How many years of riding do you have

[the inspector]

What the heck, we talk about everything else. So how many years have you under your belt. This will shead some light on the "do you wear a helmet or not question" I for one started riding before helmet and license laws. I do resent the fact that my state (NY) insist they protect me from myself by making me wear a helmet and (in the car) a seat belt. And also make me pay for a license to ride. Well in NY I do wear a helmet although most of the time it is a skid lid (non dot) to just have something on my head that some what looks like a helmet, I do have three or four good helmets that will last me forever due to lack of use. When we ride it's into PA a non helmet state to ride like we want (skid less) I do wear my seat belt after getting a ticket for not wearing it, and do keep my commerical & MC license up to date. Now most of the time it's a country ride without the lid. I don't ride much at night anymore or in the metro areas, when I ride now it's long and in remote places, no need to pose in town.  And by the way my time on two wheels is about from early teens to sixty two, 500,000 miles I guess and many crazy bikes, some fast and some cool and smooth. I don't really like anyone telling me what's good for me and how to make me safe, only YOU can make you safe by what you do and how you do it. Besides as we all know we all have a number and when it's punched that's it buddy. If we worried about what might happen would you ever leave your house? So no on the lid in PA, yes in NY, yes on the seat belt because of the law and yes on the license because of the law.

"the inspector"

[Tonysax]

  19 years here. I bought a Honda SL350 basket case for $50 a month before my son was born so I would have a "motorcycle grandfatrher clause". She figured it would never see the road, I toiled and read books and toiled some more. Got it running and progressed ... 80 Suzuki 550 , 72 CB750-4, then my 98 Valk Tour. I'd do it all over again.

[Ferris Leets]

Started at 12 with a Honda 50. First road bike a 80 Suzuki.  That's 44 years probaly around 200k miles give or take 50k.

[Ghost]

Well i am Fifty, started on mini bikes and then i remember a 450 honda, a BSA and many more bikes in between. Now i am on my second Valkyrie and i have another bike, but we won't go there yet. The Valkrie is still the best bike i have. So at least 35 years.

[FLAVALK]

I started at 12 on a friends Yamaha Twin-Jet 100 which I thought, at the time, had to be the most magnificent machine in the world! After that I owned a bunch of dirt/muti-purpose bikes and learned the physics of riding in the dirt...great place to start. Later I owned a few street bikes and managed to not get killed. I took a few intermissions when the kids were born and young but managed to beg or borrow bikes even then. I got back to riding again "full time" in 1998....and it continues  

[BF]

I started riding motorcycles around 12 years old and owned and rode several bikes from harleys to hondas to yamahas from around then 'till about 26.  Kids and responsibilities got in the way for many years...although, I was always wanting to return to riding but just never seemed to be able to.  Too many bills and other responsiblities I suppose.    

Got kidney cancer in 2005.  Got over kidney cancer by 2006.  Decided if I don't ever buy a bike and ride again, it'll end up being never if I don't act real soon.  

Started casually looking around, then a little more seriously looking around.  Narrowed my choices down to a VTX 1800 or a Valkyrie.  The size of them sold me.....I'm a big guy and needed something that'll fit me and they seemed to more than anything else I looked at (sorry Harley....you're just too small for me).  

Like I said, I was looking, but not really too hard.  Then, I found a Valk in the paper.  Turned out it was about a 2 hour drive away.  Didn't give it much though untill the wife wanted to take a day trip in that direction.  About half way there I decided to give the owner a call not really thinking that it'd still be there.  It was!  Got there, took a look.....made an offer....he took it.  

Came back a couple days later and rode it home.  That was the first time on a bike (much less one this huge) in years.  It......was........freakin'........great!  

Been ridin' the heck out of it going on year two now.  Feel like a kid and I'm kicking myself a little for waiting sooooo long to get back in the saddle......but I'm in it now and that's what counts.  

  

[Big IV]

1998 until now. That's a little over 200K miles all totaled between all the bikes. So, I guess I'm a new rider.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

What the heck, we talk about everything else. So how many years have you under your belt. This will shead some light on the "do you wear a helmet or not question" I for one started riding before helmet and license laws. I do resent the fact that my state (NY) insist they protect me from myself by making me wear a helmet and (in the car) a seat belt. And also make me pay for a license to ride. Well in NY I do wear a helmet although most of the time it is a skid lid (non dot) to just have something on my head that some what looks like a helmet, I do have three or four good helmets that will last me forever due to lack of use. When we ride it's into PA a non helmet state to ride like we want (skid less) I do wear my seat belt after getting a ticket for not wearing it, and do keep my commerical & MC license up to date. Now most of the time it's a country ride without the lid. I don't ride much at night anymore or in the metro areas, when I ride now it's long and in remote places, no need to pose in town.  And by the way my time on two wheels is about from early teens to sixty two, 500,000 miles I guess and many crazy bikes, some fast and some cool and smooth. I don't really like anyone telling me what's good for me and how to make me safe, only YOU can make you safe by what you do and how you do it. Besides as we all know we all have a number and when it's punched that's it buddy. If we worried about what might happen would you ever leave your house? So no on the lid in PA, yes in NY, yes on the seat belt because of the law and yes on the license because of the law.

"the inspector"

Not really wanting a big flame war but your excuses for not wearing a helmet are just a lot of excuses. You use the exucse your old and somehow wiser so you don't need one. Your excuse about only YOU can make yourself safe is awfully bold too. You can be as safe as ever but one cage "didn't see you" and game over. Did you punch the out ticket or did he punch your ticket for you (early)?

Sorry but all your excuses do nothing for me as far as not wearing a helmet.

Like many on the board here, I'd be dead and 6 feet under if I wasn't wearing a helmet 2 years ago when I went down hard. I felt safe as ever right up until the point I woke up in the hospital. Thank goodness I was in full gear from head to (broken) toes.

I'm not posting this to start a flame war, it's more like if your going to be so bold to tell us why you-we shouldn't wear a helmet I'm going to be bold and call you a fool if you don't because you don't control everything.

And how long you've been riding has absolutley squat to do with how safe the roads are for us when we ride. It's a new battle everyday.

Raymond

[Big Rig]

Started in the dirt at about 12....POS yammie...turned 45 today Have 34k on the valk, between then and now, I would say 150k - 160k miles...definately dropped off since my boys were born 6 years ago...too many bikes to remember...

I have always road with a DOT helmet...thin on top so if I need to cover the bald spot, might as well cover it with a helmet....

[Errandboy]

About 53 years here, started in mid fifties as a teenager.  No idea how many miles.  Now on my 4th Valkyrie, motorcycle #46.  First bike was a '49 Triumph Thunderbird, single carb 650 cc twin.  Piece of crap, couldn't repair it as fast as it fell apart.  Swapped it for a '50 Harley Panhead, superb machine, reliable and rugged, just poured gas and oil in it and it would run just like a car.  Used it for years as a dirt bike all over the local mountains of northern New Mexico.  First summer I had that bike I put a hundred miles a day on it just driving it around town.

Rode for nearly 20 years without a helmet for the usual reasons of the era, thought you couldn't see well or hear traffic when wearing one. Early '70's I bought a Honda 450.  While waiting on the paperwork, i browsed the store and tried on a Bell open face Helmet.  Learned you could see and you could hear, so I bought the helmet along with the bike.  Couple months later a VW bus decided to make a U turn from the right lane while I was behind him in the left lane. (Going about 65 mph on a divided highway.)  I got a broken arm, leg, and back, but no head damage and the helmet absolutely saved my life; the 1/4" rivets were sheared off and blue paint from the VW smeared on the helmet.  Was a believer and steady user from that day on.

[R J]

Started on a 4 cyl Indian in 1944, been riding ever since, total almost 66 years.

32 years as a Motor officer and have raked up over a million miles on 2 wheels.

[gregc]

  I started summer of 1971, right after graduation from high school. I was the proud owner of a used,Harley/AMF 2 stroke, made in Italy dual purpose 175.   What a piece of junk, but it gave me my first taste of the wind in my face.  Haven't ever thought of not having some kind of cycle. So it has been 38 years, no idea of how many miles.  It was the law when I started to wear a helmet and I still do , even though my state dosen't require one by law

[BudMan]

44 years here, all of it with a hat on.  

Swapped it for a '50 Harley Panhead, superb machine, reliable and rugged, just poured gas and oil in it and it would run just like a car.

My '48 panhead is the ONLY bike I have that has NEVER left me on the side of the road. There's just not much to go wrong with it.

[Grumpy]

Been in the wind for 50 years now, first bike was a harley Servicar. lost track of how many I have owned, everything from a 125cc Allstate to the Valk I own now.
Have always worn a helmet, saw first hand a friend turned into a veggie from a head injury in 1960, just a 20 ,mph crash but bounced his head off a curb. Total waste of a young life. Too each his own, but I will always wear a helmet.  You will not catch me wearing shorts and flipflops on the bike.  I see some of the young warriors that think they are invincible , but some times they learn a hard lesson.

[Printer Mike]

Since 1963 at 16. Took a 28 year ownership break from 1978 'till 2005. I still feel like a newbie...

[DFragn]

39 years.

Riding life began on mini bikes & enduro's. When I was old enough to legally ride on the street my mother put her foot down. Not as long as I lived in her house. Dad lobbied on my behalf to no avail.

Once I moved out she was never aware of my first 3 street bikes, until last year that is!  And at 74 she went for a ride on my Valk and loved it.

I didn't consistently wear a helmet until around '89. It was by choice not law.  I've never been seen since without one.  OK, maybe a total of 200 miles I didn't.

My fastest ride. A borrowed Hayabusa. Hit an on-ramp to a freeway merging in at 80 mph. Then I did the only other thing I could do, I shifted into 2nd...hit right around 150 +/- for a couple miles with out a helmet. That was enough to last my lifetime...

There are riders who insist they will never go down, they're too good. All it takes is forgetting your in a high gear and stalling in a rolling curve doing 15 mph. Hit your head on the curb and you'll pick up the bike and yourself and ride on, but not without a helmet!!!

I don't live in a helmet law state. Nor does my favorite state to ride require helmets by law - WI. I'm surrounded and highly outnumbered by the non-helmet riding enthusiasts. I feel like a 1%'r.

Although, I like to be seen just as we all do on these amazing Valk's. I'm the one with a helmet that say's yup I wear one and look at me it matches my bike!
90% of the HD riders still swing an arm out and I know they see the helmet well before they see the radiator & timing belt cover. On second thought, maybe it's my batwing styled fairing that catches them off balance...Some on the other hand are entusiasts like me and don't care what ya ride.

I also have a 2nd Arai open face painted for Joanne, but she prefers to ride her VStar with the Nolan convertible. I reckon she doesn't want to be "seen" as I do, looking-over-the-top with 2 matching Valk helmets when she 2-ups with me.  

Or maybe if they spotted my car tire it would make sense!  

[Colin]

Started at 15 in 1966 in the UK when there were no helmet restrictions with a BSA Bantam (WW2 model) as a box of bits that I screwed back together and used for quite a while.

I always wore a helmet even though they weren't required by law (that changed in about 1968) in the UK.

Having worked as a Traffic Policeman in London for over 20 years I would never dream of riding without one. It is of course personal choice, but I am sure if you had seen some of the accidents that I had to deal with, I would hope that you would feel the same.

Safe riding

Colin
Retired and living in Spain.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I'm 52, my first bike was a Suzuki 80 my Dad (against my Mom's wishes) loaned me $150 bucks to buy when I was 11 or 12. I paid for it and my next bike by mowing grass. So I've been riding at least 40 years.

[Jack]

I've been riding since 1965.  My first bike was a Sears 106.  My first Honda was a CB160 in 1967.  I've owned a Kawasaki and a Suzuki for a short time but owned Honda motorcycles during the same period.  I bought my Valk in October 1998 and Shadow 750 for my wife in 2002.  In 2004 I bought her a VTX1300.  I had a Rocket III for a few months until I was run over by a drunk driver.  My use of a helmet and Jacket most of my skin and, very likely, my life.
I think helmet use is an individual's choice the same as suicide.

[hubcapsc]

I got a paper route and bought a brand new Yamaha LT-2 100 in 1972... I've always
worn a helmet regardless of my avatar (motel parking lot at Blue/Gray ride). I used to
ride in jeans and a tee-shirt, but now with draggin jeans and a Joe Rocket... if I ever wake
up in the hospital, I don't want to also be burdened with thinking I was foolish...

-Mike

[fnsmoak]

32 years on the streets, unknown in the swamps and fields.  Every street bike has been a HONDA.

And I've always ridden the bike whenever possible.  I've never been happier than giving away a Honda Hawk 400 after riding home on my new '83 SHAFT-DRIVE Shadow 1100.  I hated having to buy chains/sprockets for street use.

Unknown mileage - Seven street bikes.  I buy 'em to ride, not trade.

[Bagger John - #3785]

38 - got my first street bike in '83 and have averaged 20k per year on the road since.

Dirt-bike miles don't count, and there's been a bunch of them too ...  

[Cliff]

My first bike was when I was in the seventh grade at age 13, a Honda 305 Super Hawk.  That was back in 1969. Rode the Super Hawk in the dirt and on the street to and from school etc. (no I wasn't riding street legally until age 16 but what the heck) Others I've owned and ridden over the years: Honda trail 50, Honda 160, Honda CB450, Honda CB750K5, Valkyrie Interstate.  Yep all Hondas.  And always with Helmet.  There is nothing like riding and I am thankful I was introduced to the experience at a young age.  No clue how many accumulated miles But I ride when others won't (you know- the MC owners vs the MC riders  ) 20 degrees -scrape the frost of the seat and ride, rain in the forecast - ride - but bring the raingear.  I ride 8 months of the year here in NH.  When retirment comes (soon) plan on moving to a warmer climate to extend the riding season to all year long.

[solo1]

I started riding in 1947. 

My riding is coming to an end.  My Valk is sold.  The Nighthawk will keep me going for awhile.

Raymond made a good point.  Equating safety with miles ridden is a misnomer.  The danger of riding changes every day, in fact every minute.  No matter how prepared that you are,  some numnut out there will spring a new one on you and for that you better be ready with full protective gear.

Harry Hurt once said "You tell me what kind of accident you're going to have and I'll tell you what kind of protection you'll need"

Is it worth it to be a veggie or dead just because you want the wind in your hair or you want to make a statement about unjust helmet laws?

[Bob E.]

My first bike was a 1978 Suzuki DS80 dirt bike...I was about 6 or 7 years old (can't remember if it was before or after my b-day) in 1st grade.  I went through a few dirt bikes over the years and finally got my 1st used street bike while in college in 1991 at age 20.  It was a 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000...nothing like starting small, huh?  I rode it through college at PENN STATE until I graduated and got my first real job in 1995.  Then, I treated myself to a brand new (left over) 1994 Suzuki RF900RR sport bike (now that thing was fast!!), which I rode a few years until I decided I wanted to buy a house and needed to get my finances in order.  Plus, after taking a few 300 mile (each way) cross-state rides to visit my parents and brothers, I decided that if I was going to do that kind of riding, I'd need a bike more suitable for longer distances.  So I sold it in 1999 and went almost 2 years without any bikes.  Man, did that suck!  At least my dad would let me take his 'Wing out now and then, and my brothers both had bikes they would let me ride when I was in town.  But it all turned out for the best because in that time, I changed jobs, moved 300 miles back to my hometown, bought my grandparent's house after they passed away, and stumbled upon my Valk in the classifieds in June, 2001. It was a 1999 that the owner had bought in 2001 as a left-over, put just 390 miles on it, and decided that he didn't like it.  So he was selling it for $9500...I got it for $9000.

So adding that up, that's about 31 years of riding counting dirt bikes, and 18 years riding street bikes.  I'm 38 years old now.  Mileage wise, I put over 20,000 on the KZ, about 9000 on the RF, 39,000 on the Valk, and probably at least another 5000 miles on borrowed bikes for a total of 73,000 street miles.

[Valker]

I have 42 years riding and about 850,000 miles. I would guess about 5 miles of that amount was without a helmet, but that would be guessing on the high side.

[Brovietnam]

I am not sure whether I was 14 or 15 but my first set of motorized wheels was a Cushman Highlander.  I am in the seven digit number of miles and have worn out many motorcycles.  "Freedon of Choice"!  Vietnam Veterean, 95,000 miles on my '97 Valk and will probably look for another Valkyrie in the next year.  I forgot to say that I am 64 years old.

[Joe Hummer]

As a kid, I rode my dad's dirt bike every chance I could get.  I believe it was a 1975 (or so) Yamaha YZ250.  SWEET BIKE!!!  Street wise, I started riding when I was 17 on my 1980 Yamaha XS400SH.  I rode that thing EVERYWHERE!!!  My two big trips were 1) to Garland, TX for the summer between high school and college and 2) to DeKalb, IL that fall.  It is truly amazing that I had kids!  That little thing would rattle the fillings out of your teeth!

Then, I met my (now X-) wife, gave up the bike, had kids (again...somehow they could still swim after getting the crap shaken out of them on the 400), and hung up my helmet for 16 years.  On a trip out to Bristol, TN for the fall car race, we stopped by the in-law's place.  He rode and let me take out his VLX for a spin.  While I was gone, he talked to my wife about me getting a bike.  She brought it up to me on the way out and as soon as we got home, I was searching my my bike.  The bike I got was a 2002 Honda Shadow Spirit 1100...brand new in Sept 2001.  When I parked it in July 2006 (which is when I got the Valk), it had 54,600 miles on it.

I picked up the Valk with just under 15,372 miles on it, and I have 62,700 miles on it this morning.  That is a respectable 47,328 miles in 3 years...while working a full time job and raising 3 kids.    

Joe

[Hoser]

Started with a Cushman in 1963, still at it.  I'm with Raymond, A helmet saved my life twice since then.  
You do what you want, though.  Hoser
 

[~ Timbrwolf]

.....been around bikes since I was 8 years old, when I used to ride around on the back of my ol mans Harleys.....no helmet laws back then....I had this cap my father bought me like the Texaco guy wore...it was black with a white brim and had a wheel in the middle of the front with wings on either side...bought my first bike when I was 22 and promptly strapped my backpack to it and took off to live in Texas.....when I hit Louisana first thing I did was take that helmet off and stap it on the back....never wore a helmet the entire time I lived in Houston...



.....like I said....I been around bikes since I was 8.....been riding for close to 30 years....I believe that those of us who see being in the wind as more then...."a hobby"....take pride in plying our own....personal style...when we ride......we,ve had our "bad accident"....broken bones doing it.....we are well aware of the.."risk"....we take ever time we throw a leg over our machine and head out seeking our newest adventure in the wind....."roll the dice".....is a motto Ive lived by for most of my life....Im 54 ....been riding for years.....have a close friend who was basically...murdered....on his bike....and the killer never caught.....and I dont need some...asshat...telling me "how to ride"....or what a "fool" I am....for not wearing a helmet....if I go down, and Im not wearing a helmet....and I dont get back up....you can either say a prayer for me....or call me a fool...just make sure Im cremated with my cowboy boots on....and tell people I lived my life.....my way....and I died.....doing what I loved..

[roboto65]

I have been riding since about 83 when I went in the Army and was out of the house as my Dad had a bad time on motorcycles and did not want us on them. Well I joined the Army and got my first Honda Nighthawk 550 and rode the crap out of it on US/CA 1 and also raced at Laguna Seca in the hills.
When I got out of the Army I got a married and took some time off until about 7 years ago when I bought a Magna and about 2 months ago got my Valk IS need i say more     I also wear a helmet and gear better safe than sorry!!

[stormrider]

Like some others, started out on a mini-bike, a honda moped, and a BSA 650 Lightening. Then came other interests and responsibilities and no bike till April 06. Got a Kawa Mean Streak, realized I needed a bigger bike and ended up with an like new 01 IS and a 97 Standard. Sold the Standard in 07.

[SANDMAN5]

Do dirt bike years count? If so, I've got about 19-20 yrs, if not only about 8. Took almost
20 years off a bike to start a family and got back on a bike Dec 22, 2003. Rode my shiny
new Valk home in *38 weather and snow flurries!   Have no idea how many total miles
I've got, but about 52,000 Valk miles.

[Rowdy]

     about 38 years - with a helmet 

Summer of 71 after 4years with USMC purchased a 71 CL 350 Honda and have had at least 2 bikes in the garage since and as many as 7 at any one time - kinda got hooked (Dirt & street) 

Only 2 in the garage now the 99 Valk I/S and a 81 CB900 Custom 

[JimL]

I started riding in 1947.  

My riding is coming to an end.  My Valk is sold.  The Nighthawk will keep me going for awhile.

Raymond made a good point.  Equating safety with miles ridden is a misnomer.  The danger of riding changes every day, in fact every minute.  No matter how prepared that you are,  some numnut out there will spring a new one on you and for that you better be ready with full protective gear.

Harry Hurt once said "You tell me what kind of accident you're going to have and I'll tell you what kind of protection you'll need"

Is it worth it to be a veggie or dead just because you want the wind in your hair or you want to make a statement about unjust helmet laws?

Folks you best heed this advise from Wayne.....you can't buy information better than this.  For those who are still not convinced, just ask Kingbee if he feels that he would be with us today had he not been wearing protective gear last week.

I started riding in 1969, however I took a sabbatical from owning a bike from 1974 - 2004 and only rode my brother's bikes during that time.  The excitement of the Valkyrie forced me to become an owner once again.  I ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET.

[RedValk]

riding since 1972.....and...........always with a helmet of some sort...............

[Mikey]

You all make me feel like a pup! I started riding in 2002 when i was 15. First motorcycle I ever rode was my dad's '79 Suzuki 850. Bought an old Honda Hawk a year ago, and then went casually shopping for a motorcycle, stumbled across my Valk and the sales guy saw me looking at it. He walked up and without saying a word, started it up and gave it a few revs... SOLD!  

As for the helmet thing, I wear a helmet about 85% of the time. I live in a non-helmet state, and generally wear a helmet. But I still like to enjoy the wind in my face every now and then!

[Puffs Daddy]

Started on street bikes in college in 1965, so I'm at 44+ years and counting. As for the other issues, I never ride without a helmet and resent the hell out of paying a part of my insurance premiums to care for those who don't. Not to mention what their misplaced notion of personal "freedom" does to their friends and loved ones when they turn into vegetables or worm food. Ditto for seat belts.

And on a slightly more personal note, in May of this year one of my best friends (and one of the best riders I know) was nearly killed in a 30 mph crash when a cage pulled out in in an intersection six feet ahead of him. No skid marks. Just a classic t-bone. Fortunately, he was helmeted (in a REAL helmet) and leathered and managed to survive with a pelvis broken in five places, multiple broken ribs, and punctured organs.

[the inspector]

OK all....1st. I want to clear up the issue from Raymond. My reason for not wanting to wear a helmet is just that, My choice! No excuses, you riders can make up your own minds. But let me point out the reasons you ride a motorcycle in the first place. It's not the safest hobby you can find, you can fish or knit or paint. I suspect you all ride because of the way it makes you feel....even though you know of the danger of riding. The politicians already told you it's dangerous. To the old riders that started riding before the law bout helmets, you road in the wind, pretty much everyone told you (mom's, dad's, friends) your crazy.....it's dangerous. But you did it anyway, you liked the way it made you feel,  (Flirtin' With Disaster) as per Molly Hatchet. You were a wild child, doing your thing......until some politician said hey you should and we should.....fill in the blanks. With all the rules and laws today it seems like hey I'm really safe now and I'll live to a ripe old age. Bull, playing with guns, adultery, drugs, race cars and street racing, crap even going to church or mickyd's is dangerous, so whats the point. Their are only a few things we do in life to enjoy ourself's, most are dangerous but we still do them. All I'm saying is do what you want, it should be your choice, don't break the law and try to be as safe as you want to be...and don't play with matches. I am very conscientious about my safety and not as reckless as I was as a young man.....but still do like riding in the wind without my lid, and so if I hurt myself it's my fault for riding a motorcycle in the first place, it's a dangerous hobby. If you worry about hurting yourself try knitting.........

"the inspector"

[Puffs Daddy]

OK all....1st. I want to clear up the issue from Raymond. My reason for not wanting to wear a helmet is just that, My choice! No excuses, you riders can make up your own minds. But let me point out the reasons you ride a motorcycle in the first place. It's not the safest hobby you can find, you can fish or knit or paint. I suspect you all ride because of the way it makes you feel....even though you know of the danger of riding. The politicians already told you it's dangerous. To the old riders that started riding before the law bout helmets, you road in the wind, pretty much everyone told you (mom's, dad's, friends) your crazy.....it's dangerous. But you did it anyway, you liked the way it made you feel,  (Flirtin' With Disaster) as per Molly Hatchet. You were a wild child, doing your thing......until some politician said hey you should and we should.....fill in the blanks. With all the rules and laws today it seems like hey I'm really safe now and I'll live to a ripe old age. Bull, playing with guns, adultery, drugs, race cars and street racing, crap even going to church or mickyd's is dangerous, so whats the point. Their are only a few things we do in life to enjoy ourself's, most are dangerous but we still do them. All I'm saying is do what you want, it should be your choice, don't break the law and try to be as safe as you want to be...and don't play with matches. I am very conscientious about my safety and not as reckless as I was as a young man.....but still do like riding in the wind without my lid, and so if I hurt myself it's my fault for riding a motorcycle in the first place, it's a dangerous hobby. If you worry about hurting yourself try knitting.........

"the inspector"

That's fine. As long as you're willing to pay your own hospital and rehab costs without taking my insurance premiums, I'm happy to let you do whatever you like.