UTMC

Remember that french journalist who tested the GTR a couple of years ago ?

He's testing the new FJR now.

Right. Suggesting he stop riding would be pointless, I know I'd be back up on two were it not for my fucked up brain (okay, more fucked up than it already was to begin with).
I know Yamaha won't mind, it'd evidently rider's error, even documented so on video, so in return for the wrecked test-bike they're likely to get a good write up.
But imagine that guy trying to explain this one to his boss. Not to mention his colleagues. Whenever the discussion turns to who tests what bike next, anytime anything other than a Yam or Kawa comes up, they'll start mocking him since he's evidently collecting 'em...

I know I should feel bad for him, but I can't stop laughing.

Feel bad for him? I feel bad for the boat owner, he and his bike crashed into. I think the dock took the brunt of the bike's force, but I would be surprised if secondary collisions did not involve a bike boat meeting. That and having 80kg or more of man falling 3m into the cockpit could not have been good for the glass.

Remember, boats are some peoples bikes.

I'm sure all parties involved have insurance... anyway--*that* was hilarious... talk about people who just should *not* get on two wheels! Maybe he could move on to reviewing the "Walking Paths of Paris" or something....safer. lol

To be fair to him, if he's indeed a professional motorcycle journalist, he's gotta review dozens and dozens of bikes a year, probably only a few days on each bike at a time. In these few days, he's gotta put the bikes through their paces, find out what they can and cannot do, find the limit on each on so he can give a thorough assessment. Hardly the sort of situation which would give him a lot of time to get used to the handling and reactions of each machine, that is, to get comfortable and safe with each machine. Truly, as this is his daily bread, he should be used to that after a while, but you'd still expect a statistically greater likelihood of crashing than with your normal, everyday rider who's got all the time in the world to get used to his machine, doesn't have to find the limits of it within a day or two and who, unlike this journalist, would probably, even once comfortable with the machine, avoid certain risks, since he has to pay for the machine himself rather than getting paid to take those risks. Risks like going right past that dock at the speed he went at, just for a nice two-second shot for nothing more than a little video.

It's still a bit hilarious to see professionals fail at their profession like that, like a racecar driver stalling his car when the light turns green or a master carpenter hitting his thumb with the hammer.
But I do hope he's okay, though, a drop like that can result in pretty bad injuries, even without a few hundred pounds of bike coming right after.

He's ok, only minor bruises, and I think his record is pretty good considering he's responsible for the most insane test seen on the internet. They trashed a few bikes already.
see http://www.moto-journal.tv/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The same thing happens to me everytime I put the side bags on the Tiger, I just forget about the big but and scratch something, it's just a matter of time before I try to ride the bike in a mouse hole with the bags on and hilarity ensue...

They put the video right on the front of their own website?

That might indicate a genuine sense of humor, a case of terminal honesty, a matter of truly worrying about responsible riding and trying to show what happens when one isn't careful, or an attitude of "fuck it, can't make it go away, might as well own it.". Or some combination thereof.
Whichever it is, they now have my respect. Were I a hat wearing person, it would be off. But since I am without hat, I'll just hum the safety dance, it's appropriate.

kitkat wrote:I'm sure all parties involved have insurance... anyway--*that* was hilarious... talk about people who just should *not* get on two wheels! Maybe he could move on to reviewing the "Walking Paths of Paris" or something....safer. lol

I would not be so sure of that. I know a few boaters that do not carry insurance. We are not talking mega-yacht here, just some smuch's piece of happy that he assumed was safe from chuckle-heads dropping 300kg objects into it, for the sake of a photo-op.

And we all know, with structural fiberglass, just because there is no visible damage, does not mean there is no damage.

Yes, I also had a good laugh, but in my list of sympathies, the rider is not near the top.

gazza wrote:I know I should feel bad for him, but I can't stop laughing.

I'm still chuckling! Was totally happy to see him let go of the bars in that second vid. OOOOOOoops!

JoJoLesh wrote:

kitkat wrote:I'm sure all parties involved have insurance... anyway--*that* was hilarious... talk about people who just should *not* get on two wheels! Maybe he could move on to reviewing the "Walking Paths of Paris" or something....safer. lol

I would not be so sure of that. I know a few boaters that do not carry insurance. We are not talking mega-yacht here, just some smuch's piece of happy that he assumed was safe from chuckle-heads dropping 300kg objects into it, for the sake of a photo-op.

And we all know, with structural fiberglass, just because there is no visible damage, does not mean there is no damage.

Yes, I also had a good laugh, but in my list of sympathies, the rider is not near the top.

Remember that this was an accident, even if it took place during a shooting, it's not staged or done on purpose. Then I really doubt that a company like this one who organises tests with all the big motorcycle companies and shootings that must take days, if not weeks (for those I remember, mototrips from paris to dakar or lapland) and on sport events like rallies or the dark dog moto tour, would not be covered by an insurance (I know, this is europe but seriously we're not completely 3rd world already and france is very strict with those matters) in this case, it's the bike's insurance that would cover the expenses. And I also seriously doubt that they could just run away from the scene, with a slightly bruised rider, a 300kg bike down on the waterfront and the video all over the internet. I don't personally know them but they don't look like that kind of crooks.

xtian wrote:

JoJoLesh wrote:

kitkat wrote:stuff

stuff

Remember that this was an accident, even if it took place during a shooting, it's not staged or done on purpose. Then I really doubt that a company like this one who organises tests with all the big motorcycle companies and shootings that must take days, if not weeks (for those I remember, mototrips from paris to dakar or lapland) and on sport events like rallies or the dark dog moto tour, would not be covered by an insurance (I know, this is europe but seriously we're not completely 3rd world already and france is very strict with those matters) in this case, it's the bike's insurance that would cover the expenses. And I also seriously doubt that they could just run away from the scene, with a slightly bruised rider, a 300kg bike down on the waterfront and the video all over the internet. I don't personally know them but they don't look like that kind of crooks.

Yes, you are probably right. I do love sailing, and the water, and this likely makes me a little edgie when I see a boat in peril. If I was given an option between, touring the world on a boat, or on a motorcycle, I think I would chose to sail.

Anyway, I can just imagine the scene,
"QUICK!!! Shove that bike into the water adn lets get the hell out of here before anyone notices!"

JoJoLesh wrote:

kitkat wrote:I'm sure all parties involved have insurance... anyway--*that* was hilarious... talk about people who just should *not* get on two wheels! Maybe he could move on to reviewing the "Walking Paths of Paris" or something....safer. lol

I would not be so sure of that. I know a few boaters that do not carry insurance. We are not talking mega-yacht here, just some smuch's piece of happy that he assumed was safe from chuckle-heads dropping 300kg objects into it, for the sake of a photo-op.

And we all know, with structural fiberglass, just because there is no visible damage, does not mean there is no damage.

Yes, I also had a good laugh, but in my list of sympathies, the rider is not near the top.

Trust me, the manufacturers fully insure their test fleets. Doug Polen wrecked the shit out of a press fleet M1100 when I worked in L.A. and a certain number of crashed press bikes are inevitable and expected. Anything wearing a manufacturer, dealer or distributor plate is covered under an "all owned vehicles" policy since the tags aren't tied to any particular VIN.

This is good comedy. You expect a splash but instead you get more bone-crunching cracks! Gold!
I'm not saying I've ever forgotten about the the extra width of my luggage, but remind me not to ride down a narrow pier if it ever comes up.

stiles wrote: Anything wearing a manufacturer, dealer or distributor plate is covered under an "all owned vehicles" policy since the tags aren't tied to any particular VIN.

Downside of a dealer plate is enormous deductible, I think we had $5K when I worked at a large dealer, not sure what smaller dealers carry but I think $5K is the minimum you can get. Anyway, main reason to carry insurance is not for the vehicle you drive but for the one you might hit... Back in 1991 when I got my license and my first car ('78 Toyota Corona) insurance was not mandatory so I did not have any. One day nice shiny Jag stopped short in front of me, I nailed the brakes and my rear brake cylinder popped, pedal went half way to the floor and I managed to make a banzai move around the right side of the Jag all the while thinking that I might be paying for this car for the next 10 years... Got the insurance shortly after