Thought I'd Share Some of What Is Going On Here

[Ben_Ricci]

Sorry I couldn't link directly to the newspaper site, but below are two stories from this week's Gettysburg Times. We also lost a rider a couple days ago who had just purchased a bike on Ebay. Came to Fairfield, Pa. to pick it up and crashed into a tree soon after getting the bike and died as a result of his injuries. That's three in one week. My sympathy goes to their families.

 

 

 

I found this somewhat entertaining despite reinforcing a negative image of motorcyclists.

 

[Carnadero]

Police said Arnold was travelling at an estimated speed of over 95 miles per hour in a 45 mph speed zone when he ran into a truck turning into a warehouse parking lot.

 

This already doesn't reflect too well on the rider....

[Ben_Ricci]

I found this somewhat entertaining despite reinforcing a negative image of motorcyclists.

 

 

For clarification: I was referring to this guy who attempted to wheelie in front of a crowd, but dropped his bike in front of them instead.

 

There's nothing entertaining about young riders mixing alcohol, inexperience and speed--with a car or bike.

[GoGo Gadget]

Reading the article about the Hanover man, I kept singing, "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly in my head. Does that make me a bad man??

[pbharvey]

Interesting that there is no mention of whether or not the rider was wearing a helmet. Sometimes "live free or die" means "live free AND die."

[MotorinLA]

Interesting that there is no mention of whether or not the rider was wearing a helmet. Sometimes "live free or die" means "live free AND die."

 

Of course, in the first case it probably wouldn't have made much difference...

 

It's not the fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop at the end...

[BMWR90]

My friend was one of the EMT's on the scene of the accident that seriously injured the Hanover man riding the 'busa. She said (obviouisly...) that it was pretty bad.

 

I get the impression that most if not all of the people on this site are conscientious and safe riders, but I still hope that people will learn from these incidents.

[Ben_Ricci]

My friend was one of the EMT's on the scene of the accident that seriously injured the Hanover man riding the 'busa. She said (obviouisly...) that it was pretty bad.

 

I get the impression that most if not all of the people on this site are conscientious and safe riders, but I still hope that people will learn from these incidents.

 

I thought it was remarkable the rider left a 205 foot skid mark, which tells me he was (1) flying and (2) recognized he was in trouble long before losing the bike. I'm familiar with the road he was on and it's just senseless to read about this type of thing. I feel sorry for your EMT friend who had to deal with this rider's avoidable injuries.

[NEOHMark]

Incredible. Three wrecks with each and every one of them reinforcing a known risk factor in causing the wrecks/deaths of motorcyclists - 1) alcohol use and an inexperienced rider, 2) a single-vehicle motorcyclist where the rider tries to negotiate a curve at a speed beyond his skill level, and 3) a wreck involving a rider riding a bike with which he was unfamiliar.

 

It's almost predictable, anytime you hear of a rider who dies in a wreck, that a 'known' risk factor was involved and it probably could've been totally avoided. It's very sad, and breaks a lot of hearts for no reason other than ignorance or bad judgement. I feel so sorry for the families left behind.

[beagle]

Reading the article about the Hanover man, I kept singing, "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly in my head. Does that make me a bad man??

 

As my first witness. I'd like to call Charles Darwin....

 

I don't know what the answer is, but i do know that if we as bikers don't clean this shit up, the anti smoking, anti gun, anti fast food people will be up our butts next. And they won't stop at banning sport bikes

[blkvelvt]

The "Busa" rider article. 205 foot skidmark and 135 sliding on it's side for a total of 340 feet? And the rider, 205 skid, then ejected for a 37 foot flight and 97 feet of road rashing equals 339. That boy was hualing ass.

 

The E-bay rider was traveling at a high rate of speed when "the motorcycle apparently lost control". Oh sure, blame it on the motorcycle and not the loose nut in the seat that just bought it. All of these are examples of rider error. It's too bad but 100% preventable.

[11101110]

I wonder if 205 skidmark guy ever applied his FRONT brake.

 

I had a coworker try to talk me out of buying a bike by saying that people are 17 time more likely to be hurt or killed. I wonder what would happen to that number if you were able to take out all the stupid people doing stupid stuff and end up getting mamed or killed.

 

I am a darwinist. I firmly believe that we protect people from themselve far too much.

[blkvelvt]

I am a darwinist. I firmly believe that we protect people from themselve far too much.

 

We used to wean them out at an early age with unsafe playground equipment like Rocketships that were 3 stories high, metal and wood slides, merry-go-rounds and concrete areas for swingsets. Now all the playgrounds are plastic and kid-safe and they're living longer and they're buying sportbikes.

[beagle]

I am a darwinist. I firmly believe that we protect people from themselve far too much.

 

We used to wean them out at an early age with unsafe playground equipment like Rocketships that were 3 stories high, metal and wood slides, merry-go-rounds and concrete areas for swingsets. Now all the playgrounds are plastic and kid-safe and they're living longer and they're buying sportbikes.

 

We had one of those 3 story rockets. You also forgot the foot of woodchips they put under the playscapes. Nothing brakes a fall like lumber!

[GoGo Gadget]

I am a darwinist. I firmly believe that we protect people from themselve far too much.

 

We used to wean them out at an early age with unsafe playground equipment like Rocketships that were 3 stories high, metal and wood slides, merry-go-rounds and concrete areas for swingsets. Now all the playgrounds are plastic and kid-safe and they're living longer and they're buying sportbikes.

 

Don't forget Lawn Darts. I have always had a theory that the decline of modern society started when we put 25mph School Zones in front of High Schools. I am sorry but as a 16y/o, if you can't cross the street by yourself, you need to be taken out of the gene pool before you start breeding.

 

Honestly, years ago, if you were a freaking idiot, you wandered off into the woods and got eaten by a bear. Now we lock up the bears and encourage the idiots to thrive. I want a bumper sticker that says "Bring back the bears." except everyone would think I am a Chicago football fan.

[upflying]

There was an article in the Contra Costa Times last week that said there has been 16 motorcycle deaths in the county since 1-1-07. This death toll is 6 more than all of 2006 and "it's only July" according to the article.

Much of the blame was placed on stunt and trick riding and the #1 cause of the accident was speed.

Motorcyclists are getting bad press nationwide. While I disagree with the trend of nanny government intrusion in our life choices, I wonder if the end is near for 150HP sport bikes. I can only think our elected officials are conjuring up some new legislaton that limits horsepower, limits the ability for a motorcycle novice with a no limit credit card to walk in off the street and ride off with a Gixxer.

With few exceptions, we can't go into a car showroom and buy a race car. With no training, no drivers license, no ATGATT, no sense and no health insurance, why should someone be able buy a race bike for $10,000?

If legislators don't outlaw sport bikes, I imagine the insurance industry will. That's what happened to the muscle cars in the early '70's.

[blkvelvt]

I agree. My older brother worked in an ER room and X-ray for years. He and I have been riding for 80 years between the two of us. He has seen a dramatic increase in injuries and deaths. He points out that while many manufacturers make 10 second bikes, we don't make as many 10 second riders. Bikes are faster and more responsive. Over correcting, over braking, over powering and riding over your head all seem to add up to great losses. Heck, I learned street riding on a Honda S90 (super90). Sounds fast huh......

[Wyn]

I agree. My older brother worked in an ER room and X-ray for years. He and I have been riding for 80 years between the two of us. He has seen a dramatic increase in injuries and deaths. He points out that while many manufacturers make 10 second bikes, we don't make as many 10 second riders. Bikes are faster and more responsive. Over correcting, over braking, over powering and riding over your head all seem to add up to great losses. Heck, I learned street riding on a Honda S90 (super90). Sounds fast huh......

 

You bring up good points. Perhaps one of the reasons I like BMW twins is that at pretty much any given time I can tell you my speed without looking at the speedo. My buddy just bought a Honda ST1300 which I rode for a bit on Saturday. Whoa, a few times I looked at my speed and had to shut it down.

[jfremder]

I learned on a 50cc, then 90cc Suzuki in the early '70's Still went fast enough to learn a few lessons. I have way more fun on a 650cc Suzuki than I should. I've ridden my kids 250 Ninja at a track day session, and blasted the less experienced on liter bikes corner after corner, only to have them smoke me on the straights. I guess I've avoided the liter bikes, because anyone can twist the throttle. Does anyone here have a liter bike that they regularly use to it's full potential?

I agree. He points out that while many manufacturers make 10 second bikes, we don't make as many 10 second riders. Heck, I learned street riding on a Honda S90 (super90). Sounds fast huh......

[OoPEZoO]

I learned on a 50cc, then 90cc Suzuki in the early '70's Still went fast enough to learn a few lessons. I have way more fun on a 650cc Suzuki than I should. I've ridden my kids 250 Ninja at a track day session, and blasted the less experienced on liter bikes corner after corner, only to have them smoke me on the straights. I guess I've avoided the liter bikes, because anyone can twist the throttle. Does anyone here have a liter bike that they regularly use to it's full potential?

 

I learned on a Honda Trail 70, then moved to a Honda CB125 (that I still have in showroom condition), then onto a Katana 750, GSXR1100, and now my R1100RT.........

 

I think you are right on about the riding a litre bike to its full potential. I can't tell you how many times I have hunted down and stayed with guys riding big crotch rockets on my backroad commute home while on the RT. Having all that power does nothing for them if the roads aren't built for that kind of speed.

 

My Katana 750 was a great all around bike, my GSXR1100 was complete over kill. It was a serious chore to ride (and to think that a new GSXR1000 weighs 100lbs less and has about 30-40 more hp makes me shake my head).

I have learned to judge my bikes by how much I rode them.......my Katana got about 3-4k miles per year, my GSXR1100 got about about 1k miles per year, and my RT gets 10K+ on it per year. I would like to get another sports bike, but it definitly won't be in the litre class. I would prefer a larger framed bike (I'm 6'2" 230lbs) with a smaller motor so I could really get out and work on technique, but they are few and far between. I bought the GSXR mainly because I liked the physical size of the bike. It was a VERY BIG bike for a crotch rocket, and it was the only thing I felt like I fit on comfortably.

 

The thing is.....I swear I could ride the Katana faster and smoother that I ever could on the GSXR. It was much more practical and easier to get the power to the ground. Of course you never realize things like that until you get back on a bike that really handles well.

[jfremder]

I also would like to add a crotch rocket to the stable. Does anyone here have a take on the 750 Suzuki? Will it fit a 220# 6 foot 'older' but experienced rider

[OoPEZoO]

I also would like to add a crotch rocket to the stable. Does anyone here have a take on the 750 Suzuki? Will it fit a 220# 6 foot 'older' but experienced rider

 

What model and what year Suzuki 750? They Have always made the Katana and the GSXR. The Katana is more of a detuned engine with a relaxed upright riding position, but still has more than enough motor to get you in trouble. Its a shame that they are butt ugly.

 

I actually think I might sneak out and see if I can snag a test ride on one of these GSX650F. If they tuned it to be street friendly with a broad torque curve, it should be a complete blast.

 

If you are set on a GSXR......you should fit nicely on the late '90s models (they are fat in the middle with a wide seat). I rode my buddy's '97 GSXR750 many times, and I fit on it pretty well.

[jfremder]

I was thinking a near current GSXR 750, I didn't even know the 650 version existed until now...

[OoPEZoO]

I was thinking a near current GSXR 750, I didn't even know the 650 version existed until now...

 

Me either.....I actually jumped over to the Suzuki site to see if they were still making the Katana and saw it on the list of sports bikes. I didn't know what is was either until I clicked on it. It looks like it would be a great bike if it holds up to the description they have on the site. Now I'm on the search for real world reviews.

 

Here is a link to what is going on with the '08 models. Looks like the ugly Katana is a goner, and the GSX650F won't hit show rooms till December. GSX650F.

 

Oh yeah......personaly, I wouldn't recomend a newer GSXR for a rider of our size. I know in my case, I can't get my legs tucked under the tank and it is VERY uncomfortable. The only way you will know is to stop at a dealership and try sitting on one. I sat on one for 20-25 minutes before I decided that it was totaly out of the question for me.