Well this past Sunday an out of control HD rider ran into a good friend of mine on the Dragon[sm=outcold.gif].He is a crotch rocket rider and was up there for an R1 forum meeting. Now let me explain, This guy is a very responsible rider, always looking ahead, always giving right of way to bikers and vehicles, has over 20 years on a bike, and heads up to the Dragonover 10times a year. He knows the area.

Fortanately he is a safe driver and avoided more serious damages than what was sustained to him as well as the HD rider and passanger.

He, (my friend), was cornering ablind rt handup hill trn when he saw the rider comingout of a lft turn ahead of him coming dwn hill. He knew the HD riderhad lost it from the time he saw him and imediately tried to get out of the way, slowing to about 5 mph got between his whiteline and the dirt, and then was struck on his left side, sending him over thefront side of his bike and in the ditch. The HD rider continued locked up sliding it dwn about 75 ft past the point of impact.

My buddy broke his left femor at the joint of the ball were it goes into the socket, they were able to go in and bolt the two peices back togeher and today they already had him up and walking. Hope I can bounce back like that at 50+ years old. The couple on the HD was ok, alittle banged up and road rash, but overall OK.

Anyway, what got me was the attitude the HD guy had after the wreck, never once appologised for running into him or anything, not one word. His wife, however, did talk to him and was very nice and apologetic(ms) and realised it was their fault. They, (all 3),even road in the Ambulance together, and still no word. The other thing was a guy riding in the group of Harleys was cusing out the guy behind them,(who stopped to help out my friend b/c no one else was),for pushing them and causing them to go to fast and caused the guy to lose control.

I hope that was no one on the forum acting like that [:@], this is the scene of an accident, no time for blaming and pointing, make sure everyone is OK 1st. Not one person in that whole group talked to him except for the other rkt rdr. Fortinately my friend knows we all are not like that.

Well if I ain't lettin a bikey push me dwn the BRP( Lake Lure Pics) I damn sure aint lettin a crotch rckt rider push me. I just wave them on by. Thats just what you do there.

My main point is if you are going to the Dragon, please take it slow n easy, especialy if it is your first time, enjoy the ride. If you want to haul arss, get a crtch rkt or a motard, not a big HD.Crossing theline there is alot different than crossing the line anywere else.Many people have been killed there for that reason alone. And beleive me, it is very easy to cross the line on that stretch of highway, alot of blind spots and alot of people. All u have to do is pull over on a good curve, sit back and watch. Even the guys that run the Dragon every weekend will sometimes cross the line.

Be careful, safe and always look ahead, watching for anything.

Oh yea front brakes......a must.

 

I read of a similar incident earier tonight on the "other" hd forum. The story sounded like the same deal but the guy riding harley told it with a different slant. Not judging by any stretch of the imagination, you might go over there and check it out. The harley rider said he admitted to the rct rider that it was his fault and apologized profusley. tore up both bikes pretty badly sounds like. and the riders were very lucky to escape with as little injury as they did.

 

Heavy, I hope your friend heels up ok, and yes, that is amazing to be up and walking on a broken femur! We can all laugh about the bikey keeping up with us on the parkway but when the rice burners start nipping at your heels its best to swallow your pride and wave em on by.

 

Us older and more experienced riders don't have anything to prove. we stay away from the dragon and all the fools that think they have to run it on the edge.

 

stafford, I can't seem to find the "other" hd forum. I would like to hear the other side of the storyjust to see if maybe my friend just didn't remember, (took a good hit at the time). He did keep saying his wife was doing all the talking though and yea, they all were lucky. I was just wanting people that haven't been there to just be careful and like rock said, swallow your pride and wave em by.

 

I'm with ya on that. I think everybody shouldride it at least once just to see it, but cruise as we do and be careful.

 

http://www.*****************/forums/sh...d.php?t=107036

 

Glad both are ok. If i could have the dragon to my self i might try it. It's the others guys, espically cars that scare me.

 

The Dragon is over rated and over populated. We had as much, if not more fun, on the BRP. Glad your buddy is ok, Heavy Metal. Unfortunately, these are the things to expect on the Dragon. I'm glad the turn out wasn't fatal.

I rode the Dragon once. It was fun.Butit will probably be my last time. I had another bike (doesn't matter what kind it was) pass me on the inside lane, during a hard curve. He didn't touch me orcome close but the fact alone was enough to break my concentration for a second. And that's all it takes.

Be safe.

 

Sorry about your friend Heavy. Best time to ride The Dragonis during the week when there's less traffic.