KB = Mourning

[Quasievil]

Im interested in the thoughts of my fellow Bikers about this subject.
Ive been a biker for, hell ,EVER being an old bugger I have been around for a while and it seems to me that the last few years have been quite tragic there have been many close friends and fellow bikers being seriously hurt and or killed.
When I first joined KB about 5 years ago it seems to me (bad memory syndrome) that we never really had as much serious carnage certainly not like what we do now,and these days its on a reasonable regular basis.
For me In the last ,.....say 2 years I have lost a fair number of mates from motorbike crashes, why and hows arent what this thread is about,
this thread is saying the more you get into the Motorcycling world via racing forums etc the more mates you will loose as a result of crashes, it seems obvious to me know that this is the price I pay for knowing so many bikers, the trouble is Im not sure how comfortable I am paying this price anymore.
I can name these guys whom I have known that have been hurt or who have died recently
Not in Order

Flyin (died)
OldFart (died)
Loosebruce (died)
Shaun Harris (seriously injured)
DSS3 (Died)
Stonechucker (seriusly injured)
MotoBob (seriously injured)
UncleB (died)
Derek hill (died)
inlinefour (seriously injured)
Oarbreaker (died)
Skelstar (seriously injured)
Razya (died)

(anyone not there I forgot, or didnt actually know them)

8 Dead
5 badly Injured

Thats just guys I know, some very closely and some as online mates. But all I have met.

So whats this all about, well its a wake up call, its a hey guys be careful............NO NO seriously........ Be careful !!
This is getting mental and deeply worrying, for me at least, I mean who of you is next ? based on the above it will only be a few weeks before one of you dies, horrible thing to say isnt it? but im afraid its reality.

In light of the last few days with the recent deaths at Pukekohe I guess its made the heart feel even heavier and has got me thinking whats around the corner for me, who is it next, is it me? when do I get another phone call or read a post about another incident, kinda depressing aint it?

thats about it, little Quasi bleet over

in a Somber mood, but not depressed (for the record)

[Maha]

Nice try Quasi...i really mean that!
Gets said after every incident/accident...''be careful out ther guys''
Nobody listens, its human nature to and a moral right to do what every the hell you like. Thats the way it goes mate. Nothing you or I can do to stop accidents, they happen, we dont mean for them to happen, thats why they are called accident. I will carry on riding the way see fit, just because someone get taken out wont change that, and im sure most other bikers feel the same...
Some will jump on the bandstand and agree with what you are saying (i do) but all i will say is...''good on ya mate''.

[Katman]

I actually believe sites like this have something to do with it. Back when I started riding motorcycles like an idiot I had plenty of people telling me I was an idiot and not many saying "You're the man". Via the internet it's not terribly difficult to get enough supporters behind you that you begin to not hear the ones calling you an idiot. These days it's possible to even organise large group rides made up entirely of idiots.

[MSTRS:Me]

Known a few myself over the years. But with the fairly close-knit community we have here, it just seems more tragic and somehow more frequent.
Another KBer was a young fellow calling himself KoroWetere. Had only been riding a few weeks.
Here is the page of the 'fallen' http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/pi...rip&order=desc

[gijoe1313]

..........

[ManDownUnder]

+1......... bang on the money dude. Bang on the money

The only thing I can do is look after me and mine and stay off that sad role call, hence the ocassional out of character wee shouting stampy I have... then back to normal me.

[Jimmy B]

Nobody listens.

I listen.

Thanks Quasi

[Mikkel]

I actually believe sites like this have something to do with it. Back when I started riding motorcycles like an idiot I had plenty of people telling me I was an idiot and not many saying "You're the man". Via the internet it's not terribly difficult to get enough supporters behind you that you begin to not hear the ones calling you an idiot. These days it's possible to even organise large group rides made up entirely of idiots.

Good point there I guess.

It seems that the ones that call you an idiot over the internet are usually the ones that have never met you in person - or had closer dealings with online. I don't know how others feel about that, but I generally take that kind of criticism with a grain of salt...

[avgas]

After reading that list it has left a very bitter taste in my mouth.
Sad fact of the matter guys is that
The world is out to kill you!
The quicker we realize it the less dead we become.
Those that dont think this - must be living in some kind of Utopia i haven't heard of yet.
Ride safe, Ride smart - know your limitations and Always! think of the love ones you would leave behind if anything happened.
IF and WHEN are 2 things that should be on the thoughts of everyone, everyday.

[Bass]

Nobody listens???

Jimmy B listens!

Me too

Again, thanks Quasi

[Firefight]

don't forget "Korowetere"

runciman rd

[MSTRS:Me]

don't forget "Korowetere"

runciman rd

I didn't forget him.
It is something I do occasionally...just reflect on the people who make up that list. Helps to keep me grounded in reality.

[Kittyhawk]

It is a worry when you see a headline "biker down" or hear on the news "bikers killed in..." Heart always jumps into throat and first thought is "who is it do I know them are they ok?"

The longer friendships last weather it be online or in person, when a biker is lost it hurts. As a community we all share the sadness and pain alot higher than non bikers.

A biking lifestyle has a closer interaction among ourselves in society. If we see a biker down we help weather we know them or not in most cases. If we loose a rider we all feel the pain on some level. If someone died of cancer for example, others are sympathetic, but that feeling isnt the same as what it is among bikers.

Sitting at a cafe alone with ya bike parked out front someone will come along and start a coversation bout back in their day when they had a bike etc...Since I signed up to KB I have lost 4 friends to being killed on bikes, and it always makes me wonder too...who will be next?

No one knows. But because bikes are contantly improving performance wise, we all start from the bottom and work our way up by riding. This raises a question should the licence procedures be adjusted to that according to the higher quality performance improvements of bikes?

When I compared my 97 ZX6R to my K3 Gsxr 600 massive difference. I am lucky to have had alot of riding experience on older heavier bikes..but the newer and lighter they are the faster they will go..

Could this be why there are more deaths as of recent?

[Katman]

I actually believe sites like this have something to do with it. Back when I started riding motorcycles like an idiot I had plenty of people telling me I was an idiot and not many saying "You're the man". Via the internet it's not terribly difficult to get enough supporters behind you that you begin to not hear the ones calling you an idiot. These days it's possible to even organise large group rides made up entirely of idiots.

And that's why, a while ago, I tried suggesting that this site takes a far more active role in condemning irresponsible behaviour on motorcycles. (And I believe there has been a noticeable improvement in that respect of late).

[Mikkel]

The world is out to kill you!

Well, life ends eventually. That's about the only fact there is to it...
And if the world hadn't been out to kill us, then we wouldn't have evolved in the first place.

Nobody listens???

Jimmy B listens!

Me too

Again, thanks Quasi

I listen as well. But I know that sometimes when I twist my right wrist I suffer a temporary amnesia.