That happened right by my house at the time and Eric Coffey was on his way over to help wrench on cars with me. He got hung up in that traffic jam and that road was closed for a long time. After it was all cleaned up, there was still a horrific stain on the road there and I had to ride over it twice a day. They built a memorial on the side of the road, which I think is part of the Walgreens property. That truck driver was methed out and will grow old in prison.

I won't claim to always watch my mirrors when I'm stopped at an intersection, but I do until there's a stopped car behind me. Having been rear ended four times in four years in cars, I'd have been hurt pretty bad if one of those had been on the bike.

Man! That road is ten minutes from my house,and I've seen the speed that some MC's and cars go,it's insane.
It's so rural ,that one time I saw a High school kid sitting with music chart in front of him, practicing trombone.

I figure just because my driver's license has a motorcycle endorsement, it doesn't mean I have to use it...kinda weird how when your time left on the planet is not a lot, you value that time more highly.

i used to ride like a nut. now, not so much.

i say i'm super careful, but you know..it isnt always up to me.

Personally I think you either want to ride or you dont.
If you really want to ride a motorcycle, your going to ride regardless of these accidents. Ive been personally involved at the scene of a lot of motorcycle accidents, Several fatalities. I still love riding motorcycles..Sometimes I think these posts are just excuses...The fact of the matter is you really don't want to ride a motorcycle....You like the idea of riding a motorcycle.....

I love bikes. In my younger years that is all I had to get around (in soCal of course). In this area I just shudder at the thought of riding with all the inpatient, undisciplined and dangerous drivers on the road. Every single time I am on the road locally I see stupid **** happen. Especially drivers veering out of their lanes, zooming thru a right on red corner, zipping out of cross streets, stopping in the drive lanes. It goes on and on. At least in my car I have protection from these idiots.

On occasion I have given thought to getting an old cruiser to bring back to life, but then I drive to the grocery store and I bury that thought until the next time.

Riding a bike around here is a huge risk, but you know all know that.

Sorry you had to deal with that speeder, a damn shame it is for them both.

The old quality vs. quantity debate. No, I'm not one that wants to stay alive just to stay alive. But as long as there are things I do enjoy, I tend to reduce the risk taking I did when I was young. On motorcycles, I do realize that my reflexes, balance, etc. aren't what they once were. Thus, the reduction in risk.

First of all, Denis, it is difficult seeing that kind of carnage. I wish you well.

Second, MMARSH you are 100% correct. Riding a motorcycle on the street appeals to me until I do it. I am unsure and hate the fact that I am not in a cage. I am aware of my limitations and, even though I am hyper aware, don't get the risk reward.

That's me. My father rode for 65 years happy as a Lark riding everywhere until two months before he passed away.

Dirt bikes, otoh, I get...years and years of joy.

I'll probably get hit by a truck on the way home...

Just this last Tuesday on my 6 hour drive from NorCal to Bend, I saw a passing car force two motorcyclists completely off the highway. It wasn't even "close". He pulled out to pass, two bikes were right there, yet he continued his absolutely INSANE move ..

Really been wanting a HD for a long time now, as they are so relaxing to ride.

Used to be a stunt rider on sportbikes. Stopped riding due to a friend of a friend who got T-boned by a truck and killed. Haven't rode since.

Thanks for this post, as it solidifies why I should NOT get one....

Factor in that you might get involved in an accident and you do survive, but with significant injuries. Does anyone want to spend the twilight years hobbling around? Or worse.

Since I'm nearly 73 I get that. Just talking about my kart racing days the other day. The subject came up when someone asked if someone like Chuck Yeager could ever find that thrill of his early experimental flights. I answered that I'm sure he can find a jet to take up if he wants but that he of all of people must realize that that was then and his (nor my) reactions aren't the same and the body aches a lot more.

Every now and then I think about firing up the old kart that hangs on the wall, but soon remember what I thought I knew...that was then. The thrill isn't gone, but it's distant.

I think there is some merit to this. I loved to ride when I was in my 20s. I sat out the late 20s, 30s, and 40s because I couldn't afford expensive toys. Got a BMW R1100 in my early 50s. I don't think I really enjoyed it anymore. A few close calls with deer and the bike sat a lot. Got a BMW Z3 and I could really enjoy the open road the way depicted to be on a bik - no helmet, no gloves, no suit. The bike got sold and I have no regrets.

Sounds just like me. Loved riding on the street until my early 30s then my Dad was nearly killed on one of our runs. I then stopped riding until the kids went to college and then bought a new Triumph. I loved the open road but city riding scared the crap out of me until the day I got knocked off and I quit. Now I'm strictly riding on the dirt and wrenching on bikes on the bench. Cannot say I am comfortable with being such a pussy.

^^^+1
The saying “whether you think you should, or think you shouldn’t... you’re right” roughly applies here too. If you ride long enough you’ll see some things and go to some funerals. It might even be your own. It’s not a completely rationale decision to ride any kind of motorcycle (or a little air cooled Porsche, for that matter).
But I am always a little surprised when someone stops riding because a close acquaintance goes down. That scenario was always there, and really should have been fully contemplated beforehand so that that risk assessment was part of the decision to ride at all in the first place. Yet that is not an uncommon reason for folks I ting why they quit bikes altogether. And the moment you think you shouldn’t ride anymore, you probably shouldn’t IMO. It should reduce anxiety, not produce it. I still ride, albeit more sanely than 30 years ago, but I’m glad my sons do not. Is that hypocritical?
RIP to both accident victims and heartfelt sympathy for the families.

"You place your bets and you take your chances"
I don't fault anyone for riding motorcycles, hands down it is the most connected form of man/machine/road. Truth be told if I wasn't past 60 and have a woman at home that depends on me (and the cats) I would have signed some papers and be puttering around on that Honda today.

My very first experience on a moto was getting a ride home one summer night by my friend's older brother on his NSU 250 with a loud Racket Buster muffler.
I was about 10 or 12. I was smitten.
My friend said, "You'd better hang on. Sit close. Grab your hands in front of him."
That sound, the wind, the smell of the summer night...and tightly gripping young Dave Jensen's six-pack abs under his white T-shirt with a touch of manly perspiration...his smoothly balanced corners...powering down the streets...that little single blaring it's voice in the warm night.
All of it. I was a goner.

I've had some pretty close calls, but always saw it coming. Sometimes I just got lucky, like when I got nudged on the hwy by a lane changer, and I still didn't go down. But the non-riders will never understand how well alert riders can actually see. You'd be amazed by how much more you see on a bike than in a cage, which can make it scarier, but also makes it safer than it seems. But I'm gonna ride until I can't anymore. My new bike (BMW S1000R) kind of scares me, but I like that.