LarryC wrote on 08/23/11 at 14:45:50:

BS I taught myself and never been down in 40 years of riding.Forget the riders courses and teach yourself.

I am also a paramedic and I have my first child on the way I have thought about this. I see it the same way most of these guys do, don't trust the other guy on the road be safe and drop it a rung or two if needed and as you should know in our line of work no matter what when it's somemore time it's their time and anything and everything can be the cuase and the people who fear that and then embrace the that fact always live a little close to the edge but still have firm footing and at least one hand on the rails. So all in all it's your choice but I say go for it just prepare for each thinking check the bike like the check list for the bus and allways wear my PPE for the ride.

And yeah I have never had anyone call and say they had a great ride today but I have had many a call where the riders did make it and still ride.

I suspect bill67 would agree the world is a different, and less forgiving, place from what it was 40 years ago. The MSF BRC is well worth it. Take the Course, if you haven't, and practice, practice, practice. Knowledge is power, and in this case, safety. Guaranteed, no, but its's an invaluable leg up. And consider that honing your motorcycle skills will make you a MUCH better automobile driver (learning to think of oneself as invisible is invaluable), to the benefit of your precious baby.

Ride responsibly, have fun, and stop whining.  Or quit.

everyone has a slightly different view & it all depends on your own personal values and beliefs:

I am conservative by nature and a safety professional by trade so I felt that i had to weigh the risk vs the reward - I used to ride bicycles when i first got married - almost got taken out in a residential neighborhood by two cars that were chasing each other at a high rate of speed and did not see me - that single experience made me reflect on the "what if's" - I decided it would be more responsible for me to get off the bike eliminate the risk exposure from that activity because i had to support a wife and 3 kids - there was no other option for me, in my mind - I had to control/eliminate the risk........then once the kds got grown and out I decided I could afford to take some risks since I was worth more to my wife dead than alive and I was done raising children.....so I got a motorcycle, took the safety classes, only ride when it is dry and daylight and i use it for commuting mainly - I have only ridden for fun 2 times since i got the bike a little over a year ago....I cant get short or long term disability because of other medical conditions so I have to think about the risks involved in exposing myself to potential injury by "sport riding" so I choose to control my risks by only riding when it is dry, daylight and only short communte to work and back <10miles round trip a day......my son came to vist a few weeks ago with his R6 we took 5 hours on a Sunday to take a ride up in the mountains (sport riding experience number 2) risk exposure high - it was a lot of fun but the whole time i was worried about something happening to him since he has 2 1/2 yr old and another on the way......I would prefer he sold the bike and eliminated the risk for his families sake - but it is HIS decision not mine - back in April i did a charity group ride (sport riding experience number 1) this a controlled escorted event risk exposure limited......I will do 1 of these limited risk exposure charity group rides a year - going up in the mountains on the twisties for fun probably not by myself and probably not with my son again he will be too busy being a dad & a Marine......if my cycling buddies at work ask me to go ride the twisties i might try it again.

bottom line your life your choice what risks are you willing to take and at what potential cost?

Life is a adventure and full of risks. Only you can decide on how much risk you want to take. If you carry on riding you can reduce the risk by riding responsibly. Even a slow evening ride can be a good getaway from the joys of family when you need some time away  

I met this guy in Glacier National Park that was in his middle 50's and said it was time to hang up his bike. He thought that at his age motorcycle riding was too dangerous, so he bought a sports car. The same week he bought it he went for a ride in the mountains and a boulder came down took the top off of his car as well as his scalp. He was still recovering but decided he could die lots of different ways so he bought him a new bike.