| Author | Message | ||
     Vegasbueller |
It must be the season already. For gods sakes people, be careful and know your limits. This is from a friend in south Florida: "There was a terrible accident while our group was returning from the sea food festival at Everglades City. There was 23 bikes in our group (I wasn't with them), and they were 20 miles into the return ride when three out of a group of 4 crotch rockets passed our bikes at a very high rate of speed, as they were only a blur while passing. Then the 4th bike, ridden by a 42 year old woman decided to catch up to her group and when she reached a very high rate of speed, her front wheel started wobbling, bike went out of control, and some of our riders saw her separate from her bike as they were both airborne. The bike tumbled into the road shoulder and she hit the guard rail which sheared off her foot and also decapitated her. The speedometer was stopped at 136 mph. It was nothing short of a miracle that the bike or her didn't hit one of our riders. We had a moment of silence for her. Her experience was all of 8 months." The Lady's name was Kathy, and she rode with the guys that do the Sunday ride to Clewiston then across to Snake Road. I have ridden with her many times, and this breaks my heart more than can be imagined. She will truly be missed and was a wonderful person. Always a smile and a warm feeling whenever you met her. She had just gotten a new CBR 954 a few months ago, and she was a good rider, not a newbie. She was passing a group of Cruisers, and under heavy acceleration, when returning to her lane, the bike went into a tank slapper which she was not able to recover from, and lost her life. Her Husband Tony was riding in front of her a ways, and when she didnt catch up, he went back to find her, she was in the middle of the road. The story I have told you is the story I got from the members of the Group she was riding with, and from the group of cruisers with whom she passed and witnessed the events thereafter. Godspeed Kathy, and my heartfelt condolences to Tony. | ||
| Dsergison |
I USED to give my wife crap about not keeping up. not so much these days. and now maybe never again. that is so sad. | ||
| Uwgriz |
It's sad to hear and I feel for those involved. Speed kills and it's unfortunate that it always affects more than just the person who is killed. Just a couple of comments that may or may not have had anything to do with the accident. "Her experience was all of 8 months." "not a newbie" I have to disagree. 8 months experience is still a new rider in my book. CBR954 - IMHO that's way too much bike for someone with that much (little) experience. | ||
| Pcmodeler |
Sorry to hear about this. I agree with Uwgriz though, 8 months on a bike that size. She is still a new rider. Doesn't mention if she was wearing a helmet. You know, the more I read things like this, the less inclined I feel to have to do those types of speeds. I remember doing over 100+ (on several occasions) when I was younger with no helmet. Looking back, I'd say it was pretty stupid. | ||
| Mikej |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/3614.html?1109372636 There a section in the KV for this stuff, sort of a lessons learned for others to read thru. It's probably a good thing to meander thru some of the postings in there every so often. This is sad and regretfull. Avoidable? Yes. But still sad and regretfull. Ride your own ride and ride within your own limitations and for the present conditions. Take care. | ||
| Buelliedan |
She was decapitated. I don't think a helmet would have mattered. | ||
| Cataract2 |
This is the reason why you tell any rider in a group that if they fall behind DO NOT TRY TO CATCH UP. Tell they that the ones in front will wait for you. No one get's left behind. This way they people who fall behind do not try to catch up causing them to go beyond their skill level. | ||
| Oddbawl |
That's how our group does it. Stop at all intersections or changes in direction and let the others catch up, that way no one's chasing anyone for fear of getting separated. | ||
| Slaughter |
Oddbawl is on the money. If you "MUST" go fast, you're just going to wait at the next intersection til there's a headcount before proceeding. Some groups also set it up so you MUST keep the rider behind you in view. Yes, that means the "slower" riders tend to pace the group - but we'll split into 2 groups anyways. It's always interesting to note all the complaints coming from the "fast" group about people cutting them off, close calls, etc. Those of us in the "slow" group always laugh - saying that we must be riding different roads - but at the same time hope we never come on the scene of an accident. Hopefully the truly fast stuff is saved for the track because Law Enforcement is taking more notice of speeding and outlaw stunting - and like it or not, it makes it worse on all of us. | ||
| Scooterroid |
This is a very sad story. I'm in SW FL and familiar with that stretch of road. Hwy 41, Tamiami Trail, runs through Big Cypress Preserve. Literally riding through the Everglades. Is there something peculiar about the bike she was riding, a CBR 954, that contributed to the crash. Steve-O | ||
| Dino |
You can tell riders that they don't need to keep up...that you will wait. You cannot keep people from trying to keep up when they shouldn't because they don't want to be known as the slow guy. That's what scares me more than anything about group rides. | ||
| Ceejay |
speaking about the cops starting to take notice, late last summer some of the radio stations her in Ohio started doing an ad that motorcycle riders are being watched, I imagine the onslaught of movies, more people on motorcycles trying to act as if they are in the movies has registered quite a few more complaints. Sucks that complaints seem to be coming even from people within their own group. Don't try to fit an image I guess, but I'm still learning what I can do and what I can't and I've been riding for about ten years now. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Very tragic indeed, I really don't consider 8mths on a bike to be experienced, especially a CBR954. In my opinion too much bike for that long riding. | ||
| Mikej |
"Is there something peculiar about the bike she was riding, a CBR 954, that contributed to the crash." http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Honda/CBR954_Fireblade/Page_5.htm Don't know if there is anything peculiar about the bike. I have an indirect relative with a Honda RR1000 (or something like that), the bike went into a tank slapper at over 100mph one day, turned out to be bad seals or something in the forks. Keith Code or somebody has an analogy that you have $1.00 (or some amount) to use while riding, and each distraction costs some change, and each road variable costs some change, and a mechanical malfunction costs a lot of change. Kathy ran out of change. Sad news. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Inexperienced riders such as the above woman start out with much less than $1. I get folks like this all the time in my MSF classes. haven't even ridden a bike yet they already bought a brand new superbike or 900 pound Harley. Both are just recipes for disaster. Why can't new riders just be satisfied with a bike like a Blast or a Hond Rebel? Once you have a good year under your belt then move up. | ||
| Lovematt |
I have taught many people how to ride...and I keep them in my mirrors for a while and start off SLOW. To the point where they might complain...then move up the speed as they are able to gradually absorb it and not lose technique. Three things I tell new riders: 1. Always have fun. 2. As far as you can see, always try to be able to stop. 3. If something were to happen, consider how much you might pay for protective gear at that second. Now go get that now before something happens! If that doesn't get them on the right foot I start explaining that getting in an accident means THEY are getting hit...not their car...that usually gets them thinking at least. (Message edited by lovematt on March 02, 2005) | ||
| Buelliedan |
Matt, I like that line about "they are getting hit, not their car" I think I will start to use that in my MSF classes. thanks | ||
| Scooterroid |
RE: the CBR 954 155 ponies is a LOT of freekin ponies AND 136 mph (speedometer stopped at 136) is REALLY fast Especially on that 2 lane road... Still sad, though. Steve-O | ||
| Along4theride |
RIP Kathy may people learn from your death. I worry when I ride with inexperienced riders that I'll be a witness to this type of tragedy. I know we were all inexperienced at one point but there is no way to tell who is going to push it and who actually knows their limits. I rode with some friends a couple weeks ago that brought an inexperienced rider out with us. A girl all of about 20yrs old, she had bought her b-friends GXR650, got her permit and was on the road. She scared the hell out of me. I rode in front of her and tried to keep her in my mirror. But that was impossible. I finally found myself not concentrating on my ride cuz I was concerned about her. We get up to a stop sign and I try to give her a couple hints. She did NOTHING I recommended she do after we stopped and it was all just basic stuff yet she would sure punch it in the straight-a-ways to catch-up. I went home It wasn't about the ride or learning and improving it was a fashion show. She had the cute Icon jacket that rode up 2 inches over her hip hugger jeans to show her T-bar and boots that didn't even cover her ankles.  She could have spent that money on a riding course rather than making sure she looked cute. (IMHO) The most valuable lesson I ever learned, like everyone has said is RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. But I think the second most valuable thing in riding is instruction. Listen to it, learn from those your riding with and practice it. I took a course but I had the wonderful opportunity to get a lot of riding hints and instruction from Glitch and Shred in the twisties of N. GA. If Glitch and Shred hadn't ridden with me when I was green to street bikes I never would have gotten the experience to be the rider I am today. So it can be quite the catch 22 for new riders. I think the difference was they kept riding with me cuz they could see that I listened to EVERYTHING they told me practiced it and learned from it and it was all about the ride making it safer for us all. | ||
| Lovematt |
Along4theride, I completely agree. I tend to do my fun stuff when alone. When in groups I actually seek out the less experienced and have them follow me at a SLOWER speed to make sure they have their lines right. Speed will come only if the skill and mindset of the rider will allow it. As to the likelyhood of an accident well that is based on the same two factors. | ||
| Slaughter |
I also prefer to lead the "slow" group - we prefer to call ourselves "ticketless" rather than slow. I'm a racer so I don't feel the need to scare myself on the road - besides, we can get more participation from people wanting to ride just for the fun of it and not wanting to cheat death. Group rides are just the wrong venue to go really fast. The stats are getting worse and in my non-educated statistical "analyses" - it seems more of these tragedies seem to happen in groups. I also think that "newbie-ness" is a function of time and experience. Somebody with only a year on a high performance bike and no other experience is not just a newb - but a hazard - if they don't realize what CAN happen at speed. This is why I hate riding with most street sportbike riders - especially in groups. | ||
| Court |
I have a wonderful picture of a day we held a Buell Ride in New Jersey. Folks were like stallions, waiting to show each other their stuff. I fixed it by putting Vickie, aboard her TW200, in the lead. I have a photo, shot into the mirror of my Buell, of the line of 16 Buells following her. Groups of 2 or more are dangerous. 8 months is just starting. Common sense should be. Court | ||
| Bigj |
I feel sorry for the lady and her family. But her husband needs an ••• kicking. Letting someone with 8 months riding experience(and probably not very good experience) ride a bike like that.  | ||
| Buelliedan |
For all we know he might have the same amount of experience. And have you ever tired to tell your wife no to anything? The usual result of that is "NOt tonight I have a headache"!! | ||
| Mikej |
Not to argue with you BigJ, but who had control of the throttle, and was she a licensed rider? Ultimately it always comes down to "ride your own ride". | ||
| Midknyte |
Bigj, You've hit it square on. There's more than one sin in the scenario. He allowed her to ride too much bike. Then he proceeds to be an assmunch role model. Other than that, I've ridden off an on for over a decade and still got even myself in over my head last spring (final personal analysis has me believing I got spooked and grabbed too much brake in a turn). A new bike is a new bike, and man, we gotta remind each other that you've got to re-approach the basics all over again until you get a feel for the machine... | ||
| Uwgriz |
It's not a matter of "allowing" her to do anything. She was an adult who made her own choices, be it the bike she was riding to how much to twist her wrist. I think she should have most definately been advised against getting that bike by anyone who knew her level of experience, and maybe she was. But the bottom line is this, she chose to ride the way she did. Nineteen bikes didn't ride like that so it wasn't like she was going to get left in the middle of nowhere not knowing how to get home. Despite all outside influences, she could have simply kept the throttle where it was. (Message edited by uwgriz on March 03, 2005) | ||
| Jon |
As a husband, I can't see myself roosting on ahead leaving my newbie wife to just "figure it out" on her own. One of a husband's primary responsibilities is to protect his wife. Riding beyond her abilities caused her to over reach. He should have rode with her or rode in an "envelope" that she could handle. How tragic and sad. Imagine how he felt riding up to the accident and seeing his poor wife dead and in pieces. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Two years ago we had a big group of Buellers gathered up for a ride. We split up into 2 groups. A fast group and a slow group. Both would travel the same route just at a different pace. I was cocky and of course went with the fast group. My wife went with the slow group. Well needless to say I crashed.... HARD!! As people started to help me my main concern was being sat up before my wife got there. When she did get there about 10 mins into the ordeal it was all i could do to not pass out as she came up to me. I hope we never have to reverse roles!!  (Message edited by buelliedan on March 03, 2005) | ||
| Sarodude |
A bike like what? My Blast can do 80. That's enough to kill or maime. It's not the freakin' bike. It's how you ride it. Stupid people will ride smart bikes in a stupid fashion. -Saro ps - I'm not excluding myself from stupidity |
