[QUOTE]Originally posted by fanoftheliving
[B]

 

Per the NHTSA. I listed the major risk factors. With regards to the comments by "Chris S", however, the majority of crashes were NOT etoh related and were LICENSED. I don't think there is any data on "proper training" (prove me wrong, but how would you objectively test that?). Anyway, food for thought.

"Per mile traveled in 2000, motorcyclists were about 21 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die and about 4 times as likely to be injured in a motor vehicle crash. "

"In 2001, 39% of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding."

"In 2001, 29% of all fatally injured motorcycle operators were intoxicated (BAC > 0.07)."

"27% involved in fatal crashes in 2001 were operating the vehicle w/ an invalid license"

"Reported helmet use rates for fatally injured motorcyclists in 2001 were 53% for operators." (But helmets reduce fatality by 29%).

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NC.../2001mcycle.pdf

 

99 BMW K1200RS with 26k miles and all the cool mods like Ohlins suspension, 02 S2K

The bike now pretty much collects dust

 

I am sorry but NHTSA stats mean nothing to me. Or silly stats in general. How many Fatal MC accidents involved a car?

Personally, I only ride in the country away from traffic and on the track for track days.

But, I see bad motorcycle riders everywhere, and most are wearing minimal gear and helmets only because they are mandatory here in MD and VA.

There are the 20 something riders on sportbikes, shorts and t-shirts but doing 100MPH mile long wheelies. There is a great road Rt 211 (Thorton Gap) that all the sportbikes flock to every weekend in the Summer, a lot are newbies and there are generally a few crashes every weekend. I stopped riding there because of the increased police activity and to avoid all the carnage.

Then the Harley posers, born again 40 somethings with lots of money to spend. little or no training and wobbling down the road on a 20K Harley. They love to wear the plastic beanie helmets (no protection).

Take these riders out of the equation and you will find many thousands of safe motorcycle riders with many miles under their belts.

I know it won't happen but the US should adopt the UK's graduated program only allowing new riders on smaller 250cc bikes to start before they can ride the bigger ones.

Yes its dangerous, most car drivers are oblivious to bikes, you need to be more aware of road conditions etc.

Buy a S2000 and a 2-3 year old motorcycle, great deals to be had now. If the bike is not to your liking you can sell it next Summer with losing much it at all.

George
02 SPA
02 VFR

 

s2000raj is correct. Anyone with medical experience or who knows someone who works in a hospital will tell you the same thing. I rode bikes for years before I could afford a car. My last cycle was a Honda CBR1000, great big heavy torquey ride, top speed nearly identical to the S2000. I sold it when I nearly crashed after narrowly evading a ground hog that crossed the road in my path. Had I hit the rodent, my passenger and I would have suffered serious injuries. You can be the best possible rider with the most training, and it'll be the car you didn't see coming that takes you out. Consider how your family members and close non-motorcycling friends think about your bike habit, quit if you love them.

There are old motorcyclists, and there are bold motorcyclists, but there are no old bold motorcyclists. It's a cliche and it's true. If you do ride, please wear a helmet, it's plain stupid not to.

 

I have worked in a Surgical ICU (the highest level of ICU care) for the past 5 years, and I have been accepted to Anesthesia School, which I begin in August 2003.

I disagree with the "blanket statement" inferring that if you ride, you will get hurt (motorcycles = donorcycles).

I bought my current bike new in 1985, and it is a "rice-rocket." [RZ]

I don't think anyone would argue that bikes are more dangerous than cars, but from my personal experience, I believe that alert, responsible riders are not doomed to end up in the hospital or morgue.

In 17 years with the same bike, riding in Los Angeles traffic and canyons, I have been hit by 5 cars. Every time, I saw it coming, and was able to either slow way down, or make an evasive maneuver before impact. I have also crashed 4 times on my own, and, my worst injury through all of it was scraping 1/8 inch off of the knuckles of my left hand.

I cannot say that I always ride responsibly, but I always try to be alert. My point is that it is possible to ride for many years, and NOT end up in the hospital. but not if you are careless, or reckless.

I don't know how old you have to be, to be an old, bold motorcyclist.

I am a bold motorcyclist, and I am 41 years old, with over 20 years of riding experience. Do I qualify?

 

In looking at the NHTSA stats I see that 29% of the motorcycle fatalities in 2001, the rider was intoxicated. This is a higher rate then any other motor vehicle. This poses an interesting question:

Are motorcyclists more likely to ride while intoxicated (as compared with drivers of other vehicles), or are motorcycles more difficult for an intoxicated person to handle then other vehicles? What is causing this number?

No flames please, just opinions and ideas.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ralper
[B]In looking at the NHTSA stats I see that 29% of the motorcycle fatalities in 2001, the rider was intoxicated.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
[B]
I think most people will agree that operating a motorcycle "safely" requires far more coordination, proficiency, awareness and skill than tooling down the road in a car, even a manual one.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ralper
[B]

Xviper

I agree, but I wonder if, as a percentage, do more motorcyclists ride while intoxicated as compared to drivers of cars?