Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Well, that was disturbing

This week we had a motorcycle fatality near Helena. We also had an accident last week where a guy broke his neck but lived (haven't had an update in the news recently). Both failed to negotiated a curve, and hit a guardrail. In both cases speed was not a factor. The guy who survived was 40 years old, on a 72 Harley, drunk, and no gear to speak of, certainly no helmet. The guy who died was 54 years old, wearing a helmet and sober (no idea what kind of bike).

After work I rode down that road where the fatality happened. I didn't see the other location but I believe the difference between the two is that he hit the guardrail head-on, where it turned a corner and stopped at a private driveway. I believe the other one merely bounced off the guardrail. The head-on bent the guardrail quite a bit. You can see right where he hit (regardless of the memorial bits that have since been placed there).

I don't really have a conclusion or a punchline. Just be careful out there, kids.

What he said

Yep,take care!

I would almost bet that they were both looking at the guardrail instead of where they wanted to go. People tend to forget that they usually go where they look.

I passed by a scene a couple days ago (Tue) where I saw a bike down and the rider laying on his back. Hopefully he was just unconscious but it had just happened.
That stuff just creeps me out and is so hard to get out of my head.

We have to keep our eyes open and be ready for anything at anytime.

Quote:

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Just be careful out there, kids.

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And slow down (says I to self).

this proves that drunk driving is the answer to surviving car crashes.

It seems I've heard that 25% of accidents are caused by drunk drivers. Which means you REALLY have to watch out for the other 75%. Just saying.....
Still, be careful and know your limits.

Ya know Larry, your and Tom's postings here with these "statistics", reminds me of that old joke that goes:

"The lastest studies have shown that married men on average live 7.5 years longer than do single men. And so gentlemen, IF you want to prolong your life but make your death a slow and agonizing one....."

You know its not just distrubing its depressing. Seems like more often than not when I stop for gas or a break. Someone will walk up and begin talking about bikes. Usually it seems it leads to, I used to ride but...And so follows the tale of their horrific crash and months in the hospital and a show of scars. I try to be polite but it sure does tend to ruin a good ride somedays.

Yeah, I think we all get that little "speech" occasionally out there, trash. However, for some reason I've never let that either disturb or depress me. My reaction is usually to take their message and reaffirm my commitment to always remember that there are some REAL freakin' doofusses behind the wheel out there on the road with me, and thus to always be on the lookout for said doofuses!

(...turn a negative into a positive I always say...well USUALLY anyway)

It seems the "speech" is a part of riding now. I don't remember getting it when I used to ride before my multi year hiatus. When I get it I usually nod my head smile and tell them that I agree with them and their decision and that not everyone needs to ride a bike. I get mixed reactions, oh well.

Hobe, you handle the "speech" well. If one ponders it too much, it can become a jinx. As always, drive defensively, know the terrain and know your limits

disturbing news indeed.

Now I have a question,, With defensive being a key word, how would you describe your definition for defensive?
I have come to call mine Definsive/lightly aggressive. If your too passive, then you get pushed all over the road (IMHO).

Best defense is a good offense. Loud pipes and horn.

Actually, the best defense is always to ride SLIGHTLY faster than the rest of the traffic in order to stay out of the cager's blind stop as much as possible...and so I guess that would that "lightly aggressive" thing Scott mentioned above.

And, loud pipes do NOT tend to keep people from pulling out of a side street OR making that left turn right in front of you as they're coming the opposite way because of the direction your bike's exhaust note is being emitted, and REGARDLESS of how loud they are, they do NOT register with that nearsighted doofus who's about to pull that boneheaded manuever right in front of you.

SafER riding is ALWAYS a matter of recognizing your current surroundings(i.e. a street with a number of driveways/parking lot entrances/etc flowing into it, the ebb and flow of traffic, the lighting or lack of, the time of day(i.e. dawn and/or dusk when more accidents happen), among many many MANY other factors that we ALL should endeavor to learn and remember as soon as we throw a leg over our rides and hit that ignition button.

those stickers just make me wanna read what they say

haha