| Author | Message | ||
     Kccyclone |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- According to a report on WTAE's website, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was injured in a motorcycle accident Monday morning. The Steelers confirmed the accident for the Pittsburgh TV station, but there was no immediate word about the extent of his injuries. A witness told the station that Roethlisberger went over the handlebars, hit the windshield of another vehicle, then hit the ground. Roethlisberger was reportedly not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Shortly after Kellen Winslow's motorcycle accident, which forced the Browns tight end to miss the entire 2005 season, Steelers head coach Bill Cowher expressed concern over his own star player's infatuation with the bikes. "It (a pro football career) is a very small time in your life, and you've got to be very careful. You can see it documented with Kellen Winslow," Cowher said. "Not just in riding motorcycles, but where you go and who you associate with." Cowher reportedly spoke to Roethlisberger in May of 2005 after photos surfaced in which the Steelers quarterback was posing helmetless on a motorcycle. Roethlisberger has said in the past that he prefers to ride without a helmet. | ||
| Old_man |
It appears that Ben was not doing anything unsafe, other than no helmet! Pennsylvania does not require the use of a helmet. Car started to turn left at an intersection as Ben was coming the other way. Motorcycle struck the right front side of the car, Bens head cracked the cars windshield, he then went over the front of the car and hit the ground. In surgery now. No word on the extent of his injuries. We pray there is no permanent injury. | ||
| Cmhxb9 |
"It appears that Ben was not doing anything unsafe, other than no helmet!" "Ben's head cracked the car's windshield." I rest my case, Your Honor. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Someone who is obviously used to wearing helmets and certainly knows the merits, I don't get it.  Too bad the "tough guy" image thing doesn't really work, he should already know he's a tough guy. | ||
| CJXB |
 *** ESPN also quoted a police source as saying that Roethlsberger's injuries included a broken jaw, nine-inch laceration on the back of his head, broken teeth and knee damage. *** Sure hope he's ok and heals up quick !! GO PITTS !! | ||
| Ginzero |
This really sux!! Whats up with all the motorcycle related injuries lately? | ||
| Skyguy |
Ginzero, It's called summer................. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Was driving home today and saw a billion flashing strobes in the other side of the parkway. As I was waved through the emergency vehicles I saw a motocross helmet on the ground, a large pool of blood, and the entire front end of a motorcyle (sans rear end) wedged in between the guardrail uprights. The front end looked like a sportbike wheel. Kinda makes you wonder if this was a new rider, what with the motocross helmet and all. So many kids buying these ridiculous crotchrockets without any experience on a bike... I didn't see any other vehicle involved in the wreck so this may have even been a rider error type thing. On a similar note, last year I was at my local multi-brand dealer buying my wife's EX, and I tried to talk a 16 year old kid out of buying the GSXR600. I even spoke to the kids Dad, and I wasn't being preachy at all just alying out the facts of what that bike could do. I tried to recommend a Katana 600 or EX500 or an SV, but he wouldn't hear of it. Thankfully, for the time being, his credit was denied, but I had a bad feeling about this kid. Sorry just my rant for the day. | ||
| Doon |
In reading about this, here is a quote from an article http://www.pittsburghlive.com:8000/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_457685.htm l "The motorcycle is popular among first-time buyers, said Steve Stiller, a salesman at Northgate Motorcycles in Cranberry, Butler County." This is in regards to a Busa, which is what he was riding. A Busa being popular for first time riders???? No wonder people crater. That is just way too big of a bike to be a first time rider on. I guess it is in our nature to go big. Like all the people with the midlife crisis going out and getting a huge big twin with no idea how to ride. I'm so happy that I started out on a Ninja 250 on the street.. | ||
| Zxzer04 |
Riding a Busa with no helmet...looks like he got hit one time to many on the field already.... | ||
| Slaughter |
Boy and I feel like a squid wearing "ONLY" boots, First Gear armored jacket, gloves, full face helmet but "only" Levis. I don't wish any bad on him but hey, it WAS his choice and he's an adult. Regarding the Busa as a "first bike" - geeeeezzzzz..... | ||
| Wardog3187 |
QUOTE — “I’m pretty conservative and laid back, but the big thing is to just be careful. I’ll just continue to be careful.” — Roethlisberger in May 2005 about riding motorcycles. | ||
| Cowboy |
Use the rear brake when you need the next 30%. Is all I will tell you | ||
| Imonabuss |
OK, you wear a helmet on the football field, but don't want to wear one riding a Hayabusa? So much for the idea that quarterbacks are the smart ones! What an idiot! I hope he is OK, but he sure dropped in my respect book. | ||
| Jon |
Ditto Buss. I have a hard time feeling sorry for him...in fact I don't. Heal up Ben. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
OMG this poor fellow. This is what I saw today. My thoughts go out to his family. http://www.news12.com/WC/topstories/article?id=177827 Looks like he was on a new Ninja 650R. A sensible bike to say the least. Poor kid. (Message edited by johnnylunchbox on June 13, 2006) | ||
| CJXB |
I have a hard time feeling sorry for him... Well I do too, but I do feel sorry for him and hope he heals up ok, and I feel sorry for my team as well !!  | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Some photos from MSN...  Note the fairing stuck into the door!!!  I decided to spare you the pools of blood photographed on the ground. | ||
| Bomber |
Lake -- thanks for sparing us -- we all know what those look like ;-} | ||
| Cyclonedon |
seems like most of these posts are about Ben not wearing a helmet. I would like for the motorcycle community to start talking more about the driver of the automobile that turned in front of the motorcycle! Yes I would like to think it wouldn't have been as bad of an accident had the motorcycle rider was wearing proper protection, but then again, there wouldn't have been any accident at all if the damn automobile hadn't turned in front of the motorcycle!!! | ||
| Old_man |
Motorcycles don't seem to register in the brain of some drivers. I was motorcycle police officer for many years. Big Harley and I was over 300lbs. in an orange raincoat, had people looking right at me then pull in front of me. This happened many, many times. It was obvious that a motorcycle was not what they were expecting to see and I just didn't register in their brains. Keep this in mind when you ride and don't trust that you are seen. | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Things you have no control over wile on a bike. Cars pulling out into bikes path, cridders running out, debris on road and or slippery fluide leaked onto surface. Things you can control wile out on a bike SAFETY GEAR. | ||
| Kano832003 |
Thank you, Cyclonedon. I'm from Wisconsin (a state that dose not require helmets) and I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I don't wear a helmet. Depends on where I'm going, the weather conditions and the type of riding (or who I'm riding with). Drivers ED was a long time ago (about 7 years ago) and I don't remember them really teaching anything about watching out for motorcycles. Granted helmets will greatly increase your chances of surviving an accident, but it should be the riders choice. and i think automobile drivers should learn to pay more attention to their surroundings. | ||
| Old_man |
Ben was not exempt from wearing a helmet. Riders over 21, who have had a motorcycle license for two years are exempt. Ben didn't have a motorcycle license. | ||
| Midknyte |
Ben was not exempt from wearing a helmet. interesting tidbit Riders over 21, who have had a motorcycle license for two years are exempt. is that a clause in the PA law? I could go for that | ||
| Old_man |
That is the PA law. | ||
| Ceejay |
He didn't have a license? well then he doesn't have an excuse at all. Ohio has a 6 month only clause, probably follows in line with the state that I've read from somewhere that most motorcycle accidents occur within the first six months of new licensees... | ||
| Old_man |
Ben is originally from Ohio. I don't know what the situation in Ohio is for motorcycle licenses. He may have many years riding experience there, but he didn't obtain a PA motorcycle license. | ||
| Midknyte |
how long til we find out he didn't have insurance? | ||
| Ceejay |
I'm actually from that area growing up. About 30 min. north of Findlay, flat straight roads, so the area is dominated by harleys and few wear a helmet...Licenses are usually pretty transferrable, if you have it you don't need to retake unless its been expired for a while. |
