Mod 2 - Having second thoughts now

[Tyson10]

I passed my Mod 1 and have been trying to book my Mod 2 for the end of the month.

Got some really bad news that someone close to the family has died on his bike.

Cant get his poor family out of my head...he was a good lad always laughing and joking

Really has knocked me back & im thinking of walking away from biking before ive really started. Plus the fact my first daughter is due to to arrive in the next few weeks it puts things into perspective abit....naturally the misses has asked me not to go ahead aswell.

Have any of you been in a similar situation?

[BravoCharlie]

I can understand why you're feeling the way you are mate. Death is never easy, regardless, but when it's highlighting the danger of something you enjoy, it can make you worry.

I'd say play by ear. I'd encourage anyone to take up biking, it's safer than it seems as long as you're sensible about it. Last year there were more car deaths than bikes, biking is less dangerous than horse riding, etc. etc.

I've seen family members in a few bike crashes, luckily they lived, but it did highlight things to me. The way I look at it is it will make me more alert on the road. I'm still on L's until tomorrow I hope so i may not be the most experienced, but I would try your best not to let it affect something you enjoy.


Sorry for your loss though, and thoughts are with his family.
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Current: Kawasaki ZL600 Eliminator
Past: Suzuki GZ125, Kawasaki GT550, Kawasaki GPX600R, Honda vrx400,Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Suzuki SV650 K5
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

[yaigi]

Oh my goodness I'm so sorry to hear that, my condolences xx

Sounds like you have a lot to consider.

You don't need us to tell you it's ok not to do it, nor do you need us to tell you to go ahead - only you can be the one to decide whether you want to keep on going.

But, if it helps, in my opinion, it seems a shame to do your Mod 1 and not complete your Mod 2. You could at least get your licence and then decide. At least that way you can't regret not doing it.
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Currently own - Fazer 600, 2000, Red. (But no riding as baby on board atm)

[theburger]

Very sorry to hear that.

I am 43 and only just taken and passed my test. I made a promise to my mum many years ago that I would not ride a bike on the road after a cousin was killed on his way back from the test centre. I have broken the promise with her blessing. I am old and wiser now.

I have a friend crash on his bike but that was bad riding on his part. He lived.

I have lost 2 friends to horse riding accidents !!

Maybe do the test now, it does not mean you have to get a bike. Once you have done it you can make the decision if you want a bike later. If you dont do it now, you may regret it later.

[Matt-]

Sorry for your loss buddy, i had a REALLY bad time with my father on his bike, he didn't die but it killed my confidence.

Basically was at my grand parents house when i was seeing my dad off on his GSXR750 SRAD, waved him good bye and said ride safe, as i went to close the gate, i heard a Rev, then a sound which could only be described as " orful "looked out of the gate and their i was my dad on the floor with the bike further down the road, when i looked around for the cause, i saw a little old lady with a dog off it's lead jogging down the road, we could only assume it was the dog that ran out in front of him, which somehow caused him to look up and twist the throttle causing him to flip the bike.

he cannot remember much about what happened as he had a nasty fall, did not brake anything but did take a HUGE knock to the helmet, he is now starting to remember the dog running out, and me seeing the lady fleeing the scene.

Took a huge bit of confidence out of him, and took a huge bit of confidence out of me as i was then starting biking, he left it for a while before he got back on the bike and he was fine, so it boosted my confidence seeing him happy.

If you dont feel confident on a BIGGER bike you can always start small and work your way up and slowly build your confidence

Once again sorry for your loss.

All the best and Good Luck

Matty
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RIP jack (wheelie king), you will never be forgotten.
Current Bike's - Road Legal TZR 125 Pitbike, Aprilia SR50R 2010

[symonh2000]

I must admit, I do have thoughts about stopping biking due to the danger.

They say that biking is safer than horse riding, and that you are more likely to get murdered etc than die on a bike.

But... I have lost 2 friends on bikes, as well had one end up in a wheelchair, and another who lost his arm.

I don't know of anyone who has been murdered or died on a horse.


However there is something about biking that draws me to it, and I don't know why...
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Four strokes is two strokes too many.

[Matt-]

[matto]

A good motto in life is "only regret the things you have done, not the things you haven't"

Also I reckon your friend would have encouraged you to get your license, most bikers enjoy biking but it's not without risk, so get it done but take your time when you do get out there.

[Rogerborg]

Sorry to hear this.

[ScaredyCat]

[symonh2000]

[cimbian]

Sorry to hear of your loss but would your friend expect you to give-up on your ambition?

Take it as an incentive to not just pass your test but become a first-class rider and share your knowledge to make riding safer for everyone... One hell of a legacy for your friend.

Whichever way you go keep in mind that "This too shall pass" which is a phrase I live by. The good will end too soon so make the most of it, the bad will also end so don't let it get you down.... Good luck.
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22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
Bearded, Balding, Born again Buddhist Biker

[Flatbadger]

Think of what your biker friend would have wanted - would he have wanted this to put you off?

Hedge your bets, do the mod 2 and then reassess.
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If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[SamWise72]

Someone up there on the thread said "I would encourage anyone to take up biking". Personally, I wouldn't. I have a friend who has written off 3 cars. She's not a girl-racer, she's just ditzy; she goes too fast and has poor awareness. When I'm in the car with her, there's almost always at least once where she has to stand the car on its nose; she comes round a blind bend too fast in the New Forest and there's a cow in the road, she's too close to the car in front and he does something unexpected etc etc. She tries hard to be a safe driver, but she's probably never going to be any better than she is, and I would strongly advise her NOT to take up motorcycling.

Long story short, if you have had a number of car crashes, even if you don't think they were your fault, think twice about a motorbike. If you crashed the car, you'll probably crash the bike, and it will hurt more. Of course, even the best driver or rider can have a lapse of concentration, or can be done in by an idiot doing something completely unpredictable, but that could happen when you're walking.

If you're a safe, aware and careful driver, your chances of having a really bad bike accident are low.

[Billo63]

Been through it too, brother-in-law & best friend of some 20yrs died instantly when out riding as some &%$^&& decided to slam brakes on before missing turn off & not bothering to indicate either.
Now, David had been riding for over 30yrs & was also a blue badge holder etc:, he was travelling at around 25mph when this happened to him.

The family 2 yrs on are still coming to terms with his untimely death & my better half lost her brother, so you imagine the resistance when I said I was going for my license. I agree with others when they say it is a great way to honour those we lose & personally do not regret getting my license.

Only you can decide what to do, but I hope you go for it.

Regards.
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I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[Tyson10]

Wow...thanks for all the replies and kind words. I think i'm going to leave it for a month or 2 and get it passed.

As said my OH is due in a few weeks so we will have our hands full anyway lol My aim now is to get it nailed before Dec & hopefully pick up a bargain over the winter, ready for the new year.

As for the accident, is looking like a SMIDSY! A bus pulled out of a junction...poor lad had no chance

[janner_10]

Well done mate, I think you made the right decision.

Life is full of risks sadly, but biking has so many rewards.

1 small bonus is that your daughter is going to think her Dad is even cooler now he has a motorbike

Good luck for the birth
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[pinkyfloyd]

I've had a very close friend killed on a bike. I'd go as far as saying that there probably isnt a biker on here that hasnt knew someone who has died on their bike.

Thing is, You can die falling out of bed does that mean you're going to start sleeping on the floor? Can die falling down stairs, does that mean you're going to live in a bungalow? Can even die eating fish but will you still get your fish n chips from the local on Friday night? Neighbour died after choking on a fish bone.

Yes biking is dangerous, yes people die on a daily basis on bikes, and yes sometimes theres nothing you can do when SMIDSY pulls out in front of you, or you drop the bike. But, we do what we can to minimize the risk. We ride as safe as we can, we wear protective gear.

If you enjoy biking then why give it up because you know of someone who died on a bike? I know people who died of old age, funnily enough I cannot stop myself from getting old, I just dont let it upset me.
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[trikeschick]

I am a born and bred biker, I am married to a biker and all my friends are bikers. I have been to more funerals than I care to count but 80% have not been related to bikes!

It is natural to be cautious however another way to look at this - if your friend had died in a car accident would you stop driving? Everything we do is a risk. You are in an emtional place right now so give yourself some space, you've got until your CBT runs out before you need to make any decisions. However you've done the hard bit so if it were me I'd finish it. Once you have your license then you can choose when you ride.

There are some great courses around - Bikesafe, IAM etc that you can take to enhance your riding skills.

Good luck with whatever you decide
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"Light travels faster than the speed of sound, which is why some people appear bright until they speak"

[Rogerborg]

[P.addy]

Sorry for your loss

I went out on L plates with my close friend when he was on his dads XJR1300. He was killed in front of me, literally.... 50 metres or so.

That was the day before my birthday.

I booked my mod 1 with the money from my birthday, and did mod 2 3 weeks later. I did it because I wanted to, I didn't feel bad doing so...he would have wanted me on a bigger bike so we could piss around.