and so it begins...

[testinglogin]

Now that the weather is turning a bit warmer, we are having days where more motorcyclists are out on the roads. Yesterday around 7pm I was walking the dog and saw a guy roll by on his Harley; wearing jeans, a t-shirt, a leather vest, and a do-rag. It was in the low-60's, so I'm guessing he was feeling as cool as he was trying to look.

Anyhow, I woke up this morning and found a great news headline:

"1 dead, 3 hurt in West Toledo crash - 2 motorcycles, pickup collide at Laskey-Burnham intersection"

It's too early in the season for this. The basics:

"Marty West, who was headed westbound on Laskey and witnessed the crash, said the motorcycles passed him and then he saw one collide with the truck at Burnham and the other motorcycle hit the bike in front of it.

"They tangled up and then all of them hit the floor," he said

It appears the truck attempted to turn left onto Burnham, but the driver realized the road was closed and merged back into the left westbound lane of Laskey, where the motorcycles collided with it, authorities said."

.. and of course:

"One man and one woman rode each cycle, and none wore a helmet, police at the scene said."

I'm familiar with that area. A LONG straight road, 45mph limit, 5 lanes, major intersections every mile or two, and a few side streets here and there. The street the truck was looking for was one of the non-major streets (no traffic light), and in this case, only comes up on the left side; it doesn't go through past the other side. So, they were all going the same direction (truck in front of the bikes), the truck got into the left turn lane, realized the street she was turning on was closed, and moved back into the other lanes without looking. It's a good reminder to watch for weird stuff like this from cagers. Also reinforcement for my ATGATT riding style.

Full story: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070325/NEWS01/703250390

 

[bobh41]

Tailgating motorcyclests?

The story isn't clear on the details of the "collision" but I surmise both bikes ran into the back of the truck - indicating the bikes were in effect tailgating. We've pretty nearly exhausted the subject of tailgaiting in the CAMPFIRE topic area, but I have observed a lot of bikes tailgating cars in many types of traffic. BTW I've never observed a BMW rider doing this - for what it's worth.

 

[callmethebreeze]

Motorcyclists make mistakes regardless of brand. It would be better if everyone wanting to get a motorcycle license had to attend a safety course that realistically covered risks and dangers. Helmets, gear, skills and most of all judgement are all factors in safe riding but sadly aren't always taught or practiced.
I hope that the BMWMOA Foundation can have a positive impact on all riders whether new, returning or veteran in regards to safety awareness.
For the others, vaya con dios.


Breeze

 

[Rinty]

so it begins

Aircraft pilots have a group called the "gear-up club."

There are those who have, and those who will.

Rinty

 

[newstar]

While enjoying my morning coffee and paper, I read a letter to the editor which got me fired up. I had to head to the computer to send in my reply.

The writer owns six motorcycle helmets and feels he "has the sense to pick and choose when he needs to wear one." He goes on whith his version of the "loud pipes save lives" story and complains that all motorcycle accidents and rising healthcare costs are the result of bad car drivers

In my letter back to the editor, I've challenged the motorcyclists in my area to take a look in the mirror. Are you doing everything you can to protect yourself? Around this highly populated area, it's guys like that who make us all look bad. No one wants to take responsibility for their own actions - or lack thereof. Can we honestly blame the car drivers for the number of bikes parked at the bars on a sunny afternoon? Granted, there are plenty of accidents caused by inattentive driving but I believe that we are all responsible for looking after our own hides and doing what we can to minimize risk.

<stepping down from the soap box>

 

[BouncinBob]

Funny, this kind of story usually makes the television news. The Toledo station I was watching this AM did not mention this accident.

 

[beemokat]

risky business

Like you say, Josh, this happens every season. I've always thought that the single most important thing anyone could take away from an MSF course is the notion that your safety is your own responsibility. Why is this SIMPLE concept so hard for so many?
If people really understood that, helmet laws could be abolished, as nobody would be so foolish as to ride without ATTGAT.

 

[testinglogin]

While enjoying my morning coffee and paper, I read a letter to the editor which got me fired up. I had to head to the computer to send in my reply.

The writer owns six motorcycle helmets and feels he "has the sense to pick and choose when he needs to wear one." He goes on whith his version of the "loud pipes save lives" story and complains that all motorcycle accidents and rising healthcare costs are the result of bad car drivers

In my letter back to the editor, I've challenged the motorcyclists in my area to take a look in the mirror. Are you doing everything you can to protect yourself? Around this highly populated area, it's guys like that who make us all look bad. No one wants to take responsibility for their own actions - or lack thereof. Can we honestly blame the car drivers for the number of bikes parked at the bars on a sunny afternoon? Granted, there are plenty of accidents caused by inattentive driving but I believe that we are all responsible for looking after our own hides and doing what we can to minimize risk.

<stepping down from the soap box>

I've been considering writing an editorial to the paper for a couple of days. I was thinking about reminding car drivers to watch out, and riders to ride responsibly. I was lurking on a local sportbikers forum, and they were talking about some guy standing in the middle of the road swinging at them with a plastic brush as they went by. Sure the guy is crazy, but I'm sure it has something to do with them riding the same road several times every Sunday when the weather is nice; way over speed, with loud sportbike exhaust systems. These are the same guys who I've had a doctor tell me "they come flying by every Tuesday (bike night) weaving through traffic and doing wheelies". That's the responsible image I want out there. The sad things is, as a group they are frequently posting about being a "responsible" group. I'd hate to see irresponsible.

One of my coworkers sons was just in a motorcycle accident this morning. He was 2 miles from home (out in the country) heading to work and a guy blew a stop sign. He had full gear on, so he's alive, but his leg is broken in two places, and he has a broken arm. Also a broken pelvis. Ugh.

Funny, this kind of story usually makes the television news. The Toledo station I was watching this AM did not mention this accident.

13abc covered it a little bit the night of the accident and briefly the next morning, but that was it. It was also on their website; a short paragraph about it. Sometimes I wish it would have gotten better exposure; it's a good reminder to people.

 

[godzilla]

Got a call this morning from one of the guys that works for me. His brother in law crashed his bike over the weekend. They life-flighted him down to Louisville with head injuries. Guess he wasn't too torn up with other injuries, but they found him face-down in mud and he had one eyeball burst. He passed away last night. The guy's wife is having surgery for a broken neck.

Hate to hear stuff like this. Sounds like a helmet would have saved that biker's life.

Sobering when it close to home.

ATTGATT for me.

 

[BouncinBob]

I've always thought that the single most important thing anyone could take away from an MSF course is the notion that your safety is your own responsibility. Why is this SIMPLE concept so hard for so many?

Because it disturbs our sense (yes, I expect it is a sense now, or at least a natural reaction) of denial. Also the basic sense that everything is the responsibility of others.

 

[SGTBORING]

I am trying not to care...

I am turning over a new leaf.

I am trying to live and let others hurt, smash, or otherwise shread their bodies due to either; poor breeding or less then par up-bringing.

I will no longer get wrapped around the axel about it kids in flip flops or men and women without helmets.

Cause and effect have little meaning to some and fashion will always be more important then safety for many.

I have compasion for victims but refuse to suffer fools. If poeple want to kill them self... so be it.

Riding a motorcycle is unsafe period. But if others want to make it worse...more gas for me!

 

[testinglogin]

Just a related update about the previously posted motorcycle accident that happened to a coworkers son. Turns out an 18 year old girl who was late for school pulled out in front of him. He was lucky in that he had no head, neck, or spinal injuries, and no road rash. He was wearing his gear. On the bad side, one arm was broken (both bones between elbow and wrist - 4 plates total to fix), a broken pelvis (two more plates), a leg broken just below the knee (plates), and a leg broken in two places below the knee (titanium rod). The doctor says if all goes well, he'll be walking without any help in 6 months, after a transition from wheelchair to walker to cane to nothing. Ugh.

Be careful out there!

 

[bullit7801]

Student Newspaper Article

Hey all,

South Dakota has no helmet requirement for a licenced rider. Standard riding gear in our college town is shorts, t-shirt, flip-flops and a backwards baseball cap. Today's student newspaper had the following article on the front page. To be honest, it surprised and pleased me that it had such a prominent position. I have been preaching ATGATT to these students for years. Note that the paper capitalized "Crotch Rockets" as if it were a brand name of motorcycle.

tb

Safety gear saved two students' lives in collision
Jane Gullickson
Issue date: 3/28/07 Section: News

Two USD students are encouraging motorcyclists to wear safety gear while riding after they say helmets saved their lives during a collision Friday afternoon.

Both males were released from the hospital and are recovering in Lincoln, Neb., but expect to return to school next week.

Senior Brent Bouzek and sophomore Dan Thelen were riding with friends when their Crotch Rockets collided. Both were taken in an ambulance to the Sanford Vermillion Medical Center.

Later, Bouzek was airlifted and Thelen taken via ambulance to Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls. Excessive speed was a factor in the accident, according to a press release from the Clay County Sheriff's Department.

"If we didn't have protective gear, both of us would be dead - I can guarantee that," Thelen said.

Thelen was released from Avera McKennan Sunday and Bouzek was scheduled to be discharged Wednesday morning. Thelen underwent operations including stitching wounds on his leg and inserting eight screws into his ankle and a titanium plate into his fibula.

Bouzek said hospital officials were originally concerned because his arteries were not pumping blood to his foot, but later had two pins into his hand due to a broken metacarpel and two screws into his knee cap.

Both students said they anticipate riding again and will continue to wear protective gear. Thelen said he was wearing a helmet, a vest with chest and back protector and gloves. Bouzek was wearing a helmet and gloves.

"(Riding) is something that I have loved for a really long time," Bouzek said. "I might change the aspect of riding fast and whatnot, but I don't think anything will ever keep me off of it."

Thelen stressed his thankfulness for his protective gear and was glad he had purchased top-of-the line equipment.

"You can always justify spending extra money on protective gear for your motorcycle because you really are getting what you pay for," Thelen said.

Thelen is originally from Lincoln, Neb., and Bouzek is from Sturgis, S.D., but Bouzek joined Thelen in Lincoln when released Tuesday so they could recover together.

"I think recovery is a pretty tough process, and both of us have some pretty extensive injuries," Bouzek said. "Sitting around might not be so boring if we're together all the time."

Thelen was excited for Bouzek to join him. After Bouzek was airlifted Friday, Thelen said officials asked him which hospital he wanted to go to in Sioux Falls. Thelen asked, "Where is (Bouzek)?" and when they said he was taken to Avera McKennan, Thelen said he wanted to be there, too.

"No matter how far you're riding, whether it is 10 feet or 20 miles, having any sort of protective gear on top of already having a helmet is going to make your life just that much easier," Thelen said.

 

[BouncinBob]

Just a related update about the previously posted motorcycle accident that happened to a coworkers son. Turns out an 18 year old girl who was late for school pulled out in front of him. He was lucky in that he had no head, neck, or spinal injuries, and no road rash. He was wearing his gear. On the bad side, one arm was broken (both bones between elbow and wrist - 4 plates total to fix), a broken pelvis (two more plates), a leg broken just below the knee (plates), and a leg broken in two places below the knee (titanium rod). The doctor says if all goes well, he'll be walking without any help in 6 months, after a transition from wheelchair to walker to cane to nothing. Ugh.

Be careful out there!

All on one side? If so, sounds like he was T Boned. I fear getting T-boned more than than many types of wrecks just for the above reasons. No matter how much gear, you get busted up pretty well.

I wish him the best recovery possible.

 

[newstar]

JD, Sorry to hear about your coworker's son's injuries and I hope he is able to recover and get back out there someday.

Bullit, thanks for sharing the article. Kudos to the newspaper for printing. Hopefully a few will take it to heart.

I saw a flock of nogatts on their crotch rockets yesterday on a stretch of I-495 between Wilmington, DE heading towards Philadelphia. There must have been 10-12 of them all racing each other and doing wheelies. This is a major highway with a fair amount of traffic at the time. How stupid can a person be???

On another note, I also got a request from our local newspaper to verify my info. It looks as though they are going to print my editorial.

 

[Daver90s]

Atgatt

Like you say, Josh, this happens every season. I've always thought that the single most important thing anyone could take away from an MSF course is the notion that your safety is your own responsibility. Why is this SIMPLE concept so hard for so many?
If people really understood that, helmet laws could be abolished, as nobody would be so foolish as to ride without ATTGAT.

I get teased all the time at work when I come in wearing my 'stich. I guess it looks very hot and uncomfortable. The kids say I look like a Power Ranger. I just tell them I like my skin where it is. One time I got stopped by some dude on a custom chopper and he asked me if I was military --- HA!
I just said I like to be seen. - - maybe he thought my 'stich was a flight suit and my R90s was a new, top secret prototype stealth bomber rocket launcher thingy.

Still, there is something very freeing about riding the Harley with the official HD uniform on. -- that is until you find yourself in a body cast with a tube down your throat.

 

[bobh41]

As well as

Still, there is something very freeing about riding the Harley with the official HD uniform on. -- that is until you find yourself in a body cast with a tube down your throat

.

As well as UP your ELSEWHERE.

 

[2beers]

Another view

In our club there is no lack of gear recommendations. The first recommendation is "Get good Gear!!" If you need to feel sorry for someone at these incidents feel sorry for the EMT's, firefighters (especially the volunteers) and police that respond to these calls. They are gruesome calls at all times of the day and have many dangers for the responders. Blood borne pathogens, working on a freeway with semis and inattentive drivers on cell phones driving by and the stess of it all.

You hope the family doesn't show up to see their busted up or deceased loved ones, that is a bad situation.

Sorry for the bad vibe...

 

[The_Veg]

One time I got stopped by some dude on a custom chopper and he asked me if I was military --- HA!

Reminds me of the time I was grocery-shopping in a Firstgear Kili and Belstaff Pioneers, and a fellow shopper told me I looked like a German paratrooper!

 

[Crow18]

Reminds me of the time I was grocery-shopping in a Firstgear Kili and Belstaff Pioneers, and a fellow shopper told me I looked like a German paratrooper!

I've been mistaken for a firefighter, walking around in my hi-viz Darien. I think I said something about just being an ordinary guy with lousy fashion sense.

I used to wear a blue and black Joe Rocket Meteor jacket, which--when combined with a flip-up helmet and a light-colored K-bike with a high windshield and a bolt-upright riding posture--often got me the cop treatment (i.e. stuck behind lots of nervous drivers doing 2 mph under the speed limit).

My hockey teammates nicknamed me "Judge Dredd" because of that jacket. Since I switched to the high-viz, they've taken to calling me "Puce," because that's what color they think the Darien is. Never mind that puce is actually kind of spam-colored, and the word they're really thinking of is chartreuse; there's just no explaining to these people. Still, as nicknames go, I'd rather go by Puce than Stumpy or Roadrash or That Guy Who Can't Skate Since The Accident.