Is It Worth It?

[Fred W]

"I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.

I shall use my time."

+1.

I need a tee shirt or some sort of membership card that says this.

Tempus fugit. Carpe diem.

Tyler. Yes, it's worth it. I would gladly trade one day of joyfully riding (with friends, or even alone) for a full year of mere existence.

 

[Hudson]

See, here's the thing:

I don't want to ride out in a blaze of glory on my FJR. I'd rather make it to a ripe old age.

This hobby/sport is a pretty selfish pursuit. It cost a lot of money. It takes us away from kids/wife/sig others for lots of hours a week, and if we do become unlikely and unfortunate to go out early on the FJR, it puts our families and friends through lots of pain and potential financial distress.

Each of us has our own justifications for why we get on a motorcycle week after week. While I'd like to justify this with a great quote about how a life not risked is not lived or something like that, it doesn't relieve the suffering long term for those I'd leave behind.

When I bought my FJR after a 10 year absence from motorcycles, I thought long and hard. (I think my first post actually raised this question). I know the risks, and decided to take more personal responsibility for them. This meant focusing on safety (e.g. that is why I wear a bright neon vest and back guard) first before other fancy farkles. I took the MSF course even though I thought I knew how to ride well. I've also made sure my financial affairs are in order, and bought lots of life and accident insurance. And in recognition of how selfish this sport is, I make sure my wife and kids get my time when I am not motorcycling, and that I support them for their hobbies/pursuits.

I think if you accept these risks, do what you can in your power to reduce them, and make sure your loved ones are not going to have bear a greater burden financially because of your choice, then and only then can you really be at peace with your choice. Having lost a father at an early age, and a father-in-law and brother-in-law and finally a wife before I turned 30, all too young to go, I am just happy that I get the chance to fully understand the risks I take and the impact it has.

 

[Foxhuntr]

I came close to quitting after I watched my wife crash her bike on I5 at 65 mph and tumble down the road with the bike sliding ahead of her. I tried to talk her into quitting, but she was adamant about wanting to ride. It took me a year or so to get that sight out of my mind, and we're still riding and having fun with it.

 

[oldryder]

I have thought a lot about the risk of motorcycling as I've gotten older.

For me the real risk of riding is the possibility of serious injury or death due to some irresponsible or stupid action by a cager. This has become even more of an issue as my daughter has started riding and lacks the years of experience and insight I use to keep myself relatively safe when riding. will probably always struggle with that.

While this might seem counterintuitive I started roadracing last year. my intent was to improve my technical riding skills (which it is doing) but I also find it makes riding the street seem even more dangerous in comparison. yea, it surprised me too but it's amazing how much more fun going fast is when you're not worrying about gravel, sand, cows, stalled cars, road debris, or whatever.

As long we we as riders have to share the road with cellphone talking, whopper eating, make-up applying, GPS programming, radio tuning, CD searching, ..., ..., ...., we have to accept some risk as unavoidable.

In the final analysis none of us get out of here alive and if you're too afraid to do the things you love what are you living for?

So .... wanna go riding, anyone?

 

[Fred W]

I have thought a lot about the risk of motorcycling as I've gotten older.

One of the great ironies of life. The older you get, the less you have in your "time bank" to risk.

So shouldn't we be getting bolder as we get older?

 

[oldryder]

Good point but I'd say no because as you get older you appreciate how precious the time you have is.

 

[fjrboomer]

Tyler this is another great post. I have personal experience at confronting life. In 1979 at age 38 I had a heart attack. At that time the odds were about 50/50 a person would die of a subsequent HA within 8 years. I recovered and started riding in 1983. My son got me started.

In 88 had to have a pacemaker as the heart would slow down to 32 beats/minute (pass out time). In 95 had quad by-pass surgery but continued to ride. Then in 97 I had two very close calls on my bike. So I quit, sold the Goldwing I had at the time. I am now on my 3rd pacemaker as they have to be replaced when the battery runs down. I did not ride for 10 years and then in Dec 07 after much consideration, I purchased a new 07 FJR. I took the safety course and have good gear and I love riding again.

As you mentioned, we each make our decision based on our personal evaluation of the risk. My conclusion was that I wanted to ride before I die and if I die on the bike that is not a bad way to go. My greatest fear in riding is to get maimed and unable to care for myself and thus burdening my family in that way. I will try hard to avoid that if I can. I am much happier on the bike than off.

 

[Big Sky]

Is it worth it? Oh yes, it is.

I think of it as "ground flying" or "horizontal free fall." I've compared it to getting to drive the roller coaster. There is nothing that will put a grin on my face like pulling out of town on the Feej on a Friday with two or three (or 10) days of fantastic roads, curves, scenery and new friends coming my way.

I've been riding 33 years with one span of three years without a bike - right after my kid was born. Those were three miserable years.

I don't fear a fatal crash; as many others have said, none of us is getting out of here alive. I do fear a bad crash with my wife of 24 years aboard. She is innocent, she has no control, she trusts me to keep her safe. That's is an incredible responsibility, but she still likes it and so do I when we're slicing and dicing a set of curves. She and I have discussed at length the risks involved in what we do. Both of us have consciously concluded that the joy outweighs the risk. I've had this discussion with my son and with my (6) siblings; that they are not to blame the machine or the sport if things come to a bad end; that we understand the risk trade-off and have not lightly made our decision. She's also had this discussion with her parents, who worry whenever they know we are out on the bike.

I can tell you that life would be a lot less fulfilling for me - for us - without this wonderful means of propulsion. It is our passion. That's why I introduced my brother to this incredible pastime 16 years ago, and now my son, and now my brother's sons are riding...and my sister's son, too - all highly aware of the risks. There's only one other activity for us that even comes close, and it is quite the opposite in terms of velocity and stimulation: lazily floating the local rivers in our 13-foot rubber raft, drifting along at 4 or 5 miles an hour, taking it all in, watching the spotted fawns and beavers and eagles play, occasionally trying to fool a trout, drinking cold beer from the cooler while acquiring sunburns. But, we ride 8,000 miles a year...and probably float 40 or 50 miles. The real priority is clear.

My REAL fear is deteriorating eyesight, losing my hearing, losing the strength I need to keep the bike upright, having my hip joints deteriorate to the point where I can't swing my leg over or can't ride without debilitating pain, losing the reflexes and awareness required to ride safely... In other words, getting too damned old to ride. That's why I'm getting in as much of it as possible...while I still can.

It's worth it.

 

[daviddowns2000]

My only regret is that I have to ride 700 miles to get to any really good twisties.

 

[boomerang]

It is very sobering and saddening to hear of the death of a fellow rider.
I have always wanted to travel and see the sights via motorcycle. I love planning trips and I love riding them. Long ago, before the internet, I always rode alone...none of my friends rode...but I was gonna ride so dad gummint I went, and saw, and experienced the highs and lows of motorcycling by myself. Since I got my FJR, and found other FJR riders through Al Gore's interwebs, I have even more fun. I feel like I'm amongst family...people that feel the same way I feel about riding and travelling.

I can't imagine ever giving it up. I did purposely abstain when the kids were smaller and finances could not support it...but I never gave it up.

So, if I happen to be the subject of a RIP thread, don't feel bad for me. I know it's sad...but really...is it any sadder than dying of a heart attack, or cancer, or an auto accident? It's always sad when someone's life ends...but it would be sadder to try and live life "safely" but cooped up in a little "safe world".

We are all going to die sometime, somehow. No choice about that. Your choice is whether you are going to live it with joy or not. I try to ride safely....but...

It IS worth it to me...and quite frankly, not a choice. It is part of me.

Yup! It's like the man said,I think that the view from my porch is far better then the view from my couch,and the view from my FJR just kicks both there ass's.

 

[2WheelTiger]

Much of me will have to die if I choose to merely stay alive.

 

[dcarver]

Yes.

I don't want to flash over while riding, simply because of the trauma it would bring to other riders, family, and friends who know how seriously I take the 'art of motorcycling' (to steal a quote from Sculley, the pilot). Not that I'm the best rider out there, but for example, I was relieved, if you will, that Tim (TWN) passed in his easy chair and not on the bike. Somehow, it was easier for me to understand. Would have completely freaked me out if he crossed the center line and tagged an auto. Grodesky, the Safety Guy from Rider magazine, that one hit me hard..you can figure out why.

There is a recent fatal on this board and we don't know the details, but it seems to me it would be difficult to overshoot a death valley corner. Perhaps something else occurred first, I don't know, we may never know. It really doesn't take much.. I recall the first forum fatality, Lawinter... a stupid bird strike.. sigh.

I will say this - I would rather be riding than not, I would rather live than die. I would rather ride and die than not ride at all. Pretty simple, really. My siggie is my belief, btw..

Great thread and responses, especially yours, ToeCutter.

 

[Khunajawdge]

I have thought a lot about the risk of motorcycling as I've gotten older.

One of the great ironies of life. The older you get, the less you have in your "time bank" to risk.

So shouldn't we be getting bolder as we get older?

This is exactly what I think the military is about.

Then again, I heard while in Czechslovakia once upon a time, that ..."if a president ever came to power, and raised the price of beer, the Army would quit!".

 

[Toecutter]

I recall the first forum fatality, Lawinter... a stupid bird strike.. sigh.

It was a Bat! In broad daytime!

Great thread and responses, especially yours, ToeCutter.

Thanks. Every so often, I try to make my posts count, along with making post counts....You have your moments as well!

 

[k7lvo]

WOW!!!! I certainly get a LOT more than stuff about motorcycles from this forum! Every post here is thoughtful and thought provoking. Thank you, everyone.

My wife and I have ridden for the past 26 years. She has her own bike and our girls rode behind us on family vacations until they were old enough to develop other interests. (Motorcycle riding got boring for them. At one point, when discussing an upcoming vacation, one of them protested. We told her "There are kids who would KILL for a motorcycle trip like this!" to which she responded "Great! Take THEM!") When the girls stopped riding with us she continued to ride her own bike; says it's boring riding the back seat. Eleven years ago she watched me dump my bike in road construction, then, while wrapping things up with the police officer watched another bike go down at the same location. Both of us continue to ride, although she prefers to not ride at night. (My event occurred at dusk. Even with the lack of markings in the construction zone I would have seen the problem if the light had been better.)

From the time I started riding, the advise was to "get back on the horse that threw me" quickly when (not "if") I crashed to lessen the chance of being afraid to ride again. My response has always been that I ride because I WANT to, not because I HAVE to, or to prove anything to myself or anyone else. If I ever stop enjoying it, I'll stop riding. But, until then, I WILL ride - and I just finished a 3 day, 1,200 mile ride. I still enjoy it!!!

 

[HaulinAshe]

I'm one of those people who has been given a rare gift, a second life. I died at a very young age, dead, defunct, drowned. What an awful way to go. I'm not much for watersports anymore.

At that time I was given a choice, and I chose to return. The experience changed me in many ways. At that time I had been riding motorcycles for about 5-6 years. I was nine.

When my first daughter was born I did the responsible thing and stopped riding street or racing dirt. Just some occasional miles on the brother's GoldWing. But as my daughters got older, I realized how much of me was missing, and how much of my four motorcycle generation heritage had been abandoned. That's when I returned to racing and also found the FJR.

My answer to the question posed here is not absolute. Life is all about change and you have to adapt in many ways to survive. The roadways are not what they were when I was a young kid riding on the back with my Dad. I cannot place a price on those experiences and memories. I can only hope that my daughters will someday cherish their helmet time with me as much as I cherish my own with Daddy.

There's no doubt that today's roadways are more dangerous for bikes than generations past. So many distractions for drivers, so much less education and decreased senses of responsibility for endangering someone else. But adapting to my second life has meant a determination to live every day with as much vigor and intensity as my Dad did with his. Life is about so much more than having a pulse.

As a young man I used to swear that I would give my right arm to explore outer space. As an older man I swear I am grateful for every moment I've spent on two wheels. And I can no more give it up than I could stand to cut off my right arm. It's an undeniable part of me. Why would I settle for being less than a whole man?

So Life #1 was lost to a freaky water accident. I don't want to lose Life #2 to any freaky accident, therefore I practice my motorcycle skills relentlessly, and stay the hell away from deep water.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

All I can say is I am impressed and moved by these well thought out expressions.

I think I will print this out and read it to those who ask me why I ride a bike 'cause I could not say it better.

 

[rogdeb]

Good topic Tyler, and appropriate at the moment.

Many good replies here -- very insightful replies.

Foxhuntr's post I can relate to - and Deb continues to ride with me.

2Wheeltiger's one liner was pretty good.

Toecutter's post hit the nail superbly.

Deb tells me we'll be riding till we're physically unable - I believe her

 

[Bokerfork]

A philosopher once observed that the only purpose of life is the pursuit of happiness. Having heard that a few years back I did some minor inner reflecting and realized something.

I have never had a bad time on a motorcycle. Freezing cold, bone melting heat, 40mph crosswinds, you name it and I would have rather been dealing with it on a motorcycle than doing anything else.

I've ridden off and on for the better part of 40 years and it was soon after hearing that philosopher's quote that I realized what was missing in my life.

Is it worth it? If it brings you even one step closer to the pursuit of happiness, then yes, it's worth it.

If it actually drops you on the doorstep of happiness, then it's worth everything and more.