[Ben]

What do you people think,

Am I out of line with my comments here?

https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/motorcycle-crash-chris-young#comment-1761

Are my comments too harsh? Am I making motorcycles seem too safe? I thought that I was doing a pretty decent job walking the line between safety and fun, but a lot of people seem to think that I am promoting unsafe behaviour. What do you all honestly think?

If you think i’m saying things that aren’t correct or that I’m misleading people please reply below. I really don’t want to be, so if I am then I am going to adjust the way I comment to people. If on the other hand you think I am not doing those things, then why do people seem to think I have evil intentions?

I’m confused.

Ben

[megaspaz]

Personally, I’ve never had the feeling that you’ve misrepresented the risks for riding a bike. Sure people can always have issues with throwing statistics around especially when it goes against what they think is right. Statistics are so open interpretation, so in one sense, you might need to be more careful or explain better any stats you throw out and how it relates to the point you’re making. I did think the stats you put out were fine since the only thing being argued was risk and degrees of acceptable risk. But hey, cie le vie… Personally, I bet Christopher Reeves wishes he was on a motorcycle that day instead of a horse.

Oh and FYI, you did certainly layout the possible bad things that could happen earlier in the thread. So you weren’t being misleading. Bottom line, Peng didn’t like your use of stats, I thought they were fine. Things like these are called opinions, so stop being confused.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[AaronMerlot]

Ben
I think the whole point of this web site and your hours of work are to inform people all over the world that motorcycles are as unsafe as you make them. You can decrease the dangers by using the proper gear, ( lots of reviews and advice) training (has anyone counted the number of times the MSF has been mentioned? I have not but, I can assure you it is a lot!!!) and just plain old “Good Desiccation Making” (see Why a 600cc Motorcycle is Not a Good Beginner Bike) Only a fool will try to say motorcycles are as safe as cars, You do good work and their are hundreds, possibly thousands of us, whom are very grateful for you work. We can argue all day about numbers and statistics, so let just suck it up, and use some ‘personal responsibility” (this is some thing in our society that is saddling missing and ignored) and make motorcycles as safe as we can make them.
Ok I will get off the “soap box” now.

[uncle_bernie]

I don’t think so. In the book Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough (no, I don’t get residuals for pushing his book) he talks about acceptable levels of risk. When you get on a motorcycle you just accept a higher level of risk but, and this site is a good place for this, you have to arm yourself with all the tools and knowledge you can to minimize the risk that exists as much as is in your power. You aptly point out that motorcycles are DANGEROUS but that a lot of things in life, including cars, can be dangerous as well, and, if you saw the false sense of security under which motorists on Houston freeways are driving their cars you might come to the conclusion that cars can be even more dangerous than bikes. At least on a bike, unless you’re an idiot, you’ll think twice or five times about riding to close to the bumper of that car in front of you.

Hey man, you do what you can do,. Put the information out there for people and hope they pay attention. Ultimately, most of what happens on a bike is between our ears and with this site you’re trying to put stuff in there that will help folks. Nothing wrong with that.

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[Ben]

Thanks guys At least now I know i’m not crazy (well, no more than usual anyway).

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

[Guinness]

Hi Ben,

I have to agree with the others,I did not think you were out of line. I must say that I liked the conversation, I think its great that people have different opinions and express them, they allow others to open up their minds. I can understand where both of you were coming from, and think you each made valid points. Keep up the great work, its an awesome site,

Cheers,
Steve

[megaspaz]

That’s such a good book. Lots of good info in that book. I’m just starting to read it again.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Brandon C.]

Dude, Ben, you’re my hero. This site is SO helpful, and you crack me up with your little blurbs. I especially like how you always talk about loving your hands. I have noticed that you always seem to be itching to get into a brawl with armored gloves on… Keep it up, buddy. This is all great stuff.

Excited to start riding!

[Ben]

Haha I’m always ‘itching’ for a brawl because I practice Jiujitsu, boxing, and Krav Maga so I can’t help but see the usefulness of the armored gloves

Haha, also I play guitar and violin, gotta keep those hands perfect and in shape!

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

[Rupmisc]

I have just gotten my license and have yet to decide to buy a bike, or which bike, but I am close. I have looked for information everywhere on the web, and at at least 6 dealers. So far, your advice seems the most unbiased that I have found on the web. In fact, you sound very similar to the instructors at the safety course. I certainly don’t think you make motorcycles seem too safe. As information goes, you are the most conservative that I have found, which makes for an excellent contrast with all the “go big, go fast, no big deal” folks.

Except for the first year that I had my driver’s license, the most scared I have been when driving a car was driving home from a Skip Barber Racing School. As you have pointed out, the level of awareness and mental preparation of the average driver is inadequate. I can’t control other drivers from inside my car, and being on a motorcycle simply makes one more vulnerable. Preparation and awareness are the best you can do, but it is inherently more dangerous. That is fair to say.

But you have also pointed out that many of us do other things which are inherently dangerous (I have jumped horses cross country), and have to decide on the level of risk we are prepared to accept. How could you be fairer than that? IMO, the site is quite good, as is your advice.

Would like a review of the Ninja 650 though.

[Author]

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