This article is about how I think about risk as a motorcycle rider, and I hope this post gives fellow riders a few ways to think about taking risks seriously.
I was 17 years old when I bought my first motorcycle. It was a wonderful Honda CT-90 that became my main mode of transportation, but I was 17 years old, and the last thing on my mind then was risk.
It was before Basic Rider Courses and motorcycle endorsements existed, and I rode with out having a clue about the nuances of motorbike skills. Michigan started requiring motorcycle endorsements shortly after I began riding, but I was grandfathered in (no written test, no skills test) and the state just handed me my endorsement. I knew I had to wear a helmet, but I often rode in t-shirts, shorts and tennis shoes. Not the best way to manage the risks of riding.
Fast forward to October 2014 when I bought my second bike. I hadn't ridden since selling my beloved CT-90 in 1974, and my first ride in 40 years made me realize that risk was something I needed to seriously consider.
I spent the first 200 miles last fall puttering around town and just getting a feel for riding again. My earlier bike had no clutch, so I needed to get a feel for shifting gears and controlling the bike, which got me thinking about risk.
Recognize
Motorcycling is inherently risky. You don't have a steel cage and airbags to protect you in the event of a crash. You only have two wheels so you must balance your bike while riding and hold it up when stopped. You are smaller than a car and harder to see. Other drivers often don't see you and often pull into your lane unexpectedly or turn in-front of you without warning. Your bike doesn't deal with road hazards the same way as a car does, and a pothole that causes a flat tire on a car can cause a nasty crash on a motorcycle.
David Hough reports that "more than 4,500 motorcyclists died in motorcycle crashes nationwide” during 2005 in his well-written book, Proficient Motorcycling. He adds that 80% of motorcycle crashes result in injury or death. That may be the reason that mom didn't what you to get that first bike.
Why do we ride then?
We all have different reasons for riding, but I suspect that most of us are willing to accept the risk for the reward of freedom, the wind in our face and doing something that much of society doesn't understand. We ride because we love to ride.
Analyze
We need to analyze each of the risks inherent in the sport and the risks involved in different aspects of the sport. What is our skill level, how fast do we really want to go, how important to us is it to take that corner as fast as possible? By analyzing the risks we can sensibly decide that, just maybe, riding is not for us. More likely, however, we will devise ways that manage the risks so that the risk-reward equation is on the reward side of the ledger.
Manage
We all make our own decisions about risk management, but here is what I decided to do to manage my own riding risks. We all approach our own risk management differently, but it's my hope that you will read this and carefully consider how you recognize, analyze and manage your own risk.
The first thing I realized when I bought my bike last fall was that my riding skills were rusty. What I learned 40 years ago was lost to me now and I was riding a more powerful bike in heavier traffic that I did years ago. I rode a little during the first fall that I bought my new bike before putting it up for the winter.
I signed up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Returning Rider Course scheduled for the next April, and it was the best $25 I ever spent. It taught me new skills and things to consider while riding like: looking where you want to go, counter steering, braking in a turn, obstacle avoidance and more.
I also discovered that I needed to better manage my equipment.
I have Suzuki Boulevard S40, which is a 650cc single-cylinder cruiser that weighs less than 400 pounds. Its top speed is about 95mph, but most of the torque being at the lower speeds makes maneuvering at high speeds tough.
I am comfortable on two- and four-lane highways cruising along at 55 to 65mph. I am uncomfortable riding on the expressways at 75mph with semi trucks blowing me off the road. It is a great bike for cruising down a curvy road or maybe short stretches on the freeway, but regular super-slab riding isn't for me on this bike.
I also added a modulating brake light to my bike to help maximize my visibility and to minimize the chance of a rear end collision.
One thing I learned back in the 1970s was the importance of wearing a helmet for me. I only took two falls on that Honda, the first was a slow speed slide on some gravel where I bounced my helmet off the ground pretty hard and my helmet saved me from what might have been a serious injury. The second fall happened at a parking gate when gate went up, I rode forward, and the gate came down on me and knocked me off of my bike. I landed on my butt and again my helmet hit the ground hard. I am convinced I was able to get up and get back on the bike because I wore the helmet, which convinced me that I will always wear a helmet when I ride.
Another way that I manage risk is by wearing HiViz gear. My summer jacket and both of my helmets are HiViz yellow to maximize visibility.
I also manage my risk with protective gear. I may not be All The Gear All The Time (ATTGATT), but I'm close and getting closer each season. I wear motorcycle specific boots and gloves when I ride, and I wear either jeans or heavy canvas pants over an armored base layer. In the early spring and late fall I wear a leather riding jacket, often over an armored base layer and wear a mesh armored riding jacket in late spring, summer and early fall. I just don't feel comfortable in just a t-shirt and jeans anymore.
How I manage the risks of riding may not be for everyone, but I hope this article helps fellow riders to think about risk as a serious matter and how my will personally manage those risks.
Ride Safe, have Fun.
© Tim Marks 2016 All rights reserved
good job dude. have the same story. took some classes and learned the right way to do things. feel like I am getting there. scooter is going into it's 4th season, have modified the rear and added lights and bigger tires. try to gear up every time, and I wear my invisible armor (constant vigilance). we ride because it makes me feel free....
Posted by: dave cee | January 14, 2016 at 09:29 AM
Nice article! I also bought my first bike this fall after being off a motorcycle for 30 years. I too bought the bike and spent several weeks puttering around my subdivision and local streets before trying out the actual road with cars! trying to redevelop my very rusty skills. Especially since this bike has twice the power of any motorcycle i rode in the past (1200cc).
After getting my endorsement, i sought out advice from a 50 year veteran rider that helped me pass my road test.
I too bought motorcycle specific boots and a high end Shoei helmet. I now own 3 pairs of motorcycle gloves, 2 high vis jackets with armor, one for fall and winter and the other for spring and summer. Plus armored pants for serious long term riding. I just now bought a motorcycle leather jacket as well.
I ride with people that dont wear helmets and just vest and jeans, and thats fine for them, but i got back to riding to enjoy the feeling of being on the open road, (BMW touring bike and seeing the sites, the way only a motorcycle can provide.
Safety first is the way i ride!
Posted by: kim moon | January 14, 2016 at 11:30 AM