What's your opinion of Ride2Die.com??

[JCCJMM_]

***I guess I should throw out a disclaimer to those who have not seen it......the site is pretty graphic.***

A few years ago, before I owned a motorcycle, I was directed to ride2die.com to see some grisly images. I think that a buddy of mine was hinting at the risks involved with riding.

Well, to be honest, the more I looked and read.....the more I did not want to ride. It seemed to show the effects of accidents with no gear.....and it seemed to show the unfortunate demise of some that wore full gear. After several minutes of looking I was just depressed and sickened.

The site went down for a while but is back up and the domain is for sale. It still has the same information as a few years back and it still makes me second guess why I take the risk of riding. Especially with a wife and kids.

But then I get out and ride......and let me tell you....what therapy it is!!

My concern is that ride2die.com may instill fear into would-be enthusiasts and current enthusiasts. It could keep people from taking the additional risk of riding.... at the expense of a possible love for riding.

I understand the resounding cry of "all gear all the time" and "ride safe". I also understand the importance of educating the masses on rider safety through stories and images......but ride2die seems to be a little over-the-top for me. A little too "rotten.com".

I also know that alot of what you see is due to rider error .... stupidity ..... maybe even drug or alcohol induced. But it still hits home as the old "that could happen to me" scenario.....almost too sobering. Maybe I am just a wuss.

What do you guys/gals think?

BTW: There is a picture of a classic 250 near the middle of the page....he/she hit a truck.

[Cedilla]

I was thinking the same thing when I looked at it a week ago. It made me kinda of sick and nervous about the dangers of riding. It really really bugged me until I hoped back on the bike a few days later. Not so much that I forgot about what I saw( I will probably never go back to that site), but that it is a risk im willing to take every time I hope on my bike. There is a lot of risk in just about anything that is fun in this world, and im not going to let it get in my way of living life how I want to.

[Nemy]

Originally Posted by Cedilla

There is a lot of risk in just about anything that is fun in this world, and im not going to let it get in my way of living life how I want to.

+1! I've never been to the site nor do I ever plan to. I don't see the point. I've seen grim pictures and I know the risks associated with riding - but it's also that knowledge and fear that keeps you on your toes. But I'm not about to force myself to look at dismembered/disfigured pictures... it's like watching a "when sharks attack" before you go swimming...

[komohana]

my ridetodie initiation came via the usaf while stationed at eddies airplane patch. i cant recall the exact nature of this particular classroom activity, but they showed us grizzly accident pictures and film clips of accidents, the majority of them were cycle-related. this was before i ever rode, but had already knew i wanted to own a bike...a sportbike, sometime in the future. so i suppose it serves a purpose (the web site), but i've already seen 'faces of death' and the sequel, and thats enuff for me.

[komohana]

Originally Posted by Nemy

it's like watching a "when sharks attack" before you go swimming...

or seeing Jaws for the first time living in the middle of the dang ocean HELLO!

[Purspeed]

Those websites are excellent reference sources. Accepting the realities of riding is an important part of emotional growth. Mitigating risk via good gear, good riding and smart choices will keep you safe.

[BlueTyke]

I can say I saw it. I will never look at that site again...

What I took away from it was = Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself.

[Nickds7]

I'm afraid to go.. I've seen the nastiest in person and online... nothxkbai

[AnarchoMoltov]

I just saw that web site yesterday, and it scared the **** outta me....Seeing the torsos and dismembered body parts is extremely disturbing....

[sombo]

I've been to it before and am not scared to see it again. In fact returning to that site helped lead me to a petition we should all get involved in. Seems as though in Europe the tractor trailers are required by law to use underruns. It's just a simple metal guard on the sides of trailers to prevent smaller lighter vehicles from going underneath. It says they're not new to the US, however I've never seen them and think it's dumb to not have something so simple on our trucks here.

Underruns in the states.

[Rayme]

I saw that web site a while ago. If anything it only reminds me of being more careful.

[Banzai]

Originally Posted by Purspeed

Those websites are excellent reference sources. Accepting the realities of riding is an important part of emotional growth. Mitigating risk via good gear, good riding and smart choices will keep you safe.

True, but they're alarmist in their presentation, and thereby don't have all of the creadibility that they could garner. They cite statistics, but not the age of those statistics so they can be verified. They show graphic pictures, but very little context. Many are easily misinterperted if that is your wish.

It's like anything else, if you're already aware of and actually CARE about the dangers, you act accordingly all the time. If you don't, it's just another "Scare Crow" in the field.

[JCCJMM_]

I, for one, hope that the site does not sell and shuts down again.

I know the site gets alot of hits and I feel that it has a very negative underlying effect.
It is one thing to educate.......and another to terrify.

[CC Cowboy]

ride2die.com, I thought it was a dietary aid. Watch it before dinner and eat less.

It didn't work for me, I watched and then had pizza.

[Snake]

Originally Posted by Nemy

+1! I've never been to the site nor do I ever plan to. I don't see the point. I've seen grim pictures and I know the risks associated with riding - but it's also that knowledge and fear that keeps you on your toes. But I'm not about to force myself to look at dismembered/disfigured pictures... it's like watching a "when sharks attack" before you go swimming...

I don't need a site like that to remind me of the dangers. I make it a point to ride defensively and don't take it for granted that I have the right of way.

[Broom]

thats why i don't ride on the street. i rode everyday for 3 years without an accident.... everyday i didn't get hit by a car i felt like i was that much closer to the day i got creamed... and the longer it took the worse it would be. that thought got louder and louder in my head until i eventually decided to sell my street bike and do track only.

[kazam58]

Those who ride know what the dangers are. Being reminded of them just keeps us in check, which means ride smart and if you wanna race, go to the track.
Personally, I'm juts as likely to die from ski racing, going 70mph with trees lining the trail and absolutely no gear.

[Xuracing]

read the whole thing before i bought my first sport bike back in 06

[Sailariel]

I checked out the site and surmised that it is a crock. I saw far more gore as a combat medic in Vietnam, Now, here is my opinion after 50 years of riding. Yes, there are inherent dangers in riding a motorcycle. Yes, today`s motorcycles stop faster, accelerate faster, and are able to manoever faster than earlier motorcycles. With proper training (MSF Courses), Track Time, and lots of miles, your chances of meeting a gory catastrophic end are greatly minimized. The best advice I can give you (Unsolicited of course) is to stay alert, always be cognizant that you are invisible, and ALWAYS expect the unexpected. Always "GEAR UP", use your head, and avoid taking chances (Like running aYellow light) Don`t let the scare mongers get to you. Enjoy the ride, and Ride Safe. Always remember that motorcycles are fun. When they are no longer fun---sell the bike. (End of my spitball of wisdom)

[Strider]

<--- NOT gonna go look .... too chickensh*t I guess

[sombo]

Petition for underruns in the states.

Just wanted to put that petition out there again.

Also, all those statistics about how the accident rate has climbed over the years always ignores the fact of just how many more riders there are. With each year more people get on bikes. With more people on bikes there's GOING to be more chances for accidents, it's just a matter of numbers.

[Purspeed]

I....I just.....well...


I just can't get this image out of my....my.....

out of my head....












...

[Ohh Snap]

wow that just...

[mike_sema]

Well I just check the site out and it is a constant reminder to be as safe as you can, save the money to buy proper gear and use it and just b/c your bike can do 180mph doesn't mean do that speed every ware you go leave it to the track. I lost a good friend wail in the army to an moto accident he actually lost his head wail doing an estimated 125mph with know helmet on at night on a road that he had never been on wail drunk just sad. but if you ride as smart as you can as safely as you can, you cant let this stuff get to you you can just as easily die wail walking down the street or driving to grammas house

[Purspeed]

Maybe this picture is from the "Die2Ride" not "Ride2Die" website?

[muffinman]

Originally Posted by sombo

Petition for underruns in the states.

Just wanted to put that petition out there again.

Also, all those statistics about how the accident rate has climbed over the years always ignores the fact of just how many more riders there are. With each year more people get on bikes. With more people on bikes there's GOING to be more chances for accidents, it's just a matter of numbers.

Signed.

[abyssdncr]

I actually found the website rather enlightening. It definitely makes me rethink my choices in riding attire - choices that I might have otherwise overlooked.

The "death" part of the shock'n awe syndrome is just reality. It could happen just as easily in a cage at three times the speed limit or no seatbelt vs. a telephone pole or headon collision. Doesn't mean that the bad juju is on me for having viewed the images, it just makes me more (graphically) informed of the consequences of bad decisions.

I'm not going to congratulate them for their compilation of imagery, but I'm not going to knock it either...

[demp]

the only picture that really bothered me was the one with the arai helmet, what appears to be a full leather gear setup... and a bunch of ripped apart body parts in the mix

[CC Cowboy]

Juicy

[Strider]

You scare me Oscar ... <jk>

[capt_bugaloo]

My impression of that site is that the creator actually hates motorcycles, and is trying to scare people away from them permanently.

I've read of people writing to him and asking him to be more fair and talk about safety measures, good riding gear, riding lessons, etc. and the site owner is not interested in presenting any other views.

[Purspeed]

Originally Posted by capt_bugaloo

My impression of that site is that the creator actually hates motorcycles, and is trying to scare people away from them permanently.

I've read of people writing to him and asking him to be more fair and talk about safety measures, good riding gear, riding lessons, etc. and the site owner is not interested interested in presenting any other views.

It's really not relevant. Motorcycles are inherently unstable and 5X more difficult to operate than a car.

A healthy dose of ground beef images should go a long way toward scaring off those who should not ride. And, it also serves to motivate those who do.

[darthnip]

everybody please be careful out there. we dont want to end up on the "your picture here" section.

[BlueRaven]

Originally Posted by sombo

Petition for underruns in the states.

Just wanted to put that petition out there again.

Also, all those statistics about how the accident rate has climbed over the years always ignores the fact of just how many more riders there are. With each year more people get on bikes. With more people on bikes there's GOING to be more chances for accidents, it's just a matter of numbers.

signed as well

[Snake]

Originally Posted by sombo

Petition for underruns in the states.

Just wanted to put that petition out there again.

Also, all those statistics about how the accident rate has climbed over the years always ignores the fact of just how many more riders there are. With each year more people get on bikes. With more people on bikes there's GOING to be more chances for accidents, it's just a matter of numbers.

I have signed as well.

Originally Posted by BlueRaven

signed as well

Are these underruns installed on Canadian trucks?

[ninjabrewer]

IMHO, that site showed me, again, and confirmed what was taught in the MSF class: Wear safety gear, ride defensively, ride as though you are invisible, keep an eye on the cars around you, and SLOW DOWN.

nb

[darthnip]

signed and forwarded to all the riders i know.

[zail]

Interesting mix of images designed to shock and iffy statistics designed to do likewise... I agree the author is attempting to put everyone off riding although some safety messages are interpersed with the general hysteria at times...

On a slightly more cheerful note, motorcycle fatalities here in the uk fell last year:

Nearly 100 fewer motorcyclists were killed in 2008 than the year before, latest government figures show.

Rider deaths fell 16% in a year from 588 in 2007 to 493 last year. In casualty reduction terms it puts motorcyclists ahead of car drivers, who only saw a 12% fall in fatalities.

Fatal and serious motorcyclist casualties fell 10%, from 6737 in 2007 to 6048 in 2008. Rider casualties of all severities fell 8% to 21549.

(Source:http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Ne...?&R=EPI-116197)

I wonder of Ride2Die will be updated to include these new statistics? Ha ha ha

[jola]

Riding without knowing the risks reminds me of The Office episode where Michael doesn't want to do anymore tests before jumping off the building because all of the watermelons are ending up splattered. Everyone should know before riding what state their body might come back in if things go awry.

[RaceBikeRentals]

Originally Posted by Purspeed

It's really not relevant. Motorcycles are inherently unstable and 5X more difficult to operate than a car.

A healthy dose of ground beef images should go a long way toward scaring off those who should not ride. And, it also serves to motivate those who do.

+1. This sport is not for everyone.