Another Yamaha rider dies

[Warchild]

This is just no good....

Motorcyclist dies on Dragon2006-06-16

by Jessica Stith

of The Daily Times Staff

A Maryland man died in a motorcycle crash Thursday while riding the curves of the Dragon.

The Dragon is an 11-mile meandering section of U.S. 129 between Tab Cat Creek and the North Carolina state line. This is the first fatality on the Dragon in 2006.

Kelly Brown, 39, of Forestville, Md., was driving his Yamaha motorcycle northbound on U.S. 129 heading down the mountain at 10:30 a.m. He was negotiating a curve about 3½ miles from the North Carolina line, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Lowell Russell.

Brown traveled off the right side of the road onto the shoulder then came back onto road and veered off the left shoulder, Russell said.

Brown's motorcycle then went airborne off the left shoulder, hit a tree and then came to rest at the bottom of the tree that was rooted on a steep embankment.

According to Russell, Brown was dead when emergency medical responders arrived on the scene. His body was taken to Blount Memorial Hospital by Rural/Metro Ambulance Service.

Russell said Brown, who was wearing a helmet, had a motorcyclist riding with him who had stopped ahead to let Brown catch up. When Brown did not show up, the motorcyclist went back to check on him.

Two other motorcyclists were driving through the winding curves when they saw smoke coming from the steep embankment. The two stopped to see if something was on fire and found Brown, Russell said. The motorcyclist riding with Brown then arrived to find the accident.

Brown was visiting from Maryland to join the Yamaha R1/R6 Forums East Coast Convention. Other motorcyclists traveling the Dragon said Brown had just arrived on Wednesday for the convention that started Monday and ends Saturday.

Motorcyclists from all over the country who are participating in the convention are lodging at the Fontana Village Resort at Fontana Dam, N.C.

This was not the only accident that has occurred at the site of Brown's crash. A tree directly beside the tree that Brown hit held a picture of a motorcyclist who had previously died in an accident at that site, and a cross was carved into the tree below the picture.

There were 19 fatalities in 2005 in Blount County, and three of them occurred on the Dragon. Brown's accident is the eighth fatality in 2006 and the first to occur on the Dragon.

Tennessee Highway Patrol, Blount County Sheriff's deputies, Rural/Metro Ambulance Service, seven Blount County firefighters and four members of the Blount County Volunteer Rescue Squad responded to assist with the accident.

The involvement of drugs or alcohol was not suspected, but mandatory testing is being done, Russell said.

 

[Toecutter]

This is just no good....

:bye2: :rip_1:

Brown was visiting from Maryland to join the Yamaha R1/R6 Forums East Coast Convention. Other motorcyclists traveling the Dragon said Brown had just arrived on Wednesday for the convention that started Monday and ends Saturday.

Let's all keep this in mind at all times, and especially during the large gatherings. One dead (or injured) rider can put a serious damper on an otherwise great experience.

 

[Rickster]

sux....

any details to how it happened? Seeing if there's something I can learn or watch out for. Any details on mechanical problems, speed, old tires, etc.?

 

[Warchild]

He was known as "K_Flexxx" on the R1 forum.... here is a hard-to-read post from R1 forum member "Skanky", who apparently was the last guy to see him alive:

Everyone,

I don't even know how to start this post, but let me just start by saying I was the last person K_FLEXXX spoke to before he died. This is what happend, and my heartfelt condolonces go out to anyone who knew him. Even though I only knew him for just a few minutes, he seemed like a great guy.

I headed up to CROT that morning, about 10am, not really having anyone to ride with at that point. I met up with Kendall and a few others who showed up with K_FLEXX. I finally introduced myself to Kendall and KFlexx, and spoke at length to KFLEXX about his bike - it was beautiful. He had about every mod you could imagine, and chrome rims that had a greyish cast to them. They looked outstanding.

During our conversations, he said he had just driven in last night, and was ready to "Dust off the cobwebs" of his riding.

So anyway, I decided to head out, and KFLEXX started gearing up at the same time. Kendall saw him doing this, but decided to stay at CROT. So, KFLEXX and I headed out.

I rode the dragon at a brisk pace - not my fastest, but not crawling either, and noticed kflexx lagged behind by aways. No biggie.

Well, about 2 miles into the Dragon, we came upon a wreck - some guy in a chopper binned it coming up the hill from the other direction. We both stopped to help out, but the guy was ok - busted up a bit, but otherwise ok. There were so many people there by that time, we decided to leave.

So, I pulled over to kflexx, and said:

"Hey man, looks like I'm riding a bit faster than you, so why don't you take the lead for awhile, ok? That way, you can set the pace"

He said, "Nah man, that's ok. I'm just dusting off the cobwebs - I'll be ok."

"You sure? Don't try to keep up with me, ok?"

"No problem man"

Well, we both took off, and after about a mile or so, I noticed he wasn't behind me. I waited. And waited. Oh shit.

Turned the bike around, and made my way back , looking for any signs of him.

I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find him at all, but eventually I came to where a white SUV and a couple of harley guys were standing on the side of the road. The SUV was being driven by some EMT's from Florida who had already provided immediate care to klfexx - and had already called EMS. Unfortuneately, it wouldn't have made any difference.

I went down to kflexx, who was about 15 feet down a VERY steep hill - he had literally went airborne, and hit a tree head on somehow. He was laying on top of his bike which was in two pieces at the bottom of the tree. He was killed instantly.

I have a picture of the scene which I will share later to act as a warning to everyone, but no, i didnt take any pics of kflexx after he died, so don't even ask.

It's really shaken a lot of people here (including myself). I always knew the dragon (and sportbiking) was dangerous, but I never thought I'd experience it first-hand, close up. Man, what a day.

Be very, very safe out there folks.

I'm gonna quit this post to go to bed, but I believe I know how he wrecked for those of you interested. I'll post more on this later.

RIP K_FLEXX. I'm glad your last moments were filled with something you really enjoyed doing, and with people who considered you a friend.

 

[Woodstock]

Bummer. Yes, let's be careful on those regional gatherings, esp. the group rides where you might be under some peer pressure to "keep up" with faster riders. Don't. :sadsmiley02:

 

[Toecutter]

Bummer. Yes, let's be careful on those regional gatherings, esp. the group rides where you might be under some peer pressure to "keep up" with faster riders. Don't. :sadsmiley02:

Outriding his pace was what it sounded like at first, but I didn't want to make assumptions based on speculation. Also sounds like he was on too much bike, but that probably wasn't as much of a factor as the cause alluded to by the rider in front of him.
There are a lot fewer "accidents" than reported. It's usually some form of pilot error.

 

[Groo]

Sad news indeed. I'd like to hear what "skanky" says was the cause if he ever posts it Warchild....

RIP

 

[radman]

This is why I'm not askeerd to say you all are faster than me. I don't doubt there is someone reading this that will beat me into Hell too. Between this place and STN I'm surprised anyone is still alive to post.....been dropping like flys it seems.

Slow ass rad

 

[GunMD]

This is very sobering. I hope that all of our FJR events this summer can end with all of us bragging about our great safety record.

Although very tough to read, I'm thankful that people share their accounts of horrible things like this. I know I'll think about it from time to time as I'm riding. If thoughts of this tragedy keep me focused then it's worth the sadness that comes from reading it.

 

[GalaxyBlue]

Just a reminder to everyone...

Carry emergency information with a list of allergens and contacts.

It would also be a good idea to have someone gather contact info before our big group ride in reno. Just to be safe.

THis sure is horrible info to read...

 

[exskibum]

Bummer. Yes, let's be careful on those regional gatherings, esp. the group rides where you might be under some peer pressure to "keep up" with faster riders. Don't. :sadsmiley02:

+100

A friend I used to go ski mountaineering with a lot a few years ago used to always say, as we left the cars on the ascent: "Remember: the object is to get back to the car -- if that means you have to do a descent instead of ripping something, do it." Good advice when a missed turn can have the consequnces these two sports present.

 

[cuemungous]

WC,

I am also a member of a sport bike forum here in the SF bay area. I was leading a brisk ride in the local twisties last week and one of the guys came to me at a break and informed me about another one of the guys blowing his lines and crossing the DY. I talked to the guy about riding his own ride and then I proceeded to go at a slower pace. All went well after that; but it could also have been tragic.

Do you mind if I post the article you pasted to our local site?

 

[Woodstock]

Bummer. Yes, let's be careful on those regional gatherings, esp. the group rides where you might be under some peer pressure to "keep up" with faster riders. Don't. :sadsmiley02:

Outriding his pace was what it sounded like at first, but I didn't want to make assumptions based on speculation. Also sounds like he was on too much bike, but that probably wasn't as much of a factor as the cause alluded to by the rider in front of him.

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I don't mean to ascribe any particular case to this particular (tragic) crash.

Merely pointing out something (perhaps obvious) that occasionally we forget, that we should all keep in mind.

 

[Warchild]

WC, Do you mind if I post the article you pasted to our local site?

No problemo, go ahead.....

 

[twowheelnut]

Deja vu, without the death. Hate this shit. RIP, K_flexx.

 

[Toecutter]

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I don't mean to ascribe any particular case to this particular (tragic) crash.

You were clear and not ascribing cause. My comment was based on the posted comments of the witness/rider.

Merely pointing out something (perhaps obvious) that occasionally we forget, that we should all keep in mind.

Can never have too much safety lecturing, IMO. Small mistakes can (and too often do) have huge consequences in our arena.

 

[afterburn]

I hate these things, especially when I am about to go on a group ride in the mountains.

I wish his familty and friends well.

 

[Centerline]

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I don't mean to ascribe any particular case to this particular (tragic) crash.

You were clear and not ascribing cause. My comment was based on the posted comments of the witness/rider.

Merely pointing out something (perhaps obvious) that occasionally we forget, that we should all keep in mind.

Can never have too much safety lecturing, IMO. Small mistakes can (and too often do) have huge consequences in our arena.

Wow, a sobering and sad note to read and am so sorry for the anguish Kflexx's family is suffering.

I certainly have no knowledge of what caused the accident, but among many possibilities, excess speed might have been involved.

For me, I like to practice lots of leans in wide open spaces, I am talking several hours total spread over a couple months. (I wore out a new rear tire on its sides, just practicing for the Dragon, and never cornered beyond 50 mph.)

When encountering a new road, I will make probably 5 or 6 familiarizing runs before pushing it up a notch. At no time in real road running will I notch it up enough intentionally to approach the limits I tested while training.

I scraped the pegs mucho B4 the Dragon, and only lightly once or twice while actually riding the Dragon. God smiled on me tho and I was spared an accident anyhow.

Said Dirty Harry......"A man has got to know his limits"

 

[chipset]

I literally just got back from Robinnsville. I spent 5 days out around the Dragon and other roads. All I can say, and I will report more later (when I can sit), is that there are some crazy people out there.

While I only did the Dragon about 5 or 6 times, here's what I saw:

Many lane crossings

Cars going far too fast

Animals crossing the road

Very good riders going far too fast for others

Several trailers.

We rode it on Sunday. Monday there were a lot of people around, so we only rode it once. Tuesday was nice, though.

Now, on my last ride through, at 7:30 in the morning, I had the pleasure of only passing about 4 riders. However, the Mack truck pulling a 52' trailer showing up in my lane around a blind curve.

The Dragon was fun. I lost most of my chicken stripes/strips. However, I think I left a stain on my seat, as well.

I did run into a couple other forum members, but for the life of me, I can't remember their names. However, one guy had a video taken of him on the dragon. I hope he posts it.

I will post my trip report soon.