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Basically what you will get here is a yes from people who actually ride and its too dangerous from people who don't.
If once someone had been riding for a while and there skill level had got to a competent level then if you still felt nervous and are thinking another road user is going to take you out all the time then its not for you.
How and where you ride makes a massive difference to how safe you will be. A lot like riding a push bike. Going up the inside of lorries at a left hand junction in London is a world away from a potter along a country lane on your road bike.
Every one dies, not everyone lives.
Not being pathetic, however being an overthinker can have its benefits on a motorbike - is that truck going to squash me? Is that driver going to pull out on me? Is everyone goin to try and kill me today?
Are just three of the top questions you will ask yourself on a daily basis, however motorbiking is great fun, and i actually feel safer on a motorbike than i do on a road bike, as a) people can hear you coming and b) fully clad in armour and protective gear rather than lycra.
I passed my full test as soon as i could at 21 and had a good 13 years on a motorbike, commuting a 26 mile each way journey on a cbf600 was particular fun most of the time.
I sold my motorbike a few years ago now and in the summer i really miss it, however offspring and a lack of time kind of got in the way of all my hobbies so had to slim it down a bit.
Do it you will not regret it.
Lots of interesting advice on here.
Motorcycle riding is a science. A blend of physics and psychology.
Do your test then start to learn. Do advanced on road training of some sort to build up your roadcraft. Do track school to learn the mechanics of riding. Then put them together. Ride with better riders than you and learn from them. See each ride as an opportunity to learn.
Contrary to popular belief, most fatal bike crashes are "single vehicle" accidents. In many, the bike was going round a corner at a speed that it was actually capable of successfully negotiating but the rider didn't have the skill to match.
So, spend time and money learning to go round corners and getting someone to teach you how to ride safely on the road. Don't ride like a ****. You'll be fine. There's nothing like it.
I have a couple of friends who did the whole mid life crisis biker thing. Both have reached retirement and not dead.
On the other hand, although tempted, I resisted, largely because I felt if I took it up I would want to get my knee down and possibly end up another smear on the Cat and Fiddle.
I know lots of people who have bikes, I would say 90% of them have had relatively serious crashes.
Very very different to my experience and really nonsense. I know dozens of bikers some who race. Non of them have had serious accidents since they were daft kids. These are not slow riders either. These guys ( and up until a decade ago I was one) do many thousands of quick miles every year
Its like mountainbiking. You have the idiots who crash because they ride beyond their skills and you have the safe riders. Yes a car could wipe you out at any time but good skills even reduces this risk.
So do it. Get proper protective kit. Get properly trained do not just do the minimum. Reflect on every ride. ride safe. do not buy a big bike at first - learn on something low powered - it makes you a better rider
Olly - you are so right
If i am approaching a junction on an a road at 90 mph then I am slowing the moment I see the junction. I am looking for cars in that junction. If sightlines are bad or there is a car i am slowing more. Car at a stop line - I am watching the top of his tyre. I am also in the road position to give me as much room as possible, I have my finger on the horn button ready to hit it the moment they move an inch, I am hovering over the brakes. Every ride, every junction.
There certainly are crashers and non crashers amongst motorbikers
Sorry - my post bovver is in no way intended to be a slight on those who have shared their crash stories. Idiots in cars can still get you no matter how good a rider you are
I did probably 100000 miles in all conditions without much drama and I'm a total idiot, if I can do it anyone can I reckon.
As far as the autism diagnosis... There is a lot going on when you're riding on the roads, and I'm sure that could cause overload issues for some ASD people- you do need to split your attention over a lot of things, especially in traffic. I don't think there's anything else I've done that requires the same, driving, or cycling in traffic, has similiarities but nothing like the same level.
But equally, it's very focusing, so it'll depend a lot on how your own brain works. If you are someone that struggles a lot with overload or with shutting out irrelevances then that could be a concern but tbf I don't think you'll know til you try. You mentioned overthinking but you'll most likely find that the nature of the decisions- lots of small, time-lapsing ones- makes that less of an issue.
I would definitely mention it to the instructor in advance. If nothing else it'll be a good test of their abilities/attitudes- a good school will be able to handle it, a shit school might not but who wants to go to a shit school?
It depends on your attitude towards risk. I don't think enjoyment correlates to speed for everyone. For me the road is no place to **** about and there are too many people using them, speed limits etc.
Personally I have no interest in going fast. I get my kicks elsewhere.
I used to commute daily pre covid and loved the challenge of it compared to being stuck on a car/bus. I ride less now (wfh) and have barely been out due to the weather.
My bike is one of these modern retro jobs not built for speed. Happy enough just enjoying the lanes and fresh air. My riding might be different if I had a sports bike.
So go for it OP. Motorbiking can be anything you want it to be. Lots of different types of bikes to choose from.
And it always makes me chuckle when non bikers say they would kill themselves. Honestly, try riding, all exposed and then think how much you'll risk.
Gave up on bikes 20years ago. Used to live in north Kent and commuted into Blackfriars by bike every day.
Had a few low speed offs, diesel on a wet road, u-turn driver and wayward pedestrians. What stopped me was a high speed smash into a Micra which shattered my left wrist. I had a young family and just felt it was no longer worth the risk.
If you want to scratch the itch do it. Training, protective gear and a sixth sense are all you need.
If you enjoy it, great. If you don't, no stress, at least you've had a go at something new. It definitely made me a better car driver.
I think it's normal to be a bit apprehensive. But personally, I find riding a motorbike far less scary than a pushbike around cars.