We limit access by GUESTS to protect our members from spam, hacks and trolls. Please register to gain access to all our resources.
Posted by jmbo
- August 16, 2014, 09:33:04 AMMy Dad had a favorite saying. "Ifyou are born to be shot you are not going to be hung." He lived a long life doing what he loved with no regrets. He was fully aware that some day his time would be up and whenever the riskd seemed too high, he would aalways quote his favorite saying.
That said ther was one thing he openy feared. Motorcycles. He hated to see us ride bikes. We never knew why until one day he told us. Seems he rode bikes back in the day. This was back in the late '20's early '30's. He rode Harleys. One night he and a buddy were one riding and after having a few they headed out in country. It got dark and they were heading down a gravel road (as most roads were back then) when he missed a curve and headed out into a corn field. Staggering back to the road he started calling out for hie buddy. He found him. Seems he and the bike broke through a barbed wire fence before hitting the corn field. His buddy didn't make it through the fence. He never road again.
We all let our experiences guide us. An old time rider once gave me this advice when riding a bike. "Never let yourself feel too comfortable on a bike. That's when bad things happen." It is important to be alert and somewhat cautious when riding but you also need to be confident. Fearful riders are dangerous riders. They panic at the wrong times. I watched my Dad ride a mini bike one time. He was seemed frightened and unsure of himself. He actually scared me to watch him ride If you lack the confidence necessary to ride with competence the perhaps "It IS time for it to go" There is nothing wrong with the fact that not everyone is cut out to be a rider.
Life is too short to ride through it in fear.
Posted by Boaski
- August 16, 2014, 09:08:48 AMI totally agree with the comments about the inherent risks in life. Years ago I was a "run-shift" maintenance man at a new automated factory. To say we had problems was an understatement. The place was built by a Spanish company & it was BAD! Let me just say I will never fly in an airplane built by the Spanish. Anyhow...my point is that during that time I felt the safest part of my whole workday was the motorcycle ride to and from work. And yes I did end up getting hurt at work - long story.
I may end up with a bike again, but for now I've crossed some sort of mental line and I know "it's time".
Bike is going to be in the classified ads here first & then we'll go from there.
Posted by 49Reo
- August 16, 2014, 01:23:19 AMVery sorry to hear about your son's friend. That is hard to take at any age. But, in line with what has been said before, by many, it is better to do things you really enjoy while you are able to do them; know one knows when there number is up, or how it is going to happen. Look how many people get hit by lightning ever year; all the safe living practices in the world won't stop that bolt of lightning from hitting you if you are in the wrong place at the right time. Might just as well have fun. Not saying go out and take unnecessary chances, but enjoy life while we can.
Just sayin'
Posted by Jobi
- August 15, 2014, 15:06:57 PMQuote from: chief on August 15, 2014, 10:47:35 AMSame here. Seeing the stuff I see sometimes at the hospital, I suddenly have little regret I splurged on something that I ended up not needing or did something I ended up regretting (within limits of course). I don't want to one day end up on my deathbed thing/saying, "I wish I did that or this when I was younger"I knew a guy many years ago when in the military who was a combat EOD (UDT)guy. He went through Vietnam, and after the war traveled the world helping dispose of very dangerous explosive devices. He was killed when one of his horses knocked a rafter loose in his barn... hitting him in the head.
A few months ago in Florida a guy was asleep in his bed when a sink-hole opened up and swallowed him. They never found his body. A few weeks ago a lady slipped on some soap in her kitchen and struck her head on a counter and died.
As a safety guy I've investigated many, many accidents/injuries. I think its pretty simple, don't be stupid, don't think you can evade fate, and do what makes you happy. For me its better to go DOING something than to become a shadow in some nursing home.
Everyone has to decide for themselves. Sometimes, you simply lose passion for something and need to move on. I wish you luck and happiness wherever life takes you.
Posted by chief
- August 15, 2014, 10:47:35 AMI knew a guy many years ago when in the military who was a combat EOD (UDT)guy. He went through Vietnam, and after the war traveled the world helping dispose of very dangerous explosive devices. He was killed when one of his horses knocked a rafter loose in his barn... hitting him in the head.
A few months ago in Florida a guy was asleep in his bed when a sink-hole opened up and swallowed him. They never found his body. A few weeks ago a lady slipped on some soap in her kitchen and struck her head on a counter and died.As a safety guy I've investigated many, many accidents/injuries. I think its pretty simple, don't be stupid, don't think you can evade fate, and do what makes you happy. For me its better to go DOING something than to become a shadow in some nursing home.
Everyone has to decide for themselves. Sometimes, you simply lose passion for something and need to move on. I wish you luck and happiness wherever life takes you.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- August 15, 2014, 07:29:22 AM Boaski:
First off sorry for the loss of a friend. Mentor for your son, Riding partner,and what ever else Al was to your family.
I have always told new riders to never ride to the expectation of others or others skill level, ride to your own, even if it means being the last Rider in the group. When I teach the Defensive Driving Course I am always mentioning, the following and it really applies to Riders. Defensive Driving (change this to riding a motorcycle) is controlling a vehicle so as to prevent/avoid collisions despite the (unsafe) actions of others and the surrounding (adverse) conditions around you.
1. KNOWLEDGE: of traffic laws and safe & responsible practices
2. ALERTNESS: in attending to the constantly changing traffic conditions
3. FORESIGHT: in anticipating and predicting unsafe actions of other drivers
4. JUDGMENT: in making decisions of least risk
5. SKILL: in adjusting to changing conditions of the total traffic scene
A PREVENTABLE collision is one in which a driver failed to do everything reasonable and possible to prevent it. Did the driver make an error in any of the above elements of proactive driving.
As Riders we are so much more vulnerable to the mistakes of others, no matter how slight they might be. If you have reached the time were you have doubts about your own ability and strengths then it would be wise to pause. I know when I was looking to buy a bike a few years ago I had to take into account my issues with my medical limitations. Sure I want to be like the rest of the guys and have the honking big bike, the extra power (never use it because of speed limits), yup I wanted to be one of the cool guys, but I found that on a lot of days my leg would not stand up to a day of stop and go with a heavy bike, much less riding 2 up. So I went with something that my leg could handle. I have not had any regrets since. I see it more and more everyday older Riders giving up their 2 wheelers and switching to Can Am Spyders around here. So be it what ever it takes to make you happy.
So make the decision that you need to and make it because you want to. Best to you and yours my freind.
Posted by Boaski
- August 14, 2014, 22:22:30 PMI think I'm like a number of other riders in that there comes a time that the bike needs to go. A few years ago, when the kids were little, I lost my desire and confidence to have the bike. At about the same time I had one of the kids on the back of the bike & saw a fender bender that had just happened. When I started thinking about what would have happened to my daughter if that same "fender bender" would have happened with her on the back it really started working on me. Long story short; I sold the bike - but I turned around and bought a 180 horse snowmobile - go figure.
A few years went by & I started getting the itch again. I figured I'd get something that was not very practical or comfortable to keep me from going too far from home, so I bought a Suzuki GT380 to re-live my childhood. That thing could get you numb all over in a surprisingly short period of time. My son, Levi, started to ride it some & next thing you know he decided to buy a bike. After he bought one I figured we might as well ride together, so I bought the Drifter.
We've had a lot of fun the last few years. We have a few friends that we get together with and go for Sunday afternoon "$20.00 ice cream" rides. For some reason this year I've been getting a tinge of the uneasy feeling when I ride and it's been taking the fun down a notch.
This afternoon Levi came across an accident when he left work. Tonight I decided to look on the local news papers website for something unrelated and came across the story about the accident. When I found out it was an older gentleman Levi had worked with and traveled to motorcycle swap meets with it was like a kick in the gut. Levi had just rented a house around the corner from this guy and was getting ready to move there at the end of the month. Matter of fact he had even tried to call Al tonight and had gone over to sit on the porch with him a couple nights ago. Not a fun thing to wake him up tonight and tell him what happened and see the realization hit him that his friend was dead.
Another persons momentary lack of focus cost a good man (father, husband, grandfather, friend...) his life. It was an accident. Now yet another person will have to spend the rest of their life knowing they killed someone. I do not have anger for the situation as much as I'm just sad for everyone involved. I also recognize the times I've driven while distracted or tired and have made mistakes. It's only by the grace of God that my moments of stupidity have not resulted in terrible things.
Long story short; I think the time has come again for the bike to go. I love riding on the good days. I ride to work most days about 5 months a year. I like the looks of the bike I have. I even enjoy nosing around on the message board even though I don't post much. I know if I just stick the thing in the corner and let it sit for a while this will pass, but I do not want to live with the regret of thinking "if only I had gotten rid of it before .....".
For everything there is a season (ECC 3:1), and I think my season is about to change.
Sorry to vent.
Be careful out there!