11 Motorcycle Fails at Motorcycle Events

Riding dirt bikes after school was a blast. Hitting the streets thrilling. But we never hit the highs (and lows) of pro stunt riders.

By Kevin Bitter - May 3, 2017
Motorcycle doing wheelies crashes into another bike
high flying circus rider
Stunt rider in group wheelies in traffic
Ride for Unsafety
Flying wheel
Fatal practice run at the Catalan Moto2 Grand Prix
When motorcycle racing meets BOWLING
When motorcycle racing meets SURFING
When motorcycle racing meets BALLET
When motorcycle racing meets RODEO
When motorcycle racing meets BREAKDANCING

1. Motorcycle doing wheelies crashes into another bike

One of the key components to riding in motorcycle traffic, that is to ride with a group of bikers, is to give everyone their space -- and to show consideration while thinking of the safety of others. The rider on the Harley wasn't being very considerate when he rode a wheelie into a fellow rider on the highway. Check out the video here.

2. High flying circus rider

During a circus event in Saginaw, Michigan, 20-year-old stunt rider Josh Headford was attempting a jump. When the tent was erected, evidently someone installed a guy wire (a tensioned cable designed to add stability) directly in the rider's aerial path. While flying through the air, the rider caught his helmet on the wire, causing him to hurl 25 feet to the ground as the audience watched in horror. The rider broke a few bones, but by a miracle, recovered.  If you don't believe it, see if for yourself right here.

3. Stunt rider in group wheelies in traffic

The next event took place in St. Louis, Missouri at The Ride of the Century. The stunt rider was traveling with a group of riders and stood up on his back fender in preparation for a stunt when it appears that he attempted a handstand and instead toppled head first over the handlebars. His helmet and safety gear saved him from injuries. He got up and jumped back into the pack like nothing happened. But we know it happened and so will you once you see it right here.

4. Ride for Unsafety

The 2013 Ride for Safety in India ended ironically. Gathering this many bikers together in one location is bound to lead to trouble. Although most riders came out to promote helmet awareness and overall bike safety, a few came out to showboat. Unfortunately the showoffs stole the show with a ridiculously unnecessary maneuver into other bikers. Check it out right here.

5. Flying wheel

Well, here's one for the record books. You don't see this shot every day. This rider wasn't performing a stunt, but attempting to win a motorcycle race. In the middle of the event, this unusual capture occurred. I'm not sure exactly what transpired, and there's no video available to help paint the picture, but there's not much you can do when you lose your front end.

6. Fatal practice run at the Catalan Moto2 Grand Prix

Beginning in 1992, the Catalan Moto2 Grand Prix took place in Catalunya, Spain. During one of the practice runs before the race, Luis Salom hit the wall near turn 13 at 120kmh. He was rushed to a local hospital, but after surgery passed away. This is a newspaper clipping from their local paper the day  following the event. The accident was not recorded by MotoGP cameras, however a security camera near turn 13 managed to record footage of his accident. 

7. When motorcycle racing meets BOWLING

OK. We've looked at some rough crashes at motorcycle events. Perhaps we can have some fun and lighten things up a little. The next 5 slides will demonstrate motorcycle failures which also bring up some unique ways you can mix motorcycle racing with other sports. For instance...

Did you know you can mix BOWLING with motorcycle racing?

8. When motorcycle racing meets SURFING

Forget rogue waves or even sharks. The only thing this Playboy has to fear is the unbelievable road rash he's sure to suffer should he lose his balance and hit the unforgiving asphalt.

9. When motorcycle racing meets BALLET

We are not sure if this rider is skipping to his loo away from his bike or auditioning for the Nutcracker Suite. Either way, he's got some nice moves and a brilliant grand jeté going on. 

10. When motorcycle racing meets RODEO

This rider seems to have lost grip on his bike and he's hanging on for dear life. Or he always wanted to be a cowboy and figured this was his chance to ride a bucking bull in front of a big crowd. In either case, he's not taking this bull by the horn... unless he honks it.

11. When motorcycle racing meets BREAKDANCING

Breakdancing doesn't normally require a prop, but in this case we are pretty sure the prop is what got him dancing in the first place. Breakdancing uses different body movements, spins, arm movements, leg movements, all of which are done to hip hop music. This guy seems to have all the moves down... and he may have invented some new ones.

>>Join the conversation about these and other motorcycle crashes right here in the Harley-Davidson forum.

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