| Author | Message | ||
     Guard_rail |
If you die on your motorcycle you cant be a father. Remember that when your doing all that exciting shi+ so my brother and I were having words with each other and that green quote is pretty much the last thing I'll ever hear him say cause as of this moment he's dead to me. I offered him a olive branch of peace and that's the short version of everything he said to me. A little bit about me is I use to ride about 15,000 miles a year on a mt. Bike. I'm 40 now and tired of peddling ENTER the 09' buell 1125r. I can't stop smiling. On it off it or away from it (not as much though when I'm away). I ride 20 mins to work and back. I try to do 2 or 3 400 mile trips per season. This is the start of my second season on the 09', and I could use a couple of words of good cheer to wash away my brother in-laws words of wisdom. He' only 26 maybe and I've known him since he was in diapers (the only reason I even talked to him in the first place) | ||
| Pegasusrider |
Maybe a cliche, but the way I see it, if you're not doing what you love, you're dead already. Some people will never understand. I feel sorry for them... (Message edited by PegasusRider on February 10, 2011) | ||
| Tbowdre |
1125R is your first bike? And you have crashed? seems like i remember you posting questions regarding a crash. Well let me tell you after 20+ years of riding and my fair share of crashing your family will never get it. They may tolerate it, but everyone perceives a motorcycle as a fast way into a coffin.... surfing, skiing, horseback riding all as dangerous as you want them to be... just like motorcycles I kinda find it a mystery why its okay to blow your knee skiing and get right back out there but if you crash your bike and continue to ride you're crazy I am a lucky man to have 2 kids and a wife that understands I enjoy riding. I promised after my last crash 4 years ago no more triple digit speeds, no more wheeelies, no more crazy shit.... i try try try to hard to ride responsible but damn it can be hard! Id give the brother inlaw a break, he is probably only worried for your saftey todd | ||
| Redbuell1203 |
My words of encouragement is... I too have a brother (he rides though). He has told me many times that I have burnt many lives by riding in MY style. I tell him I am just trying to save wear and tear on the front tire. Now go ride and you and your brother will come to peace sometime. | ||
| Dannybuell |
A younger person making unsolicited, critical comments to an elder? My first thought was that he within earshot of your sister! Most men usually don't say too much, even less to their elders. People wanting to start riding have asked me and I always answer, 'it only takes a second to die, its real easy'. | ||
| Curve_carver |
guard rail , I was an avid mtn biker myself for many years. I enjoyed cruising through the woods and spending time with nature. Just recently I made the choice to enter bmx riding and sell the mtn bike. I still have regrets selling the mtn bike and I'll probably visit my local dealer and buy a new one this spring. I've been riding mtn bikes for 21 years and it's a passion that will always burn. In my time I've had some wrecks myself and it wasn't pretty. I was told the same thing. I simply brushed it off and went on. I was even threatened with my relationship. I was told " I won't be with someone thats so irresponsible to do such kind of riding" then go on to say I hope you hurt , you deserve it. Lol What really pissed her off was my last pictures of the dragon . That really pissed her off. Lol Tell em to go fly kite !!! | ||
| Ratbuell |
I've been down. Hard. By all accounts, shouldn't be here today. The date was July; I learned how to walk again on shattered (now Ti) legs, did PT, and was riding by Thanksgiving. People ask "why do you still ride??" I ask "ever been in a car accident? Are you afraid of cars now?" The only thing I do in life that's dangerous...is get out of bed in the morning. The rest is cake. Riding is a passion. If I'm going to be above ground...I'm gonna LIVE, dammit, not just exist. Your brother should appreciate that, he should appreciate that you have a passion for something and regardless of what he thinks of it for himself...he should respect that it means something to you. Could you die on the bike? Sure. Could you die in the shower? Yep. I buried a co-worker 2 days ago. 42 years old. Got out of the shower, BAM. Brain aneurisym, flat on the deck, she never came back. Coma from 3 days before Christmas until last Friday when she passed. You just never know. Do what you love...while you can. True friends will understand, because they have something their just as passionate about. The rest? They'll figure it out eventually. If they're lucky. | ||
| Crabby |
1125 your first bike? not the BEST bike to start on... | ||
| Duphuckincati |
I see you live in Philly. Now THAT'S dangerous!!! | ||
| Mog |
Before I got married (35 years ago) I stopped riding a bored out BSA 500 (now 600 ccs) single. My 4th bike, when I stopped for over 20 years, while bringing up 2 kids. I was a Bueller when Erik was in grade school. Scrambles and stupid stuff told me that I would end up compromising our kid's futures. I stopped when I got married and started again, when the kids were emancipated (college bound). I recommend same for all men and women seeking marriage AND children. Riding is far sweeter now and the kids are free to join in. Yes you have your own life BUT now you have theirs. You think giving up a bike for 20 years is tough, try being a responsible PARENT for two teenagers at the same time. If you think it is worthwhile... do it... stop or ride. Just remember to tell each family member, at least once a day (no matter how ugly it got the day before) that you love them dearly. The wife and kids are now amazed at what I gave up for them. I am not amazed, I gave myself every chance I could to see them through and would not change a thing. Best to all of you no matter what your decision. | ||
| Nillaice |
my parents have only heard of my hooliganistic behavior on 2 wheels until they came out to visit and saw me riding on my better behavior in what i thought was a somewhat reasonble fashion, i heard of thier thoughts later. to quote the grammy winning DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince from 1988; 'parents just don't understand' i've broken it down to them, and tried to explain it in plain and simple terms, but we both ended up respectfully expressing our views, and requests for the other to do in the future. they want you to be safe and never get hurt, and die of old age. but they don't REALLY understand what it is to be on 2 wheels. not that it is the best thing evar, but it sure is neat if you ask me. and yes, everything is or can be dangerous. agreeably motorcycles more so than some other things, with the major factor being the component that goes from the handlebars to the footpegs. i hope you and your brother will come to respect eachother and realize that you cannot force your view on one another. a respectfull agrement to agreee to disagree. shut your/his trap and ride with some sense of self preservation | ||
| Guard_rail |
This is my second bike. First one was a 650 ninja. Can anyone guess how I came up with the name guard_rail. | ||
| Reducati |
he who isnt busy living is busy dying...i think thats bob dylan. | ||
| Blake |
The kid is entitled to his opinion. Don't let it phase you one bit. You are giving the kid WAY too much power over you. I'd just tell him that I appreciate his concern and will keep it in mind as I'm riding. Certainly no reason to shun the boy. If he were five years old and said the same thing, how would you respond? Treat him the same though he's 26. He'll get the picture. | ||
| Guard_rail |
3am. 55mph in a 25 zone. 90 degree right turn. I was air born at the top of the hill. I gained a lot of respect for 400+ pounds of metal that night.. And the law.... The one that says "objects at rest tend to stay at rest and objects in motion tend to stay in motion". I can guarantee, that the guard rail did not move 1 inch. Last year was much better. Not one accident. And a lot of learning | ||
| Zac4mac |
I "Ride to Live", it says so on the belt buckle I had made in the Philippines 30 years ago and my Uly or Loretta will be in front of the shop on days NO other bikes show up. Still some snow/ice on the roads but I think I will try to ride tomorrow. Should be upper 20s to low 30s, high of 38-40!!! I moved to Colorado 27 years ago for the roads and lack of a helmet law. I arrived here with a 1976 Sportster and a 1948 Indian Chief. The only pheasant I have ever eaten, I killed with my Sportster shortly after moving here. My little brother shares my passion tho, and has my first Buell, a 2003 XB9R. Mom and Dad tolerate the both of us. :-) Best of luck with your family. The only way to convince others, IMO, is to survive. BTW, on my Buells, ATGATT. period. Ride smart, have fun, live long. Zack A shot out the front window, last week -  | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I'm 44 and if I had a bro-in law who was 26 and said that shit to me, he would be nursing a broken jaw. Or at least I would have told him to xxck off and die. In fact, even if he wasn't a relative I would still tell him to go to hell. I can't stand people like that. I feel sorry for your sister. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Screw him. Kinda confused with the posts... You said "brother", right? R | ||
| Xdigitalx |
It would bother me more if a loved one said something like that to me. But I would not shun them after,.. (just for that) But it seems like you guys had something ongoing and he just added that to piss you off? Give it a couple days. Strangers/non-friends-family saying something like that..... I laugh and could care less. | ||
| Guard_rail |
Good answer-Blake. Carbon-it's my brother in law that I've known since he was about 3 The whole story really goes a little deeper but I'm not gonna shun him just not give a xxxk bout his opinions. I'll still hug at Christmas and thanksgiving. The funny part is how he talks all this crap about being there for my kids and he's all the way in LA or London or new York or Spain. I'm married and been with my wife for 21 years. But he thinks I'm never home and always riding my bike. But like I stated it's just back and forth to work 7 days a week 20 mins up 20 mins back in a 25 to 35 mph the whole way city trip after a 14 hour shift. What's the big F'n deal. But I'm really not letting it bother me too much. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I did a little research and showed some facts to me Dad who was also worried as your brother is. I cant remember where I found the statistics but I do remember the odds of you dying on a motorcycle are tremendously reduced by a shocking amount by just doing three things. Wear a helmet Ride sober Keeping your speed in check. Not saying you wont crash and be injured but I swear it was something like 90% less likely to be fatal. If you google it long enough you should be able to find it and present that to him. It might calm him down a little. Another stunning statistic is every 3 hours someone dies in a car accident. I still put my kids in my car everyday. Every 2 hours someone dies on a motorcycle, but by my calculations, if I do the three things mentioned earlier, my odds look a whole lot better. After I ran this by my dad he has calmed down a lot. Maybe it would help your brother. | ||
| Ljm |
I think all you can do is assure them that you are being careful, wearing the gear, not being stupid. After that, they will like it or not, but in no circumstances should you quit riding. I have an ex-wife who tried to sabotage every attempt to buy a bike, ride or keep the ride I had. I don't miss her. Still riding. | ||
| Ratgin |
But like I stated it's just back and forth to work 7 days a week 20 mins up 20 mins back in a 25 to 35 mph the whole way city trip after a 14 hour shift. What's the big F'n deal. Can happen anytime anywhere. Many years ago I rode in to work and first call of that shift was a double fatal on a bike. Finished that one up and went back out and next call was another bike fatal. Figured someone was trying to tell me something so I quit riding while my first two kids were young. Now im older, they are grown and realize im far from immortal. Life tosses you curves and lol we had another child. I will continue to ride but i always remember that trouble can come for you anytime anywhere and make certain i ride as safe as possible. | ||
| Redduck124 |
Have two kids and a granddaughter. Been riding 35 years and roadraced for a good 15 of those and plan to do some enduro/hare scrambles this year. Fortunately I have an understanding wife who's best friend dropped dead of an aneurysm when she was in her 40's. I might not wake up in the morning, and I might get hit by a car tomorrow afternoon. Don't eat this, don't drink that, stay away from there. We have too many people with too much time on their hands telling others how to live and doing their darndest to make the things they don't like or understand difficult or worse, illegal. I say, if you spend your time worrying about all the things that can kill you, then how can you honestly say you enjoy life? Ride your bike and ride it with the respect it deserves on the street. Take a track day to see what if can do when you don't have to worry about cell phones users, stray dogs and cops, and give him an understanding "I'm sorry you're so unhappy," type smile if he ever brings it up again. | ||
| Jules |
According to my good lady (of 30 years) I am impossible to live with when I don't have a bike to ride. Now that's a woman with a good memory as the only time in the 30 years that we have been together that I didn't have a bike was 20 odd years ago! When I am feeling stressed, or depressed she's always the first to suggest I take the bike out for a bit. My parents used to worry about it at first, but I've been riding 39 years now and thy've accepted it, although my mum always says "be careful on your bike" if the topic comes up. | ||
| Trojan |
I have two brothers and we all rode motorcycles all our lives. My younger brother was mad on a bike and rode like he was being chased by the devil every time he left the house. We all thought it would be the death of him but he enjoyed it and seemed to live a charmed life. He died a couple of years ago at the age of 40 because of a really rare incurable cancer, nothing to do with motorcycling at all. He left two small children and can't be a father now either  Sooner or later we are all going to die. Before that time arrives we all have to live our lives to the fullest extent possible. If that doesn't fit in with other peoples expectations then that is their problem not ours  However, he is your brother and regardless of what has passed between you he is irreplaceable and the only one you will ever have. Life is far too short for family feuds and disputes to ruin it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
If you are riding stupid (and there seems to be some evidence you were at some point), then don't blame him for stating the obvious. He's family, loves you, and has a right to be annoyed if you are being reckless with something important to him (you). If you aren't being stupid, then try and help him understand that. If that doesn't work, thank him for his concern and agree to disagree. I don't see anything to get ticked about. If you want to prove you aren't being stupid, it's not hard. Do both MSF safety classes, and then both MSF dirt classes. Then read a few of the "proficient motorcycling" books and do some drills. Then do a couple track days in the Novice class, focusing on control. And study the Hurt Report in detail, and make changes to what you do and when and how you do it as a result. And go over the top in terms of what gear you wear when, and ride (and drive) in a hyper defensive mode. When that is as obvious to everyone around you as your airborne intersection with a guard rail was, maybe they will quiet down. | ||
| Guard_rail |
When I went over that guard rail 2 years ago, the first thing my mother said was "ok. That's it....it's time to get a new bike!!!" OMG I love you was all I could say. And that was after dropping twice a week for 2 or three weeks prior. I learned alot that first year. And I had taken the safety course prior to all the drops. And none of the drops were me ride'n reckless or above the speed limit. Except the last 1. But it was 3 am and I was rushing to get home cause I fell asleep in my van at work and the wife thought I was nailing some chick at work. So I wasn't paying attention. Coulda happened to anybody?!?!? Right! But like I said I'm a much better ride'r now and truthfully it ain't me it's the bike. I think I was just to big for that ninja or maybe it was the tires. I don't know but thank God for erik buell and my1125r. (Message edited by Guard_rail on February 11, 2011) | ||
| Tippster |
that was after dropping twice a week for 2 or three weeks prior. I learned alot that first year. And I had taken the safety course prior to all the drops. And none of the drops were me ride'n reckless or above the speed limit. Dude. Really? You may want to find something else to do. I've ridden Motorcycles for 28 years (don't race or do track days) and have dropped my bike 3 times. Total. You may need to have your inner ear checked. | ||
| Billp |
I have a small child, currently 6, and a medical issue that is currently incurable that will eventually kill me and I've never thought about giving up my bikes. I don't get to ride much but when I do I'm not thinking about my problems. You need to tell him to relax and maybe get a bike of his own. |
