Hello all. My story.

[pok17r]

Hi all
I am new to the forum and to biking. So I will tell you a little of how I got into biking. I only got into bikes because my son got his licence and bought himself a very powerful bike, so I decided to join him thinking I might be a calming influence so he wouldn't go out and kill himself through lack of experience. I have always looked at bikes as been very dangerous for throughout the years I have lost quite a few friends to them and I definitely didn't want to ride a bike myself.
Anyway I booked myself a course of 20 lessons I did 12 one-hour lessons first on a 125 then 650. I have my CBT and theory over me but then I decided that I wanted to have a bit more experience before I go for the full A licence. So I went and bought myself a second-hand Honda CBR 125 to practice on. I'm not the bravest you ever seen on a bike but I decided to bring it with me in the van to where I am working in County Mayo Ireland and practice on the quieter roads. I went out for a few short runs to get the feel for it but felt very nervous and wondered what the hell I was doing on a motorbike at my age 52. I decided to go for a longer journey to try and get over the fear. So I headed out through the little town of Belmullet and headed off around the coast and through the mountains on roads the breadth of a car, hoping no bicycles or joggers would overtake me. Well I have to say, I really enjoyed myself, the scenery was breathtaking. It is so different on a motorbike than being in a car and I started to get a lot more confident, it is surprising what you learn avoiding potholes and going around hairpin bends. I definitely noticed the difference on the way back on the main road. The main road has lots of long sweeping corners which I was going round at about 15 to 20 miles an hour on the way out. On the way back I looked at my speedometer and I was going round the same corners at 40 feeling very comfortable to my surprise. My trip was 47 miles on country roads it was incredible except my butt didn't think it was that incredible when I got off the bike.
I think I have the bug now I am actually looking forward to going out on the bike instead of being terrified and I have left the joggers and cyclists behind thank God that was embarrassing.
That's my story

[Rogerborg]

Great to hear that you've been bitten, and it's not that dangerous if you ride to arrive. People have much more risky hobbies.

[dolly3900]

Hiya mate,

Similar sort of thing here.

My lad wanted a 50 at 16, so as I had a moped licence due to car, I borrowed it occasionally.

When he turned 17, Mrs Mike got me my CBT so I could get on his 125 (and hopefully bring his insurance down a bit).

Basically, same as you, bitten and addicted.

2 years later, at the age of 46, DAS licence, numerous bikes and riding every day for commute and, most importantly, riding for fun.

Stick with it and you'll never look back.

As 'Borg says, ride to arrive and if you assume everyone is trying to kill you and ride accordingly, you should be ok

As for the danger, I have, over the years, had mates, injured, maimed and killed on bikes too.

Then again, I have also had others have the same in cars, lorries, pushbikes, walking, on horseback, etc. so just accept the fact that life is dangerous, whatever you do, just try to minimise the chances of being potato'd and travel with the great big grin associated with motorcycles.

Mike
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2002 Rieju RS2-50 (Sold, spares or repair), 2010 Suzuki DR-125SM (Traded for ->), 2007 Honda CBF 600 (Sold), 2010 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (Briefly, now returned), 2007 Suzuki Intruder 1800m (Even More Briefly, traded in for ->), 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 650

[pok17r]

Yes Rogerborg I enjoy kitesurfing and climbing up and blasting down mountains on a mountain bike so I don't know why a motor bike scared the life out of me so much. Don't know about the slurping lol but I was walking about for about two hours like someone with a bad dose of haemorrhoids.
That's true Mike I never thought about the other friends I lost two other accidents. Don't worry I already think everyone is out to get me when I am on the bike lol.

[Rogerborg]

What helped me decide to take the plunge was having an uncle who ran marathons and only ate organic food. Then one day he fell over, was diagnosed with brain cancer, and died within 6 months.

No sense in putting things off, or saying no - you don't get a 2nd chance.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[daifuco]

Motorcycles are stigmatised in the west. Being safe is more valued than being happy. Kids are better at home playing the xbox because outside it is full of predators.
Cars are seen as the neutral option even though they are a total waste of space and resources. There is a lot of ignorance out there!!!
Motorcycling is a great way to bring common sense back into our lives.

I am 38 I feel I have lost 20 years of motorcycling. Those years are dead.

[Wednesday Biker]

I stopped riding at 22 when I passed my car test and couldn't really afford to maintain a car, a wife and child and an unreliable two stroke 125.
So I just stuck to cars until I was 41 and got back into it again.Passed my test at 42.
Got to admit I'm not the confident rider I was at 22 but I'm probably a lot safer for it.
Passing my test late on has rekindled my love of bikes so I don't regret taking a break from it.Although it was a bit too long a break.

[grr666]

^^^
More or less the same here. Rode until I was forced to take a test, but never had the cash so ended up getting
a car licence as I'd just gotten into guitars and bands and stuff so a car was more practical. Didn't ride again
until I was 40. Loving it!
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[recman]

Nice story Op. Good to see you're progressing and gaining confidence almost straight away. I was the same tbh.
I didn't get started with bikes until a few years ago but for different reasons.
Wish I'd done it a lot sooner but I think I'm making up for it now.