Witnessed a motorcycle accident today - saw a guy get killed

[cigarette1]

I don't ride anymore after witnessing something simular. I had a tricked out K100 BMW and used to ride with a group of very experienced riders (I always brought up the rear). Most of them rode Ducs and raced in their earlier years (we were all over 40). One day on the Crest we came upon two riders, relatively, taking it easy. One of them was wearing full leathers and the other had on topsiders and a windbreaker. As we were overtaking them one by one, the guy in leather decided to run with the front guys (he was good). Now it was my turn to pass his partner, but he was all over the road trying to keep up. As I'm folowing and waiting for a chance to pass this guy, he crossed the yellow one too many times and went head in to a BMW car. The guy was sprawled out on the road in a banked turn. The girls in the car were freaking ... no one from our group realized he went down ... and there I was trippin' ... I knew the guy was a done. I couldn't get a signal on my cell when a guy drove up and started to check him out. By then the blood was streaming across the road from his helmet. By this time someone had reached his partner and told him his buddy went down. It was sad when his buddy arrived on the scene. The irony was that it was a very young guy and the bike was brand new. When it was time for me to resume my ride, it felt like I was trying to ride on a curb. I sold the bike shortly there after.
frown

[EricU]

It's ****ing Darwinism! Too many clowns out there buying big bikes, wanting to be cool, that have never rode before.
People should have to ride a dirt bike for at least three years before they are allowed on a street bike. Screwing up on a off road trail can still do some damage, but nothing like a Buick can. And yes trees and rocks do hurt, (I am supprised California hasn't outlawed them).
Cars don't see you on a bike! Then there are the assholes in cars that are pissed off when you are on a bike and passing them -- ****ing jealous pieces of shit!
Just hope the guy didn't have little kids.
Eric

[Trailer Park Casanova]

That's a numb awfull feeling Dan.
A few years ago we were on the 15 just a few miles before Stateline, woke the kids up to look at the Casino lights ahead as a BMW m/c and a Harley passed us.
Just as they crossed into Nevada the BMW rider was struck by lighting, we all saw it, both riders fell and died.
A numb and awful day ya wanna throw back.
Sorry you had to witness that.

[Ziggy]

Terrible thing to have to witness...5 stars to ya for doing your best. Not much we can do in those situations but pray. cry
Certainly solidifies my decision not to co-sign for that FZR my son wanted just yesterday. Had my close call years ago, put away the street bikes and stuck to off-roadin'.

[mowtown]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mrs Scuba:
It would kill me to know that the day that I did not tell Steve that I love him might be the last time I see him if something were to happen.
When I was 16, i skipped a class to run home and pick up something and my mom "caught" me. Even though she was a little ticked that I wasn't at school (only for a few minutes )we laughed and joked around and we shared "I love you's" when I left. She was killed in a violent roll over accident about 25 minutes later. I consider that last chance to talk to her an eternal blessing.
Tell your loved ones how you feel despite any chicken shit spats you might be having.

[spectratoad]

It's ****ing Darwinism! Too many clowns out there buying big bikes, wanting to be cool, that have never rode before.
People should have to ride a dirt bike for at least three years before they are allowed on a street bike. Screwing up on a off road trail can still do some damage, but nothing like a Buick can. And yes trees and rocks do hurt, (I am supprised California hasn't outlawed them).
Cars don't see you on a bike! Then there are the assholes in cars that are pissed off when you are on a bike and passing them -- ****ing jealous pieces of shit!
So Eric, Having to ride a dirt bike would teach you how to avoid those buicks that are driven by people who don't see you or are jealous of you? You contradict yourself there in your statement bud. If you are driving a bike like an idiot it is bound to happen but when I was riding I did everything right and always assumed that the cars around me didn't see me or were gunning for me. I am still alive. The bike could go fast but I didn't need to, maybe that is why I am still here to type. But as HD&Boatrider says, when it is time to go there is nothing you can do about it.

[EricU]

What riding a dirt bike does is teach people how to react on a bike in an emergency situation.
It's a hell of lot better to learn what happens when you lock up the rear tire in the dirt than on the asphalt.
Dirt still hurts, but not as much as a Buick or a concrete curb.
Being able to plunk down money on a bike whether it is a big cruiser or a bad ass repli-racer dosen't mean that the person knows how to ride. It always amazes me when I see someone on a thirty thousand dollar Harley and they are hanging thier feet out through the intersection like outriggers. Like if they dump their bike that their leg is going to keep them up. Guarentee that those clowns have never ridding a dirt bike.
Riding a street bike is always a risk, but I wouldn't give it up.
Eric.

[fat rat]

I agree with Eric......knowing body english might have saved that guy's life.

[spectratoad]

That may be true when you look at it that way. Too bad the same applies to boats when it comes to someone not know shit except they can afford a boat.

[MagicMtnDan]

spectratoad:
That may be true when you look at it that way. Too bad the same applies to boats when it comes to someone not know shit except they can afford a boat. You raise a good point - so how do you all recommend people learn to drive a boat safely (yes, I know about taking a safe boating course)? What else is there besides that and seat time?