And this is why...

2:15pm today


4:15pm


The Story:
My friend and I were out and about and this is his 1st time riding out in the twisities with a sports bike. He has ridden other bikes, mostly cheapy cruisers so this is his 1st real sports bike. I tried not to be too insane, but I guess I didn't warn him about going his own pace... Thought that would be self-explanatory...

Anyhow, I take him on the road and the 2nd turn is a 30mph 1/4 circle curve that's nice and gradual. I took it at a conservative 70-80mph for me at least. And my friend, I'd guess, tries to keep up with me or didn't realize that the curve was sharper then his skill level and ends up low siding his 03 600rr. I was in front so I continued on and didn't realize he wrecked. Every turn I'd look back and only taking curves at 50% and not see him. So at the end of the road (only a few miles) I end up turning back to find him.

Curve #2, I see his bike laying on the side of the road with him dazed out of his mind. He was wearing full gear too so almost no road rash, but he said his back and ankle felt weird. Some nice citizen with a truck stopped by and helped us haul his bike back to my place (5 mins away) and then I drove him to the ER. He had a sprained ankle and a bruised back, so he's out for a bit from riding.

I feel kinda bad since he just got the bike 3 weeks ago, but he's been riding bikes as long as me.

 

The main thing is that he is OK... parts are a lot easier to get than friends.

Thats one of my main concerns about letting people who ride cruisers, they dont realize that they all arent the same. I let my uncle ride my bike this summer, granted he has riden for 20+ years, it is just he has never sat on anything with more than 60hp because he has ridden harleys all his life. So needless to say I cringed when I watched him open it up in front of my grandparents house. Just glad that he didnt hurt himself or the bike going around the block. Only thing he would say when he came white knuckled back into the driveway was well I guess they go a little faster and sharper than they look.

 

"30mph 1/4 circle curve that's nice and gradual. I took it at a conservative 70-80mph"


Smart way to ride on the street.

How I see it. You are out busting 70-80mph in a 30mph turn and your friend was just trying to keep up. Call me a azz if you want, but if you would have been going lets say the speed limit. Things may have turned out different. Go to a track.

 

Me and my boy's go out and tear it up on the street so I'm not going to tell you how to ride. It's not your fault but at the same time you are responsible. Your the lead rider, you take responsibility for the group. But he's a "grown man" andshould knowwhat he canand what he can't do without you holding his hand.
JBAZ
. At least he's o.k. You can fix bodywork but dead is pretty permanent.

 

+1 -- I'm not gonna bust your chops either. When I ride with someone new or at least new to me or they are on a new bike, I take it easy. For the most part, I let them lead, that way they aren't trying to keep up, plus I can manage the distance between us - I certainly don't want to get rear ended by some noob.

Glad to hear your buddy is pretty much OK.

 

+1 on dat!! i teach alot of my friends how to ride and my rule is if there is more the one the new guy goes in middle with the most expiernced in the back if not let the noob lead.. glad to hear your buddy is okay.. so u gunna buy a handle bar clip from me =]

 

I am glad to hear that your buddy is ok. I will agree that you are partually at fault for this. But your friend being new to the sport bike community, should have known that the power and handling are completely different from a cruiser. I would place most of the blame on him. I have always riden with more experianced and faster riders. I know my limit and make sure I don't step over it. I went from a bike with 35hrp to 95hrp and it can scare the crap out of you. If you use your grey matter properly then stuff like that won't happen.

 

wow i feel bad for the guy.. i have ridin with some maniacs in the past and if i see there doing crazy **** i usualy drop back and enjoy the ride ..

 

It was only him and me. I did tell him the roads where twisty, but I didn't warn him about going at his own pace. This is out in the country roads and this particular road has zero traffic. Only place I rip it up. I honestly don't think he saw how sharp the curve was and the 30mph curve is more shaped like a 40. It wasn't as sharp as an on/off ramp. Prolly double the degree of the arc.

 

I'm glad your friend is doing okay.A riderdied here two days ago, he wascut off by a dump truck, he slid underneathe the wheels and was crushed. He had a wife and three kids. Terrible loss, and the season is just starting. As far as your friend is concerned, it's good he's still alive. It could have been a lot worse.

I can't say it's your fault, I won't judge anyone.There are too many factors so who's to blame means absolutely nothing. It's meaningless who's to blame, just be happy it didn't result in something worse than what it was.