From what I've read, and otherwise gathered from talking to folks that don't ride, motorcycles scare the hell out of a lot of people. As in, "Oh my god, that motorcycle parked over there is going to lunge at me and eat my travel-sized dog."
People have told me they don't ride because it's too scary, and they don't know how I do it.
Here's something to consider: motorcycles scare the hell out of people that do ride, on occasion. Any biker will be able to tell you about a time he/she almost shat in his/her gear. It might have been an oncoming truck intruding in the lane, or gravel in the middle a fast curve. If you've never had to check your pants after a ride, you haven't been riding for very long.
It's not a lack of fear that lets us continue to enjoy riding, it's just a good supply of nerve. Nerve as in ability to cope in a demanding situation, in equal measure with impudence and audacity.
Some people don't have enough nerve to get on a bike in the first place. Some don't have enough nerve to make it beyond the first high-intensity experience. That's OK. At least they know their limits now.
But a select few are the sort who survive a close call, yell "Wahoo!" and ride on, because letting fear win is unthinkable.
Long time riders are the ones who have it together enough to face a terrifying situation, respond correctly, and then look over at fear and death and give them a cheery wave just to shine 'em on a bit. It takes a lot of nerve to get back on a bike after that.
9 comments:
This is my first year riding but I have an idea of what you're talking about. Joe Public looks at us throwing our bikes thru curves at 50 or 60 and thinks we're nuts; we do it because 1)we bothered to learn how, and 2)it's a blast.
What must look like bravado to non-motorcyclists is just confidence born of demonstrated ability.
Well said.
Plenty of 'pucker moments' here. IMHO, the main thing is to learn from them and maybe do a little WOO HOO after the kick stand is safely down.
Yep, plenty of "oh shit" moments for me as well. It sometimes helps for me to let out a woohoo during said events as training kicks in and I manage to get away with it. Riding in high winds, taking a curve a little hot...that kind of moments.
Sometimes, you pay the piper, the protective gear does its job, you get the bike fixed and ride on.
Sometimes, you think: "What the hell am I doing on this trail on this motorcycle?!" Making through unscathed is always nice.
Good post.
dom
Redleg's Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Very well said. I remember a few of my "oh shit" moments and your right... there was definitely a woo hoo moment right after it.
Or maybe more like a "shew!" ... but regardless, it's part of what makes it exciting.
Be smart... ride safe... and ride fun!! WOO HOO!!
nice written, keep doing a great job.
Charlie6 - Your comment made me think of two 'what the heck am I doing' moments.
It was on my first poker run on my hot, high powered Honda Rebel 250. :-) Went into a sweeper a little hot and that was initially OK. After rounding about 75 of the curve, the radius of said curve reduce significantly. So, as I bank more and more, the rear end started slipping and the front end started oscillating back and forth. In front of me was a nasty looking guard rail. Luckily, the MSF training kicked in and I just held it steady and made it through. Serious WOO HOO after that one.
The second was when I took my Sportster down a desert trail road. the first mile or so was rough hard-packed desert road. That was ok. Then it quickly turned into a loose dry sand that seemed to want to suck my rear tire down to the forks. It was a mile from the interstate, getting hot, I was alone and no cell service. Luckily for me, there was an extra wide rear tire on the back end and that saved me from burying her. Now THAT was a "WOO HOO, What the heck was I thinking" sort of ride.
Sorry - I meant to write, "...suck my front tire down to the forks.
Lucky wrote: It takes a lot of nerve to get back on a bike after that.
So that's what they call it.
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