The motorcycles listed as mostly likely to be involved in a crash are the most technologically advanced machines based on the true racing counterparts capable of speeds in excess of 150 mph. The reason they are the most likely to be involved in a crash is because a teenager that thinks he is superman jumps on one and rides it beyond HIS limits, not the machines limits which far exceed his own. Does a 45 yr old with 25 years experience on a Goldwing have the same likelihood to be involved in an accident on one of these rockets then an 17 yr old that has never driven one?
Yeah, but a 45 year old with years of experience who drives a Goldwing touring bike is just not too likely to suddenly develop a craving for a crotch rocket. Performance vehicles always cost more, both because of the machines’ inherent capabilities and dangers, and because of the limits of ANY driver’s abilities to control them – more vehicle takes ALOT more handling and savvy, and you can’t insure based on intelligence, so we all pay more.
I agree – it’s usually the operator, not the machine. How many accidents are due to, say, a siezed motor or frozen brakes? How many are due to riding beyond the rider’s skill level or just plain being boneheaded? And boneheaded isn’t restricted to “young and overflowing with testosterone” – I watched a guy blow by me with no helmet, no jacket, gloves or boots, just a balding head (from age – the remnants were grey), a t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. And, lest we forget, boneheaded isn’t restricted to two wheels. I had to pull over to escape a dweeb in a Dodge Ram this afternoon. :(
It’s all about the relationship between (1) high performance and high tech machinery, (2) skill and maturity of the operator, (3) training and proficiency, (4) safety equipment and, of course, (5) some luck. I flew high performance jets and I have ridden high performance motorcycles. It never ceases to amaze me, the difference in the above factors, which relate to accidents. In fact, I see automobiles as “high tech” equipment and I look at the diversity of drivers on the roads and am amazed there are no more tragic crashes than there are.
Statistically accurate, I have no doubt, however more likely the crashing is a factor of operator, age, experience and education. Theft is influenced by economic factors, again experienced and educated owner/riders will know to lock down and garage their rides. They are also less likely to leave their rides in “risky” locations.
Rich
As a rider with 30 years of experience it amazes me that a kid with a motorcycle learner’s permit can walk into a motorcycle shop, point to the latest 1200cc race-bike-with-street-legal-rating, say “I want that”, and have a dealer actually sell him one, toss him the key and say “Y’all be careful now”. First bike, something capable of nudging 200 MPH? First gear easily exceeding 60 mph in a heartbeat? No wonder they crash. And, lots of them die.
It does not suprise me that these “crotch-rockets” are the most crashed motorcycles, that the insurance is the highest, and that these things are stolen more than anything else. The industy advertising is shameless promotion of speed, speed, speed. These are testosterone strokers, nothing else. I took a GSX out for a spin, hit 150 mph on the on-ramp to the highway, and decided that it really had no purpose in my life. Kids, wife, and awareness of mortality won out over advertising numbers on a web site. Now, if I only had daily access to a race track…..no SUV’s to dodge. :)
What the motorcycle industry needs is a concience. (“Hey Dad, it’s only a 600cc bike” , never mentioning that Pops is about to put his kid on a bike capable of 140MPH!!) And maybe the riding community needs to think about classes of licenses to allow new riders to “grow into” these rocket bikes. Being a conservative I cringe when I suggest these things, but the industry needs to be given a dope-slap to save our kids lives! They are only doing what the market demands, yet somebody, anybody, needs to get things under control. Enough is enough.
WEBB – A Cassville man admitted Tuesday that he reached a speed of 162 mph while riding his motorcycle this weekend on Route 28.
Jeremiah Castello, 22, pleaded guilty to speeding, reckless driving and other traffic violations Tuesday in Town Court, then apologized for what he did, court officials said. Castello’s charges were not reduced, court officials said, and he paid more than $500 in fines and will lose his driver’s license for at least six months.
Castello was initially clocked at 88 mph by state police Sunday afternoon before reaching 162 mph moments later. Troopers pursued Castello north on Route 28 for several minutes before traffic forced him to stop near Thendara.
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The motorcycles listed as mostly likely to be involved in a crash are the most technologically advanced machines based on the true racing counterparts capable of speeds in excess of 150 mph. The reason they are the most likely to be involved in a crash is because a teenager that thinks he is superman jumps on one and rides it beyond HIS limits, not the machines limits which far exceed his own. Does a 45 yr old with 25 years experience on a Goldwing have the same likelihood to be involved in an accident on one of these rockets then an 17 yr old that has never driven one?
Yeah, but a 45 year old with years of experience who drives a Goldwing touring bike is just not too likely to suddenly develop a craving for a crotch rocket. Performance vehicles always cost more, both because of the machines’ inherent capabilities and dangers, and because of the limits of ANY driver’s abilities to control them – more vehicle takes ALOT more handling and savvy, and you can’t insure based on intelligence, so we all pay more.
I agree – it’s usually the operator, not the machine. How many accidents are due to, say, a siezed motor or frozen brakes? How many are due to riding beyond the rider’s skill level or just plain being boneheaded? And boneheaded isn’t restricted to “young and overflowing with testosterone” – I watched a guy blow by me with no helmet, no jacket, gloves or boots, just a balding head (from age – the remnants were grey), a t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. And, lest we forget, boneheaded isn’t restricted to two wheels. I had to pull over to escape a dweeb in a Dodge Ram this afternoon. :(
It’s all about the relationship between (1) high performance and high tech machinery, (2) skill and maturity of the operator, (3) training and proficiency, (4) safety equipment and, of course, (5) some luck. I flew high performance jets and I have ridden high performance motorcycles. It never ceases to amaze me, the difference in the above factors, which relate to accidents. In fact, I see automobiles as “high tech” equipment and I look at the diversity of drivers on the roads and am amazed there are no more tragic crashes than there are.
Statistically accurate, I have no doubt, however more likely the crashing is a factor of operator, age, experience and education. Theft is influenced by economic factors, again experienced and educated owner/riders will know to lock down and garage their rides. They are also less likely to leave their rides in “risky” locations.
Rich
As a rider with 30 years of experience it amazes me that a kid with a motorcycle learner’s permit can walk into a motorcycle shop, point to the latest 1200cc race-bike-with-street-legal-rating, say “I want that”, and have a dealer actually sell him one, toss him the key and say “Y’all be careful now”. First bike, something capable of nudging 200 MPH? First gear easily exceeding 60 mph in a heartbeat? No wonder they crash. And, lots of them die.
It does not suprise me that these “crotch-rockets” are the most crashed motorcycles, that the insurance is the highest, and that these things are stolen more than anything else. The industy advertising is shameless promotion of speed, speed, speed. These are testosterone strokers, nothing else. I took a GSX out for a spin, hit 150 mph on the on-ramp to the highway, and decided that it really had no purpose in my life. Kids, wife, and awareness of mortality won out over advertising numbers on a web site. Now, if I only had daily access to a race track…..no SUV’s to dodge. :)
What the motorcycle industry needs is a concience. (“Hey Dad, it’s only a 600cc bike” , never mentioning that Pops is about to put his kid on a bike capable of 140MPH!!) And maybe the riding community needs to think about classes of licenses to allow new riders to “grow into” these rocket bikes. Being a conservative I cringe when I suggest these things, but the industry needs to be given a dope-slap to save our kids lives! They are only doing what the market demands, yet somebody, anybody, needs to get things under control. Enough is enough.
Hear, hear! Well said! Gosh, I guess us liberals and you conservatives *can* agree on stuff – there’s hope for us all yet! [laugh]
I concure Rob well put statement
Thu, Jun 23, 2005
Motorcyclist admits to 162-mph ride
WEBB – A Cassville man admitted Tuesday that he reached a speed of 162 mph while riding his motorcycle this weekend on Route 28.
Jeremiah Castello, 22, pleaded guilty to speeding, reckless driving and other traffic violations Tuesday in Town Court, then apologized for what he did, court officials said. Castello’s charges were not reduced, court officials said, and he paid more than $500 in fines and will lose his driver’s license for at least six months.
Castello was initially clocked at 88 mph by state police Sunday afternoon before reaching 162 mph moments later. Troopers pursued Castello north on Route 28 for several minutes before traffic forced him to stop near Thendara.
To paraphrase a pilot’s chorus:
There are old drivers.
There are bold drivers.
But there are no old bold drivers.