Biker down Auckland CBD (27 August) [Archive]

Shewolf

27th August 2009, 13:20

Motorcyclist critical after collision
Updated 12:11PM Thursday Aug 27, 2009

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10593513

A motorcyclist is in a critical condition after he collided with a truck at the intersection of Queen St and Karangahape Rd in Auckland's CBD at about 9am.

St John Ambulance transported the man from the scene.

His motorbike was left trapped under a truck after the collision.

One witness said at least one ambulance and five police cars were at the scene.

The motorcycle driver was taken to hospital by ambulance and the truck driver was assisting police.

Traffic was being diverted around the busy intersection.

A spokeswoman from the Auckland District Health Board said the man is undergoing tests but an update on his status was not available.

- NZ HERALD STAFF

kunoichi

27th August 2009, 13:24

truck drivers are usually quiet good, it's those damn bus drivers u gota look out for! :argue: Hope the guy pulls through and wotever caused the collision is addressed.

Hiflyer

27th August 2009, 13:30

saw the aftermath, I work on shortland street and after seeing the bike earlier, it looks awful, hope it aint anyone we know. cos I mean a truck isnt very light.... wouldnt want one on me

cheesemethod

27th August 2009, 13:36

Looks painful. How did he get it stuck there?

slofox

27th August 2009, 13:48

Looks painful. How did he get it stuck there?

Prolly the truck ran over it...hopefully AFTER the rider got out of the way...

Swoop

27th August 2009, 13:53

From the Harold website.

p.dath

27th August 2009, 13:54

Lets hope the bike slid under the truck without the rider on it. On the plus side it looks like the truck didn't drive over the bike itself, so that gives the rider a better chance.

Slyer

27th August 2009, 13:54

Does anyone know what kind of bike that is?

Harvd

27th August 2009, 14:10

from the exhaust i was thinking a newish 650 bandit? but thats a wild guess

at least the bikes lying on that side facing away from the wheels

StoneY

27th August 2009, 14:34

Does anyone know what kind of bike that is?

A damaged one-
hope the riders gonna be ok

Hiflyer

27th August 2009, 14:39

Does anyone know what kind of bike that is?

GSR 600.

10things

Bend-it

27th August 2009, 14:57

Yikes!!!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2807641/Motorcyclist-trapped-under-truck

Bend-it

27th August 2009, 15:09

Oops, just saw another thread on this in General Bike Ravings...

News should be in here, dammit!

Nevermind... just ignore me.... as you were...

phaedrus1

27th August 2009, 15:14

klingon

27th August 2009, 15:31

I saw the aftermath around 10 this morning. From what i saw it looked like truck was turning right from K'rd down onto queen, and failed to give way to bike coming stright thru, mere speculation tho....:scratch:
Was messy with bits all over the show. Still bike didn't look toooo bad(not run right over), so hope guy/gals orright.

That intersection is controlled by lights (including turning arrows) so the only way the truck could have failed to give way would be if it went through a red light?

That's a really tricky intersection, especially if you're on Queen Street because you can't see over the brow of the hill and people do run the red.

Whoever was at fault, I hope the biker is ok in the end. Being in critical condition (as the Herald article says) doesn't sound great so far despite the relatively intact-looking bike in the photo.

musicman

27th August 2009, 15:36

entro

27th August 2009, 15:43

That intersection is controlled by lights (including turning arrows) so the only way the truck could have failed to give way would be if it went through a red light?

That's a really tricky intersection, especially if you're on Queen Street because you can't see over the brow of the hill and people do run the red.

Whoever was at fault, I hope the biker is ok in the end. Being in critical condition (as the Herald article says) doesn't sound great so far despite the relatively intact-looking bike in the photo.

Im almost 100% sure that those lights also have a blank for turning right when the green is on for going straight so its give way rules?

Hiflyer

27th August 2009, 15:44

Oh damn. I see that red GSR600 parked down in Whittaker St all the time, the right exhaust is a little melted. I've seen the guy pulling wheelies and take off from the lights at high speeds on Symonds St..... hope he's ok...

yea the skid mark he left from his brake lockup is looooong

klingon

27th August 2009, 15:48

Im almost 100% sure that those lights also have a blank for turning right when the green is on for going straight so its give way rules?

Oh I see. I thought the red arrow stayed on the whole time, but it's not on my usual route so I will defer to your local knowledge. On the Queen Street side I'm pretty sure you can only turn right on the green arrow, because of the lack of visibility.

entro

27th August 2009, 15:51

Oh I see. I thought the red arrow stayed on the whole time, but it's not on my usual route so I will defer to your local knowledge. On the Queen Street side I'm pretty sure you can only turn right on the green arrow, because of the lack of visibility.

Yea your right about the queen street side, up the hill is a bit dodgy eh.... But with that arrow at that particular intersection I have seen a few close calls, I live quite close to there...dangerous stuff

YellowDog

27th August 2009, 15:55

Oh damn. I see that red GSR600 parked down in Whittaker St all the time, the right exhaust is a little melted. I've seen the guy pulling wheelies and take off from the lights at high speeds on Symonds St..... hope he's ok...
Not good.

Looks quite survivable.

I must say that I have done that intersection at high speed before.

Trucks pulling across can't react so quickly.

Ixion

27th August 2009, 16:27

Im almost 100% sure that those lights also have a blank for turning right when the green is on for going straight so its give way rules?

That is correct. Got to watch that, especially if you're sort of 'following the leader"

Slyer

27th August 2009, 16:39

This rider is a KB member so quieten down...

MSTRS

27th August 2009, 16:44

This rider is a KB member so quieten down...

That doesn't make him special. Unless a Mod deems the thread is heading into 'dangerous' territory, members are gonna talk about what may, or not, have happened.

Squiggles

27th August 2009, 16:56

Dan (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=11247) is in Surgery at the moment. The others tell me his arm got pretty munched but he seemed ok, left some magazines to kill the postop boredom.

Gwinch

27th August 2009, 17:03

I'm going to try and see him now. Will send him everyones regards if I manage to see to him, the lady on the phone confirmed it's my mate but won't disclose any details at all.

98tls

27th August 2009, 17:06

Dan (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=11247) is in Surgery at the moment. The others tell me his arm got pretty munched but he seemed ok, left some magazines to kill the postop boredom. Glad to hear hes okish.

p.dath

27th August 2009, 17:10

Forget about who is at fault. Forget about the circumstances for a minute.

Some rider, who we may well know since they are on here, has just been seriously injured. It could be your mate.

How about we show a little bit of compassion.

PirateJafa

27th August 2009, 17:12

I'm going to try and see him now. Will send him everyones regards if I manage to see to him, the lady on the phone confirmed it's my mate but won't disclose any details at all.

We were in there just earlier - he's in surgery at the moment so obviously no visitors.

Okey Dokey

27th August 2009, 17:28

Scary looking accident. Best wishes for your recovery, Dan.

jrandom

27th August 2009, 21:02

Good to hear he survived.

I didn't enjoy having to ride through that mess several times today before they got the crash scene tidied up.

There but for the grace of Bob...

ital916

27th August 2009, 21:03

oh crap dan!....get well soon buddy....what times are the visiting hours for those who know?

Gwinch

27th August 2009, 21:24

We were in there just earlier - he's in surgery at the moment so obviously no visitors.

I saw Dan's mother in there, sat down with her for a while but didn't see Dan himself as he was still in surgery far after the time he was expected back out.

Will be going in again tomorrow.

Wiki Drifter

27th August 2009, 21:47

I saw Dan's mother in there, sat down with her for a while but didn't see Dan himself as he was still in surgery far after the time he was expected back out.

Will be going in again tomorrow.

Damn that really sucks, he used to be my workmate. Great friendly guy, hope he has a speedy recovery...

PirateJafa

27th August 2009, 21:52

oh crap dan!....get well soon buddy....what times are the visiting hours for those who know?

11-1 and 3-8 from what I recall when I was going to see Jith. But the nurses are pretty reasonable.

Although sometimes visitors are restricted depending on patient condition.

I saw Dan's mother in there, sat down with her for a while but didn't see Dan himself as he was still in surgery far after the time he was expected back out.

Will be going in again tomorrow.

We dropped off a dozen bike mags for him - hopefully keep him out of trouble with the pretty nurses. :devil2:

Metalor

27th August 2009, 22:33

Shit, that guy! I see him aroun duni quite often (aalong with a bunch of you other guys) but never knew his name. Hope you recover quickly man!

Pinolicious

28th August 2009, 10:58

Dan's mate here, grew up with him since Primary School.

Anyway, he was in critical, but we lucky NZ has good emergency healthcare services, so he's fine now, recovering, awake. His sister tells me he's really talkative and he's keen to get out, which of course wont happen any time soon.

He did have some neurosurgery, so the hospital is restricting his visiting hours to 3pm-8pm.

He says thanks for everybody visiting etc etc.

Just needs to heal up, I'm gonna give him heaps of crap for not wearing his gear. Skin grafts galore. (in the groin area)

klingon

28th August 2009, 11:04

EJK

28th August 2009, 11:10

Thanks for the update. Good to hear he's improving. Skin grafts... ooooowwww! :pinch:

In the groin area ooooooowwwww! :pinch::pinch::pinch:

HenryDorsetCase

28th August 2009, 11:14

klingon

28th August 2009, 11:19

owwwwww. I rode to work in jeans yesterday. made me think a bit that has.

Yes, I have become a bit less strict about wearing ATGATT - the warmer weather does that to you! I justify it to myself by wearing all the gear when I'm on the motorway but if I'm sticking to 50kph areas I sometimes just wear jeans.

Unfortunately as far as I know, the intersection of K Rd and Q St is in a 50k zone. :doh:

Metalor

28th August 2009, 13:47

Sheeeit... I ride to uni (on the motorway) in jeans all the time. I wear laether jacket, gloves, boots etc but just normal jeans from farmers for me legs... poor Dan has learnt the hard way!

Has it been released how the crash actually happened?

Glad he's recovering ok.

p.dath

28th August 2009, 13:54

I feel a sudden rise in the sales of Draggin jeans coming up.

YellowDog

28th August 2009, 13:57

That's a tough way to learn the ATGATT lesson.

Hot and sunny today. Saw some dude on a Harley with open helmet, jeans, and a T-shirt.

Metalor

28th August 2009, 14:04

I feel a sudden rise in the sales of Draggin jeans coming up.

Well I watched a video on their site of a dude getting dragged by a drag car for a few 100m. He was sitting on the tarmac while getting dragged at high speed, he was fine and the kevlar didn't tear at all.

I've worn something similar to draggin jeans in a crash (they're a german brand i think) but they feel like MUCH sturdier denim. Kevlar in them is good and you don't feel the wind or rain on cold days. The denim actually feels like it would offer some protection itself.

Anyway, I crashed in them and they help up well. Only place where the denim tore was where the handle bars dug into the inside of my thigh as I went over.

That being said, I rolled/flipped/tumbled down the motorway rather than sliding so that may be a factor. BUT it was a 100k crash, so that's saying something.

Edbear

28th August 2009, 14:28

Well I watched a video on their site of a dude getting dragged by a drag car for a few 100m. He was sitting on the tarmac while getting dragged at high speed, he was fine and the kevlar didn't tear at all.

I've worn something similar to draggin jeans in a crash (they're a german brand i think) but they feel like MUCH sturdier denim. Kevlar in them is good and you don't feel the wind or rain on cold days. The denim actually feels like it would offer some protection itself.

Anyway, I crashed in them and they help up well. Only place where the denim tore was where the handle bars dug into the inside of my thigh as I went over.

That being said, I rolled/flipped/tumbled down the motorway rather than sliding so that may be a factor. BUT it was a 100k crash, so that's saying something.

While we appreciate the "test report", did you really need to actually do one for our benefit..? That is very kind and brave of you... :niceone:

MarkH

28th August 2009, 16:39

I wear Dragin' Jeans all the time - I am not too sure how truck proof they are though.

I don't know Dan, but I hope he recovers OK. It is not nice to hear of a fellow rider coming to harm.

p.dath

28th August 2009, 17:09

I wear Dragin' Jeans all the time - I am not too sure how truck proof they are though.

I don't know Dan, but I hope he recovers OK. It is not nice to hear of a fellow rider coming to harm.

Your right, little impact protection. But apparently Dan needed a lot of skin grafts. And Draggin jeans do give you some abrasion protection in a couple of critical areas.

Katman

28th August 2009, 18:31

I've seen the guy pulling wheelies and take off from the lights at high speeds on Symonds St

yea the skid mark he left from his brake lockup is looooong

And meanwhile our rego costs continue to soar.

MacD

28th August 2009, 19:56

Skin grafts galore. (in the groin area)

Do you mean he's had a skin graft in the groin area, or this is where the donor tissue was taken from? The second option (inside thigh) is quite common, and quite painful as it heals!

fizbin

29th August 2009, 11:45

small world.
Was talking to the HR lady at work and her son is one of Dans best mates. glad to hear he is all right. all the best and get well soon

Gwinch

29th August 2009, 13:01

Do you mean he's had a skin graft in the groin area, or this is where the donor tissue was taken from? The second option (inside thigh) is quite common, and quite painful as it heals!

The skin grafts went towards his arms, thighs and also his groin. He's quite lucky to have everything intact downstairs actually. He's currently wearing what is effectively a bandage nappy and it's none too pleasant. His injuries don't stop him from being cheeky though, he wanted to get up out of his bed and out of his ward to go and see everyone at once (as only two people are allowed in the ward at a time to visit) out by the elevators even if he can barely shift his body around by himself but he was stopped from going forwards with that idea! He's very much an "all or nothing" guy and not much will stop him from doing what he wants.

All in all he's doing very well, going to see him again with the other Howick lads tomorrow.

small world.
Was talking to the HR lady at work and her son is one of Dans best mates. glad to hear he is all right. all the best and get well soon

Who's the lady? I've known Dan for a long time (we went to Intermediate and College together) so it's very likely I know her son too.

fizbin

29th August 2009, 13:12

Hazel someone she works for CSforDoors

Gwinch

29th August 2009, 13:20

And meanwhile our rego costs continue to soar.

As does your high horse. Dan had right of way and the words "the truck driver didn't see him" were uttered a lot last night.

Katman

29th August 2009, 13:45

As does your high horse. Dan had right of way and the words "the truck driver didn't see him" were uttered a lot last night.

You can make all the piss weak excuses in the world but until motorcyclists as a whole start 'riding to survive' our costs associated with riding and the efforts to regulate us off the road will continue to increase.

Dan had right of way

And from what I've heard, doing 80kph+ in a 50kph zone negates any "right of way".

and the words "the truck driver didn't see him" were uttered a lot last night.

By whom? A bunch of disgruntled motorcyclists?

ital916

29th August 2009, 15:14

You can make all the piss weak excuses in the world but until motorcyclists as a whole start 'riding to survive' our costs associated with riding and the efforts to regulate us off the road will continue to increase.

And from what I've heard, doing 80kph+ in a 50kph zone negates any "right of way".

By whom? A bunch of disgruntled motorcyclists?

Easy big boy, you better learn the details of the accident before you go putting your foot in your mouth.

I have seen plenty of motorcyclists pulling wheelies and going quicker than they should at times, doesnt mean they are culpable for every accident that will happen to them in the future because of it.

Lets leave the speculation alone, once the facts of the accident are revealed then you can speculate till your hair goes grey...er :banana:. I will let dan reveal those facts once he is up to posting and the police have done their job.

Lets be thankful he is still with us and will be okay.

So...what I'm basically saying katman is...THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU, BEGONE TO THE FIERY PITS OF CYNICAL ANTI MOTORCYCLIST HELL FROM WHENCE YOU CAME...

James Deuce

29th August 2009, 15:19

Umm, just to point out something that shouldbe obvious, there's no point exclaiming that you had right of way when you're all messed up in hospital or dead.

It's better to be meek and considered a pussy, than splattered all over the wall of righteous indignation.

YellowDog

29th August 2009, 15:31

Katman

29th August 2009, 15:36

And before anyone gets all righteous over the 'right of way' issue - as I said earlier, travelling well in excess of the prevailing speed limit negates any right to claim 'right of way'.

Slyer

29th August 2009, 15:43

Katman

29th August 2009, 15:45

Pure speculation as always eh.

Not quite.

Let's just call it 'inside information'.

beyond

29th August 2009, 15:49

And before anyone gets all righteous over the 'right of way' issue - as I said earlier, travelling well in excess of the prevailing speed limit negates any right to claim 'right of way'.

Just needs to go even quicker and then he would have been clear of the truck turning anyway and then he would have been "right away" from the scene altogether :)

I'll get my coat on the way out :)

YellowDog

29th August 2009, 16:14

It wasn't a great photo as it shows just how far past the truck had already gone before impact.

20kph faster and those nice soft rear tyres wouldn't have been cushioning the smack.

Great news that he is going to be OK.

Skin grafts don't heal quickly and quite often need a second go.

Katman

29th August 2009, 16:29

It wasn't a great photo as it shows just how far past the truck had already gone before impact.

Combine that with this........

yea the skid mark he left from his brake lockup is looooong

........and it looks even worse.

short-circuit

29th August 2009, 16:31

Combine that with this........

........and it looks even worse.

Ever thought about a career in forensics?

Katman

29th August 2009, 16:36

Ever thought about a career in forensics?

What remuneration are you offering?

PirateJafa

29th August 2009, 16:39

What remuneration are you offering?

Well with the brilliant lackadaisical powers of deduction that you're displaying, you'd probably have to pay them.

Considering he'd just left a lunch shop 50 metres up the road, cold tyres don't offer the greatest grip even at speeds of 55km/h.

Unless you're Skidmark of course.

short-circuit

29th August 2009, 16:41

Well with the brilliant lackadaisical powers of deduction that you're displaying, you'd probably have to pay them.

Considering he'd just left a lunch shop 50 metres up the road, cold tyres don't offer the greatest grip even at speeds of 55km/h.

Unless you're Skidmark of course.

Cold tires tend not to leave rubber on the road

Ixion

29th August 2009, 16:44

Perhaps it might be better to postpone the Court of Inquiry until the principal witness is available. Seeing as he is still alive and will, presumably be back here.

Then neither forensics nor speculation will be necessary.

Katman

29th August 2009, 16:46

Then neither forensics nor speculation will be necessary.

That's right.

We'll then just have to rely on the word of someone trying to lie talk their way out of the shit.

short-circuit

29th August 2009, 16:46

short-circuit

29th August 2009, 16:47

That's right.

We'll then just have to rely on the word of someone trying to talk themselves out of the shit.

Too quick for me your Honour

Squiggles

29th August 2009, 16:53

Ah yes but will he be reliable?

He doesn't remember a thing.

It seems i'll need to get the details of the officer handling the accident for all the witnesses coming forward in this thread.

Katman

29th August 2009, 16:56

He doesn't remember a thing.

Yes, that's the usual story.

'Selective Amnesia' it's called.

Squiggles

29th August 2009, 17:05

Yes, that's the usual story.

Indeed it is with head injuries. :(

PirateJafa

29th August 2009, 17:07

Yes, that's the usual story.

'Selective Amnesia' it's called.

Yes.

All the other injuries, the double-vision and bleeding in the brain etc is all clearly feigned too.

Fuck, I wish I'd thought of that - he must just be doing this to get out of this semester's exams! :tugger:

Squiggles

29th August 2009, 17:11

Fuck, I wish I'd thought of that - he must just be doing this to get out of this semester's exams! :tugger:

We'll he was too late for mid semester tests, only missed Friday night!

PirateJafa

29th August 2009, 17:14

We'll he was too late for mid semester tests, only missed Friday night!

Surely you've heard of "SMC time"?

Squiggles

29th August 2009, 17:15

Surely you've heard of "SMC time"?

Yes, Hanne is now 34 hours late coming back from Germany:doh:

PirateJafa

29th August 2009, 17:17

Yes, Hanne is now 34 hours late coming back from Germany:doh:

Time for Showgirls then? :beer:

Mekk

29th August 2009, 17:18

Did they close the whole intersection or was it just a lane or two?

PrincessBandit

29th August 2009, 17:30

James Deuce

29th August 2009, 17:33

Well one would think that around that time of the morning there would be a number of independent witnesses; surely it shouldn't be too hard to get a clear picture of what happened without relying on either the rider or driver to provide the facts. Surely?...

Just read an interesting article about "independent" witnesses that described how memory recall is tainted by your own ingrained prejudices. It's impossible to build a clear picture, only a prosecution or defence case, neither of which have to be true. Even video of accidents can present very different pictures of the cause of an accident when the same accident is viewed from different angles.

PirateJafa

29th August 2009, 17:35

Well one would think that around that time of the morning there would be a number of independent witnesses; surely it shouldn't be too hard to get a clear picture of what happened without relying on either the rider or driver to provide the facts. Surely?...

Really? One would almost think that such a task would be one undertaken by, oh I dunno, the police?

Instead of by some tools living in the arsehole of the country. Still, I guess there ain't much else to do in Taupo.

YellowDog

29th August 2009, 17:41

Loads of CCTV around there.

The Police will be able to give a good indication of speed from the length of the skidmarks. No one was killed, so unless they want to make a case to remove a riding licence for a while (which won't be used anyway), then there will be no point.

PrincessBandit

29th August 2009, 18:23

Really? One would almost think that such a task would be one undertaken by, oh I dunno, the police?

Forgive me for suggesting that there might be others who actually saw what happened, who might be able to corroborate a consistent version of events. As opposed to relying solely on the two main, ah, protagonists who may well have a highly selective version to tell.... (and yes, the Police have other means at their disposal, I do know that)

note I did say "may" - and refers to both rider and driver.

PirateJafa

29th August 2009, 18:42

Forgive me for suggesting that there might be others who actually saw what happened, who might be able to corroborate a consistent version of events. As opposed to relying solely on the two main, ah, protagonists who may well have a highly selective version to tell.... (and yes, the Police have other means at their disposal, I do know that)

note I did say "may" - and refers to both rider and driver.

There are 4,405 active KB members.

There is approximately 4 million New Zealanders in the country.

That means that there is one KBer for nearly every thousand people in NZ.

Now even if there were 100 people at or around that intersection, there's only a 10% chance that one of them was a KBer. Even less when you account for the fact that there was a KBer who was trying to headbutt a truck into the next century.

Good luck with that.

Also you will note that I said nothing about the rider's nor the driver's versions of events. Rather that the police will have any witnesses that hung around, and it's hardly the job of KB to be solving their investigations for them. Despite what the normal KB kangaroo court may think. :slap:

PirateJafa

29th August 2009, 18:51

Perhaps my 27 years of motorcycling experience might count for a little more than your pissy 5 years experience.

Perhaps the point there went over your head. It wouldn't be the first. (Seems to be a family trait?)

I made no comment about my own riding experience. Rather I pointed out that a trained and experienced police crash unit will have more experience and working out causation and fault from an accident scene than someone who clearly thinks they're God's own gift to the world because they've managed to ride a bike for a while (not hard - even children can do it) and clearly thinks that their own shit doesn't stink.

2wheeljunkie

29th August 2009, 22:06

Combine that with this........

........and it looks even worse.

i dont understand katman, why are you being so convinced that it was dan's fault when you for one was not present at that time. yes dan may or may not pull wheelies, but in saying that, it doesnt mean he is the one to blame here. You dont have prove that he was speeding right? Yes there's witness, so until the police report has been full announced you really cant say much. Besides, dont tell me you've never done anything dodge in your 27 years of riding. Becareful when throwing stones in a glass house.

Squiggles

29th August 2009, 22:25

i dont understand katman, why are you being so convinced that it was dan's fault when you for one was not present at that time. yes dan may or may not pull wheelies, but in saying that, it doesnt mean he is the one to blame here. You dont have prove that he was speeding right? Yes there's witness, so until the police report has been full announced you really cant say much. Besides, dont tell me you've never done anything dodge in your 27 years of riding. Becareful when throwing stones in a glass house.

The train for this debate left a few hours ago Kyle :lol:
I'll try drop in to see him again tomorrow, club needs its accounts audited haha :rockon:

PrincessBandit

29th August 2009, 23:45

Perhaps the point there went over your head. It wouldn't be the first. (Seems to be a family trait?)

I haven't commented on your riding ability, Dan's riding ability, on whom or where fault might lie for this accident. My comment regarding independent witnesses was made with no ill intent or bitchiness as to the reliability of either rider or driver. The tone of your reply left me in no doubt that you took it as some kind of slur on your friend, when that is not what I meant.

I am not my brother, and I don't appreciate you flinging your pissy comments about family traits just because you're in a shitty with Katman. Grow up.

Brett

30th August 2009, 00:33

I am more and more staggered by the amount if trivial, BS, pissy bickering and shit flinging that takes place in KB threads.

Surely, I mean SURELY in real life none of us show this level of arrogance, have such a readiness to pre-judge a situation without full exposure to the critical facts and surely this level of 'arseholeness' is largely absent?

How mundane does life become when everything is about critiqueing and fault finding?

Dude crashed, sux to be him. Whether he was at fault or not he has still been hurt. If he was doing something stupid that caused this, then he has undoubtedly learnt a hard lesson that some of us have had to learn as well and that others got away scott free of at some point and now think they get to sit atop ivory towers. If he was doing nothing wrong, then he unfortuanately copped the grief for someone elses error.

Either way, give it a rest.

1 year of riding of 50 years of riding, none of us are immune, Remember that.

MSTRS

30th August 2009, 10:34

1 year of riding or 50 years of riding, none of us are immune, Remember that.

Too bloody true.

Without absolute facts, all claims being made by certain posters in here (as usual) are just so much ego-driven bullshit

Zim_Invader

30th August 2009, 11:59

I heard about this from kyle yesterday... yea, it kinda sucks that my first post on kb after such a long time has to be when something like this happens. I'm thinking of going bye to visit him tomorrow. When i Saw the pics of it on the herald website, i had 2 thoughts about whether or not is was actually dan's bike.

PrincessBandit

30th August 2009, 12:31

Absolute bullshit. Or would I be totally in the clear if I pulled out of my driveway when you pass my house doing 120?

Guilty until proven innocent eh?

That would depend on a number of circumstances. I had a high school kid smack clean into the front of my car bonnet as I slowed by my letterbox before "entering" the footpath to the road. He cut clean across the corner of our drive and plowed head on into me "because he thought my driveway was the one that goes to the back of the church" i.e. no-one would be exiting there at that time of the afternoon.

Does that put him in the wrong because he was riding at a good clip and didn't look to see that it was in fact a private driveway he was rushing headlong into complete with resident's car in the way? or me, because a car driver is automatically assumed to be the one at fault?

Could be argued either way. As far as I'm concerned he was completely at fault; I'm sure he sees it the other way (judging by the squirming and defiance I got even when trying to check that he was ok - he did squash his nuts pretty hard into his handlebar).

Either way, each side has their own version. I'm sure the Police will sort it all out. Of course, there will always be some who won't be happy with the outcome of that either because it won't suit their agenda.

musicman

30th August 2009, 12:36

Damn I can't believe what I read on KB sometimes. Why do people feel the need to argue about who's right or wrong, who's to blame, what happened, etc. whenever we get a biker down thread?

Dan is a skilled rider who can be a bit of a hoon sometimes, but seriously, which person on KB can honestly say they have never ever exceeded the speed limit while in operation of a motorised vehicle? And does it really make a difference in this instance whether he was right or wrong? So what if he's right, are you all going to give him a medal? So what if he's wrong, are we going to ostracise him from the "motorcycling communtiy" and ban him from KB?

What's important here is that we have a guy who is in hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries, so why don't we just leave all the bickering to the children and let's all wish him a good recovery?

MSTRS

30th August 2009, 13:03

Why? Because maybe it's time we all started calling a spade a spade.

Every motorcycle accident that is casued through stupidity is another black mark against our name.

There are times when it's a good thing to be blunt. I don't think this is one of them.
There are only 2 known facts in this case...
1. The truck did not give way
2. The rider suffered serious injuries

Did the rider contribute to the outcome? WE DON'T KNOW!!
Could he have avoided it altogether? WE DON'T KNOW!!

If the facts are known, and the motorcyclist was being a cock, then I agree with you. However, casting aspersions as you are doing, and calling them fact, is never going to help.

DMNTD

30th August 2009, 17:59

That's right.
It's up to the motorcyclist though to ensure that they ride in a manner that enables them to avoid other people causing them harm.
There's no value in a headstone that says "But it wasn't his fault".

Yep....got hit by a truck in January when he failed to give way to me...I failed to read his mistake which ended up being my mistake.
I was the only physically injured person there :confused:

DMNTD

30th August 2009, 18:22

Your safety is never anyone elses responsibility but your own.

Bang on...

dipshit

30th August 2009, 18:46

Easy to talk about it now, but not as easy when you have a split second to react and make a choice...

No it's not easy when you only have a split second to react.

This is why reading ahead and anticipating possible scenarios gives you a head start with your reactions... rather than the first thing you know about it is when the half asleep car driver starts to react.

You possibly could have started to set things up in your favour before the car jumped on its brakes.

short-circuit

30th August 2009, 19:25

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but I personally wouldn't be too happy if I ended up in hospital because of someone pulling out in front of me and someone starts says it was my fault.

No sarcasm. I've been T boned coming through a roundabout from someone's right hand side....

Shoulda anticipated that some retarded bitch in a 4x4 would be too busy plucking her eyebrows

If someone had suggested that that was somehow my fault that day they might have lost their front teeth

Nice to have the chance to learn from the experience

PrincessBandit

30th August 2009, 19:43

No sarcasm. I've been T boned coming through a roundabout from someone's right hand side....

Shoulda anticipated that some retarded bitch in a 4x4 would be too busy plucking her eyebrows

If someone had suggested that that was somehow my fault that day they might have lost their front teeth

Nice to have the chance to learn from the experience

Sure sounds like a hard lesson. No, that is not being patronising - it is stating fact. Hopefully though you did learn that any motorist (regardless of number of wheels) can do dipshit stuff which you might not rationally expect.

So often we ride (or drive) working on the assumption that other road users will behave in a way we expect. Usually they do. But for the occasions they don't riders (as the ones most likely to come off second best) need to have a constant mental state of alertness which is a few notches above the norm.

Oh, btw, I haven't read through a few of the last posts, but judging by some of the comments has it been officially established in the police report that the truck driver was at fault? Just asking as that's the message coming through loud and clear.

Nasty

30th August 2009, 19:53

This thread is about a biker down. This was a serious accident - a reminder from the site rules -

Discussion of accidents

Accident resulting in death or serious injury

Please show respect and consideration for the bikers, friends and family involved
Names and details are not to be discussed for 24 hours after the accident unless they are already public (in the media) or are posted by family, close friends or Moderators
Should an accident result in deaths A RIP/Biker Down thread will be started once the names and details are public knowledge (in the media)
A RIP/Biker Down thread is for condolences only; speculation and general discussion about the circumstances should be in a seperate thread

The Administrators and Moderators reserve the right to remove a thread or posts
Any accident that happens at a public gathering is fair comment, subject to the above stipulations
Discussion of any accident not involving death or serious injury should be kept to a single thread. Respect for those involved should be shown at all times.
Fictitious or malicious speculation will be removed without notification and the person that posted the comments will be strongly censured

The next lot of crap posted here will be infracted - the last 70 posts moved mostly fit within this subset of the site rules.

Dan - Hope you get better soon mate - accidents suck and I know how painful skin grafts and broken bones can be.

Gwinch

31st August 2009, 11:45

An update regarding Dan:

He had more surgery on his arm yesterday and has been quite sick, sore and nauseous all weekend from his injuries and all the drugs they are feeding him. Hospital staff have requested that visitors be kept to an absolute minimum or preferably, don't visit at all for the time being so he can rest and heal as best he can. Please respect the wishes of the surgeons and his mother.

Will update when I hear more.

Gwinch

2nd September 2009, 13:42

Another update on Dan:

Received a TXT from his mother that he's still in a lot of discomfort from lack of sleep, his third lot of surgery and all the morphine he is being given. Rest and quiet is exactly what he needs right now so she requests that no-one visit him until he makes an improvement. Another update will come on Friday morning and if all goes well with his neurosurgery then he'll hopefully be moved to Ward 77 - Orthopedic.