I'd kill myself on a bike.

[upsidedownmark]

Interesting what peoples perceptions of risk are vs where the risk might actually be.

Sunny days in the countryside 'seem' more risky to me - nice sweeping A roads, speed, hidden junctions, people coming out of turnings.... vs commuting at mostly low speeds in more predictable environments. Also the more I ride the more switched on I am..

Anyways, I used to say I'd not get a bike 'cos I'd kill myself on one, so here's my take on it.

IMHO, on a bike you have a lot more possibility to do things that you probably should not. Staying safe requires restraint far more than it does in a car. Restraint isn't something I've historically been good with, and certainly didn't have in my 20's.

With a car it's far harder to afford, and there are far fewer opportunities to find your ambition has put you into a position you don't have an out from - and the consequences when you do are generally less severe.

[cat with a hat]

After getting back into a warm hatchback for a week, I can't believe how slow and dull most cars are.. To the point I think the next time I buy a car it will simply be an A-B vehicle.

I use to stay I'd probably kill myself if I got a bike (600-1000), as even when I was on a 50cc moped I got hit side on by a car. I don't think many people genuinely believe it, they just say it to highlight how dangerous it can be.

I still don't like the idea of commuting on fast roads on a motorbike everyday because I think eventually I would become less switched on. Its less of an event and it's a completely different mindset to a nice ride in the countryside. (Not that the countryside isn't brimming with hazards!)

[moto_traxport]

cwis said:

I'm the other way round...

I get a lovely sensation of speed on a bike (any bike) that is totally absent from any decent car.

In such a car, I tend to get "carried away"... I've had goes in various quickish cars (Integra Type R, Boxter etc etc) and although I love them, I wouldn't own one. I'd end up upside down in a field.

So I don't. I had a 2CV all though my 20's and early 30's which probably enabled me to reach my current age, and currently drive an elderly RAV4 on mud and snow tyres - slow, no grip, leans over and squeals the tyres at the slightest provocation - perfect.

Christ, it's me! I actually took up bikes because I was going to kill myself in car. I wrote off a fair few cars before I even had a licence. My first 2 cars according to the DVLA were 2CV's - friggin awesome things!

The only new car I've fancied for an age is the Caterham 160 thing with the little 660cc motor. 20 to 80mph fun. Modern powerful Ncap 5 stuff is just asking for the horns to emerge.

[George111]

Mastodon2 said:

George111 said:

Just respect other people's risk strategies "I'd kill myself" is just shorthand for "I don't like the risk"

So why not say that then? By saying "I'd kill myself", they get that easy get-off and without having to feel emasculated by admitting they "don't like the risk."

Why would not liking the risk of riding a motorbike be emasculating ? You're suggesting that to be a man you have to like risk but as you get older, you back away from risk naturally - do you become less of a man ? I think not !

Is masculinity based on risk taking and fast riding or is it just as masculine to want to be with your daughter on her first sports day ? I have known some women who have taken far greater risks than I have ever wanted to take and they are not masculine . . . one was a cave diver digging out and exploring new caves and the death rate back then for cave divers was about 1 in 4, far worse than motorcycling. Would she be more of a man than you

[Mastodon2]

George111 said:

Why would not liking the risk of riding a motorbike be emasculating ? You're suggesting that to be a man you have to like risk but as you get older, you back away from risk naturally - do you become less of a man ? I think not !

Is masculinity based on risk taking and fast riding or is it just as masculine to want to be with your daughter on her first sports day ? I have known some women who have taken far greater risks than I have ever wanted to take and they are not masculine . . . one was a cave diver digging out and exploring new caves and the death rate back then for cave divers was about 1 in 4, far worse than motorcycling. Would she be more of a man than you

Society perceives motorcycling as a masculine thing, just as performance cars are seen as a male thing too, so I'm just trying to find the reason that these blokes say one thing for not wanting to get into motorcycling, but mean another. Clearly they feel it says something about them, hence they're using the "too crazy" get out card.

I've had loads of people give me this line since I got my licence and bought a bike, but in truth I've got a lot more respect for anyone who says "It's too much risk for me", rather than trying to come across as some kind of mentalist who is too wild to ride.

[gwm]

People say this to me all the time, even did when I had a wee scooter years ago! My response then was always "I'll be fine, the scooter hits the ground first"

For me, it's the lack of margin for error on bikes that seem to scare most people. A wheel slips or you pull out a junction on someone in a car? Skid a little bit or are protected by a big cage. On a bike, not so much. But I say this as a slow bike rider, far more willing to drive fast in a car as the consequences are less severe.

[Yazza54]

moto_traxport said:

cwis said:

I'm the other way round...

I get a lovely sensation of speed on a bike (any bike) that is totally absent from any decent car.

In such a car, I tend to get "carried away"... I've had goes in various quickish cars (Integra Type R, Boxter etc etc) and although I love them, I wouldn't own one. I'd end up upside down in a field.

So I don't. I had a 2CV all though my 20's and early 30's which probably enabled me to reach my current age, and currently drive an elderly RAV4 on mud and snow tyres - slow, no grip, leans over and squeals the tyres at the slightest provocation - perfect.

Christ, it's me! I actually took up bikes because I was going to kill myself in car. I wrote off a fair few cars before I even had a licence. My first 2 cars according to the DVLA were 2CV's - friggin awesome things!

The only new car I've fancied for an age is the Caterham 160 thing with the little 660cc motor. 20 to 80mph fun. Modern powerful Ncap 5 stuff is just asking for the horns to emerge.

Ha and me! I'm definitely more of a liability when it comes to speeding in cars too! Dunno why, maybe it's harder to scratch the itch in a car when you're sat in a metal box. I'm more talented on 4 wheels than 2 though.

Really don't understand then "I'd kill myself comments", normally my answer to that is that it's probably a good idea they don't have any mode of transport if they're devoid of any self control. Pathetic.

[Hungrymc]

It's normally a bit of an ego and a total misunderstanding of what a fast bike is like (in my opinion)

They like to suggest they are too hard core and drive so on the edge that when they get on a bike and do the same, they will inevitably die due to them riding like Marquez on the road.

The reality is more like never opening the throttle more than 50%, 25mm chicken strips, and death through a refusal to lean over and drifting across the centre line into oncoming traffic almost upright.

[Fotic]

George111 said:

Mastodon2 said:

George111 said:

Just respect other people's risk strategies "I'd kill myself" is just shorthand for "I don't like the risk"

So why not say that then? By saying "I'd kill myself", they get that easy get-off and without having to feel emasculated by admitting they "don't like the risk."

Why would not liking the risk of riding a motorbike be emasculating ? You're suggesting that to be a man you have to like risk but as you get older, you back away from risk naturally - do you become less of a man ? I think not !

Is masculinity based on risk taking and fast riding or is it just as masculine to want to be with your daughter on her first sports day ? I have known some women who have taken far greater risks than I have ever wanted to take and they are not masculine . . . one was a cave diver digging out and exploring new caves and the death rate back then for cave divers was about 1 in 4, far worse than motorcycling. Would she be more of a man than you

But why not say 'I don't like the risk'? That's the point of this thread I think.

I think it's mainly said by people who want to appear like a bit of a loon - 'Oh I'd kill myself on a bike, me! I'm such a nutter' when in reality they're a bit scared of bikes.

[LoonR1]

I've got "chicken strips" about that size. Do you really think that dictates how quick you are on the road?

[Hooli]

LoonR1 said:

I've got "chicken strips" about that size. Do you really think that dictates how quick you are on the road?

[LoonR1]

[JIM600]

Maybe it was a cry for help.

[Prof Prolapse]

Fotic said:

But why not say 'I don't like the risk'? That's the point of this thread I think.

I think it's mainly said by people who want to appear like a bit of a loon - 'Oh I'd kill myself on a bike, me! I'm such a nutter' when in reality they're a bit scared of bikes.

I still don't think that's very fair to be honest. Not many blokes are willing to so openly admit fears to people they don't know intimately.

For all intents and purposes they're saying it anyway. My usual response is "you'll find that fear would actually probably stop you doing anything stupid, but it's not for everyone", I don't recall anyone ever being offended that I said they were afraid, which presumably they would if they were playing billy big balls.

[ylovebuffalo]

Fotic said:

But why not say 'I don't like the risk'? That's the point of this thread I think.

I think it's mainly said by people who want to appear like a bit of a loon - 'Oh I'd kill myself on a bike, me! I'm such a nutter' when in reality they're a bit scared of bikes.

+1

[John D.]

ylovebuffalo said:

Fotic said:

But why not say 'I don't like the risk'? That's the point of this thread I think.

I think it's mainly said by people who want to appear like a bit of a loon - 'Oh I'd kill myself on a bike, me! I'm such a nutter' when in reality they're a bit scared of bikes.

+1

-1

[dapearson]

Several mates of mine seem to like bikes, but have never shown an interest in actually riding themselves.

I don't know whether it's just because their mum once told them that bikes are dangerous, or it's their wives refusing to (in their eyes) sign their husband's death warrant by giving them "permission" to have a bike.

Most blokes i know don't do much interesting stuff. They have fairly boring cars. They live quite ordinary, semi-detached, hatchback, 9-5 kind of lives. They seem to need permission from their wives to do anything out of the ordinary, or to spend much more than £10 without asking.

I couldn't live like that.

What's funny is that each of them "oooh no. i'd kill myself" when i ask them whether they're tempted to get their license.

The lads that aren't married either already have their license, or are considering it. Funny that. Seems like there's a pattern!

[biffonracing]

A good friend of mine after years and years of going on the back of his fathers, brothers, my and other friends bikes. decided enough was enough, that he ought to get one of his own and learn to ride at 48.

So off he went to do a DAS course, after doing the course, he opted out of the test, as he decided that there was no way he’d have the skill to use a bike safely ( he probably does but it’s all about confidence / too frightened)

Have to say I have much more respect for someone like him who can have a go at something and decide it’s not for them, than I do with anyone who comes up with such a silly comment as if I had a bike I’d kill myself.

it takes an awful lot more courage to admit you’re not very good at something than it does to come up with some bullst excuse why you should never try.

Anyone who say’s “If I had a bike I’d kill myself” is basically saying their too scared to try, but their ego won’t let them actually admit it.

[MC Bodge]

dapearson said:

Most blokes i know don't do much interesting stuff. They have fairly boring cars. They live quite ordinary, semi-detached, hatchback, 9-5 kind of lives. They seem to need permission from their wives to do anything out of the ordinary, or to spend much more than £10 without asking.

I work 8-5, have a semi-detached house and a 'boring car', although I do treat the car as a non-precious tool and it does get 'exercised' away from dual carriageways and rush-hour.

Thankfully my wife tolerates me having an entertaining bike and I've always been an active type.

-spending my weekends buying crap in the Trafford Centre, like many appear to, would be purgatory, even if I did have (or want) a flashy Audi parked in the car park

Edited by MC Bodge on Tuesday 2nd September 20:16

[Dammit]

I thought that the saying "I'd kill myself on a big bike" was down to the type 2 diabetes that results from the unwritten rule for bikers (around London at least) that you have to be heavier than your motorcycle.