I'd kill myself on a bike.

I'd kill myself on a bike.

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Discussion

backwoodsman

Original Poster:

2,463 posts

128 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Why do people say this?

I was talking to an acquaintance today, and mentioned I am thinking of buying a Bandit 600.

He shocked me, by saying the above quote.

This guy drives an XJS with a big block Chevy, and used to have a Caterham, so a petrol head, that can handle lots of power, in a RWD.

So why does he assume he would kill himself on a bike? His reply, I wouldn't trust myself.

Why not trust himself, given the cars he has owned, and still owns?



Nigel Worc's

8,121 posts

187 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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It's his "manly" way of saying he's too pussy to have a go.

papercup

2,490 posts

218 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Nigel Worc's said:
It's his "manly" way of saying he's too pussy to have a go.
+1

Always said by people that, if they do ever get on a bike, are so slow you have to wait for them at every corner.

LoonR1

26,988 posts

176 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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I popped in to get a new front tyre fitted yesterday and was chatting to two girls who rode 600cc bikes. Both said that they'd kill themselves on my 1000cc bike.

That I don't understand.

Baryonyx

17,990 posts

158 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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backwoodsman said:
Why not trust himself, given the cars he has owned, and still owns?
It's a big leap, to go from driving cars to riding something as quicker or quicker that won't stand up on it's own! There is a perception among the general population that motorbikes are inherently unsafe and any rider is on borrowed time. Of course, that is rubbish and it's down to the individual to decide what level of risk they will tolerate. The 'I'm too fking mental, I'd kill myself' excuse is macho posturing intended to cover the trepidation they feel about actually giving it a go.

Even genuine 'edgy' sorts who prboably always looked likely to die in a crash (like Colin McRae, if you ever watched him rallying) can get away with biking safely.

bgunn

1,416 posts

130 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Baryonyx said:
It's a big leap, to go from driving cars to riding something as quicker or quicker that won't stand up on it's own! There is a perception among the general population that motorbikes are inherently unsafe and any rider is on borrowed time. Of course, that is rubbish and it's down to the individual to decide what level of risk they will tolerate. The 'I'm too fking mental, I'd kill myself' excuse is macho posturing intended to cover the trepidation they feel about actually giving it a go.

Even genuine 'edgy' sorts who prboably always looked likely to die in a crash (like Colin McRae, if you ever watched him rallying) can get away with biking safely.
It is odd, yet on the other hand using a bicycle is seen as 'safe'. I know which I'd rather do.

rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Because bikes are lethal?

DuraAce

4,240 posts

159 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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It's his way of admitting his mrs won't let him have a bike. I know a couple of people who use this excuse.

EvoBarry

1,903 posts

264 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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I'm actually quite relieved these saps don't bother getting bikes, as some of them might be telling the truth and we have a bad enough rep as it is. We all know better of course, but I don't want every-bugger riding bikes, I quite like being part of a select club.

MC Bodge

21,552 posts

174 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Baryonyx said:
The 'I'm too fking mental, I'd kill myself' excuse is macho posturing intended to cover the trepidation they feel about actually giving it a go.
DuraAce said:
It's his way of admitting his mrs won't let him have a bike. I know a couple of people who use this excuse.
A combination of both of the above usually apply.

I've had this discussion with various blokes. My suggestion is usually,

"so, what you are saying is that you are so out of control, have so little sense of self-preservation and presumably confidence in your own ability to observe what is going on or regulate speed that you can't trust yourself to ride a motorbike? ....Or is that just what your wife thinks?"

wink

Mastodon2

13,818 posts

164 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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bgunn said:
It is odd, yet on the other hand using a bicycle is seen as 'safe'. I know which I'd rather do.
Yet you see them same thing with horses - how many women would never get on a bike, but happily ride a horse?

Saying "I'd kill myself on a bike" simply allows these blokes to continue the alpha male posturing and facade, effectively meaning they never have to put their money where their mouth is and have a go. By simply appearing too wild and extreme to even countenance riding a bike, they'll never had to put themselves at risk, and will continue to live life on the edge, with the brutal performance of a VAG 2.0 TDI as their steed, and life or death dilemmas like "Will the 3rd cup of the day be a tea...or a a coffee?".

MC Bodge

21,552 posts

174 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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I feel more vulnerable on a bicycle than on a motorbike.

But maybe,
"I'm mad, me!"?

Mastodon2 said:
Yet you see them same thing with horses - how many women would never get on a bike, but happily ride a horse?
Good point.

Having only once ridden a horse- in the desert in South America (Health and safety? yeah, right)- it was absolutely superb, especially galloping along twisty singletrack and would probably appeal to the same people who like motorbikes, mountain bikes etc. with gusto, rather than bimblers.

Rawwr

22,722 posts

233 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Horses are just plain mental. Imagine riding an R1 but an R1 that can think for itself and do crazy things on a whim of its own accord. MENTAL.

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

182 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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I have to admit I had a similar opinion for years. A car is a nice big metal box that is (usually) easily spotted and offers some protection as and when you screw it up.

A bike is much easier to fall off (my mate went sliding off on a wet drain cover just the other day) and much easier to be missed by car drivers.

However after 8 years of 4 wheels the itch got too much to scratch and I got my 125 although I was glad I waited until my roadcraft had improved I really don't see what the scaremongering is all about. You can drive a Ferrari F50 at 30mph so why wouldn't you be able to do the same on a large motorbike?

Nigel Worc's

8,121 posts

187 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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carmadgaz said:
I have to admit I had a similar opinion for years. A car is a nice big metal box that is (usually) easily spotted and offers some protection as and when you screw it up.

A bike is much easier to fall off (my mate went sliding off on a wet drain cover just the other day) and much easier to be missed by car drivers.

However after 8 years of 4 wheels the itch got too much to scratch and I got my 125 although I was glad I waited until my roadcraft had improved I really don't see what the scaremongering is all about. You can drive a Ferrari F50 at 30mph so why wouldn't you be able to do the same on a large motorbike?
Absolutely no reason at all, my bike is only 500cc, and I've been out on it today, a lovely bimble, and I don't think I broke a single speed limit.

The only vehicles that overtook me were power rangers going at warp speed.

arfur daley

834 posts

165 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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John D.

17,706 posts

208 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Baryonyx said:
It's a big leap, to go from driving cars to riding something as quicker or quicker that won't stand up on it's own! There is a perception among the general population that motorbikes are inherently unsafe and any rider is on borrowed time. Of course, that is rubbish and it's down to the individual to decide what level of risk they will tolerate. The 'I'm too fking mental, I'd kill myself' excuse is macho posturing intended to cover the trepidation they feel about actually giving it a go.

Even genuine 'edgy' sorts who prboably always looked likely to die in a crash (like Colin McRae, if you ever watched him rallying) can get away with biking safely.
True, but I'd kill myself if I ever flew a helicopter.

Herman Toothrot

6,702 posts

197 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Of the people I have heard say this I think most I took as admitting they don't think they have the ability to ride a bike without crashing it, often because they were st on pushbikes as children.


23rdian

387 posts

162 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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For me (and I am thinking about having a go) is that I suspect I wouldn't get away with half the stuff I have in a car...on a bike

MC Bodge

21,552 posts

174 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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23rdian said:
For me (and I am thinking about having a go) is that I suspect I wouldn't get away with half the stuff I have in a car...on a bike
You ride accordingly