brownni89

I got my 86' Honda Magna last May and have been using it as my main transportation since then except when I must drive my 4runner. but lately, I had a friend who had a huge close call with some lady in an expedition not paying attention. I am confident that if I were to just somehow loose control while on the road by myself, my jacket/pants/helmet/gloves would save me from death and severe road rash, im just worried about being drilled by someone else, is it still worth it? or should I trade it in for a dirt bike?

Plan9

Honda Magna... good bike!

I only ride when it's 65+ outside and isn't threatening rain... so definitely not every day. I get MAYBE six months of time that I can ride based on temperature alone. Yeah, I'm a protective bike parent / riding pussy. don't keep my bike outside even overnight. I own a cruiser and I'm a conservative rider... two things that mean I'll have a lot less issues than a hothead on a Ninja. I also don't like wearing ridiculous amounts of clothing while riding... so rain gear and a snow parka are not things I wanna don for a relaxing cruise.

...

Oh-shit! moments: Since I got it in 2007, I've had two really close calls on my bike by idiots in gigundo SUVs. It rattled me but didn't discourage me from riding. I wear a full face helmet, armored gloves, and some heavy leather Chippewa harness boots. I should probably wear my leather jacket more often for safety purposes, but I'm young and stupid and like the feel of the wind on my chest.

...

If you enjoy the Magna... keep it and use whatever close calls you've had as learning material. You're doing all the right things as far as safety gear and attitude. There is a certain level of risk associated with being on two wheels: if you can't accept it after carefully weighing the options, switch back to a car. Dirt bike would be a fun toy but isn't as useful as a road bike. There is freedom on the highway found only on two wheels.

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Formerly username "Crompsin."

Cheater

I ride as often as I can. I traded up to the 1800 last August and already have over 9000 miles on it.
I ride all year, but if there is any chance of black ice, or the threat of rain, the bike stays in the garage.
If it is just cold, I have heated gloves and a windshield. Coldest ride was 18 degrees, didn't go far, just had to get out for a ride.

The Magna is a great all around bike, I wouldn't trade it in for a dirt bike, just be careful out there.

As for close calls: you have to be on the lookout for the other drivers all the time. A lot of them claim that they never see you.

yournamehere

You have to assess for yourself the thrill of riding versus the extra danger that riding a motorcycle entails.

I rode a motorcycle as my main form of transportation for over 4 years. Considering my lifestyle at the time, I was very fortunate to have never had to put it down at any rate of speed - the only time I fell on it was due to accelerating from a stop light when the back wheel happened to be on an oil slick. Of course, as every rider should, I always assumed that any vehicle approaching me was going to turn left in front of me, and I completely ignored right-turn signals from any car approaching from my left.

One day, I woke up with a very strong feeling of "I'm never going to ride it again." It was not a premonition; it was not based on any fear - rather it was just "knowing." Very irrational, I admit.

That was many years ago, and to this day, I've never ridden anything with less than 4 wheels. My bike sat in my driveway for almost a year until someone passed by and offered to buy it from me. I had never even considered selling it, but by the end of that afternoon, it was gone.

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CinnamonGirl

So, by the way, you guys need to call me so we can go for a ride.

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nomcat

I ride almost daily, 12 months of the year... for me, the motorcycle is the ultimate form of transportation.

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braisler

I ride my motorcycle (1998 BMW R1200C) just about everyday to commute to work. My commute is 17 miles each way and I've ridden as cold as 12F. I won't ride in the snow/ice. I sometimes ride in the rain, but if I know it is going to be stormy all day I'll often opt for the car.

I use the bike to commute for a few reasons.
1. Parking where I work (college campus) is horrendous. If I drive my car, I walk 1/2 mile to my office. On my bike, I walk 100 yards or so.
2. Fuel economy is about double on my bike vs. my car.
3. We are a 1-car household, so I prefer to leave the car home with my wife and baby in case they need/want it.

Oddly, commuting on my bike is about the only use it every sees. I put 6000 miles on it since I bought it from my mom's husband. All that from commuting. I've never had the time to just take it out for a ride for pleasure.

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StanT

I have a 40° minimum, glasses under a full face helmet tend to fog below that.

I ride a 1998 Honda Valkyrie up and down a windy canyon road on my 20 mile daily commute. While I could probably justify it in terms of economy or time, realistically I ride the bike because it's fun. Crappy day at work? 5mph faster around the corners and I'll forget all about it by the time I get home.

It's in the parking lot today.

percy

I ride from May until maybe November and only when it doesn't rain.,..unless it starts raining while I am out.

Never had really close calls and credit that to the driver training course I took. Actually that course made me a much better car driver as well.

Charlatan

I used to ride my Vespa daily but it is now about 9,300 miles away from me in my brother's garage. I am still thinking about buying one here.

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newtx

I ride at least every other day. Strictly for pleasure. 1986 suzuki vs700. I have an xs650 hardtail bobber about 75% ready to ride.

shalafi

I'll probably finish some work I've been doing on my bike this weekend and then I'll be riding nearly every day. I don't mind riding in the rain unless its on the way to work.


Crompsin if you get a mesh jacket the protection isnt quite as good as leather but it's a hell of a lot better than just a shirt and the wind goes right through it.

brownni89

ya, i have thought about it quite a bit and i know that to me there is just nothing like rolling down the road sitting on two wheels and an engine. the noise, the smell, the rush of air, the agility, the power - its just too tantalizing. i guess i am just a motorcycle man and thats all there is to it. its like "yournamehere" said, assesing the thrill of riding versus the danger is how to come to that decision. i can die so many ways every day, and if i am riding my bike within my limits of control, i know that my chances of dying on it are very similar to just about anything else i might be doing anyways...

newtx

BTW that is one awesome bike StanT.

tjenus

I ride my bike at least 3 or 4 times a week, Its a 08 KTM 530 EXC-R , 65 miles round trip to and from work, not as much in the winter but stil a couple times a week. I tend to use it to explore for new ridding areas for the upcomming weekend, Trails and fire roads. I have had a couple nasty incounters on the road but nothing i coulnt walk away from. thats the reson i no longer ride a cruser, i feel i have more options on a enduro to avoid a nasty situation, Thanks Tjenus

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sprintex

I ride my bike most days but after 10 years of riding rain, hail or shine, I park the bike now when it's raining. Also not a fan of riding in sub zero conditions, that's what the jeep is for !