We've got to pay attention!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Just another reminder that as motorcycle riders we cannot afford to let our guard down while riding. Here's a news story of a 55 yr old lady Harley rider who died today.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/motorcyclist-killed-in-crash-near-horseshoe-bend/430011936

She was going uphill, so downhill speed increase wouldn't have been a factor. Why did she run off the road? Who knows, but it well could have been excess speed, or 'object fixation' where the rider is so focused on an object they subconsciously drive into it. Just because we Spyder riders have that third tire on the ground does not mean we won't be caught by either of those two killers.

Most motorcycle fatalities are the result of rider error, not caused by another vehicle, and most of those errors are losing it on a curve.

So let's all stay aware. Keep our speed in the safe range, and keep our eyes on the road ahead, not on the barrier along the road or that truck coming toward us.

 

[Saluda]

Too bad, hate reading those articles.

 

[kep-up]

Just another reminder that as motorcycle riders we cannot afford to let our guard down while riding. Here's a news story of a 55 yr old lady Harley rider who died today.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/motorcyclist-killed-in-crash-near-horseshoe-bend/430011936

She was going uphill, so downhill speed increase wouldn't have been a factor. Why did she run off the road? Who knows, but it well could have been excess speed, or 'object fixation' where the rider is so focused on an object they subconsciously drive into it. Just because we Spyder riders have that third tire on the ground does not mean we won't be caught by either of those two killers.

Most motorcycle fatalities are the result of rider error, not caused by another vehicle, and most of those errors are losing it on a curve. Been there, Done that. More than once, sad to say. Fortunately never more than a few hours in hospital, but broken ribs and dislocated shoulders are painful.

So let's all stay aware. Keep our speed in the safe range, and keep our eyes on the road ahead, not on the barrier along the road or that truck coming toward us.

see comment in red. (had to do this)

 

[Bob Denman]

Phil says it the best... nojoke

 

[mpsicon]

It could also be a medical condition. I was lucky I was not riding and was at work when my heart stopped, I was having a conversation with a co-worker when I felt myself getting dizzy, I remember thinking I should say something, and before I could say something I passed out, I later found out my heart stopped, there is not enough time to react in a situation like that.

 

[ARtraveler]

I am also thinking possible medical condition. With my heart attack, I was down and out and with no warning but the dizziness.

Whatever the situation, be careful. :roflblack:

 

[SteveLaoyster]

One of my co-workers had his bike out last year & miss judged a corner. I think $3000 of damage to the bike but he wasn't seriously hurt. Very lucky. I'm sure he is more careful now.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

One of my co-workers had his bike out last year & miss judged a corner. I think $3000 of damage to the bike but he wasn't seriously hurt. Very lucky. I'm sure he is more careful now.

About 5 years ago I went off the asphalt on a curve along a river here in Idaho riding my Goldwing. I went into the curve too fast. Must have missed the speed warning sign. Or, maybe I was a victim of the 'object fixation' issue by concentrating on staying away from the concrete barrier, and thus steered toward it. In any case I was fortunate. The bike started to high side when the wheels hit the gravel but between me and my guardian angel we kept it upright. Handlebars whipped back and forth several times, dust flew everywhere, and there was gravel on the dash! That is when I really grasped the idea of 'safety margin'. If you go around a curve near the maximum possible speed, you have no margin for recovery if anything goes wrong. Always give yourself a margin of safety in your speed and handling so if something goes to crap you have a chance to recover safely.