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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: No. CA
Posts: 2,921
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So much for BMW engineering!!
A California Highway Patrol officer was thrown from his motorcycle and into the path of an oncoming car Saturday afternoon on Highway 17.
Officer Chris Barrett was merging onto the southbound highway south of Brush Road from the right shoulder when a kickstand on his 2001 BMW motorcycle apparently dropped, causing him to lose control. Barrett was ejected into the path of an oncoming Infiniti. The driver of the Infiniti was ableto brake in time to avoid hitting Barrett, but was rear-ended by a second driver in a Honda. Barrett was treated at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and released. The drivers of the two cars in the 1:20 p.m. collision were uninjured, the CHP said. One lane of southbound Highway 17 near Redwood Estates was closed for about 45 minutes. . . http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/news/local/4693868.htm
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12-12-2002, 05:53 PM
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Approaching retirement
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 116
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police rider down
The bike was probably an RT (like mine) or an RS. I think the police bikes have a modified sidestand that could be a bit longer. If that's the case, it could really cause some lift on a left-hand bend.
Does this mean I should avoid left turns in case the stand comes down on mine? |
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12-12-2002, 08:46 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Bairnsdale Victoria Australia
Posts: 914
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I find it hard to beleive that the stand had dropped down and caused the accident.
To do that, it would have had to go passed the lock down point. Anything less and the stand would have just moved back up. The only way I can see the stand causing the accident is if it was left down and the cutout switch was not working or was disabled. Try it in the driveway, just pushing your bike with the stand in various positions if you are not sure of what I mean. Cheers TREVOR
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1998 Red S You are never too old to have a happy childhood! A Throttle works two ways - only one is FUN!! |
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12-12-2002, 10:18 PM
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Austin, TX. USA
Posts: 11,605
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Agreed,
even a cursory understanding of a sidestand's operation would show that not happening. That's the way they're designed, by BMW and everyone else. Sounds like an excuse on a motor officers part, and a pointless swipe here.
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99 R11S w/ BBP, InDuct, Öhlins, PVMs, Braking, SJ-Filter, ZTech, HIDs D675 R90Cafe R60/2 M900 SV650-SS CBR150R XR125 & CRF175 Motards OnRoad OffRoad Cycles, Austin, TX: BMW, Ital, Suspension, Electrics Dealer for K-Tech, JRI, GP Suspension, Penske, Öhlins, RaceTech, Elka, Wilbers, IKON & Works www.ororcycle.com CMRA EXPERT #841 Various Formula 5, 6 & 7 championships 2006-2012 A3, Navigator, |
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12-13-2002, 06:02 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: No. CA
Posts: 2,921
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The article mentions that the kickstand "apparently dropped". It would be interesting to know how or why. Sounds like the chippy may have ran over it, or it bounced of the ground flying back into the bike and catching his attention by surprise.
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12-13-2002, 06:17 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Sugar Land, TX
Posts: 70
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I believe that the RT-P bikes used by the CHP have a modified side stand. There have been various discussions about this on the RT board.
This could have contributed to the problem, but it does sound like human error rather than an engineering issue. |
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12-13-2002, 06:20 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Posts: 68
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All I can say is that the guys that work that hill are all good folks with tough jobs. I hope that Chris is okay and that his bike is totaled so that he can return to a shiny new 1150.
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12-13-2002, 07:28 AM
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Yeah, a typical "blame the bike" situation masking rider error. Next time we're caught speeding lets all blame our bikes, or, better still, BMW engineers.
Of course I'd expect any Police investigation to back up what this particular Police officer said happened. Funny that.... |
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12-13-2002, 11:22 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Posts: 196
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That's too bad. What an odd accident. I wonder why the bike did not shut off when the kickstand went down.
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12-13-2002, 01:37 PM
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Bellingham WA
Posts: 3,603
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I'd want a LOT more information before I drew any conclusion about this. It reminds me of the "airbag kills child" stories you hear where you find out later that the parent told his 4-year-old to climb up on the dashboard and fetch a pack of cigarettes as they ran the car off the road.
- Mark |
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12-13-2002, 02:34 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: No. CA
Posts: 2,921
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taken from another cycle board
Hello All- My name is Chris Barrett and I'm the officer that took a tumble on SR-17. I got the flower arrangment today and it was great. Trust me, it really lifted my day, things went downhill pretty quick if you know what I mean. Any way, I just want to emphasize that it is a great feeling to see citizens get together to make a guy feel good. Sometimes I feel like the whole world hates me because I'm a cop. It may sound corny, but I really got into this work to help people. Remember, we are not all jerks letting that badge go to our heads. There are a few, no question about it, but thanks again for your consideration. Ride safe and watch out for the cops, he he. Thanks alot- Chris Barrett PS, I don't know if this is going to the right person, but if you can post it that would be great. I'd love to join and do it myself but I would probably get in trouble at work... never know. THX
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12-14-2002, 12:55 PM
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2001 BMW R1100S Standard 
