THE 5 Most Likely Riders to Die on a Motorcycle

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There are old motorcycle riders and bold motorcycle riders but there are very few old and bold motorcycle riders. Easy does it and enjoy the ride!!!

If this registers with even one motorcycle rider on your list, you just saved a life! Thanks Kevin

As someone who's spent many days & weeks working on the flight deck of 3 US Aircraft carriers during 12-16 hour flight ops, in all types of weather, Keeping you head on a swivel and being " in the moment" the entire time saves lives. Thanx for the list Kevin! 😊

I would like to share my experience when I had a motorcycle accident last year. I was making a left hand turn, I was only going around 12 mph, I failed to see the gravel in the turn and down I went. I was wearing full gear, the foot peg was ripped off, my full motorcycle boots saved my foot.. My head struck the road just off center, I was knocked out out for several minutes, my full face helmet saved my life. I ended up with one small friction burn on my forearm and walked out of the ER several hours latter. This has not put me off riding, I'm still riding my FZ07 and turn 64 this year. I consider myself lucky to be alive. I cringe when I see fellow riders wearing shorts, tee-shirt and sneakers while riding motorcycles.

The tailgating point almost caught me out last year. Riding home on the highway with lots of traffic but moving more or less consistently at ~80km/h. Went over a small hill and for whatever reason, cars had slowed down dramatically (guy in front of me almost rear-ended the next car). I was lucky that I reacted quickly and passed by him on the left shoulder, but it could have been bad. I had gotten too comfortable over the years, I try to be much more careful now.

This is not a fun topic to discuss, but it’s a reality. In fact, it’s a harsh reality. Well presented Kevin.

I had a crash 3 years ago. I was riding straight through an intersection and was hit by a car turning left. It was unavoidable on my end. He didn't see me until he hit me. I was thrown about 20' and landed on my head and my right shoulder on the pavement. I was wearing a full face helmet. No head or neck injuries but I did break my collar bone, sternum and 9 ribs ,fractured my shoulder blade and tore my rotator cuff. There is no doubt in my mind that if I had not been wearing my helmet I would be dead. My brains would be all over the pavement.

On tailgating...I do my best to stay out of wolf packs and blind spots. But there is one big exception: Certain intersections or oncoming left hand turn lanes that are known to be dangerous. In those cases I will sometimes bunch myself up with the cars rather than maintaining an ideal following distance. Not right on their bumper but close enough that there isn't time for someone to turn in between us. This is to prevent the minivan mom or BMW yuppie from turning left in front of me due to not seeing the bike and mistaking it for a break in the traffic. I just don't trust anyone. The person turning left in front of you is one of the biggest risks on a bike, and in that moment it outweighs the risk of being closer to the other vehicles.

I think the weekend warrior who only rides on "bluebird days" and who comes out of hibernation to ride on a nice spring day for the forst time in 6 months, that fellow or fellowette is at risk too.

One factor I might add is being distracted. My brother is glued to his phone, even while riding his bike he will take any incoming call. The most recent event after stopping at an intersection, he was so distracted talking on his phone that he didn’t even see a semi going through an intersection (that had the right away)that nearly hit him. His slow speed maneuvers are nonexistent. It’s really a miracle after all the miles he’s ridden that he has not had a serious accident. Neither of us are spring chickens ( both mid 60’s) Our last roadtrip was our last, just haven’t told him yet.

One change I make to help with the top one - replace the word "influence" with "effect". Loads of people seem to think "under the influence" means drunk, or at least tipsy, so if I'm not slurring and I can walk straight then I'm fine to ride. I always ask if you feel the effects of alcohol. Bit happier? Bit looser? Not even a buzz as such, just a bit more relaxed? If you have that then you are not drunk, but you're slower in observing, processing and reacting to the world out there and at even residential speeds that lag can kill you.

For those of you who think a 600cc bike is small, keep in mind that 600cc supersports can blast every speed limit in the country in 1st gear. The top speed of a 600cc supersport is 150 to 170 mph. If you are going to speed you now are responsible for even others' actions. My GSXR will stop and go better than any HD but I still keep my space bubble. I wear gear.

Drugs, alcohol or lack of sleep! If tired, pull over! Have a coffee! Don’t ride! This applies to both bikes and cars.

When I was young, I was frequently the top 3 riders on your list. I don't have a clue how I ended up getting past 25 years old. The traffic was a lot less and slower back then (80s) but I am amazed of my lack of responsibility. Thank God I was able to grow up.

I don’t feel you are scolding me Kevin. I feel love. Thank you.😊

I've owned many classic scooters and bikes. My last big bike was a GL1100 Interstate in 1991, I used to throw that around like a 50cc. I was off bikes from 1994 until 2014 when I went back to an LML150 scooter, then briefly an Aprilia 650, then a PCX150. Two years ago I saw a beautiful ST1300 in a dealer's showroom, I bought it based on fond memories of the Gold Wing, even thinking my wife and I could do Sunday trips into the country. The ST1300 scared the hell out of me, I did a total of 50kms and sold it within a month, even dropping it by inadvertently pulling away in 2nd and stalling. I might upgrade the PCX150 to a TMAX, but that's as big as I'll go, besides, twist-and-go is so much more enjoyable. I also no longer ride at night or in the rain.

My close calls have definitely been tailgating. I've learned my lesson.

Great stuff! On helmet vs no helmet. Couple weeks back there was a gentleman about two cars behind me on a sweet Street Glide. Light turned red. I stopped. Both cars stopped. He stopped. Was watching him in mirror (really like the color scheme on his bike) His foot went out from the oil spot on the road. When his bike tipped? It WHIPPED his head into the pavement! Got his bike up. Followed him home. He was a bit sore..but! If he had not had his helmet? Would have been a trip to the hospital at the least! ZERO mph! (that spot gets greased up from the coal bucket traffic) Also...Take some classes. Do some low speed work in the parking lot! Keep the rubber side down!

In the UK, and most of Europe, a new rider cannot jump straight onto large capacity/high powered machine. Even the shortest process, for riders over 24, requires compulsory basic training on a 125, theory and hazard perception test, followed by a training course on a 600cc+ machine, supervised by an instructor, then a 2 part driving test. Younger riders have to work their way through up to 3 successive 2 part tests, over several years, to achieve an unlimited licence.