[Mikelly]

I rode yesterday for the first time in a while, and for the first time in a while I thought about this board, the past, and my own riding... and for the first time in a while I didn't USE my knee sliders on public roads. I made a statement here a long time ago, in a tizzy over a comment someone made, whenever I'd start a discussion about accidents and people being safe... I told you guys and gals that ALL OF YOU knew someone very popular, someone who touched each of you in a specific way. And I predicted that there would be a horrible incident, and that we would lose someone... Someone Just like Katie Ashton. Now we have. That statement has been on my mind every since the news of this traggic loss.

There are lists out there with members names on them... I know, because I am on a few of them for my aggressive and illegal riding. Katie Ashton was on one of them as well. So are some of your names. It is a crash list that a lot of the senior guys discuss on a regular basis. And I was surprised at first when I found that with 22 years street riding experience, that I was on those lists... But it sank in after very little thought.

Before the masses come out and hammer me for mentioning the dead, This post is meant and intended to make people think. A lot of people will argue that Katie was a great rider. I wouldn't argue against that and do NOT imply that her actions caused her death. I have no idea what happened in her accident, and I'm trying to find out the truth on my own, in private, and for my own education. So don't get this thread going down the wrong path... I'm talking about playing the odds, rolling the dice, and doing what I'M GUILTY of...

I lacked serious discretion in riding, to the point that not long ago I found myself pulled over by the PoPo, being on the ground and searched. Seemed that the state police and TWO COUNTIEs police departments were looking for the man in black on a green sportbike. Fortunately they never got me on radar and never got more than a fleeting glance of me before I pulled over, only because I thought somthing was up... Total ignorance on my part... I was "Just riding" and never even SAW a cop. That was a wakeup call. Not long after, I tried to sell my bike. I have had ZERO luck selling it. But it really doesn't matter. If I don't sell the bike, I need to ride more responsibly. If not on the Bike, then it would be in my Vette. I am a VERY GOOD and capable rider. But I have NO control over what goes on on the streets. That is MY problem. Yesterday I went out for a ride and I had to restrain my self the whole time I rode. I had to watch my speed, and I had to try to keep it within the 20MPH over window. It was a challenge, because I'm used to hitting between 80-120mph for MOST of my ride. I actually had a good time going slow. It was refreshing just to row through the gears.

However, each of us needs to think about the consiquences of our actions. If I go out, hammer the gas, as I'm often doing, draggin' knee and turning my route into my own race track, then I'm taking risk... If I end up in the meatwagon, Who loses? My wife, My real son who has never met me, my stepsons, my nephews, nieces, brothers and sister, and my parents all would be devistated. They worship the ground I walk on. I bet your loved ones do to. They think you are the poo, and you know you stink... Me2 :twofinger

For me, death means no more getting up at 0430, no more having to be an adult, no more being responsible, ......just NO MORE... Nothing. So when looking at it like that, it ain't that bad a gig. But for those left in my wake, it would be devistating.

So I watch as these tragic events on the other board unfold, and I'm wondering just how many lives were, not only touched, but how many will be forever changed. How many will think twice before they hammer the throttle. How many will sign up for track days instead of heading off to Rt.211. How many will take the car to work instead of the bike. How many will take themselves off the Death List.

If that is the price of losing someone like Katie Ashton, then she will probably be an extremely happy angel.

Ride safe, ride responsibly, and use your head... And yes, I'm Pot, Hello Kettle!

Be safe and have fun!
Mike Kelly

 

[firefighter81]

If you are having that much of a problem controlling yourself, consider just using the bike you have as a track only bike. You don't have to spend a ton of money setting it up for race, you can have alot of fun just doing trackdays. It's not really any safer, but it's a controlled situation and emergency personell are always nearby.

 

[Mikelly]

Done a number of track days and I'm aware of that as an alternate solution... I'm also signed up for some days in my Corvette... and If the bike doesn't sell in the local Bike Trader, I'll be signing it up for events, since I have some extra slicks and an extra set of wheels.

Like I said in my original post...I'm 38 years old, had a "M" status on my license since 16 years old. I know better. No discussion required there... I'm guilty as charged. :cut

Mike

 

[RSixxygrl]

It's ALWAYS a risk to go out and ride each and every time whether you are riding more erractic or just plain riding according to the law...

There are those of us on this board and many others who have decided that that risk is worth the pleasure....

However in life there are never any guarantees on anything...so today could be your last day on this earth...one never knows...just try to enjoy your life to the fullest each day as it may be your last...

 

[kazlab67]

I understand what you are saying. I myself have to restrain myself when it comes to speed. I have always been like that since I was a little kid rocketing down a steep hill on some POS "go cart" we nailed together in 30 minutes.
It's not that you are unable to control yourself, it's just that you find yourself testing the limits of yourself and your machine on public roads.
If you were a loner hermit, then it wouldn't matter it you ride yourself into oblivion. But when you have people that love and depend on you, then you have to seriously think about your aggressive riding habits and learn to take it down a notch or two.
I think the biggest indicator for me is when I lose all fear of the bike.
Be safe out there.
They are sport bikes, only a confused person would buy one and not ride it somewhat aggressively.

 

[evils-03-RR]

Wow, makes you think twice about some things. I have a wife and kid also, and usually disregard them while riding. Here lately I haven't been as hard on the gas or as deep in the corners. Maybe its a fear of death or maybe it's a realization of how close I come to it while riding either way I'm teaching myself restraint, along with the importance of proper gear.

 

[firefighter81]

Sounds like our little man is growing up! *tear*

 

[Lok]

Good post, but there are inherent risks to riding on the street. They are only amplified if you are an agressive rider. Good to have you around still.

 

[MattLikesBikes]

How many will sign up for track days instead of heading off to Rt.211.

Since they put in those damn rumble strips, probably a really good chance. But since trackdays cost money, it's probably more like I'll head over to Rt.250 or 33 instead.

How many will take the car to work instead of the bike..

NEVAR!!!! :angry

How many will take themselves off the Death List.

EVERYONE is on a death list. However how far up you place on that list is a whole 'nother deal. The price I pay to partake in my favorite sport/hobby/pasttime/way of life, is that I must accept the fact that I'm increasing my chance of ending up at the top of that list.

If I die, it won't effect me, I won't be around to be affected.. however it will effect my friends and family. Do I think it's selfish to potentially put them through that type of mysery? I think it's only selfish if I'm not enjoying myself. I know my Mom understands it just by the look in her face when I return home from a nice ride with a huge smile on my face. I know many of my friends understand, cause they've got bikes themselves now after seeing how much fun mine is.

Is it selfish to rip around public roads? It certainly multiplies your chances of ending up at the top of the death list.. However I didn't buy a sportbike to putter around to the nearest starbucks and sit next to it trying to get chicks.. I bought my bike to have some fun. I think there's a time and a place to rail around on publics roads. Rt.211 on a Sunday afternoon is NOT a place to do this, just like I-66 during rushhour is not a good time or place to do standups or split inbetween cars at 100mph.. However somtimes you find yourself out on a nice empty twisty road early in the morning, and you know it's time to play

Ride safe, ride responsibly, and use your head... And yes, I'm Pot, Hello Kettle!

Has always been my plan

I knew the risks before I got a bike, and now, as long as I'm physically able to ride, I'm going to do so.

 

[silent_R1]

there has been a few occasions that i was seriously concerned about being on the top of the death list. my wreck last year made me do some serious soul searching about where i might on it. after i wrecked my bike to the point it was unrecongizable, and i walked away, i thought seriously about getting back on. HOWEVER, i walked away and during those weeks i had on my hands to heal, i thought long and hard about riding. i thought about my family and my daughters and my bf and whether they would find my actions irresponsible or not should i get back on. my bf was a no-brainer, he rides. my daughters think it is cool that i ride and both plan on getting a bike when they are old enough. so my parents were my last worry. my mother is deathly afraid to get a 3 am call from one of my friends, my dad is as well, but they both know how important riding is to me. they know it is my life. they know i feel death is an acceptable risk for me. yes, i use the public roads as a playground. more often than not, i take it to the track. but in those weeks that i can't go, i go out in public and play with traffic. each time i go out and come back, i've won. i know somday my odds may change, but it is more important for me to take that risk and possibly hurt myself and destroy my bike, than to not ride at all. Anyone who knows me knows I have one phrase that I live by:

There is a point in life when the only thing worth living for is that which can kill you.

After everything in my life I have seen, done and been through, I have reached that point. My bike is everything and should I not ever be able to ride, I should be dead. That will be the day, my name is on top of the death list. Until then, I'm going to flip Death off as I'm wheelieing past his ass.

 

[Barry]

Well, I told Mike he (as well as others) are on my list of people I expect to check out due to their own negligence. Glad to see the light went on for him before it was too late. He's a big boy, able to make his own choices.

I wonder how many friends DID NOT tell someone something similar and now they are gone? Truth sometimes hurts, but it may well be worth the sting. Was it a drama fest, harsh words, an intervention? No... Mike knows I'm not an idiot, and I looked him straight in the face and casually said he rides fast enough on the street that I expect he is very, very likely to get hurt or killed. Riding 9/10ths or 10/10ths on the street means you are simply playing odds. You can't react to any of the many variables presented on the street at that level of riding.

Glad he was paying attention and I didn't have to raise my voice. Now, keep the 9R and lets go do track days. See how it feels to get passed by a supermoto on the outside.

Barry

 

[the great ESKIMO]

i plan to die on my rocket.(once again people i said "rocket")

 

[ty454]

....

Don't mean to hijack the thread - do you live in Burke's Garden, VA Matt?

I'm planning a trip out there for a couple days near the end of the month. I'm looking to make sure I hit some good roads on the way. 33 is supposed to be a good one I hear.

 

[Mikelly]

Hit Rt. 32 Alternate from North Lexington, Va. to Goshen, Va. Breath taking scenery! THen go north/ east on 42 and prepare for even more still!

Mike

 

[cehowardrx7]

How many will sign up for track days instead of heading off to Rt.211. How many will take the car to work instead of the bike. How many will take themselves off the Death List.

If that is the price of losing someone like Katie Ashton, then she will probably be an extremely happy angel.

Ride safe, ride responsibly, and use your head... And yes, I'm Pot, Hello Kettle!

Be safe and have fun!
Mike Kelly

Coming from the most timid, scaredazz, chickenchit rider on this board, PHUCK THAT!!

First of all, we are going to leave the mo fo, anyway. Second, I am not sitting on the steps or locking myself in a closet to be safe for few years I got left. Third, we are all born to die. We all gotta do it at sometime or another. What about the person that was sleeping in their bed, and a SUV come plowing threw the bedroom killing the person? What about you standing still, and a car careens off the road and stricks you??

Life is a risk everyday you live it. Riding a motorcycle is pure joy. For every action, there is a reaction. Joy vs pain. So, anything you can get a lot of joy out of, you can get a lot of pain..

Hang up your riding gloves, sit on the steps, or creep around the street, better yet, get a MOPED, that way, you want be tempted anymore.

Speaking for myself, I am going to ride my motorcycle to the wheels fall off, I can't throw a leg over the seat, which ever one comes first. Pure and simple, and yes, I am riding to work tomorrrow, and since they shut down 211, I am going to hit W. 33..

Like I said, we all are going to leave this world, I say enjoy every freakin second of it. :lol

ceh
2001 GSX R1000
2003 RC51
(63 & fast)

 

[cehowardrx7]

Don't mean to hijack the thread - do you live in Burke's Garden, VA Matt?

I'm planning a trip out there for a couple days near the end of the month. I'm looking to make sure I hit some good roads on the way. 33 is supposed to be a good one I hear.

Gorgeous would be more like it!!!

Hijacking is okay, when you hijack some glummy stuff!!! :lol

ceh
2001 GSX R1000
2003 RC51
(63 & fast)

 

[cehowardrx7]

It's ALWAYS a risk to go out and ride each and every time whether you are riding more erractic or just plain riding according to the law...

There are those of us on this board and many others who have decided that that risk is worth the pleasure....

However in life there are never any guarantees on anything...so today could be your last day on this earth...one never knows...just try to enjoy your life to the fullest each day as it may be your last...

Now, this is the way people should talk/post/feel!! :dblthumb :dblthumb

Miss, you are a pure winner!!! You hit the nail right on the head..

Good Dam Show!!

ceh
2001 GSX R1000
2003 RC51
(63 & fast)

 

[shuriken]

Great post. It reminds us all that we have to be as responsible (riders) as we possibly can. However, I don't think it should come to the point where you have to leave riding behind altogether. My teacher once told me "Don't be one of those people who are so afraid of dying that they are unable to live". I understand that as we grow older we become risk averse but then again along with age comes wisdom which helps us mitigate the level of risk. Maybe instead of riding 80-120mph you can ride between 40-70 at a relatively sedate pace and still have fun (it's all relative anyways). Anyhow it's your decision to make and you know yourself better. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Barry]

I can't believe how much some people just do not get it. It isn't about staying on the couch. It's about getting off the couch, doing fun, exciting things and minimizing risk, and calculating risk. Sad...

Barry

 

[japbike]

We're all on death lists the min we're born.