I gotta chime back in and address some of the concerns my friends have recently voiced. I must at admit I am a bit shocked at some of their comments regarding me getting a motorcycle. I have thought long and hard about this. Getting a bike, i.e. Midlife crisis or whatever, for me isn’t about proving anything to anyone else. It is about doing some of the things that you always wanted to do….while you are able to do them and enjoy them safely. With that said, there are more than a few reasons why buying a bike at this point in my life ain’t really a bad thing.
1. I am older. I no longer need to prove myself by going fast or racing. Racing and driving fast was never really my thing anyhow. Since a high percentage of motorcycle accidents involve people going way over the speed limit, I figure that I should be cool. In fact I remember my boys Kev and Des riffin’ about how I drive like an old lady. If memory serves correctly, they said “Damn J, you drive like a slow lil’ bitch”.
2. I am not an overly aggressive driver. Hell, I am not an overly aggressive person. I’d like to believe that my rather considerable ego has lessened somewhat over the years. It is one of the few true benefits of getting older. So I ain’t worried about being lured into racing or being overly aggressive on the bike. And since a high percentage of motorcycle accidents involve riders driving overly aggressive, I should be cool….
3. Bikes cost money. Alot of money. This is especially true on an academic’s salary. Since this will be my money that I am spending, not my parents or anyone else’s, I am much more likely to ride in a manner conducive to long term protection of said expensive bike. This is part of the reason why my recent departed 1990 Nissan Maxima lasted me 20 years and still looked relatively new (on the outside at least). God I miss that car.
4. Speaking of my car, I miss having my own transportation. I could buy another car but it is impractical and very expensive since I am living in Manhattan. Bikes are cheaper (maintenance, gas, insurance, garage) and more efficient. It would be nice to be able to have a easy way of getting around the city without having to jump on the trains all the time.
5. I don’t drink or do any type of drugs. Not even beer or weed. Never have, never will. A high percentage of motorcycle accidents involve people riding impaired. That won’t be a factor for me. Most that really know me know that this has always been a major component of my personality. Most of the people that have known me since grade school have NEVER seen me drink so much as a beer. In fact, I was usually the one carrying most of their inebriated behinds home at the end of the evening.
6. Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. Any of us could die walking down the street, riding in a car, riding a bicycle, or by just being in the wrong place the next time something bad goes down. So riding a cycle, if done with precautions (which I will take), isn’t gonna be any more or less dangerous than any other activity. I already have full leathers, helmet, and body armor. I will probably get another set since I do like to coordinate the ensemble. I already signed up to take the MSF safety courses to make sure that my skills are up to date so I can protect myself and make sure that I come back home safely to the fam. The bike I am getting is a 650cc midrange cycle with ABS (anti-lock brakes) to give me the added protection. Not a powerful bike considering I am a 200 plus pound man.
But even if that all wasn’t the case, fear that something bad “might” happen ain’t a reason to stop doing the things you have always wanted to do. I am a firm believer that no one goes before their time. The moment you start living in fear then you might as well hang it up because you will be dead inside long before you take your last breath.
Here endeth the lesson.