Bummer....
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Bummer....
two weeks ago, I met a couple in their mid 40's at our local H-D dealer. They had just purchased a new Road Glide...their first bike, ever. He was really confident in his abilities, having "aced" his rider safety training and his motorcyle licence test. I thought at the time that he was maybe over-confident, and that an RG was a lot of motorcycle for a novice rider.
Last night, there was a fatal motorcycle accident on the freeway that runs through the middle of town. Male, mid 40's, on a new RG failed to negotiate a turn and planted the bike into the side of a minivan.
I hate absolutes, so I won't say I'm 100% certain it's the same guy; I will go with 99% though.
What do the rest of you think? I know there will be lots of people saying that the first bike they ever threw a leg over was an Electra, or a wide, or an RG...but do you really think a brand new rider may be biting off more than they realize under the circumstances?
I'm curious....
Last night, there was a fatal motorcycle accident on the freeway that runs through the middle of town. Male, mid 40's, on a new RG failed to negotiate a turn and planted the bike into the side of a minivan.
I hate absolutes, so I won't say I'm 100% certain it's the same guy; I will go with 99% though.
What do the rest of you think? I know there will be lots of people saying that the first bike they ever threw a leg over was an Electra, or a wide, or an RG...but do you really think a brand new rider may be biting off more than they realize under the circumstances?
I'm curious....
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: warminster pa
I don't know. My first bike was a yamaha R1. My friends all said I would die since I had never ridden. Here I am 5 years later and have switched from an R1 to a RoadKing. May I ad of coarse, still very alive. I believe at least in my opinion you goes back to what you thought in the store, over confidence! I believe that a rider must know their abilities and only do what they are capable of. If this is inded the same guy sounds like he was in denial of his abilities.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 4
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Tough to hear about. I don't know that there is too much bike for the man, but maybe too much confidence... Too much man for the bike? THat is the real problem, when riders feel so confident that they are pushing a powerful bike... He could have been on a Ninja 250 and gone too fast for the turn.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 673
Likes: 5
From: NW Chicago
You titled your thread appropriately...I agree it's a lot of bike for a novice. But, course plus a lot of prctice at lower speeds could get you the needed experience. Hate to see this whether it was the couple you met or not.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
something I learned from an instructor at Army Flight School: know your limits and konw your equiptment's limits; never exceed your limits or your equiptment's limits... and you ALWAYS exceed yours before your equiptment.
just saying - stay alert.
just saying - stay alert.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 544
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
This is the kind of stuff that makes me nervous. I'm new to riding, getting ready to take the "Riders Edge" course so I can learn. But I sure hear a lot about crashes and wrecks. I want to ride and learn the right way, but I sure don't want to leave my family behind.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
The old saying goes that there are two kinds of bikers. Those who have been down and those who are gonna go down.
As strange as it might sound I think it's good if someone lays their bike down one time (hopefully, very hopefully, it will just a one bike accident with no one around). It teaches us humility and how fast things can go bad if we aren't constantly careful and respectful of these great machines.
I grew up on dirt bikes. I think all those crashes helped to make me a better street bike rider but if I think for one second it can't happen to me I know that's exactly when it will.
As strange as it might sound I think it's good if someone lays their bike down one time (hopefully, very hopefully, it will just a one bike accident with no one around). It teaches us humility and how fast things can go bad if we aren't constantly careful and respectful of these great machines.
I grew up on dirt bikes. I think all those crashes helped to make me a better street bike rider but if I think for one second it can't happen to me I know that's exactly when it will.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
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From:
My unsolicited advice to you: Stay off this forum for one year and ride every chance you get during that year. When you come back you will be more self confident and more able to separate the BS from the good stuff. There is a whole lot of both on here. Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside Ca
You don't show it respect and it will take you places you don't want to go......
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