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by James_Rose from Dallas

Last Post 29 days, 6 hours Ago


The Need for Speed?
Jun 12, 2007 | 5:30 PM
Category: News
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How often have you experienced this? You're driving down the highway, minding your own business, when suddenly you hear the screaming sound of a swarm of motorcycles speeding and weaving in and out of traffic. Many times they'll blow right by you riding on one wheel! Just the site and sound of a speeding bike doing a wheelie can be frightening... and downright unnerving for most of us. You begin to imagine the what ifs.... what if they wipeout? What if you (accidentally) hit them? What if someone else hits them before you do?  None of these are pleasant scenarios.

The glaring question is... why do these dare devils do it? I don't even think Evil Knievel had the nerve to do some of these stupid stunts. I'm sure it's an adrenaline rush, but when you weigh the rush against the potential road rash... for me the pain would far outweigh the pleasure.  I would however like to pick the brains of some of these risk taking riders, (and I don't mean off the street) to find out why they're apparently more than willing to be organ donors.  And that makes me wonder how many really are organ donors. 

 
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Member Comments Total Comments: 119
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hillsborohillbilly read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2007 | 5:50 PM

if or when they crash at 120 mph there might not be any organ worth donating , but , just like when you go on a dangerous adventure , they make you sign a waiver, if you get hurt , don't blame the mountain guide , etc,,, they should just sign a waiver if one of those speed thrill nuts gets killed or kill themselves , just sweep them up and move on, they don't care we shouldn't care
BloggingYaddaYadda read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2007 | 6:58 PM

When a "rocketrider", that's what I call them, passes me on the freeway doing 80 to 100+ mph
speeding or popping a wheelie I just shake my head. Most of them are wearing tank tops and shorts.
They just don't fully
realize what could happen if they mess up just one little bit.
They "know" it just won't happen to them.
Dalejrfan8 read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2007 | 8:10 PM

James
My husband and I experienced this exact same thing a few weeks ago. I had never been on the highway with a motorcycle pulling wheelies before. I have to tell you it was a very scary siutation. He would get a head a traffic and turn around and look then almost stop pop a wheelie and go blowing past everyone with his front wheel up. He almost caused a wreck several times. It is bad enough people are idiots and don't where thier helmetsm but this goes way beyond being an idiot. He thought he was showing off but I wasn't impressed. I just wanted to knock some sense into him.
RedRiver read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2007 | 8:21 PM

The dare-devils who ride crotch rockets have a high death rate. The bikes are a dream to ride, but there is one reason only to buy one. Speed ! The guys are speed-freaks. They love the thrill of danger. My friend told me, " There's old riders, and there's bold riders, but there are no old bold riders". There is truth in that.

Have any of you heard of the new muscle cars coming out next year ? Corvette, cadillac, and two others are introducing 600 horsepower cars next year.Shelby is making a 550+ horsepower for next year.There will also be a Shelby Super Snake, 600 + horsepower. The question is WHY ? Who needs that much power. I can see kids being killed in those cars. There are some stupid parents who will buy them for their high school kids, then see their kids killed, and blame it on the manufacturer.
DemonGSD999 read my blog view my photos
Jun 12, 2007 | 9:37 PM

I was coming back from a late night once riding in the back of a van and the van shook when the motorcycles drove by probably doing over 100. The thought crossed my mind what if one would have lost control and slammed into the back of us going at a lower speed? Another night I was coming back from a movie and some of the motorcycles passed us. I don't know if there was an accident ahead of us and they got there before we did, or if it involved them, but one of the motorcyles was on its side and the others were pulled over in the middle of the freeway running across traffic to to the other motorcycle.
scottythecomic read my blog view my photos
Jun 13, 2007 | 6:27 AM

It doesn't faze me. If they want to die let them.
laydownsally read my blog
Jun 13, 2007 | 8:34 AM

You know what really bugs me? And I've seen this more times than I can remember.

Stuck in traffic, bumper to bumper, and then some schmuck drives by on the shoulder on his motorcycle.

I've always wanted to open my door and hope that they would flip over it, like in the movies, but alas...
nrmccary read my blog view my photos
Jun 13, 2007 | 9:49 AM

A couple of years ago my sister was driving home from school. We live out in the country and she decided she was going to turn around and go back to a store near by the house to get a drink. She was on a hill and made a left hand turn into someone's drive way. Needless to say, she was a hill (near the top) and a guy on a crotch rocket came flying past right as she turned. She ended up hitting the guy taering off the front end of her car. The car behind the guy on the bike told the police the guy on the bike passed him doing at least 60 mph (the guy in the other car said he was doing 55mph, speed limit on the road is 30mph). The guy was thrown pretty far and is now paralized from the neck down. She never knew the guy was coming being on a hill and the guy going so fast. She ended up getting charged with failure to yeild the right away, since she was the one crossing the street.
NikkiDFW read my blog view my photos
Jun 13, 2007 | 10:01 AM

Get on one, you'll get it.
James_Rose read my blog view my photos
Jun 13, 2007 | 10:54 AM

I like a good adrenaline rush just like the next guy... I guess that's why I love doing what I do. Have I taken stupid risks to bring you the story?? You bet! Rember when I got tazed with the 25,000 volt prongs, or when I flew through the eye of a hurricane, not once but twice? But I usually weigh my options.
When I compare the rush of the ride against risking a bad case of road rash or even death.... I gotta take a pass on the ride Nikki. As Dalejr makes clear you don't have to be a speed demon on a bike or in a car to be a speed fan... that's why sports like NASCAR are so popular. As far as wearing a helmet while riding like that? Not sure what's the point...
outspoken1 read my blog
Jun 13, 2007 | 11:38 AM

I have been riding bikes since age 12 and I have done a lot of stupid things when I was younger. I have 2 Harley's now and I can assure you that I am a lot more cautious at my age now. I came to the realization how much I don't like pain.

I know how these young crotch rocket guys think and until that experience pain them selves or death of a close friend then they will most likey not stop doing crazy things untill the grow out of it.

Please understand that a lot of us bikers are responsible and not judge all motorcycle riders by the actions of a few idiots.

The first thing they need to understand is how vunerable they are. You tick off the wrong person in a car and they can change your attitude real quick with a car door.
luckylibby2 read my blog view my photos
Jun 13, 2007 | 11:50 AM

And the ones that are racing each other using all lanes to do it regardless of traffic or anyone else, just so they can go fast....makes me want to shoot them. (not that I'm a violent person but they are risking my life as much as theirs)
outspoken1 read my blog
Jun 13, 2007 | 12:04 PM

I know how you feel, please don't take it out on us Harley guys that have both wheels on the ground.

I am slowing down and enjoying life more now. Life is too short to rush through it.

I'm ususlly the guy who pulls over to let you pass so I can slow down and smell the roses.
luckylibby2 read my blog view my photos
Jun 13, 2007 | 4:53 PM

Outspoken1 - I hear ya...I never take it out on Harley riders as they are THE BEST on the road when it comes to courtesy and respect...it's the crotch rockets that I was refering to and those are the "stupid" ones in my eyes.
cuda_06
Jun 13, 2007 | 9:23 PM

I just love to read blind and ignorant comments from people who really have no place speaking on the subject in the first place. Broad generalizations about sportbikes are just about as much of a modern interpretation of racism as anything I can think of. Do some research, get to know some real sportbike riders, or simply just sit back and think before you post/speak/otherwise. The truth is a glaring difference from the assumed stereotypes placed on this group of people. I have ridden everything from 500cc standards to 1500cc cruisers to liter superbikes. I have chosen my current bike to be a sportbike and love every minute of being on it. Add to all of this the fact that I have a spotless driving record and am an active member of multiple sportbike organizations which foster many other like minded individuals and you get a very different picture. As for the Harley comments...that could be another essay altogether. There are just as many "bad eggs" in that group also. Now move on to the irresponsible cell phone addicted drivers who prowl in 5000lb hunks of SUV metal and we have another such debate.

My simple request is that before opening one's mouth to state what is a societal stereotype just to add to a boiling pot please do some research and come prepared with facts not just "what I saw once..."
Sanemcrider
Jun 13, 2007 | 9:27 PM

I for one happen to ride one of these so called "crotchrockets" but do not do the stunts down the highway. I always wear my gear and keep my speeds at a senseable level. What really makes me mad is the fact that just because I ride one of these bikes I automatically get lumped into this group. There are just a much or more deaths and stupidity on the Harleys and cursier bikes but you don't hear about these accidents because they are just "bike riders". I for one wish there were more strict requirements in order for individuals to get their motorcycle license. Maybe if we adopted a tiered licenses system like Europe has there would be more experienced riders and less stupidity in this country.
concerncitizen007
Jun 13, 2007 | 10:09 PM

Everyone has the ability to do as he or she pleases. However when the life of others are being put in danger it is not right. We all have theright to do those things that we enjoy. But the road is not a place to stage stunt events or other reckless driving. Not all bike riders are bad people just like anything else in this world we are all judged by the few reckless individuals that do not represent the magnitude. I find this is more common than they we think. A group of motorcyles blocking the road being reckless hendering tracfic flow. I seen the new clip of the incident that happened this weekend on the toll road. Kicking peoples cars and shooting at people is very ridiculous and whether they thought the gentlemen was fleeing the seen or not does not give them the right to SHOOT at him. What if they would have killed this man, this weekend is fathers day weekend, did he have children, he was someones son, someones husband etc. Killed because these bikers felt they had the right to take the law in their own hands. I seen the clip from the toll camera and as it showed these guys were not on a nice sunday evening ride they were being a menace to society. Mr Rose stated that 2 of the guys were witnesses not suspects. How can they be witnesses when they were with the group that was shooting at the man.
grapevinerider
Jun 13, 2007 | 11:51 PM

There is no excuse for stunting through traffic on public roadways. It infinitely increases the risks to the rider, and puts other innocent motorists at risk. If stunting is the only thing that gets your blood pumping, find an empty parking lot or deserted commercial park side street. If pure speed is what you desire, there are numerous trackdays available (for less than the cost of a single speeding ticket) that will test the limits of you and your bike FAR beyond what you could ever push on the street. That said, let's put down the stereotypes and talk fact. All of what I am about to say is easily verifiable through NHTSA reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

While speed is often a contributing factor, the leading cause of motorcycle accidents is STILL cars failing to yield the right of way to the motorcycle. That means the biggest danger a rider faces is not making a mistake riding a wheelie, but a car turning in front of him/her. Next time you think that guy on the crotchrocket is dangerous, ask yourself when is the last time you answered your cell phone, sipped from your coffee mug, or changed a CD while on your commute? When is the last time you were on your way home, a bit tired, and almost pulled out in front of that motorcycle you didn't notice until the last second? What/who is the real danger? Are you just as much the problem as those you whine about?

The largest and fastest growing age group for fatal motorcycle accidents is not young, foolish kids on sportbikes. It is the 40+ age segment. And while the insurance statistics

grapevinerider
Jun 13, 2007 | 11:52 PM

(cont'd)
...do not categorize bikes by type, they do by engine displacement. The largest and fastest growing engine size category for fatal accidents is almost exclusively the realm of Harleys and metric cruisers at 1200+cc. There has been much published within the motorcycle industry and saftey organizations attempting to explain and remedy these saddening category trends. Much of it is blamed on "re-entry riders", but the fact remains that the so-called squids are not offing themselves at the rate that the seemingly less offensive weekend-wannabe-bikers are. In my opinion, much of this trend can be attributed to my third point below, but the fact remains that the young sportbike rider is actually dropping in fatality rate, while the older cruiser rider is rising dramatically. So who is really at risk?

Drinking and riding in the sportbike community is either completely discouraged, or only mildly accepted depending on the segment in question. Whereas, drinking and riding is almost a staple of the cruiser lifestyle. NHTSA data reveals that a markedly greater percentage of motorcycle accidents involve alcohol impaired riders than their four-wheeled counterparts. This should be a no-brainer explanation. It takes greater mental acuity and physical coordination to operate a motorcycle than a car. Give away a portion of those abilities to alcohol and the slightest miscalculation puts you on the pavement. So, what's more dangerous, a sportbike rider exceeding the speed limit, though well within his and his bike's abilities, or a Harley guy doing 60 but completely b
grapevinerider
Jun 13, 2007 | 11:53 PM

(cont'd)
...but completely buzzed on his way home from Duke's Roadhouse? And he's FAR less likely to have on a helmet, too. Bad behavior never justifies other bad behavior, but that is the dark side that the lawyer- and dentist- weekend-bikers don't like to admit. Don't perpetuate the stereotype that the one on the fastest bike is the one endangering himself and you.

Lastly, let me say that it bothers me that people assume I undertake risky behavior just because I ride motorcycles. Did you know that there are between double and triple the number of pedestrian deaths compared to motorcycle deaths annually? Seriously. Next time someone tells you that they ride, ask yourself when was the last time you crossed the street.

Life has risks. And unfortunately, some people unnecessarily multiply those risks by foolish behavior. But don't assume that just because someone rides a sportbike, or any motorcycle, that they have a death wish. With the right respect for the sport and some simple precautions, riding goes from risky behavior, to not much worse than getting out of bed and going to work. There are far more of us riders that think like that than those that ride down 635 on one wheel.
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James_Rose

Even when you don't find me in the FOX4 Newsroom, I'm always "On Assignment". That's the name of my sailboat I keep locally here in North Texas. Aside from being a general assignment reporter and Captain of the widely popular "Street Squad", I am an avid sailor. Have a troubled traffic spot that drives you crazy during your commute? Maybe you notice other motorists always breaking the law? Send me an e-mail, reply to one of my blogs or call me on the Street Squad Hotline... and you may find you're the next FOX4 viewer to be deputized!

Member Since: 4/4/2007


 

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