Motorcycles in big cities?

I was wondering if it would be safe for me (an eighteen year old girl) to ride a motorcycle in a big city. (it would be a sports bike). I wouldn't be able to lock the doors like I can in a car. I appreciate your thoughts on this!

Public Comments

1. A motorcycle is a poor choice for a primary vehicle if that's what you're thinking.
2. I think that motorcycles are a bad idea in general. I work for a car insurance company and I take accident claims all day and let me tell you motorcycle accidents are bad, you almost always get hurt. If you do decide to go with the motorcycle please wear a helmet!
3. As safe as any body else. I have always felt that I had a real advantage in town on my bike. Its just a matter of being extra cautious and very aware of whats going on around you. I ride a full size cruiser (KZ1000 Police Special) and have no problems getting around in big cities. I lived in Minneapolis, Chicago, and San Diego which are all terribly over crowded with traffic. The biggest drawbacks are that, in the city, there is almost nowhere to escape to when a driver cuts you off. Also, there are a certain percentage of drivers who just don't care about biker's rights. They'll run you off the road because they feel like we should, because of our better manuverability, let them do whatever they want and just get the F*** out of their way. If one of every ten cars behaves this way on the interstate, you are likely to encounter one only every 10 or 15 minutes or so, but in congested areas, you'll be damn near surrounded by them, so be careful. As far as safety in the 'hood, you're in the same boat as the rest of us. Why do bikers carry weapons? Because they have no protection from anything while riding. Any dumba ss with a stick can knock us off and steal our bike. To this I suggest that you know the neighborhood in which you ride and take appropriate measures for your safety. Even if it means driving instead. Get a good full face helmet, and riding gear and enjoy!!
4. Security is a definite issue in the city. It is common to see people riding bikes with scratched and fake VINs. Safety is an issue too. A sportbike can be very good in town, but it is soley dependent on the riders' skill. You will use the clutch a lot in congested areas, and cooling issues can come about as well. Wanna traffic eating machine? Get a scooter!
5. There's to much congestion in big cities to safely ride a motorcycle through them. Cars, trucks, bus', taxi cabs, pedestrians, bicycles and everyone is in a rush. They don't have the time to worry about anyone but themselves. Drive the streets you'll be using, in your car. Do you even feel safe in your car? Then you have to consider parking. Your bike won't be safe anywhere by itself.
6. You'll either be fine and learn real quick and will be a hoot to tell stories of those days to your grandkids. Or if you don't get real smart real quick, you'll be a red smear on the street. If you approach it the right way (intellegently and with an attitude that no one is watching out for you but yourself) then there is a real parking advantage and eventually you'll be able to make somewhat better time at it than with a car. I wouldn't worry about theft, as long as you buy a used bike, not some glitzy new speed demon. Get a little bike, like a used 250 Ninja, that'll get the job done just fine in town. Watch out for cabbies and buses. If there is a motorcycle courier service in town, see if one of the riders will offer to spend some time with you after hours (for a fee) giving you some tips, maybe they'll take you for a ride around and show you some practices they use to stay safe (not riding on the sidewalks I hope!)
7. Best chain lock look for Cobrelink chain heavy but very good! about $100.00 dollars though! rear wheel though frame! or buy good "U" lock like 14' long rear wheel though chain to rear sprocket!!attach to something like a post of meter? if necessary..
8. It sounds as if you're worried about someone approaching you while stopped at a redlight or something. you should always be aware of the area or neighborhood you are riding in. pay attention to your surroundings and avoid areas where you will have to stop at lights in more crime ridden areas. you should be fine on the main streets and highways, except, of course for the idiots in cars.
9. If your concern is your gender then wearing the appropriate clothing (which you should do all the time anyway) disguises it to a major extent. There are techniques you could employ which are useful in any riding situation – always allow plenty of space between your bike and the vehicle in front while moving (sometimes called the "two-second rule") or stationary slightly less than a bike length, good observation is key to enjoying riding, this includes knowing where the vehicles in your area are, where junctions are, where a vehicle might park or pull out, where there are pedestrians etc. from this follows anticipation, for example, traffic lights don't change suddenly, they follow an established pattern, it should never be a surprise and if you note them while they are still in the distance you can confidently predict that red lights will, at some point, turn green (and vice-versa) and you can prepare yourself for that; similarly, if you are riding near a playground or a park you can assume that there will be pedestrian traffic so you moderate your speed and prepare to brake or take avoiding action. Most important is that if you feel physically threatened you are on the perfect vehicle to avoid that threat – escape, get to a public place, stop and call the police, if you feel the situation calls for it – don't ever think about using a weapon, removing a hand from the controls completely removes the opportunity to ride the bike.
10. Your concern is safety. You are going to be as vulnerable as anyone else on a two wheeled vehicle as far as traffic is concerned. As to your sex, good riding gear on and no one will notice you are male or female unless you are stupid and wear a pink helmet and the like. As to being approached by 'undesirables', escape is the best course of action, even in a car. The two wheeler is far better at getting out of that type of situation than any car or truck... and I have yet to hear of a 'cycle jacking' but we get car jackings here at the rate of about 5 a week that make the news, probably a lot that don't!