I have posted here on Pelican many times about this topic. My kids are now adults and living their lives. I have been riding for a long time, going back to dirt bikes, smaller street bikes, road bicycles, then proper street bikes. I feel much safer on a street bike sharing public roads than a dirt bike in the sticks with questionable trails and opportunities to crash. I am 62 (soon 63) and know that any sort of OFF BIKE experience may result in injuries that will make it hard to live going forward.
I ride every weekend with a very small (4-6) group of very competent riders that have the same experience as me. We normally also plan 2-3 multi day trips each year covering 1000+ miles in a few days. I am very particular with who I can trust riding as a group - as are they. The group is all aged over 50 and have nothing to prove but the pace can get quite fast, too fast for me at times, on the more sporty back roads. I always keep my effort under 90% to account for the unexpected.
Sure I have experience with cars doing stupid stuff but it's rare that they caught me off guard. My head is on a swivel always and do not let ANYONE to control my position. I ride a bit faster than traffic (3-5 mph) so I can pick my spots on slabs (highway) especially when traffic is heavy.
I am blessed to be a MC rider here in San Diego. There are hundreds of miles of East county roads that are relatively un-trafficked on the weekends that are quite amazing except for the high heat Aug-Oct months.
I completely respect everyone who choose to not ride or do ride. It's a very personal experience. Here is a dated picture riding Mesa Grande East county in the late morning. Sporty but lots in reserve for the unknowns.
