Saying goodbye to a friend.....

[Commander Wallace]

I really appreciate the condolences gentlemen. Please know they truly mean a lot.

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I'm sorry for your loss.


Another thing to consider when riding is to always wear full protective gear. It can make all the difference between life and death, or at the very least between an "oh crap, I scratched up my bike" and a "oh crap, I've got road rash all over me and scratched up my bike" moment.

Originally Posted by HunterICX

Sorry for your loss, it's always a hard wake up call that reminds us how fragile we are on motorcycles.


spare no expense on the helmet to add to Schroeder's advice, it can mean all the difference in staying alive and that you're still 'you' and not a vegetable plant on a breathing apparatus after a accident.

When I posted this thread, I was looking for a “ Silver Lining “ if there was one to be found, in this sad event. Both of you have provided that with regards to your excellent advice on motorcycle helmets. When I mentioned Subsim motorcycle riders in this thread, I was thinking specifically about Hunter ICX, Schroeder and Neal. I know that all of you ride motorcycles as well. I'm not certain on the helmet our friend was using but I know for sure he was wearing a helmet.


All helmets are not made the same. I personally use DOT and Snell rated full face helmets. There has been some controversy regarding manipulation of the Snell rating system and they may not be as good as previous thought. The ECE 22.05 (Economic Commission for Europe ) Helmet Standard employs a more rigorous testing standard and those helmets with that certification are among the best available helmets. They are made utilizing fiber glass and carbon fiber composites for the shell. Most helmets like mine also have an advanced venting systems to flow air through the interior and exhaust air out the back of the helmets, thus reducing fatigue.


Schroeder and Hunter had mentioned equipment and that extends into having a good pair of boots that cover and protect the ankles and a jacket with protection in the shoulders and elbows. Further, if anyone is contemplating buying and riding a motorcycle, and on a budget, factor the cost of protective equipment like helmets and such into the final cost. As Schroeder and Hunter already said, they could save your life and a lot of heart ache.


Another thing I would add would be the motorcycle safety course. In a number of states in the U.S, they are mandatory for anyone seeking a motorcycle license and under the age of 18. In my case, I was riding motorcycles since I was between 7-8. One might think I would learn little in such a course. That's not the case as I learned volumes and employ most if not everything I learned in these courses.


It's a fact that as people age, their reflexes slow down a bit relative to their younger motorcycling counterparts. The safety courses not only teach one how to maneuver their respective motorcycle in emergency situations but actually how to look ahead and anticipate the emerging situations which may pose a danger. Once the material of the course are incorporated into your driving, they become second nature and make you a better and more complete driver. The main things these courses do is to help you develop that “ vision “ that not only helps you identify exit routes in an emergency situations but also to help the motorcycle rider entirely avoid the emerging danger completely. Through these courses, older riders can effectively compensate for slower reflex time, if they truly exist and safely ride within their own their own abilities and envelope. I ride cruisers and stay within the speed limits and limits of the road surface. In this way, I can enjoy the outdoors while staying within the limits of the road conditions and my motorcycle.


You can't control other drivers and or wildlife crossing paths with you while you ride. What you can do through these courses is learn the skills to effectively control your own responses and compensate for the dangers of the road which in turn help to mitigate the dangers of riding to an acceptable level of risk. These courses are available for a nominal fee through the department of transportation in your respective state and in some states, may be free of charge. They are also available through other outlets. Make sure they are certified courses taught be certified instructors. As a bonus, if you successfully complete the state certified course, you may be eligible for a reduction in insurance premiums between 5% to 25 %. That's quite an incentive.


One thing I have told our students. “ Don't ride faster than your Angels can fly.” Stay safe everyone and safe travels to Hunter ICX, Schroeder, Neal and everyone else who ride motorcycles.


*Update * The girlfriend of the young man who was killed and whom we also know and are friends with is having a rough time with his death, as expected. She is barely speaking so our efforts are directed toward helping her through this if we can.




Thanks again guys.

[Schroeder]

I always wear a full face helmet, strap on back protector, motorcycle jacket (with shoulder and elbow armor), motorcycle pants (hip and knee armor), gloves and boots when riding. I got lucky and could score most of that stuff during sales so I only paid around 550€ for everything.



While it might sound counter intuitive at first, I made it a habit to look for motorcycle crashes on YouTube. It's one thing to hear from an instructor that the left turning vehicle is your number one enemy (in countries that drive / ride on the right side) and another to actually see it happen many times over. Or to see the dangers of target fixation and the resulting completely unnecessary crashes first hand so to speak....and let's not forget all the times when excessive speed and not following the traffic code let to disaster... It makes me more aware of possible dangers and I think helped me to become a better rider.

[HunterICX]

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

I really appreciate the condolences gentlemen. Please know they truly mean a lot.

Have gone through the same, our group of Motorcyclist lost a good friend almost 2 years ago. It's still puzzling to this day because the way it happened he was driving from a warehouse back to his home on a road he took countless times and if there was someone of our group who translated safety the best it was him but yet he found himself hitting the back of a small van at a traffic light and died instantly leaving a wife and 2 kids.

How it happened remains unanswered as the autopsy came up with nothing, the wreck of the bike came up with nothing out of the ordinary and the scene had no skid marks.

The impact of his passing really showed in our group as before the accident we did like 2 tours on a yearly basis with the whole group together, after we had one memoriam with the whole group and after that there was one tour with some in which I didn't take part in but most of us will be going to Morocco in a few weeks.

[fireftr18]

I lost a couple good friends in motorcycle accidents. Sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers for you and his family and other friends.

[Commander Wallace]

Originally Posted by HunterICX

The impact of his passing really showed in our group as before the accident we did like 2 tours on a yearly basis with the whole group together, after we had one memoriam with the whole group and after that there was one tour with some in which I didn't take part in but most of us will be going to Morocco in a few weeks.

I hope you have a good time on tour in Morocco and that it's a safe one as well.

Originally Posted by fireftr18

I lost a couple good friends in motorcycle accidents. Sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers for you and his family and other friends.

Thanks so much, Fireftr. We have all been there at one time or another. Being that you are a first res-ponder, you have been there more than most. Where would we be without those who are the first to respond to the emergency call ? Sorry to hear about your friend too. Many prayers your way as well and their families and friends, including you and yours.

[fireftr18]

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

Thanks so much, Fireftr. We have all been there at one time or another. Being that you are a first res-ponder, you have been there more than most. Where would we be without those who are the first to respond to the emergency call ? Sorry to hear about your friend too. Many prayers your way as well and their families and friends, including you and yours.

Thank you much!!

[Mork_417]

Sorry for the loss, and condolences to you & the family.

[Commander Wallace]

Originally Posted by Mork_417

Sorry for the loss, and condolences to you & the family.

Thanks a lot mork. I truly appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Skybird

I think it is very easy to feel safe on a bicycle when having experience and wearing good gear - but still, you aren't. Its risky, and it will never stop to be that. Much of the safety imagined on a bike, is illusory. One should be aware of this, and behave in a way to maximise one's own chances. And always give others a very generous margin of error.


Hope you get over this sad time soon, Commander Wallace.

Thanks a lot, Sky. The condolences mean a lot.

When I posted on safety equipment, it was with the idea of a multi layered defense, regarding driving. There isn't one particular thing that will protect you but a conglomeration of equipment and training and a common sense approach can help minimize the dangers. You basically said the same thing.

Further, the best piece of equipment you have when you are riding a motorcycle or any vehicle is your brain. There is no substitute. That being said, wearing a good, rated helmet, is a good thing.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by HunterICX

It's still puzzling to this day because the way it happened he was driving from a warehouse back to his home on a road he took countless times and if there was someone of our group who translated safety the best it was him but yet he found himself hitting the back of a small van

That is probably the most important advise spoken out in this hread, because it is an implicit reminder. As a motorcyclist, you are by definition extremely vulnerable and exposed, like bicylceriders, but with a motor, you are travelling at much higher speeds. People may imagine they invest into security gear, in helmets, vests, protectors, bike technology, and what else there may be: and so think they are "safe" - but you remain to be extremely prone to bad luck events, unforseeable events: a ball rolling on the street, a car door opening, a car on the autobahn suddenly blitzing to the side while you overtake it, an animal popping up ... and even small mistakes by yourself that in a car would at best cost you some paint on the surface, on a bike can cost you your life. I think it is very easy to feel safe on a bicycle when having experience and wearing good gear - but still, you aren't. Its risky, and it will never stop to be that. Much of the safety imagined on a bike, is illusory. One should be aware of this, and behave in a way to maximise one's own chances. And always give others a very generous margin of error.



Hope you get over this sad time soon, Commander Wallace.