irony at its best

[gixxerboy1]

ONONDAGA, N.Y. — Police say a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York died after he flipped over the bike's handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.

Only on msnbc.com

The accident happened Saturday afternoon in the town of Onondaga, in central New York near Syracuse.

State troopers tell The Post-Standard of Syracuse that 55-year-old Philip A. Contos of Parish, N.Y., was driving a 1983 Harley Davidson with a group of bikers who were protesting helmet laws by not wearing helmets.

Troopers say Contos hit his brakes and the motorcycle fishtailed. The bike spun out of control, and Contos toppled over the handlebars. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Troopers say Contos would have likely survived if he had been wearing a helmet.

[Twist]

I don't think there should be helmet laws. I think passengers should have to wear helmets, but if a driver is dumb enough not to then its Darwinism at work. I always wear a helmet

[gixxerboy1]

the only time i didnt wear a helmet was cruizing the strip by the beach

[Twist]

I can't imagine not wearing a helmet. If not because of the danger, then because of the bugs.

[stack_it]

There are no helmet laws in my state. I never wore one. Well sometimes at night if the bugs were bad.

[Braveone]

I hit a tree on my bike at 25mph and the only thing that saved my head was the helmet. Unfortunately it didn't save the rest of my body that got crushed lol. But I thank god I had it on.

[lovbyts]

I remember clearly seeing the kid who hit the back end of my girlfriends car on her way over to see me. She was stopped making a left hand turn at a light waiting for oncoming traffic to clear. He wasnt paying attention and hit the back of her car, flew over into the oncoming traffic that happened to be a 16 wheeler; according to the driver landing just in front of the first set of duelies going around, through and under each one. Only thing that wasnt crushed was his head. The blood stain lasted over a year. They finally put in a left turn land shortly after that.

I'm old enough to remember when we had no helmet laws here. I rode a few times without but I was always thinking what if.... I think it's a good idea but part of me still thinks it should be choice.

[DSM4Life]

There should be a bike helmet law just like there needs to be a seatbelt laws. When all is said and done people are stupid. Why should insurance companies pay out millions because people make dumb decisions. An accident that might cost an insurance company 5-7,000 dollars just went to 40,000 because you hit your head on the concrete. Your an idiot.

[Catch]

I'd be dead right now if I hadn't been wearing a helmet when I had my accident. Fact.

If you don't wear a helmet, you're an idiot or have a death wish. Period.

Btw- why do people insist on calling GSX-R's "Gixxer's?" That drives me nuts. And only adds to my hatred of Suzuki.

[gixxerboy1]

There should be a bike helmet law just like there needs to be a seatbelt laws. When all is said and done people are stupid. Why should insurance companies pay out millions because people make dumb decisions. An accident that might cost an insurance company 5-7,000 dollars just went to 40,000 because you hit your head on the concrete. Your an idiot.

I do agree. I'm not sure if its true but i thought i read in certain states to not wear a helmet you had to carry more insurance.

[gixxerboy1]

I'd be dead right now if I hadn't been wearing a helmet when I had my accident. Fact.

If you don't wear a helmet, you're an idiot or have a death wish. Period.

Btw- why do people insist on calling GSX-R's "Gixxer's?" That drives me nuts. And only adds to my hatred of Suzuki.

Don't be jealous. Not everyone can ride a gixxer.

[stack_it]

I do agree. I'm not sure if its true but i thought i read in certain states to not wear a helmet you had to carry more insurance.

Not in mine. If you don't have a helmet glasses of some sort are required.

[Times Roman]

I shouldn't even start here, this is such a hot button topic for me.

You know, I paid my dues to ABATE for years. They were supposed to fight the helmet law in california, but lost.

it is real easy to be a sheep and go along with what ever the media tells you. But the science really does not support the safety claims. We do NOT have good data.

For example. When you put on a full face helmet, as recommended by the department of transportation, certain things take place. for starters, your stereophonic hearing ability is impaired. This means that noise you hear from behind you? is it to your right? are you sure? the helmet over your ears curtails your ability to discern certain noises accurately.
also, there is a tendency for a full face helmet to impact your peripheal vision.... this is critical when someone is behind you, you don't see them, and you are about to switch lanes.
what about the face shield? ever wear a full face and have a hard time seeing out of it because it becomes fogged up? that sure as shit can't be too safe!
what about the drag coefficient, the fact you have to force your head into the wind, which can tire you out, and make you less alert. This is important shit for us old timers with neck injuries

then there is just plain out hype. I've seen / heard news stories where a guy will collide with a semi and die instantly, but the news always seems to pick up on "well, he wasn't wearing a helmet"

there are two aspects to this argument, and it goes something like this....

younger, less experienced riders account for 80%+ of all motorcycle accidents.
Therefore, require a 5 year period where a rider learns how to ride, and is REQUIRED TO WEAR A HELMET. this argument continues that everyone under 25 must also wear a helmet, regardless.
For us older riders that have been riding longer than most of you have been alive, it should be optional for us. We know how to ride, and have developed our "sixth sense" decades ago. Last time I laid it down while moving was 27 years ago.
For me, I DONT want to wear a helmet. I am more alert without it. I can see better, hear better, and I have better situational awareness.

We need to have intelligent helmet laws. Based on scientific data and common sense.

[gixxerboy1]

I'm sorry TR i have to disagree.
The peripheral vision thing i think is bs. I dont feel my helmets block my vision. also my head swivels so i can look
The noise thing i cant really comment. The helmet does effect the sound but havent ridden much with out one to comment.
But i have never heard someone say if i wasnt wearing this stupid helmet i wouldnt have gotten in that accident.
If you get a good helmet and visor they rarely fog up. Also you can buy stuff to put on the visor so it doesnt fog. The safety protection of a visor far out weighs the limited times of it fogging.
Yes i do agree about alot of accidents it not making a difference. But alot of accidents it would have saved someone life.

[Times Roman]

I'm sorry TR i have to disagree.
The peripheral vision thing i think is bs. I dont feel my helmets block my vision. also my head swivels so i can look
The noise thing i cant really comment. The helmet does effect the sound but havent ridden much with out one to comment.
But i have never heard someone say if i wasnt wearing this stupid helmet i wouldnt have gotten in that accident.If you get a good helmet and visor they rarely fog up. Also you can buy stuff to put on the visor so it doesnt fog. The safety protection of a visor far out weighs the limited times of it fogging.
Yes i do agree about alot of accidents it not making a difference. But alot of accidents it would have saved someone life.

well, just like in the other post about abortion, I am against abortion, but would never dream of dictating my belief system on others.

When an old bull like me says he has been riding for a life time, has never crashed in the last 27 years, and then begins listing out all the adverse effects of wearing a helmet, I would hope there to be some credibility to what I said.

Most accidents occur with young/inexperienced riders. They make rookie mistakes, and become part of the statistic. These folks should wear a helmet, i agree with you there.

Where I get angry, is when the politicians legislate a course of action, and then don't really know if someone with my profile benefits.

I don't get in accidents because I am extremely aware of what is going on around me, and sticking a helmet between my head and the outside environment will not IMPROVE my situational awareness. In fact, it will reduce it.

But this argument isn't just about "safety", as if the politicians really give a crap about my safety.

This is about encroachment on my personal liberties.

Did you know that the legislatures have been considering putting a catalytic convertor on motorcycles? Oh yeah dude, this has been kicking around for years. Can you imagine having a catalytic convertor inches away from your gas tank, and then getting in an accident? Any idea how hot they get? The normal operating temperature can range up to 1,200 to 1,600 degrees F. Really. And you want to put that inches away from 5 gallons of gasoline? So where is all the concern for my safety now?

And some absolutely ridiculous ideas that have come out in the last few years... such as airbags? really? not only being very expensive, but how is that really supposed to work?

And the grand finale... seat belts! you got it bro'. seatbelts. who the fuk wants to be strapped down to scoot when it goes down?

These politicians do not think things through, and then want to dictate to me what I should / should not do.

Don't worry about my safety. Iv'e got that covered.

Worried about medical/insurance bills? then fix it that way. btw... i would have no issue if medical insurance is required. my scoot is 100% paid for since the beginning, yet i always have 100% coverage on everything.

[Times Roman]

I'm sorry TR i have to disagree.
The peripheral vision thing i think is bs. I dont feel my helmets block my vision. also my head swivels so i can look
The noise thing i cant really comment. The helmet does effect the sound but havent ridden much with out one to comment.But i have never heard someone say if i wasnt wearing this stupid helmet i wouldnt have gotten in that accident.
If you get a good helmet and visor they rarely fog up. Also you can buy stuff to put on the visor so it doesnt fog. The safety protection of a visor far out weighs the limited times of it fogging.
Yes i do agree about alot of accidents it not making a difference. But alot of accidents it would have saved someone life.

I am pretty sure i have ridden more miles without a helmet than you have with a helmet. so really your argument isn't valid since you have nothing to compare it to. in order to compare it, i would say you should try NOT wearing a helmet in all types of weather, for maybe 10,000 miles, for a year or two at a minimum. And then when you know that that's like, then I'll listen to you. But until you've actually walked the walk.. you shouldn't talk the talk. You've only done it one way, so how can you say one way is better than the other?

BTW.. my first kawi i logged over 50,000 miles without a helmet. Since then, i've easily logged another 150,000 miles.

I may be old scooter trash, but i do know what I'm talking about.

[apacheman75]

Helmet saved my life plain and simple!

[gixxerboy1]

I am pretty sure i have ridden more miles without a helmet than you have with a helmet. so really your argument isn't valid since you have nothing to compare it to. in order to compare it, i would say you should try NOT wearing a helmet in all types of weather, for maybe 10,000 miles, for a year or two at a minimum. And then when you know that that's like, then I'll listen to you. But until you've actually walked the walk.. you shouldn't talk the talk. You've only done it one way, so how can you say one way is better than the other?

BTW.. my first kawi i logged over 50,000 miles without a helmet. Since then, i've easily logged another 150,000 miles.

I may be old scooter trash, but i do know what I'm talking about.

Well i said i cant comment on the noise factor for not have ridden enough with out one to comment. so i dont know what you are getting at. i wear a helmet when i ride so i can say it doesnt block my vision and they rarely fog if you have a good helmet. You may have been riding longer but im not a newb either. Its been 15 years now. So i feel my comments on wearing a helmet have plenty of merit.

I agree most accidents are from new people ridding. Just like more car accidents are from new drivers.

[stack_it]

The sound difference is huge you are definately more aware of where sounds are coming from without the helmet. Honestly there is a difference in vision but not a huge one as most sunglasses can block your peripheral too. The biggest thing for me was riding with a helmet in 100 degree weather with high humidity is just miserable. I could not enjoy the ride. It's hard to breathe and the sweat running into my eyes would burn and really make it hard to focus. It's personal choice that is going to vary person to person and should not be mandatory for all riders IMO.

Most people who use the "if I have to wear a seatbelt you should have to wear a helmet" argument are not riders themselves and opinion has no place in the topic.

[gixxerboy1]

The sound difference is huge you are definately more aware of where sounds are coming from without the helmet. Honestly there is a difference in vision but not a huge one as most sunglasses can block your peripheral too. The biggest thing for me was riding with a helmet in 100 degree weather with high humidity is just miserable. I could not enjoy the ride. It's hard to breathe and the sweat running into my eyes would burn and really make it hard to focus. It's personal choice that is going to vary person to person and should not be mandatory for all riders IMO.

Most people who use the "if I have to wear a seatbelt you should have to wear a helmet" argument are not riders themselves and opinion has no place in the topic.

i do laugh at that law though. I got stopped my first week in Texas and got a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. But no helmet is legal. It really doesnt make sense

[Twist]

I agree with TR in that I don't think its right for someone to tell someone else (who is riding alone) that they have to wear a helmet. I think, if you want to ride without a helmet, that life insurance and some other insurance should be mandatory. I don't care if people have a death wish, that's between them and their family. Passengers should always have to wear a helmet.

However arguing that helmets are unsafe is ridiculous. Even if it blocked your hearing 100% it still would be safer. If you have neck problems and can't turn your neck to look when you are switching lanes a motorcycle is the last thing you should be driving. And the argument about who gets into accidents doesn't mean much because you can be the most experienced rider in the world but if someone hits you its over.

The only argument for not wearing a helmet is this: I don't want to be micromanaged and politicians should not be able to control my daily activities. This one holds water, although can still be picked apart.

[stack_it]

i do laugh at that law though. I got stopped my first week in Texas and got a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. But no helmet is legal. It really doesnt make sense

Yeah it it's the same where I'm at and we are one of the strictest states on seatbelts but no helmet law lol.

[stack_it]

I agree with TR in that I don't think its right for someone to tell someone else (who is riding alone) that they have to wear a helmet. I think, if you want to ride without a helmet, that life insurance and some other insurance should be mandatory. I don't care if people have a death wish, that's between them and their family. Passengers should always have to wear a helmet.

However arguing that helmets are unsafe is ridiculous. Even if it blocked your hearing 100% it still would be safer. If you have neck problems and can't turn your neck to look when you are switching lanes a motorcycle is the last thing you should be driving. And the argument about who gets into accidents doesn't mean much because you can be the most experienced rider in the world but if someone hits you its over.

The only argument for not wearing a helmet is this: I don't want to be micromanaged and politicians should not be able to control my daily activities. This one holds water, although can still be picked apart.

It can be argued aswell that the more comfortable you are on your motorcycle the safer you will ride. If you feel safer riding without a helmet then do it. If you feel unsafe with a helmet then your more likely to be nervous and make Pauline mistakes that could lead to an accident that may not have happened with your helmet on. Same goes for those who feel safer with a helmet. If you don't wanna ride without one then don't.


Of course there is another side to every argument tho.


Also on the life insurance thing, that's dumb IMO. If you choose to ride without a helmet the only person you are putting at risk is yourself. Why would you need life insurance to be mandatory? I could see charging more for regular auto insurance but then all you have to do is tell your insurance company that you wear one and there would be no way to regulate it.

[gixxerboy1]

i dont think it life insurance. But its extra medical insurance. If you become a vegetable or seriously ****ed up. It could cost the state money to treat you.

[Twist]

Life insurance if you have kids. Stupid people have children (unfortunately) who should have some kind of support in place if their father decides he would rather feel safe than be safe.

It doesn't matter how safe you ride if someone else hits you or merges without looking etc. Your riding skills and your false feelings of safety mean nothing. My helmet has a small dent and the paint is missing where a corvette kicked up a rock and it smashed me in the head; without a helmet I would probably have been dead because it jerked my head back from the force. Have you ever been riding along the road and been hit with a june bug? Without a helmet that can be bad news. How about getting something in your eye when you are driving safely? Now of course there are the big screens that certain bikes can get, but are you going to force every rider to get a big ugly screen on their bike because a select few don't want to wear helmets?

I see why people don't want to be told what to do during their daily activities. However if the tax payers are picking up the tab for them when they become a vegetable then I say TOO BAD. I don't think fat people should be told what to eat by politicians, but I also think that when they have internal issues they should be left on the sidewalk by the hospital. Same goes for bikers. Until the laws force the individual to pay for their bad decisions, I say micromanage away.

[beatango2008]

Wow, I can not believe you guys are making such a big deal over this, if you don't like wearing a full face helmet get one of those helmets the Harley riders wear, that don't cover your ears or have a face shield.
And I don't care how long any of you have been riding accidents happen!
A very good friend of mine was riding on a country road and a deer jumped out of the woods and hit right into him, thank goodness he lived with only minor injuries, thanks to his helmet he didn't smash his brains on the asphalt.

[Times Roman]

It can be argued aswell that the more comfortable you are on your motorcycle the safer you will ride. If you feel safer riding without a helmet then do it. If you feel unsafe with a helmet then your more likely to be nervous and make Pauline mistakes that could lead to an accident that may not have happened with your helmet on. Same goes for those who feel safer with a helmet. If you don't wanna ride without one then don't.


Of course there is another side to every argument tho.


Also on the life insurance thing, that's dumb IMO. If you choose to ride without a helmet the only person you are putting at risk is yourself. Why would you need life insurance to be mandatory? I could see charging more for regular auto insurance but then all you have to do is tell your insurance company that you wear one and there would be no way to regulate it.

Just so you know, your stock, imho, just went up.

Why is it that 99.99% of all those that say helmets should be mandetory have either never rode, or are relatively inexperienced?

Very seldom do you see seasoned scooter trash like me argue that helmets should be required.

IMHO, people that do not really know, are trying to force their agenda on those that really do know.

Why is that?

[Shol'va]

Make it like alcohol laws over 21 it's a choice. I always have more sensory perception without a helmet but feel safer with one. Plus I utilize the attached shield so I don't have to pick the bugs out of my teeth and eyes. I also quit riding on the highways anymore due to people in their cars texting while driving and running us off the road all the time. There seems to be little to no respect for motorcyclists these days. It was bad enough having to dodge drunk drivers but with cell phones and ipads and gps and all people get so distracted and cyclists pay the price. When you get a 4 ton vehicle against a 500 lb bike the car wins every time.

[Twist]

Just so you know, your stock, imho, just went up.

Why is it that 99.99% of all those that say helmets should be mandetory have either never rode, or are relatively inexperienced?

Very seldom do you see seasoned scooter trash like me argue that helmets should be required.

IMHO, people that do not really know, are trying to force their agenda on those that really do know.

Why is that?

I have been riding since I was 16 and I am now 23 (I know this probably wasn't specifically aimed at me though). Your argument so far for wearing helmets is that it is safer. This is absurd!

[Times Roman]

I have been riding since I was 16 and I am now 23 (I know this probably wasn't specifically aimed at me though). Your argument so far for wearing helmets is that it is safer. This is absurd!

it probably is safer for young people like you.

But i too have been riding since about 15, which puts me at almost 35 years riding experience, with over 200k miles ridden in both europe and N America in all kinds of weather, including extreme hail, extreme rain, snow, and so forth.

For me and those like me, it is safer for us to have situational awareness and AVOID accidents! And for those too dumb to realize that if an oncoming driver is not making eye contact with you at an intersection, just cause the friggin light is green in your direction, you don't go blasting through the intersection, then go crying when he pulls a left in front of you that you had the right of way! I have had several acquaintenances complain that they got in a wreck, and said it was the other guys fault cause they pulled a left in front of them. Wrong answer my friend. Who gives a fuk who has the right of way! Always always make goddam sure what's going on around you before you make a decision. See, the problem is that many newbs ride as though they are in a car, and fully expect everyone to see them and yield when they have the right of way. So they are only half paying attention to what's going on around them. And for these dumb shits, yeah, they better be wearing a helmet cuz they are a friggin accident waiting to happen!

But if you've logged many thousands of miles over a many years, then you have learned to not trust any situation, and be prepared for the worst. you have developed a "sixth sense" of what's going on around you. I can always tell when i ride in a group who the newbs are and who the seasoned vets are.

You really want to know the best safety device? Your friggin brain! More than anything else, when on a motorcycle, you better be watching and thinking, else you WILL go down. And if you think you are going to be safe because you have on a helmet, then you are a fool.

BTW... most injuries that occur are sustained in the lower half of the body and palms, shoulders and arms. I always wear sturdy boots, palm gloves and a leather jacket at a minimum.

I find it incredibly stupid when i see the fukkers on this rice rockets going down the boulavard, wearing flip flops, short pants, no shirt, and a full face helmet. What an ass!

[Times Roman]

Twist old boy,
some of that may have seemed aimed at you. it wasn't. I am very passionate on this subject, and have paid several hundred dollars in dues to ABATE, before they lost the fight in california.

[Times Roman]

btw... even if helmet law is repealed, I would wear a helmet from time to time depending on the weather

[yungone501]

I agree with twist on the bug thing. Ive been cruising down the road before and had a bug smack my helmet so hard it made me thankful i chose (and continue to choose) to wear my helmet. The biggest thing is you have to expect the unexpected, period! No matter how long youve been riding or how big of a 'vet' you are, the bottom line is YOU CANNOT CONTROL AND AVOID EVERYTHING! I give credit to the whole "helmet taking away from the senses" thing. But id much rather take my chances here then on the ground counting my injuries.

Im 29 and have been riding since i was 13, consistantly. I currently ride a 2007 Yamaha R1 and currently have close to 200rwhp. Wether its riding this machine or a my old Honda 50 i have always been riding with a helmet. Its saved my life multiple times.

[lovbyts]

I remember doing 80mph on my bike and getting hit by a hard shelled bug in the chest. I nearly came of the bike and though I had been shot. I looked at my chest, saw the huge blood stain, pulled open my shirt and had a huge red welt. If it had been my head it would have probably knocked me out. LOL

[Times Roman]

I can sit here and tell stories all day about weird shit that has happened to me while on a scoot. I was coming back from Augustus, GA, traveling southbound 95. Anyone familar with the area knows that it is lined on either side by short scraggly trees, otherwise known as "the sticks". But it was late at night, and I was doing about 80 or so, trying to get back to base. And i was tired. no moon, so the only thing i could see was what was in my headlamps. and then, from out of no where, like the hammer of god, something hit me in my left shoulder that almost knocked me off the bike. pretty decent bruise then next day. I've often wondered what it could be.......

.....I'm thinking an owl?

[bjpennnn]

HAHAHA oh man you cant make that up. nice find bro.

[Twist]

it probably is safer for young people like you.

But i too have been riding since about 15, which puts me at almost 35 years riding experience, with over 200k miles ridden in both europe and N America in all kinds of weather, including extreme hail, extreme rain, snow, and so forth.

For me and those like me, it is safer for us to have situational awareness and AVOID accidents! And for those too dumb to realize that if an oncoming driver is not making eye contact with you at an intersection, just cause the friggin light is green in your direction, you don't go blasting through the intersection, then go crying when he pulls a left in front of you that you had the right of way! I have had several acquaintenances complain that they got in a wreck, and said it was the other guys fault cause they pulled a left in front of them. Wrong answer my friend. Who gives a fuk who has the right of way! Always always make goddam sure what's going on around you before you make a decision. See, the problem is that many newbs ride as though they are in a car, and fully expect everyone to see them and yield when they have the right of way. So they are only half paying attention to what's going on around them. And for these dumb shits, yeah, they better be wearing a helmet cuz they are a friggin accident waiting to happen!

But if you've logged many thousands of miles over a many years, then you have learned to not trust any situation, and be prepared for the worst. you have developed a "sixth sense" of what's going on around you. I can always tell when i ride in a group who the newbs are and who the seasoned vets are.

You really want to know the best safety device? Your friggin brain! More than anything else, when on a motorcycle, you better be watching and thinking, else you WILL go down. And if you think you are going to be safe because you have on a helmet, then you are a fool.

BTW... most injuries that occur are sustained in the lower half of the body and palms, shoulders and arms. I always wear sturdy boots, palm gloves and a leather jacket at a minimum.

I find it incredibly stupid when i see the fukkers on this rice rockets going down the boulavard, wearing flip flops, short pants, no shirt, and a full face helmet. What an ass!

I used to ride with a bunch of guys and man its so easy to see who is gonna go down. There were three guys who I always said should not be riding bikes. Reflexes weren't fast enough and didn't have the correct awareness as you are talking about above (eye contact with drivers regardless of right of way). Sure enough, within 1 year, 1 guy broke his neck, one guy totaled his bike, and the other guy died. Some people just shouldn't ride bikes.

Still though, riding with a helmet is safer than riding without. You may not get into accidents that you cause, but if you get hit in the head eyes etc with debris, or someone switches lanes unexpectedly or maybe even a drunk driver, a helmet can be the difference between life and death.

[beatango2008]

Helmets save lives period.

[Times Roman]

I used to ride with a bunch of guys and man its so easy to see who is gonna go down. There were three guys who I always said should not be riding bikes. Reflexes weren't fast enough and didn't have the correct awareness as you are talking about above (eye contact with drivers regardless of right of way). Sure enough, within 1 year, 1 guy broke his neck, one guy totaled his bike, and the other guy died. Some people just shouldn't ride bikes.

Still though, riding with a helmet is safer than riding without. You may not get into accidents that you cause, but if you get hit in the head eyes etc with debris, or someone switches lanes unexpectedly or maybe even a drunk driver, a helmet can be the difference between life and death.

a few years back, some of us (not me) were trying to relive their glory years and went and bought harleys. these are NOT the machines of our youth! these are 700+ pound monsters with more horsepower than ever before. Most of these guys had ridden "some" when they were younger, and even then it had been over 20 years since the last time they rode. Within a year, almost all of em had crashed. of course, they all had reasons why it was the other guys fault.... another car made an unexpected lane change (lack of awareness), or someone pulled a left in front of them (lack of awareness), or got in a panic situation (lack of awareness) and lost control (lack of skill). Either way, all of those "accidents" were preventable regardless of the "excuse". Sure, it is easy to blame the dude in the cage. he's got his music on, cruise control going, talking on the phone, so HIS awareness is probably less than 50% of what's going on around him. But the dudes on the motorcycle also "Failed to Anticipate" and ended up going down.

Lack of awareness is the #1 reason guys on motorcycles go down.