- This topic has 14 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 9 months ago by yugen852.
How do you guys deal with pressure?
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July 14, 2009 at 12:56 am #3145yugen852Participant
All of you know what most of people think about motorbikes: “It’s suicide!!”. It’s the same thing with my family and friends. I have already decided to buy my bike, and they know it. But once in a while, when the motorcycle topic comes around, the give me the ol’ stink eye. They will have to live with it, because I will not detach myself from the exciting motorcycle world. But, I feel that after I have bought my bike, they will show me a little less respect for being the “radical one”, or “punk”, or like people say in my country “titere”. How did you guys handled, or are handling right now, that pressure and situation?
Have a good one:
yugen852P.S. (Maybe I have to grow some bigger ‘cojones’)
July 14, 2009 at 1:22 am #20577EliasParticipantI am in your same situation, and it’s an interesting one. For instance, my mom is scared shitless about me getting a bike. I don’t usually curse on the forums, but she is THAT scared. On the other hand, her brother just bought a bike, and she is super excited for him, not even worried about him wrecking. This is due to two reasons:
1. He learned to ride when he was younger, and is just now getting back into the sport.
2. Her brother has lived passed 50 already, and I’m only 24. She thinks I have plenty to live for (which I do)First of all, the first reason contradicts herself. How am I suppose to learn, and be a safe rider (like she thinks her brother is) if she doesn’t let me ever start riding? The second reason is a good and reasonable one. It is around reason number two that every motorcycle rider must accept the risk involved with riding, and decide to do it anyway or give up on it, no matter what age you are.
Your family is worried about you. IMHO, I don’t care what people label you or me. Call me a punk, I’ll embrace it. Hell, I’m sure I look like one. Bandana, leathers, black gear…yeah I dress the part. IDC, what’s wrong with being the radical one? Driving a bike IS RADICAL! You could drive a safer cage, but you don’t want to…for a reason…motorcycling is FUN. When I found the contradictions in my families arguments, I went Socrates on their ass, and explained that they are blindly labeling every motorcyclist a suicidal maniac. They need to open their eyes and stop stereotyping. And after pointing it out, they have gotten more comfortable with the fact, but not the idea.
It will grow on them, just as it will on me.
July 14, 2009 at 1:23 am #20578MunchParticipantHmmmm…. let’s see. For me the P.S. option would be a recommendation. Sorry not the PC thing to say but yea…. umm….you made a conscious decision to get on a bike and go riding. To hell with what everyone else thinks, UNLESS she is wearing your ring. Then the law of compromise comes in.
Personally I get all the, do you realize how dangerous that is… or … are you trying to kill yourself, etc. yadda yadda.
In this sanitized BS state of time we live in where if you do anything less then smile I couldn’t care less about others opinions. If you frown or have an opinion flipped from everyone else you are a candidate for prozac to them .
Puff you chest out and give them a very hearty and well meaning ( teenage derived) …SO?!
Look, it’s your life and unless they hold your wallet and/or cojones in your hands they have nothing to do with it other then a very “dangerous” stink eye. Just stick your tongue out at them and move on.July 14, 2009 at 2:21 am #20586yugen852ParticipantThanks for the fast replies. Elias, my mom has the same attitude towards me and I have argued, and won. Its just that both my parents are so… GARRGHHH! I can’t even put it into words. But, yuo are right. I am a rebel, a “radical one” and their stink eyes will not affect me.
Munch, thank you for the recomendation. Its just that I have done the “correct” things in my life, I’m not a “goody goody, but I’ve done well. And when I turn stray from that line, comments start to pop up. But, I will get my bike, and they will learn to live with it, and cough every time they smell the smoke of “eat my dust”.
So, thank you guys for the support:
yugen852P.S. (‘They’ have dropped)
July 14, 2009 at 5:51 am #20594eternal05ParticipantThe problem is that it is the social norm to berate people for riding motorcycles. When some of my friends started riding back before my own riding days, I vividly remember saying something like “You got a death wish or something?” It’s just the reflex reaction for most people as a result of all the negative press, and to be fair, common sense (it IS more dangerous) that dictates that motorcycling is a good way to die.
What’s most irritating to me is not other’s concern, but rather their ignorant and all-too-flippant suggestions that you are not far from death the moment you throw your leg over a bike. Every single one of my best friends in succession have gone through the process of education. They start telling me to “try not to die,” “stay out of my ER,” etc. and over time, and with enough open-minded discussion, they come to respect my choice. You can’t help running into people who throw stereotypes your way, but you can change the opinions of the few you care about. Ok, maybe not all of them, and maybe not all the way, but all I really want from those I care about is respect for my decisions, and THAT you can usually get.
Here’s really what it comes down to: riding motorcycles IS more dangerous, but not that much more dangerous that you’re crazy to want to do it. Yes, there are all kinds of risks that don’t exist in a car, but when Bob announces that he’s going to bicycle his way to work everyday wearing a bike helmet and spandex does anybody throw a hissy fit? When your friends go up to the local mountain passes to go bombing down a frozen slope peppered with trees and rocks at highway speeds with nothing but a helmet, do you make snide comments about their life expectancy? NO! Ultimately, the people you care about need to understand that, like mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, in-ocean swimming, and plenty of other things nobody ever gets upset about, there is a fantastic reward afforded motorcyclists that, for now, compensates you for whatever added risk you take on as a result of enjoying your hobby/sport/mode-of-transport/lifestyle/whatever-the-F#$%-you-want-to-call-it.
And if you try to rationally discuss this with them and they don’t want to hear it, time and time again, despite supposedly being close to you and caring about you, well then F$% ’em.
July 14, 2009 at 7:46 am #20603EliasParticipantWell put eternal! I like how you totally put into perspective all the other dangerous things I do in my life. Maybe I’m increasing my chances…but maybe, just maybe, I’m just enjoying my life! Hmm, guess the haters never thought about that…
July 14, 2009 at 5:38 pm #20609yugen852ParticipantThanks, all of you. Your points of view have really helped me. I am now better prepared handling the pressure when I encounter the topic of motorbikes.
Take care:
yugen852July 14, 2009 at 8:07 pm #20619BenParticipant+1 Eternal. Great post man!
Ben
July 15, 2009 at 6:59 pm #20641SafetyFirstParticipantI think the danger of riding is what lures some people to it.
That’s the only way I could explain people riding down the street with sneakers, jeans, a t-shirt and an unhelmeted head. Or even worse, down the interstate! (I actually saw this once… a squid on a CBR)
For me, the danger is what I want less of. I ride with a decent amount of gear (although a Forcefield Pro Sub-4 back protector is in my future) because I know the danger exists. Statistics don’t lie — for the first 6 months, I’m at a higher risk of fatal accidents being a new rider. That’s why I make sure I have good gear. Not as insurance to go nuts in the twisties, or zip around traffic on a city street going over 10 over, but because if the @#@# hits the fan, it’s better to have it, than not.
July 15, 2009 at 7:20 pm #20642tekiwzzParticipantOut of interest, how many of you have found that cars don’t tend to see you on the road? I am considering buying a bike, but I’m concerned that cars will crash into me when they don’t see me.
July 15, 2009 at 7:25 pm #20643eternal05ParticipantWhen you’re on a motorcycle, you might as well be invisible. Cars will look straight at you and then change into your lane. They’ll make eye contact and then make a left turn right in front of you.
As discussed in many other places on this forum, riding a motorcycle requires a level of heightened alertness and preparedness for even the most random situation that may pop up. Start with an MSF course and you’ll learn all about it.
July 15, 2009 at 7:27 pm #20644tekiwzzParticipantdo they do this course in the uk? jw
July 15, 2009 at 7:29 pm #20646tekiwzzParticipantnever mind found their website for the uk
July 15, 2009 at 8:09 pm #20647SafetyFirstParticipantIn the UK, you guys are limited to 50cc when you start, right?
July 16, 2009 at 3:33 am #20660yugen852ParticipantI’m not going to buy my bike until may of next year, but until that time comes, I’m going to be buying my jacket, helmet and knee/shin guards (already bought the gloves). Gear is a must, and I agree with you that having it on doesn’t mean that you can be a little careless. If you hit the pavement, it really makes a difference.
yugen852
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