I witnessed an accident yesterday..

[imkindafkedup]

I was driving in the cage yesterday down 114 in Danvers, when I was passed in the left turn lane by a blue zx-14. He was riding in that lane for about half a mile and I'm all trying to peek forward to keep an eye on the bike to check it out. He got about 3 cars ahaead of me still in the left lane and suddenly I don't see him anymore and I'm wondering where he went. I look up ahead and the bike slid for about 110ft on the pavement, his helmet popped off and under a car waiting to take a left turn ahead of him and him in the roadway. He was hit by a pick up turning into the opposite lane of traffic, and the pick up drove off. He was on the ground unconcious but with eyes open, a nurse who witnessed it was trying to help him and keep him breathing. I hate to say it, but from the look of him I don't think hes going to make it.

I guess overall this is a huge awakening for me. I admit I tend to think of myself as invincible and nothing can happen to me, this kinda of just gave me a reality check. I guess the only thing I can do is pay more attention to everyone else on the road and avoid their blind spots.

I believe his name was Lon and he was 42 years old, someone hear may know him. If so let me know if he's doing ok.

[SVRACER01]

thats why its a turn lane, not a passing lane. hate to say it, but it sounds like it was his fault and its too bad that the truck drove off because he might not been found at fault but now hes guilty of leaving the scene

[imkindafkedup]

I don't argue at all, I do think the motorcyclist is at fault. A high price to pay for a dumb decission. But typically when I'm doing something illegal on the bike, mainly speeding, I make sure to watch out for others more then if I were driving legally. This just points out how imperetive it is, and theres a certain time and place to do it, kind of.

[Currently]

Helmet was not latched? Anyone know if a helmet can just "pop" off?

Another thing to think about is dying may be a blessing.
Living in a nursing home as a vegetable ain't pretty.

Gear up, ride safe and watch out for the idiots.

[KillBill]

Wow, that must have been hard to see as a fellow motorcyclist.

I hope that he makes it.

[Paul_E_D]

I know this was tough to see. I've been through it many times. All I can say is that people survive some horrendous crashes, so don't assume anything. You're right to realize the seriousness of the risks though. Good for you

btw, helmets only pop off if they are not strapped/fit properly.

[ZX-12R]

That's a bummer...

114 in Danvers is pretty well travelled so I would hope that someone got the plate number off the truck. Leaving the scene of an accident, especially if innocent, speaks volumes of the person's character. I hope he gets nailed.

[hqp921]

That's rough. I'm sorry you had to witness that.

Remember that we're invisible out there, and leave nothing to chance.

Granted, this guy is travelling in a turning lan. Perhaps he weighed his risks and benefits and thought, "It'll be better if I use this turn only lane as a passing lane."

Everytime we hit the road, we're weighing risks and benefits. Be safe.

[SVRACER01]

im putting the yellow bulb in my bike today.

[MissTwisties]

That's a bummer...

114 in Danvers is pretty well travelled so I would hope that someone got the plate number off the truck. Leaving the scene of an accident, especially if innocent, speaks volumes of the person's character. I hope he gets nailed.

+1 I hope someone went after him and got his plate number. Innocent or not, you just don't drive away like that.

Hope the rider made it OK...

[KillBill]

Ya know, i don't know about the rest of you but i ALWAYS ride with my brights on during the day. I've got some bright ass lights and hopefully that will make people see me.

[richw]

God's speed

Anytime some other vehicle has reason to cross your travel lane should
have you assuming they are going to hit you.

If someone is turning in front of me I watch until I see their eyes looking directly at me
I will almost stop. All my Suzis have that high beam trigger as a good attention getter flash flash flash

Oh yes even well strapped helmets and shoes come off
no one knows how

[JeffL]

God's speed

Anytime some other vehicle has reason to cross your travel lane should
have you assuming they are going to hit you.

If someone is turning in front of me I watch until I see their eyes looking directly at me
I will almost stop. All my Suzis have that high beam trigger as a good attention getter flash flash flash

Oh yes even well strapped helmets and shoes come off
no one knows how

Yeah, I always try to assume that car at the stop sign on that side street up ahead, or the car waiting to make a left turn ahead are going to pull out directly in front of me.

[Josephd14]

btw, helmets only pop off if they are not strapped/fit properly.

Or if your Head is still in it.....

[DucDave]

Got me one of these a month ago....

Olympia Phantom Suit - still can't post URLS - what's that all about???

tripdubs dot olympiamotosports dot com/phantom/Phantom.htm

...in yellow, with a White Arai Quantum II.

I dare someone to say, "I didn't see you!"

(Actually...I STILL ride as if I am invisable.)

Dave

[union]

Got me one of these a month ago....

Olympia Phantom Suit - still can't post URLS - what's that all about???

tripdubs dot olympiamotosports dot com/phantom/Phantom.htm

...in yellow, with a White Arai Quantum II.

I dare someone to say, "I didn't see you!"

(Actually...I STILL ride as if I am invisable.)

Dave

Need 10 posts to post a link or photo. Reduces on people signing up just to sell crap.

[mycirus]

Got me one of these a month ago....

Olympia Phantom Suit - still can't post URLS - what's that all about???

tripdubs dot olympiamotosports dot com/phantom/Phantom.htm

...in yellow, with a White Arai Quantum II.

I dare someone to say, "I didn't see you!"

(Actually...I STILL ride as if I am invisable.)

Dave

Dave,

Welcome to the madness. I still have to get one of those suits for the trip. Cant wait.

Bruce

[DucDave]

Hey Bruce!

You must have missed my intro...stirred up quite the hornets nest! My bad!

The good news is you didn't miss anything last weekend. We got as far as Goffstown and it started to pour. I pulled into Sullys, going around a puddle. Zolton was sqeezed a bit and went through the puddle which turned out to be an 8" deep pothole, causing him to drop the bike at 1 mph, break his front brake lever, and snap off a piece of his fairing. We helped him get back to Seacoast on his rear brake and then Bob and I went for breakfast at Brooklyn Bagel in Derry. Not a total loss!

Hope to see you out there before the big trip...

Dave

[mycirus]

Hey Bruce!

You must have missed my intro...stirred up quite the hornets nest! My bad!


Dave

Now I must go find it....

[akira700]

http://olympiamotosports.com/phantom/Phantom.htm
Now that is visible !

I use this:
http://www.rei.com/product/730996

Not like the suit but at least I can walk into work with it
on and not blind everyone

[Zed]

Wow... I've never witnessed another rider go down, but just reading about first-hand stories like this is enough. For some reason, it hits even harder when it's a dude my age on a bike identical to mine. Eek.

[KillBill]

Olympia Moto Sports - Phantom One Piece Suit
Now that is visible !

I use this:
Nathan LED Arm and Ankle Band from REI.com

Not like the suit but at least I can walk into work with it
on and not blind everyone

Thanks for the info. I am going to order one of those bands.

[stoinkythepig]

Wow... I've never witnessed another rider go down, but just reading about first-hand stories like this is enough. For some reason, it hits even harder when it's a dude my age on a bike identical to mine. Eek.

I was on a big group ride a couple of years ago, riding tail end charlie position and one guy spazzed on a really mild corner on Winona Road in Holderness NH and went down in some dirt in a school bus turn around. The guy behind him target fixated and followed him off the road. It was awful to watch and completely avoidable. Couple broken bones in each rider and two wrecked bikes. It was the last big group ride I ever went on.

I use my high beams exactly the same way I'd use them at night. If I'm behind someone or there's an oncoming car, I switch to low beams. The human eye is drawn to movement or change and going from high beam to low beam has proven effective and making me noticeable, thus far.

[Currently]

Anything over 4 people, I pass on.

My best rides are with one other person.