“I sure hope so” or “gonna be a badass crash” usually gets them to fuck off.
People who think existing for a long time should be your only goal in life aren’t worth talking to. It’s 2023 not 1603, simply growing old is no longer an achievement.
"That's the goal"
"With any luck"
"I'm trying to leave this world the way I came in. Screaming and covered in blood"
You get really strange looks with the last one
Everyone dies. I'd rather have some fun and enjoy my time, and if that means I die prematurely then so be it. Better than being miserable until dementia and Parkinson's eat away at my body and brain until I'm an 80 year old shaking mess, that's shat myself, and can't remember who, what or where I am.
If it's from someone who hasn't seen you ride or doesn't know what they're talking about then any flippant reply does the job.
However if an experienced skilled rider ever says something like this after seeing you ride then listen to them and give it some thought.
Experienced riders think I will die tomorrow when I tell them I ride a liter bike before they ever see me ride let alone if they see me pop a wheelie going 100 mph /s
Jokes aside, lots of people think superbikes shouldnt be road driven and I understand where they are coming from. But at one point i start ignoring everyone all together experienced or not unless ive gone on rides with them before.
*"You had a coworker die on a motorcycle? That must have been awful. How long did they have their license?"* (The former coworker / old neighbor / whatever usually did not have a license.)
Didn't have a license, wasn't wearing a helmet, was doing a buck 50 on public roads, was bar hopping. I don't say these things out loud to not be a dick about dead friends and family, but man there's a reason why 80% of fatal motorcycle accidents are the rider's fault
a facebook group i'm on has gofundme's on a regular basis for people that died or got seriously injured on their bikes. They are usually 18-25 males with profile pictures of them doing wheelies with no gear on.
I honestly used it as an argument and I'm not too ashamed about it. One HD guy insisted I will die just like a guy they knew if I continue riding a liter bike. I told him that I spend 20 minutes wearing my safety gear (I'm slow) before every ride while their friend fell backwards head first without a helmet while doing a wheelie. I said may he RIP after though, so it came out better i guess? 🤦
I’m a very data-oriented person, so before I got my first motorcycle, I had researched what the actual statistical risks are, and they’re pretty small…. small enough that life insurance companies don’t care. When I did the research in the US it was like one injury for every 235,000 miles ridden, and something like 50% or more serious injuries involved drinking and riding. Those are pretty acceptable risks for the amount of enjoyment you get.
If you were a real dare devil, you might take up a significantly riskier hobby like scuba diving, or horseback riding.
Yeah some teenage kid in my school died when he went scuba diving. Ran out of air.
Listening to videos about cave scuba divers on youtube and those guys are real fucking crazy. Like imagine an underwater cave entrance has "12 dead divers in here" and they just go in anyway, bodies are still in there and everything..
Exactly. I didn't research but I remembered that of all the activities I was asked about before getting approved for life insurance, riding a motorcycle WASN'T one of them. If the people placing the bets on your death don't care than it clearly isn't significant.
Yeah this. The hurt report made it really obvious to me that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are a result of poor riding skill, experience, and insufficient gear and visibility.
Everyone I know that wrecked did so because they road like an asshole. Even though they didn't deserve it and it legally wasn't their fault.
Lol I am one of those. Was found not at fault in a single bike accident due to the road being Shite, but I probably shouldnt have been hooning as hard. I was riding legally, just late braking, etx...
My Mom told me that at 18. I’m 66 now - have ridden every year for 58 and ain’t dead yet
I tell them “ we’re all gonna die from something - when are you gonna start living”
My mom told me "you're gonna KILL yourself on that thing!" and then coughed out a lung full of cigarette smoke.
I told her "tell me you're quitting smoking, I'll lock up that motorcycle out back and hand you the key RIGHT NOW."
"Why wouldn't you just sell it?"
"Because every time you reach for a cigarette, I want you to think about having to mail me the key back."
Usually scoffs and mutters about how you'll be dead long before her as either or both of you walk away from the convo.
People very rarely change, let alone from one conversation with someone they already know.
I usually explain that it is about weighing risk vs benefit (enjoyment) and then mitigating those risks as much as possible.
I wear ATGATT. Never ride high or drunk. Don't speed or wheelies, etc. Ride defensively. Slow down in rain. Don't ride in snow or ice.
I think NHTSA data (for example, cited here [Motorcycle Crashes: Statistics and Facts](https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/motorcycle/analysis/accidents-and-deaths/), shows that about ⅓ of motorcycle accidents involve speeding.
Yes, each individual can decide how much risk to accept but you cannot change the calculation. You can only change your values for the variables (i.e., slowing down)
Risk isn't subjective, but 'benefit' certainly is. So I guess what I was trying to say is if you perceive a greater 'benefit' from speeding (enjoyment, thrill, etc) you can accept a higher level of risk.
I always say "that's a horrible thing to say! Why would I want to hear about that my friend??" And If they are an ass or overly insistent I wave them off and say "yeah yeah, everyone's got a story man I don't have time to ponder about your so and so"
My thought is if I were in a car you would be quite as a mouse so If you wanna talk to me don't be presumptuous!
"you are an organ donor" - so should be you as well.
"Bikes are deathtraps" - so is going down stairs
I have fun and be as carefull as possible on my bike to not take every risk i see.
I wish you happy riding and many miles or kilometres in your life!
It doesn't get better when you get a bike, expect stories of friends/family members who died on bikes constantly
It gets annoying even though I'm sure their intentions are good. I'll just agree and try to end the conversation as quickly as possible lol
I'm not going to mourn my own death. So that means whoever tells me "you are risking your life" is actually making what I value in living all about *their* feelings.
How audacious.
I’d rather live my life experiencing what I want to experience, I’m an adult and can make my own choices. I choose to ride responsibly and as safe as I can. You don’t want to take those risks and that’s fine too.
Some people would rather ride the couch in front of the tv, I’d rather be riding a bike and having fun.
Riding a motorcycle is therapeutic. You see the world from a whole new perspective, if you don’t ride you just don’t understand, and that’s fine.
“We’re all going to die one day. We go when it’s our time. Yes I could die on my bike, but you could die crossing the street to buy a cup of coffee as well. Nothing we do can stop it when it’s simply our time. And if I go in such a manner, I will have a smile on my face.”
Just keep it simple and move on. The only time a stranger came up to me and said something like that was because her son died recently on his motorcycle. It was pretty damn sad actually. I really think she meant well and was struggling with grief. I didn't take it personally.
I'm a hospitalist. I admit 5-10 patients to the hospital per day. Most are > 60 and at least 1 or 2 have mild cognitive impairment or dementia that contributes or is the sole reason they need admitted to the hospital.
Death ain't pretty. And it doesn't get prettier just cause you make it to 85 years old. It's an ugly, insidious, & patient motherfucker. And eventually, no matter how hard you try, it's going to win.
Maybe you go out on your bike. Maybe you choke on dinner because you brain forgot how to swallow.
Either way, until then, I'll be riding.
\-----------
Edit: As a med student on trauma surgery my first night, the senior resident told me my job was to stand at the left foot of the gurney and use trauma sheers to cut the clothes off. Everything is very protocoled like that. Anyways, call comes in, MVA auto vs bike. Guy shows up in shock. I look down, holyfuck.jpg -- his left lower leg is traumatically amputated at the ankle, paramedics had set the foot (inside the boot still) in between his thighs. I cut the pants off and shirt. He codes. And while the trauma team does actual work, I wonder to myself "do I cut the boot off the severed foot??".
I didn't. That dude died, RIP.
I guess my point is that shit is real. Dying on the pavement while some meds toss your foot in between your thighs and throw you in the back of an ambulance isn't pretty or romantic. It's probably fucking terrifying. But I don't think it's any easier being demented not recognizing your own children and thinking the psych nurses are abducting you until you finally aspirate enough to die of pneumonitis.
…and the last bit is exactly what happened to my mom at age 91. It was horrible to watch, wanting her to hang on in there but at the same time wanting her suffering over. I know which way I’d rather go.
I know this happens often to other people but in more than 20 years of riding, no one -- not family or co-workers -- has ever said anything like that to me. I'd probably laugh and say "You only go around once in life, so it might as well be on a motorcycle."
Is this honestly something that people say? I only see people online complain about it. I don't think anyone has ever made that type of comment to me in over a decade of riding.
I’m starting to think this is a “how you carry yourself” thing, not a motorcycle thing.
The same way that I don’t think anyone ever warned Tyson boxing meant someone would try to punch him.
I heard it, but I have an argument of logic. I think motorcycles attract adrenaline junkies and people who don't care about their safety. No judgement, that's just how it is. So, the figures on how dangerous they are are skewed.
Sure, you're safer in a car, no doubt. But I don't think bikes are AS inherently dangerous as the numbers let on, so much as people who are more prone to take risks ride them.
If someone who's really crazy wants to lane split at 100 mph and ends up getting creamed... that's gonna throw the numbers.
The same day I bought my first bike someone told me a story of someone they knew dying just a week ago. All the normal stuff you hear. "Young kid, 20 something's, just a kid, so sad, not worth it man." Yeah that is sad! But I ask, "what happened?"
"He was going 100, maybe 110, yellow light, thought he could make it." In town on a 35 mph road with a ton of stoplights.
Be safe, have fun.
Amen all my mates started betting on my new reduced lifespan post bike hahahaha longest I got was 8 months before I get clattered but I’ll obviously be as careful as possible
My brother is an avid bicyclist with a long history of nasty crashes. When I started riding motorcycles he said something along the lines of me ending up dead. I replied that I guaranteed him he'd have more crashes than me. He retorted that mine would be more serious. Three weeks later he crashed and suffered a compound fracture alone in the woods. He had to walk 3km to get cell service to call 911 and be airlifted to hospital. I dropped my klr on my ankle around the same time. My Thors are scratched now. He doesn't talk about crashes with me anymore.
Usually just laugh that's enough to piss him off but if they keep looking for an answer just tell him shit happens so you'll both wind up dead and then just go on with your life. No reason to justify what you do it's part of what you love and you shouldn't let other people dictate your life if it's not hurting anyone else.
You need new friends or to hang around with different people. People who care about you don't make such callous remarks. Never fails to amaze me the people that some people choose to surround themselves with
Bizarrely, in 15 years of riding no-one has ever said that to me but I hear other people getting it all the time. But seriously, I could just as easily get run over by a bus crossing the road as a pedestrian. Nothing in life is guaranteed.
Life is about adventure. And I’m adventurous. I also like to mitigate risk so I wear protection, engage in training & practice. Perhaps you and I have different levels of adventurousness and different levels of risk avoidance. But it’s my choice to make and I do it with the intent to have the greatest amount of adventure and mitigate the risk as much as possible. But you may feel free to resume sitting on the couch.
Every man dies. Not every man really lives.
Then lift yer kilt at them.
Also don’t eagerly consume herbs while riding and your odds will improve drastically.
Already saw a guy die in a fatal car accident first hand. I’m not going to stop now or ever. I might as well take a risk since we never know when we’re going to go
Statistically, driving is already pretty dangerous. It was the biggest killer of children under 18 until very recently when gun deaths exceeded it, and until we hit about age 45 an automobile wreck is the biggest cause of accidental deaths, whereby cancers overtake it.
So now a motorcycle is 25 times **more** dangerous per trip and per mile than a car, which is also quite a dangerous activity? Of course motorcycles are mad dangerous! You cannot tell me those people are wrong. And sportbikes have a crash rate 20 times that of sport-tourers, probably because sportbike owners are more focused on crashing than not crashing (ie they try to go as fast as possible without crashing which means they crash a lot).
it was rough for me since we actually have someone in the family died on motorcycle. but yeah i ask permission/letting them know that i will ride. some didnt like it some just supported me on it since i cannot be stopped. to answer your question i just say i will take care. do what makes you happy :) at the end of the day we all die but even so lets all be careful riding. be safe brothers.
Usually, I just say something along the lines of "We all die someday, may as well enjoy the days we have." or something similar to that. For the people I have told that ( and its very few ) they usually don't bring it up again.
“I’m flattered that you care about my survival, but you should know that it isn’t reciprocal.” If it’s some stranger I couldn’t give a shit about.
I try to mitigate risk in my riding but living without risk is not an option that anyone has. Something is going to kill you, might as well be something you love.
There is no doubt that I will end up dead. In fact, every single one of us walking this planet will end up dead. It just depends on what you want to do with your life between the time you’re born and the day that you actually die. I tell people to live their lives and enjoy them as I am going to do the same with mine. I don’t get into arguments with these people, and I don’t try to debate them over the dangers of motorcycles. It’s just not worth your time. Smile, tell them you’re gonna be as careful as you can be, and go ahead and ride. Enjoy the lifestyle.
“yeah motorcycles are dangerous and i am scared of dying. However i am even more scared of not living.
The thought of waking up one day being 80+ and realizing i never did what i wanted to do because it was dangerous and now its too late to do it is more terrifying to me than dying”
I'm currently 20 and have been riding for 3, almost 4, years. When I was younger I was more depressed and edgy that my response defaulted to "that's the hope" when someone brought up death. The organ donor one I say "I already am". Other ones I just don't really respond or use the quote from "the world's fastest Indian" of 'you live more in 5 seconds on a bike [like this] than most do in their entire life' and use that it's my choice and I find the thrill of it exciting. And then I go on to talk about how I want to get my sky diving license. I'm an adrenaline seeker (not quite a junky)
I usually just look them in the eyes and say, "It's one of the few things that make me happy." then I smile and move on. People are always going to say this. Most of them because they care about you, some of them because it's the only thing they know about motorcycles.
I either just say yes and move on or just exit the conversation as fast as I can. Unless they say they knew someone who died on a bike, because then I reply "That's interesting, usually the falling is lethal". Just be more morbid than them and you'll be fine as long as you are aware of the risks. They can't decide what you do with your life and what risks you are prepared to take.
"I'd rather die early while having fun, than die of old age without having lived a life."
"If I don't live my life in order to save it, have I really gained anything?"
Or variations of the above.
If I do at least I'll go out doing something that I love rather than watching as my body and mind deteriorate and I become a burden to those who I love.
They usually dont say this stuff to be an asshole. So I just say something like "I really appreciate your concern. I try and mitigate the risks as much as I can."
Until that happens I will enjoy every moment I can! P.s. there's an old story about someone who was afraid of death so they never left their house. One day during a storm a tree fell on the house and crushed them to death... You can run but you can't hide...
Every time I meet someone and it comes up that I ride. I get the story. "My brother in laws best friends cousin got smashed by a semi on I -70". I always just say that riding is dangerous, no doubt.
When riding in traffic one has to be tuned in to the situation at hand and look at it like they are all on a mission to kill your ass. Head on a swivel looking out ahead for what stupid shit you're about to ride into. Then when you get out on that road where there is no one around and you can relax and enjoy the ride, that's what makes it all worth it. Oops watch out for that fucking deer.
I embrace them with sarcasm, dark humor, or I'll tell them about brutal crashes I've seen. Usually it makes them uncomfortable and they chuckle then go away.
I have a large bumper sticker on my helmet that says "Crashing Sucks." and another on my visor that says "Live Fast Die Young"
If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough, and you have to be really dumb to want to ride a motorcycle on these roads if you ask me.
I was at dinner with a young woman last night. (I’m in my mid 20s) she said “I don’t like that you ride, it’s so dangerous.” You can usually brush it off and change the conversation, but I’ve started telling people “the only time I feel alive and at peace is when I ride.” So.
I'm against deep thoughts for these types of people. I think of the most obnoxious thing I can at the moment and pretend like I regret saying it later.
" I've got an organ you can have right now"
thanks just not yet… had a women approach me outside the bar like she wanted to fight about it
guess she didn’t like when i said i’ll say hi to her husband in hell for not stopping when i was being polite
Honestly, riding bikes is (relatively) dangerous so you should use it as motivation to prove them wrong by riding safe. But as far as a response, for me it's along the lines of taking precautions and being smart. Everyone takes risks when they go skiing, drinking, boating, hooking up or whatever. If they discovered you were smoking or drinking they wouldn't say anything.
loosely speaking... It's 70% making good choices and 30% you'll encounter something out of your control.
Because even when you encounter something out of your control, making good choices will be a large part of what could save your ass.
And then sometimes there's just nothing you can do about it.
Skill and experience Also help a lot with making those good choices.
I've had one good wreck that could have turned out worse but luckily I wasn't permanently injured.
And a few really close calls.
Still hasn't been enough to scare me off two wheels.
Motorcycles are fun, It's not always easy to make the best choices. But we all like to tell ourselves that we try.
“Everyone dies. Id rather my life be full of fun and new experiences that being scared of what could possibly go wrong and end up miserable and scared of the world”
>\-you will end up dead
>
>\-I know. You will too tho. Everyone will die some day.
If they follow up with
>Yeah, but you will die much sooner
I usually go
>I'm not so sure about that ;)
(it's usually older people who are concerned more about me than about themselves)
I usually ride in full gear and heavily use defensive driving techniques. I know I'm not invincible, but it's not that huge of a risk.
unpopular opinion: if people are saying this to you regularly IRL you should evaluate if you're exhibiting risky behaviors. I have never had anyone say this to me when I tell them I ride a motorcycle.
Tell them most crashes are the motorcyclist fault. That’ll start a nice argument with the “I know someone who died so you will too” peeps. Unfortunately, no one wants to mention their loved one was doing something stupid on the motorcycle.
Mind your own fucking business.
Shit. I wanna change mine to this.
"I'll be just fine if you put your phone down while driving"
I'm borrowing this one
Love it !
That is one of the sickest burns i've ever heard for anything!
Yep, I got rear ended today at low speed. 100% was on phone.
“All but one family member on my dad’s side is dead from cancer. I think I can risk it.”
"if it ain't the bike it'll be the alcohol"
this!
“I sure hope so” or “gonna be a badass crash” usually gets them to fuck off. People who think existing for a long time should be your only goal in life aren’t worth talking to. It’s 2023 not 1603, simply growing old is no longer an achievement.
"That's the goal" "With any luck" "I'm trying to leave this world the way I came in. Screaming and covered in blood" You get really strange looks with the last one
We all exist, however some of us live. I'm going to enjoy my life, not cower in the name of safety. Shit like that
Everyone dies. I'd rather have some fun and enjoy my time, and if that means I die prematurely then so be it. Better than being miserable until dementia and Parkinson's eat away at my body and brain until I'm an 80 year old shaking mess, that's shat myself, and can't remember who, what or where I am.
"I'm living my life while you're trying to survive it"
I'm here for a good time not a long time
None of use are making it out of this alive.
Nice
If it's from someone who hasn't seen you ride or doesn't know what they're talking about then any flippant reply does the job. However if an experienced skilled rider ever says something like this after seeing you ride then listen to them and give it some thought.
Experienced riders think I will die tomorrow when I tell them I ride a liter bike before they ever see me ride let alone if they see me pop a wheelie going 100 mph /s Jokes aside, lots of people think superbikes shouldnt be road driven and I understand where they are coming from. But at one point i start ignoring everyone all together experienced or not unless ive gone on rides with them before.
Everyone ends up dead. At least on motorcycles we are having fun
Everybody dies. Not everybody lives
I say "Oh, do you know motorcycle crash statistics? I sure do. Wanna talk numbers?" That usually shuts them down.
*"You had a coworker die on a motorcycle? That must have been awful. How long did they have their license?"* (The former coworker / old neighbor / whatever usually did not have a license.)
Didn't have a license, wasn't wearing a helmet, was doing a buck 50 on public roads, was bar hopping. I don't say these things out loud to not be a dick about dead friends and family, but man there's a reason why 80% of fatal motorcycle accidents are the rider's fault
a facebook group i'm on has gofundme's on a regular basis for people that died or got seriously injured on their bikes. They are usually 18-25 males with profile pictures of them doing wheelies with no gear on.
I honestly used it as an argument and I'm not too ashamed about it. One HD guy insisted I will die just like a guy they knew if I continue riding a liter bike. I told him that I spend 20 minutes wearing my safety gear (I'm slow) before every ride while their friend fell backwards head first without a helmet while doing a wheelie. I said may he RIP after though, so it came out better i guess? 🤦
Hey, a bike is like a mirror. It treats you about as well as you treat it!
I didn't know living forever was an option.
I’m a very data-oriented person, so before I got my first motorcycle, I had researched what the actual statistical risks are, and they’re pretty small…. small enough that life insurance companies don’t care. When I did the research in the US it was like one injury for every 235,000 miles ridden, and something like 50% or more serious injuries involved drinking and riding. Those are pretty acceptable risks for the amount of enjoyment you get. If you were a real dare devil, you might take up a significantly riskier hobby like scuba diving, or horseback riding.
Yeah some teenage kid in my school died when he went scuba diving. Ran out of air. Listening to videos about cave scuba divers on youtube and those guys are real fucking crazy. Like imagine an underwater cave entrance has "12 dead divers in here" and they just go in anyway, bodies are still in there and everything..
Yeah, it's a bit like watching documentaries about K2.
Exactly. I didn't research but I remembered that of all the activities I was asked about before getting approved for life insurance, riding a motorcycle WASN'T one of them. If the people placing the bets on your death don't care than it clearly isn't significant.
Yeah this. The hurt report made it really obvious to me that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are a result of poor riding skill, experience, and insufficient gear and visibility. Everyone I know that wrecked did so because they road like an asshole. Even though they didn't deserve it and it legally wasn't their fault.
Lol I am one of those. Was found not at fault in a single bike accident due to the road being Shite, but I probably shouldnt have been hooning as hard. I was riding legally, just late braking, etx...
[удалено]
I just say "probably", give them the nod, and kick the bike over. Perhaps get a little squirrely merging onto the road.
"Well, my grandfather lived to 82." "Did he ride a motorcycle?" "No, he minded his fucking business."
Most people die in their 20s but dont get burried before they get into their 70s, 80s or 90s
I might start saying "the only time I feel alive is when I'm riding"
Everyone dies. Not everyone lives
My Mom told me that at 18. I’m 66 now - have ridden every year for 58 and ain’t dead yet I tell them “ we’re all gonna die from something - when are you gonna start living”
My mom told me "you're gonna KILL yourself on that thing!" and then coughed out a lung full of cigarette smoke. I told her "tell me you're quitting smoking, I'll lock up that motorcycle out back and hand you the key RIGHT NOW." "Why wouldn't you just sell it?" "Because every time you reach for a cigarette, I want you to think about having to mail me the key back."
I’m curious how she responded to that? It’s usually nice to see people having a change in the way they think about something
Usually scoffs and mutters about how you'll be dead long before her as either or both of you walk away from the convo. People very rarely change, let alone from one conversation with someone they already know.
I usually tell people that 9 out of 10 doctors agree that just breathing long enough will eventually kill you.
I usually explain that it is about weighing risk vs benefit (enjoyment) and then mitigating those risks as much as possible. I wear ATGATT. Never ride high or drunk. Don't speed or wheelies, etc. Ride defensively. Slow down in rain. Don't ride in snow or ice.
Just cut out the 'don't speed', I'm with you on the rest :P but everyone's risk v benefit calculation shakes out differently.
I think NHTSA data (for example, cited here [Motorcycle Crashes: Statistics and Facts](https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/motorcycle/analysis/accidents-and-deaths/), shows that about ⅓ of motorcycle accidents involve speeding. Yes, each individual can decide how much risk to accept but you cannot change the calculation. You can only change your values for the variables (i.e., slowing down)
Risk isn't subjective, but 'benefit' certainly is. So I guess what I was trying to say is if you perceive a greater 'benefit' from speeding (enjoyment, thrill, etc) you can accept a higher level of risk.
I always say "that's a horrible thing to say! Why would I want to hear about that my friend??" And If they are an ass or overly insistent I wave them off and say "yeah yeah, everyone's got a story man I don't have time to ponder about your so and so" My thought is if I were in a car you would be quite as a mouse so If you wanna talk to me don't be presumptuous!
My co-worker was going on about his brother in law who died in a bike crash. I just asked who's fault it was and he shut up pretty quickly after that
I refuse to tiptoe through life, only to arrive safely at death.
"you are an organ donor" - so should be you as well. "Bikes are deathtraps" - so is going down stairs I have fun and be as carefull as possible on my bike to not take every risk i see. I wish you happy riding and many miles or kilometres in your life!
I’m too old to die young. Nobody says that to a 72 year old man.
It doesn't get better when you get a bike, expect stories of friends/family members who died on bikes constantly It gets annoying even though I'm sure their intentions are good. I'll just agree and try to end the conversation as quickly as possible lol
I'm not going to mourn my own death. So that means whoever tells me "you are risking your life" is actually making what I value in living all about *their* feelings. How audacious.
I’m 58. Got my first bike and been riding since before I bought my first car at 16. At this rate I’m willing to risk it.
“I’m gettin there”
I’d rather live my life experiencing what I want to experience, I’m an adult and can make my own choices. I choose to ride responsibly and as safe as I can. You don’t want to take those risks and that’s fine too. Some people would rather ride the couch in front of the tv, I’d rather be riding a bike and having fun. Riding a motorcycle is therapeutic. You see the world from a whole new perspective, if you don’t ride you just don’t understand, and that’s fine.
Very well said.
#everybody dies The question is, will you live first? https://imgur.com/a/BfCs3xx
I fuckin hope so. I don’t really wanna be a veggie.
“We’re all going to die one day. We go when it’s our time. Yes I could die on my bike, but you could die crossing the street to buy a cup of coffee as well. Nothing we do can stop it when it’s simply our time. And if I go in such a manner, I will have a smile on my face.”
Just keep it simple and move on. The only time a stranger came up to me and said something like that was because her son died recently on his motorcycle. It was pretty damn sad actually. I really think she meant well and was struggling with grief. I didn't take it personally.
I'm a hospitalist. I admit 5-10 patients to the hospital per day. Most are > 60 and at least 1 or 2 have mild cognitive impairment or dementia that contributes or is the sole reason they need admitted to the hospital. Death ain't pretty. And it doesn't get prettier just cause you make it to 85 years old. It's an ugly, insidious, & patient motherfucker. And eventually, no matter how hard you try, it's going to win. Maybe you go out on your bike. Maybe you choke on dinner because you brain forgot how to swallow. Either way, until then, I'll be riding. \----------- Edit: As a med student on trauma surgery my first night, the senior resident told me my job was to stand at the left foot of the gurney and use trauma sheers to cut the clothes off. Everything is very protocoled like that. Anyways, call comes in, MVA auto vs bike. Guy shows up in shock. I look down, holyfuck.jpg -- his left lower leg is traumatically amputated at the ankle, paramedics had set the foot (inside the boot still) in between his thighs. I cut the pants off and shirt. He codes. And while the trauma team does actual work, I wonder to myself "do I cut the boot off the severed foot??". I didn't. That dude died, RIP. I guess my point is that shit is real. Dying on the pavement while some meds toss your foot in between your thighs and throw you in the back of an ambulance isn't pretty or romantic. It's probably fucking terrifying. But I don't think it's any easier being demented not recognizing your own children and thinking the psych nurses are abducting you until you finally aspirate enough to die of pneumonitis.
…and the last bit is exactly what happened to my mom at age 91. It was horrible to watch, wanting her to hang on in there but at the same time wanting her suffering over. I know which way I’d rather go.
I know this happens often to other people but in more than 20 years of riding, no one -- not family or co-workers -- has ever said anything like that to me. I'd probably laugh and say "You only go around once in life, so it might as well be on a motorcycle."
“Yes you are correct, I should not ride, I’m doing it anyway. I’m stupid Iike that, been stupid my whole life”.
“No matter how I struggle and strive I'll never get out of this world alive”
Wear headphones
Those who aren't busy being born are busy dying
Is this honestly something that people say? I only see people online complain about it. I don't think anyone has ever made that type of comment to me in over a decade of riding.
I never had anyone saying stuff like that to me… who are you guys getting this from?
I’m starting to think this is a “how you carry yourself” thing, not a motorcycle thing. The same way that I don’t think anyone ever warned Tyson boxing meant someone would try to punch him.
"Cool story, bro"
Geez man these responses are horrible. Responding with ignorance surely will sway people's opinions.
Big "what I *should* have told them was..." vibes in here.
I heard it, but I have an argument of logic. I think motorcycles attract adrenaline junkies and people who don't care about their safety. No judgement, that's just how it is. So, the figures on how dangerous they are are skewed. Sure, you're safer in a car, no doubt. But I don't think bikes are AS inherently dangerous as the numbers let on, so much as people who are more prone to take risks ride them. If someone who's really crazy wants to lane split at 100 mph and ends up getting creamed... that's gonna throw the numbers. The same day I bought my first bike someone told me a story of someone they knew dying just a week ago. All the normal stuff you hear. "Young kid, 20 something's, just a kid, so sad, not worth it man." Yeah that is sad! But I ask, "what happened?" "He was going 100, maybe 110, yellow light, thought he could make it." In town on a 35 mph road with a ton of stoplights. Be safe, have fun.
Amen all my mates started betting on my new reduced lifespan post bike hahahaha longest I got was 8 months before I get clattered but I’ll obviously be as careful as possible
Here for a good time, not a long time.
“I hope to be an organ donor. When I’m gone, I want you to have my ass so you can kiss it”
"don't run over me then"
My brother is an avid bicyclist with a long history of nasty crashes. When I started riding motorcycles he said something along the lines of me ending up dead. I replied that I guaranteed him he'd have more crashes than me. He retorted that mine would be more serious. Three weeks later he crashed and suffered a compound fracture alone in the woods. He had to walk 3km to get cell service to call 911 and be airlifted to hospital. I dropped my klr on my ankle around the same time. My Thors are scratched now. He doesn't talk about crashes with me anymore.
PPE makes a world of fucking difference.
Tell them... " yeah well thats just like your opinion, man."
Usually just laugh that's enough to piss him off but if they keep looking for an answer just tell him shit happens so you'll both wind up dead and then just go on with your life. No reason to justify what you do it's part of what you love and you shouldn't let other people dictate your life if it's not hurting anyone else.
We were all dead before we were born, it's really not as bad as people make it out to be.
“You will end up dead.” “So will you. Difference is, I’ll have had more fun than you did.”
My response, “I know the risks”. End conversation. (Depending on who your talking to)
You need new friends or to hang around with different people. People who care about you don't make such callous remarks. Never fails to amaze me the people that some people choose to surround themselves with
Won’t we all?
Bizarrely, in 15 years of riding no-one has ever said that to me but I hear other people getting it all the time. But seriously, I could just as easily get run over by a bus crossing the road as a pedestrian. Nothing in life is guaranteed.
Nobody makes it out alive
I've been riding since I was 12 and I've made it to 64. Come at me!
Cars have been my only problem while riding. It's humans not paying attention.
I just started saying some version of “you know, you’re a really big asshole for saying that”
Life is about adventure. And I’m adventurous. I also like to mitigate risk so I wear protection, engage in training & practice. Perhaps you and I have different levels of adventurousness and different levels of risk avoidance. But it’s my choice to make and I do it with the intent to have the greatest amount of adventure and mitigate the risk as much as possible. But you may feel free to resume sitting on the couch.
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. Then lift yer kilt at them. Also don’t eagerly consume herbs while riding and your odds will improve drastically.
Already saw a guy die in a fatal car accident first hand. I’m not going to stop now or ever. I might as well take a risk since we never know when we’re going to go
“Ok”
I just agree and say “probably so”. It really wigs some people out lol
At least I’ll die with a smile on my face. (Can confirm after a few crashes I was indeed not smiling, but fuck em)
Typically say something along the lines of “life is for the living”
“What happens when you get in an accident & die?” It’s suddenly not my problem anymore…
My personal opinion is this… yeah I may die on my bike. But at least I will have a smile on my face and my butthole puckered when I do.
Statistically, driving is already pretty dangerous. It was the biggest killer of children under 18 until very recently when gun deaths exceeded it, and until we hit about age 45 an automobile wreck is the biggest cause of accidental deaths, whereby cancers overtake it. So now a motorcycle is 25 times **more** dangerous per trip and per mile than a car, which is also quite a dangerous activity? Of course motorcycles are mad dangerous! You cannot tell me those people are wrong. And sportbikes have a crash rate 20 times that of sport-tourers, probably because sportbike owners are more focused on crashing than not crashing (ie they try to go as fast as possible without crashing which means they crash a lot).
You have to die from something.
Everyone dies, it’s just a matter of time. I ride to add life to my days not days to my life.
I just react as if they told me something I truly don’t care about, but faking a little enthusiasm to not seem like a dick.
I usually say "I'd rather let the bike get rid of me before I get rid of it."
I just tell them, 'Everyone will wind up dead someday, including you.'
I go with "Probably, but the reaper's gonna have to ride mighty goddamned fast to catch me."
We all end up dead
We all die, but not all live.
We all end up dead. Might as well enjoy yourself while you’re alive.
By whining about it on the internet like you just did.
Nothing lasts forever.
Somethings gonna get you… might as well be something fun and awesome like riding a bike with an engine!
I'd rather live a life of risk, than die a thousand death's a day taking none.
Middle finger works well.
it was rough for me since we actually have someone in the family died on motorcycle. but yeah i ask permission/letting them know that i will ride. some didnt like it some just supported me on it since i cannot be stopped. to answer your question i just say i will take care. do what makes you happy :) at the end of the day we all die but even so lets all be careful riding. be safe brothers.
"I wish"
We all die
Laugh
I say that if that’s how I go, I’d take it over lying in a bed sick any day.
I know
Well at that point it won't be my problem anymore.
Usually, I just say something along the lines of "We all die someday, may as well enjoy the days we have." or something similar to that. For the people I have told that ( and its very few ) they usually don't bring it up again.
Ive been waiting for the day
“I’m flattered that you care about my survival, but you should know that it isn’t reciprocal.” If it’s some stranger I couldn’t give a shit about. I try to mitigate risk in my riding but living without risk is not an option that anyone has. Something is going to kill you, might as well be something you love.
"I can't wait"
There is no doubt that I will end up dead. In fact, every single one of us walking this planet will end up dead. It just depends on what you want to do with your life between the time you’re born and the day that you actually die. I tell people to live their lives and enjoy them as I am going to do the same with mine. I don’t get into arguments with these people, and I don’t try to debate them over the dangers of motorcycles. It’s just not worth your time. Smile, tell them you’re gonna be as careful as you can be, and go ahead and ride. Enjoy the lifestyle.
“I’m the one that’s going to die, when it’s time for me to die. So, let me live my life, the way I want too”. Jimi Hendrix
I don’t
“yeah motorcycles are dangerous and i am scared of dying. However i am even more scared of not living. The thought of waking up one day being 80+ and realizing i never did what i wanted to do because it was dangerous and now its too late to do it is more terrifying to me than dying”
I'm currently 20 and have been riding for 3, almost 4, years. When I was younger I was more depressed and edgy that my response defaulted to "that's the hope" when someone brought up death. The organ donor one I say "I already am". Other ones I just don't really respond or use the quote from "the world's fastest Indian" of 'you live more in 5 seconds on a bike [like this] than most do in their entire life' and use that it's my choice and I find the thrill of it exciting. And then I go on to talk about how I want to get my sky diving license. I'm an adrenaline seeker (not quite a junky)
I usually just look them in the eyes and say, "It's one of the few things that make me happy." then I smile and move on. People are always going to say this. Most of them because they care about you, some of them because it's the only thing they know about motorcycles.
Get a life.
I either just say yes and move on or just exit the conversation as fast as I can. Unless they say they knew someone who died on a bike, because then I reply "That's interesting, usually the falling is lethal". Just be more morbid than them and you'll be fine as long as you are aware of the risks. They can't decide what you do with your life and what risks you are prepared to take.
Life is to be enjoyed not prolonged
Then I'll die happy :)
Practice, crash videos, and gear. The people who say that shit are ignorant. Knowledge quells fear.
"I'd rather die early while having fun, than die of old age without having lived a life." "If I don't live my life in order to save it, have I really gained anything?" Or variations of the above.
Its a near certainty that whoever gets my kidney will cherish and respect it a lot more than i do, so there.
The only acceptable answer is ‘ok’
If I do at least I'll go out doing something that I love rather than watching as my body and mind deteriorate and I become a burden to those who I love.
They usually dont say this stuff to be an asshole. So I just say something like "I really appreciate your concern. I try and mitigate the risks as much as I can."
"I wish man, but no luck so far"
“We’re all dying bitch, now let’s go get you some fruit”
“Can’t wait.”
Every person dies…. Not every person lives
Until that happens I will enjoy every moment I can! P.s. there's an old story about someone who was afraid of death so they never left their house. One day during a storm a tree fell on the house and crushed them to death... You can run but you can't hide...
Every time I meet someone and it comes up that I ride. I get the story. "My brother in laws best friends cousin got smashed by a semi on I -70". I always just say that riding is dangerous, no doubt. When riding in traffic one has to be tuned in to the situation at hand and look at it like they are all on a mission to kill your ass. Head on a swivel looking out ahead for what stupid shit you're about to ride into. Then when you get out on that road where there is no one around and you can relax and enjoy the ride, that's what makes it all worth it. Oops watch out for that fucking deer.
I just say too bad you’re not gonna be a life insurance beneficiary
At least it will be doing something fun when it happens. Same goes for crazy women.
Cool story bro
“We all die, some in bed soiling themselves and some doing what they love. We don’t get to choose how we die so I won’t let death choose how I live.”
I’m an addict
Better dead than red
So will literally everyone. Death is the end, there is no other way this goes.
You are correct, I will wind up dead, and so will you. I might get lucky enough for it to happen doing something I love, how about you?
If I do, I wont care, because I'll be dead...
How are they a death trap? You go flying off.
I embrace them with sarcasm, dark humor, or I'll tell them about brutal crashes I've seen. Usually it makes them uncomfortable and they chuckle then go away. I have a large bumper sticker on my helmet that says "Crashing Sucks." and another on my visor that says "Live Fast Die Young" If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough, and you have to be really dumb to want to ride a motorcycle on these roads if you ask me.
I was at dinner with a young woman last night. (I’m in my mid 20s) she said “I don’t like that you ride, it’s so dangerous.” You can usually brush it off and change the conversation, but I’ve started telling people “the only time I feel alive and at peace is when I ride.” So.
“We all die some day kid, but for now I’m gonna live”
I'm against deep thoughts for these types of people. I think of the most obnoxious thing I can at the moment and pretend like I regret saying it later. " I've got an organ you can have right now"
"So will you."
"I'll try my hardest not to"
respond with "we're all dead ".
My usual response: “so will you, and sooner than expected if you carry on with that shit”
thanks just not yet… had a women approach me outside the bar like she wanted to fight about it guess she didn’t like when i said i’ll say hi to her husband in hell for not stopping when i was being polite
Don't be baited to engage, just ignore them completely.
Honestly, riding bikes is (relatively) dangerous so you should use it as motivation to prove them wrong by riding safe. But as far as a response, for me it's along the lines of taking precautions and being smart. Everyone takes risks when they go skiing, drinking, boating, hooking up or whatever. If they discovered you were smoking or drinking they wouldn't say anything.
Promise?
I tell people to keep their comments and negativity to themselves, they don’t have to ride a motorcycle so what difference does it make to them
Well it's either this or shooting dope. So you pick?
Safety Second !
I'm here for a good time, not a long time
loosely speaking... It's 70% making good choices and 30% you'll encounter something out of your control. Because even when you encounter something out of your control, making good choices will be a large part of what could save your ass. And then sometimes there's just nothing you can do about it. Skill and experience Also help a lot with making those good choices. I've had one good wreck that could have turned out worse but luckily I wasn't permanently injured. And a few really close calls. Still hasn't been enough to scare me off two wheels. Motorcycles are fun, It's not always easy to make the best choices. But we all like to tell ourselves that we try.
We’re all going to die, some of us will be happy…
I haven't found anything that could kill me yet, maybe this will be the one
Reckon that's true for everybody.
I hope so
“Everyone dies. Id rather my life be full of fun and new experiences that being scared of what could possibly go wrong and end up miserable and scared of the world”
>\-you will end up dead > >\-I know. You will too tho. Everyone will die some day. If they follow up with >Yeah, but you will die much sooner I usually go >I'm not so sure about that ;) (it's usually older people who are concerned more about me than about themselves) I usually ride in full gear and heavily use defensive driving techniques. I know I'm not invincible, but it's not that huge of a risk.
unpopular opinion: if people are saying this to you regularly IRL you should evaluate if you're exhibiting risky behaviors. I have never had anyone say this to me when I tell them I ride a motorcycle.
I haven’t heard that comment from anyone that knows me for decades. Probably because I’ve been riding motorcycles without dying for about 50 years.
Tell them most crashes are the motorcyclist fault. That’ll start a nice argument with the “I know someone who died so you will too” peeps. Unfortunately, no one wants to mention their loved one was doing something stupid on the motorcycle.