Am I the only one with a fear of Riding Motorcycles ?

Question

I've been riding motorcycles for 25 odd years. I consider myself a half-decent rider. With a good understanding of defensive riding technique and road-craft. I can even do alright wheelies on both my SM and road bike.

But I have this problem. I never ride unless there's a reason to ride. Like going to get groceries or picking up something. I have two lovely fun bikes, but hardly ever ride them.

I have this nervousness whenever I think about going for a ride. Like there is pressure on me. Part of that might stem from my awareness of the stigma associated with Motorcycle rider's. The general impression I get when riding is all car driver's hate me and they think I'm a jerk.

I picture them in their cars sniveling at me with disdain. And a lot of the time people don;t want to drive behind or near me, like I'm about to do something reckless or stupid.

I sit here in my room on a perfectly good day for riding, but that fear and pressure keeps me trapped in my room. It's not that I don't enjoy riding, I actually really enjoy it, but seemingly only when I'm on a mission to do something and in my mind it makes the ride justifiable or purposeful, which takes some of that pressure off of me.

Still, any trip I take I am constantly thinking about what car drivers think of me, how they are judging me and I hardly ever think to just enjoy it.

Anyone else have this issue, did you overcome it ?

Ron · Accepted Answer

You have other issues that just manifest themselves as a fear of motorcycle riding. You need counseling

? · Answer

Sounds to me like you are only experiencing courteous caring car drivers that honor your road space.  The ones I fear are the car drivers that have no regard for my personal road space and crowd into my lane when passing.  Greatest fear comes from those that will look my way and make a left handed turn in front of me from a side road,  the worst a pickup pulling a trailer behind him that ran threw a stop sign to make a left hand turn in front of me. (I took the ditch after aggressive braking to miss the trailer)

If car operators are giving you a great deal of space; be thankful, they are perhaps motorcycle riders too.  Why I didn't hold motorcycle riders in a different regard when I was younger remains a mystery to me?  Perhaps it's an acquirement of life's dangerous experience as  a motorcycle rider?

So your not alone!  I have great fears!  They keep me away from certain  nasty sections of roads  and out of certain hours of use.  That is why I am still here and not road kill!

Tim D · Answer

I ride to work every day but I rarely ride for fun with other riders (I don't really enjoy riding in groups) so I like to hop on my bike early in the morning and head off in no particular direction for an hour or two, stop for a cuppa, and head for home on a different route – sometimes have no clue where I am – but I cannot be lost since I am not trying to get to anywhere in particular but getting home can often take longer than getting there. As far as I can I ignore other road users (obviously have to be aware of them) and I certainly don't care what they think of me (observe speed limits in villages and keep your eyes open for young women in tight trousers sitting on horses though).

When I do stop for a cuppa the comments are mostly positive.

Mr. Smartypants · Answer

I think people ADMIRE motorcyclists!  I get a lot of longing glances from little kids.   8^)  When I'm standing there putting on/taking off my gloves and helmet someone will chat me up.  "Nice motorcycle!" or  "What kind of bike is that?" or some such.  I'm not the 'bad boy' type.  I don't even have any tattoos.

But I also am afraid of riding my bike.  When I have a long day ride planned, or a weekend camping trip, the night before it seems really scary to be riding all out in the open and unprotected at 70 miles an hour.  With the Love of My Life on the back!  I think 'How crazy could you be to take a chance like that?'   But once I'm on the bike I feel much more confident, more in control.  I'm actually very careful.  I ride like an old man.

Candid Chris · Answer

FEAR is a factor to deal with. Been riding/racing for 55 yrs, my fear keeps me ALIVE.
Have surfed big waves, been under fire both from bullets and REAL fire as a firefighter. None of them have stopped me yet.

If you feel yours nuts are not screwed on properly find a different path to screw with.

thebax2006 · Answer

You're a gay freak of nature.

Am I the only one with a fear of Riding Motorcycles ?

6 Answers