Old / New ridder advice needed
Discussion
hi guys,
I used to race motocross from the minute I could stand up till around 19 years old, and at a good level too. I'm now 30-years old however while I was doing my driving test I decided to do my full bike test which I passed.
Now some 10-years on I'm really missing not ridding, and although I can't see myself getting back into motox racing I really fancy a road bike.. But my partner is just SO worried about how dangerous the roads are for motor bike riders.. Is there anyone out there who can give me / her some advice on progressing this situation?
Thanks guys..
I used to race motocross from the minute I could stand up till around 19 years old, and at a good level too. I'm now 30-years old however while I was doing my driving test I decided to do my full bike test which I passed.
Now some 10-years on I'm really missing not ridding, and although I can't see myself getting back into motox racing I really fancy a road bike.. But my partner is just SO worried about how dangerous the roads are for motor bike riders.. Is there anyone out there who can give me / her some advice on progressing this situation?
Thanks guys..
The key point here is that your other half’s response is primarily emotional but based on a little bit of statistical fact.
Motorcycles are statistically more dangerous than driving a car but there is much you can do to reduce the risks. There was a study done a few years back that looked at police drivers and riders (in Kent as I remember – I wish I could find the link again) and showed that, mile for mile, the motorcyclists were LESS likely to be involved in a serious accident than the equivalent car driver but, when an accident did occur, the results tended to be more serious. This made the KSI figures pretty much the same between the car and bike riders.
What the report concluded was that, with good rider training and good rider discipline, motorcycles need not be significantly more dangerous than cars.
Other reports have shown that generally, motorcyclists are at no more risks than peddle cyclists.
This information, along with saying that you will undertake advanced road riding training may help in reducing the basis on which your other half fears are founded.
However, you won’t be able to counter an emotional argument so I would suggest that all you can do is try to discuss it as non-emotionally as possible and see if you can slowly persuade her that it’s something you really want to do and that you will take as much care as possible.
Good luck!
Motorcycles are statistically more dangerous than driving a car but there is much you can do to reduce the risks. There was a study done a few years back that looked at police drivers and riders (in Kent as I remember – I wish I could find the link again) and showed that, mile for mile, the motorcyclists were LESS likely to be involved in a serious accident than the equivalent car driver but, when an accident did occur, the results tended to be more serious. This made the KSI figures pretty much the same between the car and bike riders.
What the report concluded was that, with good rider training and good rider discipline, motorcycles need not be significantly more dangerous than cars.
Other reports have shown that generally, motorcyclists are at no more risks than peddle cyclists.
This information, along with saying that you will undertake advanced road riding training may help in reducing the basis on which your other half fears are founded.
However, you won’t be able to counter an emotional argument so I would suggest that all you can do is try to discuss it as non-emotionally as possible and see if you can slowly persuade her that it’s something you really want to do and that you will take as much care as possible.
Good luck!
Fantastic advice, thank you very much. Exactly what I was looking for!
Should I go for it I will need to get some extensive training on how to ride on the road safely, and maybe even find a few riders on here that live locally to me (Dorset) who would consider taking me out for a few trips! I can remember most of what I went through on my test and I do have 10-years no-claims on my car licence, however, I'm well aware I could really do with someone with years of experience taking me through a few basics on defensive riding.
I remember my dad telling me when I was young that "you need to learn how to pass your test, then you will learn how to drive".
Maybe this is the case with my mike licence?
Should I go for it I will need to get some extensive training on how to ride on the road safely, and maybe even find a few riders on here that live locally to me (Dorset) who would consider taking me out for a few trips! I can remember most of what I went through on my test and I do have 10-years no-claims on my car licence, however, I'm well aware I could really do with someone with years of experience taking me through a few basics on defensive riding.
I remember my dad telling me when I was young that "you need to learn how to pass your test, then you will learn how to drive".
Maybe this is the case with my mike licence?
Had the same situation with my girlfriend and her mum…took them both out for a spin and the result was the g/f went out and bought full leathers, new lid, boots ,gloves etc…If you can share the riding experience with them they will get a good understanding of what its about, rather than having any preconceptions of bikes and bikers..
Obviously you haven’t the luxury of doing that at the moment, id pop down to your nearest training centre and enquire about the lessons you’d need for passing your test and what they offer as advanced training,,,show the g/f your serious about it and your serious about your safety.
As an ex MXer im sure you’ll have the basics covered and make a good road rider, I haven’t met any MX’ers that aint good on a road bike yet!
Obviously you haven’t the luxury of doing that at the moment, id pop down to your nearest training centre and enquire about the lessons you’d need for passing your test and what they offer as advanced training,,,show the g/f your serious about it and your serious about your safety.
As an ex MXer im sure you’ll have the basics covered and make a good road rider, I haven’t met any MX’ers that aint good on a road bike yet!
Another take on the danger aspect.
I live near one of the best 'bikers' roads in our area - it's not bad in a decent car either!
Countless riders have been seriously injured and quite a few killed on it. In high summer there's usually at least one serious accident every weekend. Talking to a local traffic cop he told me that virtually all those accidents were 'self inflicted' - ie no other vehicle involved. Yes there are a lot of idiots out there waiting to get you but getting it right yourself must substantially reduce the risks involved in riding the kind of awesome performance machines you can get nowadays.
I live near one of the best 'bikers' roads in our area - it's not bad in a decent car either!
Countless riders have been seriously injured and quite a few killed on it. In high summer there's usually at least one serious accident every weekend. Talking to a local traffic cop he told me that virtually all those accidents were 'self inflicted' - ie no other vehicle involved. Yes there are a lot of idiots out there waiting to get you but getting it right yourself must substantially reduce the risks involved in riding the kind of awesome performance machines you can get nowadays.Bikesafe ...A cheap and highly effective day out. They aren't allowed to call it a 'training day' but that's exactly what it is, and I can highly recommend it.
http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/
http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/
Edited by tfm on Thursday 1st November 14:40
Bikes are great aren't they? So much power and speed for so little money... Just remember that it hurts like hell if you fall off. May be your fault, may be someone elses, but it still hurts. Get the best gear you can afford, with advice from someone who knows, get some advanced training and never believe that you know it all. I survived for 20 years of every day riding and then gave up very, very suddenly - uninsured drivers don't care who they knock off! Bitter - moi?!!!
Thanks so much lads, for all your advice. The bikesafe course looks great, and it seems there is one close to me in Bournemouth. It is interesting in what a few of you say about accidents, as all of my mates who have had crashes on bikes over the years have either come off on their own - or thay have been well over the speed limit at the time of the crash..
To confirm I do have my FULL license. I took my CBT one morning ten years ago followed by my test the next day. However have not ridden on the road since the test was over.. So I will have to put myself through some training again ???
To confirm I do have my FULL license. I took my CBT one morning ten years ago followed by my test the next day. However have not ridden on the road since the test was over.. So I will have to put myself through some training again ???
Edited by AudiSport on Friday 2nd November 08:13
Once you've got back in to the saddle and built up a little confidence I would suggest after doing the Bikesafe day to contact your local IAM group and train to sit your Advance Test. You can find your local group using this link: http://www.iam.org.uk/iamgroups/groupdirectory/
AudiSport said:
To confirm I do have my FULL license. I took my CBT one morning ten years ago followed by my test the next day. However have not ridden on the road since the test was over.. So I will have to put myself through some training again ???
You obviously don't legally need to do any training but if I was you I'd speak to a local riding school and ask for a one day refresher on one of their 500s. You might even find a friendly one who would take the missus out on the back. If she's more involved then she'll be happier.
AudiSport said:
I remember my dad telling me when I was young that "you need to learn how to pass your test, then you will learn how to drive".
Maybe this is the case with my mike licence?
I would suggest that this is exactly the case. (And not just with you but with everyone who has just passed their test!) You know how to make a bike go/stop etc. and you have already passed your test so what you need now is training on how to ride on the road safely while not removing any of the fun. (After all, that's why we have a bike!)Maybe this is the case with my mike licence?
I would just go straight out on the bike somewhere quiet and slowly build your confidence. After a few months go on a Bikesafe course and they'll tell you where you can improve your riding, and offer some excellent advise.
Remember, a bike will only do what you tell it to do - where does it say you have to ride fast on a bike?
Find a riding style you're comfortable with and don't be influenced by others to push your own safe boundaries. Avoid trying to keep up with others etc.
Remember, a bike will only do what you tell it to do - where does it say you have to ride fast on a bike?
Find a riding style you're comfortable with and don't be influenced by others to push your own safe boundaries. Avoid trying to keep up with others etc.
Edited by tfm on Friday 2nd November 09:30
tfm said:
I would just go straight out on the bike somewhere quiet and slowly build your confidence. After a few months go on a Bikesafe course and they'll tell you where you can improve your riding, and offer some excellent advise.
Remember, a bike will only do what you tell it to do - where does it say you have to ride fast on a bike?
Find a riding style you're comfortable with and don't be influenced by others to push your own safe boundaries. Avoid trying to keep up with others etc.
I don’t think the issue is how to make the bike go/stop etc. as with the previous experience AudiSport has, it’ll come back very quickly. The issue is ensuring that anything AudiSport does on a bike is safe enough to reduce the other half’s worry levels down below ‘total panic’. This can only be done with advanced training and while you can ‘teach yourself’ these skills, it’s much quicker and safer (and visible to the other half) to be taught by someone who knows.Remember, a bike will only do what you tell it to do - where does it say you have to ride fast on a bike?
Find a riding style you're comfortable with and don't be influenced by others to push your own safe boundaries. Avoid trying to keep up with others etc.
Edited by tfm on Friday 2nd November 09:30
After too many years away from a decent size bike I've started commuting from York to Leeds Uni every day - a round trip of 50+ miles.
The roads are a mixture of decent twisty to speed restricted (50mph) A roads plus a bit of city traffic.
The only way for you to get back in the saddle is to take it easy and slowly build speed. Always try to be smooth and being rapid will follow.
Never be intimidated to go faster if somebody else is quicker than you.
After 5 weeks of this I'm now back to a reasonable skill level and still learning/remembering.
The roads are a mixture of decent twisty to speed restricted (50mph) A roads plus a bit of city traffic.
The only way for you to get back in the saddle is to take it easy and slowly build speed. Always try to be smooth and being rapid will follow.
Never be intimidated to go faster if somebody else is quicker than you.
After 5 weeks of this I'm now back to a reasonable skill level and still learning/remembering.
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