Engine type is also a factor. Twins have a linear power band and high rev 4 cylinders have very peaky power bands. It's easier (relatively) to handle a big twin than a 4 cyl of the same power because the power comes at a steady rate where as gobs of power come from a 4 cyl like a switch was flipped when you hit a certain rpm. The sudden power is harder for newbies to deal with when they're still learning the basics.

Every guy should ride a motorcycle.

How did this turn into a motorcycle safety thread? He obviously didn't live his life to the fullest or he would have bought the bike 40 years earlier. He also would have had the respect an admiration of his wife instead acting like her child waiting for permission. A guy like this probably has to beg for sex all the time to get it twice a year.

Heh. As a bike rider myself I can only shake my head. Had a girl once who confronted me about it, completely in tears saying she was afraid every time I went on a ride and couldn't be with me if I kept riding etc.

My response? "Okay, that's your choice". Stare of disbelief and immediate shut down, tears stop instantly.

Topic never came up again.

I always laughed at stories like this circulating my warehouse gig in college. What the hell do you mean she won't LET you do x? You're a grown-ass man! Go do x. "It doesn't work that way kid." Not with that attitude it doesn't.

The worst part about this story is that it wasn't his wife that did this to him, he did this to himself.

Reminds me of two things:

This: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUe-Hx3iQPI

and this: https://i.imgur.com/clTCAbG.jpg

This is a good chart:

http://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/motorcycle1.jpg

Having done at least 100,000 miles on street motorcycles (as well as motocross racing) I know that you can never let your guard down.

While twenty year olds die the quickest, the older folks are dying more than they used to.

I'm 53 and have largely (wisely) switched to cycling instead of street riding on motorcycles. I also prefer bike trails because they are more relaxing. (and I live in a place with great trails)

Old guys with no motorcycle experience are best to just not ride.

As a life-long rider, this is all too true. But first off, obviously I've never let a woman influence my riding. I've had GFs who were afraid to ride, and expressed their fear of my safety. A few soft words from me, but no change in riding.

So, one year I decided to do the Love Ride. 20,000 motorcycles. An uncomfortably large number were brand new Harley's, clearly ridden by a new rider (all new gear, logos everywhere - you know).

So. Many. Dropped. New. Harleys.

And the serious riders with the vintage Harleys? So. Many. Broken. Down.

But yeah, riding basically 5 lanes of highway, with every lane full of bikes and every lane being split on all sides, along with the large number of newbies with too-large bikes? Never again.

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I'm friends with a guy who teaches motorcycle licensing courses at the local Harley dealer in my town. Every time, he says the age 50+ guys are the worst to try to teach. He calls them "Bucket Listers". They don't really want to learn anything, they just want to be able to cross "bought a motorcycle" off the bucket list.

Sucks but life doesn't coddle the stupid or inexperienced.

Riding is a skill, like playing a musical instrument. It takes time, and thousands of hours of riding to even begin to get good. There's a bit of natural innate skill required too, if you don't have it, you just don't.

I ride, have from the time I was a child. Crashed a few times, shit happens. If I die on a bike then OK, everyone's gotta go.

I always feel a bit sick when I meet some old guy who says he had to hang it up long ago, "cause his wife said so", and he regrets it and wishes he could still ride.

This is what happens when you buy a Harley. They don't corner.

Me: I hit 40, bought a 150cc scooter. Moved up from that after a couple of years learning. I have some titanium in my bones I didn't used to have, but I'm still alive.