Rookie Coona$$ on a BMW

392cobra · #1 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 05:56 PM

Looks like a rookie rider lost focus, on top of not being on a Harley.
Rattlesnakes require duct tape or bungee cords.

Motorcyclist riding with rattler critcally injured in crash - Breaking News Updates New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Wayne Maybury · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2008, 08:17 AM

If he survives, he won't be in the running for this year's Darwin Awards but he still may be able to get an honorable mention.

Wayne

Wes Tausend · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 07:58 AM

...

On my last rail trip, it was such a nice day after a recent below zero cold snap that someone had brought up that they had seen a biker on the way to work. One of the guys in the departing yard office began relating a story about an accident to which he had responded. He serves as part of the rural fire department and is sometimes called if there is any rescue involved.

This one was about a day last year in February where the weather had unseasonably warmed which immediately draws out early bikers. A crash on a fully bagged Road King had left the biker still sitting on the bike which was now tipped over on his leg and warranted rescue. It was rather amazing that he was still on the bike since it appeared that it had endo-ed several times with him still hanging on.
I guess when a man has that sort of money invested in a toy, he wants to try to still try to "save it" right up to the last second.

The gentleman had merely driven straight off a gentle curve in the road, just as though it wasn't even there. As they were picking up debris that had fallen out of the broken bags and his pocket (including his wallet), they came across a bag of goodies and paraphernalia. The attending patrolman immediately stated that he would take charge of that.

When asked what happened, in light of the find, the gentleman stated matter-of-factly that it was a gorgeous day so he though he would smoke a little meth and go for a ride.

According to the story-teller, the meth apparently didn't help the pain. The "Darwin" rider had a broken hip.

...

392cobra · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 09:12 AM

What a waste of a great bike.As consistant warm weather gets closer,the more I have been thinking of trading up to a Road King Classic before I start touring.

I can not imagine how he thought drugs would enhance his day riding.

What a bad idea !

Ron61 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 09:48 AM

Fred,

Every summer we get a lot of bikers going through here and I talk to them as many of them stop to eat here before going on over to the dam. I have asked I don't know how many what their main problem is on the roads and almost without exception it has been trucks, and cars with people just not paying attention and saying they never saw them. Many of them are now putting those small poles on the back of their backs with red flags flying from them. But how can you miss seeing 10 to 20 bikers if you aren't on your cell phone or the truckers just don't care any more.

Ron

392cobra · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 10:00 AM

How are they going to see a little red flag on a pole when they can't see a 600-900 lb. bike with their headlights on ??
There is a product out that modulates your headlight, on high beam, during daylight.Heard a lot of good thing about it.
Never saw one until yesterday.I saw it from about 1 mile away coming towards me.Didn't know what it was or about,but it got my attention for sure.
Turned out to be a m/c with the modulator.

That sold me !!! I'm getting one.

DAVID GAGNARD · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-2008, 04:13 PM

Way back in the late 70's or early 80's when we had the gas crunch thing, I bought a small used Honda to go back and forth to work on.......probably got around 50 mpg and it was fun to ride on good weather days.......when the price of gas came down, I kept the bike a few years and then sold it............

Fast forward to todays world: a lot of my friends are/have been buying Harleys and Harley look-a-likes for weekend cruising, nothing wrong with that...many have tried to get me to do the same....

my answer is very simple;

I'm in the insurance claims industry (13 years now) and work claims on auto/motocycle accidents among others.....I have kept an unofficial record of the auto/motorcycle accidents I have worked and the figures are VERY disturbing, to me at least.........

about 75% of the auto/motorcycle accidents are the fault of the auto,NOT the motorcycle!!!!!!!!!

about 50% of the auto/motorcycle accidents result in one or more fatalities!!!!!!!!!!!!!

95% of those fatalities are from the motorcycle driver or passenger!!!!!!!!

That alone is enough to keep me off a motorcycle forever!!!!!!!!!!

The main thing I've heard when doing an accident investigation is, "I never saw the motorcycle"...............

David

Joe Wicked · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 11:15 AM

to continue the sidetrack of this thread, I always make a point to double check before I change lanes to look for bikes. I have never owned a bike, but several friends have, and I have ridden and gotten the hell scared out of me by a car that didn't see me. I always try and be sure that they know I want over before I come. I also do not ride right up on the back end of a bike. I always figure making them nervous may lead to them doing something I don't have time to react to. In that case, my actions distracted them leading to the accident. By driving like that, I don't generally have any bikes acting pissed off or crazy around me.