Boxerworks.com

Back in the Hurt Report days, the large majority of motorcycle accidents were car vs. bike, and the car was almost always at fault.

My reading of the Hurt report also tells me that, in spite of the car being at fault,
a majority of these accidents still could have been avoided – if the mc rider was capable of basic riding skills.
I remember Hurt profiling two common scenarios:
1. Auto / motorcycle collision at an intersection.
Oncoming auto turning left as the MC rider approaches the intersection.
Auto turning left into the path of the MC,
and the MC rider turning right into the path of the auto.
Conclusion - No practiced knowledge of counter-steering.
2. Auto / motorcycle collisions where the MC rider never applied the brakes
Conclusions - MC rider has no practiced ability to stop an MC.

Both scenarios speak to the possibility of avoidance and the lack of rider ability.
Hurt also makes an issue of motorcycle "inVisibility",
clearly a reference to the culpability of both involved.

Conversely, I have visited in hospitals and been to the funerals of expert riders
who were taken out as a result of the ignorance cagers.
Some scenarios will leave even the skilled MC rider with NO recourse.
Matt would suggest:

forget about the cagers, My moto is "Catch me if you can"

This seems to be a rather "arrogance of youth" approach that presumes invincibility
and (I will guarantee) sometimes does not play out as planned.

EVERY driver or rider licensed to be on the road MUST BE COMPETENT & QUALIFIED
There's no getting around that fact – Our roads are too congested to believe otherwise.
Motorized vehicles will always have the very real potential of being deadly weapons.

... and I don't want a motorcycle with air-bags to compensate for the stupidity of others.

vanzen@rockerboxer.com wrote:

EVERY driver or rider licensed to be on the road MUST BE COMPETENT & QUALIFIED
There's no getting around that fact –

That's like saying: Every elected official must be honest.

Dreamer....you know you are a dreamer.

I say: believe you are always invisible, and ride fast to keep away from the unwashed.

Matt wrote: My moto is "catch me if you can".

Zombie Master wrote:... ride fast to keep away from the unwashed.

Both are fantasies. You can't go fast enough to make sure everyone is behind you, but it's very easy to go fast enough that those in front of you will never realize they don't have room to pull out in front of you.

Zombie Master wrote:
Dreamer....you know you are a dreamer.

I say: believe you are always invisible, and ride fast to keep away from the unwashed.

I am a dreamer ! So what ?
The "Invisibility Theory" will be my chosen strategy, and I enjoy the hell out of riding fast, too.
Be that as it may,
licensing requirements to drive an automobile in the U.S. are nothing more than a sad joke !

ZM said, "licensing requirements to drive an automobile in the U.S. are nothing more than a sad joke !"

That tells me that you haven't traveled very much. Foreigners who drive here just about all have the same story to tell. our roads are among the best, our signs are THE best, it is easy to find ones way and people are very willing to help with directions. Generally, our drivers are considerate too. I can't recall being in any country where it is easier.

Go drive in Italy, or Russia and then tell me about the drivers in the US. Those "northerners" do OK too.

However, that said, I would love to see the licensing requirements tightened up too.

Duane Ausherman wrote:ZM said, "licensing requirements to drive an automobile in the U.S. are nothing more than a sad joke !"

That tells me that you haven't traveled very much. Foreigners who drive here just about all have the same story to tell. our roads are among the best, our signs are THE best, it is easy to find ones way and people are very willing to help with directions. Generally, our drivers are considerate too. I can't recall being in any country where it is easier.

Go drive in Italy, or Russia and then tell me about the drivers in the US. Those "northerners" do OK too.

However, that said, I would love to see the licensing requirements tightened up too.

ZM's statement tells me that he would like to see an improvement. That's what I'd like to see as well. Just because driving in other countries is bad that doesn't make it any less tolerable to me.

Chuey

I think there are just too many people. With cars, that is.

Major Softie wrote:

Matt wrote: My moto is "catch me if you can".

Zombie Master wrote:... ride fast to keep away from the unwashed.

Both are fantasies. You can't go fast enough to make sure everyone is behind you, but it's very easy to go fast enough that those in front of you will never realize they don't have room to pull out in front of you.

Are you saying you can't leave traffic behind? Of course you can. You can also slow down to increase space cushion. Both methods work one is way more fun. For me, the importance of staying focused requires a rider with an aggressive nature. Riding slow, watching the scenery, is mind numbing and IMO dangerous riding.

justoneoftheguys wrote:I think there are just too many people. With cars, that is.

You are correct sir!

[quote="Duane Ausherman"]ZM said, "licensing requirements to drive an automobile in the U.S. are nothing more than a sad joke !"


That tells me that you haven't traveled very much.

No Duane that wasn't me, instead you have insulted Vanzen.

Do try and pay attention.