Have you ever ridden/do you ride a motorcycle?

[bcla]

I don't remember ever even sitting on a motorcycle ever. Maybe I've touched one and that's about it.

What's really weird is that California used to only have a single class of motorcycle license. Some people used to test in a motor scooter, but then ride in a sport bike or a large displacement motorcycle. It was a lot easier to take a motor scooter through the test course.

Strike that. I might have sat on a stationary motorcycle once during an event. I think it was Oakland A's FanFest where several law enforcement agencies set up displays. I think one police department allowed visitors to sit on an officer's Harley. But it wasn't moving.

 

[bcla]

I don't believe there's another adrenaline rush like a triple digit wheelie, or feeling the rearset drag. Age and responsibilities tend to make that go away. Just happy to have survived. Like others, have friends that didn't.

There was a guy who got arrested doing stunts on the freeway on his motorcycle. He was doing wheelies at triple digit speeds as well as standing up on the seat. He was contacted by a newspaper and his statement to them was "That bike's my *****. I make it do exactly what I want it to do."

He didn't die, but apparently he got into a crash in a Corvette where his friend in the passenger seat died. Neither were wearing seatbelts.

https://www.ktvu.com/news/daredevil-biker-faces-felony-charges-for-crash-that-killed-friend

 

[3boymthr]

Yes. DH owned a motorcycle when I met him. I loved riding on the back of it. We’d ride for hours. Very liberating. He sold it when our oldest was a toddler as we didn’t have time to both ride and do all family stuff we wanted to do. We’ve talked over the years of getting another one but just haven’t had the money nor the time.

 

[ten6mom]

Not until I met my now-husband (about 6 year ago).

I passengered for a few years and finally got my endorsement I think three years ago? I actually own two bikes and it's a good skill to have (being able to ride) but generally I prefer to be a passenger because that takes the responsibility off my shoulders and I never devoted the time to being as skilled as I think I need to be.

My husband is part of a motorcycle drill team and they not only perform but also teach skill classes so I feel pretty safe with him. It's just others you have to watch out for. Sadly, a friend of ours was killed in a motorcycle wreck (by a vehicle) a few years ago. It's definitely a calculated risk.

 

[amcnj]

Just as a passenger with an uncle who was a devoted Harley man. He was once hit by someone who ran through a stop sign. From the hospital bed he made sure my aunt was going to call the Harley dealer and have the bike picked up and repaired.

Roads are very congested around here. So I never owned one.

 

[NFLDERS]

Dh and I (me the passenger) had 2 bikes in our biking years. My favourite riding was during organized tours in Ontario, Canada and the USA. We eventually traded in our last bike and embraced my/our passion for sailing.

 

[Meriweather]

No......no interest and with the way people drive, I would never ride or drive one

 

[mrodgers]

I've been a passenger many times. We own a 2019 HD somethingorother (the big one with a trunk and faring and bells and whistles) It's DHs daily driver. When we had somewhere to go lol

There's always somewhere to go on a motorcycle, as it's about the journey and not the destination. I can't turn around in my driveway and the motorcycle was facing out so an hour and 50 miles or so later, I got it turned around, LOL.

For the thread question, yes I have and do ride...

And the result from a deer hitting me a few weeks ago which only bent my crash bars and knocked me over to the double yellow.

 

[mrodgers]

I don't believe there's another adrenaline rush like a triple digit wheelie, or feeling the rearset drag. Age and responsibilities tend to make that go away. Just happy to have survived. Like others, have friends that didn't.

I got my first motorcycle in my late 20's, little standard sitting rocket. I didn't do wheelies and such, but I wasn't slow on it whatsoever.

Got back to it last year after 16 years. Now I can barely get it up to the speed limit, LOL. I just putter along enjoying the ride and scenery (unless traffic is behind me, I won't putter and get in other's way like so many others.)

 

[tvguy]

I did ride friends motorcycles, never anything larger than 125cc's. But that was before a specific motorcycle license was required. When I got my learners permit you could ride a motorcycle with the permit, but had to have an adult with you to drive a car. Now there is a whole difference license for motorcycles that require a class and a riding proficiency test at DMV. I say now, but that started decades ago.

 

[kdonnel]

I have been a passenger as a kid. Definitely was exhilarating.

As an adult I think I will get as much of that feeling as possible by riding in convertibles or jeeps and stay off motorcycles. My brother lost a leg in a motorcycle accident and a father in my son's kindergarten class died when he hit an object on the interstate while riding.

Perhaps on a closed course but I don't see myself on a motorcycle on public streets.

 

[John VN]

First bike was a Honda CB160 for college transportation. Second a new 1972 Honda CB350, again for college and riding around. Rode with DW after getting married then DW said "Sell IT" after DD was born so promptly did so. Her co-worker bought it and rode it into the rear of a car about a week after getting it. He survived --- the bike NOT!!

Now 70yo and still on 2 wheels, only now they're bicycles. Rode 35 miles this morning starting at 3:24AM.

 

[BrianL]

I rode on the back of a motorcycle once when I was younger, just for a quick ride around the block. I didn't like it very much but probably because I wasn't in control. I've always kind of wanted to learn how to actually operate one.

 

[TheConsciousness]

Oh yeah! Always wanted a motorcycle since I rode bikes and scooters around the neighborhood. Got my beginner bike a couple years ago, upgraded to this bad boy a few months ago. So much fun, and safe, if you know how to ride defensively.

 

[DVC-Don]

Yes, in my late teens and early 20's. Crashed once, not hurt but gave it up then. Then I transferred from the Fire Dept to Police and once had to search in the dark down an embankment for a motorcyclist's leg. Found it, but it could not be reattached.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I do not ride donor cycles. My kids were never allowed. Thankfully they still don't ride as adults.

 

[tazdev3225]

I was the passenger on my brothers Honda once. I got off and literally kissed the ground. I was absolutely terrified.

Two of my brothers both rode motorcycles and both were seriously injured in crashes. My one brother had his legs broken from 4 different crashes and only one involved a car on the road. I don't think he is very lucky in that respect.

My younger brother liked BMW's. He was seriously injured when a driver made an illegal left turn in front of him and my brother hit him broadside and flew about 25 feet. The only thing that saved his life is he wore the best equipment equipment he could find. Always wore a leather jacker and that saved his arm, military jump boots which saved him losing his leg as his ankle was shattered, and a high impact helmet that saved his head. The helmet had a 4" long, 2" inch wide and 2" deep crack where his head slammed the concrete. Thankfully he is still alive 30+ years later but I never wanted to go near a bike again after that. The funniest part is that right before he was wheeled into surgery to put his ankle back together he told my mom he already had his new bike picked out. I thought she would end up in the ER or kill him.

 

[Kitty 34]

My DH had a motorcycle when we were dating. I rode it a few times but was not a fan.......sorry folks.

Now put me in a Datsun 280z from the mid 70s.......that's my kind of ride.

 

[Hikergirl]

Yes in my late teens I dated a guy who drove one.
Dh rides dirt bikes so I've been a passenger on that around the yard.

 

[C&Jx2]

My husband rides. Now that I’m a nurse on a TBI unit, I’ll never get on it again and wouldn’t be mad if he sold it