Could This Crash Have Been Avoided

[Hokiev]

(Was not sure if this should be in Off Topic, but since it provides some tips on riding in groups I thought it might be appropriate here)

You may have seen this video but what is most interesting is the discussion on what should be done to avoid the accident to begin with on group rides. Very informative for new riders and pros alike.

http://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...nt=4/23+CT+Digest+121&utm_campaign=04/23/2016

 

[oldgoat]

Thanks for posting that. An informative read with lots of info to keep in mind.

 

[MisterP]

Although it's possible the second rider could have avoided crashing, I disagree with the author's suggestion that everyone should have seen the dog well ahead of time. It's easy to pull frames from a video and say "look at the dog" but in reality my vision is scanning in different directions and I'm not sure I would have seen it.

I don't like to second guess someone's accident, but the best learning is to always be vigilant.

 

[AY4B]

Spyders dont ride that close together. They can stop faster and would fare a lot better if that small dog ran in front with contact.

 

[AY4B]

You always have to keep a watchful eye. A few years ago we were on the way home in our car and saw 2 horses on the side of the road. The owner gave chase and the horses ran in the path of an oncoming pickup going around 60. Both horses hit the pickup headon. It was not pretty.

 

[SteveP]

More space

I have been on a couple large group rides since having the Spyder and rode many times in the past on motorcycles in small and larger groups . In my opinion for the speed they were travelling some of the group are bunched up too close . In a charity ride last year I was constantly being told to " tighten it up !" By the riders going ahead to try and block traffic for the group to get through intersections . The route was through a lot of areas that constantly changed speed limits and for other reasons I found I had to be on the brakes hard a few times as the whole group ( 60 bikes approx) suddenly slowed or came to a complete stop . I was actually annoyed that each time we took a break , someone felt compelled to lecture everyone on not keeping closer as a group . For that reason ( and a couple others like no chase vehicle to constantly pick up disabled Harley's ) I will gladly make my donation to the more than worthy charity this year but not do the ride . Avoidance is a good emergency skill for sure but having room to stop is always a good thing IMHO

 

[GOZFST]

Spyders dont ride that close together. They can stop faster and would fare a lot better if that small dog ran in front with contact.

A modern abs equipped 2 wheeler (KTM 1290 for example) can stop 30 feet shorter from 60 -0 than a Spyder. The specs are 99 feet for the KTM and 130 for the Spyder. The heavier Spyder loses most every braking contest due to heavier weight than a 2 wheeler even though the Spyder has 1 more wheel for traction. Riding in groups can be dangerous due to a lot of factors and my preferred group size is one or 2 other vehicles.

 

[BajaRon]

It is very easy to Monday morning quarter-back these riders. In a perfect world, sure, this accident was avoidable. Everyone had the OPPORTUNITY to come out unscathed. In that perfect world where everyone is paying attention all of the time. Everyone sees what others see. And everyone has excellent riding skills (which are more critical on 2 wheels than on 3).

You have a number of typical, bad "accident avoidance" situations going on here. The main one being 'Target Fixation'. I've struggled with this one all my life. I continually practice NOT doing this when it doesn't matter hoping that it will pay off when it does matter. (and it has). If you do not practice a skill, it will not magically come to you when you really need it.

The truth is, I have (and most likely so have you) been guilty of the very same things that got these riders into trouble. But I am very thankful for this reminder. It may save one of us in the long run.

I think the assessment in the article was very good and fair to the riders at the same time.

 

[oldgoat]

I find the best group size is 1, me.

Only ever done one group ride & it was a nightmare for me.

Each to his own.

 

[ARtraveler]

I am finding I like group rides less and less. Always worrying about what the "weak link" will do. I do not belong to a riding group any longer, for just that reason. :thumbup:

 

[Dan McNally]

From the article: "At this moment, if the rider who is passing the dog flashes his brake lights and/or puts an arm up to alert the following riders, this becomes the world’s most boring GoPro video. But he doesn’t. Come on, guys. You're riding with friends. Help them out."

I mentioned that (someone up front, pointing out the dog to those behind) when someone posted this on facebook and was flamed for suggesting that someone could have warned the riders behind him. To the flamers, that was impossible to do.

We ride with large groups, regularly. The lead, at least one road captain in the middle, and the sweep are always in radio contact, and several others also have radios - but stay off them, if not designated road captains for the day's ride. There is no "chatter" on the radios - they are used for safety and to maintain group integrity. Anytime someone sees an animal or other hazard on the side of the road, they either signal, or, if they have a radio, signal and say what it is, and it gets passed down the line. Is it a guarantee of safety? No, but it is great when it does work. There is always a pre-ride safety brief, and the opportunity for questions.

Group riding is no more dangerous than riding alone, and if you are familiar with the others in the group, and know their riding styles, is somewhat safer. I like riding alone - and I like riding with my friends. Yesterday, we rode with 20 Spyders and a 2 wheel BMW - and we all survived the group ride.

 

[Ron2andia]

Ty for posting a very difficult situation to maneuver... But all should def be looking and scanning the rode for potential dangers...

 

[BajaRon]

I am not a huge fan of group rides, but they can be fun if you alter your mental perspective and adjust to the conditions. Lower expectations, don't be in a hurry and beware the weak link.

But the best riding is with 2 or 3 that ride just like you do. That's a hard combination to find but it great when you can do it.

 

[Chupaca]

Thanks....

Food for thought....:thumbup:

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

very informative, it is s**t like that why i wear full gear.

 

[manxman]

Small dogs

Once i was riding a harley about 25 miles per. A small bulldog shot out of nowhere and ran into the brake pedel and tore it loose. I stopped to look after the dog and a woman came out of the house and cursed me while beating me with a broom. I tried to explain but she was having none of it. In the meantime the dog jumped up and strode back into his yard none the worse for the incident. You never know where they will come from or how fast. Likke the man said, scan, scan and scan..........................

 

[Devious56]

When I first started riding, a good turnout was between 80 to 100, say for a Toys for Tots run or something like that. Here is Jacksonville Florida they are now limiting the sponsored rides to 750 riders. Unbelievable in my opinion. The police regularly block the entrances to the interstates until this whole group passes which takes quite a while, and the the lagging officers get their kicks by riding over 100 mph to catch up and get ahead so they can block another exit. I know how I would feel if I had to wait to be able to get on the highway if, why don't the do the ride in a less traveled area. When you put a group of less experience rides in a herd that big you are just asking for trouble.

This video with the dog is just a good example of why you need to be very careful of riding in any group, there is too many things that you have no control over. The second bike that went down was because the rider hit his front brake while trying to maneuver around the first one down. Even professions go down when they do that. The rest of the accident seems to have occurred ok, with the other riders doing when they needed to with out incident.

Ride safe, and within your limits, no matter what the others around you are doing. If you are uncomfortable with what is going on, either be in the front, or the back of the group where you have control over your ride.

David

 

[jcthorne]

The next time you are riding in a group and one of the members suggests you 'tighten it up' closer than you are comfortable with, reply with, thanks but I need ride my own ride to stay safe.

Do not follow closer than you feel is safe for visibility.

 

[ES44AC]

The second rider had a good chance to miss it





I hit a much larger dog on my first 88' GSXR1100 . It was at night and the dog hit me between the back of the front tire and the engine ,thankfully I went into a hay field with tall grass and only minor injuries. I was so sore I could not hardly walk for the first 2 days and I felt the effects 2 weeks.

 

[bug's zedi]

First rider should have concentrated on keeping a good hold on the bars. keeping upright, and hit the dog. If contact is inevitable, hitting any animal up to a whitetail straight up as opposed to trying hard evasive actions is better. Obviously if he had time to properly brake as opposed to panic brake, that would be the best case.