You hear a lot about close calls and danger when looking at motorcycles from the outside. I’m looking at motorcycles now for the first time, and my wife is concerned. As I just want a chill cruiser, I thought maybe some perspective from actual riders might help with the perceived danger. What do you guys think? Do you have any stories or opinions? Anyone experience any accidents that armor/air vests came in clutch? I appreciate any insight you guys may have!

  • guyrocket@kbin.social
    1·
    1 year ago

    There are a LOT of variables in that equation.

    1. You want a “chill cruiser”, is that 750 CCs? 2000 CCs?
    2. Where will you ride? A lot of my riding is on “slow” parkways by lakes, but riding on the highway is VERY different.
    3. What safety equipment will you buy? Full face helmet? Airbags? Riding jeans, riding boots, leather gloves, chaps, etc.?
    4. Will you always wear ALL of your safety gear?
    5. How careful are you to begin with? Do you obey most traffic laws in your car or do you have a stack of tickets and never obey laws?
    6. Leadfoot? Like speed? Like taking your life in your hands?
    7. Planning to take a motorcycle safety course? How will you learn and how much will you learn?
    8. Are you a hothead? Get angry easily? Get in a lot of fights?

    There’s probably more that’s not immediately coming to mind, but I think you get the idea. It can be very dangerous or much less dangerous. Never totally safe and always more dangerous than a glass and steel cage. But it is a LOT of fun and I love it.