I have seen some really stupid things in my days of riding motorcycles but this video takes that cake. Click on the Arrow to watch the video. In some versions of Internet Explorer you may have to click the arrow twice.
This video courtesy of youtube.com shows what happens when you show off for the camera and don’t pay attention. You will notice that there is laughter in the background while this guy crashes. There is nothing funny about this crash. The guy was probably seriously injured. When this crashed aired it was probably for some funny home movie show. If you look carefully the biker probably sustained serious leg injuries when he hit the car.
Was it worth it? As you all know hindsight is always 20-20. I am quite certain that this biker would not have tried to show off had he known what was about to happen.
On a motorcycle there is no room for errors. You will notice that he takes off like a bat out of hell and places his feet on the highway pegs instead of the footrest. Instant accident! I ride a Harley Davidson Electra Glide like the one in this video. Although you may not realize it, these bikes are quite nimble for their size. However, they are big, heavy bikes.
Why am I posting this video? So that you don’t make the same stupid mistake that this biker did. Take it easy; pay attention; accelerate smoothly and watch where you are going. Don’t put your feet on the highway pegs in a parking lot to look cool. Only do so when it is safe to do so.
By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. , Copyright 2006
Welcome, my name is 
Hi there… Can you help me with a nerve wracking argument related to this post that I’ve been having with my fiance for 4 years now? He INSISTS on using his highway pegs in every conceivable situation (other than taking off in a parking lot that is – Tho’ he WILL use them when cruising in the parking lot, just not when taking off). For instance, when cruising slowly down exceptionally crowded beach area streets, with college age hooligans darting into the road without warning all the time, and with a light every 30 frickin’ feet – On regular city streets, from one stop light to the next, and so on and so on. He DOES use them on the highway too, as an afterthought… I “think” that somewhere in his head is the idea that using the pegs makes him look “cool” and more like the popular image of a biker/cruiser Ala WestCoast Choppers. He rides a Honda Shadow VT1100, so it IS a cruiser of a sort.
But I digress…
Some background… He has been riding off and on since he was 14 (he’s 44 now), this is DEFINITELY the biggest bike he’s ever owned, only had 250cc types up to this, and he was out of riding the whole 20 years of his marriage. Only been back to riding for the last 3 years.
He INSISTS that this is how “knowledgeable” riders ride. ALWAYS using the highway pegs, etc. And he insists, that he has more than enough reaction time to get his feet back to the pedals (IN CITY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC!) and I should just stop denigrating his riding/driving ability. Trust me, I have known him since he was 10, I know darn good and well that he’s a “decent” rider, with more than adequate reaction time, BUT, despite his belief in his own abilities, he is not THAT good a rider to be able to yank his feet back to the pedals and move the bike in time to avoid hitting any of the idiots that dart into the street as if they owned it, right in front of him. As an aside, he has never taken a defensive riding or any other sponsored riding course.
When/where/what is the PROPER place of use for the highway pegs? Is there EVER a reason to use them in city or stop and go traffic? Is it ever appropriate to use them in any situation other that what they are named for: “Highway Pegs”?! (Allowing exceptions for, of course, long back county roads, etc. ) 🙂
Help me?
Thanks in advance…
kim
(Gone from a “Normie” to a “scardie cat” due to the damn highway pegs)!
The ‘only’ mistake discussed is using the high way pegs in the parking lot? How about the lack of proper riding gear? Anyone riding in jeans, short sleeved shirt and sneakers is a moron asking for road rash.
Your fiance is wrong! Knowlegeable riders do NOT always use the highway pegs! As a matter of fact, most riders that I know only use their highway pegs on the freeway, or open highway.
The problem with using the highway pegs on streets is that you have just increased the time it takes to reach the brake pedal, and you have to drop you left foot down off of the pegs to up shift or down shitf. Not only that but the bike is harder to handle on city streets using the highway pegs.
A Honda Shawdow 1100 VT is a V-Twin Cruiser, and can get up there is speed. Tell you fiance he should take a MSF advanced course on this bike. They will teach him the ropes!
Thanks for your comment.
Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.