Hard hitting video..............

[hppants]

I thought that perhaps the speedo was metric, as these go pro cams seem to exaggerate the illusion of someone going much faster than they are. However, with the tach at almost 6K in top gear, I do believe he is in excess of 90 mph. This is coupled with the fact that he was riding like a squid.

I used to stick my head in the sand on these things. Now, I watch it repeatedly - it's a grim reminder that I need to check myself. Be more patient in congestion. Be diligent about the things I can control. Avoid traffic and when I can't avoid it, respect it. Proper lane position. Always give myself an out in every situation. Etc ETc ETc.

Perhaps most importantly - slow down. Will he live if the impact is 60 mph? I guess we'll never know.

 

[user 31223]

The most shocking part , for me anyway, was you hear him shout - NO ! - just before the hit - It made me shiver. The video has made me think a lot more about my speed and if people take from it the intent

Slow down bikers , Think Once, Think Twice, Think Bike ! ( old uk safety program) for cars - then it did what it was supposed to

As a car driver and a bike rider - there but for the grace of god go i !

 

[LKLD]

I feel the discussions here, and I'm sure on many other forums, is what the family wanted. For all to pause a moment, and think of the consequences of our actions as a rider AND as a driver.

To his family I say.....Thank you...and may you find peace with this tragedy.

 

[garyahouse]

Reflecting on what Fred said, and FWIW I find mysef doing that after many of his posts, I'm reminded that there's a driver out there somewhere that has not been the same since the day this happened. You don't forget something like that... ever. Just this past Sunday, I had a close call myself. I was thinking about posting it up, but guess I'll just do it here instead.

I had 3 passengers in my Camry and was turning left out of a side road onto Shady Hills Drive: a 2 lane with a 45 speed limit. 100 feet to my left, a large Dodge pickup w/cap on the back was pulling off the highway on my side; going maybe 10 mph and on his brakes. Behind him, another car was perhaps another hundred feet back, coming up quick, but I had plenty of time. Look to the right: also clear if I'm quick. Start pulling out slowly. Looking back to the left, the truck is almost off the highway, coming sorta toward me as I'm pulling out, he's still a hundred feet away. All of a sudden, out from behind his bumper comes a dude on a Cruiser, pulling out around the left of the truck's bumper and barreling toward me in a hurry. Apparently he was tailgating the truck and totally hidden by its girth; he blasted around it when it pulled off the road. I clamped on the brakes, stopping my front bumper perhaps 2 feet over the white line. Of course the cars behind me pulled up tight on my bumper and I couldn't back up. I got to sit there for what seemed like forever while all the traffic going both ways cleared... all with my car hanging precariously out into the nearest lane of the highway.

I was feeling a lot of things: thankful the guy behind me didn't hit me when I stopped all of a sudden. But most of all I was thankful that I didn't hit the guy on the bike. Then it struck me, what was he thinking? Though there was no way I could have seen HIM, I'm quite certain her saw the long line of cars behind me waiting to pull on to the highway. Surely he knew that blasting around that truck was seriously risky. Or did he?

Hope the close call made him reconsider the way he was driving. Hope a lesson was learned, and glad it didn't have to be learned the hard way. But from my perspective, I'm glad once again that I didn't make a mistake that would leave me regretting ever getting behind the wheel that day.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Fred W]

Glad I made you think, Gary. Now I'll relate a similar experience that happened just the other day...

I was out last Friday afternoon on my new bike. All was right with the world. The bike was singing to me beautifully. Clear blue skies and sunshine. I was riding southbound on a long straight section of Rte 3A in the town of Hill, New Hampshire that had just received received a (much needed) repaving. It is marked 50 mph. I may have been going ~60.

Coming from the other direction I noticed a school bus lumbering up the road, behind it was a pretty long line of cars, maybe 20 or 25 going back, as is apt to happen due to the bus stopping to let kids off. The bus was rolling as I approached so I didn't even need to let off the throttle to go by, but as I did something in my head said: "That looks like a long line of irritated people behind that bus. I bet someone will be impatient and do something stupid, like try to pass the bus..." and due to that I think I did roll back the throttle a bit.

But even my heightened spidey sense was not fully prepared for what happened next. One of the cars in the long line, quite a ways back, decided to bail out of the school bus line and make an illegal U-turn to get out of it, right as I approached. To make the turn required a 3 point move that had the entire lane and all escape routes completely blocked.

Luckily for me she did this just far enough away from me that I was able to test the ABS on my new bike both front and rear (it works), and the fresh dry pavement provided relatively good traction to haul the bike down from whatever speed I was at, to come up about 6-8 feet short of having t-boned the idiot. (side note: Those tires do howl and squeal a bit while the ABS is doing its thing. I'd have to say the ABS saved my bacon that day.)

Yes, I screamed inside my helmet too. "You f*cking idiot!! What are you trying to do? Kill me?"

Her side window was down and I'm pretty sure she was able to hear me even with my quickly fogging face shield down fully (I can have a pretty loud voice at times, or so I've been told) The woman completed her illegal 3 point turn and headed down the road ahead of me, with a continued stream of consciousness flowing from my mouth. I think I remember the drivers in some of the other cars in the line, who observed the whole thing, shaking their heads in disbelief. I don't know if they were relieved to see the incredible performance of the FJR's ABS brakes or disappointed that they didn't get to view that night's news reports first hand.

About a mile down the road is Hill Village, which was the location of the tag I was after. She put her left turn signal on and pulled into the semi circle, intending to let the obviously angry motorcycle guy behind her go by. I went to the other end of the semi circle and cut across in front of her exit to loop back into the village. I think she probably thought that I was "after her" at that point. But as I stared at her, a middle aged woman by herself, with a crap load of junk in the back of her small pickup truck, all she did was shake her head, as if saying, "What?". I don't think she realized how close she had come to taking me out.

Is there a lesson here? A "take-away? Maybe to expect the unexpected, I guess.

Sometimes I'll be riding along on (my preferred) two lane back roads and the thought will come to mind: "What is keeping the oncoming cars from veering across the yellow line and taking me out?" "How do I know the next driver is paying attention, or isn't having a stroke, or blasted out of his mind?"

Then I have to stop thinking like that because, if you don't clear those kinds of thoughts, you'll never ride a motorcycle again.

 

[James Burleigh]

Being that this is a performance oriented motorcycle forum, I doubt this will be a popular opinion: Here's what I think is the unfortunate thing about this video...
Many, if not most people who view the video will dismiss it offhand because the rider was egregiously speeding. Running over a hundred miles an hour on an undivided highway with crossing turn traffic like that is making your own death wish. Hell, just riding on that kind of roadway at the speed limit is unsafe enough.

Most viewers of the video will feel compassionate for the car driver who turned in front of the bike because now they have to live with the fact that they have killed someone, even though it was clearly the fault of the irresponsible motorcyclist.

The video would have been much more powerful lesson, IMO, if the rider was riding at the speed limit and the driver still turned in front of them causing the accident. That happens often enough.

This video is very upsetting to watch, really a nightmare scenario for all riders, seeing that car hood begin to advance into our path. My heart goes out to the family, and I appreciate that they released the vid in support of this kind of discussion.

[SIZE=14.4444446563721px]I could not agree more with Fred's post above. [/SIZE]I find that when I see something terrible happen my first instinct is to do whatever mental gymnastics is necessary for me to convince myself that that would never have happened to me. The gymnastics in this case were not difficult at all for me: I would never have been going that speed in those circumstances. (I have, and occasionally still do, stupid things on a M.C., and like probably many of us was just lucky to have gotten away with it--e.g., no on-coming vehicle when I blew that right-hander on Skaggs Springs Road. That includes going faster than what might be appropriate.)

It would be much harder to extract myself from this scenario if it had played out as you describe--toodling along at a reasonable speed for the circumstances, car enters left-turn pocket (right turn in this case), slows, we see each other, I think, "He's gonna stop," and he moves in front of me at the last second. For me the most upsetting videos, the ones that make me think "It's hopeless," are where the rider seems to be doing everything right and still gets nailed.

In the case of the video, it's hard enough for cagers to see bikes because of their smaller visual footprint, hard to gauge their speed for the same reason, and reasonable to expect that they are going somewhere "around" the speed limit--not 100 MPH. I'm not sure the cager has any fault in the video. (Here's another example of how when we hear about a cager taking out a bike in a left-turn incident, we immediately tend to think "#%^$@ cager!" But we need to understand all the facts. All the M.C. safety studies I've looked at going back to the Hurt study seem to indicate that we riders are material contributors to our accidents in many cases.)

 

[wheatonFJR]

Whoa.

Just whoa.

 

[SeattleTy]

 

[rogdeb]

Dayum...Makes me think how lucky I have been over the years. Anyone know what the speed limit was/is there? Its stupid but if the limit was 60, and he had been doing that, he wouldn't have gotten to that intersection until after that car had already turned. I'm always amazed at all the things that have to happen to bring two vehicles to the exact same spot at the exact same time. A slow truck forcing him to wait before pulling out would have delayed him just enough etc...
I'm just wondering if he was going way faster than anyone should have expected, and if he had been going the SL, would he have had time to react. I'm thinking exact same scenario, from that distance, at half his speed would have simply put him at the rear quarter of the car instead of the front. May have made absolutely no difference.

You guys be careful...

Just too sad .. I feel for his family. Sure is a wake-up story.

 

[Donal]

I guess the thing to bear in mind is that travelling at 100 MPH equates to ~147 ft per sec! (100 x 5280 / 3600)

'Average' reaction time is +-0.7 secs, so he would have travelled ~103 ft (0.7 x 147) before he even started to react.

As many have already said, this is a wake up call for all of us.

 

[DezzertRider]

Bless his family for releasing this. Watching that can make a lasting impression. Hopefully, it will prevent another tragedy.

 

[Rider]

Being that this is a performance oriented motorcycle forum, I doubt this will be a popular opinion: Here's what I think is the unfortunate thing about this video...
Many, if not most people who view the video will dismiss it offhand because the rider was egregiously speeding. Running over a hundred miles an hour on an undivided highway with crossing turn traffic like that is making your own death wish. Hell, just riding on that kind of roadway at the speed limit is unsafe enough.

Most viewers of the video will feel compassionate for the car driver who turned in front of the bike because now they have to live with the fact that they have killed someone, even though it was clearly the fault of the irresponsible motorcyclist.

The video would have been much more powerful lesson, IMO, if the rider was riding at the speed limit and the driver still turned in front of them causing the accident. That happens often enough.

I think it is because the message is meant more for motorcyclists. I cannot fault the motorist for much here and I would not be surprised if I missed the 100 MPH helmet whizzing in the background just over the close range vehicles. I might have seen him coming, but I would not expect most people to be able to...

 

[Surly]

Last Sunday I went for a ride with mates. I rode like a dick. That weekend there were four riders killed in 24 hours in the city where I live and I saw this video on the news. I have regretted my actions all week.

But for the grace of God.

Peace be with the rider, his family and the driver.

Not far from where I live a speeding motorcyclist was killed, he also killed the passenger of a car who had turned in front of him. The speed limit was 70 KPH (40 MPH) the car was knocked onto it's side and the passenger side was totally staved in he was going that fast. There were three girls in the car who had just been to church in the car, the driver was so deeply affected that so would call into or home for almost a year seeking closure. It was not her fault. The fiancee of the motorcyclist was riding pillion on her brother's bike and saw the accident happen. Fortunately her brother had insisted that she ride with him or else I believe that she would have been killed also.

It is my intention to sell my bike, this has been coming for a while.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Best regards

Steve

 

[Donal]

Last Sunday I went for a ride with mates. I rode like a dick. That weekend there were four riders killed in 24 hours in the city where I live and I saw this video on the news. I have regretted my actions all week.
But for the grace of God.

Peace be with the rider, his family and the driver.

Not far from where I live a speeding motorcyclist was killed, he also killed the passenger of a car who had turned in front of him. The speed limit was 70 KPH (40 MPH) the car was knocked onto it's side and the passenger side was totally staved in he was going that fast. There were three girls in the car who had just been to church in the car, the driver was so deeply affected that so would call into or home for almost a year seeking closure. It was not her fault. The fiancee of the motorcyclist was riding pillion on her brother's bike and saw the accident happen. Fortunately her brother had insisted that she ride with him or else I believe that she would have been killed also.

It is my intention to sell my bike, this has been coming for a while.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Best regards

Steve

Steve, I do understand what you are saying but for what it is worth the Mother of the biker in the video has been interviewed quite a few times.

She is consistent in saying that she does not advocate people giving up their passion for motorcycling, just think carefully, in advance, of the possible implications of your actions.

There are millions of bikers out there who never come close to having an accident.............

 

[Fred W]

I think we can all relate to your decision, Surly. It is actually one that we make every day that we ride, consciously or otherwise: Is it worth the risk to life and limb for the self gratification we get from riding? Only you can answer that question.

I would suggest that you are also the only one that can affect the balance of that equation by limiting how far into the performance capabilities of the machine that you decide to venture. While some immature fellow riders may goad others into riding faster, leaning the bike further, taking more chances, etc. It is still 100% up to the individual as to how much he is comfortable with. In other words, you don't have to ride your bike like a hooligan.

If you think that the temptation to do so is just too much for you, then you may be making the right decision by hanging up your helmet. If your life's other priorities outweigh the potential enjoyment in that calculation, then taking a break from riding is probably the right answer. I say take a break because often life priorities change as we go along. I took about a 15 year hiatus from riding when my children were younger and completely defendant on me. Now they are all out on their own and self sufficient, the life insurance is paid up, and the scales have tipped to where I feel can ride again. At my own pace.

That doesn't eliminate the possibility of someone else doing something stupid that messes up your future. As my story above illustrates, that can happen to anyone regardless of how "responsibly" you are riding. But it does have a big influence over it, and you are the one who controls it.

I wish you the best of luck in your soul searching decision.

 

[LagerHead]

You guys have offered some deeply thoughtful responses. Fred, you're spot on, brother. You have to decide for yourself what risks you are willing to take in life and decide if, God forbid, the worst happens, was it worth it.

For me, it's a no brainer. While I do enjoy the feeling of unleashing the ample power the FJR has, I mostly reserve this feeling for the on ramp to the Interstate. I do enjoy the twisties and like most of us here have ended up outside my intended lane/line once or twice. Thankfully I have always ended up there alone. However, I can't overstate the calm and peaceful feeling that comes with a long ride, especially with a couple of good buds (friends, not horse piss disguised as beer

). Every time I take for a weekend, or even a day of riding, I just can't believe how lucky I am. I wish the days like that would never end despite the risk; the close calls. Riding is just too enjoyable for me to stop.

If that means that I end up like David someday, I'm perfectly OK with that. Unlike him, though, I have done most of the stuff I wanted to do. Sure I got a couple items on the bucket list, but the important stuff has been done. Actually, I hope that it's a heart attack that takes me, somewhere in the Rockies, shortly before a steep right hander with no guard rail and nothing but clear blue skies between me and the river below. And I hope somebody behind me has their Go Pro rolling to get the world's most epic video of it.

 

[LKLD]

I'm sure some, if not most, of us have extended the rpm's on occasion. Most likely, the difference between what we've done and what the young man did in the video, is location. Anytime I've gotten on the throttle good, I was the only vehicle, and on a road without intersections...including driveways. Able to see clearly ahead, sides and behind. Doing it in city traffic, or interstate traffic, or anywhere others are around, will more than likely cause the same result as in the video. Let's ride smart.

LagerHead, be careful what you ask for........

 

[mcatrophy]

I'm sure some, if not most, of us have extended the rpm's on occasion. Most likely, the difference between what we've done and what the young man did in the video, is location. Anytime I've gotten on the throttle good, I was the only vehicle, and on a road without intersections...including driveways. Able to see clearly ahead, sides and behind. Doing it in city traffic, or interstate traffic, or anywhere others are around, will more than likely cause the same result as in the video. Let's ride smart.
LagerHead, be careful what you ask for........

Couldn't agree more.

Biggest issue I have with doing something stupid is not so much the result for me, but the effect on others, whether they be whoever is involved on the road (could range from inconvenienced, through out-of-pocket, maimed or killed) or my own family and friends, some of whom might actually mourn me. Also, although no-one is financially totally dependant on me, my wife's income will drop substantially on my demise.

So, yes, I can wind it on, but I try to refrain when I'm not pretty certain of the outcome.

If something nasty happens and it was outside of my control, that's a possibility that I am prepared to live (or die) with. For now.

 

[Uncle Hud]

^^^^ Yes, your demise (not matter who you are) will never, ever, happen without affecting someone else. Family, friends, co-workers, those present when you die, medicals attempting to save you, and other folks you may not realize. We are intricately locked into society, even those of us who run away from it.

 

[Fred W]

Biggest issue I have with doing something stupid is not so much the result for me, but the effect on others, whether they be whoever is involved on the road (could range from inconvenienced, through out-of-pocket, maimed or killed) or my own family and friends, some of whom might actually mourn me. Also, although no-one is financially totally dependant on me, my wife's income will drop substantially on my demise.

OK, I apologize in advance, but now I'm going to go all existential on you here...

While this perceived "effect on others" is a major motivational driving force on many (most? all?) of us, how do we really know if there actually are others?

How do we know that all of these "others" that we perceive to exist are not just figments of our own imagination? How do we know it is not just something that our overactive minds have conjured up to entertain ourselves through whatever existence it is that we actually occupy?

Should we spend much of our efforts to modify our own perceived behaviors in order to satisfy these "others", who may or may not exist, or instead to improve our own experiences, real or imagined?

Think about that.