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Scared getting a bike....

louemc said:
If you actually knew something about reality, You would come up with the right answer, instead of the wrong answer.

My bike can be put in a slice of clear space, that my car can't fit into.

My bike can do it quicker than my econo hybrid car that needs a lane.

I have mondo off road racing history, I can use the ground on the side of the road, that doesn't look usable to normal folk, as well.

I can't help it if what I say doesn't make sense to you...:rofl
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I never have and never will wish someone to crash. But damn do you need a dose of reality.
 
Brokenlink said:
I never have and never will wish someone to crash. But damn do you need a dose of reality.
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I've been riding for 60 years....That included dirt (mountain trails, and Desert racing) ... How long have You been at it?

Just a wild guess... I've seen more reality than You have.
 
louemc said:
I've been riding for 60 years....That included dirt (mountain trails, and Desert racing) ... How long have You been at it?

Just a wild guess... I've seen more reality than You have.
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I bow to your superiority and humbleness. You truly are a gift to the community. White elephant comes to mind.
 
warsaw1776 said:
I love track days. The thought was that my monster would be a good mix, but I wanted a SS when I had it. I've considered Ducati street fighters, z1000s, SV1000 but none of them do it for me like an SS does.

Only reason I'm not getting a track only bike is because I don't think I will be able to make it to the track enough to get my fix.
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Ummm that has a disaster waiting to happen tone to it.

I might just be reading it wrong though.

I'm a huge fan of RR bikes .... They have that edge.

When used on the street... Put Street (street fighter) handlebars on though.

Clip-ons are for the closed course track, that has the street hazards removed.
 
For me question is not 'what are you trying to avoid in your life?' The question is 'how do you want to live your life?' 'What makes you happy?' Personally I want to explore and know what is possible with this lifetime and share that - that is the example I want to set for my kids.

I try not to make decisions based on fear but on what I want and need to do. Sure there is risk/reward assessment and open eyed acknowledgement of the risks, with accompanying mitigation education, practice, mind-state, but the fear is not where I start. Though I'm not jumping off a cliff in a wingsuit so there are obvious limits.

All that being said the kid equation does affect my riding. I do not push it as hard and "try" to just enjoy the ride more than push the limits - which has to be an intentional mental thing for me because by nature I enjoy finding that limit and pushing my skills even if its at a 'reasonable' pace. Also a big part of it is just having the time and resources to ride as much as I'd like - it's harder to get motivated to go riding when there is always something that I would be neglecting at the homefront. Which also means it's harder to schedule rides with other peeps. But having some time that I get to just do my own thing is critical for my mental state.

Come to think of it, since my last track day, for various reasons, I haven't really gone on a backroad ride... Yeah, never, ever ride on the track. It will ruin motorcycle riding for you. (unless you are single and have endless $ to burn ≠ notme):mad:twofinger. Fuck I'm turning into a cliche :afm199

Though I am a daily commuter and benefits here for me clearly outweigh the risks. Being home predicably on time for dinner, after work/school activities, etc. critical for my homelife. Not to mention that daily I get a little piece of my mental back.

All that said, it's impossible not to acknowledge and give condolences for your brother. That would certainly factor in for me as well. As many others here have said, it is a decision you have to make for yourself. And something that deserves to have a clear understanding with your family about. Especially your wife and kid(s). Let them know why you need to do it, why you are intentionally doing it, and how you are actively mitigating the risks. But some on here are so damn fatalistic. Motorcycles≠Destruction. Keep it sane and :ride.
 
fubar929 said:
The track is safer than the street, but most people don't go to the track to toodle around at street speeds. The increased speeds and lean angles mean that the margins for error are much smaller and, as a result, track days see a lot more crashes. I worked a lot of trackdays as an on-track instructor and it was a rare day when nobody crashed...
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It's true that happens on the track, but IMO there's less potential for injury which equals safety in my view.
Most often it is lowsides and busted plastic/fiberglass body work.
 
Can a mod fix the title? Keep thinking some noob burned themselves on their new bike's exhaust pipe.
 
I'm almost 60 and my first vehicle was a motorcycle when I was 15, I drove it everywhere, and rode it like a crazy person, I commuted for years on motorcycles then I had kids and stopped riding for them, so I went 20 years without riding, and I always wanted to get another motorcycle and kept telling myself no better not, well That's alot of years of missed adventures and extreme fun, and did I save my life during that time by not riding ??? Or did I just waste alot of years ??? I know in my youth I could ride like the wind , drag my knee on redwood rd. Pop wheelies at a blink of an eye, but now I'm still a decent rider but not like I once was, so I missed many of my prime years for my family and yes I do have regrets, I got into off roading, dirt bikes and quads but I never got the thrill like hauling ass down some twistie rd. So if I were to do it again I would take out a good life insurance policy and ride, so do it before you become old like me and 30 years from now you will regret missing your prime, just don't get complacent and remember that everything out there is trying to kill you like squirrels, cars, bicyclist, pebbles, bees, dogs, deer, cats, birds, etc. And enjoy !!!
 
Jus tmy .02 but living your life from a sense of fear is not living at all. Only you can decide how much of yourself you are willing to sacrifice to ease others concerns.
 
Maddevill said:
Jus tmy .02 but living your life from a sense of fear is not living at all. Only you can decide how much of yourself you are willing to sacrifice to ease others concerns.
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I have to agree with this as well.

IMO "living" requires a certain amount of risk.

If you eliminate all risk, that is merely existing, not living.
 
nakedape said:
Put it on hold OP. My dad was like you long ago with the new kid (my brother) and sole bread winner. Eventually he got back in the saddle. Sorry about your bro. Sounds like a great partner you have, but the folks are important too. Even if you buy a bike later letting their emotions run the course is a good son thing to do. My 2c
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An inspiring, selfless way to think about this. Everything is temporary. This life certainly is...

I was a young kid with a new bride, stationed overseas with the Air Force in 1988. At the age of 21, I wanted to buy a brand-new GSXR 750 from AAFES on Kadena AB, Japan. She was stunning in blue & white and was so much more bike than my old CB from back home - I was mesmerized. I wanted to buy that Suzuki on the spot (military credit). Then... my bride called Long Beach and I was on the phone with my parents. Needless to say, I did not buy that 1988 GSXR 750. And it's probably why I'm still here, three daughters later, still riding motorcycles, and married to the same gal. Knowing how immature behind the wheel I was back then, I would've "raced" someone until I died. I bought my first new/big bike after my first daughter was born just a short few years after returning from overseas.

OP - listen to your gut. It'll all work out...
 
So I went and rode the bike and it was ok, but the whole time all I was doing was thinking about my son, wife, and parents. Didn't even crack a smile. I am really bummed because I love motorcycles. I still want a bike and to ride it on the street, but my brain just goes crazy with worst case scenarios.

At this point I am thinking I just just look at a track bike. I really want to ride Laguna Seca. I think without the craziness of the road, I will be ok if I take it easy. Not going to rush into anything though.

Thanks for all the comments. I really appreciate it.
 
You are doing the right thing and have a good head on you. Kudos to you for not letting ego or obligation (now that you bought the bike) get in the way.

Baby steps! :thumbup
 
Start slow and build back your confidence.
 
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