a long time car enthusiast considering the purchase of a motorcycle - how does the fun compare to our minis or cars in general for that matter?

 

If you like getting run off the road by trucks who can't see you, getting hit by stones kicked up by tires, spattered by insects, pelted by rain, and enjoy the occassional case of road rash.... by all means get a bike!

My Mother-in-law the RN uses this term when referring to bikers: Organ donors.

 

Don't listen to Gromit's scare tactics. . . .

Get the fastest bike you can find and remember that helmets are for wimps!

But seriously, I learned to ride a classic 1960's BMW about 10 years ago. I enjoyed it until I got up to highway speed and realized that there was nothing holding me on the darn thing. Then, I was nearly run down at a 4 way stopsign on the way home I avoided the oncoming idiot but had to lay down a really nice classic bike (fortunatly no damage as I did it in very slow motion).

Never rode again and doubt I ever will. . . .

 

Hey, scare tactics might keep someone alive. My best friend was killed on a bike by someone who didn't see him (they're out there!). I've known many more who've had some "lucky to be alive" accidents on bikes. But, you wanna get a bike, be my guest!

 

Funny, all of this happened to me as a pedestrian too

Things happen to people in cars, on bicycles, walking, etc - the best you can do is hone your own skills and be alert to conditions and people around you in all scenarios.

royce, I strongly advise you to take an MSF class, http://www.msf-usa.org/, ride a bike and learn about it there before buying one. You use their bikes for the course and it will give you an idea if it is for you. Also, find a local forum and you'll get all sorts of help, info and opinions from people - I've found the moto community, for the most part, to be extremely helpful and supportive. And thay all wave to each other, more then Minis even

As for fun, well yes, it is completely engaging and feels very fast and free. It is scary too (I'm a total newb, haven't really been out yet, still in practice mode). Only you can decide if you enjoy it, like anything in life, so give it a try

 

More fun than a MINI, but only >< that much.

 

... and Doctors, nurses and other health care workers have some of the highest rates of drug addiction of any profession, should we refer to MOM as "that JUNKIE"?

I consider hearing all these 'my friend' injury stories as very rude and unappreciated. I have been riding for 25 years, gun owners kill themselves and others regularly, how many of those 'my friend' stories do we hear in that context?

All LIFE has an expiration date, get over it. I love seeing how people think somehow they will cheat the "grim reaper" by playing it safe, now that's FUNNY.

 

I'm curious., do you ride? If so what? I'm curious because almost all experienced riders find it much more fun then being in a "cage" so I'm wondering where you are coming from.

As I said, I'm barely even a newbie, but I can say that controlling a bike and feeling it move along with you is awesome.

PS: If you decide to ride do spend the money to get good gear.

 

Royce, here's the deal I've been riding motorcycles all my life (from 16 to 51) I have never been without a bike in my life, as of right now I have an 89 KLR dual sport, 90 Buell RS 1200 & a 99 FLHTCU-I you can have any or all of them at a right price. My JCW MCS is that much fun. I just don't need the two wheelers to enjoy myself anymore.

 

I sold my cruiser motorcycle to be able to get my MINI. I loved riding the bike in the country hills and curves, but hot weather, cold weather, bugs, and rain really cut down on the number of days I could enjoy it. I've had the MINI a week and can't wait to take it on my two-hour ride I used to do on the bike.

Also, my wife wouldn't ride the bike, but she loves the car. I "customized" the bike and enjoyed tinkering with it, but I just couldn't ride enough to keep it. I sold it so I could get a fun car instead of an econo-box.

And then there's the safety issue. People just don't see bikes. About one death a week in south Louisiana where someone pulls out or turns in front of a bike. If you need a wide-open riding experience, a convertible is the way to go.

 

You know, that is EXACTLY the argument I use when I want to jump off bridges without parachutes: I mean, if it's my time to go, it's my time to go, right?

Every risk is a calculated risk, dependant upon individual priorities. There are greater/different risks associated with riding a motorcycle as opposed to driving a car. That's just fact and no amount of denial will change it. So the question must become: Are they worth it to you?

eVal's suggestion sounds right on - take the safety courses, find out how much you like it and go from there.

G'luck.

 

I could almost ditto this except for the models. I've logged over 100,000 miles on bikes dating back to 1972. I've had a couple nasty crashes that I was lucky enough to survive with minor injuries, but none of us has a lease on life. For now, my MINI replaces my bikes, and does it quite well thank you! Of course, I'm 58, I dig the heat and air conditioning and comfort of the MINI.

Still, I wouldn't trade any of my motorcycle experiences. Crossing this country on a bike is a whole new ballgame, one well worth the risk. My advice, if you want a bike, get one. Take a basic rider training course, take a track course if possible. Wear a helmet and proper attire, practice braking and counter-steering often so that it becomes second nature, ALWAYS ride defensively and learn to keep your brake lever covered.

 

Humor impaired are you?

I guess I'm not an experienced rider. This past spring marked my 40th consecutive year of riding. I've had sportbikes, stock bikes, choppers and drag bikes. I've built Harley drag bikes for a living back in the 70's. I've never owned a motorcycle that I didn't modify and make mine in some way or other. I currently have a Harley, a Gold Wing, the bits and pieces that I'm using to build a custom-framed 113" Harley custom, two Vespas (that may or may not count, depending on your biases), and my most recent acquisition, a 2007 Ducati GT1000.

So, no, I'm not an experienced rider. And I have no idea what fun is.

Ah, well. Guess I'll have to take something for a ride and reconcile myself to my many inadequacies.

 

I road a Harley for years, have pins in my knee and missing great toe to prove it, not to mention a real cool limp. It wasn't until i got my Mini that found anything close to as much fun, and I don't have to pick the bugs out of my teath after a long run.
For me MOTORING in my mini has most of the fun factor and none of the down sides.

 

I rode motorcycles for over 30 years. I sold my last bike in 1993. I was riding home from work one warm summer afternoon, when I realized that it just wasn't fun anymore. The heater and AC suck and the radio isn't worth a sh~t. Besides that there are only two types of riders. Those that are down and those that are going down. The MINI is a worthwhile replacement to my bikes.

 

OM TOAST;
You are analogizing riding a motorcycle with jumping off a bridge without a parachute? Keep trying to "cheat death" and play it safe, it doesn't work. You know, we all DIE, it's what makes the fun parts like riding a motorcycle or driving my MINI, all worth it. Living life while you are blessed with it is the only answer and not worrying about that grim shadow over all our shoulders.

 

Your brief response had no indication it was a joke, like a smiley or something, so I thought it was in earnest and I, in turn, asked an honest question. The attitude of your reply is completely unwarranted.

 

Yeah, those Louisiana winters are brutal!

 

I retired from Racing Motorcylcles back in 2003 after 11 years. I hardly rode on the street as it just wasnt the same thrill as the track. In my lustrious career I tossed myself down the track 32 times in every possible way at all speeds. I managed to only suffer minor contusions/back pain/elbow swelling & so on. I still have issue with my back, but mostly i am ok. Now granted on the track, even though speeds can exceed 180mph, it was relatively safe compared to the street. The street is a wicked place that deserves the upmost respect. When I would ride on the street, I would always be thinking to myself, yup, I could die there, or there or rite here. It really started to take what lil' fun I was getting out of the street till the point of I didnt even break the bike out this year.

I decided it was time to start to tool around with cars back in 04 & thats when I picked up the MINI. I must say to me its a lot more fun then 2 wheels through the twisties. That's mainly due to the fact I am not so concerned about falling down for the 10k reasons you can fall down from.

This brings us to the point of what kind of riding do you plan on doing? If you want sport riding(comparable to MINI) then being that you would be a noob, it will be extremely exhirlirating! Mind you...wont be able to ride as fast as the MINI would handle through the twisties, but nonethesame all good fun.

If you plan to cruise around, then by all means there is no comparison to the MINI. Crusing is just that.....open air...freedom.

The best advise is to get enrolled into the motorcycle safety class, they will teach u how to stay alive on the st. I had bought my G/F a bike for her 30th bday and tried to teach her how to ride it in the parking lots. It was really hard, I just wasnt able to communicate at her level. I was a nervous reck watching her ride. She enrolled and completed the class, and her confidence level went through the roof. It was easier to ride with her.

I dont want to detear you from a bike at all. Just do it right if you plan on doing it. Bikes can be unforgiven on the street with all the hazards and even more so if you are not comfortable riding one. There really is nothing quite like the feeling of being on a bike, the MINI is very close, but its still not the same. The MINI will by far bring u more fun on a much broader time frame, as like others have said, heat,rain, & the cold with not add fun to the open feeling on a bike.

Please feel free to ask me any questions........

Peace!

 

I'd say riding is better but you do have to what to be out in the open, unprotected and not have the ability to carry more than one other person. I do keep trying to convince the wife that we can get a side car and that way we can fit both of us and the kids. She doesn't seem to like that idea though. I loved riding but I had to give up my bike for a down payment on a house a few years ago and right now I don't have the time to ride, at least not until the kids are older. I'll get another bike at that time. Just be prepared to go down. For me it consisted of all three bones being broken in my left leg, a broken clavical and a mild concusion. Along with 4 months on medical leave from work while my bones regrew. Six months after the accident my dealer called me to let me know the new models were in,so i drove down there and rode back on a new bike with a loaner helmet. Everyone else thought I was crazy, but I couldn't give it up.

 

Royce-The best advice I saw posted here is to take a riding course. The lightweight, small engine bikes they give you to learn on will make your first riding experience much easier. By taking the course, you will learn invaluable riding skills as well as discover (without a huge investment $$) if riding is for you. It is not for everyone.

In the late 70's, one of my dreams was to ride a motorcycle. I let others discourage me from that dream. "It's too dangerous, you'll get killed, etc." I heard every reason not to that existed, but not one single reason why I should. Well, 20 years, 3 kids and a divorce later I learned that if I have a dream, I need to reach for it and not let anyone discourage me from my goal. I have been riding for 7 years now and starting next season, I will aslo be an instructor in one of those beginner rider courses that I recommend. Though I had been riding for 4 years before taking the course, I found that the course offered so much for even an experienced rider. I gained a new understanding of the bike, fine tuned some skills and learned some other essential skills that I now incorporate into every one of my rides, making my rides today much safer and more enjoyable.

God has a plan for each of us and none of us know what that plan is. You can play it safe your entire life but you'll only be existing, you will not be living.
You send your children to school and a classmate guns them down. Well, hell, lets keep them all home for now on. But wait, they are not safe there either, a 10 day old infant was kidnapped from her mothers arms recently, right out of her own home. You can play it safe but when it is your time, it will find you no matter where you are or what you are doing.

The point is, if you are afraid to take a chance on life, you will miss out on all that it has to offer. Life is about experiences and learning. Your best bet is to do everything that you can to be ready for whatever comes your way. If you think you are going to get on a bike and just ride it, you are in trouble. It isn't that easy and THAT is what is going to get you killed.

Now, you drive a Cooper so you already have an appreciation for the ride. I collect little Italian Convertible Sports cars and I am used to driving with the top down, taking the backroads, traveling the tight and twisties and in general, enjoying the ride. But of all the vehicles that I have driven, none have compared to the feeling I get when I ride my Motorcycle.

I would describe the feeling of riding a motorcycle as:
A dance, a finely choreographed ballet. When you and the bike are one, moving together, in sync. It is a rhythm that vibrates through every fiber of your body. It is empowering, exhilerating and humbling all at the same time. It is seeing the scenery from a totally different perspective. It is the sweetly scented air that you cannot appreciate and barely notice until you are riding a motorcycle, when the smells of the earth are magnified 1000x's. The shady country road that smells of damp earth, the flowers, the trees, the grass, the cows, the sun on your face and the smile in your heart. It is envigorating. It is alive. It is real and it is more vibrant than ever. It is freedom and it is beautiful.

Riding is not for everyone. Maybe you are a mountain climber, a bungee jumper, a pilot, a fisherman. Maybe you prefer skiing, hiking or hang-gliding. It doesn't matter what you do, each of these can provide you with a similar feeling. But it will not be the same. Because you cannot compare apples and oranges. Though they are both fruits, they look different and they taste different. In the same way, each activity can provide you with a thrill of it's own but each will feel different.

So, don't let anyone discourage you from pursuing your dream. You will not know if it is for you until you try it. But, the decision is totally yours to make. I strongly encourage you to pursue your dream but as I told my youngest, if you want to ride, take it seriously. Ride safe and ride smart. Learn and practice and use your skills ALL the time. Because the first tiem you let your guard down is when you make a stupid mistake. Learn and keep on learning. Enjoy the experience AND come prepared. Leathers aren't just for looks, it is part of the uniform. Proper riding gear includes full fingered gloves, helmet, eye protection, sturdy shoes and a tough second skin. Forget the shorts and sandals.

One last thought...
A friend told me about two young boys he recently met and was stunned at their knowledge of bolt sizes and thread pitch. As he stopped to observe them, they proceeded to disassemble a car engine in a very organized manner, which they were going to start rebuilding. This was not the first engine they had rebuilt for the local parts guy and it would not be the last. The boys were 7 and 9 years old. I guess someone forgot to tell them that they couldn't do that. Instead, they gave them the tools to do it with and some instruction.
While most 7 year olds are sitting on Mommy's lap with their blankie, these two little boys are dreaming of bigger, better, more efficient engines. The 9 year old turns out to also be the best welder around. The moral? Never say don't.

Grab life by the ***** and take charge. At least when the end comes you will have lived it instead of just having watched it go by.

 

Mira, great post!! Thanks for those terrific words to live by

 

Motorcycling is fantastic! Been riding motorcycles for 35 years. Have toured the US and some of Canada, Mexico, and Germany. Have raced at Sears Point, Thunderhill, Buttonwillow, and Laguna Seca. Have competed in Vintage Observed Trials. Have commuted for 16 years. Have owned as many as 12 motorcycles at one time.

Car that was most like motorcycling is Porsche 914 (had 2 of them). My Mini Cooper S is a close 2nd to the Porsche.

[Keep your Uncle Henry motorcycle death stories to yourself. The two times I cheated death in accidents invovled only automobiles.]

 

Well, you were comparing a warning about valid dangers to his mother being a junkie, so I thought it was all fair game...

My point is that only THAT PERSON can make the call as to whether or not riding a bike is what constitutes the "fun parts". For me, it would not. This has absolutely no bearing on whether or not I take other chances, however. it's all a matter of which ones are worth it to the person -- and the inherent dangeres of ANY activity shouldn't be summarily dismissed.

 

No that was not my analogy, moto riders all hear the "organ donor" comment and "suicide cycle" comments day in and day out, no one seems to want to make those generic comments to others about their more "acceptable" choices, why do they think we should be subjected to them? Particularly from a health professional. It's just so tiresome, how about denigrating a person because they choose military service, that's pretty hazardous at the moment? Why doesn't everyone feel comfortable doing that? Because society needs to encourage that hazardous behavior. The RN is just another unpaid spokesman for the insurance lobby, IMO.