WSJ article on sportbike fatalities

[MTNFSH]

I don't know that the writer has an "agenda" other than to have a different angle on motorcycles that would get his editors to publish the story. The Journal has had stories on older affluent guys buying expensive bikes and the helmet issue is old hat. Superbikes as a threat on the road is a different story:

"Over the time period of the IIHS study, from 2000 to 2005, the death rate for motorcyclists rose to 7.5 deaths per 10,000 registered motorcycles from 7.1. In the same period, the percentage of motorcycle deaths among all highway fatalities rose to 10% from 7%. Superbike riders had a death rate of 22.5 for every 10,000 registered motorcycles."

There was a Maryland state legislator who briefly suggested banning super sports bikes after a DC beltway accident. The idea never went anywhere but like I said above, 0 to 60 MPH in 2.5 seconds is a bike built for the track. Add in the squids who pop wheelies on public roads and you get more fatalities and more public backlash.

[ervins]

I think we all should start on small pocket bikes. Then after two years madatory De-Squidding get on a 110cc Super Pocket Bike, then after 3 years (By then we will weed out the weak) move up to the potent more than you need 250...After 5 years on that, skys the limit......I'll pass. No one will tell me to get a small bike, no one will tell me to buy a small house, no one will tell me what to buy...I want what I can get...I worked my arse off in college and had two jobs at that time, and worked like a fiend at jobs to get to where I am to have a "big" life....I want what I want, when I want.

I will amend and state, that nobody should tell anyone what bike to start on...That would infringe on my freedoms and freedom of choice is a blast.

[ervins]

Originally Posted by D-Day

Problem is, enacting more laws messes it up for the rest of us.

Let the idiots kill themselves. No more dealing with it.

+1..

[spkerhed]

Originally Posted by D-Day

Let the idiots kill themselves. No more dealing with it.

there is a problem that statement the last two accidents that happened here ended with others getting hurt the last one the guy went down and his bike hit 3 other bikes the one before that guy came down from a wheelie and assholed his buddy if my wife and I are on a ride and some one in the group gets stupid why should we pay the price

[D-Day]

Fluke occurrence. You'd enact a bunch of laws just for that? Tough situation, but how often do you see motorcycle (on motorcycle) collisions? Surely not enough to take away our freedom of choice.

[Ninja_Wendy]

Originally Posted by xeon

My neighbor just was in an accident a few weeks ago and his flip up helmet on... it flipped up during the accident and he landed in the hospital unable to recognize his own children for a while. He's considering hanging up his boots and the other neighbor is thinking about dumping his flip-up helmet.

I almost bought a flip up helmet and then I noticed one that had a sticker that said something like "May not protect chin in an accident" or something like that. And I thought to myself that it's better to be safe than sorry and I got a regular full face helmet.

[MotorCDR]

Originally Posted by spkerhed

there is a problem that statement the last two accidents that happened here ended with others getting hurt the last one the guy went down and his bike hit 3 other bikes the one before that guy came down from a wheelie and assholed his buddy if my wife and I are on a ride and some one in the group gets stupid why should we pay the price

Rarely does the first stupid stunt result in an accident. It is, nearly always, a long string of stupid stunts that leads to the one that gets on the news.

That means that the people riding with these idiots knew that they were idiots. And they still rode with them. All the way to the crash site.

In one forum or another, a lady rider tells of her riding date with a guy who cut through traffic, rabbited, and showed off on his motor. She did the smart thing, and let him go on by himself, rather than be part of the accident that he was trying to have.

[MotorCDR]

Originally Posted by Ninja_Wendy

I almost bought a flip up helmet and then I noticed one that had a sticker that said something like "May not protect chin in an accident" or something like that. And I thought to myself that it's better to be safe than sorry and I got a regular full face helmet.

YMMV. I've seen a number of accidents in the last several years where riders were wearing flip-ups. The good helmets don't come open, the cheap ones don't stay closed.

If you are thinking about a flip-up, make sure it's from a brand with a good reputation for other types of helmet (not just "I like how it fits" or "the color matches my jacket").

In North America, I would stay with HJC, Shoei, Nolan or the one I use, Caberg. I'm sure that there are other good ones, but these are proven over and over.

[MotorCDR]

Originally Posted by D-Day

Fluke occurrence. You'd enact a bunch of laws just for that? Tough situation, but how often do you see motorcycle (on motorcycle) collisions? Surely not enough to take away our freedom of choice.

I see them more often than you would think, usually from a formation ride where they don't keep the spacing -- someone doesn't get slowed down as quickly as the rider ahead, and suddenly a headlight becomes a suppository.

When I ride with a formation that I don't know well, I stay in the back and hang back. I watch as far ahead as I can, and I'm ready to abort into another lane if things get exciting.

Usually, "crotch rocket" accidents are motor-into-stationary-object (including the ground) or jinking through cager traffic and running out of options faster than you can run out of speed. You'd be surprised just how bad it is for the paint job to bounce off the drive tires on a Frieghtliner into the path of an SUV.

[Guitarosaur]

Originally Posted by Thunder Lizard

There are other data missing from this report, too. Not that I don't agree with the basic points in the report... yes, motorcycles are rising in popularity and population, and perhaps there are more "new" or "renewed" riders too, but
I'd like to see several other breakdowns...

-percentage of "at fault" drivers, either cagers or riders, who have previously been involved and at fault in accidents. (IE, bad drivers are bad drivers, no matter what they're driving at the time)

I think we might find that the survey/report might take on a different flavor if we had those details. The author makes it sound as if the only significant differences between 1987 and now are the size and power of motorcycles, and the relative experience or lack of it that riders are displaying.
I've seen similar reports regarding the increase in popularity of SUV's, minivans, and such, and those reports combined with this one might show a different picture.
Not only have we handed fair to poor drivers more complicated, more difficult vehicles to drive, we've also created a veritable smorgasbord of electronic distractions to help them stay unfocused and dangerous.

All that said, "remember, they're ALL out to get you" along with "ATGATT" will remain 2 of my main riding rules.
Interesting article, though. Thanks, J

GOOD STUFF, Lizard!
You're dead right, which beats the hell outta left for dead.

I'd also like to see the numbers of dead riders who have videos posted on YouTube of them a$$ing around at 200 mph, doing two-up wheelies on a busy highway, or peeling out of the driveway trying to balance a 40 oz while shifting into 2nd. After all, like you said, "bad drivers are bad drivers..." I wanna know how many dead bikers have drug convictions, or are members of street gangs. How many were running from the cops? How many ran from the cops in the past 60 days?

But that's the crotchrocket crowd. I'm a cruiser guy. Where am I gonna be likely to do something stupid?

Maybe I need to examine myself and determine which situations are gonna cause my testosterone to start writing bad checks... Which cagers are most likely to **** me off? Do I have a "thing" against CRXs with chainsaw mufflers? Am I gonna feel inclined to show off for the chick in the Corvette? Am I gonna lose my cool when mud flies off a 44" truck tire and hits me in the chest with a SPLATTT!? Am I gonna feel the need to show my taillight to that guy on the Harley? Will I have the nerve to get a ride home after just ONE beer?

I think these are important questions too few people ask themselves, and I think asking them and listening to my own answers can reduce the likelihood of somebody having to pry Isogrips from my cold dead fingers....