I rode motorcycles most of my life. I stopped during the pandemic and I'm sort of thinking of maybe getting another bike. Trying to balance the fun with the realities of riding.
Anecdotally, I've been to the funeral of a fighter jet pilot years ago who died on a motorcycle after a bus cut him off, in the city. This would be someone at the top 1% of skill, attitude and experience. The reality of riding a motorcycle is that you are completely exposed/unprotected (leather vs. a metal box) and there are many situations you can't predict/control.
I've had a few crashes myself, including a high speed one, possibly some I could have avoided but for whatever reason didn't. People make mistakes, have poor judgement, and can't always be 100%. My worst crash was when someone T-boned me in the city doing an illegal left turn across three lanes. If I had been paying more attention I could have predicted/avoided/seen it but I didn't. I even had my visor open and got the handlebar in my face. I walked/drove away from that one just like all my other crashes with some minor injuries.
Anecdotally, I've been to the funeral of a fighter jet pilot years ago who died on a motorcycle after a bus cut him off, in the city. This would be someone at the top 1% of skill, attitude and experience. The reality of riding a motorcycle is that you are completely exposed/unprotected (leather vs. a metal box) and there are many situations you can't predict/control.
I've had a few crashes myself, including a high speed one, possibly some I could have avoided but for whatever reason didn't. People make mistakes, have poor judgement, and can't always be 100%. My worst crash was when someone T-boned me in the city doing an illegal left turn across three lanes. If I had been paying more attention I could have predicted/avoided/seen it but I didn't. I even had my visor open and got the handlebar in my face. I walked/drove away from that one just like all my other crashes with some minor injuries.