[Sheel]

Your time on the road in any means / mode of transport puts you at risk.

Riding is dangerous / risky and all that, but if you are level headed, anticipate, apprehensive, ride within your limits [out on the public road], gear up well, are aware of your riding environment / surroundings, I don't think you will get killed / maimed for life, no.

Whenever I go out for rides, I always have stupid thoughts of me either being a road-kill or becoming a vegetable, but these thoughts help me stay sane. I have my share of thrills in the hills [responsibly].

Those who are petrified, may I ask, how many fender benders you guys had? If you can maneuver a big car without hitting anyone, imagine what you can do on a bike.

Others coming to hit you [not purposely, but accidentally] - rarely happens if you are alert.

Remember, Motorcycling is never casual, it never was, it never will be.

Originally Posted by GTO

At best, I would go for organised track days or occasionally borrow a bike to get my fix.

Will request you to do this once. And please share your experience.

[Tushar]

I'd say any kind of motoring in India is high risk, so it's more so for two-wheelers. As much as I enjoy riding, you very consciously have to turn a blind eye to the truth that you can turn into a statistic for no fault of your own.

Forget bad drivers, there are several blood boiling variables besides - erratic pedestrians, unmarked speed breakers, roads that switch levels/materials as if they've been randomly generated like an OTP, dislodged divider blocks, even water tankers/garbage trucks that drop their sample sauces all over the road. All of these things are dangerous in a car but on a bike, even at low speeds, can prove life threatening or ending.

These things don't stop me from riding and I doubt they ever will (have crashed multiple times for an assortment of reasons). Even doctor friends of mine have called bikers "organs waiting to be donated" in jest. But there is a sense of happiness in the vulnerability of being a biker. Gear up every time, ride safely and very importantly, keep your expectations of safety and responsibility from other road users reasonable (not ideal). This is a country where even the police will run red lights and ride on the wrong side, so you're in for some misery if you apply international benchmarks to those around you.

[anjan_c2007]

I have voted the risk as "Medium", but is a nevertheless a cause of concern for both me and my family members. I have four two wheelers in my garage and regularly use two of them because these have become a part of my life now. Yes, there are three cars too with me but a two wheeler takes me to crowded places in the city, where I face both navigation and parking hassles with any four wheeler. And in these locations one does not exceed the speed of 20-30 kmph, the roads being cluttered with pedestrians, bicycles, hand carts, stray cattle and stray animals, two wheelers, three wheelers, lots of mini trucks to ferry goods, some cars and so on. I have not had any major accident with any two wheeler till date, but thats only and only TOUCHWOOD ! Once I had tripped while on my Yamaha RX 100, while negotiating a diesel spilled by some commercial vehicle on a road patch about 15 years back. Luckily, I escaped with some bruises and the bike's leg guard was slightly bent. I was driving at 30 kmph or so over the patch though unknowningly and was wearing a helmet. The traffic was low there or else it would have been disastrous.

The old Lambretta with me occassionally does some rides with fellow vintage club riders once in a while to the outskirts of the city, covering to and fro distances of upto 100 kms.

Hence, for longer distances and less cluttered roads its the four wheelers for me or else in the crowded ones, a two wheeler is OK. But one needs to be defensive while driving and also must wear protective gear. A very good quality helmet is an essential commodity for bikers. A pair of jeans and good quality shoes are more protective for the legs and the feet rather than normal trousers and sandals/chappals. We cannot wear gloves, knee protection pads/guards or elbow guards to the marketplaces, else we may appear to surface as "The Man from Mars".

[Carpainter]

I voted for medium risk although it depends on the road you're traveling. I'm a relatively new rider and my riding experience is only about 3 years or so whereas I've been driving for the last 14-15 years so yes I feel more comfortable behind the wheel than on a motorbike. I bought my first bike, the one I'm riding now, a 160cc commuter motorcycle, for those city run about and running errands. I've taken it to semi highways for a few months due to parking problem at my office but since then I never ride my bike on highway. For city running I think a two wheeler is risky but not highly risky and manageable. In fact in some crowded places it's the easier option and no parking worries either. But for highway runs two wheeler is a big no for me unless in an exigency.

[theqca]

I used to ride a lot. Owned quite a few nice motorcycles. Not anymore. I just woke up one day and decided that it's too big a risk. I didn't meet with an accident or something. It just took me a long time to realize that the thrill wasn't worth the risk.

I still have 2 old bullets which I retained as I didn't have the heart to sell them - I moved them to my farm and I ride a little bit on rural roads just for fun. But I'm never going to ride on a national highway or commute to office on a motorcycle in Bombay.

I have a gearless scooter (Aprillia) which I ride at around 20kmph about once a week to take wifey to the market. Its convenient. I think 30kmph is the fastest I've done on it so far. I'm sure all the kamikaze pilots on gearless scooters in town must be thinking I'm some lunatic for riding the way I do. But it's fine. I'd rather be alive than be a dead or handicapped racer.

[Sebring]

Biking is high risk but it doesn't petrify me. Just the other day, I was doing about 80KMPH and one guy on his puny Bajaj just whizzed past. A stationary lorry decided to do a sudden U turn, to the opposite side of the road. No indication, nothing. This bike hit it, full speed and the rider is spot-out. His remains splashed on the road. I was shivering having witnessed this, and returned home immediately - abandoning my ride. So the unexpected is thrust upon us at every corner, every kilometer, on which we have no control. A life was so easily lost, that day. I'm very alert now, on the road

[hareshjethwani]

One thing I have learnt is that it's better to have a defensive approach while riding which surely helps, ofcourse you cannot avoid the inevitable. Riding on highways is risky specially through small villages where the locals care a damn about rules and incase of a mishap the rider is blamed irrespective of who was wrong. But the feeling of riding can never be compared to anything else.

[navin_v8]

Voted High Risk.

Being a rider since the past 18 years or so I have come to a conclusion that motorcycle riding in India is inherently dangerous. Some may say, "Whatever has to happen will happen". For example: being mowed down while walking on the road, thunder lightning hit on the head, dying in a plane crash, coconut falling on the head, slipping in the bathroom and becoming paralyzed, etc. BUT and a big BUT at that, what matters here is the theory of probability. The probability of getting killed/maimed/paralyzed while riding a motorcycle is much higher than any of the examples mentioned above.

While the probability of getting killed/maimed/paralyzed during a car crash is comparatively relatively lower.

Many here have mentioned the various dangers lurking around Indian roads and some of them are highly unpredictable no matter what riding gear, safety features like traction control, ABS, etc. one's motorcycle has. These safety aids will but of course greatly reduce the risk but not completely. I have had two crashes in my lifetime while riding and was fortunate enough to walk away with very minor bruises. One was within Bombay city and other was on the highway.

While riding from South Bombay the motorcycle slipped from under me near Parel where the footpaths are encroached by hutments and slums. The road was strewn with soapy water by the people washing clothes, utensils etc. on the footpath. This coupled with uneven paver blocks and slippery concrete surface was a perfect recipe for dislodging two wheelers from the road. Two more scooters slipped behind me. In another instance on the highway, I was hit by a speeding Maruti Omni goods carrier van from the right side. The impact sent me flying 15 feet in the air and onto the tarmac. I would have lost my right foot but thanks to the front crash guard and footrest that took all the impact. The impact was so hard that the footrest sheared off completely from its assembly. Also the injury was greatly reduced due to my tough riding boots where the sole was completely ripped off. I also had a swelling on my right knee but since I was wearing riding pants with knee armor it was not a cause of concern.

Have I stopped riding, a resounding No. But I have learned many things from those two falls. There are many other dangerous incidents I have witnessed over the years and take it as a learning. Defensive driving/riding, proper calculative judgement, following speed limit, overcoming the urge to twist the wrist, slowing down at blind spots, staying far from heavy vehicles, avoid night driving/riding, slowing down during rains, approaching watery slippery surface and puddles cautiously, showing respect to multi-axle trucks and buses, last but not least share incidents with others as well as ask them about their experiences, thereby building a database in mind to register the incidents and learnings.

One of my favorite signages that one often comes across on Indian roads, "Drive/Ride safely, someone is waiting for you at home."

Happy and safe riding mates.

[allinbalance]

Originally Posted by GTO

Attachment 2177327 Are you okay with the risk? Does it play on your mind when you are out riding? Doesn't it bother you that your body / spine could snap like a toothpick in even a medium-level crash? And if the answer is yes, how do you justify riding then? Not ridiculing at all = a genuine question.

How many BHPians have resisted buying a motorcycle for the same reasons as me? As the famous saying goes:

Not to mention, unmarked speed breakers, mechanical failures, tyre bursts, drunk drivers, jaywalkers, animals running on the road...

Vote high risk.

Agree with @GTO observations and those of other members, and would like to add aside from poor road manners of taxis, cars (not to mention maniacal driving by buses) - bikers between them also pose a huge risk - I have seen sideswipes, crashes and accidents between bikes in the crowded industrial areas of Bangalore - where is seemed both the bikers were blind or thought they were superman!!

And the other thing I don't understand is this phenomenon of bikers driving on the wrong side of the road!! I mean - is this some wiring problem in the brain that the moment these chaps get on the seat - they lose all common sense???

[clementw]

Voted medium risk after some thought, even if you ride safe and follow all the rules on the road, the chances of others doing the same is low. So one controllable variable is where you ride and another is the time of the ride.
The joy of cruising on an empty road with limited gear changes and the wind on the face is unmatched but for that we need to find a road that is good enough and the time when it will be deserted for your own safety.
Also the roads are open to dogs, cows, pigs and elephants also which will come when you least expect it so it pays to be on the look out.
Another cause of worry is sand and oil spills on the road, quite a few have skidded due to this.
So in summation to an aware and cautious rider who will ride responsibly, it i medium risk. Slight carelessness and its high risk

[kaushal21fb]

To understand the risk, we need to understand what Motorcycling is first. Which put in a single sentence is "Motorcycles don't make sense!!".

I mean who in their right set mind, would want to get dirty, hot, cold, wet, dehydrated, while risking being run over by maniacs on the road. All this after paying a fortune (bike and gear), and not being able to take family and friends along and being lonely for miles.

However Motorcycles are a Psyche. You're either in them or you're not.

Risks are relative and each one has their own capability (physical, mental, financial) to take them.

So motorcycles are safer (with right gear and skills) to:
(in no order)
1. Working in a coal mine
2. Travelling on top of a train
3. Climbing mount Everest
4. Being at the back of a crazy Uber driver in a tinny Wagon R (no offence to wagon R but definitely to crazy uber drivers).
5. Bull fights

But they are way more dangerous to:

1. Driving in Merc S class
2. Running on treadmill or in park
3. Playing video games at home
4. Partying on a roof top
5. Taking a flight

So in the end if motorcycles call you (i.e. even after knowing risks and discomforts), if they make you feel happy and complete. By all means go for it.

However if you feel they'll be good for your image (personal and insta/facebook) but you'll be always scared and worried. Then probably not the best idea.

[sgmuser]

Biking in India is a very risky business for sure. No doubt about it. Even though the average bike capacity and the average speed would be far less than the west, still the bike attracts lots of risks, mostly by other vehicles (4 wheelers). For example, in west, middle east, the bikes are on average of high capacity and ridden in higher average speeds. This also applies to the 4 wheelers and the risk is high as well. Due to the heavily congested roads in India, the risks tad less compared to the west. I will keep it low for average commuter bikes and for high capacity bikes, the risks goes up. The roads does not cater even for cars forget about bikes and the poor fellas riding bicycles and the poorest pedestrians. India has loooooong way to go in terms of traffic commonsense/maturity.

[kamilharis]

Voted for Medium risk (level is concerning)

Because my right-hand elbow had to be steel implanted in 2015 due to an accident.

[aargee]

Those who're afraid of motorcycles or getting back to motorcycling...I'm reminded of a dialogue from Thalaivar...

Please welcome (back) to motorcycling



Translation - There should be fear in life, but, life is not meant to be lived in fear

[darkLightning]

Voted for high risk.

However I would firmly say that even stepping foot on our roads is highly risky, doesn't matter if you are on foot, two wheeler, three wheeler, four wheeler, six wheeler, 18 wheeler or whatever.

The traffic on our roads follows Newton's law to a certain extent -

"For every sane person you see on Indian roads there is at least one equal and opposite insane person roaming out there"

Whatever vehicle you choose to drive all you can do is keep as much of safety precaution and drive as safely as you can.

As far as I am concerned I have had a major accident and some minor ones but I still like riding a bike and continue to do so.