Quote:
Originally Posted by speeder
It seems like we've had this conversation a few times before here but the bottom line is that everyone has to follow their own comfort level in terms of riding motorcycles and every other risky activity in life.
I've had a MC endorsement since 1975 and have ridden countless hours and miles in Los Angeles, Minneapolis and highways all over the country. I personally don't find it any different than it's ever been--you've always had to watch your ass on a bike. I think that it would be unsafe to have only a bike for transportation because of the principle of only riding when you feel like it, not because you have to. There are times I really don't feel like riding, rather take the car and listen to music w A/C or heat blowing, etc...
I woud feel unsafe riding somewhere other than CA. because of lane-splitting or filtering here...if I had to sit in lines of cars waiting for some distracted driver to rear-end me, I would feel unsafe and vulnerable. The ability to ride between and go around the 4-wheeled traffic adds another dimension to street riding and it's a lot safer, especially on the freeway but everywhere. Riding a MC in big city traffic requires skill and absolute attention at all times but I enjoy it and slice through traffic like a hot knife through butter and it's all legal.
Ironically, I don't ride in the dirt because while I consider it massive fun, I know 100% that I'd crash and break a bone or three, maybe my neck. I can't ride like an old lady in dirt, it's too much fun to hoon and I don't have the chops to back it up plus I'm fairly old.  |
Pretty much 100% above. I don't have a MC at the moment but have countless miles on 2 wheels (moto and bicycle). IMO riding off-road is far more dangerous than the street for older guys (me). At my age just about any 2 wheel crash is going to cause major damage. That's why I stopped riding mountain bikes all together.