Sobering. Constantly.

[a13x]

Guys,

It's a tired subject and akin to your mom saying "honey please be careful blah blah blah" but I can't help but say it..

I've been out here for a year starting in May. I was amazed at the number of riders in the Bay Area and absolute amazing amount of roads literally 5 miles from my door.

However, people die here, alot. I rarely even cruise the local message board (barf) due to the number of 'RIP' threads that are up there.

Last weekend 4 peopled DIED on the roads 5 miles from me. This weekend another one or two. I think they've been about 8-10 deaths in the last 3-4 weeks alone in the Santa Cruz hills.

It really just boggles my mind. I've ridden these roads a bunch and you just can't imagine how retarded some folks ride on them. I've been called out multiple times already by guys who say flat out "Boy, for a racer you sure are slow". This is because I refuse to haul ass on these roads. I've already seen a few life flights and picked some bikes out of the weeds.

Point is: Keep your wits about you when riding the twisties and please ride within your abilities.

It's getting to the point where I don't even feel motivated to go street riding again.

If you want to get a nice dose of 'wtf' then by all means just cruise thru the General Section here and click on any of the dozens of "RIP" or "Rider Down" or "Crash on Hwy 9" threads. Happy reading: General - BARF - Bay Area Riders Forum

[MissTwisties]

Wow....

What pisses me off is all those new riders going to shop for bikes that are way above their riding abilities, thinking this is gonna make them live the "Fast & the Furious" lifestyle, just like in the movies. It seems it's getting worse every new riding season (correct me if I'm wrong?) I don't get it. There is NOTHING cool about a newbie crashing/dying on their brand new R1 (or whatever other bike with to much engine power). A life is lost, families destroyed by the news...in many cases when it's a rider acting like a complete jackass crashing, hurting themselves or someone else, it gives us ALL a bad name.

It would be awsome if anyone thinking of getting into the sportbike riding world would do it because of the love of RIDING, the freedom it brings, the enjoyement of the road ahead of you...instead of just getting the biggest, badass bike just to look "cool" and then "ride it like you stole it". (I do not like that saying because of the wrong message it send...)

[a13x]

Newbs are a problem, but 'experienced' riders are too. I think the "Intermediate" level guys are the worst, as they think they are much better riders than they really are. Mix in a trackday or two and you have recipe for disaster.

However everyone is a moron. There are a few (granted limited) race-kooks who ride these roads for 'practice'. Full slicks and everything.

Hey, we all wick it up here and there. I've done my share of riding along 'quick' and having fun. But always always always thinking about the tons of crashes and deaths. Sort of like traction control for your brain.

[MissTwisties]

You're right...

I've been on the roads for about what..5 years now. This would be my 6th season if I'm not mistaken. I would not even considered myself an "experienced" rider. Still got much to learn...always will, I believe. But I try to learn from my mistakes, and others. Hopefully that will keep me alive for a long time. Unfortunatly, many riders DON'T learn from their mistakes and will keep recidiving until it's too late.

Must really sucks for you to live so close to so many fatal happenings in your area due to bike crashes...

[DucDave]

Thanks for weighing in Alex. Your warning might sink in coming from someone younger. When I say stuff like this I get the saftey nazi crap...

[Hoss]

Good post, thanks for the reminder.

Newbs are a problem, but 'experienced' riders are too. I think the "Intermediate" level guys are the worst, as they think they are much better riders than they really are. Mix in a trackday or two and you have recipe for disaster.

I can see that happening for sure. I was curious as to what my first trackday would do to my enjoyment/riding on the street. I really did find that the "unkown" of the road, and what could be around the next twisty bit really scared the hell out of me all of a sudden. Thankfully, I think the track day calmed me down on the street rather then the opposite.


Keep safe all.

[Doc]

Thanks for weighing in Alex. Your warning might sink in coming from someone younger. When I say stuff like this I get the saftey nazi crap...

+1

Plus if they know just how fast you are and that you work in the industry maybe they would listen even more.

[Pittenger5]

Sadly, much like the gear argument, I dont think the majority of people will ever change their attitudes no matter how much you bring stuff up like this. Everyone needs to learn their lessons on their own, and sadly, a lot wont have the chance.
As for the track days, Ive definitely gotten tamer on the street since I started racing, Im even looking to get rid of my 600 for something a bit smaller. Sure Ill get crap for having a slow bike from all the squids on thousands, but then when they leave Ill just laugh at their chicken strips.
All I know is if we dont have one benefit up at the track, or one RIP thread (Or two, I think we already had one) Id be more than happy.

[Doc]

Chicken strips are a MUCH better sign of how good a rider is.

[schleppy]

Thanks for posting this. As sad as it is to read these posts, it does give the internal voice of reason one more thing to say to you before you twist the throttle and do something dumb.

Be safe everyone!

[TTD]

I'll be the first to admit that riding on the track (racing, actually... since trackdays weren't really around back then) resulted in me going faster on the street... at first.

This only lasted a few rides, thankfully.

However, even with the added speed I was doing, I was probably "safer" in terms of my chances of crashing due to newfound skills.

I truly think the best recipe is the one many on this board now have, like yourself. They have improved their skills on the track, but don't push it on the street. Those two things together bring the risk factor way down.

Combine it with some "street" knowledge (reading traffic, having that "sixth" sense, etc)... then you're probably in no more danger than 90% of the people riding around in cars.

[seth399]

I have to agree here, since I just got another streetbike and normally am into the offroad stuff...It is a downer that I keep reading "RIP" or "crashed my bike" REPEATEDLY. I don't feel like getting hurt and don't want to see others hurt so if the roads end up being more of a PITA than fun then I will probably end up parting my bike out and getting a 2nd mx bike haha.

BTW- Speaking of sobering, Alex I told the story of the horrible Quincy/drunk driver night here at work to others who are looking forward to riding this year. They were wide eyed for that one

[KillBill]

Thanks Alex....this is a needed reminder for ALL of us
that we aren't invincible and that shit does happen.

[a13x]

BTW- Speaking of sobering, Alex I told the story of the horrible Quincy/drunk driver night here at work to others who are looking forward to riding this year. They were wide eyed for that one

Hey buddy.

For those of you who don't know Seth505. He was my roommate in college for like 5+ years and with me the night I got plowed by a drunk driver. He unfortunately remembers everything from that night (unlike me, who can't remember shit).


Thanks for all the good words.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Hey buddy.

For those of you who don't know Seth505. He was my roommate in college for like 5+ years and with me the night I got plowed by a drunk driver. He unfortunately remembers everything from that night (unlike me, who can't remember shit).


Thanks for all the good words.

I think I bought an 89 GSXR from seth years ago.

Come to think of it there was a wrecked SuperHawk in the driveway of his house in Belmont or Arlington?

Same Guy?

[a13x]

I think I bought an 89 GSXR from seth years ago.

Come to think of it there was a wrecked SuperHawk in the driveway of his house in Belmont or Arlington?

Same Guy?

Get the fuck outta here? No way? hahhaah small world. Yea same Seth and that Superhawk was mine. The one the drunk driver hit.

hahahha that's funny.

[butcher bergs]

When I say stuff like this I get the saftey nazi crap...

That's because you come across as "Dad".....just sayin'...

All in all, I always practice what I preach--> Stay well within your comfort zone because anywhere outside of that and you're a very dangerous rider.

I would like to ask, how much of this involves the dealership-side of the equation? Not shifting blame or pointing fingers, merely asking what the level of responsibility of a dealership would be...

[Rossy83]

I think in UK you have to start out on a smaller bike not sure that the cc limit is 250 or less maybe. For 2 years I think it is. The numbers might be wrong but the concept seems good. Even though I bought a 600 as a starter bike. I generally ride well in my limits. I have caught some flack for my chicken strips, but I'd rather be alive/riding tomorrow than worry about the 1/4" I haven't scuffed up. Great post!

[MotoFreak]

props Alex...I am that Intermediate guy "PS and by the way"...I've def. had my fair share of lessons too, just glad I'm going to riding with a few people who can keep me accountable this summer!
(Not that I am a nut by any means...I just have a habit of pushing it from time to time)

Thanks very much for the wisdom!!!

[seth399]

I think I bought an 89 GSXR from seth years ago.

Come to think of it there was a wrecked SuperHawk in the driveway of his house in Belmont or Arlington?

Same Guy?

Holy crap man, ya that was me. That was my last street bike until a few weeks ago haha. Whatever happened with that thing? I wish I could have held onto that thing just to have. Take care man

seth