| Author |
Message |
    
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 - 07:30 pm: | 
|
And there are a lot of 'riders per head' in the services too - which may slant the stats.
That said, the fatalities here are not all young bucks either.
(Message edited by danger_dave on December 02, 2008) |
Ravensmith22
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 - 08:23 pm: |
|
Lately I've noticed another high-risk group: people getting scooters and motorcycles to save gas. Too many of them just don't seem to understand that a bike is not the same as a car. My friends and I have jokingly referred to the new "Harley Uniform": Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. The thought of getting on a bike dressed like gives me the heebee-jeebees. I survived a bad accident because I understood from the start that I wasn't in a car. My helmet and armored jacket saved my life.
That brings up another point. I was hit from behind on the freeway by what we presume was a drunk driver (nobody stopped,so we're not sure, but there weren't any skid marks, which meant they never hit the brakes). There are external causes for accidents, as well. I think a lot of those come down to a lack of education. What if that person understood what could happen while driving drunk? What if he/she understood what it's like to be on a motorcycle and not in a cage? What if that person knew that I'd spend the rest of my life in pain, going through surgery after surgery? Or would they not really care as long as they didn't get caught?
Sorry, I'll stop my rant now. I still won't give up riding, it's a huge part of who I am, and I encourage more people to ride. The more who ride, the better off we all are. |
Guell
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 - 09:33 pm: |
|
I spent the first 18 years of my life riding mt bikes. Spent a good ammount of time on an ancient dirtbike that i scraped up enough change to buy.
After that i bought my buell. I knew at the time that it was too big for me. After the first ride on it, i knew that it would quickly kill me if i wasnt careful.
I really think it has to do with the attitude of the rider. Hell ive been there and done that. After wrecking my turbo toyota, i quickly realized its far cooler to be fast and alive than loudmouthed and dead. So many kids just get out there and seem to think they are the next rossi or extreme stunta. And for some of them, i dont think they will realize that until life comes back and bites them on the ass. Hopefully they are still arround to realize it. |
Iamike
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 - 10:38 pm: |
|
After we lost two brothers during a Buell Southwest Motorcycle Adventure a couple of years ago I realized that I had more to live for than just the thrill. They were both skilled riders that made a bad decision going too hot into curves.
I decided that if I was going to ride hard I'd enter in track days, otherwise I still have fun riding hard, just not nearly as fast as I used to. |
Fltwistygirl
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 - 10:43 pm: |
|
Ravensmith-
+1 on scooter/mc people with gas savings as a motive being higher risk.
My contribution to your rant-A good number of students who take the BRC with gas savings being the ultimate motive behind wanting to learn to ride have no business on 2 wheels. Before gas hit $3/gallon, most never thought twice about getting on a two wheeled motorized vehicle. Some of these students are shocked at the level of coordination that it takes to operate a small mc (125-250cc's). Of these, many request to switch to a scooter (non-shifting) thinking that will make the difference. While some do fine, others just can't manage it, and cannot meet the objectives of even the most basic exercises. Some students who have gas-savings as their primary motive never give a second thought to safety gear either, not realizing how much it can hurt to go down on asphalt even at 5 mph on a scooter that weighs a couple hundred pounds. Some ultimately give up their dream of riding and it is a very emotional experience, but I'd much rather deal briefly with the tears of a student who has no business riding anything with 2 wheels rather than reading about them later.
I'm glad you survived your crash, still ride and are a believer in good gear. Although not everyone is cut out for two wheels, the more we can make everyone-riders and non-riders-aware that we are out there, and not all of us are hooligans, the better the outlook for our sport.
B. |
Bigredwood
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 02:58 am: |
|
My father had a 1972 KZ750 Mach IV. I had a CBR F3i. Most of us were young and had a motorcycle. But some of us didn't have the community.
I have had several experiences behind the bars of numerous bikes. I have ridden/raced all across this nation and continent. The friends and associates I have made are beyond my ability to count. The motorcycling community is my favorite part of riding. Constant gatherings scattered across some of the most amazing roads and venues. I believe to help our immature (not just younger) riders we need to keep giving them the purpose in riding tomorrow. Be it the March Badness for the folks in the Southeast, Homecoming for Buell Owners, Track Daze @ Brainerd, or Ensenada for Score International. These are the intangibles . . . our communities presence. One day I will strap on the gear and trip to meet as many fellow BadWebbers as possible and discuss the opinions we all have about this passion called Motorcycles.
On the fallen riders point . . . embrace your fallen brothers and sisters. Be it ignorance or misfortune, we still have loss someone who shared a similar passion. Personally, I was shaken by Matthew Cook's death. In a very short time this young rider annoyed my maturity and reminded me of my passions at his age. He dug up some deep memories of friends I had lost . . .
My wife and family still worry about my riding. I have a 9 month old son and the good parent topic comes up regularly. The amazing friends that I have made through riding and this following comment usually bring my wife peace and understanding.
-"Riding or not riding a Motorcycle is the difference between living life and just watching it on television."
So for all that have fallen and bounced back up . . . I continue to drop the clutch hand.
For all that have fallen and not been as fortunate . . . I continue to keep my pegs down.
Always willing to share the passion,
Justin aka Woodrow |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 06:15 am: |
|
I'm a pilot, motorcyclist and a handgun enthusiast.
I've had damn few friends die as a result of flying and shooting.
Motorcycling is set apart as a high risk sport that required virtually no training.
Most of us share the common experience of a stupid learning stunt (mine was laying the high pipes of a Honda CL77 305 Scrambler on my bare legs) that falls merely in the "war story" category, others suffer far greater consequences.
In addition, motorcycles, unlike handguns and aeroplanes, add the macho testosterone element. Several years ago the most dangerous place a person could operate a motorcycle was at a B.R.A.G. event. Little wonder as a year of internet banter was climaxed with a mano-y-mano encounter on some of the twistiest roads in the country. Frankly I grew tried of predictable tales of guys who were "good rides" driving motorcycles in absolutely stupid ways. Note that "good riders" do not smash head-on into cars in the opposite lane.
It's a fabulous pastime that should require a lot more training.
The scooter thing is going to exacerbate this, me thinks, as I watch high heel and skirt clad cuties buzz about Manhattan thinking they are somehow spared, as a result of their 150cc, the reality of motorcycling. I already have way too many photos of wadded scooters splitting lanes.
Court |
Skinstains
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 05:53 pm: |
|
Just the fact that a person would join the military tells you that they are a risk taker, no ? So do they only take that one risk ? I doubt it, stat's are way too easy to slant. |
Xbpete
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 06:33 pm: |
|
Y'know, you don't just jump out of a plane one time or do a single tandem.... ya work yourself up to free fall, then onto relative work ( when you are safe enough flying to not kill somebody,,,, )it just doesn't happen, ya gotta practice, day after day, jump after jump, learning to fly is like learning to walk for the first time.... same with bikes...
You can't buy scuba gear and attack the underground rivers, caves and cisterns off of Crystal River in Florida, you train and train and train. Then when you are in an environment with no breathing air above you, only rock, the heart will pound, the pulse will race but your training allows you to return to air breathing and living to dive another day,,,, sorta like bikes, skills are acquired with time and training, then the fun begins...
Yeah, love to take risks, always have and always will, but training and schooling means you can do it for a lifetime of adrenalin thrill if you are so lucky...
But again, if the bell tolls..... and it will, learning to live on the edge is more than just doing it once and killing yourself, its coming back for seconds and thirds..and not taking out anyone else when midnight comes..
Heck with stats, that is an insurance institute thing and you are totally correct in stating the obvious skewing of numbers by exclusion or modification before the great reveal...
I know that after 45 years on two wheels, I will most certainly enjoy superbike school, you are NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN...
and you will never live to be old enough to know it all.... |
Chasespeed
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 06:58 pm: |
|
I will say this...
Anyone that says they arent a risk taker on here, re-evaluate things before they say that...
Second, I dont know what the bike fatalities were for FY08, BUT, as of 4 july, IIRC, the Navy, only led the Corp by 1 death on a bike(I could be wrong, you know those safety reports). I was the liason for my command( I am civilian now)...
Regardless, YES, the military IS getting a lot of notice about bike related fatalities...
BUT, its an all around thing...
That guy with the midlife crisis, who has a new bike, and no knowledge... or the 16 y/o with the liter bike... and everyone in between.... its all the same.
You do what YOU FEEL is best to protect yourself.... then roll with it.
I have learned A LOT of lessons the hard way.... probably wouldnt have learned other wise.
Then, the day goes on.....
Chase |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 06:59 pm: |
|
'Experience is a good school - but the fees are high.' |
Danny_h__jesternut
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 07:13 pm: |
|
I have a death wish! Every time/day I ride I figger its a good day to die. boo hoo hoo. I don't give a crappie. Tick tock, the clock is ticking, when its time to go, you must go. I like cheating death, FU grim reaper!
  |
Doz
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 07:27 pm: |
|
I tell myself the same thing every time I get on a bike. "This could be the day I die" Not to be used as an excuse to ride like a fool, just to enjoy it for what it is. If I die doing something I enjoy then I'll consider myself a lucky man. |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 07:37 pm: |
|
if you die riding like a moron, you're a dead moron.
FB |
Brumbear
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 09:57 pm: |
|
Hey I take risks because I like to. I try to minimize the risks but I still take them. I enjoy life and an adrenellin rush I do not want to die That being said every story ends the same no one gets out alive. It just is never good to here someone passed it won't be any easier if they are 40 or when we are 80 it hurts a to lose so I say my prayers and do my best
Dave |
Jumpinjewels
| | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 12:01 am: |
|
My 20 year old son got his first street bike this past summer. He had been wanting one for a while and, as a biker myself, I couldn't say NO.
Part of the plan for him to get a bike was taking his MSF class which he did, only riding with me and my hubby for the first year or more, which is happening. I do let him ride to work by himself as it is less than 10 miles from home. He can't go on the highway alone. And ATGATT.
We took him to Vegas in October for Inside Pass track day so he could get some experience on the track with his bike. I'll be taking him to Pueblo in the spring for some more track training. He also has some experience on a dirt bike.
Fortunately, my guy is not the TYPICAL 20 yr old that feels he needs to go balls to the wall. He is very cautious.
Coming home one day we (the 3 of us) were on the highway for a short few miles and when we got home he made the comment that he was somewhat scared out there. Being so open and no protection around him he knew it would be easy to die.
I love riding and hope to continue for a very long time. It makes me crazy to see bikers out there doing wheelies on the highway going 70 miles an hour. I've seen it more often than I care to. They're asking for trouble.
My prayers go out to all the families that have lost loved ones. It saddens me every time I see a post about a lost life. |
Gearheaderiko
| | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 01:17 am: |
|
I've read a lot of good stuff on this thread and some complete BS.
Every time a 'car driver' see's a motorcyclist doing something stupid, they loose a little respect for all of us. Eventually they no longer give us any respect on the road. We're just a casualty waiting to happen and the way 'we' ride, we're asking for it. When you do stupid 'stuff' you represent all of us.
Doing something stupid may also take out another motorcyclist. (gee, thanks, I'm impressed, you almost killed me too!)
The idea that anyone who gets in an accident was at fault? False.
Everyone who joins the military is a risk taker? No. |
|
