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Topic : Accident on 113 in West Pikeland
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 RatDog 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 09/12/2012
Posts : 516
Location : Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, United States
Posted : 14 May 2014 - 14:06   Post title : Accident on 113 in West Pikeland
 
Went out for a lovely ride last Sunday. Thinking I am damn lucky to live where I do - close to civilization AND great local roads. Then I encountered a road closure at the scene of a frightening accident on one of my favorite routes. I hate dwelling and talking about accidents but this one struck a nerve. Check out the link to a local news story with key details - it is the classic young cage driver turns left in front of the biker he "did not see". Rider survived somehow but is still in hospital. Given the picture that's quite surprising. Be careful out there - remember you are invisible!!!

News: Link
Picture:

 
Paul
2012 Triumph Thunderbird Storm ABS (stealthy and fastest matte black!)

Previous Bikes:
2001 Suzuki Bandit GSF1200S
1981 Yamaha SECA XJ-750
Post edited by RatDog on 14 May 2014 - 14:08
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 daz 
Zeus
Reg. Date : 12/05/2009
Posts : 7,686
Location :  United States
Posted : 14 May 2014 - 19:12   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: RatDog)
 
Probably the most common cause of bike deaths is that dreaded left turn cager. If a new biker asked me for my #1 piece of advice it would be whenever approaching a car waiting to turn left, slow down to the point you know you could stop if he did and be ready for him to do so. That scenario always scares me. I think if you ride long enough and you aren't ready every time you approach that, it's how you are most likely to die.

 
2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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 mat1600 
Thunderbird
Reg. Date : 06/03/2010
Posts : 8,596
Location : Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Posted : 14 May 2014 - 20:10   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: daz)
 
daz wrote:

Probably the most common cause of bike deaths is that dreaded left turn cager. If a new biker asked me for my #1 piece of advice it would be whenever approaching a car waiting to turn left, slow down to the point you know you could stop if he did and be ready for him to do so. That scenario always scares me. I think if you ride long enough and you aren't ready every time you approach that, it's how you are most likely to die.


Spot on Daz. I do that a lot. I like to see the whites of the fckers eyes before I'm comfy to carry on.

But that is a 40 speed limit, guess by the damage someone was going a lot faster.

 
My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.


Post edited by mat1600 on 14 May 2014 - 20:12
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 RC65 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 19/05/2011
Posts : 679
Location : Redmond, Washington, United States
Posted : 14 May 2014 - 20:39   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: mat1600)
 
Took my bike out for my very first ride of the year on Sunday, April 13, 2:00'ish, and came across a bike down on that two-lane highway that runs between two nearly country towns. A sportbike type, greenish-yellow in color. Bike on its side in front of, I think, a van, twisted but not mangled. Rider nowhere to be seen, but a helluva lot of aid cars and more rushing to the scene as I sat there...probably far too many for just a little fender bender, unfortunately. At least eight different police and aid vehicles, long traffic backups. It didn't look good, but since I can't seem to find any information about it and the rider was nowhere to be seen when I passed I continue to hope the rider was just resting in one of the ambulances and made it out with just a few scrapes.

I've seen bikes down a time or two before, but never while I was on a bike myself and had to pass within feet of it. Even with a couple decades of riding under my belt, it was a sobering, first-hand reminder to always be alert, always be careful. I couldn't tell if the accident was the rider's or a cager's fault, but ultimately it doesn't matter, as in the end it's always the rider who gets hurt.



 
Thunderbird Riders in Puget Sound (TRiPS) / Seattle
-- co-holder of the title of the United States' Largest Thunderbird Flocking!
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 AZCactus 
Taranis
Reg. Date : 01/05/2013
Posts : 4,476
Location : AZ
Posted : 15 May 2014 - 02:47   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: mat1600)
 

mat1600 wrote:

Spot on Daz. I do that a lot. I like to see the whites of the fckers eyes before I'm comfy to carry on.


Looking at the driver's face is the last thing to do (u may think the driver sees you). Look At The Front Wheel...should it start rotating forward, you have at least a few more seconds to evaluate and execute. MSF Course



 
2009 Thunderbird 1700 Big Bore

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 rabbi 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 28/02/2012
Posts : 926
Location : Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Posted : 15 May 2014 - 05:02   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: AZCactus)
 
I think that is my worst fear also some numb nut turning in on you or driving through the cross road giveway sign.

Sounds like this guys was lucky .

Link

 
"Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably why so few people engage in it"
Henry Ford
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 IngerMan 
Set
Reg. Date : 19/02/2014
Posts : 217
Location : Buffalo, NY, United States
Posted : 15 May 2014 - 09:51   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: AZCactus)
 
That is good advice looking at the front wheel AZCactus. It seems the majority of accidents I hear, read are drivers pulling out in front of motorcycles vs rear ending. After I installed the back off module, I went right for some driving lights. I ride with them on all day and feel a little more visible. But it only takes one and I will start to focus on the front wheel as I approach. Thank you for the tip.

Ride Safe!

 
2012 Triumph 1600, MeerKat Crossover, Long Tor's, Performance Filter, Pacific Blue and White.

Kip
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 mat1600 
Thunderbird
Reg. Date : 06/03/2010
Posts : 8,596
Location : Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Posted : 15 May 2014 - 11:25   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: AZCactus)
 

AZCactus wrote:

mat1600 wrote:

Spot on Daz. I do that a lot. I like to see the whites of the fckers eyes before I'm comfy to carry on.


Looking at the driver's face is the last thing to do (u may think the driver sees you). Look At The Front Wheel...should it start rotating forward, you have at least a few more seconds to evaluate and execute. MSF Course



Well I do also watch for wheel movement - just anything to give me a clue to stop........ bearing in mind you have to also see whats behind you so you don't get shafted up the rear while trying to avoid a t'bone accident........ and then there are the deer and rabbits and game birds and the bloody ignorant cycle riders that have no road sense and the potholes................and.............and..........and how the fck are we all still alive?

 
My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.


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 RatDog 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 09/12/2012
Posts : 516
Location : Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, United States
Posted : 15 May 2014 - 12:11   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: mat1600)
 
yeah... and as you said earlier by looking at the wreckage we can't know for sure but it looks like someone might have been going too fast.

Reading the text of the article...

"The driver of the Jeep was stopped and waiting to turn in to Hallman's General store. The driver of the Jeep waited to allow a car to pass, and proceeded to make the turn in to the drive. The driver did not see the motorcycle coming and turned in front of the motorcycle. The motorcycle then struck the side of the Jeep."

...it wasn't the jeep. That's a real tempting spot too - with a nice long flat straightaway and limited access.

So the lesson is not only that we are invisible (we are) but that we also have to use brains when tempting fate as we enjoy hearing the sound and feeling the thrilling vibes during acceleration as I am sure most of us do from time to time.

If you see someone in the opposing lane waiting to turn left (or right as the case may be) in front of you - that's probably not the best time to get on the throttle.



 
Paul
2012 Triumph Thunderbird Storm ABS (stealthy and fastest matte black!)

Previous Bikes:
2001 Suzuki Bandit GSF1200S
1981 Yamaha SECA XJ-750
Post edited by RatDog on 15 May 2014 - 12:15
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 RayStorm 
Set
Reg. Date : 18/02/2014
Posts : 143
Location : Henniker, NH, United States
Posted : 15 May 2014 - 15:45   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: RatDog)
 
That's one of the reasons I picked the Storm. Two headlights are better than one, and the more visibility the better. Of course common sense, and always reading and adjusting for the current situation is most important.

 
2013 Storm
Corbin Classic Solo seat
MadStad 20" windshield
Viking hard bags


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 edbob 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 04/04/2012
Posts : 931
Location :  United States
Posted : 15 May 2014 - 18:04   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: mat1600)
 
Link
These are awesome for your front end. Makes people look twice. Rear also for around your plate. They're legal in the states.

 
"You will ride eternal shiny and chrome"
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 cmac226 
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Reg. Date : 16/05/2014
Posts : 2
Location :  United States
Posted : 16 May 2014 - 03:06   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: RatDog)
 
this pic is eery as hell I saw this moments earlier in my cager. On my way to moms for dinner when I saw this.

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 cmac226 
Set
Reg. Date : 16/05/2014
Posts : 2
Location :  United States
Posted : 16 May 2014 - 03:35   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: cmac226)
 
RatDog, definitely great roads in the area, just be safe! Rte 82, St. Peters Rd, Rte 345, and a little stretch on flowing springs road!

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 PapaSmurfMC 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 03/10/2013
Posts : 871
Location : Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Posted : 16 May 2014 - 04:01   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: RatDog)
 
Car stopped in opposing lane, even if not signaling a turn, slow down. If you don't have additional lighting up front, do a little weave (like swerving around a manhole) in your lane; the motion calls attention to the bike. A single headlight approaching in a straight line becomes part of the background to someone looking head-on. Picked that up from a Brit safety instructor.

I've ridden 113 south of that spot. Nice area.


 
2013 Blue Marble Haze Thunderbird 1600 ABS
2009 Black Bonneville A1 ("Mag")
Buncha farkles

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 Birdy1234 
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Reg. Date : 20/04/2013
Posts : 143
Location : Cologne, NRW, Germany
Posted : 16 May 2014 - 08:07   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: edbob)
 
Interesting link.
Is anybody on here using this? Is it also legal in EU?
Best
Elmar

 
Go out riding - Enjoy life!
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 edbob 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 04/04/2012
Posts : 931
Location :  United States
Posted : 16 May 2014 - 15:35   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: Birdy1234)
 
I do use them, and although I can't remember who it was, a few others on this site do. Check the website for legalities. I highly doubt you'd get any flack because when you look directly at them they appear as LED daytime running lights just like on every other new car/bike that is out there. The flicker is only detectable in your peripheral vision because it's too high frequency for the 'cones' to pick up (that's the neurons you use when you look directly at something). Yes, that part is true, from experience as an owner of these and as an Optometrist, I can attest that you will not see the flicker when you look straight at them - so these are NOT like those annoying headlight modulators (tried those - not for me). Personally, I see these as important as a helmet on my list of safety necessities on a motorcycle. Pretty inexpensive as well. Almost a "no-brainer" because it's passive safety (once you have it, you don't have to maintain or remember to put them on - they come on when you start the bike)

 
"You will ride eternal shiny and chrome"
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 RatDog 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 09/12/2012
Posts : 516
Location : Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, United States
Posted : 16 May 2014 - 16:17   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: edbob)
 
Hey edbob... So I checked out that site and the product does look cool. I found their ordering page to be very confusing. Which bracket setup are you using on your TBird (presuming it is your tbird and not some other bike)?

 
Paul
2012 Triumph Thunderbird Storm ABS (stealthy and fastest matte black!)

Previous Bikes:
2001 Suzuki Bandit GSF1200S
1981 Yamaha SECA XJ-750
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 edbob 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 04/04/2012
Posts : 931
Location :  United States
Posted : 16 May 2014 - 17:15   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: RatDog)
 
I have them on my bird, front and rear. At the rear, they're red double row led's about the length of the plate. They mount directly to the plate or on the plate frame with double sided tape or little bolts included, or both. At the front, I have double rowed led's in white. I placed them underneath the lower fork clamp, mounted in line with the brake line mounts. they can also be double-sided taped directly to the forks, but this is not ideal as they should face straight ahead for maximum brightness (the forks are set back at an angle). Some of the pictures on the site show them attached to the fork lowers at the calipers. There's a dozen different ways to mount them (brackets, etc), but I couldn't find bolts on the fork lowers that would accommodate them like that. Edit: I managed to use the brackets they sent with them. There are many options that can work, though, even cut some aluminum bar from Home depot is different shapes.

 
"You will ride eternal shiny and chrome"
Post edited by edbob on 16 May 2014 - 17:17
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 RatDog 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 09/12/2012
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Location : Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, United States
Posted : 16 May 2014 - 17:38   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: edbob)
 
got a picture or two? you had to know I would ask

 
Paul
2012 Triumph Thunderbird Storm ABS (stealthy and fastest matte black!)

Previous Bikes:
2001 Suzuki Bandit GSF1200S
1981 Yamaha SECA XJ-750
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 MTree 
Set
Reg. Date : 18/05/2014
Posts : 1
Location :  United States
Posted : 18 May 2014 - 14:37   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: RatDog)
 
I've never posted anything on the internet, however, today I feel compelled. I'm 50+ years old and a former motorcyclist. I was there, last Sunday, when the accident occurred. I was within 50 feet. The photo doesn't portray the true picture. The motorcyclist was leaving a 55 mph zone, into a 40 mph. He was doing nothing unlawful. The Jeep pulled out from behind a U Haul truck into the path of the Motorcyclist. No amt of training could have prepared this rider for what was about to happen. If you frequent this stretch of highway, please keep in mind, there are actually 2 intersections within 50 ft of one another. He may have thought he cleared the one, however, there was another that permits left hand turns. Please pray for the poor soul, because he may have "survived" , however, he and his family and friends will have a lifetime of pain and therapy. My wife and I have lived in this area, close to 19 yrs. We seldom pull out on to route 113 because of what we consider the impatience and disregard some drivers have for others. Stay safe & practice emergency braking.

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 SpeedShaker 
Set
Reg. Date : 15/08/2013
Posts : 154
Location : Whittier, CA, United States
Posted : 21 May 2014 - 16:52   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: edbob)
 

edbob wrote:

Link
These are awesome for your front end. Makes people look twice. Rear also for around your plate. They're legal in the states.


I just saw this. I saw the photon lights before I saw the headlights and the rider. I was driving my car today. It struck me like a ton of bricks. I know they'll work for sure.



 
The look when I twist the throttle.
I get when I roll up to a light.
When they debate to race.
When they see the back of my Triumph shirt, after I leave that red light.

Bikes owned:
2005 Speedmaster
2013 Thunderbird ABS
2013 Victory Cross Country
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 edbob 
Chaac
Reg. Date : 04/04/2012
Posts : 931
Location :  United States
Posted : 21 May 2014 - 18:59   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: MTree)
 
For a sobering look at what we're up against, google the story of Larry Grodsky. In short, he was a motorcycle safety guru, probably the best there ever was. 2 weeks before he was killed on his bike, he correctly predicted it would be a deer. I believe that when it's our time, it's our time for most of us. True, stupid happens, but even if I drive to and from work in a dump truck, there's a locomotive somewhere that will drop out of the sky if God wants me, and an angel somewhere that will protect me if a locomotive does come my way and it's not my time. To not tempt fate, I do ATGATT, etc. There have been occasions where I will not ride, or even weeks here and there because it doesn't feel right. But when it does feel right, I'm on the bike and loving it. This is a universal topic with any motorcycle forum, as much as oil threads and tire talk... The moral is always the same though - We were born to live - go out and ride, young man, with your heart ablaze, and a smile on your face. Don't flick a booger at fate, and with any bit of luck, he'll smile your way until it is your time.

 
"You will ride eternal shiny and chrome"
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 EnGage 
Thor
Reg. Date : 14/07/2009
Posts : 3,155
Location : Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Posted : 28 May 2014 - 11:45   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: edbob)
 

edbob wrote:

For a sobering look at what we're up against, google the story of Larry Grodsky. In short, he was a motorcycle safety guru, probably the best there ever was. 2 weeks before he was killed on his bike, he correctly predicted it would be a deer. ...


Living in West Michigan, my greatest motorcycle fear is deer. Perhaps that's naive, but we have one of the highest deer/auto crash rates in the country. The problem with deer is that they don't necessary run away from their threat - they are pre-wired to run in a zig-zag evasive pattern, but the result of that is that the deer can see you and then run right into you.

Two of the guys I ride with have hit deer on their motorcycle - both escaped without much injury. Most people I know have hit a deer at least once in their car. Another guy I ride with has hit a deer in his car twice. but that hasn't slowed him down - he's up to 20 motorcycles now.

I ride the back roads during the day, but at dusk and night, I tend to stick to the freeways.

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 bnz433 
Jupiter
Reg. Date : 10/06/2011
Posts : 1,842
Location : Clifton Park (Upstate), NY, United States
Posted : 28 May 2014 - 13:54   Post title : Re: Accident on 113 in West Pikeland (Re: EnGage)
 
I'm in Upstate NY, so I have similar concerns. But these days, probably more than deer, I'm afraid of the IDIOTS on their cell phones, texting, or all of these new wizbang gadgets in the cars.

This story is all over the Facebook motorcycle groups. 4 bikes run over at a stop, by a girl/woman on her phone.

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Jamie

 
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