2015 - Statistics on Motorcycle Fatalities of Syder Ryders?

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Don't have any real specs but after 46 years on two wheels, I feel much safer on three,

Last year, almost home from a 6700 mile ride to Louisiana & Missouri, I stopped for gas on I-84, which is 80 speed limit. As I was walking into the C-store I realized I was feeling a whole lot safer on my Spyder at 80 mph than I ever did on my Goldwing at 70 mph.

 

[pitzerwm]

From what I have read here this year is that there were 3-4 Spyder accidents all were from the other persons fault, rear ended if I remember right. 3-4 people died all from flying off the Spyder and hitting something. We can all sit around and say "ride safe" yet the odds are that it will not be your fault if you are in an accident. IMO the Spyder is much safer than any 2 wheeler. That being said, I and I dare say most of you are to old to fly without a parachute. So I went to the junk yard and bought lap seat belts. Having survived 2 car roll overs by the seat belt, I choose to stay on the bike and take my chances. Either way, I'll probably be hurt, but I'm thinking less than flying and the real issue landing.

 

[HIspyder]

Right now my theory is to stand up so you come off the Spyder rather than sustain back or neck injuries slamming into the backrest or trunk area.

Bob

Sorry but this reminds me of an old Bill Cosby bit:


What do you do if you're in an elevator, the cable breaks and the cab falls uncontrollably?

Jump in the air just before the cab hits the ground.

They'll find several bodies crumpled up on the floor and one head through the top. But at least they'll say, that guy sure did try.

 

[Bob Denman]

From personal experience... I can state that a frontal impact is much more like a crash in a four-wheeled vehicle. pps:

 

[jwood4242]

flying through the air!

From what I have read here this year is that there were 3-4 Spyder accidents all were from the other persons fault, rear ended if I remember right. 3-4 people died all from flying off the Spyder and hitting something. We can all sit around and say "ride safe" yet the odds are that it will not be your fault if you are in an accident. IMO the Spyder is much safer than any 2 wheeler. That being said, I and I dare say most of you are to old to fly without a parachute. So I went to the junk yard and bought lap seat belts. Having survived 2 car roll overs by the seat belt, I choose to stay on the bike and take my chances. Either way, I'll probably be hurt, but I'm thinking less than flying and the real issue landing.

Very interesting concept. I can't see that you'll be any worse off staying with the bike. Like you state "most of us are to old to fly without a parachute"!

 

[robmorg]

Not according to Idaho statistics for 5 years, 2009 to 2013, for 127 fatalities. http://idahostar.org/_blog/News_Room/post/preventing/


75% - Cruisers or touring bikes
70% - Riders 40 years old and older
67% - Fatalities associated with rider error
41% - Riders running off the road in a corner
33% - Alcohol/drug involvement by riders
21% - Car violating a rider’s right-of-way

Really interesting statistics from Idaho about motorcycle fatalities. At first glance, especially if you've ever driven on a crowded highway at rush hour, one would suspect that most accidents happen with sports bikes (crotch rockets), as AJ pointed to in the national statistics. But upon closer examination, the Cruiser statistic in Idaho also makes a lot of sense due to some of the other factors mentioned... older riders (a surprisingly high statistic), alcohol, etc. Also, in non-helmet states, it's the cruiser riders who tend to not wear them.

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Another One Sadly

Just for your info... The 2 rear end collisions this year that killed the rider.

http://accidentdatacenter.com/us/mi...traffic-light-inkster-road-and-lyndon-redford

http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/fatal-accident-in-lanaudiere


I have friended the 56 year old man's daughter on FaceBook and when the time is right I plan to ask her what the injuries were to him that caused his death.
I think it is good for us Spyder riders to know what happens when you get rear ended so possibly we can take some action if we know it is coming.

Right now my theory is to stand up so you come off the Spyder rather than sustain back or neck injuries slamming into the backrest or trunk area.

Bob

Bob this is very sad and I know it will infuriate you. We sadly lost a great friend the day after Christmas, as a result of complications from an accident that occurred in November of last year. Sandy O'Brien was rear ended by a woman who was too busy texting to look up from her cell phone to see Sandy's RSS stopped at alight. RIP Sandy:

https://sites.google.com/site/sacramentospyderryders/home/sandy.jpg

 

[motoswami]

Can't be any worse off??

Very interesting concept. I can't see that you'll be any worse off staying with the bike. Like you state "most of us are to old to fly without a parachute"!

Um, maybe as long as the CanAm stays upright, but my farm tractor has a Roll Over Protection bar on it to protect me if I'm belted in and the tractor flips.

I see no such protection on a Spyder, and my personal preference is to be separated from the machine when it goes belly up.

Now, if somehow I know in advance just what sort of a crash I'll be having today, maybe I'll know whether I want to fasten my seat belt or not, or whether to bother wearing any protective gear.

(sarcasm intended)

 

[Bob Denman]

If and when the accident occurs: you'll have NO time whatsoever, to decide what you're going to do. nojoke
You're best bet is always to try and keep your head upright, and look where you want to go! :thumbup:

 

[Crisis]

Bob this is very sad and I know it will infuriate you. We sadly lost a great friend the day after Christmas, as a result of complications from an accident that occurred in November of last year. Sandy O'Brien was rear ended by a woman who was too busy texting to look up from her cell phone to see Sandy's RSS stopped at alight. RIP Sandy:

https://sites.google.com/site/sacramentospyderryders/home/sandy.jpg

This was one of the reasons I posted this topic:

When I got my Spyder 5 years ago, the second time I rode it I was stopped at a red light.
I read a great defensive motor cycle book:

http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Mo...145643&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+safety+book

The book stated to always check your mirrors when stopped a light.

Sure enough there was a "person" on "their" cell phone barreling down the road behind me and NOT going to stop for the light. I ran through the red light and pulled over and watched as the person skid to stop for the light. I would have certainly been creamed.

Keep checking your mirrors!!

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree:

 

[robmorg]

This was one of the reasons I posted this topic:

When I got my Spyder 5 years ago, the second time I rode it I was stopped at a red light.
I read a great defensive motor cycle book:

http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Mo...145643&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+safety+book

The book stated to always check your mirrors when stopped a light.

Sure enough there was a "person" on "their" cell phone barreling down the road behind me and NOT going to stop for the light. I ran through the red light and pulled over and watched as the person skid to stop for the light. I would have certainly been creamed.

Keep checking your mirrors!!

:agree:
Although I try to maintain situational awareness at all times while on the Spyder, I'm generally of the school that says you cannot worry yourself to death about things that "might" happen. Be careful and aware, but don't worry to the point where riding is not fun. That said, I agree with you that the rear end threat that you just mentioned is very real - especially these days when EVERYONE seems to be on their cell phone. I am trying to make a concerted effort to check my mirrors EVERY time I stop.

Thanks for posting the link to "Proficient Motorcycling". It's a good book and WELL worth the time it takes to read it. :thumbup: Another thing that even Spyder riders should do is take the MSF Safety course that is usually offered free in most states - even if they just do the classroom part of it. I learned a lot there about safety when I was learning to ride.


P.S. Bob, that's a GREAT poster. :thumbup: I love to read the posters on Despair.com, and have bought several items there over the years. (That's not one of theirs, though.)

 

[Darren111]

This has just been posted today on ebay

Saw this on ebay today and it kinda made me emotionally upset about the F3 and I hope owner that bought it is not injured and is well
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-65-C...ES-FROM-NEW-/121780286318?hash=item1c5aabb36e

 

[ChrisDeck]

This has turned into an interesting thread that has me thinking. Would it be appropriate to start a sticky thread around "safety"? I'm thinking more in the positive sense vs negative ie tips for safe riding, accessories that may enhance your spyder's visibility. Something we can all refer back to from time to time to just keep the seeds planted, especially for those that are new riders. I think of my wife as she will be getting her license and become a first time rider in the next few months. I could see value in pointing her to a sticky thread that has great information from a lot of very experienced riders. It could also provide us with new and innovative safety items and "farkles" that are specifically used towards safety/visibility. The key however is keeping it positive vs scaring someone away completely. A situational experience may deserve it's own thread and any lesson's learned could go into the positive safety thread. Maybe even how doing this avoided that.

Just thinking out loud.

 

[Bob Denman]

:clap: It sure sounds like a good idea! :2thumbs:
I really like your idea about "Keeping it Positive"...

 

[Darren111]

After selling Beetle, I bought myself a folding electric bicycle (see my avator pic) to get out and about till I get F3-S. A few weeks ago I did some bicycle training as I have not ridden a bike for over 20 years and I found this has helped me with getting some road sense and building my confidence. I am now considering some motorbike training as I have never been on a motorcycle and feel this could help build some confidence for when I get F3-S. Also I will contact Can Am dealer to find out if I can have a third go at Spyder to refresh getting used to controls etc.

 

[ARtraveler]

Good tips have surfaced from time to time--usually as incidents happened and someone avoided disaster.

The idea of having some of the tips, hints, and experiences in one place, may be beneficial. The Do's and Don't of Spyder Riding thread is very popular with all.

Your idea is a good one. :yes:

 

[Crisis]

This is a personal best for the number of replies!!!

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Amen

This was one of the reasons I posted this topic:

When I got my Spyder 5 years ago, the second time I rode it I was stopped at a red light.
I read a great defensive motor cycle book:

http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Mo...145643&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+safety+book

The book stated to always check your mirrors when stopped a light.

Sure enough there was a "person" on "their" cell phone barreling down the road behind me and NOT going to stop for the light. I ran through the red light and pulled over and watched as the person skid to stop for the light. I would have certainly been creamed.

Keep checking your mirrors!!

Unfortunately in this case Sandy was behind another vehicle and there was no where to go. Lesson, always try to leave an escape route.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Not according to Idaho statistics for 5 years, 2009 to 2013, for 127 fatalities. http://idahostar.org/_blog/News_Room/post/preventing/

​

• 75% - Cruisers or touring bikes
• 70% - Riders 40 years old and older
• 67% - Fatalities associated with rider error
• 41% - Riders running off the road in a corner
• 33% - Alcohol/drug involvement by riders
• 21% - Car violating a rider’s right-of-way

Here is a comment about the value of training. http://idahostar.org/BlogRetrieve.a...archID=12124942&ObjectID=553967&ObjectType=55

Really interesting statistics from Idaho about motorcycle fatalities. At first glance, especially if you've ever driven on a crowded highway at rush hour, one would suspect that most accidents happen with sports bikes (crotch rockets), as AJ pointed to in the national statistics. But upon closer examination, the Cruiser statistic in Idaho also makes a lot of sense due to some of the other factors mentioned... older riders (a surprisingly high statistic), alcohol, etc. Also, in non-helmet states, it's the cruiser riders who tend to not wear them.

I just sent an email to Idaho STAR asking if they can provide more information with regard to the statistics I posted above in #7. Specifically, I asked if they can relate the numbers to the demographics of riders and to miles ridden. Will be interesting to see what they come back with.