Report: Three-wheel motorcycle plunges off ravine near Concow, killing one

[daveinva]

A week+ old, but saw this story on another forum (neither article says they were on Spyders, but other posters confirmed it):

http://www.chicoer.com/breakingnews...eel-motorcycle-plunges-off-ravine-near-concow

More details here: http://www.chicoer.com/breakingnews/ci_20361998/woman-killed-highway-70-crash-was-rented-trike

I said it over there, I'll say it here: I think California, or any other similar state, is mistaken for not requiring a motorcycle (or trike-only) license to ride the Spyder. The Spyder is not a motorcycle, but it sure as heck isn't a car, either. It's also not a 49cc scooter, but a 990cc serious road machine.

I didn't ride one before my MSF trike class, and as KICK-A$$ COOL AWESOME as I am, I would not have been qualified to safely rent one to head out on canyon twisties before taking the class (or, to be honest, immediately AFTER taking the class-- like others, after my class I was qualified to safely operate a Spyder around a parking lot).

For the record, I don't blame BRP for advertising that no motorcycle license is required to ride the Spyder in CA-- they didn't write the laws, after all-- but given how crazy-litigious Californians and their local governments can be, I won't be at all surprised if these people will be lawyering up to change that in a hurry, if they haven't already.

Sad all around.

 

[wyliec]

That's a very sad story; especially with the husband following. Hope the other person pulls through.

I didn't see where it mentioned it was a spyder. However, I do agree that it seems to me that anyone driving any 3 wheeler should be required to have training and a license just like for 2 wheelers.

Never mind, I see it now where the spyder was mentioned.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Very sad indeed. I agree that some kind of licensing needs to be required for Spyders and rear wheel trikes for that matter. In Nevada the Spyder requires a motorcycle license only because the state's definition of a motorcycle is anything with only one drive wheel. It is too bad that you can rent one with no training and be allowed to carry a passenger also.

 

[CyncySpyder]

I can see the alure, but a 1st time ryder on roads like that...... truly sad

 

[zrc]

**edited in respect**

 

[Lamonster]

I'm not sure why people feel the need to post every Spyder accident they run across on this board. :dontknow:
If this was a motorcycle only board you could post one of these everyday no doubt. We all know the risk we take when driving anything, two or three wheeled. It's very sad that this lady lost her life on a Spyder and her husband had to see it but do me a favor, if this happens to me someday don't post it on a message board I'm sure my wife would appreciate it. Thanks

 

[NorthStar]

It is always so sad when someone gets injured or loses their life in any accident.

Given the lack of information in this report we have no idea as to the level of driving experience this person had before traveling the chosen route. She might have been a very experienced driver/rider (car/truck/motorcycle) that lost control of the tricycle for any number of reasons.

The only thing we can be sure of is that this is a tragedy and the family and friends she has left behind deserve our prayers and thoughts.

 

[boborgera]

I'm not sure why people feel the need to post every Spyder accident they run across on this board. :dontknow:
If this was a motorcycle only board you could post one of these everyday no doubt. We all know the risk we take when driving anything, two or three wheeled. It's very sad that this lady lost her life on a Spyder and her husband had to see it but do me a favor, if this happens to me someday don't post it on a message board I'm sure my wife would appreciate it. Thanks

:agree:
Its just like most non riders that i meet have to tell me about someone they knew that was hurt /killed on a motorcycle, I just say sorry, And then i tell them about someone i knew that was hurt/killed in a Automobile accident. Shuts them up quick.

 

[wyliec]

It states she was a first time rider. But, at this point it's not important.

Prayers to their families.ray:

 

[Arr MiHardies]

I think we need a constant reminder of how dangerous riding any bike is. It is very easy to become overconfident in our abilities and forget these things, especially for newer riders (like myself). It also helps to remind me to let my loved ones know how much I care each and every day.

 

[scooterexpress]

I'm not sure why people feel the need to post every Spyder accident they run across on this board. :dontknow:
If this was a motorcycle only board you could post one of these everyday no doubt. We all know the risk we take when driving anything, two or three wheeled. It's very sad that this lady lost her life on a Spyder and her husband had to see it but do me a favor, if this happens to me someday don't post it on a message board I'm sure my wife would appreciate it. Thanks

:agree:

 

[warp10]

I'm not sure why people feel the need to post every Spyder accident they run across on this board. :dontknow:
If this was a motorcycle only board you could post one of these everyday no doubt. We all know the risk we take when driving anything, two or three wheeled. It's very sad that this lady lost her life on a Spyder and her husband had to see it but do me a favor, if this happens to me someday don't post it on a message board I'm sure my wife would appreciate it. Thanks

I think people post accidents to remind us to be careful and/or learn from someone else's mistake.

 

[Lamonster]

I think people post accidents to remind us to be careful and/or learn from someone else's mistake.

I know why people post them and I know there is a time and a place for it but that's not the focus of this board nor should it be. If you need a contain reminder as was pointed out you can do a Goggle search and get all the reminders you can stomach.

 

[daveinva]

Lamont, I agree 99% with what you're saying RE: accidents-- and I preemptively apologize for any insensitivity here-- but in this particular case, I linked it in large part to make the point about California and licensing.

I believe that the vast majority of Spyder owners are safety-conscious and respect their vehicles, quirks and all.

That said, no one can deny that a large part of the Spyder's appeal-- including the official marketing behind the vehicle-- emphasizes how easy it is to ride for those who've never ridden a motorcycle before.

While technically true-- it *is* easier than riding a motorcycle!-- it's still not for everyone.

Nor is it something you just "hop on and go."

Perhaps there are other mitigating facts here that we don't know. I'm sure there are, there always are in stories like this.

But on the face of it, it suggests that the rental company was fine with renting a Spyder to someone with no motorcycle/trike experience because hey, it's legal, and hey, the manufacturer advertises it, too, ergo it must be safe. As easy as renting a bicycle on the beach, even.

Hopefully I'm not alone in subscribing to a big dose of personal responsibility, i.e. don't be stupid, don't get in over your head, etc., etc. But again: the law says you can do this, the manufacturer says you can do this, and the rental company said you can do this... that's a powerful message.

I'm not a lawyer, and I don't want to give any cursed lawyers any more business than they already have. I just won't be surprised if something like this won't lead to even worse press down the road.

 

[joet82]

The only reason California (Delaware being the only other state only requiring an operators license) classifies the Spyder as a car, licensing-wise, is because of the 3rd wheel. That's what the law says.:lecturef_smilie:

I do agree with some cases, the dealership should watch the potential buyer operate the Spyder on a test drive, but in my case, it was to my advantage. I bought my Spyder 2 weeks before going home to Washington and getting my Trike/Sidecar Endorsement. I grew up riding quads, so my only learning curve was the lack of a front brake.hyea:

But on the other side of the coin, I have seen quite a few people who are scared of speed and or corners....why buy a motorcycle of any kind if you're afraid of any combination of those 2???:banghead: this situation is the exact reason why dealerships in california won't let you test drive the Spyder before you buy it.

 

[Dudley]

Lamont, I agree 99% with what you're saying RE: accidents-- and I preemptively apologize for any insensitivity here-- but in this particular case, I linked it in large part to make the point about California and licensing.

I believe that the vast majority of Spyder owners are safety-conscious and respect their vehicles, quirks and all.

That said, no one can deny that a large part of the Spyder's appeal-- including the official marketing behind the vehicle-- emphasizes how easy it is to ride for those who've never ridden a motorcycle before.

While technically true-- it *is* easier than riding a motorcycle!-- it's still not for everyone.

Nor is it something you just "hop on and go."

Perhaps there are other mitigating facts here that we don't know. I'm sure there are, there always are in stories like this.

But on the face of it, it suggests that the rental company was fine with renting a Spyder to someone with no motorcycle/trike experience because hey, it's legal, and hey, the manufacturer advertises it, too, ergo it must be safe. As easy as renting a bicycle on the beach, even.

Hopefully I'm not alone in subscribing to a big dose of personal responsibility, i.e. don't be stupid, don't get in over your head, etc., etc. But again: the law says you can do this, the manufacturer says you can do this, and the rental company said you can do this... that's a powerful message.

I'm not a lawyer, and I don't want to give any cursed lawyers any more business than they already have. I just won't be surprised if something like this won't lead to even worse press down the road.

A motorcycle endorsement, for a Spyder, 3-wheeler, or 2 wheeler still does not mean a person has the experience, or the common sense to ride safely with consideration of the road conditions, etc. Taking a test in a parking lot or around a block or two means nothing. Once too many times, riding in a group and wanting/needing to keep up, will lead to an accident. And, I will state very strongly, NO ONE has any business doing twisties in a group without any experience. What seems like "slow" to some is extremely dangerous to others. I have been told so many times that I ride too slow that Jennifer and I will not ride in a group. Our safety is more important than bragging rights.
I am sorry about this incident, but it could have been avoided. Loss of a life affects people for a lifetime.

 

[SpyderMeLucky]

I'm not sure why people feel the need to post every Spyder accident they run across on this board. :dontknow:
If this was a motorcycle only board you could post one of these everyday no doubt. We all know the risk we take when driving anything, two or three wheeled. It's very sad that this lady lost her life on a Spyder and her husband had to see it but do me a favor, if this happens to me someday don't post it on a message board I'm sure my wife would appreciate it. Thanks

I agree with you, Lamont, but just like when an airplane goes down, it's news, regardless of how many airplanes don't crash. Plus if a pilot crashes an airplane with LOW hours, it makes HEADLINES. I'd like to think of how many airplanes cross this country on a daily basis year-in-year-out without incident. That's also news, but sadly not reported for those wonderful statistics. In fact statistically, it's safer to fly than drive, yet you'll have tons of people who'll drive a car and flat out refuse to fly because the plane might crash.

It's sad about this young woman and her passenger. And my question to her would be: What were you thinking driving on an unfamiliar bike with NO experience whatsoever on roads that were way beyond your driving ability?
Heck, I had my motorcycle license, had taken the Motorcycle safety course (I waited for 2 years for a bike=spyder before I rode anything) and practiced on my spyder in my neighborhood for almost two weeks before I ventured out on the local main side streets. Slow and easy should've been her motto.

My 2 cents!

 

[wyliec]

I have been told so many times that I ride too slow that Jennifer and I will not ride in a group. Our safety is more important than bragging rights.

I make sure I'm always bringing up the rear when riding in a group. I don't want to feel I'm holding anyone up.

 

[daveinva]

A motorcycle endorsement, for a Spyder, 3-wheeler, or 2 wheeler still does not mean a person has the experience, or the common sense to ride safely with consideration of the road conditions, etc. Taking a test in a parking lot or around a block or two means nothing. .

:agree:

My concern is that other states at least recognize that as the *barest minimum* to get on a Spyder. One hopes that taking the test to get the license, or even better, passing something like the MSF does at least instill a bit more respect for what riding the vehicle entails. I can certainly attest to my instructors drilling it into my head that, even with "graduating" after just a weekend of putting around, I was at best qualified to navigate a parking lot. From that point on, any mistakes were my own.

Obviously, there are plenty of people who go on to ride recklessly, emerge overconfident, or what-have-you even after the licensing process... but again, at that point, it's *their* responsibility, at that point they can't argue that they weren't warned about the risks of motorcycling and the challenges facing new & inexperienced riders.

When you don't even have that little prep...

 

[Desert Spyder]

I see no mention about a Spyder in either article. There was a 3 wheeler that wobbled. That might indicate a conventional trike with the steering stabilizer bad. A DMV inspector takes an unlicensed individual out for for a 10-15 minute ride to see if they are good enough for a license. Is this a long enough test? No. If the test was 30 minutes it still wouldn't demonstrate the competence of the testee. Going downhill in the twisties is a far cry more difficult for anybody. I don't know if she was going downhill. Here's one thing I do know: the roads north of Durango are dangerous. They have been featured on the Discovery Channel's show "Dangerous Drives". There are maps from Colorado motorcyclists rating them red as dangerous. There are no guardrails on the roads because there are no place to put them. Sheer drop offs. I don't know where the rides will be in Durango...or Cuba...but one thing I do know. There'll be over 400 Spyders out on the roads at the same time. How do you control them, licensed or not?