[1e-9]

I grew up riding dirt bikes. Later moved on to street bikes. Wandered many miles of beautiful deserts, mountains, plains, and rainforests. Had truly awesome experiences. Also had a few truly perilous experiences where the difference between life or death was razor thin. Fortunately, I escaped without major injury, but I’ve seen others not be so lucky.

My strong advice is to never ride motorcycles. There’s plenty of other wonderful experiences to be had in this world without taking such risks.

[9530jh9054ven]

Kind of depends on why you ride though, doesn't it?

I don't know what you would define as other wonderful experiences, but I suspect that someone rotten like me can't appreciate them. The madness of gambling with my life for no benefit at all is specifically why I ride. Appealing to a part of me that wants very much to die and be done with all. And appealing to the part that doesn't want to die, and forces me focus everything on the act of riding itself. Not the landscape, not the experience, but the act in of itself.

Apologies if it's strange to read, I have a difficult time trying to explain it... this is about as close as I can describe it, without writing long paragraphs.

[foxfluff]

Does that include don't ride dirtbikes?

I'm wondering how the risks compare in blasting through busy highways on a 650cc superbike vs dirt bike on a path vs a lightweight 125cc on 'burbs and rural back roads never going faster than 50 mph..

(I've been considering something like the Honda Grom or Monkey 125!)

Also, what experience would you recommend as an alternative?

[1e-9]

Yes, I also strongly advise not riding dirt bikes either.

With that said, over countless hours of riding the ‘burbs, rural back roads, and trails; I never had what I considered a near-death experience on a dirt bike versus having at least three on street bikes. I was undoubtedly lucky, but if you avoid competitive motocross, don’t try stupid stunts, wear a full complement of protective gear, and limit your time on the street, I suspect you are safer on a dirt bike than a big street bike. Even so, I wouldn’t do it. I’ve seen dirt bikes put friends in the ICU and I now realize there are better ways I could have spent that time.

Here are a few leisure experiences from which I have received greater fulfillment with far less risk:

- Volunteer to help someone in need.

- Actively support a cause that makes the world a better place.

- Learn a new skill.

- Backpack remote areas with interesting geology, wildlife, and skies that are so bright with stars at night that it is difficult to find the constellations. Study the route beforehand to fully appreciate the area and know where to look for fossils, prehistoric artifacts, interesting minerals, geological formations, plants, and animals. For an extra challenge, pursue ultralight backpacking.[1]

- Travel to places with unique cultures. Hang out with the locals and get to know them. The lowest-profile people tend to have the most surprising and interesting life stories. Learn some of the local history and language beforehand.

- Learn to sail. With sufficient qualifications, you can rent sailboats all over the world. Fly to a beautiful location, rent a boat, island hop, travel the coastlines, and explore.

Even better for me was to start a family and focus on giving them a wonderful life.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultralight_backpacking

[fergie]

Recently got my license after a summer of driving an MT-07. It really is insane how powerful those bikes are, particularly when you consider that they are often regarded as "middelweight".

I am also considering a Grom.