Watched an in-experience rider go down

[mobandy78]

So, I had finished my bicycle ride with a couple of friends yesterday
evening. It was almost 8:00 and I was going north on the highway. I was following a semi which in turn was following 2 motorcycles. One looked like a Honda 250 (or something similar) and the other was a Yamaha R1, both bikes were new (still had the dealer tags on them). As we approached a right hand turn, I noticed the smaller bike started drifting toward the concrete wall/median. I didn't think anything of it as we were going along. Everybody will drift through a turn at some point. Well, they went out of my view as I was behind the semi.

The next thing I know, the semi is locking up his brakes, swerves to the
right almost taking the exit ramp to get out of the way. I see the
motorcycle sliding to a stop in the middle of the highway and lock up my
brakes to avoid running over the it. I didn't see the rider anywhere
around the bike, so at first I was puzzled, then afraid that the truck
had hit her. Once we were stopped (I pulled my car across both lanes to
block traffic), I jumped out and the other lady riding the R1 was
running across to the median. Apparently, the lady on the 250 had
drifted through the turn and hit the concrete barrier, which threw her
over the wall and into the grassy median. I was instantly on the phone
calling 911 and checking the rider. Luckily, she was not hurt all that
bad (for a motorcycle accident). She had some severe road rash to her
left leg and an open wound on her knee, which I guess took the blunt of
the blow and lost a lot of skin. EMSA was there almost immediately and
had her taken care of.

So, after all of that, there were two major things I saw wrong with this
whole event.

1) This lady was a new, in-experienced rider on a major highway with a
LOT of traffic, and at speeds that were way over her ability. Talking
to the truck driver, she had stalled the bike twice before as they were
yielding to an ambulance earlier (he had been following them for a
couple of miles).
2) Both women were wearing no protective gear what-so-ever. Both were
wearing tennis shoes, shorts, and t-shirts. No helmets, no gloves...
nothing to protect them at all. Maybe that event will change her mind if
she decides to ride again. But, you never know.

I was unfortunate to lay a motorcycle over a few years ago. But I had
all the protection on... armored jacket, helmet, gloves, boots, jeans.
The jeans are the only thing that did not hold up and I had some road
rash, but not near what this lady had received. I will never ride a
motorcycle again without jeans, boots, and helmet. I have yet to
purchase another jacket, but I do want one for myself and my fiance.

I hope this will be somewhat of a lesson to all that read and a warning
to be safe and aware while riding. I look forward to riding with you all
soon.

Matt

[coacha]

WOW! She is lucky to say the least. I'm not going to get on a soap box about protective gear, but I'm thinking that shorts, t-shirts and tennis shoes are a bit much.

[bobhamlin]

Thanks for taking the time to post this. At times, I begin feeling immortal and good descriptions of real situations brings me back to earth.

For example, on Memorial Day I met with a guy who has been riding bikes since diapers. He was hobbling.

He had come to a stop, his foot slipped on gravel and down he went with the bike twisting his ankle in the process. For a couple days now, I've been more conscious of where I'm putting my feet.

[Cajunrider]

Sounds like a case of "target fixation". She didn't want to hit the barrier but starred at it long enough to drift into it. She's very blessed to be alive.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by CoachA

WOW! She is lucky to say the least. I'm not going to get on a soap box about protective gear, but I'm thinking that shorts, t-shirts and tennis shoes are a bit much.

I see it all the time here in AZ, and I'm sure you do in Florida, Ron. A lot of retired folks on Goldwings wearing shorts and tennis shoes or worse - flip flops! I guess the constant sun must bake the common sense out of folks? These aren't young punks, they are people you think would know better.

[chainsaw]

Seeing flip flops on a motorcycle rider really t's me off. Stupid people. I've seen them barefoot also. That really sez stupid.

[ballast]

Thanks for the story. I pick up my bike from the shop tomorrow. The weather will be crappy and I have not ridden since last fall. A last minute reminder to take it easy and pay attention is probably a good thing.

Rock The Gear!!
http://www.rockthegear.org

[1badbagger]

That's too bad for her. You should always wear protective gear, but especially if your new.

Sounds like the age old saying "Look where you go. Go where you look".

Hopefully she gets back on and take an advanced rider course. So many people getting on bikes now should do it, yet so many just take a basic class and figure they'll get the experience as they go. I started when I was young on a dirt bike and got all my stupid out of me.

[ringadingh]

Some people are not meant to be on bikes. They are not coordinated enough to be able to act when things go out of the ordinary.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Speaking of sandals or flip flops, I saw a couple pull into the K-Mart parking lot where I work on a big ole Goldwing and guess what? They were both wearing sandals. I wanted to talk to them but I was in the garden section and they didn't come out to it. So didn't get to talk to them.

[Top Cat]

ATGATT!
I know it is hot some days but a mesh armor jacket and a 3/4 helmet are .......................oh hell, you guys wear what you want, it's your decision.