motorcycle/bike accidents

[cnycharles]

I just found out this morning that a very good friend in our local orchid society lost his son in a motorcycling accident. He isn't a member of this forum, I don't believe, but I just wanted to point out to people who ride or drive around riders, that it is a very dangerous exercise. Even if you aren't required to wear a helmet, you are playing dice with your life, and it may be the only thing in an accident that may keep you alive. I don't know any details but I'm sure he was wearing a helmet. It's just a point that if you don't wear helmets, that it would be a very good idea, and to everyone else that if you see a bike or 'cycle, try to keep clear of them if passing or coming up behind. They really have less control especially around gravel, water or potholes, and of course two less wheels than everyone else. thanks

 

[biothanasis]

I am so sorry for the loss!! And your point is right Charles!

 

[Ron-NY]

sorry to hear that...lost my cousin who was riding a bike to a vehicle that ran a stop sign...cars are dangerous enough motorcycles don't have any room for error. The 2 car accidents in my life would have been deadly for me if I was on a motorcycle.

 

[SlipperFan]

My sympathies, Charles.

Some years ago, i lost a student from a motorcycle accident at night. So sad.

 

[emydura]

Way too many motorcycle deaths. They make up a high proportion of fatalities on the roads here. You made me ride my scooter even more cautiously to work this morning.

David

 

[NYEric]

OUr condolences, everybody needs to be more careful on the road.

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

Sorry to hear about your friend's son Charles.

I see lots of young guys hot dogging on bikes here in some crazy traffic conditions. Many aren't wearing helmets, but they way they drive, I'm not sure it would matter much if they got into an accident. Twice I've seen accidents with scooters in Japan - in both cases they weren't going very fast and both people were badly hurt. Motorcycles may be fun, but man they are dangerous as hell. Total respect is needed.

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

Sorry about your friend son. I'm a rider and don't like to hear stories like this. Hope my wife doesn't read this post.

 

[Ray]

About 5 years ago, after a 35-year hiatus, I resurrected my interest in motorcycles, so bought a used (only 1100 miles) Japanese cruiser, took the motorcycle safety course (offered free and required to get a MC license in PA), invested in the protective gear, and off I went. (I am a firm believer in all the gear, all the time.)

That allowed me to resurrect another aspect of motorcycling: the notion that if I ever wanted to rob banks, I'd do it on a bike, because the moment you're on-board, you're apparently invisible.

About 18 months later, that invisibility (despite a bright yellow helmet and headlight modulator) led to a driver turning left in front of me, and as I braked, the rear end went sideways in some grit put down by PennDOT and I "low-sided it", but totaled the bike. I was able to ride it home, and I was OK, but the insurance company claimed it.

I replaced it with a BMW, but had to sell that after the surgery I went through last year. Sure am sorry to have had to, despite stories like this.

 

[Yoyo_Jo]

I gave up my Sportster after riding for 8 years after my husband hit a deer at highway speed on his. He fully recovered and is back in the saddle again, but I totally lost the taste for it. Becareful out there...

 

[cnycharles]

Rick will appreciate all of your condolences. Right after I graduated from high school, a good friend went and got drunk (go figure), hopped on a friend's bike despite attempts to stop him. He'd never really rode much, but went flying down the road. Of course, he wiped out and was paralyzed from the waist down I think for quite a while if not still. I had never rode a motorcycle except maybe for a tiny dirtbike, and due to my penchant for high velocity on four wheels I decided that I would not sit on a motorcycle until I was older and wiser. I would ride a cruiser around the adirondacks or someplace like that where there are nice roads and little traffic most of the time, but you have to be on the ball every instant. I still don't know what happened to Dale, but it very likely just could have been some critter ran out in front or the road was slick (it had rained off and on), and a split second thing happened. I can understand people's loving to ride bikes, (motor or not) but please be very careful.