The Ever-Frustrating Conversation About Riding Motorcycles

It happens to anybody and everybody who owns or rides motorcycles. Friends, loved ones, family, and sometimes random people you just met love to tell you why it's not a good idea and how it's not worth risking your life to have a little fun.

As if riders are completely clueless to the inherent danger of two wheels, others always seem to have an opinion about how you should be living your life. Because it usually comes from a place of love and caring, it's usually okay—take their concerns into consideration and move on with your day. But, boy, can it get tiring hearing and saying the same thing over and over again. Here's a stereotypical, exaggerated example of how it usually plays out:

Person Who Doesn't Understand Motorcycles Because He/She Has Never Ridden (P): How was your weekend?

Every Person Who Rides (E): It was great! The weather was perfect for taking the bike out.

P: Oh, that's your motorcycle outside?

E: Sure is.

P: It looks fast, is it fast?

E: It does the job.

READ MORE: Tips for Teaching Somebody To Ride, From an MSF Instructor | RideApart

P: Do you wear a helmet?

E: Yes, alwa—

P: Because you need to wear a helmet, those people not wearing helmets are crazy!

E: Yeah, I always wear a h—

P: Motorcycles are so dangerous. Did you get your license?

E: Yep. I took an extra riding cla—

P: You better be careful on that thing. I don't want to see on Instagram that you got in an accident. I know a [enter friend, cousin, parent, coworker] who was in the hospital for weeks after crashing.

E: I hope he's okay.

P: He recovered but wised up and said he'd never ride a bike again.

E: I'm sorry to hear that. I actually was in one a few months ago.

P: What!? Are you okay!?

E: Yeah, I"m fi—

P: What happened!?

E: Somebody didn't see me, an—

P: This is what I'm talking about, you shouldn't be out there riding motorcycles, it's not safe.