or is it just me? I am 57. I have been on motorized two wheelers since age 6. Tons of dirt. First bike was a CB400 Custom at 18 yrs old. Had a Bandit 1200, BMW K1200RS, Vstrom 650, HD Iron 883 and now a 13 Street glide....a few other brief flings. In my younger days, I did stupid **** that shoulda killed me. I got older, wiser....and better. Done one really good track day and a couple safety courses. Most do not believe me, but I have never been down...on a street bike...on the street. Went down once on my track day and tipped over once at my beginners safety course. No serious harm. I ride with hyper vigilance and am comfortable being either defensive or offensive as the situation dictates. Throttle Out! I have had the random pull out that I was ready for...luckily. Often times a trite, apologetic driver waves.
In the last 5 years or so, the distracted driving issue (near me anyway) is so far out of control that it is mortifying! Not just teenagers and soccer moms. Big old bearded he men in their F-350 haulin *** and talking on the phone or texting are just as guilty. The ******** that drive with poochie in their lap. Y'all need to be bitch slapped. There have been several MC crashes resulting in death in my area recently. Most due to lane departure...crossing the center line(while texting no doubt).
I just don't ever remember having as many close calls and now they are starting to creep into my head when I am going out for a ride. Everyone says...you WILL go down someday. My best friend from HS died last week in Pittsburgh. Left 4 kids.
I am sorry for the rant/vent, but I am considering moving from a 2 wheeled toy to a bad *** Jeep. I am not ready to die yet! Got some soul searching to do. Maybe I'll go for a ride and think it out????

 

Drivers using cell phones is a big problem now.

 

When your number is up, it`s up. That bad assed Jeep won`t offer much more protection than a motorcycle. Just live your life and do the best you can. None of us will get out alive anyway......

 

[QUOTE=Bend Iron;19053821]I am 57. I have been on motorized two wheelers since age 6. /QUOTE]

Little late to change your ways..
keep going
jmo

 

Right now there's nobody on the road, so take advantage.

 

I've been hit, and hard. First question my wife asked me in the hospital was, ( and she said I know the answer) are going to ride again? Yes I replied. I don't ride concerned about getting hit. If I did, it would take the fun and relaxation out of it. A bike ride can make a bad day good.

With that, if you are concerned about riding to the point of it not making a ride comfortable, it's time to either take a break or stop altogether. This is up to you, not us!

 

It is getting more dangerous... that is not your imagination. Keep the bike, take a break.. Get the Jeep see how it goes... Then make a decision...

 

I don't think there's any question that it's getting more dangerous to ride. I'm lucky that nowadays I get to do most of my riding in low-population areas, but distracted driving is out of control. I'm happy and relieved I'm fully retired and don't have to deal with commuting with the North Central NJ DWA (Driving While Asian) population, or even worse, the Essex/Passaic/Hudson/Bergen County madness .

Our "salvation" will be "autonomous" vehicles-they CAN'T possibly be any more dangerous than overweight soccer moms flapping their gums on the phone while making those aggressive lefts or rear ending anything smaller than a dump truck.

 

Whatever you decide will always be a good choice , the keys to the bike will always be on the hook , so to speak . Yes , it's getting worse out there everyday , but we do what we love , and no one should ever take that away because of their stupidity . Whatever you choose , enjoy .

 

I hear you and I feel the pain of distracted drivers. In the last 5 years I have been hit not once but twice by distracted driver. The first time was on a country road not far from home. The lady came through a switchback down on our white. I had no where to go. Both feet broken and knee tore up. Second time was with an F250 power stroke that made a left trying to beat traffic and didn't see me pulling up to the intersection. Hit us head on in our lane. That time I nothing was broken but my wife's back got messed up and required surgery. Nothing quite like hearing that turbo winding up coming dead at you.

I have been riding all my life but there are days that I wonder how much longer I will be at it. Keep you head on a swivel at all times and just plan for it the best you can.