I saw a Navigator and a crotch rocket collide tonight in a 30 mph zone. The bike hit the windshield and the rider went under the truck. Both axles hit him. He died instantly. I know better than to get on one. For those who don't, be careful. JH
It was on ***berland Ave (The Strip) on the campus of the University of Tennessee. The Navigator hit him. Probably never saw him. JH
Rather die riding then in a bed (unless a hottie is with me). Last year we had a t-bucket here in town lose to a Caddy that ran a red light. Took them about an hour just to recognise the cars make. Didn't stop me from turning the key in mine the next day. Ride to live, live to ride.
Yea, that really ****s....but, I had a friend roll his truck on his way home from work and another's heart just stop at a company party. Both were barely 40... When it's your time...it's your time. I have 2 bikes and I'm buliding a bobber to race. I'd rather go that way than setting on the couch watchin TV. Live fast...have fun! Marty o~\o
wow that ****s, i know you said the navigator hit him, but do you mean it was the navigator's fault? it seems everyone i know that got hurt on a bike was not at fault. but that makes it all the more reason not to ride one. meaning you're screwed no matter how careful you are.
Well you bikers know that half the cars out there are practially out to get you. You ride like you are invisible and expect every car to pull out. You get so you ride with a way out all the time, without even being concious about it. You ride smart, stay on the inside next to the yellow because the chances of having someone not see you and do a left turn is a fraction of what it is if you curb hug. You learn these things and take nothing for granted, look both ways even on green, or you die. Car verses big, there are no fender benders on a bike. It's sad when a biker either doesn't learn or forgets. Sad indeed.
Ive been thinkin about getting a bike when im older. stories like these make me wonder though. theres so many idiots with giant SUV's it seems like crashing is almost unavoidable.
Like my dad always tells me, "You have to always drive for the people around you..." This kind of information is always horrible to hear. Lets keep it safe while out on the streets.
extremely good advice. I commute on a crotch rocket(in socal fwy's) And drive defensive, and exactly like willowbilly3 described. Like everyone is out to get me. And yes, when its your time, it's your time. I got shot 7 times point blank with a 9mm about 2 years ago, and im still here talking cars with you guys. Thank GOD he was looking out for me. manny
Ride paranoid or die. EVERY death is the bikers fault. I've lost too many friends and all could be alive except for one thing.....they missed an important clue to the oncoming disaster. The clues are there if you look for them. If you can't focus one hundred percent of the time....don't buy a bike. Here are some of my rules of riding.... 1. Find a "blocker" car to protect you when moving thru an intersection. 2. Any time you are braking...moniter your mirrors and leave an escape route if the vehicle behind you isn't stopping. 3. Always ride closer to the centerline...not the center of the lane because of the oil....or the shoulder side either.....one wheel off the side and you're upside down fast. When in the center of the lane, moniter all oncoming traffic for signs of a left hand turn being started....riding the center line makes it easier to watch driver head movement and hand position on their steering wheel....also front tire movement and the cars fade in any direction in preparation for the turn. 4. Zero alcohol or drugs.....ZERO!!!! 5. Never "Enjoy" the ride when cars are around.....Work first....then enjoy when it's safe. 6. Practice hard turns at speed....a motorcycle turns left when steering right...and right when steering left at speed. When in a panic situation, if you try to steer hard to the shoulder, it will take you the opposite direction. You can stay alive......but it's work.
Its funny, when I ride I act just as if Im at work driving a semi....Motorcycles and semis are thousands of pounds apart, but both require alot of paying attention to your surroundings..Both you must be looking ahead to see whats going on/flow of traffic/stopping/idiots in driveways ect....But Like anything Jack***es drive careless in semis and motorcycles and both sometimes get a bad reputation as being dangerous.........
I second that Hatch and yes motorcycles can be dangerous but its usually the cages and the people driving them that are more dangerous.Or the brainless person ridin the scoot and thinkin there superman.Fine examples incl Reading the paper,talking on cell phone,doing make up,thinkin they can bet me across the intersection cause I am a smaller object.............. I ride like everyone in a car is out there to kill me...........PERIOD!........ Shoe
i agree with the truck and bike comparison. it's a lot of work to be safe in/on either one. the wrecks i had in both could have been avoided with more care on my part. funny that i was never seriously hurt in a vehicle accident, but a stupid tree put me a wheelchair
Absolutely. I also follow the ZERO alchohol rule. I had a minivan come into my lane last week. Dude on a phone. I hit the brakes hard and squealed the front tire which is I think what saved me cause it snapped this guy out of his conversation. I missed him by inches. Normally I try to ride slightly faster than traffic and control where I place my bike in traffic. That day was just cruising along minding my own business. That's when they get you.
Be careful and always aware! a Few yrs back my gal & I on a bike were in a head on with a lil 4 door full of kids and they just drove off since we were out of the picture for catching them... not only are they out to get you...they will if they can get away with it!!
You have to follow what Willowbilly and Hatch said and you may not end up dying or worse being in a veg state for the rest of your life. I have been riding for over 10yrs (not long in some lifes) no commuting (rains every day). My buddy just got a used HD full dress Shriner bike and is use to riding a sporty, we are still working on take offs on a hill and tight turns Their is so much to keep track of when you are riding. Be smart, be safe!!
Thats real sad, hate to hear that type of thing. I don't ride a bike, but in my car I get cut off at least once a week be people that can't see my CAR. A bike almost doesn't stand a chance with the volume of todays traffic, plus stupid people on cell phones not paying attention
Hatch that is one of the best descriptions of what it takes to be on the road. I just wished ALL people would follow your "rules"! It is because people don't treat driving with respect that we have accidents at all. It is true if you can't concentrate 100% don't drive!! Funny how many people think that you don't have to do that in a car. I don't know why people say they can't see a bike or a car. What the hell were you looking at when you were driving? I don't want to go off on a rant here. ****
Thanks Shaq....I've broken some of my own rules, and almost bought it a couple of times. I'm older and wiser now...... I lost a good riding friend every summer, four years in a row...four great riders that were killed in an instant.... It doesnt matter who is at fault in a bike accident....dead is dead.
I lost two friends within a month of each other several years ago. One lost it in a curve and landed face down in some mud. The bike landed on him and got wedged in some little trees. He didn't have one broken bone - he drowned because he couldn't get the bike off. The other ran an S&S powered Harley into the back of a semi. The semi was running about 50 and my friend was running over 100. Both guys were drunk. To this day I love to look & listen but don't ride. JH
To be honest I really don't give a flying f*** about somebody I've never met or at least communicated with getting hit by a motor. It happens all day, everyday. Somewhere, somebody is getting killed, right now. If you're not aware of, or ever need reminding of that sad fact, you need to either stay off the highway or fill your trunk with Kleenex.
"To be honest..." ...no one asked what you did, or did not, care about. Considering what is happening on the Gulf Coast right now, it's a good thing there are people who DO care about what is happening to others. You do sound like quite a bad*** though. Congratulations on being so tough. JH
Maybe you haven't noticed....people around here discuss things that affect them....cars...bikes....work....or life in general.....some positive things...some negative things.......you happen to affect people negatively. Congratulations!!
Damn that ****s. For all those that ride-- take a rider's course. A weekend of cl***es and riding. Statistics show that in 90% of bike accidents the rider had no formal training. Even if you are a veteran rider, take a course. And like hatch said --ZERO drugs or alcohol. Over half of all bike accidents are alcohol or drug related. I've known 3 guys that have died, and all had alcohol in their system.
Oh--and I can't believe I actually have to say this---do NOT use a cell phone while you are riding. Yes, I say a girl a few weeks ago on a brand new harley, no helmet, talking on a cell--not even a hands free phone, a regular old cell !!! Definate Darwin award winner!
The Jalopy Journal
