Witnessed first m/c crash

[VaBob]

Was cruising up the mountain this fair evening, and was focusing on looking through the turn. When i almost crest the top of the curvy mountain road, and just as i start my lean, i see a black sportbike hit the guard rail on a 25mph ouside corner, and the rear wheel comes up and rider goes in the air. Then i remember im leaned over in a corner and return my focus to my own needs. I make the turn and bang a u-turn (ok, pedel a 3 point turn) and thow the flashers on and park before the turn so others will slow the hell down. By that time the young man has climbed back up the mountain and was dusting himself off. He was ok, and the bike drivable so they decided to limp it down the mountain.

Now im not exactly driving mrs daisy going back down the mountain after them, but when i catch up to them at the bottom they are already parked, helmets off, and looking at the damage. You would think they would have driven a little more cautiously but i guess not.

Anyways, just a reminder to take it easy and look through the turn.

[willtill]

GUILTY (at times). Sometimes hard to overcome but am always reminding myself to (not) to do it.

Good that the rider was not severely hurt.

There for the grace of god go some of the rest of us.

[willtill]

Last M/C crash I witnessed, was a young 'yute in front of my house late at night... roaring up and down the street constantly on a crotch rocket; until we heard a crack/thud out front.

His helmet came off his head (chinstrap not fastened) and he ended up smacking his melon on the asphalt. Died right there. Hosed the blood down the gutter later in the morning when day came.

Very sad.

[Broken Hand]

Last crash I saw was 9 years ago when I sold my Vstrom 650. New owner made it 15 feet up my driveway when he dumped it.
With cashiers check in hand, I helped him up and on his merry way. He only did about $400 in body damage.

[TripleDuck]

Effective cornering is a learned skill with as many as 14 different actions as coached by many race schools. If you don't learn, if you don't practice those actions, if you don't hone those skills, you are destined to go down. Spend the time and money to learn how to corner and ride correctly and safely. https://vimeo.com/87924582

[Jimmytee]

Around 2-3 years ago, I watched a friend / fellow CVMA member, practically run head on into a truck coming the other way. We had been with a group earlier and had split off to ride some twisty roads. I was in front when we came up behind a slow moving car. He lost patience and next thing I know he goes past me and around the car so I followed him. He was on a Street Glide, I on my F6B. We came to a stretch of sharp turns, one after the other. I was hollering at him watching him take those turns because I could see poor lines and at one point he had his inside foot down like a he was riding a dirt bike in a berm. My spidy sense was a tingling and I kept thinking no dude , don't do that. He came around the last hairpin turn too hot , panic braked , the bike stood up in the corner and right into the front corner and down the side of an oncoming brand new GMC pickup. He was very fortunate. totaled his bike , broke his foot etc.. but he is alive and walking today. Just a split second timing difference and he would probably not be alive.

On a recent ride in the Smokies, I watched a guy in front of me blow corner after corner. I later had a private conversation with him. I told him about my friend and advised that there is no shame in backing off and riding within your abilities.

I practice technique frequently and have been riding many years doing so. The throttle is my world , I control mine, you need to control yours.