Ask a RoadRunner

[RoadRunner79]

Have you ever had an accident on your bike?

I've always wanted a bike but just known way too many people die or have accidents on them.

Plus I live in England so for a lot of the year I probably wouldn't ride it anyway because of the weather.

Unfortunately, I had two too many accidents (both on the 750).  The last one, I was on my way down to West Virginia to a right half roundup with the aforementioned Honda group.  I stopped  near Pittsburgh to put on some rain gear, as it was starting to pour.  As I was taking the on ramp back onto the road, my back tire started to fishtail and I went down.  It hadn't rained in quite some time, and the roads where covered with oil (not good when you get a layer of water underneath it).  One guy who stopped to help me almost fell walking over to me.

The first one was my own fault.   I took the day off for a job interview.  On my way there, I got pulled over for speeding (area of highway near a town, that is 55 instead of 65 for little reason).  I also had trouble finding the place, and was late for my interview.  However, they didn't seem to notice, the guy took one look at my resume, and informed me, that they where not paying squat to travel, and I wouldn't want to work there.  So after taking the day off (and paying the state to do so), I decided to go for a motorcycle ride down some twisty country roads.  This is when I learned that you shouldn't ride aggressively at all, if you mind is not on it.   I wasn't going too fast, but didn't set up right for a curve, and went off into the deep gravel along side of the road.   Luckily the gravel through me down on the road, rather than into the ditch or the trees.

The first accident was around 45-50 MPH and the second was probably about 15-25 MPH.  I was wearing protective gear for both.  In both incidences I replaced the front fender, and I was sore for quite some time after.  I also rode the bike home in both cases, although I could barely get off the bike when I arrived.

It's certainly something to respect the dangers of.  And it didn't stop me from loving the ride.  I did learn to be more aware of both myself and conditions and to either not ride, or ride accordingly.  If you like driving, then you would probably like a motorcycle.  There is a mix of being so highly focused, and yet completely relaxed, that is difficult to explain.  You become one with the machine, and get to enjoy the outdoors in a way you can't do in a car. 

Here we have MSF courses (Motorcycle safety foundation) which teach you how to ride and count as the driving portion of the test.  I highly recommend it; even if you can already ride, or have no idea how to ride.  They taught us to think about safety and to respect and fear the bike, but not to ride afraid.  I originally did not want a bike.  A friend talked me into taking the course, just to have my license in case he could talk me into it.   I did, and from 20 MPH around the parking lot, I was hooked.