The problem with bikes is not necessrely the rider himself but others. With a car you have a shell which protects you from being injured from minor hits. With a bike you have nothing other than your helmet. As a rider I am sure you have had to deal with people parked on the side and opening their door just in front of you. With a bike you have to be 10 times more carefull.

I know that... and, what I want is a cruiser bike, not a sports bike -- though they are all a lot faster than any car. As Alain stated, though, it's not just you out there, and so many people are simply not aware of bike riders. And even in a minor accident, you're hitting the pavement.

Juan

I agree completely. Yes, they can be dangerous, but the trouble is that some riders make them far more dangerous than they inherently are, through their lack of skills, overconfidence, and generally idiotic riding behavious.

I rode offroad, then on-road Yamahas, a Honda, and a Beemer for years, 4 seasons. Two serious spills, one was directly my fault and one due to spilled gravel (still my fault, but there was a contributing factor...) Several years after I sold the (fully restored) R50/5, I got on my brother's new GSXR750, first year of production, a seriously fast bike at the time. Maybe it still is, don't know. That was a bike to respect, and the trouble is, anyone can buy one now that is even faster, with skills or not.

Oh, and I'd buy the Vespa, given the chance. I think weird machines are great. Almost got an NSU rotary bike once. Bought and sold a Nash Metropolitan convertible without restoring it. A Vespa is tame.

Oh God, I am SO sorry to hear that, man... how sad.

So sorry to hear that.

true.. key is to be seen and heard. My arata exhaust on the R6 is loud.. when I do ride, I tend to go early in the AM and with a bunch of friends. Ride in groups and it's easier to be noticed. Leathers and armor within are your friend and is not an option.. it's mandatory (I have an alpinestar full race suit and leather jacket and riding pants with armor)!! I used to ride through high school and college for fun and after laying off it for 10 years, I picked it up again. It definitely heightenes your senses and requires 100% undivided attention. If I had a long or stressful day.. I won't ride cuz my mind will wander and that's not a good thing. Overall just gotta ride defensive and SEE as they teach you in MSF.