Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I am not a scaremonger - I really am not. But it seems the incidents of motorcycle accidents are becoming far too common.

Two years ago a friend and fellow chimney sweep lost his leg in a car/bike collision. Now, I just received the news another sweep, a friend, was killed when he lost control of his Harley. So sad. This was the third mortorcycle fatality in a week for the Minn/St Paul area.

"Michael McFarland, 48, was on the HOV ramp from Minnesota 100 north to Interstate 394 east, when his Harley Davison hit a wall about noon on Friday, the Minnesota State Patrol said. McFarland flipped over the wall, but the bike continued down the ramp."

Here is the news video. http://kstp.com/news/stories/s964969.shtml

If you ride - please be careful. Minimize your risks as much as you can.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I have had a healthy respect for motorcycles for several years. Have not been on one since 1996. That was the year my father-in-law, an excellent rider, was killed along with one of his friends in a motorcycle crash. He had ridden since he was 16 and had also raced bikes. It is not necessarily the carelessness of the motorcyclist as it is the person in the cars and trucks that are not paying attention or looking out for motorcycles.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

Eurkea,

I know what you mean. I love riding my motorcycle more than any other hobby or passtime I have but the danger does bother me. I am not worried about my riding ability as I am super careful and am always very alert to the enviroment around me. What worries me is the things I can't control like people in cars & trucks, deer, things in the road, etc.

I have decided to sell my motorcycle to use the equity to pay down some bills (can you tell me almost being out of a job scared me?) but it is killing me. I am waiting until next month to really put it out there for sale so I can enjoy it a little this summer. Everytime I ride my will to seel it weakens though, LOL!!!

I have two bad shoulders, a bad knee, and an assortment of other ailments that worry me also. You don't want anything to go out on you when you are holding up an almost 700 lb motorcycle!

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I sold my bike at the end of 93' and never really looked back. I got it out of my system.

My fiance wants me to get one.....or else someday she'll get one her self(...right, lol). I ask if she thinks she'd like to wrestle with a car.

Doesn't matter how good of a rider you are.

And the streets in my area get more and more congested every year. lousy drivers aswell.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

been there done that, down twice, survived both with nothing serious.always wanted a harley. no time to ride in the summer now.[benefits of being self employed contractor] lots of time in winter, love snow sledding and atvs , lots safer, if anyone gets killed, which they do, it almost never involves anyone else except them a tree and lots of stupid !

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

We sold the Harley last year to pay on our building fund pledge. We rode for four years and LOVED it. But it was time to let it go. Right before we had to sell it, we started seeing motorcycle wrecks everywhere, including one right in front of us where he went up under a truck - not pretty. Then I had a dream about a motorcycle wreck that really shook me, so I was ready to sell it by that point.

However, we do miss the fun and it was one hobby that we enjoyed together. So..........this year we bought a cheap little Audi convertible, and we run around in it. Same feeling (almost) with way less danger and no helmet hair!

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I don't ride but as a nurse I've seen the ones who have been injured. I freak if someone doesn't wear a helmet!

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

A convertible is just as dangerous as a motorcycle.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

helmets do help at low speeds mine did but at 60 or 70 doesnt seem to matter

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

NO WAY! It's much easier to lay down a motorcycle than to lose control of a car. Gravel or debris doesn't affect driving in a convertible.

Also, people in other vehicles tend to not see cycles and cause wrecks because of it - they can see a convertible just like any other car. So on those two points, I say it's much safer than a motorcycle.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

An ambulance driver was telling me during youth camp about an accident that happened just a couple of weeks ago. The man was 26 years old-- and had always wanted a motorcycle, so he went out and bought one. While driving home, with his wife and daughter in the car behind him-- he was involved in an accident, which decapitated him. His wife and daughter both saw it happen.

4 wheelers are just as dangerous. A 13 yr old girl was just killed here this past week when she lost control and went into a mailbox. I'll spare you the details.....

NEVER, will any of my family own or ride either one of them....

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

my son is still not walking...leg in a cast...I am praying he will sell that bike...

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I have seen two people crash into a ditch with a convertible.
Both lost their head when it rolled.

Yes, you are right they are not dangerous.:blah

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I don't like them either. When I was a little girl, my Dad was hit while riding his motorcycle. He was wearing a helmet, but he ended up paralyzed from the neck down. Helmets don't protect you from everything.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

Motorcycle Accident Causes and Factors

In 2006 about 4,935 people were killed riding motorcycles of different kinds (see above). A major Motorcycle accident study analyzed information from thousands of accidents, drew conclusions about the causes and looked for ways people can avoid accidents. The "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures," was a study conducted by the University of Southern California, with funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, researcher Harry Hurt investigated nearly every aspect of 900 motorcycle accidents in the Los Angeles area. Additionally, Hurt and his staff analyzed 3,600 motorcycle traffic accident reports in the same geographic area.

Click here for some interesting statistics on motorcycle accidents.

The safest place to spend your days is in a recliner, in your bomb shelter, wearing a gas mask, eating only organic vegetables, with a bottle of geritol close at hand.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

We should outlaw motorcycles, planes, cars, boats etc.
We should all sit in a rubber room, maybe we will be safe!

Appr. 43000 people are killed every year in car accidents in the United States.

Let's start a thread about car accidents, fcol.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I never said they weren't dangerous - just that they weren't as dangerous as motorcycles!:snapout

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I sold mine after a collision with a Golden Lab with my youngest daughter on behind me. We all survived, even the lab. I just decided to quit while I was ahead. Do I still miss riding, you bet I do. Would I like to have another one, you bet I would but I won't. I especially wouldn't ride on in Missouri. Drivers here are worse than in California.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

2 things come to mind here from the original post:

#1 There is a inordinate correlation between being a chimney sweep and motorcycle accidents. Therefore, I choose NOT to be a chimney sweep!

#2 I will continue to ride my son's Sportster and be as careful as I can. That is all I can do.


It's currently Ohio Bike Week here in Sandusky. Thousands of Harleys have thundered in. It is quite a sight. I really enjoy riding around town in my leather doo rag and biker shirt. I don't party like many of them do, but it is fun to ride around town with everyone else. :D

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

Yes, that's what Harley riders do, lol, "ride around town".:nutso

But you are right.
Keep riding!
I do the same.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/...7bd6e46a_b.jpg

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

Sweet bike! I droolest! :D

A friend of mine had a Trident a LONG time ago!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...d/Harley01.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...torPoster2.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...rd/Harley1.jpg

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

Finally some posts on this thread that make sense!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/...8c6ae7e7_b.jpg

My FXRS.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

LOL! Funny.

Seriously, If you think I am trying to get folks to quit something they love - I am not. Just saying be aware of the risks you are taking and know the stats. There are things riders can do to increase safety and lower risk (the same is true for chimney sweeping :) )

Here are some facts.

Motorcycle Crash Facts
Motorcyclist Fatalities Increase

* Motorcycles are the most dangerous type of motor vehicle to drive. These vehicles are involved in fatal crashes at a rate of 35.0 per 100 million miles of travel, compared with a rate of 1.7 per 100 million miles of travel for passenger cars.

* Motorcyclists were 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash in 2006, per vehicle mile traveled, and 8 times more likely to be injured.

* Although motorcycles account for only 2% of vehicles on the road, they make up more than 10% of all crashes.

* Motorcycles accounted for nearly 3% of all registered motor vehicles and 0.4% of vehicle miles traveled in 2006.

* Motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled in 10 years to 4,810 in 2006. Helmets saved the lives of 1,658 motorcyclists in 2006—and could have saved an additional 752 lives if all riders had worn helmets compliant with federal safety standards.

* Some 104,000 motorcycles were involved in crashes in 2006, including property damage-only crashes.

* Approximately 80% of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a motorcycle rider, while only 20% of passenger car crashes injure or kill a driver or passenger in their vehicle.

* In 2006, 37% of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to 23% for passenger car drivers, 19% for light-truck drivers, and 8% for large-truck drivers.

http://www.trafficsafety.org/worklif...atalities.html

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

Now we're talkin'.....I mean postin'!

Where's the rest of those Harley pics? Post 'em.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

Hmmmmmmm......DOES make one want to be more careful! I think about it every time I leave the driveway Not fearful, but careful. :D

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

The rope of life hisses through our fingers.

We reach, it’s gone......

The beauty of any particular flower, song, poem or person
lies often in the fact that roses must fade,
songs die with the breath,
poems burn in the fire,
golden lads and girls all must, as chimney sweepers, come to dust.

Ray Bradbury, 1956

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

My, you're all poetic and in touch with your feelings tonight.

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Not really... just thought it fit given the original post. It was posted in his honor today (Mike's) on a discussion list for sweeps.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I'm not into motorcycles but have no problem with those who do. I do agree with all the safety tips given.
A saint( 50's or 60's at the time) in my home church was severely injured and died while out riding---and he had a helmet on. It's been many years ago so I don't recall the details. But as was stated, a helmet is recommended but isn't a guarantee you're safe.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

And I must give a plug to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally every August in Sturgis, SD.

Even a non-biker would find the gathering "interesting". It's not a family venue but you can see lots of really great bikes.

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I have friends that live in that town. They have rented their basement out for the week at $1,000. It is one huge rally I guess. Oh and lots of BEER!

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/...bab907d6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/...0dd44408_b.jpg

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

I got ya beat....LOL Dordrecht

http://startupblog.files.wordpress.c...opper-guys.jpg

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

Ok,ok, lol!

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

Saying Motocycle Riders Be Careful to me is about the same as the tag they put on hair dryers telling you not to use in water - have always wondered why you would need to say that :)

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

That may be very true, but yet many do not realize the extent of the risk involved. Many believe it to be only slightly more risky than driving a car and have no clue it is truely a very high risk activity. Motorcyclists were 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash in 2006, per vehicle mile traveled, and 8 times more likely to be injured.

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Can anyone say "Steroids?":ursofunny

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Yall got cute airplanes too..LOL

http://www.artbabych.com/2007/may20-...-tudors-th.jpg

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

But real men fly...LOL

http://satellitesolarsystems.com/wp-...lue-angels.jpg

Re: Motorcycle Riders Be Careful
 

Those are the Snowbirds an acrobatic team using Tudor trainer jets.
USAF Thunderbirds admire the Snowbirds as they fly 3 ft from wingtip to wingtip.

Thunderbirds fly 6 ft wingtip to wingtip!

Thanks for posting!:thumbsup