Well, every story has to come to an end. I haven't been on here for a while and haven't riden my bike for the past couple of months (maybe more). It is just sitting there in the garage.

After much consideration, I've decided to hang my gear for good. I am not buying another bike. Traffic in Brazil is way too crazy, and I don't wanna take the risk (anymore) of ending up in a wheelchair or in the morgue.
I think it is worth to say that my wife and parents are VERY happy with my decision.

Don't think I'll even lurke around, so I want to thank everyone for all the help during the 3 years I've owned the bike. Great forum, great people. Many names come to mind.

Take care y'all.

 

Best of luck!

 

Hey Malves, sorry to see you sell the bike but I can totally understand. Take care buddy!

 

I did the same thing 16 years ago. Told myself the same things. Two of my ridding buddies died on bikes within 6 months of each other. I sat on many bikes over the years and even rode a few, but the "feeling" was not the same. Something changed when I got into my 40's. Older, wiser, a little more in control of things, and I got the KLX. I'm glad I came back to it. I still hate all the close calls, but it is what it is. It's worth it for the few moments you get when you know why you ride. No, I don't think I would enjoy the crazy traffic you have in Brazil. I'll take the twisty road to a dirt trail up a mountain any day. Enjoy the break. A guy that does wheelies like you do won't be gone for long.

 

I know what you mean. Just this morning there was another news story of a motorcyclist killed when a semi pulled out of a driveway not seeing him. So sad.

You've been a great contributor to this forum and we'll miss you. All the best!

 

If you have been to South America you would know what he speaks of. I've been there a dozen times in the last 5 years, I was just in Ecuador at Christmas. IF you think LA or NY people are insane drivers, they pale in comparison to driving in South America. No laws are followed, passing on a 2 lane road by a bus on a blind corner with 2-3k foot cliffs on either side is a common occurrence. In the big cities, thousands of bikes buzz around like mosquito's every where you look. I did run into a Canadian at Christmas in Banos Ecuador, He rode his BWM dual sport from Canada and was going all the way down to the tip of Angentina. He is hard core, so far he was on the road for 9 months, 3 back tires and 2 chains broke so far on the way.
Good Call Malves
I wish i could come down there for the World cup soccer this year, too much of a zoo and too dangerous for a gingo.
Que te vaya bien

 

If you're not feeling it, you're making the right decisions. I too hung up the gear and gave my bike away about 20+ years ago, then got back into it in my 40's. Probably a very good decision.

Enjoy the wife, family, and youth.

Take care!

 

I never hit the "I quit" stage, even after near death (very literally, including life flight that, had the further hospital been chosen, would have ended it all) I still ended up back on my bike within less than a year. Of course my accident was my own doing on an MX track - stuck the second jump face on a double.

I agree though, maturity and knowledge of mortality takes hold. I play on the back roads and when there's no traffic. I attentively work for survival in traffic, total attention on offensive riding (taking action before it is required based on predicted possibilities). Keith Code had a better name for it, but it is purely having all the possibilities in mind and acting as if they are going to happen rather than wait and react. If you are anticipating that soccer mom to turn in front of you and have your brake covered and slightly slowing, it eliminates the reaction time to start braking, you're already there.

That said, I am not judging anyone's choices, just how I deal with it all. My other method is to avoid traffic. I live near Columbus and I try to travel all the lesser traveled outlying roads rather than hit SR23, 750, and the interstates just to avoid the stupidity. When I am on them I am always looking at "the way out". It is amazing how anyone can have a rear ender on SR 23 north of Columbus, there is a full lane width paved "berm" that one can use if needed. But I know the old county roads around that will get me "there" with minimal traffic.

As for the OP, I have no idea what Rio is like on a bike, I have to take it that you are making a good choice at this point. If I felt I wasn't safe I'd quit too. Lots of things I never did because I didn't feel safe about it. I'd not rock climb, even with tethers, because I just don't like heights and wouldn't feel safe - same with sky diving. Fact is when I did crash the bike it was because I hesitated due to lack of confidence when I decided I could make the double. If I'd just nailed the throttle I'd have had the speed to clear the jump.

 

That's pretty much summing up why I said I have to take his judgement as the right choice. About the time I'd encounter a bus in my lane on a blind corner is - if I survived - the time I'd quit. That is something you cannot easily deal with, no control.

 

Never say never, I quit street riding when I got serious in off road racing, really thought at 16 or 17 I was done with the road for a lot of the same reasons as you. Three or four years later I was back at it. But I think we all can relate to your situation, good luck in your next hobby.