2 Wheels + No Motor vs 2 Wheels + Motor

"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/07/2015 at 09:43 • Filed to: None

I know we’re mainly cars here on oppo but the other day I started the long 1.5 year process to get my moto license here (yes I have a full driver’s license but it’s also going to cost a couple grand total).

As some of you may know I’m also a very avid road cyclist (I’ve had pro offers). Last night I had my fourth crash of the summer but the first one in three months.

A pedestrian had blocked my side of the path and then blocked both lanes. I was doing 25 mph and there was no chance of stopping even though I was on flat land, so I tried to go around. Turns out a lady traveling at about 5 mph was doing the same thing from the other side. We went head on, she fell back and I flew over her doing a full flip until I came to a stop courtesy of a backhoe. I went head first into the backhoe with my legs dragging and taking initial impact with the ground.

It took me 5 minutes to get my self together enough to stand and well freaked out about the damage to my bike. I limped it home even though the bike is 50% totalled (wheels bent, detailers/shifters/cogs bent, etc) and then headed to the ER.

After 3 hours I was checked and I came out very very lucky. I have some head trauma (head ache/neck and back pain) but no concussion this time (thank you helmet), a broken rib, bruised rib cage, and sprained knee with a few stitches.

The majority of my hobbies are high risk activities, heck I’m registered for diving courses in December, and 200 parachute jumps next summer, but this most recent accident is the luckiest I’ve come out in a long time. Is going 2 wheels + a motor aka a motorcycle worth the risk?

DISCUSSION (42)

bob and john > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 09:49

Not even a question. Yes.

look, no one cares about cyclists (speaking as one). your invisible and slient.

now, a motorcycle, pedestrians tend to take more notice of the 500lbs of roaring steed of fury then the dinky little carbon piece straddled by a dude in lycra

Nonster > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 09:53

I think it is. I only recently got my Motorcycle license and I absolutely love riding. Yes it is higher risk than driving, but I think it’s much lower risk than riding a bicycle especially if you wear proper gear.

JKER > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 09:54

Well if you wear the right gear at least you’ll be better protected.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 09:56

I had a tourist walk out infront of me riding in Boston. I made a last second effort to avoid the dishit by jumping into the sidewalk. I didn;t get my rear tire up and it instanltly blew out. Popped like a balloon. they looked at me like i was the asshole, well buddy, cars arent the only thing in the road you should look for. I also went over the handlebars going down a skislope in the summer. Most likely had a concussion (didnt go to the doc’s) that convinced me to never ride without a helmet. Good to see you ended up ok. Sounds like it will be an expensive fix for you.

atrombs > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 09:59

long 1.5 year process to get my moto license here (yes I have a full driver’s license but it’s also going to cost a couple grand total)

This is amazing to me. I’m taking the required 3 day motorcycle class for Virginia at the end of August. It cost $150 (through the local Community College) and at the end I’ll come out with my motorcycle license. Granted, I’m sure I won’t have the knowledge base that you will when you’re done. Where are you from that it is that intensive?

BloodlessWeevil > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:09

It depends, it’s one of those things everyone needs to decide for themselves. You will not know if it is worth it for you until you get on a bike. Then you need to educate yourself about the risks, you cannot weigh the risks if you do not know what they are.

450X_FTW > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:10

I started the long 1.5 year process to get my moto license here

Where do you live that it takes 1.5 years to get a moto license? In Michigan it takes 1.5 days, literally

Nonster > atrombs
08/07/2015 at 10:10

Here in Ohio the 3 day class isn’t required as long as you can pass a skills test. I took the class and all said and done it was less than $100 between DMV fee’s and whatnot.

I think it’s a little to easy for us here in the states to get either a car or motorcycle license...

Moves-Like-Senna > atrombs
08/07/2015 at 10:14

Lucky you! It’s true I’ll get a lot more knowledge but at a lot steeper costs. I live in Quebec.

atrombs > Nonster
08/07/2015 at 10:16

That’s a good point. I suppose it’s equivalent to the differences between the US and Europe normal drivers license requirements.

Moves-Like-Senna > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/07/2015 at 10:16

That is so frustrating! Some idiot walking is the same reason I crashed yesterday :/ I find pedestrians think they can beat a bike or a car or a motorcycle... it’s no contest. Ouch! I used to down hill race (Whistler was home to me during parts of the year for this) and they didn’t require full face at the time haha. I always wear a helmet and now it’s time to replace this one.

Moves-Like-Senna > Nonster
08/07/2015 at 10:17

True, motorcycle gear is a lot more heavy duty but what would make it lower risk?

Moves-Like-Senna > 450X_FTW
08/07/2015 at 10:17

Really? I hate you right now haha

Moves-Like-Senna > JKER
08/07/2015 at 10:17

True! Lycra can only do so much.

Moves-Like-Senna > bob and john
08/07/2015 at 10:18

I’m more scared of just accidents on a whole. Not being noticed etc, I yell, throw bottles etc if I have to. I smashed a car window for almost crushing me into a wall to get their attention. I’m just concerned how badly I’d be injured and how more likely it is on a bike to have a high severity injury.

Master Cylinder > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:18

I am a road cyclist (just a slow amateur though) and motorcycle rider. They’re both dangerous, but I feel far more vulnerable on the pedal bike than on the motorcycle. Sure, the motorcycle can go much faster, so there’s potential for more spectacular crashes, but it can also accelerate, stop, and turn much better than a road bike can. That, plus the motorcycle’s higher visibility and the ability to wear actual crash gear on a motorcycle (full face helmet, armored gloves/boots/jacket/pants) means the motorcycle is probably the safer ride - especially in town where the speeds reached on either vehicle are pretty comparable.

Nonster > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:21

Partially due to the gear, but when you have a motor you’re moving with traffic instead of constantly being passed and are better able to scoot out of or avoid dangerous situations

Moves-Like-Senna > BloodlessWeevil
08/07/2015 at 10:23

Very solid answer and I think you’re right. I’ll have to try it to see if it’s for me

450X_FTW > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:25

Seriously. About 8 hour beginner course on saturday then a 4 hour course and test on sunday

nermal > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:25

I think a bicycle on the street is much more dangerous than a motorcycle.

The key to being safe on a motorcycle is making sure you have the proper training (MSF Course), and safety equipment, along with a healthy dose of not being dumb.

Bright colors are key. Avoid black / grey, as that will make you blend in to the pavement and cars won’t see you. Also, get the brightest colored helment you can.

Hermann > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:29

Are you going to commute in it? If so, yes, it’s worth it. And I had a similar conversation with a friend not long ago.

Bicycle is too risky, car is too expensive (there’s a Toll on his commute, he’d spend more on Tolls than gas every month, motorcycles don’t pay Tolls here). He’s currently looking for a motorcycle because cars respect it more, it’s easier to see and hear and in case he sees something will happen, he can often throttle it out or brake safer (Especially if they have ABS+TC).

He’ll use it for commuting, because the bicycle remains one of his hobbies (but he’s still the biggest BMW enthusiast I know). And I imagine that a situation like yours could’ve been different on something that’s either faster or slows down better.

atrombs > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:32

Oh okay. I was guessing Europe. Well Good luck! I’ve only recently gotten the fever to get a motorbike, and I’ve seen some Dual Sports that look like they would be fun as hell to ride around town/trails. I’m not a huge fan of highway riding.

bob and john > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:39

remember, on a motorcycle you (should) also be wearing WAY more gear.

jariten1781 > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:40

Only you can answer that question.

For me it’s locational. I don’t ride either now since I’m currently living in the dense suburbs around DC. When I first moved in, I tried since I’d been a regular on both. Nope...way too harrowing. Just the sheer amount of drivers and the quantity of out of towners (you get the bad habits from all over the country and the world intermixed and it’s difficult to predict them like you would in a more homogenous driving population) changes the risk calculus. When I lived in Kitsap (west, across the Sound from Seattle) I was perfectly comfortable on a motorcycle but bicycle’s didn’t play well with the relatively narrow streets with high-ish speed traffic, elevation changes, and dense foliage creating too many short sight radius corners. When I lived in Texas bicycles were great because their were numerous cut-throughs and bike/walking trails that motorcycles couldn’t access. Traffic there was such that being on a motorcycle provided little benefit and the roads/scenery weren’t worth it so I didn’t ride. When I lived in SC and OK I rode both regularly.

Regardless though, I’d get the moto endorsement since you have the time and funds to do so. Even if you decide you’re not in the right place right now to justify it, you never know where life’ll take you. If you end up in a place where riding a motorcycle is a huge boon you may not have the time to get it then and it’d just be a missed opportunity.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:50

This right here is the reason I avoid road cycling lol. I will stick to my mountain biking where my lack of skill is my only source of becoming injured rather than other people. I see no problem with motorcycling though. Sure it’s risky but it truly is the pinnacle of enjoying man and machine on the road. I imagine if you are safe about it and don’t drive it all the time, your chances of problems aren’t that high.

Berang > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:51

You have to ask yourself why you want a motorcycle. For many years I owned mopeds, but that was because they bridged a gap between bicycle and car for my needs. I considered full on motorcycles, but eventually reasoned that the gap between moped and car was too small to justify a motorcycle. Now I no longer have a moped and just have a bicycle and car.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 10:53

what kind of helmet do you use now? I just looked up Whislter. Holy Shit!!!! I’m done Highland Mountain a few times. Tons of fun.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Nonster
08/07/2015 at 11:03

The speed significantly reduces the risk of cycling...even wearing nothing but spandex and a helmet you’re at a much, much lower risk of severe injuries. Almost all bicycle fatalities are being hit by vehicles, typically at speed differentials that would kill a motorcyclist equally.

Depending on the statistic you use, bicycling is between 5 and 70 times safer than motorcycling from an accident standpoint.

brianbrannon > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 11:25

In my experience the bike path is the most dangerous place to ride

BeaterGT > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/07/2015 at 11:32

This is precisely when you “ghost ride” your bike into their body.

OPPOsaurus WRX > BeaterGT
08/07/2015 at 11:39

i’ve also had someone open their car door as I was coming up behind. I was able to stop just intime to not get hurt but leave a skidmark on the inside door panel

BeaterGT > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/07/2015 at 11:53

Haha oh man, I always wondered if those type of accidents happened often considering it’s like the cliche bike-car accident.

Shift24 > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 11:53

Kinja'd!!!

Done, Next question.

IMO maybe but probably not. I have had my motorcycle license for at least 5 years and I have only ridden a handful of times on the street. Mainly because I only have interest in 2 wheels on dirt rather than pavement but also because there are soo many more variables when riding in a city.

You are able to get going a lot faster and stay at a much higher speed with much more weight. Much less maneuverable at speed and just a blast in the rain... You might be able to stop quicker but what the idiot behind you? The way I look at it in this case is with a bike, cars try to avoid you. With a motorcycle you are seen as just another vehicle on the road.

The “LOUD noises” do get people’s attention but I have heard the “I just didn’t see him” or “I wasn’t paying attention” one too many times from drivers for me to ride on the streets.

Also motorcycle insurance alone can get expensive in a hurry.

But it will get you there quicker with less effort and its a manual. So yeah its got that going for it.

OPPOsaurus WRX > BeaterGT
08/07/2015 at 12:01

i feel like they do. I’ve had a couple other close calls but this was the only one i’ve actualyl ended up within the door opening

Moves-Like-Senna > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/07/2015 at 15:31

For downhilll I use a full face - I was before the time of back braces etc, back then you learned with a hard tail before going soft so you learn control and are less likely to need teh brace so I don’t have one.

For road, I cracked a Specialized Echlon II helmet in half in the crash. I just bought a Specialized Evade for a fortune haha.

I haven’t gone to highland yet! It’s on my list, whistler is another beast haha

Moves-Like-Senna > brianbrannon
08/07/2015 at 15:33

I completely agree, I usually try and stick to roads but that area is marred with potholes... the joys of the worst roads in the world (Montreal). A civic flipped a year back after hitting one on a highway off ramp haha.

Moves-Like-Senna > atrombs
08/07/2015 at 15:39

Thanks! After checking the damage to my bike I’m going to do part of my motorcycle license this year and the rest next year. The cost to replace parts on my bike are too substantial :/. Dual Sports are awesome! I want something for trips out of town so it’ll be mainly highways.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Moves-Like-Senna
08/07/2015 at 18:48

My buddy works for Bern no full face tho

Moves-Like-Senna > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/10/2015 at 11:27

You can never argue with a discount haha :)

Moves-Like-Senna > Berang
08/10/2015 at 11:32

Thanks for the response and a good point. I need something to bridge the gap between a car and a bicycle. I can go a 120miles with my bike but can’t go with a friend etc and in my city a car just doesn’t make sense. A bike would be super easy to store, fit that gap and would be a blast jetting down a highway.

Moves-Like-Senna > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/10/2015 at 11:33

Haha, I still love the mountain but there’s nothing like going into aero-tuck and flying down the hill at 67mph. Very good point and you’re right, I want to enjoy the road :P

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Moves-Like-Senna
08/10/2015 at 14:05

oh god 67mph on a bicycle sounds pretty scary. Ive only hit ~40 on my bike on a serious downhill. That was already death defying but certainly very fun.