Backpack Nearly Kills Rider

[Lewis' RT]

Heading back to Houston after a ride down to Galveston I spotted a single 1/4+ mile long skid track crossing back and forth across both north bound lanes. At the end of the skid track was a sport biker standing next to his bike. I'm happy to report the bike and the rider were both "right side up".

I stopped to see what had happeded and if the rider needed help. As I approached the bike I saw a backpack firmly wedged between the rear tire and the fender. As he and I removed the backpack I saw the remains of two 3/16" bungee cords the rider had used to "secure" his backpack to the luggage rack. There was a 3" wide by 6" long hole burned completly through the tire.

Either the rider has world class riding skills, OR he was the luckiest rider in that "time slot", he barely missed a very violent accident.

Something else for us to think more about, what should . . . and perhaps more importantly what should not be strapped on our bikes.

Think . . . and ride safe ! Lewis

[Arby]

Lewis

Thanks for the heads up.

Bob

[Wild Will]

About ten years ago as I was exiting WSB races at Laguna Seca, it was hotter than Hades, so I decided to bungee my Aerostich on the seat of my FJ 600 Yamahe since the ride back to the motel was only a couple of miles.
Heading down a long straight at about 45 mph, enjoying the wind that dried my sweat, the bike suddenly locked the rear wheel. I stood on the pegs and balanced the machine until it stopped; having ridden dirt bikes for a long time this was a natural reaction. The bike remained upright. Pulling the clutch did nothing to fix the situation. The guy behind me stopped and yelled "great save!".
Well, my bungee cords had let the rolled-up 'Stich slip down and become wedged between the wheel and the sub frame. It was the size of a football, and hard as a rock. It took me 45 minutes to get the suit out. I thought I was going to have to remove the rear wheel! Anyway, the suit was completely undamaged except for a small rubber slick where it had acted as a brake on the tire.
I will never use a bungee cord again for anything like this. I now use the nylon strapping that has those wonderful Fastex quick release buckles available at outdoor stores. When a 30 pound buzzard decided to hit me on the right saddlebag (BMW System case), far out in the Humboldt wilderness, it tore the mounts right off the bag, and I was left with the problem of how to keep it on the bike for the next rough 200 miles +. These nylon straps did the job, take up no space and are absolutely awesome. I give them as gifts now, to riding friends, and at $5 a pair, they are worth their weight in euphoria.

[DJ Down Under]

A friend of mine rode once with a long scarf flapping in the wind and stopped at a red light..scarf dropped into the rear wheel..he took of and got pulled back wards off the back of his bike...he's ok...I wish I'd been there..how funny would that be.

DJ

[MRB]

DJ
Ever heard of Isadora Duncan?
"Isadora Duncan died as dramatically as she had lived, when her long trailing scarf was entangled in the spokes of a wheel of a new Bugatti sports car. In an instant, she was strangled, nearly decapitated by the tightening of the scarf wrapped around her neck."http://www.isadoraduncan.org/about_isadora.html
Martin.

[DJ Down Under]

DJ
Ever heard of Isadora Duncan?

No..but now I have..geees..what a way to go..:icon_eek:

I know..not funny...it's only funny if it's a mate..and he's ok..:icon_mrgreen:

DJ

[DarthRider]

Several years ago after our annual vintage rally in East Texas, a young Dallas couple was returning home after camping at the rally.
Their sleeping bag slipped down into the rear tire, fender, swingarm, etc. and totally locked the wheel at 80 MPH.
He was able to ride it down to about 40 or so and they went down very hard. The 20 year old girl was DOA when Care-Flight arrived, the guy was hospitalized in critical condition.
Very sad...and a result of poor packing and bungee tie downs.
One of my buds was riding next to them in the next lane and sort of "escorted" them from 80 to crashing speed. He stopped and tried to administer first aid but he said there was very little he could do, they were just torn up too badly.
I saw the bike later and it was a mess.

Dave