Fatality Statistic
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 34
From: Ca
This is a really good string. I hope someone can find some real stats. I've been looking for them for years. Every study seems to leave out something, or just looks for one thing. I've never seen a good argument for helmets, or one about is it, the bike or the rider. The only thing that seems to make sense from my riding since 1964 is that experience and training is 99%, and if you want to wear safety gear or be aggressive/take chances, those are choices.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 270
From: Wellsboro, PA
I know a lot of guys with sportbikes. They are my friends. There's a local riding club and every year a few die in crashes. About 95% are left turners... just like us right??? No. The H-D rider deaths around here seem to be 50/50 left turners and random guy going off the road alone... single vehicle crash. Go ahead and review denverpost.com for motorcycle crashes. The sportbikes are left turners, the cruisers and missed a curve. I'm telling you, these guys might ride ****ing fast but they have reflexes much faster than most, they train with racing coaches, and they wear full gear. I don't mean to sound like I'm defending them; because I'm not. I'm refuting bad data being passed in this thread.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
Not trying to attack your friends, or anybody else. A few weeks ago, near me, a Harley passed a Suburban (hauling a camper) on the the left --- as the Suburban turned left. (He had the right turn signal on, I hear.) Killed the rider. Passed an Ultra last year, who ran off the left side as he was going around a right, sharp turn. He was OK, but dumped it. Just going too fast. I'm not using any facts or data ---- just my opinion. Hats off to the people who "train with racing coaches", but I'd almost bet a couple of paychecks that that's not the case with most of the crotch rockets I see. Just my opinion on what I see out there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Deltona, FL
Yeah, I'm not sure about the average rider, but the sportbike club is full of college graduates, many of whom are engineers... like myself. Smart people tend to take safety and limits more seriously than most. I prefer my Harley and they totally accept me as a member(the bylaws allow all types of bikes) even though I can't keep up in the twistys. Why a sportbike club? I can't stand to ride slow with the local Harley riders. When I find a couple Harley guys that enjoy going 20 over(or more) in the canyons, I'll spend my time riding with them.
Yeah, real smart and safe there Cap'n, and well within posted limits.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Really? Why would you need one? I would think common sense would be sufficient. Why would you need something to tell you slamming your head on the concrete without a helmet would have a less desirable result than doing so with a helmet? Just curious as it seems rather obvious to me.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Me too. Part of it is probably because I feel a bit more vulnerable, but, most of the reason is because my eyes water like crazy once I get over about 45-50 mph, and the wind noise just trashes my hearing at anything over 60.
I've considered getting a pair of glasses with the foam "gaskets" to take care of the wind in my eyes problem, but then I still have the issue with the wind blasting out my ears. I've thought about coming up with some solution (ear plugs didn't really work), but then I realized I already had one - just wear my helmet.
I've considered getting a pair of glasses with the foam "gaskets" to take care of the wind in my eyes problem, but then I still have the issue with the wind blasting out my ears. I've thought about coming up with some solution (ear plugs didn't really work), but then I realized I already had one - just wear my helmet.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
I do, however, know a guy who bought a Screaming Eagle dyna who won't even go 1 mph over the speed limit, because he has a CDL.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
When I said limits, I meant personal limits. I'm perfectly safe at the speeds I ride. Ever been stuck behind a grandma going 25 in a 40 zone? She's probably driving within her own limits. So do most of the sportbikers I know even if they are going 100 in a 50 zone. I've been on plenty of slow rides with a group of Harleys. I enjoy the company when we stop(all too often IMO) but I prefer to get a thrill from the ride so I'm mostly a solo rider... like I said, until I meet some other like minded friends.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
I wish! If you know some fast riders in Colorado, let me know. I'll contact them for a ride.