Thoughts on David Hough's danger of motorcycling

Any subscribers to MCN (Motorcycle Consumer News) here? Must be, because this is the place I first learned about the magazine.

I typically read the magazine, cover to cover.

Reading David Hough's columns on proficient motorcycling make me anxious. He states that motorcycling is 38 times more dangerous than driving a car. Are we all stupid, crazy, or both? Or is there more to this?

I once heard that 70% of snowmobile accidents involve excessive speed and/or alcohol as factors. The numbers have to be similar for motorcyclists. I know that I take it easy, only getting on the gas in wide open, vacant places. I do not drink and ride. Therefore, I feel I have substantially increased my safety just by not doing those two things.

On the local news, when there is a motorcycle accident, it seems as though they are mostly Harleys and sport bikes. I do not know the exact numbers, but Harley riders tend to be occasional riders, not logging a lot of miles. Cruiser style bikes do not handle all that gracefully, especially in the hands of an inexperienced rider. Sport bikes are meant for speed and handle great, but a lot of those guys seem to have a death wish flying around here.

I practice swerving, emergency braking, and the GW F6B handles quite a bit better than its cruiser cousins, being built on a standard bike platform. I do not attempt stunts. I just ride around. Therefore, haven't I decreased my risk even more?

When on a bike, I feel like I see so much more than in my car. I keep my head up 99% of the time. It seems as though most dangerous situations seem to be reveal themselves prior to happening. I cover the brake and let off the gas when cars are ready to pull out. I keep long following distances. I wear a hi-vis vest. I wear an armor jacket and boots and a full helmet and gloves. I do not ride when I am not feeling in top condition mentally, physically, emotionally.

Is motorcycling really that dangerous for someone like me? Or you?

IMHO... No more dangerous than driving a car.

Except... a motorcyclist is more physically vulnerable in an accident.

I do not know David Hough.....have you a link to share?

By practicing skills and getting familiar with your bike (most bike accidents occur to riders with with 1-5 years experience, but with less than 6 months on the mishap motorcycle) you and the bike learn to work together.
The bike should never 'take you by surprise' and you should never ask more than the bike can deliver.
Other vehicles should also never 'take you by surprise' as you are constantly scanning and predicting behavior - even if that behavior is classified as 'unpredictable.'

But as Willtill points out, ALL the skills in the world will not protect you from the unpredictable driver you failed to forecast as you are extremely vulnerable while on 2 wheels.

If it's the motorcyclist's fault, then so be it. Society will continue to condemn us for being hooligans.
If it's the cager's fault, the motorcyclist pays for it, and - IMH(AWI)O - is arguably also at a certain amount of fault for failure to avoid the mishap through improper scan and not keeping 'adequate' safety margins.

Keep practicing your skills.
Keep playing 'what if' - or more importantly 'WHEN!'
Have two escape routes at any given moment in time.

Cheers,
Steve

There are two categories of motorcycle riders.....those who've crashed....and those who haven't crashed yet. All the kevlar and carbon fiber in the world will not save your ass if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Having said that, some of us do possess a 6th sense and can see / anticipate situations before they happen and proactively employ safe practices. Harley riders are generally not occasional riders (I'm one). We ride more than most so statistically are involved in more incidents. Crotch rocket riders are generally male and less than 20 years of age who have testosterone coursing through the veins. They take chances and usually ride like they are late for a date. Then there's us older dudes.....who just like to loaf along and smell the roses / coffee / fresh bread / etc. along the way. We are not safer. But we are wiser. Ride safe folks. The dummies are out there everywhere and they're trying to run us all down!

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Originally Posted by Flhfxd

There are two categories of motorcycle riders.....those who've crashed....and those who haven't crashed yet. All the kevlar and carbon fiber in the world will not save your ass if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Having said that, some of us do possess a 6th sense and can see / anticipate situations before they happen and proactively employ safe practices. Harley riders are generally not occasional riders (I'm one). We ride more than most so statistically are involved in more incidents. Crotch rocket riders are generally male and less than 20 years of age who have testosterone coursing through the veins. They take chances and usually ride like they are late for a date. Then there's us older dudes.....who just like to loaf along and smell the roses / coffee / fresh bread / etc. along the way. We are not safer. But we are wiser. Ride safe folks. The dummies are out there everywhere and they're trying to run us all down!

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That statement tends to fan the fires here even though I agree. :icon_wink:

Many moons ago, during my apprenticeship, I was required to do a paper on safety. I chose to do it on motorcycles. At the time there were two groups that had significantly higher accident rates. Males under 24 and Males 50+. Males under 24 is generally young, dumb, full of... The normal things. The second group was due to the increase of first time or returning riders whom gave up riding years ago due to various reason and were getting back on bikes for the first time in decades. Older, bolder and better funded they have the money to go buy whatever bike and have either lost a step or didn't have it in the first place. Either groups had significantly higher accident rates. At the time women were not as numerous on bikes and statistics for women riders were not as readily available.

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Originally Posted by 3Chief

That statement tends to fan the fires here even though I agree. :icon_wink:

Many moons ago, during my apprenticeship, I was required to do a paper on safety. I chose to do it on motorcycles. At the time there were two groups that had significantly higher accident rates. Males under 24 and Males 50+. Males under 24 is generally young, dumb, full of... The normal things. The second group was due to the increase of first time or returning riders whom gave up riding years ago due to various reason and were getting back on bikes for the first time in decades. Older, bolder and better funded they have the money to go buy whatever bike and have either lost a step or didn't have it in the first place. Either groups had significantly higher accident rates. At the time women were not as numerous on bikes and statistics for women riders were not as readily available.

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For sure. Makes a lot of sense. Ride safe all.

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Originally Posted by 53driver

I do not know David Hough.....have you a link to share?

By practicing skills and getting familiar with your bike (most bike accidents occur to riders with with 1-5 years experience, but with less than 6 months on the mishap motorcycle) you and the bike learn to work together.
The bike should never 'take you by surprise' and you should never ask more than the bike can deliver.
Other vehicles should also never 'take you by surprise' as you are constantly scanning and predicting behavior - even if that behavior is classified as 'unpredictable.'

But as Willtill points out, ALL the skills in the world will not protect you from the unpredictable driver you failed to forecast as you are extremely vulnerable while on 2 wheels.

If it's the motorcyclist's fault, then so be it. Society will continue to condemn us for being hooligans.
If it's the cager's fault, the motorcyclist pays for it, and - IMH(AWI)O - is arguably also at a certain amount of fault for failure to avoid the mishap through improper scan and not keeping 'adequate' safety margins.

Keep practicing your skills.
Keep playing 'what if' - or more importantly 'WHEN!'
Have two escape routes at any given moment in time.

Cheers,
Steve

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Steve, David is a writer of several books on riding bikes and a contributor to MCN, mostly writing about safety. Most of his work is proprietary, so there is no direct link to his writing for free.

Here is his bio on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_L._Hough

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Originally Posted by 3Chief

That statement tends to fan the fires here even though I agree. :icon_wink:

Many moons ago, during my apprenticeship, I was required to do a paper on safety. I chose to do it on motorcycles. At the time there were two groups that had significantly higher accident rates. Males under 24 and Males 50+. Males under 24 is generally young, dumb, full of... The normal things. The second group was due to the increase of first time or returning riders whom gave up riding years ago due to various reason and were getting back on bikes for the first time in decades. Older, bolder and better funded they have the money to go buy whatever bike and have either lost a step or didn't have it in the first place. Either groups had significantly higher accident rates. At the time women were not as numerous on bikes and statistics for women riders were not as readily available.

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Here is an example from last night in Rochester, NY that fits your statement:

http://www.whec.com/news/motorcycle-...k-ave/4467836/

Based on what has been reported, the rider hit the back of a truck. Age: 24. Bike: Yamaha R6 sport bike. Park Ave is a hip part of town, sidewalk cafes, etc.

Not rushing to judgement, but running into the back of a truck turning left indicates rider responsibility. Hope he recovers.

In just this morning's news they are telling of a local 46 year old male rider being killed on his Harley. It seems he was cruising down the road when a lady pulled out in front of him. Naturally the news reported on the fact he was wearing a helmet. A helmet can only do so much!!

Who's at fault? It's easy to say the crazy lady but she walked away. He didn't!

Was he riding as defensively as he could have been? Didn't he see her, was he riding like he had the right of way or was he just not paying attention?

Always remember if your going to ride you may be right but the 4 wheeler wins the initial argument every time no matter what your wearing. Alway expect the other driver to do exactly what you never thought he would.

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Originally Posted by Bob Penn

In just this morning's news they are telling of a local 46 year old male rider being killed on his Harley. It seems he was cruising down the road when a lady pulled out in front of him. Naturally the news reported on the fact he was wearing a helmet. A helmet can only do so much!!

Who's at fault? It's easy to say the crazy lady but she walked away. He didn't!

Easy, it's her fault. If it had been the riders fault the news would have been all over it. Hence why they mentioned the helmet. Whether it was deliberate or accidental on her part is another story

Was he riding as defensively as he could have been? Didn't he see her, was he riding like he had the right of way or was he just not paying attention?

All it takes is a split second of inattention on either parties fault. A very good friend of mine had a car chase him into a ditch. This guy is one of the best riders I know and did everything in his power to avoid the oncoming car to no avail. The sober driver was coming back from the casino as he was heading to work at 0400. She was very tired and focused on his headlight for some reason. He lived, but had several broken bones and other injuries.


Always remember if your going to ride you may be right but the 4 wheeler wins the initial argument every time no matter what your wearing. Alway expect the other driver to do exactly what you never thought he would.

Exactly, 99% of the time you're going to loose the battle with a cage. You or your family may win the lawsuit, however the pain's probably not worth it.

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Also watch out for other riders as they may not have the skill or situational awareness necessary for the ride at hand. A co-worker was coming home from work when another rider pulled up beside him. The other rider passed him within the lane and then when the cage in front of them braked the other rider swerved cutting off my co-worker who had nowhere to go but the ditch. Not only did my co-worker total his bike but he was found at fault as he was the trailing bike and his insurance paid $40k for the other riders broken finger.

Ride long, ride often, ride safe