Thoughts on owning a motorcycle?

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bike

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Do you mean a bicycle or a motorcycle?

Big difference.

So your thread is actually about riding a bike. The thread title is about owning a bike. You can own a bike with riding it, and ride a bike without owning it. You can drive a bike on a parkway, and park a bike on a driveway.

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I would not get one unless you want to ride country roads in which case you'll be fine for the most part.

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I'm pretty sure he wants to be fine for the whole part, not just the most part

I doubt if he wants to be safe for the first nineteen rides, then get hit by a truck on the twentieth

They are fun. If it's not a big bike high RPM vibrations suck on long rides. Not bad for a short commute daily driver. Gravel, oil, shite on the road is a lot bigger obstacle and can be dangerous and life threatening.

I've had several bikes, but due to me bouncing instead of rolling now days, I think i'm done with them. Safety is an issue. Other drivers can kill you and there is shite just beyond your control that will cause you to lay it down.

I thought about it, but the Highway i take to work is a cluster frick with tractor trailers driving like jack asses.

You would think at 4am i would face less traffic, which is true, but a shite load more TT's driving tired or the cocaine/meth is wearing off.

Been forced into the grass median 2 times in past year and a half by one of them.

Military police and 31 years ICU,no way I would ride motorcycle.I saw some people with horrific injuries.Then I’ve had some acquaintances and relatives killed and/or maimed.
4 wheelers can be bad also,but usually the ones we got were kids.I had 4 wheelers when my stepsons were teenagers but I wouldn’t let them ride them.They hated me for it but I rather that then see them dead or crippled.

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Is it worth the risk?

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I need to check your post history before making a decision.

There’s a reason why E.R. people refer to them as Murdercycles.

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Just feels like you can be the safest rider out there and some friggin idiot can you you and you have 0 protection.

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That's a fair assessment, and if you do get one, it will help if you ride with that thought in mind. I've been on bikes since age 18 and just turned 67. Over the years I've had several close calls with gravel, diesel oil, debris in the road, animals crossing roads and worst of all, idiots not paying attention while safely encapsulated in their cars and not paying a damn bit of attention. Oh, and don't forget Mardi Gras beads that act like little ball bearings under your tires when making turns.

I ride with my head on a swivel, often seeing things well in advance of them causing me harm, but no matter how diligent you are, things will sneak up on you and could put you in harms way.

If you're serious about owning and riding a motorcycle, my advice is to take the MSF Course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) to get your feet wet before going out to purchase one. That will give you basic instruction as to how motorcycles work with hand clutches, foot shifting, braking the right way using both front and rear brakes simultaneously, basic countersteering techniques, etc.

If you think it's for you, then my next bit of advice is to buy a used bike in good condition instead of something new. And get a bike that will suit you overall needs----don't get some big hulking cruiser if you only want to commute to and from work in the city and likewise, don't get some small bike if your plan is to take 2-3 day rides around the parts of the country. You won't feel quite so bad laying down a used bike than you would a new one and the learning curve on bikes can be steep, especially in low speed maneuvering.

Get your first rides in on some less traveled roads, preferably out in some nice rural area so you get the feel for things before riding in city traffic.

Oh, and a bit of advice I got from the man I bought my first motorcycle from way back when. He told me this:

"Son, just when you think you have this shite down pat, the ground will jump up and bite you on the arse."

Bottom line: Don't ever get complacent or cocky thinking it can't happen to you, because it will.

Depends. There’s no way in hell I’d ride a motorcycle in New Orleans with the horrible roads, drunk drivers, and unpredictable weather.