I totally understand, now that my wife is riding, how your wife and family feel. All of my riding career I've never *fully* understood the concerns of wives and family members.
My wife is riding! At times I'm pretty freaked out, at times I wished she would just give it up and at times it's one of the most rewarding riding experiences to be riding with her.
Yes, I have double standards.
What's vital for me and what I have been helping riders with over the last 18 years of the Doc Wong clinics, is to continually improve your riding skill level and always leave a 20% envelope or margin of safety.
Leaving 20% then accounts for unforeseen occurrences either because of our own lack of skill or for that random activity of others.
Let your loved ones know that you take extra precaution, that you are constantly striving to improve your skill and knowledge so that you can enjoy the incredible benefits of riding and to come home safe for decades to come.
I've been riding non-stop thru my kids earlier years and now they are young adults. I have gone too fast in the past, then gone on the track and dirt and now I avoid high powered sport bikes on the street. I want to see grandkids grow up in the future and then their kids.
I want to ride till I'm 100, fully healthy and having a blast. Good goal, I'll let you know when I get there. :teeth
So leave that 20% extra margin of safety, you'll need it once-in-awhile.
Doc Wong
Well said... can't agree more. been in two crash.. one high speed from shitty 101 being stuipd.. one slow speed in Chicago winter being stupid..
Whether it's cutting my commute by 2/3's or just riding out for the heck of it. i always review and see what could have gone wrong.
I ride safe. don't push on street.. everything else can happen even when i'm not riding.
My wife doesn't like me riding, my family doesn't like me riding but I love riding.
when I have kids. i'll quit until they turn 18.. then i'll go back.