Bikes are like horses, if you don't have a fall occasionally your not pushing the envelope enough. I broke an arm early this year and am back riding again already.
Safety is a consideration but the mid-life crisis "potter about sedately and safely on a Harley" phenomena is the antithesis of what British/Continental biking was all about.
Watch this ...
http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=29433
and this ...