Mack01

You are alive and didn't sprawl down the road so you should call that a win. Deer are very flighty and non too bright so difficult to predict what they'll do. Many deer will run head first into cars and so do the 'hittingng's as opposed to bring hit. Have a beer and toast your luck.

Good points. True.

In that case the statement is untrue for both experience and safety. They are obviously not safe if they are taking on a bike bigger than they can handle, and not experienced in handling too much bike. It's the safe bit which is throwing me a curve ball. Even experienced bikers can have an off but if one does then they can't be deemed safe under any pretext.

Interesting read thanks. This bit is intriguing though "No matter how safe or experienced a rider is, the reality is that half of all motorcycle deaths involve only one motorcycle and no other vehicle." How exactly do all these bikers get themselves killed if there is no other vehicle involved AND they are "safe or experienced"?

Back in the 70's there were a hell of a lot less cars trying to squish us bikers and like you say safety was less thought of.

Howdy fellow riders, a side topic from another forum raised the subject of wearing helmets. If the law of wearing a helmet was dropped how many riders would ride sans helmet. So I thought it would be an interesting discussion on here. Who would ride without? All the time or just short ride outs? Personally, as a rider for >20yrs, I wouldn't even ride to the shops without mine. I've had four tumbles and in all of them banged my head. I can honestly say I don't think I would be the same person now if I wasn't wearing my helmet. Plus my helmet stops big bugs hitting me in the face, plus it helps shield my ears (with ear plugs too) from wind, keeps my head dry in the rain. And,purely vanity I know but, I like the look of my lid And yet I hear of people who would rather not wear one. It would be interesting to see everyone's opinions.Experiences of lid's saving lives etc So what are you opinions folks? Yay or nay?

Is that a euphemism?

Says you! Anyone who has a bike festooned with handbags ........ I read that as a bike festooned with handicaps, nearly spat my coffee over the keyboard.

And it'll feel even less top heavy when riding. A very well balanced bike. Plenty of reviews on Youtube on the V-Strom.

Really? Uh Oh...

That is excellent. It now looks like you have Toothless the Night Fury hiding behind your screen.

Perhaps it thought the car was a Nissan Bluebird and was acting on instinct

I recently had to renew my licence and don't have a passport (mine expired in 2006 and I haven't felt the need to renew). I was told that I had to go to the post office, so I took the morning off work and went early. They said they don't do it but the bigger post office 40mins drive away might. So I took a chance and went to Bath PO. After some faffing it was done in about 20 minutes using their special licence booth. Have to say they were very quick at delivery as it arrived six days later (and has a rather groovy hologram of my picture on the back) Maybe worth a try? Good luck.

Fugly as sin... and didn't look that fast. Thought there were electric motorbikes out there that could hit triple figures? I'd still have a play though if I could, but never buy it.

Not quite the same but a friend told me to street view our work place a couple months ago. When I did I saw my old Yamaha parked outside.... I sold that bike about 6 or so years ago.