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Steveford
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2017 - 09:45 pm: | 
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Many years ago I read an article on motorcycle safety and they found that the majority of the accidents occurred within a few miles of the rider's home. Some people drew the conclusion that it was because that is where the majority of the riding is done, I feel that it's because you're in familiar territory so you let your guard down.
DO NOT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN, EVER!!!
After work I put acid in a new battery for a Buell and started fooling around with fuel injection adjustments on my 2004 Triumph Sprint. Typical motorcyclist unwind after work behavior.
Adjustments completed to my satisfaction I put on my helmet, jacket and gloves (already had boots on) and went out for the all important test ride. The test ride is always the best part!
I live on a shaded, residential street atop a small rise in the road and the speed limit is 25 MPH. My driveway is pretty long so I get going and pull the clutch in look ahead, all clear, look right, all clear, look left and HOLY SHIT!!! here comes an SUV doing about 40 and he's about to run me right over!
I grab the front brake and I'm on a small patch of dirt so I skid for about 3' until the front wheel hits nothing but pavement and it decides to throw itself on top of me at the end of my yard. Luckily, my fat (but hairy) body prevented any damage to the motorcycle but my left foot and both shoulders sure took a good shot.
To his credit, the teen aged boy who was driving the SUV stopped and helped me right the bike. Everything looked okay, I was crunched but not broken so I told him it's okay and he can go, I'll just soak everything in ice. I was battered, he was shaken, kind of like a martini, ha, ha.
Of course, I had to complete the test ride before everything tightened up. Yes, everything worked fine.
The moral of the story is: do not EVER assume that you're safe on a motorcycle no matter where you are or how slow you're going.
Learn from my mistake and take the extra second to stop and be damned sure that the coast is clear.
Even at the foot of your driveway they are out to get you. |
Odd
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2017 - 10:15 pm: |
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glad to see your all right and just battered! |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 01:25 am: |
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Wholly shitballs! Good thing you were nearly paying attention!
A near miss is still a good miss.
Glad you are ok! |
Pwnzor
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 07:07 am: |
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Just before moving to Georgia, I had been staying here in temporary accommodations for a few months while house shopping and getting settled into my job.
When it was time to finally come and get my stuff, I flew back, bought a van, rented a trailer and went about the business of loading up.
After loading up the trailer and leaving just enough room in the van for the bike, I went over to mom's house to pick it up. Unhooked the trailer, pulled the van forward, opened the doors, put the ramp down. Got the bike out of the garage, and a spare helmet was sitting there on the work bench with a pair of gloves.
Hmmmm.... deep breath.... what the hell, let's take a spin before embarking on a 2500 mile drive.
Hooked up the battery. Starts right up! Helmet on. Gloves on. Slow roll down the driveway.
Right turn, twist the throttle a bit, and suddenly I'm on my back looking at the sky. Left leg of my pants completely torn off, big gash in my thigh.
No cars in sight, in either direction.
Extract myself from the pile, and see a broken brake lever, bent handle bars, broken foot peg, rash on the gas tank, busted headlight mount.
What happened?
One of those spiky round seed pods from the neighbor's tree got under the rear tire just as I rolled on the throttle and started to lean it over a bit. Spun me out, dumped me on my ass so fast, I had to piece it together like a detective at a crime scene.
Those damned seed pods had been the bane of my childhood existence. Made it impossible to be barefoot on the front half of the property. Skateboarding in my own driveway? No way. Bicycling was likewise hindered.
Yeah... that sucked.
Anyway, glad you're ok. That situation could have been much worse, and you were nicer to that kid than I would have been. |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 07:40 am: |
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This is a VERY valuable lesson . . . particularly for those of us on the backside of our "riding prime" curve.
Since acquiring the farm, I've been riding a lot more and am having to refresh some long dormant lessons. Call me a chicken . . . having successfully reached my sunset years with no major motorcycle related injuries . . . but . . . I am a realist and fully aware that my skills, reaction times and acuity are not what they were when I was doing all that stupid stuff (once well chronicled in Backroads magazine) on motorcycles.
My driveway . . . like Steve's . . . is fairly longish (about 50 yards), is gravel, and enters a "T" intersection. ((NOTE: The good news is that the intersection it enters . . . . well, I was reading up on the "10 Best Motorcycle Roads" in New York and was unfamiliar with #1. Then I started reading the detail and noted it sounded familiar . . . sure enough . . . it is the NYS Highway that starts at the end of my driveway . . . so when someone asks how long it takes me to reach great riding my answer is "about 15feet") I've had to learn to use extreme caution coming out of the driveway since . . . . 1) It is entirely possible that there is a car approaching in the near lane who is "borrowing" from the shoulder, passing someone waiting to turn South. 2) That the gravel surface of my drive makes stopping a less than precise maneuver.
Thanks Steve for reminding us to look not only once, twice but perhaps three times. I do recall the Hurt Report that told us that most motorcycle accidents occur within a mile of home, on perfect road conditions and in perfect weather. It's more likely that complacency, rather than poor conditions, will be the thing that bites you in the ass.
Court |
Froggy
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 08:11 am: |
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quote:Many years ago I read an article on motorcycle safety and they found that the majority of the accidents occurred within a few miles of the rider's home.
I heard the same, that's why I moved. |
Steveford
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 09:01 am: |
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The thing to do is only go on long rides far from home!
I can't beat up on the driver, I was 17 years old at one time, too. He scared himself pretty good and I think he'll be a better driver from now on. I'm surprised he wasn't clipping mail boxes, ha, ha.
Yes, that was it, the Hurt Report published in Cycle Magazine. It's been so long I forgot the title.
Please just be careful out there, it only takes a second to get you turned into a hood ornament. |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 09:30 am: |
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Earlier in the year on my way to return a movie I decided to take a shortcut requiring running over a low curb. I had done it dozens of times before. The front wheel deflected violently instead of hopping over. My left arm is finally starting to feel normal again after several months. It got twisted pretty good. It was a matter of a just too shallow approach angle and just too much speed.
I've lowsided on cold tires a couple times in the winter just outside the immediate neighborhood at low speed. That's never very physically damaging, but will pretty much require a new mirror, handlebar, and controls replaced at minimum.
On other vehicles, that's a constant battle. The past week has had people driving between lanes with disturbing regularity. Turn signal use has become quite optional. What the heck? |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 10:15 am: |
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You can read the entire report HERE.
Summary of findings . . . .
This is the list of Findings in section 12.1 (pages 416-419) of the Hurt Report.
Throughout the accident and exposure data there are special observations which relate to accident and injury causation and characteristics of the motorcycle accidents studied. These findings are summarized as follows:
quote:Approximately three-fourths of these motorcycle accidents involved collision with another vehicle, which was most usually a passenger automobile.
Approximately one-fourth of these motorcycle accidents were single vehicle accidents involving the motorcycle colliding with the roadway or some fixed object in the environment.
Vehicle failure accounted for less than 3% of these motorcycle accidents, and most of those were single vehicle accidents where control was lost due to a puncture flat.
In the single vehicle accidents, motorcycle rider error was present as the accident precipitating factor in about two-thirds of the cases, with the typical error being a slide-out and fall due to overbraking or running wide on a curve due to excess speed or under-cornering.
Roadway defects (pavement ridges, potholes, etc.) were the accident cause in 2% of the accidents; animal involvement was 1% of the accidents.
In the multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents.
The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.
Deliberate hostile action by a motorist against a motorcycle rider is a rare accident cause.
The most frequent accident configuration is the motorcycle proceeding straight then the automobile makes a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle.
Intersections are the most likely place for the motorcycle accident, with the other vehicle violating the motorcycle right-of-way, and often violating traffic controls.
Weather is not a factor in 98% of motorcycle accidents.
Most motorcycle accidents involve a short trip associated with shopping, errands, friends, entertainment or recreation, and the accident is likely to happen in very short time close to the trip origin.
The view of the motorcycle or the other vehicle involved in the accident is limited by glare or obstructed by other vehicles in almost half of the multiple vehicle accidents.
Conspicuity of the motorcycle is a critical factor in the multiple vehicle accidents, and accident involvement is significantly reduced by the use of motorcycle headlamps-on In daylight and the wearing of high visibility yellow, orange or bright red jackets.
Fuel system leaks and spills are present in 62% of the motorcycle accidents in the post-crash phase. This represents an undue hazard for fire.
The median pre-crash speed was 29.8 mph, and the median crash speed was 21.5 mph, and the one-in-a-thousand crash speed is approximately 86 mph-
The typical motorcycle pre-crash lines-of-sight to the traffic hazard portray no contribution of the limits of peripheral vision; more than three fourths of all accident hazards are within 45° of either side of straight ahead.
Conspicuity of the motorcycle is most critical for the frontal surfaces of the motorcycle and rider.
Vehicle defects related to accident causation are rare and likely to be due to deficient or defective maintenance.
Motorcycle riders between the ages of 16 and 24 are significantly Overrepresented in accidents; motorcycle riders between the ages of 30 and 50 are significantly underrepresented.
Although the majority of the accident-involved motorcycle riders are male (96X), the female motorcycle riders are significantly overrepresented in the accident data.
Craftsmen, laborers and students comprise most of the accident-involved motorcycle riders but the professionals, sales workers and craftsmen are underrepresented and the laborers, students and unemployed are overrepresented in the accidents.
Motorcycle riders with previous recent traffic citations and accidents are overrepresented in the accident data.
The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents.
More than half of the accident-involved motorcycle riders had less than 5 months experience on the accident motorcycle, although the total street riding experience was almost 3 years. Motorcycle riders with dirt bike experience are significantly underrepresented in the accident data.
Lack of attention to the driving task is a common factor for the motorcyclist in an accident.
Almost half of the fatal accidents show alcohol involvement.
Motorcycle riders in these accidents showed significant collision avoidance problems. Most riders would overbrake and skid the rear wheel, and underbrake the front wheel greatly reducing collision avoidance deceleration. The ability to countersteer and swerve was essentially absent.
The typical motorcycle accident allows the motorcyclist just less than 2 seconds to complete all collision avoidance action.
Passenger carrying motorcycles are not overrepresented in the accident data.
The drivers of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle are not distinguished from other accident populations except that the ages of 20 to 29, and beyond 65 are overrepresented. Also, these drivers are generally unfamiliar with motorcycles.
The large displacement motorcycles are underrepresented in accidents but they are associated with higher injury severity when involved in accidents.
Any effect of motorcycle color on accident involvement is not determinable from these data, but is expected to be insignificant because the frontal surfaces are most often presented to the other vehicle involved in the collision.
Motorcycles equipped with fairings and windshields are underrepresented in accidents, most likely because of the contribution to conspicuity and the association with more experienced and trained riders.
Motorcycle riders in these accidents were significantly without motorcycle license, without any license, or with license revoked.
Motorcycle modifications such as those associated with the Semi-Chopper or Cafe Racer are definitely overrepresented in accidents.
The likelihood of injury is extremely high in these motorcycle accidents; 98% of the multiple vehicle collisions and 96% of the single vehicle accidents resulted in some kind of injury to the motorcycle rider; 45% resulted in more than a minor injury.
Half of the injuries to the somatic regions were to the ankle-foot, lower leg, knee, and thigh-upper leg.
Crash bars are not an effective injury countermeasure; the reduction of injury to the ankle-foot is balanced by increase of injury to the thigh-upper leg, knee, and lower leg.
The use of heavy boots, jacket, gloves, etc., is effective in preventing or reducing abrasions and lacerations, which are frequent but rarely severe injuries.
Groin injuries were sustained by the motorcyclist in at least 13% of the accidents, and typified by multiple vehicle collision in frontal impact at higher than average speed,
Injury severity increases with speed, alcohol involvement and motorcycle size.
Seventy-three percent of the accident-involved motorcycle riders used no eye protection, and it is likely that the wind on the unprotected eyes contributed an impairment of vision which delayed hazard detection.
Approximately 50% of the motorcycle riders in traffic were using safety helmets but only 40% of the accident-involved motorcycle riders were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.
Voluntary safety helmet use by those accident-involved motorcycle riders was lowest for untrained, uneducated, young motorcycle riders on hot days and short trips.
The most deadly Injuries to the accident victims were injuries to the chest and head.
The use of the safety helmet is the single critical factor in the prevention or reduction of head injury; the safety helmet which complies with FMVSS 218 is a significantly effective injury countermeasure.
Safety helmet use caused no attenuation of critical traffic sounds, no limitation of pre-crash visual field, and no fatigue or loss of attention; no element of accident causation was related to helmet use.
FMVSS 218 provides a high level of protection in traffic accidents, and needs modification only to increase coverage at the back of the head and demonstrate impact protection of the front of full facial coverage helmets, and insure all adult sizes for traffic use are covered by the standard.
Helmeted riders and passengers showed significantly lower head and neck injury for all types of injury, at all levels of injury severity.
The increased coverage of the full facial coverage helmet increases protection, and significantly reduces face injuries.
There is no liability for neck injury by wearing a safety helmet; helmeted riders had fewer neck injuries than unhelmeted riders. Only four minor injuries were attributable to helmet use, and in each case the helmet prevented possible critical or fatal head injury,
Sixty percent of the motorcyclists were not wearing safety helmets at the time of the accident. Of this group, 26% said they did not wear helmets because they were uncomfortable and inconvenient, and 53% simply had no expectation of accident involvement.
Valid motorcycle exposure data can be obtained only from collection at the traffic site, Motor vehicle or driver license data presents information which is completely unrelated to actual use,
Less than 10% of the motorcycle riders involved in these accidents had insurance of any kind to provide medical care or replace property.
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K12pilot
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 10:59 am: |
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I will have to agree...
My only accident in 30+ years of riding was within 4 miles of my house. I was stopped at a red light waiting for it to change, surveying my surroundings, I spotted a car with Florida transporter plates & I said self...careful of that car...
the rest is history..
Glad your ok |
Ourdee
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 11:34 am: |
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and the one-in-a-thousand crash speed is approximately 86 mph-
So, less chance of crashing at 86 mph. =]
Groin injuries were sustained by the motorcyclist in at least 13% of the accidents,
May start wearing a cup.
Court,
Thanks for the paste. Lets one get a feel for the risk they are taking on. I have been delaying getting an Indiana license. There will be an address on the new one that is near where I do most of my riding. Could put me at more risk.
I have a hill and turn to the right of my drive way exit. Vehicles come around that bend at 10+ over legal. I pull out turning left often to find a cage on my six. I always look 2 or 3 times and know they were not visible prior to pulling out. I am thinking clear Whelen wig-wags or triple per side flashers for the rear of Lil Red. |
Dwardo
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 12:26 pm: |
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I did a similar thing at the end of my driveway. I have 4x4 boards alongside the blacktop. I was crossing from the grass into the driveway on the Norton, and ... there was dew on the boards. I went down in a split second. No harm done and the Norton was happily idling, laying on it's side. Picked it up (it ain't the Harley) and went on my way. Lesson learned. |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 02:32 pm: |
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When your hobbies are handguns, aviation and motorcycles . . . . life centers on risk recognition and mitigation.
All hobbies that are unforgiving of stupidity and lack of attention to detail. |
Rkc00
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 04:01 pm: |
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Great Advice. Hey Court when am I getting invited to the Farm? |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2017 - 05:41 pm: |
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. . . . . when am I getting invited to the Farm?
You are welcome ANYTIME . . . matters not if I'm here or not . . . doors open.
I'm going to be laid up for a while . . . following 9 doctor appts last week and surgery next Monday . . . so I'll damn sure be around for a bit.
I'll drop you a note with the details. |
Rkc00
| | Posted on Friday, July 07, 2017 - 12:41 pm: |
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It would be good to see you again Court. To many years |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Friday, July 07, 2017 - 10:58 pm: |
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I had hoped the 2 of you would have gone to this Homecoming.
Next year
Z
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Rkc00
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 - 02:38 pm: |
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Maybe next year
Zac4mac |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 - 03:14 pm: |
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Mike:
Do you think they have any clue what they are asking to subject themselves to?
Perhaps . . . they'll put us in charge of "nutritional eating".
:-) |
Ourdee
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 - 07:26 pm: |
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Picture this, if you will. In a small Wisconsin town at an event only known as, "HC2018". Two photographers from NewYoik become dietitians on a quest for nutritional BBQ and cheese burgers. Leading group rides on locally produced BMWs(most of them signed by Eddy)..... |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - 06:56 am: |
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Eric's brother
 |
Rkc00
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - 01:28 pm: |
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God help them |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - 02:20 pm: |
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Yeah. . . that scares even me . . . and nothing scares me.
I'm not sure they realize that Mike and I have matching Spandex leopard print singlets . . . .
This is ugly . . . very ugly.
But . . . where are you going to find 2 guys who go to Cracker Barrel as an appetizer to hit Five Guys?
Froggy would understand . . . .
:-) |
Ourdee
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - 02:58 pm: |
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That makes perfect sense; Cracker Barrel as an appetizer to hit Five Guys? And erases the spandex smear in the back of my mind. I'll repeat it for it's soothing effect:"go to Cracker Barrel as an appetizer to hit Five Guys" mmmm |
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