How dangerous are motorcycles? 

If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us ;) ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide. - The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you. - The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills. In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more. By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills. www.MCrider.com/Member

35 years on 2 wheels and not even a scrape. What do I attribute that to? NEVER EVER thinking I am invincible. I won't even get communications in my helmets because I don't want my passenger talking to me. I won't go near alcohol if I am getting in the saddle. I avoid riding at night wherever possible. I ride as if I am invisible.

Our brains do a weird thing where if we do something dangerous and get away with it, we start to think it is not dangerous.

Kevin, you're killing me (pun intended)...you're starting to sink in. I'm young, (relatively) and I've always had a tendency to push the limits because I enjoy the feeling it creates. Moving an 800 lb. bike through some S turns with some pace is a lot of fun. But since I have started watching you, I've seen myself slowly begin to adjust. I've started wearing gloves. I've started wearing my Tourmaster riding jacket. And I'm starting to have the desire to switch to riding with my full face versus my half helmet. But now, watching this video and thinking about my little ones, I want to be able to ride my motorcycle for many many years - especially with my son. I need to change my riding style. You have won me over!! Thank you!!

My first MSF instructor put it very simply in a way that sticks with me 20 years later. Motorcycling is risky and dangerous. But we mitigate that danger by consciously managing the risk. Proper safety gear, concentration, being sober, staying within limits, and most of all, humility.

Recently I was riding with a friend. we both started riding at the same time about 10 years ago. I moved away and this was the first time we rode together in 5 years. We where on a road with beautiful curves and he was riding at a high speed I ride with in my limits which is the speed limit slowing down in to a curve and accelerating out of it. He took off and I was ok with that. I ride for my self. He pulled over when he didn't see me and said what's wrong with you why you riding so slow. I said I'm not and I ride in my comfort zone. I enjoy riding for other reasons then looking cool. He had his girlfriend on the back and was trying to impress. After that ride I informed he that I would not be riding with him again.

"Riding a motorcycle is the best thing I could possibly do for myself" I couldn't summarize it better myself.

As a young radio and TV reporter, I was sent to cover a lot of major accidents and I saw a lot of death. More death when I served in Vietnam. As a network news cameraman I walked through the streets of Mexico City after it's crippling earthquake in 1985 and I saw body parts everywhere in the rubble. I also shot everything in an ER overnight on a Saturday night. 2am was rush hour. I watched two people die in front of me that night. I know how fragile life is and I drove like an old man long before I was an old man. I won't follow close. I wont go around a corner with any speed if I can't see through the corner. I don't think of myself as invincible. Here in Dallas, while going up the freeway that goes north from downtown at 1am, there's almost always a couple of guys on sport bikes passing me at a very high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic. My thought is that they believe that they are immortal. They need to spend a weekend overnight in an ER. I love riding my motorcycle but as Popeye says, "Ya pays yer dues and ya takes yer chances". However, those chances don't have to stack so heavily against you with some training and some distance and some sobriety.

You look squarely at motorcycle safety issues and address them directly. That's what sets you apart and makes your contribution to motorcycling so valuable. Thanks.

When I started riding about three years ago in my mid-50’s, I told my wife I’d do everything to manage my risks appropriately. By not drinking, not speeding, not riding at night, wearing hi-viz gear, running added lighting, and keeping my bikes in good shape I like to think I’ve cut the odds significantly more in my favor. Oh yeah, I also know I’m not invincible.

The fellow who quit riding, started his comments with "I considered myself immune." BAMMMM! Anyone who believes they are immune ought to get off the bike, TODAY! Always, always, always admit you have limitations as a rider and start every ride thinking "I will not exceed my skill limitations!" Good vid as always. Glad to support you as a Patron. You are "Preaching to the choir" but, to be sure, you remind all of us of what we frequently need to be told.

I'm from the UK and have just turned 17. I have completed my compulsory training and am ready to get my bike. I really appreciate your work as it really does help new riders to have the information you can only get from a very experienced rider such as yourself that can one day help save our life. God bless and thank you.

I posted this in a MC forum I frequent. This happened to me today. "Beautiful day. I just happened to watch an MC Rider video on the dangers of MC riding before heading out. For the entire ride I kept reminding myself, "ride within your skill set", "no road rage", "no over-confidence", etc. I was enjoying a wonderful country ride. County roads, very little traffic. 50 mph cruising. Then it happened. I came up behind a farm tractor with a huge implement. Two cars following it and I'm trailing behind the cars a couple hundred feet. Long tangent stretch, cars pass OK then it's my turn to pass . I did everything I was supposed to except maybe one thing. I looked at the tractor for turn signals, Looked for a farm driveway, looked for field access road, an intersecting road, high beam on. No turn signal on the tractor, no driveway, no field access (that I could see anyway). At about 40- 45 mph I signal and execute the pass. The farmer has a passenger in the cab (distraction, potentially). As I came alongside and passed the huge implement the tractor started to cross the center line to turn into an access road I couldn't see (tall grass). I couldn't brake or the implement would have hit me, so I did the only thing I could do. There was about a 2 ft + gravel shoulder. I rolled off the throttle and onto the shoulder and prayed to God the farmer saw me and would stop the turn. The shoulder was slopped a bit and I was afraid of sliding into the deep ditch. Being as cool as I could I kept the bike on the shoulder and prayed the VTX would stay upright. It did. Thankfully at that point I think the farmer saw me and aborted his turn. I stayed on the shoulder until I slowed enough I could get back on the pavement safely. I checked my mirror and the farmer had stopped in the middle of the road waiting, I suspect, to see what happened to me. It happened all so fast. I stopped at a gas station a couple miles down the road and got a cup of coffee and thanked God I was safe. That was as close as danger can get without harm. I could have reached out to my right and touched the front tractor tire when I was on that small shoulder. Man, the hazards are out there. In the middle of nowhere. I've passed many farmers and their tractors. This is the kind of area I love riding. The only other thing I think I could have done was lay on the horn before and during passing. I'll probably do that from now on. However, he was in an air conditioned closed cab with a passenger. I'm happy to be typing this and not laying in the ER of a rural hospital or worse. I'm so glad my instinct to brake didn't kick in or that implement would have owned me as it was wider than the tractor and I was tight against the tractor. I'm posting this so you guys out in rural America may read this and remember the hazard these tractors/implements pose!! Ride safe! Don't take anything for granted!" Rog

This video single handedly made me a motorcycle rider. I was scared to death to ride a motorcycle but really want to ride with my Dad before he decided to hang it up.

I was Tboned by a 4 wheeler in the middle of the block. Lost my leg, a bunch of skin, some mobility...but I’ll never quit. I will say that I discovered MC Rider AFTER. I had lots of miles and years behind me, but your videos have helped me immensely. Thanks Kevin.

I've been watching these since before I even had a bike, and now that i actually ride, your videos have helped me greatly, so thank you.

Best thing I've ever heard and something I still play in my head sometimes when I ride. There are old bikers. There are bold bikers. But there are very very few old, bold bikers.

Love this channel. You’re an honest guy that tells it like it is and I’ll always have respect for that. Thank you Kevin and keep the videos coming.

Keven, Thanks for putting motorcycle riding risk in the proper light, your words resonate with my own experience. I too was young and invincible and had to learn the hard way. There were no bike schools back then and the best I could do was follow other around. With today's huge knowledge base on how to ride different types of bikes under different road conditions, it would be foolish not to avail yourself of it. I have learned so much about keeping the suspension under control from studying lots of books on performance riding that carry over to my daily riding. It helps a lot to understand the physics of riding, something you will not learn just following someone around. Road strategy and second guessing myself - I was riding a back country road on a sunny day and was having a blast on my Ninja 1k. I was returning on the same road that I knew a short while ago to be clear and wasn't expecting any problems. I came upon a sharp corner in dappled sunlight making it impossible to read the road conditions. I felt that I should slow down, but I thought to myself "It was clear coming the other way!!". My adherence to rules, in general, kicked in and I slowed down to a maneuvering speed. Am I glad I did for there was a ton of sand that had collected in the corner waiting to bite me. The lesson is don't override good rules with hope. Luck doesn't last forever!

Another great video! Keep up the great work!

Always good information!

Another informative video. Thanks Kevin.

Thank you Kevin, amazing videos, always a priceless amount of information!

Great video Kevin! Keep me coming!

Another excellent video. Thanks Kevin!

Great video, Kevin! Thanks for the quality information! Greetings from Brazil!

Indeed you are making a difference, Kevin. Thx for everything you do! 🏍👍🏍

Awesome content, Kevin!

Well done. Thanks for your work.

Wow! Your best video that I've seen. You are absolutely right. Keep it up! Thanks, BR

Kevin another thought provoking message. I have been riding for twelve years and ride every day about 80miles. You always make me think about my riding and how to behave. Great videos thank you.

Awesome honest video, thank you..!!

Great job. Thanks for your videos

I like you man (and hour bikes). This is really good stuff. I enjoy your videos alot. Safety is always top of mind. Thank you for making them.

Kevin, just wanted to say thank you for all that you do. I greatly appreciate you spreading your knowledge how to ride safely, lowering one's risk of an incident. Keep up the fantastic work!

Amen Kevin, great video thanks!

Always great info thank you

Kevin, I've only seen a few of your videos so far but I sure appreciate them. Your common sense, safety-oriented message comes through loud and clear on every one of them. You're making me a better rider. Thanks for all that you do.

What a joy it is to read so many positive comments about your channel, Kevin. You have a great, low “no nonsense” delivery, and a message that is always very thought provoking. Well done. Keep up the great work!

Thank you Kevin, your knowledge is king!!

Thank you for your time and videos...

Thank you for your passion for riding and safety. I was happy to become a patron today because of your obvious desire to help every rider be as safe as possible on the road. Plus the videos are straightforward and entertaining. Keep it up!

Good stuff as usual sir! Thank You!

Another Great Video Kevin. Keep up the good work.

Kevin in short thank you for all you do for the RU-vid community and the ridding community. Just recently got back into ridding and my first thought was to hit RU-vid up for some training or reminders. That’s how I found your channel and to be completely honest with you, even my original training was ever this detailed. So my family, and I thank you, keep up the awesome job.

MCrider, I don't know if you've mentioned it, but for me, just as important to me as "don't drink and ride", is my insistence that I WILL NOT get on a motorcycle unless I've had at least 7 hours of sleep. If I'm tired at all, it's as bad as being drunk. I know the risks and I know how important it is that I'm alert and have quick reaction time. Being super tired while riding is as stupid as chugging a vodka before riding.

Outstanding video, thank you for what you do.

Very good topic Kevin & interesting stats. Thank you.

My youngest just started riding. He lives too far away for me to help him. Before he started riding, I strongly advised him to watch this channel. I got a chance to ride with him about a month ago for the first time. We rode a couple hundred miles together. All I can say at this point is "Thank You" from the bottom of my heart! He is off to a good start and he is still and always will be a fan of this channel. This channel has helped keep my riding family a whole lot safer.

Gday Kevin, you know that saying , You can take a horse to water, but you cant make it drink, if someone doesn't want to help themselves or maintain a safe bike , or ride safe, what do we do, i see so many EGO riders here in Australia, taking unnecessary risks ,overtaking on double lines, on a crest, blind corners, just trying to stay with the pack, or riding out of there abilities, i dont understand, is the main reason EGO or Pride, why do some riders think they got away with it once, so they keep doing it, anyway, love your videos, stay cool mate.

Very good video Kevin very well said.

keep up he great work Kevin and thanks!!

Kevin, another good one! Thanks for your continuing effort. I've been riding for 40 years and had one smash only when I was 19. That resulted in metalwork being inserted into my leg. That took 6 months before I could walk. When I saw the bike under a sheet smashed up at my parents place I vowed I'd never do that again to me or the bike. I went and got myself well trained, then eventually went on to train others. Now I get a huge kick every ride knowing I've got a system that works and that other riders I've trained in the past are still out there. Training and thinking ahead, can't beat it.

I’m 56 and currently riding through Russia from Germany. The car drivers here, and in the former Soviet Baltic states, spend as much time looking at their smartphones as they do the road...it’s of immediate concern. I’m putting into practice your tips, Kevin...especially giving myself an escape path when stopped at lights (as I see people approach from behind with eyes on/off the phone); leaving adequate distance between me and vehicles in front and being prepared when people inevitably cut in and reduce the distance; picking the best line through bends and on straights given road conditions and visibility...and overall riding to the conditions. Many roads are appalling, unbelievably bad, and I’ve got to ride to the conditions. The most challenging ones are current repairs and new construction because there’s gravel everywhere. So far no spills yet, but I’m as vigilant as I can be, and I ride with a degree of alertness to the unexpected. I’m also lucky that im under no time pressure and I’ll stop, or stay an extra day or two if I’m tired. I see a lot of bikers trying to get to Siberia and back inside their 4 week annual holiday, covering 15,000-20,000 km or more in 3-4 weeks, and to me that’s really pushing it from a safety standpoint on Russian roads with a lot of pretty poor drivers. But a great trip so far, and the lean sensitive ABS and traction control have been amazing, and your tips help enormously.

Great and very informative! Thanks for the video!

Awesome video Mr. Kevin. Thank you so much!

Kevin thank you so much please consider coming to Chicago and training some of us newer riders I LOVE MY BIKE and my goal is to stay safe.

''I need to work on my subscriber numbers'' hahahhaha that line killed me Kevin good work thank you i watch every single video of yours and as a new rider that i am you are really helping me out very much because the license driving school does not teach you much more than the ''basics'' here in my country unfortunately,you also have to bribe to be sure that u get your license as a greek tradition otherwise the possibilities of getting it are really low.anyway looking forward to your next video.

Great video, good information. Thanks for share.

You’re awesome,,, thanks for putting these videos together.

hell yeah, took me till I was like 26 to stop trading what I wanted to do for the convenience of others. Before then I always wanted one but would remember my family/friends' guilt trips and fear mongering, put my head down, and walk away.

People laugh at me when I'm spending hours spinning like a top in the parking lot, I laugh at them when we go out to ride. Love your content MC, I am thinking about recording my practices to share for newer riders like myself. I've only been riding for only 2 weeks but following the practices, I'm able to improve really fast. I spent most of the first two weeks practicing all the important stuff you mentioned repeatedly over and over. I've upshift downshifted (get the rev match proper and fast) maybe 100 times within the first few days, just got back from an entire hour of riding with nothing but slow tight turns in parking lot (clutch, rear break, throttle), now I can do U-turns within 2 parking spots consistently. The improvement is much more satisfying than going out and speeding on roads in my opinion. Eventually I want to be able to do those cops skill test kinda courses, after that, I'll prolly move on to some track related stuff to learn further more. My gears are cheap, but following your advice, I've not once gone out without full gear on even riding in parking lots. Hot as hell, but sweating better than bleeding!

Another brilliant video, love your work kevin, thanks mate.

Great Video Kevin, thank you !

Another great presentation of an important topic! Staying safe on our motorcycles is our own responsibility. Theres a lot we can do to reduce the likelihood being involved in an accident. We can't blame anything else. Not gravel, not rain, not drivers that don't see us, and yes, not even those idiots on their cell phones. It's up to us to stay safe!

In addition to what you've said, i believe if DMV's promote motorcycle awareness and education for all drivers, it would further help casualties and fatalities.

Love all your videos and your heart about seeing others enjoy something you enjoy! Awesome stuff!

Absolutely brilliant video.

I'm a subscriber from New Zealand and just got my first motorcycle on Saturday. My friend who has several motorcycles was nice enough to ride my new bike from the dealership out of the city to a quiet road where I suited up and did about 10 or 20 runs up and down this back road before he said I was good enough to join the other traffic. In my mind I was hearing you saying always leave traction in reserve and always leave skill in reserve which I did, I left lots in reserve! The roads were twisty in places with a speed limit of 100kmh 62mph. My biggest problem was riding too slowly I had to pull over at every opportunity to let traffic past. Being new to motorcycles and the feeling of travelling fast because of all the wind. The reason I was riding so slowly was I wasn't confident in my stopping distance. In my car I can see/imagine on the road ahead of me where I could stop by if I had to but on my bike I haven't got that sense yet so I was riding at very conservative speeds because what if I had to stop? I don't know yet where on the road I would come to a stop at my current skill level. It is winter here in New Zealand right now so there won't be many good riding days but practicing braking and emergency stops is on my todo list as a new rider. That will give me a lot more confidence to ride faster.

I assume that death is around every curve, just out of sight, and I ride accordingly. When I go fast it's with unlimited visibility, in the desert where there is no cover for animals along the road. I trust only what I can SEE. In corners I choose my speed based on the assumption that I'm going to slide off the road. How many bones do I want to break?

Thank you Kevin. Another great video. Enjoy the 4rh

Thanks Kevin for another thoughtful informative video. You rock!!

4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul..

Great video, as always!

Brilliant video. Well done. Thank you!

This was awesome Kevin! So well done and honest and sensible.

Thanks for making these videos, they're enjoyable and relatable

Thanks for another great video, Kevin! I’m really learning a lot and am applying what I’ve learned, on every ride!

Great video thank u for making this Kevin.

Keep on keepin on brother!

thank you for all your videos, you are helping a lot of new riders like me. Cheers!

These are awesome videos, thank you.

Thank you! I appreciate your effort very much. Nice videos!

Love it, keep'm coming!

very informative sir .......pure transparency

Your videos are excellent. Thanks for doing this. Agree with you on all points.

Thanks for making your videos, I’ve learned so many valuable lessons from watching your channel!👍

Thanks Kevin, this is a great video, hits many of the pitfalls, reviews good stats, and nice transition to each point.

Fantastic !! Spot on !! Thank you

Thank you for this Kevin, your input and commitment to riding and safety is invaluable, thank you 🙏

Thanks for your dedication to rider safety

Kevin, All your videos a great, but this is one of your great ones. Keep up brother!!!

thanks mc rider you have valuable information on keeping it safe on the road keep up the good work

Thanks kevin... your a true teacher and advicer...GOD BLESS YOU

Kevin, this is your best video so far. Keep it going.

I am excited to see your continuing education video every Friday 👍

Thank you Kevin for what you do

I'm always happy to be reminded of the cautions I should take. Thanks.

You’re awesome, thanks for your videos

Love this channel. Best motorcycle training videos ever. Greetings from Mexico!