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Re: For SoCal Riders
I don't really know why the accidents and fatalities are up so sharply. Motorcycle and bicycle death is pretty much a daily occurrence here, and the dead riders don't fit any particular profile. I tend to read most of the fatality articles and quite a few of the dead guys are older (presumably experienced, but I don't know) but there are also dead young guys on sport bikes. I do think that the spike in gas in mid 2008 prompted a lot of people to start riding for the first time, but I also think the ones that did it just to save gas are probably back in their cars. (Otherwise, I would have sold my GZ by now!)
The types of accidents I read about are the usual: Left turn into motorcycle, motorcycle left the road, failed to negotiate the turn, etc. FWIW, nearly all the dead guys out here were wearing helmets. I don't like to think about it too much, but I guess the reality is, one mistake on the bike at the wrong time and your number is up. I suppose you have to either be a little irrational or okay with the possibility of an early death to be a long term rider. Not sure which category I fall into, perhaps I'm just slow on the uptake as well.
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