Nice day for a motorcycle ride

Shaners · November 7, 2001

Today is probably one of the last nice days we were to have this year in Western PA. My good friend and riding buddy took off 1/2 day of work and were hoping to get at least 100 miles on this afternoon.

He was leading and I was about 100 feet behind him as we went into a sharp left hand corner over the top of a knoll. It's a corner we've gone through hundreds of times and it is a beauty!!!

I watched helplessly as his bike slammed the pavement in front of me and he and the bike skidded off the road through the ditch landing in a front yard.

After we gathered up the bike (and ourselves) I walked up the road to get a closer look at it. Well, right on top of the knoll it appears a vehicle started to puke it's transmission. From the tire marks, he lost control as soon as the rear wheel hit the oil.

He is fine, and so am I but unfortunatly I think his beautiful 1999 Honda VFR 800 Interceptor is totalled.

When we ride we ride hard but not irresponsably. He is 41 years old and I'm 38, and we both have wives and kids...

I guess it's just one of those things that happens when you ride on 2 wheels... (If I was leading it probably would have been me...)

chevy4x4trucks · November 7, 2001

Sorry to hear that. I just witnessed an accident last saturday. A guy on a crotch rocket ran a stop sign and was hit by a car. Him and his bike came sliding across the ground towards me. He was okay aside from a scratched leg and I'm sure a lot of bruises. All I've got to say is I'd rather have 4 wheels and a steal cage behind me, because when you ride a bike there is no such thing as a fender bender.

Torque Junkie · November 7, 2001

I'm glad to hear he's ok! He's definately lucky to be alive!

November 7, 2001

Sounds like fun to me, well, other than the crashing part. Oh, and the almost dieing part too. Glad to hear it wasn't his fault though, that would suck.

pacodiablo · November 7, 2001

glad to hear he is ok. i will never ride anything more than a dirt bike

Shaners · November 7, 2001

Quote from pacodiablo, posted on Nov. 07 2001,5:42

glad to hear he is ok. i will never ride anything more than a dirt bike

There are far more injuries on dirt bikes and ATV's than on street bikes. The corner was marked 25 mph. I'm guessing he was going about 45 mph and on the gas... This corner is a fun one and your pegs don't "scrape" unless you are doing about 60, but we weren't riding that hard today.

His riding gear took the impact and some of the Kevlar is torn up but it can be repaired. I strongly believe if you want to ride, buy the best gear available. Don't cut any corners...

He walked away without a scratch or a bruise!!!