Fun Ride Today........... - Ducati.ms

AXE · May 26th, 2008, 12:00 am

.................but a haunting reminder that the life of a motorcyclist can be snatched in an instant. Just a 1/2 mile north of my house when I returned home, someone made a left turn in front of a Harley. This was the last intersection before leaving town. Only the police and car and bike remained when I went by, but my wife said she seen them load a covered body up just before I came home.

Seeing that bike laying there makes you think a little. I haven't quit thinking of it yet. It looked like a very hard impact on the front right corner of the small car, which was caved in along with the windshield. Both the front and side curtain air bags were blown out. The bike was piled. I stopped and took a picture, but don't know if I feel good posting it.

Anyway, I had a really great ride today with a friend into the twisties where traffic wasn't too bad given the holiday and many people pulled off the road today to let us pass when we were in the tight stuff (that rarely happens here). The weather was unusually cool and it made for a great day of riding.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Out!

Motard-Menace · May 26th, 2008, 12:13 am

I think you should post it Axe as long as it does not harm any particular individual or their family, a picture is worth a thousand words and IMO its good to be reminded that safety needs to be paramount on our minds when riding. Good to hear you had a nice ride and yes the weather was unseasonable beautiful this weekend. I got out and put a few miles on the 1098 and the HM today.......

Patriots1 · May 26th, 2008, 12:30 am

I don't have anything thing to do today and I felt pretty awake a few mins ago. Its 1:30 in the morning here in Chatt town, and it just feels amazing outside. So I was getting all excited about going for a little ride. Unfortunately I decide to read on here first for a few mins. After reading the above, I all of a sudden got that bad feel in my stomach and I may just watch some TV and go to bed. I'll try riding later on.

lelenb · May 26th, 2008, 12:49 am

I think this is a good posting. I visit a local message board and they have an accidents section that I check every weekend to see crash reports. I know it sounds morbid, but it keeps me honest and makes me ride a little more like I am mortal. When spring hit there were about 5 people a week dying in the Bay Area. Those deaths are evidenced by an increased law enforcement presence near the popular motorcycle areas. Of course I hate seeing this, but I think it may save a life or two, maybe even mine.

The accidents that are not the fault of the motorcyclists are always the must difficult to read about. One of my buddies used to ride before a car ran a light and plowed into him and he was hit by a second car. His pelvis was crushed, both femurs had compound fractures, his hand was shattered and his spleen was ruptured. He was in a wheel chair for a few months and underwent physical therapy so that he could learn to walk again. The accident was more then 10 years ago and will need a cane to walk for the rest of his life. His right hand is still very weak and he can't play guitar like he once did. He was the one friend that was not happy to see me get my Hyper. I don't talk to him about riding, not that he objects, I just feel awkward doing it.

Crashes are a great learning tool. I think we should always ride with that small bit of fear nestled in the back of your mind to keep you from doing that stupid pass over a double yellow going into a corner. Or to tell us to watch out for that car that looks like it is going to make a left turn in front of you. I always flash those cars with my high beam and get ready for the worst, but still enjoy my rides.

Stasher · May 26th, 2008, 10:04 am

I would also be curious what role safety equipment had it the incident. Unfortunately, the cruiser/harley community seems set on wearing inadequate helmets and apparel. AS usual, I often feel safer on a road course or mx track when riding my bikes.

AXE · May 26th, 2008, 11:22 am

Here is the article and the driver and officer got it all wrong! The cars turning right onto Westwing were in a turn lane. The motorcyclist was heading north and had the right-of-way. The driver pulled out in front of him, struck and killed the motorcyclist. Get the facts straight!

http://www.azcentral.com/community/p...atalcrash.html

Out!

**deluxe68** · May 26th, 2008, 12:23 pm

That is a nasty road for accidents, too many people pulling boats/jetskis in a hurry. We used to have a sailboat at Lake Pleasant and made many trips on that road.

Motard-Menace · May 26th, 2008, 5:25 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXE

Here is the article and the driver and officer got it all wrong! The cars turning right onto Westwing were in a turn lane. The motorcyclist was heading north and had the right-of-way. The driver pulled out in front of him, struck and killed the motorcyclist. Get the facts straight!

http://www.azcentral.com/community/p...atalcrash.html

Out!

Not sure what facts you are speaking of but it sounds like they stated the car turned left in front of the motorcycle who certainly had the right of way. No mention of who was at fault but quite obvious if he was traveling on a thru street and she turned in front of him unless he was excessively speeding, maybe intoxicated etc. Maybe we will get better info eventually. It is really hard to tell from newspaper accounts as they are typically incorrect 80% of the time. That said, when reading it the first thing that comes to mind for me is 17 year old girl. Wonder if she was on her cell or texting when it happened.

Left turner's are my biggest worry. Everytime I see a car getting ready to turn left I cover the brake and get ready for them to cross my path.......damn cagers..........anyway thoughts and prayers for the fellows family......

bromike666 · May 26th, 2008, 8:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motard-Menace

Left turner's are my biggest worry. Everytime I see a car getting ready to turn left I cover the brake and get ready for them to cross my path.......damn cagers..........anyway thoughts and prayers for the fellows family......

+1..... I slow up, cover the brake and as an added safety measure initiate a quick flick to one side. A quick movement makes you much more visible to drivers.

Last Tuesday a kid on a brand new 1098 killed himself on ACH, lets be careful out there

tunefx · May 26th, 2008, 8:20 pm

Thanks for sharing. Good to have a reminder although the cost is too high. TP to all.