decaputated biker

[FM696969]

i was out ridding last night, when i saw alot of activity about a 1/4 mile ahead of me, as i passed the accident seen, i saw the remains of a motorcycle rider and his lady passsenger [decaputated]on the pavement. i rode my bike home at no more then 30mph and parked it.

i could not sleep last night, thinking that could of been me, if i would have passed that intersection 3 minutes earlier.
it's time for me to get rid of my r1150.
i have already had too many close calls of cars pulling out in front of me,running stop signs and running me off the road.
to many crazy drivers out there that do not look out for motorcycles.
i think that i will never ride a motorcycle again!!!

[leno]

You have to ride like nobody can see you. They can't see you so you have to see them. If you stop riding that means the blind morons have won.

[slowpoke 04]

60,000 people a year are killed on the highways in the US. If you don't think you will see someone dead on the highways in your travels I'm not sure what to say. People are killed doing everyday tasks, even bathing. Sure it could have been you or me or someone we know that will die in a tragic accident. But, how many people die from the stress of jobs they hate, or live in areas they hate, or with people they hate, I mean in the end something gets us all. It doesn't make dealing with death any easier knowing it happens. But, I could never stop doing something I like because I knew someone died doing something similiar. There are risks in life. Only you can decide if they are worth taking. Some people do not belong on motorcycles, airplanes or boats, doesn't make them any less of a person, just different. I hope you do not miss riding your bike. There are plenty of other things to do to enjoy your life, but I'm sure people haved died doing those too.

[dragonmojo]

This reminds me of a young lady I knew over half a lifetime ago. She did not swim (or go into the water except to bathe) for fear of possibly drowning. Did not go camping, for fear of ticks, fleas, snakes or wild animal attacks. No amusement parks, lest some ride misfunctions while she is the rider. No staying at hi-rise buildings in case of fire or earthquakes. The list goes on ad nauseum.

At some point in life, we need to think about when we want to start to live.

[disonny]

being a member of the local volunteer fire department, and having a fairly dangerous highway in our district we see alot of injuries and deaths.Just in the past year we have cut 4 teenagers from cars that they have wrecked.( None of them survived) And they were all from high rates of speed, 80 mph and higher. And we had a bike rider a couple years ago that died too. Some of the drivers that stopped said that the bike flew by them going 100 mph. Later on we learned that he just bought the bike and just got his license a week earlier.If you ride in your limits and pay close attention, it's not dangerous transportation. And it is WAY too much fun to give up. It does make you think when you see something bad like that. We have had a decapitated driver of a car crash a while back, but I'm still driving a car everyday!

[R4R&R]

LAst night a friend of mine called me at home around 8:30pm to see if I was there. He was a few miles from my house and saw a motorcycle accident that involved a bike "just like mine". It sounds like the bike was traveling down a main road and someone pulled out in front of them to turn left. My friend said the bike must've been going fast since it did some serious damage to the car. He couldn't tell too many details from where he was but wanted to make sure it wasn't me. I saw a post on Craigslist this morning in the motorcycle section stating that there was a child on the back, and seemed ok but was wondering it the adult was ok. They did airlift the person to the hospital.

I happened to ride in to work today in a very cautious way. That road is a road that I often take on the way home.

[wncbmw]

I would caution about overracting. If you did not know the possibility of death was out there, you entered into motorcycling under false pretenses. Accept the realities and ride accordingly.

For the record, I have fewer people pull out in front of me, turn left in front of me and pull over on me while on the bike than in the car. Mainly because I expect them to when on the bike and act on it! Flashing lights, making eye contact or changing positions to protect my "bubble". Being proactive can prevent you having to be reactive!

[Just-Beeming]

FM
I am so sorry that you had to experience such a tragic accident scene.
It really shakes you to the core when you see grim reality like that!


I live in Oregon. The media is all over the motorcycle accidents since the first of the year.

ODOT - Transportation Safety Division Reports -
To Date May 31, 2006:
Total Pedestrian Deaths 2006 = 15
Total Bicyclist Deaths 2006 = 4
Total Motorcyclist Deaths 2006 = 11

If you notice...It is more dangerous to be a pedestrian.

We have a situation with raising gas prices that more unexperienced riders are out on the road.
It is early summer and every invincible swagering youth is buying that speed bike and weaving in and out of cars.

Keep in mind the statistics....50% of all motorcycle accidents involve alcohol...more happen at night than daylight...More off road than on road....

Don't drink...not even a drop...and stay on road and limit riding to daylight hours if at all possible.

If you want to sell your bike, you should....but give yourself permission to take some time...if you still feel this way in a few weeks...you will know what to do.

'Beeming

[sjbmw]

man we could use a better subject.

[Beemeridian]

586

[tomt]

I usually just lerk, but felt compelled to chime in. I received my newest Rider magazine two days ago and in that issue discovered that the safety editor, Lawrence Grodsky had died in a motorcycle accident coming home from the motorcycle safety conference. It's been bugging me to no end. I've been riding for 9 years and will turn 49 this year. I also rode when I was a teenager. I've ridden about 60-70,000 miles and the only time I ever had a close call was up in the UP of Michigan with a deer. I have taught defensive driver seminars all over the country for the National Safety Foundation and believe I am a very safe rider. BUT, that article about that particular guy has got me thinking about another hobby. My wife thinks I'm nuts and knows that motorcycling is in my blood.

I think I'll just ponder awhile...

[disonny]

The bottom line is to be very carful no matter what. Look 3 times before entering an intersection. You just have to watch your a$$.

PS If they air lifted a victim, the victim is still alive.

[fnfalman]

You gotta die sometimes. I'd rather spend my time on earth doing what I love - riding motorcycles, than living a meek life in search of some sort of false security.

[rph802]

Just curious FM, are you in VT or FL when this accident took place??

I'm in a small town outside of Brattleboro so most of my riding is on back roads and state roads, usually with a river on one side or the other and so no driveway darters coming from that side but of course still have to keep an eye out for various critters. I think WNC makes a great point. I am definitely more observant on the bike than in the cage. I always try to ride by the motto of "what is the stupidest thing that person or intersection or driveway could do/happen??". So far it seems to be working....

now I've also had the oppurtunity to do some riding down in the naples Fl area and Alligator Alley. far from being invisible, i felt like I had a bulls eye on my bike. but in all fairness, i got the same feeling in the cage!!!

You gotta do what feels right for you in the end but i agree with the others, take some time off the bike before you make any final decisions. how about taking an advanced MSF course to brush up on your defensive skills? At the very least may give you more confidence in your evasive techniques, something under your control.

best of luck!!

Craig

[beemerphile]

Everyone has to do what they are comfortable with. In my home town there was a man sitting on his front porch and the roof collapsed killing him. You can't live without dying, but some make a choice to die without living. That seems far more unfortunate to me. - Lee

[coyofmo]

FNFALMAN has the idea. I think it was Orvil Wright who said "The person who desires perfect safety, would do well to sit on a fence and watch the birds". I just bought my first bike in 24 years...My wife was really not for it at all, but it's because she loves me and is worried...all my friends, the people at my work, church, family members, even new acqaintences...every time we talk about motorcycles the conversation immediatly goes to tragities. It's enough to bring a person down, but then I think..I learned the lession long ago, you just can't go around being afraid of life. Ride safe! Coy

[DJ Downunder]

There are plenty of nasty car crashes out there also.

What will you do when you drive your car past one of those?

Sell your car also?

Life is full of dangers and risks.

Ride safe everyone.

DJ

[ebiker]

i was out ridding last night, when i saw alot of activity about a 1/4 mile ahead of me, as i passed the accident seen, i saw the remains of a motorcycle rider and his lady passsenger [decaputated]on the pavement. i rode my bike home at no more then 30mph and parked it.

i could not sleep last night, thinking that could of been me, if i would have passed that intersection 3 minutes earlier. it's time for me to get rid of my r1150. i have already had too many close calls of cars pulling out in front of me,running stop signs and running me off the road. to many crazy drivers out there that do not look out for motorcycles. i think that i will never ride a motorcycle again!!!

I think I know how you must feel. In my 42 years on motorcycles I have had my share of "close calls" and I have witnessed several motorcycle accidents. I have seen riding chums horribly multilated or crippled by a motorcycle/car accident. My brother-in-law became a quadriplegic at an early age due to a motorcycle crash. In recent years I was twice rearended by a stupid cager.

After some of my close calls I took a little time off from riding--a couple of weeks, maybe a month, but the need to ride soon returned and I would then become more cautious of traffic situations.

I now ride alone and away from the traffic herd, if possible. I avoid biker group rides or I ride at the rear. I wear very bright color clothing and a white helmet. The Wing and the RG have extra lighting, same as my prior motorcycles---BMW's. I change lane position or do a little wiggle prior to entering an intersection when I spot a cager waiting to make a left turn. I'm constantly monitoring the surrounding traffic. I'm always looking for an exit route in case sh*t happens. I also carry the phone number of a damn good attorney who handles only motorcycle accidents in case some stupid S.O.B. runs into me!

Do I appear to be antisocial? Perhaps, but I really don't give a damn!

I'm just trying to ride my motorcycle in peace and safety without some brain dead cretin attempting to kill me!

Ed..

[12bar1]

I have also been rear ended twice in the last few years. The first one was no big deal. The one that just happened was a lot worse, darn near totaled my bike and beat the snot out of me. After this last one I considered giving up riding but that only lasted a day or two. I get my bike back tomorrow afternoon and will be back on the road again. I figure we are all going to check out eventually why not do what you enjoy while you are here, tomorrow is promised to no one.

[solitario11]

I know how you feel! It don't pass 1 week or 2 that a family member or friend don't calls me or email me about a biker dying! I remind them that 1000+ people die in cars accidents, trips and falls. Even the mighty airplanes kill 100+ a year! some times I get down my self,,really down, like right now I am so down because of speeding ticket, not on my %1150R but on my triumph sprint st. its going to cost $400 for the attorney alone and there is no guarantee I will beat the points. If I get point my wife and kids will crucified me and my insurance payments will go up on 3 bikes and 3 cars to boots. So between the freaking rain and the speeding ticked I just don't feel too much like riding!