Hi there.

It´s my first post in this forum as i was searching for some advice.

I don´t know how to write this without offending anyone but do not hesitate to kick me in the butt or even better ban me if i write something wrong.

So here goes:

I´m still considering whether i should get my motorcycle license or not as i´ve heard so many bad accidents happening with people riding motorcycles that i always back off from my passion of getting into a motorcycle.

I´m aware that there are protective clothing for riders that can help avoid some injuries but i also heard about accidents from people that were using protection but still got SCI´s.

My main fear is to become paralysed so i´m always searching for spinal protection and also neck protection.

There is the Leatt-brace for neck protection, spinal cord protection amongst the helmet, boots etc.

From your knowledge from speaking with doctors and caregivers and rehab staff do they trust in these kind of protections or do they think if an accident happens it happens and you wont be saved from injuries?

I really want to try out what is riding a motorcycle but it probably isn´t worth the risk.

Gotta wonder if this isn't a troll - if it's not I do hope you're wearing all that protection when you're in the car and walking down the road too just in case someone runs into you. Does it work? well it may reduce the chances of getting paralysed but won't stop it happening if you hit something hard enough.

If you're that worried about getting hurt then don't do it - it's simple enough really.

'Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all' ?

You are right, accidents also happen while in a car.

But where i live we always consider motorcycles as being more dangerous than cars but it looks like it is a false sense of security.

According to our unofficial poll (here) 17% of the people in this forum are here because of a motorcycle accident. It ranks second to car accident.

Any protection is better than none, but if your that fearful of having an accident before you have got on to a bike, then I can't imagine how bad your riding is going to be on the open road.
& if your thinking of jumping on something powerful I would forget it mate (No offence)

Having said that accidents happen any time anywhere & the out come is always different (Luck of the cards)

I've had my share of bike accidents, one big high speed on twisty back road but thats not what give me my SCI.

Stay safe & all the best
CR

All of life is risky.
You're responsible for your own life and that's why you get to make your own choices.
Do what's best for you and you can't go wrong.

life's to short man do what you want you really want to do. I am a T-5 an have a motorcycle. there are a shit load of people in chairs that ride bikes. hell alto of them are in chairs because of motorcycles but that does not stop them from getting back up on the horse. When you ride just ride like everyone in cars are out to hit you. When you get old an look back on your life are you going to tell yourself man i wish i got a motorcycle?????

hi
my new boyfriend is in a wheelchair T6/T7 from coming off his motorbike !

he is giving me his full support as i am about to do my bike test !
infact i don't think i would of followed my dream of being a biker if he wasn't encouraging me as much as he is

you can have an accident that could leave you in a wheelchair by leaving your house !

take all the precautions make sure you have all the protective gear

life is about living so just go out and live your dreams ! if you don't you will regret it

if your really that frightened of a spinal injury from m/cycles then forget them,but if they really are your 'passion' then sod the fear and get on with it.i rode fast and furious for 25 years,had accidents along the way some small some big but in the end it was the job i did in the building trade that put me in a chair. embrace your fate and have some fun

I rode bikes 20yrs got hurt in the my car. If you live in fear what will you ever do.I my self cant wait to clime back in the saddle and feal the wind in my hair. RIDE TO LIVE LIVE TO RIDE

Check out Lasher Sport - a fella who got whacked on his earlier ride was at the Abilities Expo 2008 with his new baby, fabbed by LA Chopper.

Do your thing, buddy. But don't do half-assed.

Good luck.

Lynn

Thanks for your replys, they were an inspiration for me.

I really need to go out and enjoy life more because i´m always balancing the pros and cons and in some situations i back off from doing it.

I´m now getting into surfing no matter if the ocean is dangerous or not...surfing is great.

Hi, I know how you are feeling. I am tossing up whether to buy one myself. My doctor says no due to the fact I have skin on bone skin grafts and in his opinion because some of my reconstructions I would probably not survive a minor bike accident. If you are riding you will quite possibly fall off or be in an accident at some stage. I think that if you are comfortable jumping out of a moving vehicle on the freeway with all your protective gear on then you should have no problems on a bike. There are three things you can try with regards to risk, they are: Eliminate Minimise and Isolate.

Eliminate (all chances of an accident) by not riding a bike

Minimise (risk of accident) by doing a riding skills or defensive driving course, wearing high visibility protective clothing, protective gear and always ride in daylight with your lights on.

Isolate (yourself from danger) by riding a bike on a track or away from other vehicles.

Your decision entirely, you could be still riding at 80 or you could be t-boned by a drunk driver on your first ride. Whatever you choose, good luck, take care and be aware of the risks. Just enjoy yourself whatever you choose.

I've rode motorcycles for years (starting with an old 1976 Honda Hawk 550 when i was 11) up until i lost use of my feet and ankles. I've also had many accidents on them, never once more than road rash.

My friend hadn't been riding more than 6 months when rear-ended and killed at a stop light.

Anything can happen, to anyone.

Live to ride, Ride to live man.

At the Hospital where I got repaired they said "donorcycle" accidents were definately up there. No matter how safe YOU are, it's impossible to watch out for the people who can't see you.

Met a gal at a dr appt yesterday - she asked how long I'd been in the w/c. 4 yrs Oct 7. She looked odd for a second, then said her boyfriend will be 4 yrs Oct 15. He used to race bikes. Did a number on his crotch rocket - his own fault she said. But he's lucky - just T4 incomplete. Even has a spot on his thigh with some sensation.

I guess bike wrecks are #3 in sci cause with falls and somethin' else on top.

It's a wild ride. Have a good one, Dave.

Lynn

If all that protection works your'e lookin on the wrong place for anyone who used it

Personally I wore a helmet (required in UK) and leathers. When I had the accident that paralysed me none of it helpd because I was at work and fell from a scaffolding.

The best way to stay safe on a bike is to be seen and ride defensivly, assume a high level of idiocy in all other road users.

Tin

Good protection helps, but it won't keep you from having a SCI. I had a motorcycle accident with a tractor trailer a little more than a year ago. I was only doing 30mph and wearing full protective gear, including full a* leathers, arai helmet, racing boots, leather gloves, and a spine protector. Although I didn't have one scratch on me, I was paralyzed from the waist down. This included several broken, burst, or fractured vertebrae, several broken ribs, broken clavicle, bruised lung, etc.. So, don't ride without gear, but don't get a false sense of security. You can't live life worrying about what might happen, just do what makes you happy and deal with what's thrown at you later. If I can get rid of the constant, excruciating pain, you better believe I'll be back on some sort of two, three, or four wheel bike one day.