Popularity of motorcycles takes grim toll

[cobra de capell]

Popularity of motorcycles takes grim toll

Posted: July 21, 2009

http://www.jsonline.com/business/51364972.html

Nationwide, an estimated 37,261 motorists died in crashes in all of 2008, the fewest since 1961. Motorcyclist deaths, however, increased for the 11th year in a row, to 5,290, and now account for about 14% of all U.S. highway fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Experts cite several reasons for the growing number of motorcycle deaths, particularly the steady national rise:

• More baby boomers have taken to two-wheelers and either never learned, or have long forgotten, how to do so safely.
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I've thought about getting a Harley, but sort of worry about accidents.

We've had two motorcycle deaths in this area in the past 3 months. Both riders lost control. I cannot image new riders not learning or re-learning how to ride to keep out of trouble.

With that said, I'll bet Cobra owners are primarily baby-boomers at this point, have any club members bit the dust in their Cobra - I've not heard of that happening.

[Cobrabill]

Lot of truth in this.The "stats" need to be broken down to account for morons attempting to"scratch their mid-life itch".In L.A. every year people who don't even own a MC fly into L.A. and rent a bike so they can ride in the annual "Love Ride".I did that ride ONCE in 86.Way too many twitiots on two wheels.At least one person gets killed on the ride every year.

New HD riders are easy to spot.A new bike,new full face helmet,new leather and they stall the bike at lights.These people scare me.

[jmillington]

I've been riding motorcycles a lot the last 3-4 years.
Although it is dangerous, you can maximize your safety by taking riding courses, and taking it easy on the street.

By always wearing the correct gear, and by keeping very aware, and always calculating a way out (recommended when driving cars as well), you can still have fun and minimize your chances of getting seriously hurt or killed on the street.

Racing should be left for the track - I do a lot of motorcycle track days and hold an AFM (American Federation of Motorcyclists) competition license.
Over the last 3 years, I took the California Superbike Level I, Level II, and Level II classes, attended Novice and Intermediate schools (2 days each) held by Keigwins (local (CA) track provider), and and spent a whole lot of time on the track to hone the skills I learned at these schools.

Lately I've been doing more track riding and less street riding, as I can get the enjoyment of speed there, while minimizing the risk of serious injury. I've come off the bike twice in 3 years of track riding, and didn't get hurt at all.

If it don't kill ya, it makes for a great story!

[FWB]

been riding triumphs and harleys since 1976, drove across country once, in 2006 i found myself daydreaming while driving. i sold the bike. you reach an age when you just don't have the reaction time and you acquire the knowledge of your own mortality. i'm glad i had the sense to recognize it.
i'd rather drive the cobra anyway.

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by FWB

been riding triumphs and harleys since 1976, drove across country once, in 2006 i found myself daydreaming while driving. i sold the bike. you reach an age when you just don't have the reaction time and you acquire the knowledge of your own mortality. i'm glad i had the sense to recognize it.
i'd rather drive the cobra anyway.

I can relate to that - just a little daydreaming would do it and probably has 'done it' is a lot of cases on a motorcycle.....

Apparently, a lot of baby-boomers didn't ride prior to getting into it late in life - can turn out tragic.

[Gordon Claunch]

I have ridden since I was 10 years old, 52 now, still love it, been on 11 Love Rides, saw one crash, jap bike passing on the median. Don't go to Glendale anymore,just show up at the ride itself, as stated too many idiot Rubs( that is Rich Urban Bikers.)
I don't want no stinkin windshield or radio, have gone as much as 700 miles in a day, you gotta watch for people in cars for sure, my son who also started on dirt bikes just got his first Harley, made him go to the school and we have a great time. You can get hurt doing about anything, no fun living your life in a bubble. Here is a picture of Bad Maxx, my 2006 Springer.

[BlueRooster]

I think the stats confirm that most fatalities include alcohol(two wheels, no beers should be everyones mantra). Speeding and wreckless driving(weaving thru traffic, wheelies, racing)

Avoid those puppies and you should be much safer.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

I had a small Honda way back when the gas had gone up like crazy to go to and from work. Rode it for a couple of years,mostly city driving to work......

Nowadays, I wouldn't get on a bike for all the tea in China, you see, I'm in the auto insurance claims industry and here are a few "informal/unoffical" stats I've kept over the years on claims I've worked involving motorcyles.

Remember, this is on claims I've worked in the last 15 years.........

1. 50% of all accidents have fatalities!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. 90% of the fatalities are on the bikes (rider and/or passenger)
3 75% of the accidents ARE NOT THE BIKES FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!!

The auto drivers say they just didn't see the bike and either pulled out in front of them or turned left in front of the bike causing the accident...
Regardles, your still dead even if in the right.........

Numbers 1 and 2, I would expect, but number 3 scares me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David

[onefastmustang]

I can agree with number 3... It wasn't my fault. the damn pothole jumped out in front of me.

[LoBelly]

Originally Posted by DAVID GAGNARD

I had a small Honda way back when the gas had gone up like crazy to go to and from work. Rode it for a couple of years,mostly city driving to work......

Nowadays, I wouldn't get on a bike for all the tea in China...

http://www.tacsafety.com.au/jsp/cont...ull&pageID=166

statistics from the state I live in

I had to give up riding because after a couple of significant prangs the recovery was too difficult and the surrounding road users too scary -

At the time I put this down to the increasing sound isolation inside newer cars

The rejoiner- "didn't see you mate..." was more likely - did'nt hear you and/or bother to look so wandered out with relative impunity...

LoBelly

[Cobrabill]

Lobelly-no offense,but MC accident stats are utter BS whether they are down there or up here.No mention of rider stupidity.Example-a guy on a crotch rocket has the front wheel in the air for 3 gears and gets popped at an intersection and dies.This accident shouldn't factor into the stats as it was completely driver error(stupidity) and really has nothing to do with MC safety.
Another example that should be with-drawn for the stats is when a rider runs into a bridge support at 85+ miles an hour and gets killed and they say the reason he's dead is he wasn't wearing ahelmet.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

Lobelly-no offense,but MC accident stats are utter BS whether they are down there or up here.No mention of rider stupidity.Example-a guy on a crotch rocket has the front wheel in the air for 3 gears and gets popped at an intersection and dies.This accident shouldn't factor into the stats as it was completely driver error(stupidity) and really has nothing to do with MC safety.
Another example that should be with-drawn for the stats is when a rider runs into a bridge support at 85+ miles an hour and gets killed and they say the reason he's dead is he wasn't wearing ahelmet.

It's not the helmet that saves lives. It's what's in the helmet that saves them.

[cobra de capell]

So, Cobrabill.....is this sort of like riding one of those huge Harley's?

Perhaps even safer?

[Cobrabill]

I won't be riding anymore because i just went phuking blind.

[Buzz]

You must have really liked the picture!! And here everybody sez the blindness thing was just a big lie to make people quit wanking!! Damn...! Good thing I listened...

[cobra de capell]

What has been seen cannot be unseen........

Besides, Harley's are Hogs......

[FWB]

Originally Posted by cobra de capell

So, Cobrabill.....is this sort of like riding one of those huge Harley's?

Perhaps even safer?

that's just wrong on so many levels.....
he's just damn lucky he's on top

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by cobra de capell

So, Cobrabill.....is this sort of like riding one of those huge Harley's?

Perhaps even safer?

She appears to be a cousin of Biker Babe.
So to answer your question......NO !

So many folds,so little time.

[cobra de capell]

The guy not only look like someone that rides Harley's - he has the same look of enjoyment that one sees on Harley riders. Therefore, if you have a 'big' woman (wife-girlfriend) - it's the same as having a Harley! The only thing to look out for would be the greenhouse gas.

[SPF2245]

I also have to wonder if the horsepower wars have also added to the number of accidents. My first sport bike was a Kawi 900, it made a little over 90hp. A little over a decade later, my GSXR1000 makes nearly 160 at the rear tire. Heck, most of the 600s out there are making near 115-120hp. Add that to an inexperienced rider, more traffic on the roadways, poor roadway surfaces due to a lack of repairs...and these stats don't surprise me a bit.