I'm not cut out for this ****!

[Thorgrim]

Not you guys. You guys have been great. I just don't think I'm cut out for riding in traffic. A quick history - I've nearly died in several wrecks, none of them my fault, and none of them on a bike. I'd like to keep the "not on a bike" like it is.

The traffic here isn't bad on a broad scale. But the stupidity is astounding, and largely, mostly, possibly even mostly entirely, due to cell phones. I'm damned tired of nearly getting run over every time I get on a road where the speed limit is over 40 mph, and sometimes even then. It f-ckin isn't worth what joy I get out of it.

I'm looking for a decent dual-sport. I'm mostly a dirt biker anyway, and as soon as I can get away from the cagers the only thing I have to worry about that's beyond my control is other riders going the other way. Since I ride stock pipes, I can nearly always hear them coming but it's rare that they go where I like to ride.

I appreciate everything I've been taught here. And that's not a "FY, I'm leaving". I'll hang out now and then, y'all are good folks. But today i came to the realization that road riding just isn't something I can enjoy. No fault of anyone ... except for the stupid, cell-phoning cagers, and they don't post here or I'd scald them at every opportunity.

So it isn't at all goodbye, but rather "thanks for the fish". I really appreciate all the help and instruction I've gotten here for gratis, and if I can wrap my mind around riding the road while physically surrounded by a swarm of texting idiots again I'll chime in more.

Again, this isn't adieu, or FYYFF. It's a thank you for helping me figure out my dissatisfaction, and I'd rate this place as the best place to learn to ride correctly.

Thank you, and I truly mean it. I know that's overly redundant but considering the misunderstandings that this media often holds, I wanted to make it plain. You guys rock!

[csmith12]

Do what you feel is right for you. Enjoy the dirt, because I know I have this season. Just watch out for the deer in the woods and other critters. They are still there and now your in their domain. lol

Don't be a stranger and come back to post pics of your adventures.

[alex.s]

i'll give you $300 for your engine

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

.........
Thank you, and I truly mean it. I know that's overly redundant but considering the misunderstandings that this media often holds, I wanted to make it plain. You guys rock!

Great post and prudent decision, Bob !!!
There are many ways to enjoy motorcycling and the street version is really dangerous indeed.
I wish I had a dirt bike and a place to play !!!

You are welcome, my friend
Be well

[KawiKid860]

Good call if the street isn't for you. I can understand, the people out there driving are, well, you know. I can't imagine you'd have a hard time getting rid of that 2013 CB500 for a nice dual sport, I'd say go DRZ400 but I don't really know what all you want in a dirt bike.

If you ever get bored of the dirt there's always track riding too! Or just throw some 17s on your dual sport and do sumo track days at your local kart track

[TheDementedDrummer]

Go pure track

[ninja250r81]

Come over to Aussie and you will love riding on the street

we have dual highway's not 20 lanes over there

go full track with a ninja 250r

[n4mwd]

Sorry to hear that you are giving up, but if you aren't comfortable on the road, and don't see yourself ever getting that way, then maybe the prudent thing is to bow out gracefully.

FWIW, when I first started riding, I thought that I would never go on the interstate because it was too dangerous. Now I do it all the time without a thought. It just takes time to build up the necessary skills. The same is true for the first time I rode across town or in a tropical storm. I was a nervous wreck by the time I got to my destination, but not any more. Again, practice, practice, practice is what new bikers need.

You also might be living in an area that is anti-biker. This might explain why cars are always trying to get you.

I respect your decision, but if you ever want to try it again, maybe find someone up there that will ride with you and teach you the proper skills.

[Asspire]

Dirt will never try to run you over. You'll a have alot of fun off road

[Joshorilla]

Man up.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Do what you feel is right for you. Enjoy the dirt, because I know I have this season. Just watch out for the deer in the woods and other critters. They are still there and now your in their domain. lol

Don't be a stranger and come back to post pics of your adventures.

Yup, animals are suicidally stupid around vehicles, I was almost having front wheel skewered lamb for dinner yesterday after one bolted across my path.

[JohnnyBravo]

Sorry you couldn't enjoy the open road, but folks are crazy, an it's not for everyone... Best wishes in your other pursuits!

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by ninja250r81

Come over to Aussie and you will love riding on the street

we have dual highway's not 20 lanes over there

Thanks for the invitation! Back in the mid-80's I tried really hard to move to Oz, but you can't look for work on a visitor's visa, and you can't get a work visa unless you already have a job offer. I'm a coal miner by trade and there were plenty of jobs there at the time that I was qualified to do, but try as I might I couldn't work out the details. There's probably some left-handed way to work out the "no job hunting on a tourist visa" but I never discovered it.