Is it wise to get a motorcycle?

Question

Im 19 years old, ive been wanting a bike since i was 8. I figure ill buy a 600cc somptin (mostly a Cbr). Everyone i know keeps telling me im going to kill myself, or ill end up paralyzed. i was in a car accident that i have no idea how i survived, let alone walked away with out a scratch. Im very very very safe when i drive never speed or anything. Are motorcycles as bad as everyone states or just a myth. I just want a bike since gas is cheap as h**l, the bike is cheap and insurance is cheaper than a car since i have a flawless record.

Answer 1

it isn't wise to get a CBR600 for your first bike, it just isn't.  If you absolutely have to start on the street, an msf course and a ninja 250/500 or similar machine will be plenty for a beginner.

the best way to learn IMHO is on the dirt.  find a nice clean used 2 stroke 125 dirtbike, they're practically giving them away, and learn to ride in a more controlled environment until you've mastered the skills. then you can sell the 125 for the same price you bought it for and move up to a street bike.  with this introduction to riding down, you would be ready for something better than a ninja 250, but it still wouldn't be smart to go with a 600 super sport.  the sv650 / ninja650 / fz6 / type bikes would be good starts.

trying to learn the fundamentals of motorcycling and dodge traffic at the same time is just a recipe for disaster

insurance on a CBR for a 19 year old won't be cheap at all, and you'll probably need full coverage to boot.

Answer 2

The fact is there a 4 main factors in a Motor deaths.

One Drinking

Two Drugs

Three Speed (going to fast)

and Four Cars (I did see him)

Fact yes your are more likely to become paralyzed or dead if you are involved in a Motorcycle Crash

Fiction more Likely to have crash on A motorcycle than a car.

The fact is per ratio the you are 70% less Likely to be envoled in a major crash.

your age group dose have the Highest number of over all Cashes in the US.

Take a MSF Class and dont let your ego write a cheack your body cant cash

ALL WAY REMEBER THERE ARE TWO TPYES OF RIDER THOSE WHO HAVE GONE DOWN AND THOSE WHO WILL.

Answer 3

I've been on bikes since age 8. Got my first road bike at 16. I'm almost 34. Ride dirt all summer. Go to the tracks and suit up. Ride in the rain, ride in the cold until the roads start to get icy.

I've been in a couple of accidents. It's going to happen, whether it's plain rider error, or an unavoidable traffic accident.

This spring, not one block from my house, I turned a corner at pretty low speed, caught some gravel, the rear wheel slipped out--I low sided. Down I went. What should have otherwise been just a soft fall turned out to be a broken ankle--a plate in my ankle and 8 screws.

It happens. Safety and awareness are great tools. A motorcycle safety course is a wonderful idea, scanning ahead, awareness of your surroundings, etc. You're right about a few things. One of the studies published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates the following:

Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) data show an increase in the number of on highway motorcycles and motorcycle registration data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) also show an increase in the number of registered motorcycles.

MIC data show an increase in motorcycle ownership in the 40 and above age group and FARS data show an increase in motorcycle rider fatalities in the age group of 40 and above in the last 10 years.

According to MIC, sales of motorcycles with larger engine sizes have increased over the past years, corresponding to FARS data where an increased number of motorcycle rider fatalities involve a motorcycle with a larger engine size.

An increased number of motorcycle rider fatalities in the 40 and above age group were seen on rural roadways.

Among roadway types, undivided roadways accounted for a majority of motorcycle rider fatalities.

Speeding is one of the major contributing factors in motorcycle crashes especially among motorcycle riders under the age of 30.

Motorcycle operators with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dL or higher continue to be a major problem.

Helmet use among fatally injured motorcycle riders has remained constant, at just above 50 percent in the last ten years.

About two-thirds (66%) of the fatally injured motorcycles riders in States without universal helmet laws in 2004 were not wearing helmets compared to 15 percent in States with universal helmet laws.

Among all riders, motorcycle operator fatalities under the age of 20 had larger percentages of improperly licensed riders.

My opinion is that you take a chance no matter what; however, the style in which you choose to ride dictates how much risk you choose to take. If I go to the track, I am taking a risk of dumping my bike and possibly getting seriously hurt, but I wear leathers, boots, etc. I don't ride that way on the street for a reason. On the street I scan ahead, scan for other knucklehead drivers that are going to cut out in front of me, watch for kids or dogs or whatever that might run out in front of me in case I need to emergency brake, I wear my helmet, I wear my leater jacket, I wear my riding boots, etc. I don't take too many chances on the street for my sake and likewise for the sake of someone else I might hurt if they had to avoid me or if I crash into them. That's not to say that I don't sometimes go out on the backroads and take the curves... City riding versus country riding (watch that stray dog or cow or tractor) versus controlled track riding versus commuting on a Vespa. It boils down to choice. And in the end, it comes down a bit to risk, as well. My friend's wife dumped her Vespa and got some pretty nasty bruises, and it was just a plain ordinary accident. They happen.

Good luck in your riding.  

Jason

Answer 4

A motor cycle is perfectly safe, but you are mixing it with a host of other road users who are not, save your money and get a car.

Answer 5

For your age it may sound very thrilling to ride on a motorcylcle.

The fact that you have met with an accident goes to show that it is indeed unsafe to ride on this mean machine.

Though the input cost of running a motorcycle is small, nothing can compared to losing one's life.

think twice or thrice before you opt for one you are young will have to explore this world a lot more. therefore be wise in making a decision go for a car.

That is better than your passion/.

Answer 6

Get a bike if you want. They are only as safe as the rider.

Here's some stats for you regarding motorcycle deaths. (Look up the "Hurt Report" if you want details)

48% of ALL MC deaths were single vehicle accidents.  - That means it was the RIDERS fault. So take those away if your a safe rider and your chances of living just doubled.

Also, if you ride like your invisible, which you are to many, you will anticipate potential problems well before they happen and be able to avoid them.

Here's some more stats to share with those telling you it's not safe. These are from the state of Ohio and are crashes of different vehicles. These are an average of the last 5 years. (Link below in case you want proof)

Motorcycles - 3984

Bicycles - 2504

Pedestrians (includes skaters) - 3242

Public transportation - 1640

School Bus - 2110

http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:sKF...

So if you want to be safe.....Don't ride a motorcycle - Dont ride bike - Don't walk - Don't take a bus - And for heavens sake don't spend time in one of the most dangerous places you could possible be in - your home.

Unintentional home injuries are also a significant cause of death in the United States. Between 1992 and 1999, data collected from the National Vital Statistics System showed unintentional home injuries caused more than 18,000 deaths annually on average. The investigators also found that falls caused 2.25 deaths per 100,000, poisoning caused 1.83 deaths per 100,000, and fire/burns caused 1.29 deaths per 100,000 people.

Answer 7

I have been riding bikes all my life, even did it professionally as a pony express in manic cities around the world.

have survived. There has been some luck and there has been some common sense.

People kill themselves in all kind of ways and I have seen a few.

What to say... I have also been into wheels since I was about 8.

By the time I was 11 I could build my own bicycles and when I was 14 I got my first moped. A year later it was the fastest moped on the block.

People also told me I was going to kill myself and my dad always scared me about me getting paralized.

Luckily it has never happened.

I do believe on a bike you are more aware = safer than on a car, BUT if someone on a SUV jumps the lights as you are passing you are dead meat. I have had friends die like this and if I'll ever be ran over by someone that jumps the light and he/she doesn't kill me then I'll probably spend rest of my days in jail as I'll kill them myself.

There are pros and cons to anything.

I won't suggest you get a bike but I'll say do what you feel and good luck to you. But hey, if you have never ridden anything and you are 19 I would dearly suggest you get a 125cc and ride THAT for a few years, then get a 250cc and ride that for another couple of years. You know, a rear chain coming off your cbr @ 110mph would do way more damage to you than if it was a 125cc doing 47.6mph.

Answer 8

Motorcycles are not dangerous.  It is the rider and the idiots around him that are dangerous.  If you are a careful rider and always aware of your surroundings, you will less likely be involved in an accident.  However, better than 50% of all motorcycle accidents are not the riders fault.  It is the cage drivers who do not look and are not aware of the motorcycle that are, more often, at fault.  I suggest taking a look at the website that I'm going to link and do some reading on it.  It has some great reviews on bikes and the forums will help out anybody who's new to riding.  

Remember, always wear your protective gear, also.  It will only take 1 crash without it and you'll wish you had it on.  

Good Luck

Answer 9

no, a pimped european scooter is better. this is why...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgNCCgR6e...

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GCC2-sTf...

oh, let me add this too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6bEDncOv...

Answer 10

You should know that motorcycles really are dangerous.

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/bike.htm

I know the dangers so I don't take any extra risks. I see people doing stupid stuff on their bikes, and I say to myself "do they know"

===

Ride because it is FUN.  But also know that it is dangerous so ride safely.

Accidents that would be a fender bender could easily be a hospital visit on a motorcycle.  You said that "you have no idea how you survived" - that's because cars are REALLY safe.  There's just NO WAY that a motorcycle is even 1/10 as safe.

Good Luck...

Answer 11

the (r) part of the cbr thing will cost alot more in

insurance

Answer 12

Well, no ure not wise if u want to get a motorcycle in the first place, but if ure a thrill seeker, trying to find the next best way to pump adrenaline, h**l go for it

Answer 13

motorcycles aren't dangerous. The stupid riders who disregard the law and safety best practices are the only danger. The bike only goes as fast as you make it. If you are as responsible and safety minded as you claim, a CBR600 would be great for you to start on.

Get an 02 or 03 for like 3 or 4 grand. Liability will be cheap. Just make sure you get all the proper gear. Boots, full face helmet, jacket, and gloves at a minimum

Answer 14

you should get one.they are fun to ride.be careful though