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cherokeeprogressive

(24,853 posts)

44. I've never had a license that didn't include the motorcycle endorsement. Giving up my bike at 55yo.

Mon Apr 18, 2016, 02:19 PM

Apr 2016

Started at 15 with a moped, graduated to a little 250 Enduro, 350 Honda, 750R Ninja, and now own a 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King. In 39 years of riding on the road legally I've NEVER put skin on the asphalt. These days it seems as though less and less people are involved with anything going on OUTSIDE their cars, and has arrived at the point where I no longer ride with the confidence I once did.

My Wife quit riding with me a couple years ago after a car cut us off on the freeway. Quick thinking, four decades of experience, and excellent training were the only things that kept us from going down in the middle of four lanes going 75mph or better. Now it's not as much fun without her on the back, so within the next few weeks the Road King will be available on Ebay.

39 years of knocking on wood. Now it's time to stop chasing that thrill and acknowledge extremely good luck mixed with care and caution.

Now watch me get killed in my car when a motorcyclist cuts me off LOL. My luck.

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Watch for motorcycles. But if you're not going to, at least use your damn blinkers. [View all] Glassunion Apr 2016 OP

I will use my blinkers because that is the law and is courteous liberal N proud Apr 2016 #1

Saying watch for motorcycles does not equal them being more special. Glassunion Apr 2016 #7

I would hope you do take extra care and not just for motorcycles, case in point it would AuntPatsy Apr 2016 #31

Not more special but a damn sight more vulnerable. GoneOffShore Apr 2016 #37

And that is why I quit riding motorcycles liberal N proud Apr 2016 #40

It can be much more difficult to see a motorcycle than a car. Art_from_Ark Apr 2016 #68

They kind of are Corporate666 Apr 2016 #67

!!! 2naSalit Apr 2016 #2

Anyone who has ever driven mercuryblues Apr 2016 #3

Give a thought to pedestrians, too. Like motorcycles Downwinder Apr 2016 #4

That should have its own OP. Glassunion Apr 2016 #5

150 lbs. of soft tissue does not stand up well to Downwinder Apr 2016 #6

I haven't done the math, but the kinetic energy stored is probably ridiculous. Glassunion Apr 2016 #9

Especially those absorbed in their cell phones! whistler162 Apr 2016 #69

Sold the bike last Fall and likely won't be getting another one IDemo Apr 2016 #8

I love it too much. Glassunion Apr 2016 #10

I've ridden most of my life since my first bike in 1979, a Honda 750 IDemo Apr 2016 #11

35'ish years ago, started on the Honda 50 Dirt bike Glassunion Apr 2016 #13

Yep, the Indians and Victory both look impressive IDemo Apr 2016 #20

i always do. plus i stop STOP at stop signs. and i do not slide between lines of cars. thanks.nt JanMichael Apr 2016 #12

I think filtering is a great idea, especially for us air-cooled folks, and those who don't want to Glassunion Apr 2016 #14

i have no idea what you mean. i STOP at stop signs do you you? or do you rollllll? JanMichael Apr 2016 #32

I have never understood why people don't signal - it's barely a twitch of petronius Apr 2016 #15

We could do the Watch For:___________ Glassunion Apr 2016 #16

Well, even if I *had* continued the listing forever, I was still never petronius Apr 2016 #21

I do not believe in telepathy, or precognition... Period... Glassunion Apr 2016 #24

Epic! flying rabbit Apr 2016 #35

I have noticed some people using their signals... kentauros Apr 2016 #17

How about the folks in a compact car who swing the turn wide like they are trailing a 50 foot Glassunion Apr 2016 #18

First off, I'm not a motorcycle rider; I never learned. kentauros Apr 2016 #19

Well... This is 'Merica Glassunion Apr 2016 #22

I agree with you about Clarkson. kentauros Apr 2016 #26

This is Corporate666 Apr 2016 #65

After rereading my post, I think I didn't explain part of it properly. kentauros Apr 2016 #82

My wife is sick of hearing me say, "Nice turn signal, dipshit!" X_Digger Apr 2016 #23

My recollections of Texas' method of merging into traffic... Glassunion Apr 2016 #25

Sounds about right, unfortunately. X_Digger Apr 2016 #27

the middle idiot was "Crumplezonin" Glassunion Apr 2016 #29

I have to say, Texas is the only place Mariana Apr 2016 #51

How many bullet holes were in those signs? kentauros Apr 2016 #80

i notice that many donercycle drivers here are very reckless SoLeftIAmRight Apr 2016 #28

Perception. Glassunion Apr 2016 #30

so if you ride 101 times then what? sounds risky on a daily basis. JanMichael Apr 2016 #34

I do not ride fast. The only way my bike will hit 100mph is if I drive it off a cliff. Glassunion Apr 2016 #39

If I had a hundred dollar bill awoke_in_2003 Apr 2016 #33

C'mon, they don't "try to kill you," because they don't even know you exist... Human101948 Apr 2016 #53

Good point awoke_in_2003 Apr 2016 #60

I'm constantly amazed at how I'll be at a 4-way stop and THINK I've made eye contact with... Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2016 #36

What I've noticed for stopsign intersections kentauros Apr 2016 #83

The police enforcement of this is near zero Major Nikon Apr 2016 #38

Motorcyclists: please be aware of blindspots REP Apr 2016 #41

On the whole, we are well aware of those spots. Glassunion Apr 2016 #42

MOST are, most of the time REP Apr 2016 #56

Turn Signals mark pure amatures One_Life_To_Give Apr 2016 #43

Two winters ago was the worst for potholes down here... Glassunion Apr 2016 #45

Had one like that ourselves One_Life_To_Give Apr 2016 #46

It's tough... You can't tell how deep they are. Glassunion Apr 2016 #50

I've never had a license that didn't include the motorcycle endorsement. Giving up my bike at 55yo. cherokeeprogressive Apr 2016 #44

I'm 55 too. I'm hoping to go riding with my 26 year old son... lumberjack_jeff Apr 2016 #62

You want me to move one of my fingers two inches? Fuck that shit! ieoeja Apr 2016 #47

I use, and will continue to use my turn signal for lane changes and turning... LannyDeVaney Apr 2016 #48

Motorcyclists need to slow the fuck down, ronnie624 Apr 2016 #49

Not going to argue. Glassunion Apr 2016 #52

Motorcyclists are inherently more risk oriented than the average person, ronnie624 Apr 2016 #57

Annoyance = recognition. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2016 #61

Going fast doesn't make you more visible. ronnie624 Apr 2016 #63

Why is the watch for motorcycles campaign silly? 56% of all motorcycle fatalities are from Glassunion Apr 2016 #72

Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous. ronnie624 Apr 2016 #74

Yes, I am assuming personal risk, however this does not negate other drivers from being resposible. Glassunion Apr 2016 #75

You are casting about for others to assume responsibility ronnie624 Apr 2016 #77

I am doing no such thing. Saying watch for motorcycles, is not by any stretch Glassunion Apr 2016 #79

I made no comments about your personal riding habits. n/t ronnie624 Apr 2016 #81

You must live in LA GummyBearz Apr 2016 #54

Eastern PA actually. About 25 miles north of Philly. Glassunion Apr 2016 #55

Then stop motorcycle riders from passing between the lanes oneshooter Apr 2016 #58

It's legal Corporate666 Apr 2016 #66

Some drivers make up for others not using their turn signals. lpbk2713 Apr 2016 #59

Motorcyclists violate the speed limit far more than cars do. former9thward Apr 2016 #64

"Motorcyclists violate the speed limit far more than cars do." Glassunion Apr 2016 #71

I drive on the highways. former9thward Apr 2016 #85

Ok then a more accurate statement for you to make would then be: Glassunion Apr 2016 #88

I have been in an accident with a motorcycle. And first on the scene of a motorcycle accident. Thor_MN Apr 2016 #70

Motorcyclists: Please slow the hell down Blue_Tires Apr 2016 #73

I fear it may be a bit of perception. Glassunion Apr 2016 #78

Conversely, I've been making safe lane changes when a "lane splitting" cyclist sped up to go through villager Apr 2016 #76

Lane splitting is legal in most of the world Major Nikon Apr 2016 #86

In general it really ought to be harder to get a drivers license. Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2016 #84

idiotic car designs with huge blind spots Angel Martin Apr 2016 #87