Biker fatality on SH16

[Ixion]

So, the VFR was coming round an up hill right hander ? (Cos Mr Giradin said that his mates were going round a downhill left).

That would make it unlikely that the VFR either hit a parked car , or braked. Braking in a downhil I could see , unwise but it happens. In an uphill? Less likely.

What is more likely , in a right hander is that either the VFR or the car went over the centre line at the apex? That might cause the VFR to either clip the car, and/or brake, seeing it on his line.

In passing, it is I think a great pity that the police do not release details of their crash investigations. I don't mean the gory stuff, or the political "itz all cos of SPEED" crap, but just an objective assessment of how it all came to turn to custard.Identification information could be removed, just "a vehicle was travelling " etc. Then other riders could take heed of this, and perhaps avoid coming to grief when confronted by a similar situation. I do not know however if the crash investigation units really investigate crashes or just figure out who to give tickets to.

[scumdog]

So, the VFR was coming round an up hill right hander ? (Cos Mr Giradin said that his mates were going round a downhill left).

That would make it unlikely that the VFR either hit a parked car , or braked. Braking in a downhil I could see , unwise but it happens. In an uphill? Less likely.

Hmm, MY understanding was, quote:"the VFR entered a sweeping downhill left hander" - I presume the VFR was heading downhill?????

[Finn]

VFR was coming downhill, Tritons going up hill. There was a dent and scratch marks down one of the cars and as Lou said, I doubt it was parked.

[denill]

My sincere sympathies are with everyone involved. It is always gut-wrenching to hear of a motorcyclist(s) involved in events such as these.

It may be, or may not be relevant to this incident - but nonetheless it may be timely to reflect on the STUPID practice that riders have of riding TOO close to each other.

Here in HB I understand that four lost legs in an incident where one rider's wife/pillion was tragically killed.!!!!

It has to stop!!! Have you read KiwiRider's Nash who wrote so strongly and IMHO quite rightly on (non) group (close) riding practise. Riding in a group is OK. Just not up each other's arse!!
Personally - if I can see the rider in front, that is OK by me.

Does anyone disagree with that??
OK, it may appear in this case that one was travelling in the opposite direction - but there is no doubt that there is a problem out there.

[Grahameeboy]

Yeah it's those bloody auckland yuppies with overpowered litre bikes that can't handle the power and over shoot corners. They're the problem. Not us hard core bikers eh Lou.

You mean Hard "Bore" don't ya...........guess having a Porsche means, by your definition that you are an "Uppie".......bite me!!

[Ixion]

Hmm, MY understanding was, quote:"the VFR entered a sweeping downhill left hander" - I presume the VFR was heading downhill?????

Sorry, I misread Mr Giradin. So maybe the VFR ran wide, tried to brake, but still clipped the car.

[Ixion]

You cant release too much, if it comes to a jury trial it could be seen as imflammatory = a pain in the arse for the police.

Basically the courts are paranoid about giving the jury a bias before the case has started which is fair enough. (for example if the car was at fault, the police released a version of events indicating that and a potential member of the jury read it).

I see your point though.

I can understand them not wanting to release information while a matter is still current. And it might be insensitive to do so while the matter is still fresh and painful to families etc.

But, for educational purposes, it does not have to be current. Six months after the event, even a year, would usually be just as useful.

Not just fatal crashes , of course, though I'm not sure if the police investigate non fatals? Non fatals are better for education since you can get input from the rider/driver.

EDIT: And of course, identifying information can be removed, though in some cases I guess people might still figure it out from the circumstances.

[Grahameeboy]

Sorry, I misread Mr Giradin. So maybe the VFR ran wide, tried to brake, but still clipped the car.

I guess it really does not matter what happened........guy is dead.....

[Squeak the Rat]

Finn / Lou or any one else,

A mate was out riding a vfr yesterday and he's not answering calls/emails......

Can you PM me if you have any more specific details on the vfr, eg is it late model, colour, pack rack or any other obvious mods?

Thanks
STR

[EDIT:] Panic over, thanks to all who PM'd me. Friend is alive and well. RIP to unknown rider.

[ManDownUnder]

Guys I ain't read the thread, but I'm checking in - it weren't me.
MDU

[Ixion]

Well, it does not matter to him. But it may to others, if they can identify the mistakes made by those involved, and themselves avoid making htem.

When a plane crashes, there is an Air Accident Investigation. Which is not to see who can be charged with something, but to objectively work out what went wrong, with a view to inproving things so as to prevent future crashes. That seems a very sensible approach to me, and I dont understand why it is not followed for road crashes.

[aff-man]

RIP to the rider kiiled and a swift recovery to the others

[SwanTiger]

While heading north on SH16 to catch up with the Northern Ride I passed a Black Triump, followed by a group of other motorcycles who were 20 - 30 seconds behind.

The reason I remember it so specifically is because he was riding the center line on a right hand corner heading south (left hand corner for me).

I was riding the right wheel track until the vanishing point when he came around the corner at speed. If it was a car then there was definitely potential for a collision.

So if it was this fellow who died I am not surprised judging by that "encounter".

Still, it is never nice to hear of someone in a fatal accident.

[Lou Girardin]

So, the VFR was coming round an up hill right hander ? (Cos Mr Giradin said that his mates were going round a downhill left).

No. the VFR was heading down, Tritons going up. He could have tried to pass before the corner and misjudged his closing speed.

[Grahameeboy]

Well, it does not matter to him. But it may to others, if they can identify the mistakes made by those involved, and themselves avoid making htem.

When a plane crashes, there is an Air Accident Investigation. Which is not to see who can be charged with something, but to objectively work out what went wrong, with a view to inproving things so as to prevent future crashes. That seems a very sensible approach to me, and I dont understand why it is not followed for road crashes.

I guess planes are different as a) more people affected b) potential lawsuits etc..........with a single motorcycle accident it is fair to say that it was rider error.....this remains constant whether an investigation reveals speed, brakes etc as a factor.

Not really sure in this case that finding out what happened will achieve other than knowing what happened which is self evident....we all know the risks but we are human and we are not perfect.

Sounds heartless and that is not me.....just reality.

If another vehicle was involved then investigation is necessary.