The statistics don't lie, that bikes have far more accidents per mile than cars, and riders are much more likely to be hurt or killed in a crash than people in cars. But the statistics also show that motorcycle crashes overwhelmingly involve one or more of a few controllable factors:

1) Inexperienced rider
2) Unlicensed rider
3) No safety training
4) Alcohol or other drugs

Everyone is right that judgment and proper equipment are important, and that some hazards are nearly impossible to avoid, but you can greatly improve your odds by doing things the right way.

 

as long as it isn't 100% death when you ride, you keep riding. % dont mean squat if you're the one that get hits. FACT: Its either 100% or 0%. I almost got hit by 4 cars today in a span of 5 miles. Women drivers are ****ing stupid! I was going speed limit and they can still manage to not see me in residential areas. DAM those car mirrors and make up bags!

 

just kindly ask them toquit yapping on the phone, eating, drinking, looking for another cd, acting like an a$$, etc, etc, etc, then remind them to PAY ATTENTION while they r driving in their car and u will be fine...

 

and you do this by knocking off their mirrors.

 

I think I read somewhere that 90% of all motorcycle accidents involve people who "self taught" themselves to ride. Take an MSF class, education never hurt anyone. As a paramedic I have seen people walk away from speeds of 120+ mph and I've seen people die at speeds of 30 mph. You might survive the accident, but I've had a few patients die later in the hosptial from massive infections after the wrecked and got road rash from head to toe. Getting debreded is one of the most painful things anyone can expericnce, so wear the gear.

*These observations are from my work, I'm looking at buying my first bike ever this month.

-Nate

 

The best piece of advice I've seen -
"ride as though everyone out there is trying to kill you"...!!
Be aware of what's going on around you - you'll develope a 6th sense which will help to keep you upright.
Have a look at the "being aware post" on the Hurricane forum - some good tips from older riders on what to look out for, and what's kept them alive.......

 

Who cares? You gotta die some time.
And i would much ratherdie involved in the most brutal awesome badass crash in history than because ofAIDS from that shady hooker in the bahamas.

 

And let's not forget those drunk harley riders ****ing up us responsible honda owners' stats![:@]

 

The percentages are higher than car for injury, basically because we are not encased in a nice metal box. Protective gear is to stop abrassive force on your body, so even a mild accident that would cause bugger all damage to a car, will in all probability cause you some hurt.
"You pays your money...." certainly applies to riding, to many non bikers its not an acceptable risk, while to us it is. There is a big difference between being a good rider & a good safe rider, up the ante by being a dick & you have just upped the odds on coming to grief. Safe riders still have stacks, no question, according to most bike riding schools we should be "prepared" for every eventuality (like keeping one eye in the rear view when stopped at lights or intersections).To me, the excitement & love of riding outways any concerns about death or injury, but that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy riding without trying to be safe.

 

I personally have known more people who have died in cars than on motorcycles.