I Love to Ride Motorcycles
I adore riding a motorcycle, but it's certainly much more dangerous than driving a car. The reason is not just that it's trickier to not fall, it's that the cars really do not look around very carefully (as a general rule) and you must be extra cautious. Not only must you watch for trouble from other vehicles, but you must watch the roadway for lost items (wood, mattresses, broken desks, etc.) that likely flew out of the back of a pickup truck. Not only that, but there is also genuine HOLES in the road! Oftentimes in the city when you're on the highway, they make it out of concrete (also MUCH MORE SLIPPERY!) and for some reason concrete seems to have chunks break off the edges. While this is not a big deal for someone driving a car - if I am changing lanes (or dodging crud in the roadway) I must be careful at these joints between the slabs of concrete. Often they are large enough to actually grab your front tire! I cannot imagine how awful that crash would be!
I have fallen before - it was right after I put new tires on the bike. The first 100 miles they suggest you ride very slowly and easily. I put on the tires and forgot the advice, as I just had woken up (after changing them the previous night) and I low-sided the bike about 10 blocks into riding it.
I felt like a fool - sliding on the asphalt - face first - watching my bike throw a shower of sparks behind it as it slide sideways down the road. Then it caught and flipped and smashed a bunch of stuff.
I was very lucky that the frame sliders absorbed the vast majority of the damage - if you don't have them, invest in some.
I hopped up and gave a thumbs-up to the horrified-looking drivers waiting at the red light. Of COURSE it was a super beautiful girl that saw...
Anyway I picked it up and pushed it to the side of the road. I bent stuff back as much as I could and managed to ride it to my destination. I really think that all the dirt bike racing I did when I was younger prepared me for this type of thing very well - I bet skateboarding helped with learning how to fall properly as well.
As for injuries - I just ended up with a couple nickel-sized strawberries on my knee and elbow - and beyond that it was all material damage.
But - I think more people should ride motorcycles. I spend like $7 every third day, if I'm riding quite a bit. If I'm riding all day, it will cost probably $10 in total - for like 6-8 hours - depending on how fast I'm trying to go.
The city was made for a motorcycle and it's fantastic here. I think if you keep your wits about you, it's reasonably safe. The place you must watch the most is intersections - also go riding in the morning, not at night - people drinking and driving are not fair opponents.
Good luck and stay safe!
I have fallen before - it was right after I put new tires on the bike. The first 100 miles they suggest you ride very slowly and easily. I put on the tires and forgot the advice, as I just had woken up (after changing them the previous night) and I low-sided the bike about 10 blocks into riding it.
I felt like a fool - sliding on the asphalt - face first - watching my bike throw a shower of sparks behind it as it slide sideways down the road. Then it caught and flipped and smashed a bunch of stuff.
I was very lucky that the frame sliders absorbed the vast majority of the damage - if you don't have them, invest in some.
I hopped up and gave a thumbs-up to the horrified-looking drivers waiting at the red light. Of COURSE it was a super beautiful girl that saw...
Anyway I picked it up and pushed it to the side of the road. I bent stuff back as much as I could and managed to ride it to my destination. I really think that all the dirt bike racing I did when I was younger prepared me for this type of thing very well - I bet skateboarding helped with learning how to fall properly as well.
As for injuries - I just ended up with a couple nickel-sized strawberries on my knee and elbow - and beyond that it was all material damage.
But - I think more people should ride motorcycles. I spend like $7 every third day, if I'm riding quite a bit. If I'm riding all day, it will cost probably $10 in total - for like 6-8 hours - depending on how fast I'm trying to go.
The city was made for a motorcycle and it's fantastic here. I think if you keep your wits about you, it's reasonably safe. The place you must watch the most is intersections - also go riding in the morning, not at night - people drinking and driving are not fair opponents.
Good luck and stay safe!
