No matter how well trained you are, or how well you know your bikes capabilities, or how careful you are, riding is dangerous. No, I don't think dangerous activities should be banned, it's part of life, but you should wear protective gear, and not ride like you're invincible. If you're willing to take the risk, and everything in life involves some risk, then I have no problem with it. Yes, I know folks, who were both young and old, who had accidents and are now living on disability, it sucks on both ends, there's and ours.
I chose to give up riding both motorcycles and 4 wheelers several years ago, because I'm getting older and healing is slower and more painful. I didn't want to be living with injuries. One thing that made me do it, was I ran into a nice young fellow in the local auto parts store and we struck up a conversation. He explained he loved to ride, and how his buddies were pretty wild riders. He got married and had a baby, and then realized that if he got hurt his wife and child would be left to ether take care of him or be lost without him. I must admit, that young man was smarter than I at that point, and I decided it was time for me to quit before anything awful happened. It's true younger people can teach older guys, and I salute that fellow for opening my eyes. Sometimes the deed you do, you never get to realize the good it does. I saw an interview with Vince Gill and the interviewer asked what the most important thing about raising children was....VG answered "just keep em alive". It's so true of all of us. Stay alive first and you can make a difference.
I'm not telling anyone to quit riding, that's not my place. I'm just saying, do all you can to be careful and safe.
