KB = Mourning

[Maha]

Our respective and respected wives wont let us do that anymore. We're too annoying. Apparently. We seem to have a good time, just no one else does. Apparently.

Drummers aye?.....Boom Tish!

[nonferrous]

Yes, OK.

I don't smell of stale piss because I wet my pants.

It's because I've been pissing this message into the void for years, only to have the massed KB exhalation of , "Fuck Off Grandad", blow it back in my face.

cheers but don't really get it - what is the message ?

[James Deuce]

I know.

There's nothing anyone, including Quasi, can do to fix that either.

[Katman]

Yes, OK.

I don't smell of stale piss because I wet my pants.

It's because I've been pissing this message into the void for years, only to have the massed KB exhalation of , "Fuck Off Grandad", blow it back in my face.

Step up to the plate Jim. Your time has come.

[Ixion]

cheers but don't really get it - what is the message ?

Precisely so. You don't. Don't worry , you've plenty of company.We try, but round here the messengers get shot. A few figure it out, enough to keep the faith alive.

[Mike748]

Some good comments out of all this I think.
Alot of comments saying thats what we do, its a numbers game, it better to die on a bike than from depression etc etc etc, and yes maybe valid but many also selfish, just a quick point though, and that is to be the dead one is the easy bit, youre dead........gone and final, the pain and suffering is amongst the families and friends who you care for, so just to throw this into the fold, Those of us that do ride on the edge abit from time to time or choose to take risks are essentially being extremely selfish.
For Example, during the day when Loosebruce took out Dss3 he was basically being selfish dick and was not really thinking of anyone else apart from his gaining that sqilly second BUZZ (and another and another), Infact he usually rode in this way.
So the Point is, ride for your families and freinds sake as well, it not just your life you have on the line, its the lives of many.

Good posts,
I also agree with the numbers game.
Being responsible for up to 75 staff at a time I have seen deaths, major surgery and cancer sweep through like a cold or flue with everyone looking for explanations, this made me stop and think, how? why? can I prevent it happening to me?

For me each time I read a biker down thread it keeps the risk real and closer to home, before KB I was isolated and would only ever catch the occasional accident report on the news, this made it less real, less risky.
Now I consider myself more aware of the risks and therefore before heading out for some fun I think of MsKABC, our 7wk old boy and what if?

Also it will forever remain true that "you cannot put an old head on young shoulders" and some will never grow up.

[MadDuck]

Precisely so. You don't. Don't worry , you've plenty of company.We try, but round here the messengers get shot. A few figure it out, enough to keep the faith alive.

Move away from the dictionary.....

[Reckless]

Like any other addiction we make excuses for our motorcycling habit, the recent Pukekohe double tragedy was a great example. two people die at the event and the event rolled on like nowt has happened???...cries of "that's what the victims would have wanted"..."HTFU"....."that's racing"...and "riders have put a lot of time and money to be here this weekend" , only reinforce how twisted the motorcycle mind can become. Life has become so cheap to us that we make any excuse to continue on with our deadly pursuit.

Just like junkies!

I have read this attitude in two threads now, I'm pretty sure the other was the RIP thread for those poor guys. I let it pass then out of respect for the thread but cannot now as I disagree very strongly! Ask any racer pre race, if he would want the meeting canned because of an accident he was involved in or even killed in and I'm pretty damn sure 99.999% would say no, let it go on. From what I witnessed in the Pits at Puke when I was pitting for my mate in Post classics there was no HTFU expressed at all by anyone, in any class, period. And it is pretty insulting to imply that racers have that little feeling for their mates. The Postie racers voluntarily withdrew their class so the meeting could go on, on time. My guy was from Wellington and did it with no complaint. It has nothing what so ever to do with money, but alot to do with the understanding of the sport. I could go on about a fallen riders understanding the effort that his mates put in and understanding the many passionate hours spent in the garage before a meeting, also not wanting to disappoint the public in showing there support by turning up and many other points in favour of carrying on from the fallen riders perspective. But I won't as I'm sure you all get my drift from the above. I have never ever met anyone that would want the whole show stopped because of any event they where involved in "period". And everyone in the pits at Puke was simply gutted!! Believe me when I say there lives where not "so cheap" (as you put it).

RIP the fallen

My 2c.

[fireball]

this is a good thread Quasi

when it comes down to it we can only control so much as to what happens to us out there, we have a say in our own safety you know the risks and you buy gear to minimise the risk as much as you can, but sometimes things just cant be controlled and accidents happen you get hurt or killed
its life. but if you live your life to its fullest and remember to tell the ones you love how you feel, when it is your time to go friends and family can remember you for your zest for life and passion.

I dont drive cars at all, i only hold a class 6 and thats the way it will always be i dont feel safe in cars infact they scare me more than the prospect of being killed on my bike. i have accepted the risks of my decision and everyday when i get on a bike i know that if its my last ride then so be it, everything happens for a reason.

[onearmedbandit]

Re the message thing.

Young people and guns
Young people and cars
Young people and drinking
Young people and extreme sports
Young people and just about anything you care to name.

Now you could substitute 'Young people' for say 'idiots' as to not only discriminate against the young. But young people will push the boundaries in whatever they do, they will not listen to those who have been there before, they will not listen to those who say they know better. Why do young people go to war, despite granddad telling them atrocious stories of death and pain? Because they are young. Nothing will change it, it's in mankind's makeup. In fact it's there for a reason, this lack of consequential thought process, so that we will push boundaries, to develop new and improved techniques. Just mankind was never intended to ride 160hp motorcycles, drive 300hp cars, or be in possession of a gun (ever looked on youtube at videos of young people with guns or explosives).

Now most of these young folk get through ok, either completely scar free or with a few battle wounds to show their grandkids. And some don't. Most of those that survive adolescence go on to understand just how lucky we were, wise up a lot, stop taking such stupid risks, and lead long enjoyable lives. And then there are those that don't, and they make up the 'idiot' category.

Now unless you can change what happens in the adolescents brain, you will never get them to listen, you will never get them to understand. You're best to just take away all their dangerous toys.

And give them to me. I'm all grown up now and only lost an arm!

[Mekk]

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.

I imagine that ties in with the whole power of anonymity thing. I wonder how many would encourage dangerous riding in person?

[terbang]

don't forget "Korowetere"

runciman rd

Yeah I ride up Runciman a lot, always have a thought for that guy. That website his family did was so sad.. Got me thinking a lot more.

[terbang]

I've been around bikes and planes for a while now. I've actually been to more funerals of aviators than bikers. Especially the helicopter people. As Crasherfrom wayback says, they can be cruel and also unforgiving of slip ups in judgement. Don't want to downplay the lives lost and certainly would prefer it if we could all take a zero tolerance attitude toward motorcycle fatalities. However, like the aviators, we as motorcyclists should learn from the mistakes of others. Not in a disrespectful way, but with the intention of educating those that continue riding. If I were killed in a an accident I would prefer if people publicly discussed the accident, including any shortfalls that I may have made and learn something from it. It may save someone elses skin and if so, then my demise wouldn't have entirely been in vain.

[Kendog]

we as motorcyclists should learn from the mistakes of others. Not in a disrespectful way, but with the intention of educating those that continue riding.

Totally agree with this, but seems to be lacking round here.

[SixPackBack]

I have read this attitude in two threads now, I'm pretty sure the other was the RIP thread for those poor guys. I let it pass then out of respect for the thread but cannot now as I disagree very strongly! Ask any racer pre race, if he would want the meeting canned because of an accident he was involved in or even killed in and I'm pretty damn sure 99.999% would say no, let it go on.

With all due respect Reckless I think you missed the point, the racers will always go back out, after all they are the "racing junkie". But what about support staff at the event, the wives and children of the fallen, the crowd gathered to watch. And what about respect, common decency. All fall by the wayside so the racers can get their next fix

From what I witnessed in the Pits at Puke when I was pitting for my mate in Post classics there was no HTFU expressed at all by anyone, in any class, period. And it is pretty insulting to imply that racers have that little feeling for their mates.

I would never suggest that Reckless. What I suggest is the over riding want to get out on the track again over rides the collective judgement.

The Postie racers voluntarily withdrew their class so the meeting could go on, on time. My guy was from Wellington and did it with no complaint. It has nothing what so ever to do with money, but alot to do with the understanding of the sport. I could go on about a fallen riders understanding the effort that his mates put in and understanding the many passionate hours spent in the garage before a meeting, also not wanting to disappoint the public in showing there support by turning up and many other points in favour of carrying on from the fallen riders perspective.

Erroneous points of discussion compared to the bigger picture. And please don't assume that's what the riders wanted as we shall never know.


But I won't as I'm sure you all get my drift from the above. I have never ever met anyone that would want the whole show stopped because of any event they where involved in "period". And everyone in the pits at Puke was simply gutted!! Believe me when I say there lives where not "so cheap" (as you put it).

RIP the fallen

My 2c.

I respect your post and point of view Reckless, but much like yourself strongly disagree. Life it seems is now so cheap a major tragedy can occur and racing is not stopped and the general public not informed. In my mind that represents appalling bad taste.