Earlier, we looked back at some of the most notable motorcycle news stories of 2012, ten tales that helped define the motorcycle industry this past year.
It’s probably safe to say that none of the items in this top ten list will do that. This is a compilation of some of the strangest, dumbest, and funniest oddball stories we’ve seen this year.
Here’s to a great 2012. We can only hope 2013 will be just as entertaining.
Accidents happen. All motorcyclists should be well aware of that. I’m certainly no exception. And with the high risk of serious injury motorcyclists face, it feels a little bad finding enjoyment in another rider taking a spill. But every now and then, someone has an accident so spectacular, you just have to step back and marvel at it. This is one of them.
A contributor to French motorcycle publication Moto-Journal thought it’d be a good idea to take a 2013 Yamaha FJR1300 to a pier for a photoshoot. The beautiful vistas, tall rising sails and a multitude of interesting background objects make for a good setting for motorcycle photography.
It was one of those interesting background objects that proved to be this motojournalist’s downfall, as he misjudges the width of the FJR1300′s panniers. The case strikes a bollard, ripping the bag from the motorcycle. The sudden impact surprises the rider and he promptly veers right off the pier. Continue Reading »
It already sucks when you’re involved in a motorcycle crash. I found that out myself first-hand recently. It’s even worse however when someone steals your bike while you’re lying on the ground with severe injuries.
That’s what happened last week to 35-year-old Glenn Hawkins in Bristol, England. According to a report in Britain’s Daily Mail, Hawkins crashed his Kawasaki ZX-6R trying to avoid a bicyclist who had suddenly stepped out into his path. The crash sent Hawkins tumbling to the ground, breaking his collar bone, cracking two ribs and puncturing a lung.
According to a police spokesperson, a passer-by then allegedly offered to help move the crashed Ninja out of the way of traffic, but instead took off with the sportbike. Continue Reading »
Wayne Rainey will return to the Misano circuit for the first time since he suffered a career-ending crash that left him paralyzed from the chest down.
The Sept. 5, 1993 crash at the circuit then-known as the Circuito Internazionale Santamonica brought a sudden end to what had been an incredibly successful Grand Prix racing career. Rainey, the 1990-1992 500cc Grand Prix World Champion was three rounds away from what would have been his fourth consecutive world title when he broke his back in a high-speed low-side.
Yamaha is organizing a special ceremony to honor Rainey on Friday, Sept 2 at Misano, ahead of the San Marino Grand Prix.
[Source: MotoGP]
Indy Mile officials have decided to cancel this year’s AMA Flat Track round due to the continuing investigation into the fatal stage rigging accident at the Indiana State Fair.
The Aug. 13 tragedy killed five people and injured dozens after winds reaching as high as 70 mph caused the stage to collapse.
The ongoing investigation has closed the grandstand and one-mile dirt track, forcing the cancellation of the Indy Mile.
Sidecar racer Bill Currie, 67, and passenger Kevin Morgan, 59, have died following an accident at the 2011 Isle of Man TT races.
The accident occurred during the second qualifying session for the sidecar class near the Ballacrye Bend, between milestones 17 and 18 on the Mountain Course. The coroner is investigating the accident.
Currie was an experienced Isle of Man TT racer, first competing in the fabled event in 1969 where he finished third. Currie competed in last year’s TT, finishing eighth in the Sidecar class with a personal best average speed of 107.944 mph. Morgan was no stranger to the Isle of Man either, competing in his first TT race in 1984. This year’s event was the first time the two would have competed together as a pair.
“I have known both Bill and Kevin for many years and am deeply saddened by their untimely death,” says Jim Parker, managing director of Isle of Man TT organizer ACU Events. “They were a huge part of the sidecar paddock and will be sorely missed by everyone involved in the event.”
Currie was divorced with two kids. Morgan was single with two sons.
Official statement after the jump.
A new report says riders with ABS-equipped bikes can dramatically reduce the chance of a fatal accident. The study compared fatality rates among riders on bikes that have antilock brakes, and it found that death rates were 38% lower on motorcycles equipped with the optional ABS systems compared to non-ABS bikes.
WEC (World Extreme Cagefighter) bantamweight fighter Will Ribeiro was recently in a motorcycle accident that has left him in a comatose state in hospital in Rio De Janeiro according to WEC.tv. According to the report, Ribeiro was riding as a passenger on the motorcycle and was not wearing a helmet when the bike crashed on a slick road.
“My assistant said that the doctor said for sure that [Ribeiro] has lost sight in one of his eyes,” Ribeiro’s manager, Ed Soares, told WEC.tv. “He’s still in a coma. After surgery the doctor said there is a 50-50 shot that he will come out of it (and survive).”
Ribeiro (10-2), 24, launched his professional career five years ago in his native Brazil. After a 9-1 start to his career, which included a 3-0 mark in Shooto, he made his WEC debut with a split-decision victory over Chase Beebe in June.
“He’s a very positive guy, very hard-working, a good person,” Soares said of Ribeiro. “He had had a very rough life. His mother passed away like seven years ago and he took over the care of his younger sister. He’s like a father-brother-mother to her. … I’m still crushed right now.”
