FAST IS DANGEROUS

Sorry to go off topic just for a minute, but Patch you mentioned Dave Jeffries + oil spill. Is that what caused it, as I haven't heard anything since - last I heard was that no-one knew why or what happened. (I probably just haven't read the right mags)

Originally Posted by TrojanHorse11

Sorry to go off topic just for a minute, but Patch you mentioned Dave Jeffries + oil spill. Is that what caused it, as I haven't heard anything since - last I heard was that no-one knew why or what happened. (I probably just haven't read the right mags)

Sorry I heard that was the cause it may have been misinformation. The post was intended as an example of how it can go wrong for even the best.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by TrojanHorse11

Sounds a bit like:
Guns don't kill people, rappers do

Does it? I had no idea. Well, maybe a small one.

The terms "speed" and "dangerous" are of course relative ones. I myself have always maintained that riding a bike is dangerous (that is it lives up to my personal expectation of the word) and have endeavoured, in the face of considerable criticism, to educate new people that this is so, let no-one pretend otherwise. Naturally logic dictates that an increase in speed is directly proportional to the risk of serious injury or death.

So at the end of the day it comes down to what is an acceptable risk to each individual. As regards 140 on a deserted motorway in dry conditions with excellent visibility, with a well maintained bike with good tyres and a rider of good ability and experience, then for me this comes into the realms of "acceptable risk" - but only just. More than that I wouldn't wish to explore and would find the greater degree of risk unacceptable.

The only mutual consideration should be that no other party be involved in an accident should one occur, and thus extraordinary care and thought should go hand in hand with extra ordinary levels of risk.



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can't possibily tell what the right answer is to this, i have had a few offs but speed was never the direct cause. its often not just speed which is dangerous. Which leads me to my 2ps worth, if you ride within your limits you will most likely limit your chances of crashing. However if you allways ride within your limits how can u improve , a balance needs to be struck some where but its very had to tell where you are pushing your limits & pushing your luck.

if youre riding too fast for the road conditions and environment and cant stop in time taking into account your speed and reaction times to anything that could happen then yes its dangerous.

if youre riding fast and can stop in time given speed and reaction times then no its not.

simple.

Fast in itself is not inherrently dangerous but then neither is falling from a great height. It's hitting the ground that kills you!

High speed and by that I mean fast for the prevailing conditions as well as simply hammering it, means that you have less time to react as do other road users and if the worst happens, injuries will be more serious.

Anyone who wants speed for speeds sake should do a track day where the conditions can be managed and controlled, on a public road there's simply too many variables.

And yes, I have been known to exceed the posted limit on occasion.

Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

Oh, and make sure your tyres have a decent level of tread and not something which resembles a slick

Surely that's only relevant in the wet and that in the dry a tyre that resembles a slick would actually give you better grip? Though I appreciate that the rubber might have "gone off" by this stage.


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Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

But, I think we can all safely say that a decent set of tyres is never a bad idea

Agreed


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Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

...the 207RR's on my Ninja are very worn (pretty much no tread over approx 40% of the tyre, I guess and low tread round the edges), and I get lots of rear end slides in corners, possibly contributed to me throwing my bike, I'm not sure. But, I think we can all safely say that a decent set of tyres is never a bad idea

Sounds like a new set is due about now (or was due long before now)!