Valkyrie Fatality

[J.Mencalice]

Durango, Colorado

https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/alcohol-suspected-in-fatal-motorcycle-crash-west-of-durango/

Was he a member?  Idaho license.

[f6gal]

He's not a VRCC member.  Can't check if he ever participated on the forum without his handle.

It sounds like he made some bad decisions.  God's Speed Larry.   

[Valkorado]

Hmmm.  Very sad.  If the investigating officer's suspicions are accurate, in a Murphy's Law kind of way...  

[Bighead]

He must have been traveling pretty fast slid 71 feet before impact.

[old2soon]

       Yet Another Bro i never knew.   R I P.   I figured out a Long time ago alcohol in me and RIDIN or DRIVIN  do NOT Mix well. From what I read he Might have been rear brake only. Disclaimer-I was Not There. RIDE SAFE.

[Skinhead]

From what I could find the speed limit on 160 could be as high as 65 mph.  At 60 mph you are traveling 88 fps.  I could not find a 60-0 mph stopping distance in my cursory search.

[ridingron]

From what I could find the speed limit on 160 could be as high as 65 mph.  At 60 mph you are traveling 88 fps.  I could not find a 60-0 mph stopping distance in my cursory search. 

From memory, 60 to 0 is about 107' for a Valkyrie. That is for a pro rider using front and rear brakes probably right up to the edge of skidding. The stopping distance increases with skidding.

To me, the "71' long skid mark" comment implies rear brake was primary stopping source. Never a good thing.

[Valker]

From what I could find the speed limit on 160 could be as high as 65 mph.  At 60 mph you are traveling 88 fps.  I could not find a 60-0 mph stopping distance in my cursory search. 

From memory, 60 to 0 is about 107' for a Valkyrie. That is for a pro rider using front and rear brakes probably right up to the edge of skidding. The stopping distance increases with skidding.

To me, the "71' long skid mark" comment implies rear brake was primary stopping source. Never a good thing.

Close. It was 109' under their test parameters. I've never made that distance, but close. One skid mark will be for rear only. If he'd used and locked the front, it would have low sided.

[Oss]

why is it that the article says the motorcycle failed to yield to a car turning left

He had the right of way, didnt have the time to stop

unless there was a left turn green light at the scene the car dirver was at fault

[The emperor has no clothes]

why is it that the article says the motorcycle failed to yield to a car turning left

He had the right of way, didnt have the time to stop

unless there was a left turn green light at the scene the car dirver was at fault

They were both traveling east on 160. The car had slowed to turn left onto another road.

[f6gal]

why is it that the article says the motorcycle failed to yield to a car turning left

He had the right of way, didnt have the time to stop

unless there was a left turn green light at the scene the car dirver was at fault

I think he was coming up behind the car and the car slowed to make a left turn.  He struck rear end.  

[Oss]

well that is a whole other kettle of fish isnt it

Sad to hear about the fatality  thanks for the clarification

[Whooray]

None of us here in the Boise area knew of him or remember meeting a Valkyrie  rider from the Marsing area. 

[Jess from VA]

I was leading a small group of bikes, and we got caught in a long stop and go on the interstate.

Roll 20-30 feet slow, stop, repeat (all lanes).

It was hot and after 30 rolls, I failed to quite stop and just bumped a mini van ahead of me.  My rubber tire on his bumper (no mark), at like a quarter knot.  Embarrassed myself.

The guy jumps out to come back and look.  I apologize and say there's no mark or dent anywhere.

He points to a small (and old) dent up on the rear I could not have made, unless airborne.

I said.... nice try, maybe you better get back in your car before you fall down or something.  He does.

The guys with me LTAO.  But it was my fault.  

[cookiedough]

I was leading a small group of bikes, and we got caught in a long stop and go on the interstate.

Roll 20-30 feet slow, stop, repeat (all lanes).

It was hot and after 30 rolls, I failed to quite stop and just bumped a mini van ahead of me.  My rubber tire on his bumper (no mark), at like a quarter knot.  Embarrassed myself.

The guy jumps out to come back and look.  I apologize and say there's no mark or dent anywhere.

He points to a small (and old) dent up on the rear I could not have made, unless airborne.

I said.... nice try, maybe you better get back in your car before you fall down or something.  He does.

The guys with me LTAO.  But it was my fault.  

stop and go for several miles on interstate is not fun on cycle especially all it takes is some yahoo like today with my truck on interstate to come flying up and smacking you in rear bumper or cycle tire and you go flying.  Was near that today with my truck a few times on interstate stop/go traffic several times.  I was even not following to closely but not paying 100% attention and wife said SLOW DOWN ASAP and I had to swerve a tad off the interstate on shoulder to nearly hit car in front of me doing say 5 mph or so slowing down.  All it takes is 1 split second of wondering eyes or attention and WAMMOO!

[Disco]

The luggage rack makes me think of El Cazador's bike.  Jim sold it 4-5 years ago.  Saddlebags could be a match as could be the exhaust.  Idaho fits, too.   

[DirtyDan]

From motorcycle school......
#  1 cause of accidents ... Left hand Turns  !!!
My 2$
Dan

[hubcapsc]

From motorcycle school......
#  1 cause of accidents ... Left hand Turns  !!!
My 2$
Dan

There's this offset intersection near my house. People fly up and
down the cross street, it is a major rural highway... big hills...
this intersection is at the top of a hill. No matter how careful
you are there's a chance you'll have to stop at the X for on
coming traffic. I hate that intersection.



-Mike

[Disco]

The luggage rack makes me think of El Cazador's bike.  Jim sold it 4-5 years ago.  Saddlebags could be a match as could be the exhaust.  Idaho fits, too.   

I emailed Jim.  Not his bike, although its new owner totaled it, too.  That guy walked away, however.

[Oldfishguy]

From motorcycle school......
#  1 cause of accidents ... Left hand Turns  !!!
My 2$
Dan

That is the way it use to be.

I sit on a motorcycle task force for my state and our data now statistically shows more deaths are coming from single bike accidents where the machine and rider leave the road, most in a curve.  Certainly speed plays a part in this but over the decades motorcycles have become heavy machines with a lot more energy making them difficult to stop or slow quickly.  And then of course the unmentionable . . . the biker population is aging and maybe for some of us our reflexes are not as sharp as they once were??

But yes, passenger vehicles making left turns in front of motorcycles is a close second in fatality counts.  

[Ramie]

From motorcycle school......
#  1 cause of accidents ... Left hand Turns  !!!
My 2$
Dan

That is the way it use to be.

I sit on a motorcycle task force for my state and our data now statistically shows more deaths are coming from single bike accidents where the machine and rider leave the road, most in a curve.  Certainly speed plays a part in this but over the decades motorcycles have become heavy machines with a lot more energy making them difficult to stop or slow quickly.  And then of course the unmentionable . . . the biker population is aging and maybe for some of us our reflexes are not as sharp as they once were??

But yes, passenger vehicles making left turns in front of motorcycles is a close second in fatality counts.  

I think a lot of it is target fixation, you go where you look.  Especially when they enter a curve a little to fast.  Also we never find out how much experience these riders have.  Not saying anyone can't make a mistake but the older I get the less in a hurry I am.  Most of the Valk folks I've ridden with here are the same.

[Willow]

From motorcycle school......
#  1 cause of accidents ... Left hand Turns  !!!
My 2$
Dan

That is the way it use to be.

I sit on a motorcycle task force for my state and our data now statistically shows more deaths are coming from single bike accidents where the machine and rider leave the road, most in a curve.  Certainly speed plays a part in this but over the decades motorcycles have become heavy machines with a lot more energy making them difficult to stop or slow quickly.  And then of course the unmentionable . . . the biker population is aging and maybe for some of us our reflexes are not as sharp as they once were??

But yes, passenger vehicles making left turns in front of motorcycles is a close second in fatality counts.    

A lot of assumptions listed there.  He said accidents.  The response said fatalities.  The response seems to assume older riders, disregarding the issue of younger people on faster machines and, of course, how much riding experience and skill.

For me the good advice is beware of left turning vehicles.  That's from experience.

[signart]

From motorcycle school......
#  1 cause of accidents ... Left hand Turns  !!!
My 2$
Dan

That is the way it use to be.

I sit on a motorcycle task force for my state and our data now statistically shows more deaths are coming from single bike accidents where the machine and rider leave the road, most in a curve.  Certainly speed plays a part in this but over the decades motorcycles have become heavy machines with a lot more energy making them difficult to stop or slow quickly.  And then of course the unmentionable . . . the biker population is aging and maybe for some of us our reflexes are not as sharp as they once were??

But yes, passenger vehicles making left turns in front of motorcycles is a close second in fatality counts.    

A lot of assumptions listed there.  He said accidents.  The response said fatalities.  The response seems to assume older riders, disregarding the issue of younger people on faster machines and, of course, how much riding experience and skill.

For me the good advice is beware of left turning vehicles.  That's from experience.

That's easy. All you have to do is assume every one will make a turn in front of you as you approach an intersection, or assume they will pull out as you approach. The one thing that is totally unavoidable is the distracted/drunk driver that crosses into the lane head on into your path. Lowest chance to avoid, lowest chance for survival.

[Chuckman]

I can't believe the jerk who said he had it coming.
Judge not lest you be judged yourself ... in equal measure.

[Valkorado]

I can't believe the jerk who said he had it coming.
Judge not lest you be judged yourself ... in equal measure.

Went back through the responses.  I don't see where any jerk said he had it coming.

Took a ride with a good out of state friend and a group of buddies he drug along last season.  Thought I'd show 'em some local twists.  They were in full vacation mode, stopping often to shoot the bull and pull slugs from a big bottle of Jagermeister they were handing around.  I noticed their skills deteriorating as day wore on, so after their next imbibing stop I went from riding a safely distant sweep position to lead, then when a couple came up a bit fast I twisted wrist and just disappeared into the curves beyond.  At the next town I thought about waiting around but pointed the front tire toward home, instead of heading to the intended rendezvous.  I was glad to later discover they all arrived there safely.

We all make our own decisions in life, and we all face the consequences.  I'm not out to judge, but those guys just weren't riding my kind of ride that day.  God Bless them.

[Chuckman]

This guy in the comments of the news article ... NOBODY "has that coming ..."

Robert Hammernick
"There is no boots in the picture, just a wrecked motorcycle. Grow up. These guy decided to booz it up and join traffic. That's a very dumb move and even dumber on a motorcycle. We're supposed to have respect for that? He had it coming."

And

Robert Hammernick
"The can you see is a waterbottle. Don't be an idiot. Grow up. This guy had it coming."

Just gets old seeing people be so judgemental and ugly to each other.

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement."
  ~ Gandalf The Gray

[f6gal]

From motorcycle school......
#  1 cause of accidents ... Left hand Turns  !!!
My 2$
Dan

It does not appear that the left hand turn caused this accident.  This accident was caused by the rider not stopping or slowing enough for a vehicle in front of him that had slowed.  The reason for the front vehicle slowing is irrelevant.  Whatever caused the rider to not slow/stop in time is where the fault lies.  We don't know what caused him not to slow/stop in time.  Perhaps alcohol, perhaps not.

[old2soon]

From motorcycle school......
#  1 cause of accidents ... Left hand Turns  !!!
My 2$
Dan

It does not appear that the left hand turn caused this accident.  This accident was caused by the rider not stopping or slowing enough for a vehicle in front of him that had slowed.  The reason for the front vehicle slowing is irrelevant.  Whatever caused the rider to not slow/stop in time is where the fault lies.  We don't know what caused him not to slow/stop in time.  Perhaps alcohol, perhaps not.

            Navy Pilots call that loss of S A-Situational Awareness. And Again-I was NOT there. RIDE SAFE.