"It's a bit dangerous isn't it ?"

javaman · Post by **javaman** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 12:00 am

I got asked this question so many times now from work mates, the clients, suppliers, my wife's friends etc. when they know I ride a motorcycle. While they may be good-natured, it does irate.

What's a good and cunning answer ? So far I have only used "It's a philosophical question".

MrStompy · Post by **MrStompy** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:06 am

strangely enough i dont get hassled by people about the dangers of motorcycle riding.

its weird really cause everyone else cops it.

dont know what my witty comeback would be.
probably something pretty offensive i spose

Burky · Post by **Burky** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:50 am

MrStompy wrote:strangely enough i dont get hassled by people about the dangers of motorcycle riding.
its weird really cause everyone else cops it.

dont know what my witty comeback would be.
probably something pretty offensive i spose

Bastard

I get hasseled all ther time at work and also from suppliers, crap even the General Manager had her two cents worth

(I gust remind her of a trip to Germany on the Autobahn

shuts her up realy quick)

All i tend to do is tell them i enjoy it, same as you drink ect, and just let them look around when in the car and see how many others are out there

If it gets some people in cars to look around a bit more than usual it could only be a good thing

mick_dundee · Post by **mick_dundee** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:29 am

Yeah it is a bit dangerous I gues but it's a matter of choice, others are happy sitting in a cage getting stuck in traffic jams and taking an hour to get to work, I choose not to get stuck in traffic jams and not pay tolls or parking fees ( last 2 arguments mght only work in Vic).

kaneg · Post by **kaneg** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:38 am

Hmm, a cunning answer... maybe by just sinply saying that I enjoy the thrill and we all have a passion for something, mine is for the freedom of riding....., oh by the way what's yours ??
Lot's of ppl found it thrilling to swap from sugar to sweetener in their weak white tea......not that there's anything wrong with that

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 11:20 am

"So's walking down the street. I prefer to live my life."

Cunning? Nope. Does it shut people up? Yep. I don't get hassled by anyone I know now except my Dad. He can't talk - he used to ride, and is just jealous! He makes noises occasionally about nicking one of my bikes.

aardvark · Post by **aardvark** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 12:17 pm

Just tell them to fuck off.

red_dave · Post by **red_dave** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 12:26 pm

aardvark wrote:Just tell them to fuck off.

I usually just tell then if they rode a bike, they'd understand...

bNiNja · Post by **bNiNja** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 12:41 pm

I am a L plater and I have been riding since march this year (hopefully, soon to be P plater). I get asked this a few times, especially since I have been riding to/from work in the rain (a.k.a storm) in Sydney lately. Last night wasn't bad but last week when the weather was really bad, I was shitting myself riding over a bridge with 90km/h winds blowing me around.

I discovered that if I tucked right into my bike, relaxed the body and leant slightly towards the wind that I would be alright and I was. Is this the right thing to do? Also, slowing down was a bad, maintained my speed/slightly accelerate and the bike stayed upright.

Also, people don't look out for bikes so it is kinda more dangerous. I have had cars/vans cut me off because they didn't check their blindspots. If I didn't maintain a good distance and react quickly then I would have been toast.

But I remind people that on the side of a car, there is only the metal door/frame and some glass. If a driver gets t-boned then it ain't much better than a bike.

But in general I just say "it's not that bad, just slow down and try to keep my distance from bad drivers". People who say this to you (often more than once) are just trying to start a conversation, no need to be rude. Note: My opinion of bike riding could be way off due to my lack of experience.

Ratmick · Post by **Ratmick** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 1:41 pm

It's as dangerous as you want to make it

.

You can act the 'Rossi Replica' in traffic on public roads but you've got to be prepared to handle the consequences if things go pear-shaped (and they do all the time). If you ride within your own/your bike's/the road's/the traffic's limits it's no more dangerous than being in a car, it's all about risk minimisation...and maybe leaving the racing to the track.

Experience would indicate if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time (and maybe doing the wrong thing) then there's always going to be something bigger and harder than you to make a mess of you and your vehicle of choice.

I thought it was safe catching the train until the last few weeks on my line. The VLine train/semi collision up near Kerang was the train I had caught home the night before. The carriage I was sitting in was the one with the side ripped out.

hoffy · Post by **hoffy** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:27 pm

So's living in Bankstown?

ty · Post by ty » Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:41 pm

CaptnMooCow wrote:...I discovered that if I tucked right into my bike, relaxed the body and leant slightly towards the wind that I would be alright and I was. Is this the right thing to do? Also, slowing down was a bad, maintained my speed/slightly accelerate and the bike stayed upright.

Yep,

Most things in life are dangerous, it's a matter of the risks you're willing to take to enjoy yourself.
Motorcycling's no more dangerous than many other 'thrills' people regularly do - sky-diving and bungee-jumping are more dangerous in my view (note - my view) and yet these same people who question motorcycling as dangerous are keen to do those things on holidays.

So my answer's normally 'Not really - it's more fun than dangerous' - and leave it at that.
It used to work too until a minor incident a little over a year ago

ty

Ninelives · Post by **Ninelives** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 3:02 pm

I own a Motorcycle shop so everyone who knows me rides or wouldn't bother wasting their breath!

photomike666 · Post by **photomike666** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 4:44 pm

I'm an adrenaline junkie, get used to it!

Gosling1 · Post by **Gosling1** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 4:55 pm

I got the 'Temporary Australian' thing the other day

, haven't heard it in years, and geez I arked up !! "....guess I have been temporary now for 30 plus f'n years !!!......roaar"...........etc etc you can guess the rest........

Most people who don't ride just don't get it at all do they ??