It's just too crazy

[Westernbiker]

I finally made the decision to sell the F6B. I have avoided any real bad situations (wrecks) for a very long time now. Had some very close calls, as we all have. I am still totally confident in my riding skills and abilities, it's just everyone else on the road here. It has gotten so bad here in Phoenix, you wouldn't believe it. I take the truck (Don't dare ride the bike) to work in the morning (4:30 AM) and I'm doing at least 10 to 15MPH over the speed limit (Freeway) and I'm constantly being passed like I was standing still. Cars and trucks weaving in and out of lanes with no regard as to what or who is around them. You lean on the horn because someone is coming into your lane and they just keep on coming. Remember when you use to blow the horn in that situation and the driver would jerk back into his lane? NOT ANYMORE! And it only gets worse as the time of day passes. And the red light runners here are at just about every intersection. Seems like every other driver I see is texting or on the phone. The last 4 or 5 times I have been out on the bike with the wife, I didn't have any fun. With the wife on the back I am taking her life into my hands and out on the road. I have a real hard time dealing with that mentally. If something were to happen to her while we were on the bike, I don't think I could deal with it. If I lived out of town or in a small town, I would probably have a different outlook and keep on riding. But this city is DANGEROUS for a motorcycle rider, it's getting worse and I can't chance it any longer. Lets face it, we all roll the dice every time we mount up. I can't do it any more, especially with the wife on the back. I have thought about this for quite a while now and finally came to a decision. I think that when I travel to other states there may be some times I would rent a bike for the day but for the here and now, I can't see owning one any more.   
So, just before this entry, I was on Craig's List and listed it.
I will still come around and read all the stories once in a while and may even have a comment or post here and there.
You all be safe out there and I will see ya around. 

[MarkT]

Sorry to hear that.  Guessing it's due to all the blue hairs with their volume as well.  Sure it's not intentional largely but just unaware unsafe drivers that should be off the road.  Combine that inattention from phones and you have a dangerous venue.  Bet it's similar in some other places like Florida.  I've heard the same from someone about Denver but I disagree that is here as much.  At least not from a high volume of blue hairs - though road rage is frequent.  I rarely go to the big city.  Can find what I need in the smaller towns mostly.

[old2soon]

         Springfield Mo. IS a Royal P I T A Anytime cage or M/C. The non thinkers cut thru our P G R escorts. So far I've been able to git the texters tenshun with my air horn-SO FAR.  Course before I retired saw lotsa texting in my venue-high seat of an 18 wheeler. Stupid sad too say is everywhere. AND it-stupid-appears I M H O anywho to be gettin mucho worse.  There IS a way to cure texting but the little darlins claim we be infringing on their "rights". The little darlins do NOT have a "right" to kill any of us from cell phone misuse. RIDE SAFE.

[..]

One of the reasons I left north metro Atlanta.

[Jess from VA]

Sorry to hear it.     

This is probably the biggest reason my annual miles are way down from the norm.

My age and the heat are slowing me down some too, but not that much. 

On any decent day ride, I have to dedicate a 45-60 minute combat ride through traffic (each way) to get to and from nice pleasant country riding.  With the usual exceptions, the drivers around here aren't as bad as you report.... but there's just so many of the bastards, and I always risk getting stuck in a back-up or accident, or construction.  And when that happens, that is when the aggressive craziness and the Richard Petty's come out to play.   

[rocketray]

I feel your pain.Dallas became unridable some 3-4 years ago.. The police have been shot at enough to where the Dallas PD is some 500 officers short and traffic enforcement is last on the list. Any modern car can run 85mph w/o any strain and they do that and more commonly. My little burb has so much construction going on the pavement quality is poor and unridable anymore. Southeast Oklahoma and Arkansas are still excellent destinations and I think are worthy of an INZANE.It's just a couple hours to get there. The West and North of town are still marvelous riding.... it's just getting there. Some people just trailer out and  back. But that just makes for a really long day. Track days are just so much safer as the speeds go up but that is a really really long day.

[pais]

    I certainly understand this one as well. Cell phones are the culprit, hands down!    Here in NE Ohio in the city of Kent which, I reside. Small city of about 27k people. From Late August until mid May the population doubles with Kent State University students. Young kids and cell phones a dangerous combo. Not uncommon without exaggeration, 7 out of every 10 cars, someone is on their phone! I must throw in the deer population as well. We as riders have always had to be defensive riders. Now more then ever.

[sandy]

Sorry to hear this news. I live across town from you and know of which you speak. When I openly carried, I had very little trouble but hated the fear I was creating. Been retired for 18 months now so freeway travel is down to a minimum. I go 74 in a 65 zone and get passed all the time. The Scottsdale area is far worse with all the lux boats (SUVs, MBs, BEEEEmers, etc) in a hurry.

[Pappy!]

Why not get a trailer and trail the bike up or out to places you can ride?
Yes, Florida is pretty bad. I see more issues with kids and cell phones than the blue hairs. Constantly being inattentive while driving or at stop lights. Anyway, sorry to hear you are hanging it up.

[Oss]

Do what you need to do Chuck

I would hold onto the bike.  It's paid for and if you want to ride solo You will know

I don't ride into Manhattan but take the 1150 into the south Bronx  often like today

Best to you and your bride

[cookiedough]

I sort of know what you mean about big city driving, although Madison WI is not huge like Phoenix, etc. it is bad enough with traffic and cagers and road construction all around.  I drive 35 miles one way and takes me 20 minutes to go 25 miles while the last 25 minutes takes me ONLY 10 more miles every single day in the bigger city.  I absolutely HATE driving that last 10 minutes into traffic and construction.  It got to be so bad with road construction and detour routes I had a tough time getting even into Madison was a HUGE pain in the _utt even some of my country backroads were under construction or new subdivisions are expanding outside the big city very, very annoying.

A lot of my side roads I cannot safely pass and every single day I catch up to some cager going the speed limit or slightly under which in my rural roads is 35 or 45 mph when it is safe to do 55 mph but since so many city folks building houses in the near country they have to lower the speed limit even though is in the country newer subdivisions going up lowers speed limit. 

EVERY single day once I get past Verona WI area and onto county roads AWAY from traffic I am relived only meeting a few cars on the road the last 20 miles of 60-65 mph driving, but then come the deer out though more so.

I cannot imagine driving in a much BIGGER city car or cycle as Phoenix, etc. coming from a town of 1200 people where the biggest city in entire county is only 10000 population.

[3fan4life]

Have you considered renting a small storage unit in an area that you do enjoy riding in and just driving there and back.

Just a thought, I know that for me the thought of giving up riding coincides with being 6 feet under.

[scooperhsd]

Have you considered renting a small storage unit in an area that you do enjoy riding in and just driving there and back.

Just a thought, I know that for me the thought of giving up riding coincides with being 6 feet under.

+1 - or if I simply can't handle the demands of riding anymore. In which case 6 feet under is not too far away....

[SCain]

Do what you feel is the right thing for you and your SO, it really sucks when its no longer any fun. Just for the reasons you listed I have only rode in town (Albuquerque) a few time in the last five years, used to ride everyday to work, those days are gone.

[Westernbiker]

Thanks for all the support and ideas, it is so much appreciated and really got me thinking. But alas, I do believe, that at this point in my life, the best thing to do is to sell the bike and count my blessings, as I know, He, has been watching out for me all the years I have been on two wheels.
I always believed it was not a matter of if, it was a matter of when and how bad it was going to be. As I stated, I've been lucky so far.
My dad passed away this year and he was a long time bike rider and traveler also. Before his passing he told me, 'Chuck, get rid of the bike. It has become dangerous around here' I think he will be happy with my decision.
I will still be able to enjoy some wind, as I have the 2000 Trans Am with T-Tops and 3 weeks ago I add a 2006 Corvette with removable roof to the stable. And there is always the opportunity to rent a bike, if the itch ever needs to be scratched again.
Thanks for hearing and letting me rant just a little bit. I so enjoy you all and the stories that are told. I will still lurk around and maybe post or add a comment once in a while, or a pic or two from a sports car trip LOL!  

[RDKLL]

I know what you are talking about. I live in far east Mesa, very close to Apache Junction...and it is crazy...not bad enough that I will quit riding yet. The idiots with the cell phones (now illegal state wide...but there is an "education period of over a year)...you gotta do what you gotta do.