Witnessed High Speed Motorcycle Wreck

[Beau57]

Followed 3 Harleys on I-75 south of lLex. Ky for 15 miles in the rain. They were going 70mph, rain was moderate but heavy spray conditions. Two were side by side and one in the rear. The one on the left had the rear tire get "squirrely" for no apparent reason, (he hit nothing nor were there puddles in the roadway) the driver momentarily go control and then the problem reproduced itself to a harsher degree. The bike to the rear managed to pull to the right as the other bike tumbled to the shoulder with the driver making a separate path. I watched it unfold and had my flashers on before his bike ever hit the pavement, I slowed and followed his body rolling off the road staying between him and oncoming traffic. The bike cane to rest upside down with the throttle stuck in the mud revving high. All were wearing helmets and protective gear. Driver's helmet showed signs of severe impact and road rash. Driver was a little sore with rips in his clothing but walked away. I helped them find there way to a hotel. He declined ambulance service. The bike lost much of the fiberglass leg fairings and engine guards but actually didn't bend forks handlebars or frame (from first inspection) and was drivable without issue. The group was traveling from Michigan to Florida and had 400 miles behind them. Wish I had a dashboard camera to review. I had just gotten off the phone with my wife telling her about 3 "determined" riders with no passengers on the road with these bad conditions that must be on a schedule......I would have grabbed a few cups of coffee and looked more at weather.

[bg]

wow, glad no one was seriously hurt and that you were there to be a buffer between them and the following traffic..good for you for being so attentive and helping.

[laserpat]

Good report  sounds like a rear tire or tire pressure problem. Riding side by side is not a good thing.

[alph]

i'm really happy the guy walked away!!  also glad that you were there to help 'em out, i don't think that any other normal "cager" would have stopped.  good job, glad it has a (somewhat) happy ending.

[Quicksilver]

I'm thinking he had a throttle lock or cruise control on. When the rear wheel lost traction, he was unable to throttle down fast enough to maintain control. Glad to read the rider walked away.

[G-Man]

HATE riding in the rain. 

[ArmyValker]

luckily that reduction of friction works on the bike AS  WELL as the rider.. good outcome 

[Bama Red]

HATE riding in the rain. 

+1

I'll do it, for short stretches, but I do hate it!

[thewoodman]

Rain riding in Florida is an everyday occurence on summer afternoons, ain't happy about it / beats driving my truck though / don't like monsoons at all. If it was a cruise control thing, that's one of those no - no's /  never, ever - ever run cruise control in the rain in or on anything / happy to hear he walked away

[alph]

Rain riding in Florida is an everyday occurence on summer afternoons, ain't happy about it / beats driving my truck though / don't like monsoons at all. If it was a cruise control thing, that's one of those no - no's /  never, ever - ever run cruise control in the rain in or on anything / happy to hear he walked away

even with a car!!  never use the cruise on snowy roads, or heavy rains, that's a no brainer. 

it would be interesting to know if he did have a throttle lock, or cruise control being used.

[old2soon]

Glad YOU were there and not some john q public cager. God must have been ridin with em. At the very least he walked away. Ya can always buy another scoot. Sumpin in the back of my mind-all the gear all the time. RIDE SAFE.

[Oss]

You were the riding shotgun with the guardian angel but didnt know it at the time

The first few minutes of the rainstorm is the most dangerous thats when the oil rides to the top and the road is most slippery for sure

Dont enjoy riding in the rain with the MC tire, wasnt a problem with the CT but sometimes you just need to keep riding if it seems safe enough.

Glad the gentlemen survived and you were able to help avoid him being run over

good job   

[Beau57]

I don't recall seeing a cruise control devise, but that's not to say it came off during impact and flew somewhere. I helped pull the bike from inverted with the throttle grip stuck in the mud about 4 inches, didn't see one then. I did note a sense of urgency from the driver after he first regained control, maybe it was in fact to remove/release the cruise.......don't know?

[BigAl]

Harley Cruise control is Electronic, just like a passenger car.

SO you would not see it.

Since he rode it away , must not have been a tire.

Glad you were there to hlep.

It's what motorcycle people do.

AL