Suzuki GSX-R1000 @ 174mph accident (VERY GRAPHIC!)

[flyingferret 0]

Well, HD will pay for the MSF course if you take it in the first year after you got the bike.

I agree with the CC limits, BUT it is a whole lot easier to generate too much torgue too fast on an R1 than an R6. I totally agree you can push both too far if you try.

Guys, it is the obstacles, not the speed, that kills. If you follow Moto GP at all, watch a documentary called Faster and they talk about bike evolution and track design. These guys take spills at 150+ and live to tell because of gravel pits and air fences. In the history of Moto GP only one rider has died on the track and that was test driving an F1 car. Now...there are lots of femurs, etc, but not death.

The point is this...IF you want to do those speeds you have to control the environment if you want majority odds of no major injuries or death. It is the unexpected occurence that kills you.

I have done plenty of stupid stuff in various cars and bikes and looked back and gone DAMN I was an idiot. I live in DFW and see sport bike riders doing things on 635 in traffic that I would think twice about doing on a track. It is just plain foolish and defending it through any kind of 'live your life' philosophy is equally foolish in my opinion. If you want to live like that...most of the other people on the road will not be surprised when they see you impact as you prove your independence.

I personally know guys that raced bikes at a professional level and most have moved to cars at their age because of the physical abuse. These guys are some of the safest drivers I have ever seen...sometimes I even get annoyed following them.

My point is that a good rider based to a huge degree on judgement, more than any other factor. Most riders would say that a country road is at least as dangerous as a highway with traffic. If you want to do this stuff, get on an empty piece of interstate in the middle of the night, and your worst fear is probably a ticket.

As for the cruiser comments, you are spot on. I have been to Sturgis, I have my Iron Butt, I have ridden 3500 miles in 5 days....I am a rider. And yes, I have seen plenty of guys along the way that ride 5 times a year using their fancy trailer and are way over their head, I have seen pretty chopper boys squinting in the rain through sunshades, I have seen people drink too much and then get on the bike. And in every case, I few those people no different than some kid riding a wheely in 4 lane traffic or taking a turn at 174mph. Irresponisble is irresponsible, I don't care what badge is on your gas tank or what your lean angle is. And I would just as soon hang out a bit longer and let you get further down the road, before I get on it.

And all the comparisons between skydiving and this are bunk. We fly on a 'closed course' guys, for most intents and purposes. And if an aircraft came onto our course, you would scream your ass off. And if exit seperation was zero you would scream your ass off. We control our environment, why would you do anything less on a bike?

And finally, I suspected since yesterday that something about these is not as it appears. I did not see initial proof on the net, and don't have a lot of time to search, but I think there is some factor of hyped email forward gore here somewhere. But, hey, if it brought about a debate on bike safety, it served a purpose.

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[Kennedy 0]

While I agree that both skydiving and motorcycling can be dangerous, it's all about controling the risks. This guy went out on a public road, went as fast as he could, and bit it. He doesn't have a log book to check, but I'd wager he would be the biking equivalent of a 100 jump wonder who knows all. People like that are walking the knife's edge. Some are lucky enough to make it, others end up like him in both sports.

Honestly I'm always a little afraid on public roads on two wheels, and that keeps me alive. I know how stupid other drivers can be, and how much shit I can't control. In skydiving, you're more like to have gear or self issues than problesm caused by other people (except on landing, maybe)

I'd say the safest motorcycle riding is safer than the safest skydive, but the most dangerous riding is more dandgerous than the most dangerous skydive..

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[flyingferret 0]

Ditto....I think we had ESP.

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All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[kingbunky 3]

just a trivial question here, if nobody knows who that was, or where it happened, how do they know the speed so precisely? 174 mph, 174 fps maybe?

"Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart."
MB4252 TDS699
killing threads since 2001

[flyingferret 0]

Exactly, there is a lot you don't know when email forwards go bad >:-)

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[hexadecimal 0]

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And that's why I don't like most sport bike riders. They think they're special and can keep that machine on the road at very high speeds on public roads.

The sport bike riders I have a lot of respect for ride very conservatively on public roads, then will push themselves and their bikes on track day at the track.

I'm one of the sports bike riders you describe, who uses the track to push my limits... but your generalization still bothers me a bit.

I've seen just as many morons on cruisers riding beyond their abilities on public roads as I have on sports bikes... and I RARELY see any of the guys on cruisers wearing helmets or leathers. Also, what would you expect to see a line of in front of a bar... sports bikes, or cruisers? Exactly...

Sports bike riders are made to look like the bad guys by the media just like skydivers, BASE jumpers, etc... and attitudes like yours won't help.

[AggieDave 6]

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Sports bike riders are made to look like the bad guys by the media just like skydivers, BASE jumpers, etc... and attitudes like yours won't help.

Turn that around with your comments about people on cruisers and see the same statement from the other side of the glass.

I'm in a college town, I see a lot of guys (and girls) on sportbikes wearing flipflops, shorts and a ballcap. I see those bikes infront of bars all the time as well.

When was the last time you saw someone on a cruiser riding a wheelie down the highway at well over the speed limit? I saw someone on a sportbike doing that not even an hour ago.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[flyingferret 0]

You both have point. An a counter stereotype makes the basis of the first one, no less real.

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[ahegeman 0]

On average, a skydive is as likely to kill you as 30 miles on a motorcycle. Sounds like a pretty comparable fatality rate to me.

---------------------------------------------------------------
There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'.
--Dave Barry

[Gravitymaster 0]

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On average, a skydive is as likely to kill you as 30 miles on a motorcycle. Sounds like a pretty comparable fatality rate to me.

Curious as to how you came up with this conclusion. What is the statement based on?

[ahegeman 0]

Curious as to how you came up with this conclusion. What is the statement based on?

[funks 1]

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***
I'm in a college town, I see a lot of guys (and girls) on sportbikes wearing flipflops, shorts and a ballcap. I see those bikes infront of bars all the time as well.

Sport bikes in front of bars? Come on now. I think it is just a tad bit more common to find Harleys and cruisers at a bar than it is sportbikes. Get to know sportbike riders and you will come to find that the majority of them are religious about not drinking and riding!

[wzettler 0]

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When was the last time you saw someone on a cruiser riding a wheelie down the highway at well over the speed limit? I saw someone on a sportbike doing that not even an hour ago.

They just don't ride wheelies cause 99% of them can't.

How long have you even been riding street bikes? Not even a year right? I'm not trying to offend you but what do you really know about motorcycling culture? Sometimes, to me (not that you care) you sound like a 50 jump wonder when it comes to street bikes. Get some experience before you start making generalizations.

And before you ask, i have been riding streetbikes for over 10 years (since I was 17) and I ride at least 300 miles a week for 7 months out of the year in DC area traffic. And I have friends that ride every type of bike. I don't like generalizations about my fellow riders (including you)...

I think when Jesus said "love your enemy" he probably meant don't kill them.

[AggieDave 6]

I'm sort of like the packer that has been on the DZ for a number of years before starting to jump.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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my whole purpose in posting those pictures and saying lookit this! was mainly for the shock value, (something I'm starting to develop a reputation for) not to start an argument. Let's just have some fun, eh?

You have a very disturbing idea of fun.

I'm not shocked at the graphic nature of the pictures. I did after all work as ski patroller for 4 years back in the early 90s and saw my fair share of gore (of course nothing as bad as this motorcycle incident). But what disturbs me most is that some people look at this is say "let's have some fun with it". You've stooped to the same level that whuffos take towards us (and there was also a number of other people who've posted who've done similar). So tell me, when are you going to start posting graphic pictures of guys and gals who've died skydiving or BASE jumping so that you can increase your self-proclaimed "shock value" reputation?

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[flyingferret 0]

funks...look at the college town part of the statement. I will say it again:

People in my age group buy 'crotch rockets' because they think: Rap videos have them and they make girls wet, and speed is cool.
Nobody is picking on the import guys that have been riding for 20 years. If you are not aware of the current generations take on sport bikes, you should check it out. Most college rich environments have plenty of wanna-bes, that do exactly what Dave said.

wzettler, if I did not know dave I would say the same thing. But, dave and I grew up together and have a tendency to get into every hobby 100%+ There are 'riders' that have ridden for 10 years and have 10K miles under their belt. There are other riders that have ridden for 2 years, have 20K miles under their belt and have ridden books like Proficient Motorcycling. Dave is one of the latter.

And just like skydiving, more miles in a shorter timespan means a higher learning curve. Coupled with decent instruction, that creates wisdom and experience.

Again to funks, et al., I think you are defending a stereotype that you want to research. If you really want to defend frat boys riding bikes to bars with flipflop clad girls on the back, or wanna rappers riding with the helmet on the footpeg, go for it. But my opinion is staying where it is: get off the road and away from me.

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[Fireflyer 0]

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This definitely needs a NSFW

what if you work in a sausage plant?

[kelpdiver 2]

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On average, a skydive is as likely to kill you as 30 miles on a motorcycle. Sounds like a pretty comparable fatality rate to me.

cool - that puts me at 2700 jumps. Where are my wings?!

(this is a case where too many averages has been used to be meaningful)

[funks 1]

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funks...look at the college town part of the statement. I will say it again:

People in my age group buy 'crotch rockets' because they think: Rap videos have them and they make girls wet, and speed is cool.
Nobody is picking on the import guys that have been riding for 20 years. If you are not aware of the current generations take on sport bikes, you should check it out. Most college rich environments have plenty of wanna-bes, that do exactly what Dave said.

wzettler, if I did not know dave I would say the same thing. But, dave and I grew up together and have a tendency to get into every hobby 100%+ There are 'riders' that have ridden for 10 years and have 10K miles under their belt. There are other riders that have ridden for 2 years, have 20K miles under their belt and have ridden books like Proficient Motorcycling. Dave is one of the latter.

And just like skydiving, more miles in a shorter timespan means a higher learning curve. Coupled with decent instruction, that creates wisdom and experience.

Again to funks, et al., I think you are defending a stereotype that you want to research. If you really want to defend frat boys riding bikes to bars with flipflop clad girls on the back, or wanna rappers riding with the helmet on the footpeg, go for it. But my opinion is staying where it is: get off the road and away from me.

First off, I am not defending anybody. I said that I believe it is more common to see a group of harleys parked outside a bar versus sportbikes. I truly believe on average sportbike riders are more against drinking and riding then harley riders are.

You guys are the ones generalizing. Not us. I accept the fact that idiots ride all sorts of bikes, you guys seem to think that is not the case and that only sportbike riders are the immature unsafe riders. That is bullshit.

You guys are just jealous that we can ride circles around you, doing it on one wheel, while your girlfriends get all hot and bothered watching us and wishing that you owned a real bike for her to ride on

[vdschoor 0]

Come people.. grow up..

Yeah I had a sports bike I was able to ride circles around people on cruisers.. but you know what? Hanging out with the people on the cruisers, and stopping at the bars with them when we went out cruising with a whole group of them was always a blast.. I've done it several times.

Who says that when they're parked in front of a bar that they are drinking?
People riding harleys bashing people riding "rice rockets" or crotch rockets.. we're all bikers.. It's just as stupid as the freeflyers vs. the belly fliers.. come on!

Let this stupid thread die alright? the guy in the pictures screwed up.... Hope it's a wake up call for ALL THE IDIOT DRIVERS to watch out, and only do "stupid" stuff when the situation is apropriate...

[wzettler 0]

So you're saying that your

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college town

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Coupled with decent instruction

and

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more miles in a shorter timespan

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creates wisdom and experience.

?? Ok.

I think when Jesus said "love your enemy" he probably meant don't kill them.

[AggieDave 6]

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You guys are just jealous that we can ride circles around you, doing it on one wheel, while your girlfriends get all hot and bothered watching us and wishing that you owned a real bike for her to ride o

You say that, but we've got the skill to keep both wheels on the ground and the the vibrations from simply idiling gets them all hot and bothered.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Gravitymaster 0]

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Curious as to how you came up with this conclusion. What is the statement based on?

I was afraid someone was going to make me dig that old post up.

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1230637;#1230637

[vdschoor 0]

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You guys are just jealous that we can ride circles around you, doing it on one wheel, while your girlfriends get all hot and bothered watching us and wishing that you owned a real bike for her to ride o

You say that, but we've got the skill to keep both wheels on the ground and the the vibrations from simply idiling gets them all hot and bothered.

Noice one!!! ha ha..

Iwan

[kelpdiver 2]

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First off, I am not defending anybody. I said that I believe it is more common to see a group of harleys parked outside a bar versus sportbikes. I truly believe on average sportbike riders are more against drinking and riding then harley riders are.

You guys are the ones generalizing. Not us. I accept the fact that idiots ride all sorts of bikes, you guys seem to think that is not the case and that only sportbike riders are the immature unsafe riders. That is bullshit.

You guys are just jealous that we can ride circles around you, doing it on one wheel, while your girlfriends get all hot and bothered watching us and wishing that you owned a real bike for her to ride on

This is some funny shit!

The last time I was up at Alice's (actually the parking lot on the other side) we watched a squid going back and forth doing stoppies. Pretty poor skill, but entertaining to watch the near misses. He flubs the last one and lands hard on one foot to save it. At that point, he calls to his girl, slaps her on, and takes off...no doubt to get home before his ankle swells up.

The bar hopping retread harley rider of the future is the sport bike alcoholic of today. Add 20 years and you probably won't want the back pain of an R1 anymore.

On the generalizations - there seem to be a lot more women looking for a ride on a harley than on the 3x3" patch that passes for a backseat on a race replica. Nevermind the leg contortions that position requires - great view for the rest of us, but hell on her.