Not If, When

[SpecOps13]

My Niece works for the Trama Surgeons here in St. Petersburg Fl. at Bayfront Medical Center. They receive the absolute worst case injuries from a wide area around Tampa Bay. Every Monday night she comes over to stay with my 95 YO Mother so my Wife and I can get out for a couple hours. She gives us a report on the number of Scooter and Motorcycle Crashes that occurred over the weekend and at times a glimse into the severity. I really want to take the VMax out for the few hours we have but after listening to her, I just can't.

Over the past year especially, I've had so many people I called Brothers and Sisters crash, or maybe better put,,, Crashed. Some were killed and some are just messed up for life. All of this is really taking a toll on me mentally. I've ridden for 44 years and owned 36 motorcycles. I had one really bad crash, when I was 16. I really beat the odds on that one. Sure, I tore myself up racing Motocross, Enduros, Hill Climbing and sometime Mountain Climbing with my bikes. That was when I was younger and dumber. Some how I survived.:ummm:

I like to say that I fear nothing and most of the time that's a true statement. I do fear the idiots that have Drivers Licenses and attempt to take my life when I ride. Everytime I go out now, I know it might be my last. My only real fear is that I won't live long enough to shoot the ******* idiot that finally gets me.

I know it's stupid to say but "Please Ride Safe". You fellow VMaxers are great people and I don't want to loose any of you... Sadly, I know that's easy to say, impossible to accomplish..:sad2:But, we can hope and try.

I'm not going to sit at home and worry, I'm going to Ride.....

 

[COP RUNNER]

My Niece works for the Trauma Surgeons here in St. Petersburg Fl. at Bay front Medical Center. They receive the absolute worst case injuries from a wide area around Tampa Bay. Every Monday night she comes over to stay with my 95 YO Mother so my Wife and I can get out for a couple hours. She gives us a report on the number of Scooter and Motorcycle Crashes that occurred over the weekend and at times a glimpse into the severity. I really want to take the VMax out for the few hours we have but after listening to her, I just can't.

Over the past year especially, I've had so many people I called Brothers and Sisters crash, or maybe better put,,, Crashed. Some were killed and some are just messed up for life. All of this is really taking a toll on me mentally. I've ridden for 44 years and owned 36 motorcycles. I had one really bad crash, when I was 16. I really beat the odds on that one. Sure, I tore myself up racing Motocross, Enduros, Hill Climbing and sometime Mountain Climbing with my bikes. That was when I was younger and dumber. Some how I survived.:ummm:

I like to say that I fear nothing and most of the time that's a true statement. I do fear the idiots that have Drivers Licenses and attempt to take my life when I ride. Every time I go out now, I know it might be my last. My only real fear is that I won't live long enough to shoot the ******* idiot that finally gets me.

I know it's stupid to say but "Please Ride Safe". You fellow VMaxers are great people and I don't want to loose any of you... Sadly, I know that's easy to say, impossible to accomplish..:sad2:But, we can hope and try.

I'm not going to sit at home and worry, I'm going to Ride.....

I FEEL THE SAME WAY , THIS IS A GREAT STATEMENT ! ..unk: THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I HUG MY 7 YEAR OLD EXTRA TIGHT & TELL HIM HOW MUCH I LOVE HIM 10 TIMES BEFORE I GO RIDING ! .. UNFORTUNATELY , YOU NEVER NO ! .. :confused2:.. AND IT SUCKS !

 

[EvilD]

Right on, I am a firm believer in when it;s your time to go, its your time to go

 

[SpecOps13]

I've been in so many deadly situations over the years, you'd think I'd be way over it. Nine lives doesn't come close to covering what I've survived. I spent many years doing things that should have killed me. Sure would be cool to know when it would all end. We could live really, really, really crazy until then. Have everything in order, say goodbye, Hugs and Kisses. Hasta La Vista, Baby.. h yeah:

But it don't work that way....

 

[twistedmax]

LIVE TO RIDE,RIDE TO LIVE their is no life without riding , and if and when I die doin it, so be it! I just hope Im going fast enough that it dont hurt!

 

[RaWarrior]

While what you say is totally true, if hospital workers were in charge speed limits would be strictly 30mph, motorcycles would be banned, guns would be banned from the private sector, and you'd need a safety class to buy a ladder.

One of my friends really wants to get a bike, but his parents won't let him, even though he's 21 and living away at college. His dad is a cop and has responded to loads of motorcycle accidents and as such, calls them suicide sleds and almost busted a nut when he presented even the idea of getting a bike.

Point is, there's a fine line between "risk awareness" and "paranoia". It's foolish to think there is no risk, or no moreso than driving a car involved with riding. I also think it would be foolish to give it up for that reason. You've been riding for decades, people have been crashing and dying in motorcycle wrecks for decades. It sucks, it's tragic, it's the nature of the beast. Nothing has changed except your firsthand "awareness" of it.

Heaven forbid, but say a friend got shot randomly in a drive by. Would you get rid of your guns? I highly doubt it. One of the people I ride with used to race everything from go-karts to cafe racers and has broken pretty much every bone in his body doing it. He's in his 40s now, but still rides with a passion. You just have to get right back on the horse, otherwise you let fear win.

It's all part of the game of life. My grandfather smoked his whole life. He quit cigarettes and switched to a pipe in his 70s, his death had absolutely nothing to do with smoking. Ads now would have you believe if you so much as touch a cigarette you'll get cancer. Working in a hospital I'm sure "taints" your view of motorcycling, since all you see are the victims, and not the tens of thousands of enjoyable miles by all the people you never see.

What fun is just sitting around, being safe? To me the best way to die is doing something you love, not sitting around wasting away in a nursing home being safe and "acting your age".

And I agree, there's absolute idiots out on the road who should be banned from ever operating a motor vehicle again. Bimbos putting on makeup or texting on cell phones or other stupid ****. I watch traffic like a hawk and like to think I'm pretty good at predicting what people are going to do. If I see someone on a phone, or doing something else, I say far clear of them. If someone looks like they're angry or driving "aggressively", I get away from them. Is that a foolproof strategy? Of course not, but I'd like to think it improves my chances as I suit up and do battle with traffic, at least that's how I see riding through traffic.unk:

 

[CaptainKyle]

Right on, I am a firm believer in when it;s your time to go, its your time to go

This is my belief to ! I believe that rather im sitting here typing or working in the garage if my number is up its up.

 

[EvilD]

While what you say is totally true, if hospital workers were in charge speed limits would be strictly 30mph, motorcycles would be banned, guns would be banned from the private sector, and you'd need a safety class to buy a ladder.

What hospital workers do you know? I can't tell you how many of my co workers ride and carry. I would rather have you crash at 100 mph than 30, at 100 your probably going to die, at 30 your going to get busted up and whine the whole time your in the hospital :biglaugh:

 

[dannymax]

Just like to pass on a little trick I use that has helped me many, many times. When there is a vehicle waiting at a side road or intersection to enter the road I'm on, I don't look at the face of the driver, I look at the front wheel. As soon as that moves...at all...I'm on the binders!

Assume that driver doesn't see you, or thinks he can beat you, or just doesn't give a ****....then if he does pull out you're already slowing down.

 

[Thevmaxrider]

Just like to pass on a little trick I use that has helped me many, many times. When there is a vehicle waiting at a side road or intersection to enter the road I'm on, I don't look at the face of the driver, I look at the front wheel. As soon as that moves...at all...I'm on the binders!

Assume that driver doesn't see you, or thinks he can beat you, or just doesn't give a ****....then if he does pull out you're already slowing down.

Great advice! I always try to remember that everyone in a car is out to kill me when I am riding. The thing is none of us are assured that we will make it another minute in life. Live every day like it is your last, capture the moment, enjoy yourself, and don't worry about things out of your control like when your time is up. It is easy to say if you minimize the risk you might live longer, but that is hogwash as nobody knows when it is their time to go.

 

[Jayhawk]

Good advice, Dan-O. I try and pretend that everyone around me is trying to kill me, and try and always leave myself an out.

It's odd, but I don't have a huge fear of being killed on my bike. My worst fear is being hurt and paralyzed. But, when I think of myself someday sitting at home on my front porch thinking of all the things I could've/should've done, I get right back on the bike and go. A life without flirting with death on occasion doesn't seem like much of a life.

 

[old timer]

What me worry ? You can die in your sleep...get out there and live...unk:

There's a reason I've made it to 60...God dont want me yet...

 

[RaWarrior]

Well, the doctor's I've ever seen (which I try to keep to a minimum) always whine about wearing your seatbelt, always wearing a helmet, and not speeding when I drive "55 Saves Lives". I know one doctor, and one retired RN, both are parents of friends. When I showed up at their house on my bike they about had a fit. "Do you know how dangerous that is.....just yesterday I had a motorcycle wreck victim come it....it was horrible".....and on and on. Yes, I'm aware it's dangerous, no, I don't want to be lectured about it.

Sure there's exceptions to every rule, but I suspect there's not many motorcycles in the staff parking at hospitals.

 

[jfeagins]

but I suspect there's not many motorcycles in the staff parking at hospitals.

My wife teaches a clinical lab for a community college at a local hospital about 6 days per semester. She rides sometimes - and you are correct. I've met her there to ride back home on a Sat afternoon, and hers is usually the only bike in the lot, give or take an HD here or there, and they're most likely only a visitor.

 

[4gasem]

I know it ONLY helps, but I ALWAYS wear my kit... Boots, gloves, pants, coat, and of course a helmet. If it's too hot to wear it all, I don't go. It's NOT worth the risk IMO.


My doctor races cars so I don't hear much from him... Usually just, "You still have the G8"... lol

Chris

 

[SpecOps13]

It's very hard for us to wear all the proper safety gear here in Florida. Most of the year the temperature here is 75 to 100, generally nearer 100. I've seen the temperature in my closed up truck reach 142. I'll admit to wearing a crap helmet at times. About the only thing I try to wear consistently is boots.

Winter is my favorite time to ride. I can wear the safety gear and a shoulder holster under it all. We're still not even close, although there's a rumor of a cold front tomorrow. It may be one of those 75 degree days.:rofl_200:

My fear of dying on a motorcycle are minimal. If I do, it won't matter to me.

My Wife rides with me at times and she shares the Need For Speed. She's been 142 mph on the back seat. That was an old XJ-1100, BTW, I believe it was every bit as fast as a VMax in stock form. It had YICS, a form of Boost. My fear is that she will be killed and I won't. That would really Suck.

 

[twistedmax]

FIVE TO ONE BABY, ONE IN FIVE, NO ONE HERE GETS OUT ALIVE ! Dan I might just try that:hmmm:, kinda. When I see that tire move, Im kickin it down a gear and hammerrin it:biglaugh:. if they dont hear me and stop Ill just use some tricks I learned at the coprunner school of stunts :rofl_200::rofl_200::rofl_200:

 

[COP RUNNER]

While what you say is totally true, if hospital workers were in charge speed limits would be strictly 30mph, motorcycles would be banned, guns would be banned from the private sector, and you'd need a safety class to buy a ladder.

One of my friends really wants to get a bike, but his parents won't let him, even though he's 21 and living away at college. His dad is a cop and has responded to loads of motorcycle accidents and as such, calls them suicide sleds and almost busted a nut when he presented even the idea of getting a bike.

Point is, there's a fine line between "risk awareness" and "paranoia". It's foolish to think there is no risk, or no more-so than driving a car involved with riding. I also think it would be foolish to give it up for that reason. You've been riding for decades, people have been crashing and dying in motorcycle wrecks for decades. It sucks, it's tragic, it's the nature of the beast. Nothing has changed except your firsthand "awareness" of it.

Heaven forbid, but say a friend got shot randomly in a drive by. Would you get rid of your guns? I highly doubt it. One of the people I ride with used to race everything from go-karts to caf? racers and has broken pretty much every bone in his body doing it. He's in his 40s now, but still rides with a passion. You just have to get right back on the horse, otherwise you let fear win.

It's all part of the game of life. My grandfather smoked his whole life. He quit cigarettes and switched to a pipe in his 70s, his death had absolutely nothing to do with smoking. Ads now would have you believe if you so much as touch a cigarette you'll get cancer. Working in a hospital I'm sure "taints" your view of motorcycling, since all you see are the victims, and not the tens of thousands of enjoyable miles by all the people you never see.

What fun is just sitting around, being safe? To me the best way to die is doing something you love, not sitting around wasting away in a nursing home being safe and "acting your age".

And I agree, there's absolute idiots out on the road who should be banned from ever operating a motor vehicle again. Bimbos putting on makeup or texting on cell phones or other stupid ****. I watch traffic like a hawk and like to think I'm pretty good at predicting what people are going to do. If I see someone on a phone, or doing something else, I say far clear of them. If someone looks like they're angry or driving "aggressively", I get away from them. Is that a foolproof strategy? Of course not, but I'd like to think it improves my chances as I suit up and do battle with traffic, at least that's how I see riding through traffic.unk:

" RA " ONCE AGAIN , YOU ARE RIGHT ON ! .. BUT AS FAR AS THE " BIMBO'S " PUTTING ON MAKE UP & TEXTING WHILE DRIVING , YOU ARE RIGHT ALSO BUT THEY HAVE MADE MY PENIS VERY HAPPY OVER THE YEARS AND I SAY , THEY SHOULD JUST LEAVE THE " DRIVING :th_love031:" TO US ! .. :rofl_200::rofl_200::rofl_200:

 

[COP RUNNER]

MAN , I WAS JUST THINKING , IF I GET RUN OVER , IT COULDN'T EVER BE A HIT & RUN , MY JACKET WOULD BE LIKE SPIKE STRIP'S & POP THEIR TIRES ! .. :rofl_200::biglaugh::rofl_200:

 

[dannymax]

A couple years ago I told my doctor that my hands fall asleep when I'm driving my motorcycle.

He said, "Mine do too, what do you drive?"

He drives an old 750 K model Honda and does all his own work! Very cool guy...and an excellent physician! unk: