into it, whatever "it" may be, and enjoy. If I stuff up and get hurt, and don't end up staring at the bottom of a lid, then maybe a new risk assessment needs to be done. If you dwell on "what if" then forget it, just retire to a life of dressing gown, slippers, sitcoms and camomile tea.

The spills video, entertainment only. A bit like those funniest home video shows. Some of the d...heads featured should have been put down at birth.

Cheers

[Cormanus]

Good thread Tortuga. One of the reasons this is such a great forum is people's willingness to discuss these other issue.

As we get older the list of things that might kill or incapacitate us soon—vehicle accidents, disease, age, dementia, etc etc—gets longer or the moment gets closer or both. Seems to me it gets more important to try to do as many of the things that give you pleasure as possible even if that involves risk.

I choose not to watch the spills videos. Probably because ignorance is bliss and constant reminders of how vulnerable one is might lessen the pleasure. I wear safety gear, take the best care I can and try to become a better rider. I know I'm not as good as many others and always try to ride within my abilities.

I'm glad I got back into it. It is a great source of pleasure, risk or no risk.

By the way, Pterodactyl, I endorse your sentiments about the nanny state and latte, but there's nothing wrong with a fine Chardonnay. Nothing at all.

And a good post from you to, Cormanus.

Quoterobably because ignorance is bliss and constant reminders of how vulnerable one is might lessen the pleasure.
I would have to say, however, that I would disagree that ignorance is bliss, but agree with you that overthinking can definitely reduce the pleasure. Members may have thought my post (#28) was flippant.

Quoteost: #28RE: Fear of death or injury

Strewth, you blokes think too much.
To me that sums up my attitude to most of the risk I accept in my life. Once the level of acceptable risk is defined then I get into it, whatever "it" may be, and enjoy. If I stuff up and get hurt, and don't end up staring at the bottom of a lid, then maybe a new risk assessment needs to be done. If you dwell on "what if" then forget it, just retire to a life of dressing gown, slippers, sitcoms and camomile tea.

The spills video, entertainment only. A bit like those funniest home video shows. Some of the d...heads featured should have been put down at birth.

Cheers

I would have to say, however, that I would disagree that ignorance is bliss, but agree with you that overthinking can definitely reduce the pleasure. Members may have thought my post (#28) was flippant.

Quoteost: #28RE: Fear of death or injury

Strewth, you blokes think too much.
To me that sums up my attitude to most of the risk I accept in my life. Once the level of acceptable risk is defined then I get into it, whatever "it" may be, and enjoy. If I stuff up and get hurt, and don't end up staring at the bottom of a lid, then maybe a new risk assessment needs to be done. If you dwell on "what if" then forget it, just retire to a life of dressing gown, slippers, sitcoms and camomile tea.

The spills video, entertainment only. A bit like those funniest home video shows. Some of the d...heads featured should have been put down at birth.

Cheers
Thanks Pterodactyl. You're right of course, ignorance is not really bliss. It was a very clumsy way of saying what you said better that,

Quote:If you dwell on "what if" ... just retire to a life of dressing gown, slippers, sitcoms and camomile tea.
For most people, I suspect, ignoring 'what if' is a way of life. Or, to put it another way, if any of us dwell on the fact that it could happen to you, you'll behave like the mythical bird that ran around in ever decreasing circles until it finally vanished up its own fundamental orifice. so, as you say, one weighs up the risks, takes reasonable care and tries to accept the consequences with as good a grace as possible.

AS I'm not riding the bike today,

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Cormanus, Sounds good to me. And my humble apologies to those members who like dressing gowns/slippers/sitcoms or even camomile tea and ride like hell on wheels.

Cheers

[Red Mist_imp]

I spent the weekend on the racetrack (not on the CB1100). Much safer than street riding. Much faster. Much fun.