Biker down. Yep I just got bowled...

**shrub** · 9th November 2010, 14:47

Originally Posted by Katman

Just on that note John, I have a customer who was passed by a group of motorcyclists on the Napier/Taupo road that night who immediately turned to his passenger and said "There's an accident waiting to happen".

Bloody temporary New Zealanders. The sooner those fucking death traps are banned the better.

Make them drive Volvos.

**MSTRS:Me** · 9th November 2010, 14:49

Originally Posted by Katman

Just on that note John, I have a customer who was passed by a group of motorcyclists on the Napier/Taupo road that night who immediately turned to his passenger and said "There's an accident waiting to happen".

What are you saying? That this particular group of 4 were 'asking for it'? This was after Paeroa...how many bikers would have been heading home?

**Katman** · 9th November 2010, 14:51

Originally Posted by MSTRS

What are you saying? That this particular group of 4 were 'asking for it'? This was after Paeroa...how many bikers would have been heading home?

John, I'm sure of my facts.

I'm not saying that there was not going to be an accident that night (given the amount of oil on the road) but there is every chance that the outcome may have been considerably less severe had the group been riding in a more restrained manner.

**Edbear** · 9th November 2010, 14:52

Originally Posted by shrub

Defensive driving/riding is about recognising that motorcyclists aren't the only ones that do stupid shit. You may find it really hard to believe, but a lot of car drivers are incompetent idiots.

Oh I'm sure he recognises that, it's just that if one of these incompetents takes out a biker, it's the biker's fault...

**baptist** · 9th November 2010, 14:54

Originally Posted by shrub

Did you not think to have a man walking in front of you with a red flag? Entirely your fault.

Sorry Edbear but your crash was all your fault, appart from the guy with the red flag (I think we should bring him back by law for all motorised vehicles, after all the way I ride he would not slow me down

) did you not think to install automatic sensors that deposit sand onto tthe road infront of your van tyres as soon as oil is detected... i am sure they are an optional extra!!!!!

**shrub** · 9th November 2010, 14:55

Originally Posted by Edbear

Oh I'm sure he recognises that, it's just that if one of these incompetents takes out a biker, it's the biker's fault...

Well said! I remember when we looked out for each other and the biker was right until proven otherwise, now it seems it's the other way round. Bloody political correctness...

**mashman** · 9th November 2010, 14:56

Originally Posted by shrub

Defensive driving/riding is about recognising that motorcyclists aren't the only ones that do stupid shit. You may find it really hard to believe, but a lot of car drivers are incompetent idiots.

According to here i'd be looking at cars containing the idiots, more so than motorcyclists.

During the 2009 calendar year there were:

* 337 fatal road crashes
* 10,788 injury crashes
* 384 casualty deaths
* 14,541 casualty injuries

(following figures from page 21)

TYPE OF ROAD USER INJURED YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2009:

Cars/passengers - 11287

As a percentage of total injuries (14,541). Car/passengers make up %77.62 of the total injuries... Oh yeah, and the costs too

**MSTRS:Me** · 9th November 2010, 14:57

Originally Posted by Katman

John, I'm sure of my facts.

I'm not saying that there was not going to be an accident that night (given the amount of oil on the road) but there is every chance that the outcome may have been considerably less severe had the group been riding in a more restrained manner.

We came on the accident scene about 10 minutes after it happened. We were also returning from Paeroa. We were in the car, and we were on cruise control at 108kph. NO - repeat NO - bikes passed us along the plains. So you'd best be revisiting your 'facts'

**shrub** · 9th November 2010, 14:59

Originally Posted by mashman

* 10,788 injury crashes

All caused by motorcyclists i'll bet!

**Edbear** · 9th November 2010, 15:00

Originally Posted by baptist

Sorry Edbear but your crash was all your fault, appart from the guy with the red flag (I think we should bring him back by law for all motorised vehicles, after all the way I ride he would not slow me down

) did you not think to install automatic sensors that deposit sand onto tthe road infront of your van tyres as soon as oil is detected... i am sure they are an optional extra!!!!!

Hey of course! How stoopid of me. Now why didn't Scott have automatic Stebels that blasted at drivers who suddenly pull across in front of him and a front "nerf bar" to absorb the impact and trainer wheels to keep the bike upright? Then he should have been riding the latest GoldWing with the airbag as well... How wrong can a rider be..?

**yungatart** · 9th November 2010, 15:07

Originally Posted by Katman

John, I'm sure of my facts.

I'm not saying that there was not going to be an accident that night (given the amount of oil on the road) but there is every chance that the outcome may have been considerably less severe had the group been riding in a more restrained manner.

I happen to know of at least one other group of four on the road that night.....

**Phreak** · 9th November 2010, 15:28

FWIW, I'm seriously considering upgrading my little 'beep beep' horn to an almighty 'BROAR! BROAR!' industrial sized feckin truck horn when I put the bike back together... You reckon that would have alerted the car driver that I was there...?

**Katman** · 9th November 2010, 15:33

Originally Posted by Phreak

FWIW, I'm seriously considering upgrading my little 'beep beep' horn to an almighty 'BROAR! BROAR!' industrial sized feckin truck horn when I put the bike back together... You reckon that would have alerted the car driver that I was there...?

If you forgot to use your brakes it's unlikely you'd remember to use you horn.

**Edbear** · 9th November 2010, 15:35

Originally Posted by Phreak

FWIW, I'm seriously considering upgrading my little 'beep beep' horn to an almighty 'BROAR! BROAR!' industrial sized feckin truck horn when I put the bike back together... You reckon that would have alerted the car driver that I was there...?

It's worth a shot, mate! I've found the standard horn on mine adequate so far and I've been more inclined to use it lately as well. I think a big cruiser with the extra lights helps to be seen, too...

**scumdog** · 9th November 2010, 15:37

Originally Posted by Katman

If you forgot to use your brakes it's unlikely you'd remember to use you horn.

What he said.

IF the car had just pulled out when you were close causing you to brake fairly firmly you might also have had time to 'tootle your horn with vigour'.

Given the incident was a 'right-now' fiasco I too doubt you would have had the time/presence of mind to both brake severely, veer to one side AND use the horn.

However there might be other times later on where it COULD be handy.