Another moto driver is road kill this morning in Medellin

tejasmarcos says on Apr 6, 2008, 10:27:

wouldn't it be nice if that actually slowed a few people down? it is nice to dream...

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

vicshere says on Apr 6, 2008, 10:34:

they need to change the way people get their license in Colombia...have to make it more difficult and we need a point system quick...too many bad drivers making it more difficult for us good drivers...we need to get the bad drivers off the road and on the busses

listo

mranderson says on Apr 6, 2008, 10:41:

Another excuse for the misses to tell me not to get a moto.

robi666 says on Apr 6, 2008, 10:51:

mranderson, do like the dumb Irish, buy a Clio that looks as a moto... (or a moto that looks as a Clio?)

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

bradenmiami says on Apr 6, 2008, 12:12:

I wonder how many car accidents occurred yesterday?

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

miamimike says on Apr 6, 2008, 13:17:

Driving a Moto in Colombia is a Death Wish; its NOT a matter of if you are going to be nailed, only a matter of when and how serious the wreck will be,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

bradenmiami says on Apr 6, 2008, 13:40:

Disagree completely.

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

guacharaca says on Apr 6, 2008, 14:12:

I think the "light pole" was in the wrong in this circumstance.

Colombian parents always say: yes I will buy you a moto...and the coffin to go with it.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

lpdiver says on Apr 6, 2008, 14:38:

Killed by his own stupidity and disregard for the law. What is the max speed limit in the city? It is still sad but darwinism at work.

t

"cook some rice!"

jh816 says on Apr 6, 2008, 14:46:

And my students are always amazed when I tell them the motorcycle laws in the US (no weaving through traffic, no driving the center line, etc).

miamimike says on Apr 6, 2008, 18:12:

bradenmiami says on Sunday April 6th, 2008 13:40:

Disagree completely.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey Brad--how about a few links to Moto Drivers in Colombia who have survived past age 60 and lived to collect their Pension?

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

tejasmarcos says on Apr 6, 2008, 18:14:

mm - brad is a cocky guy who loves to talk chit. all you will get from him is arguments and alot of lip service - mainly bragging.

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

miamimike says on Apr 6, 2008, 18:17:

Teja-I can see that! LOL If he can put a few posts of some Toothless scarred Colombian Geezers who lived to talk about their Moto Feats in Col Traffic and beating the Grim Reaper it will be an entertaining read,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

vicshere says on Apr 6, 2008, 20:08:

MM
Driving a Moto in Colombia is a Death Wish; its NOT a matter of if you are going to be nailed, only a matter of when and how serious the wreck will be,,,

hey walking across or just walking along any road....riding a bus driving a car riding a bike....even breathing in Colombia is a death wish....so what the difference for motos

doing anything in life takes using your brains....that's why stupid people die more often..no brains.....the world is better off..one less idiot breathing our air

listo

webmanco says on Apr 6, 2008, 21:06:

Driving a Moto is the best way to go around period. Risks taken are worth IMHO.

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

miamimike says on Apr 7, 2008, 01:25:

Vicshere and Webman--I'm not against Riding a Moto, I do myself and have since 1966. I have owned over 15 Bikes in my riding time including anything from Bikes as big as a Harley FXR-P, Goldwings(2 sidecar rigs) Beemers to my current stable, a Honda Helix and a Yamaha Razz scooter(soon to be sold). To date I have survived 40+ years in the traffic but I draw the line with riding in Colombian traffic or Latin America in general. The Odds are, IMO, just too stacked against you with the lack of respect I observe for Moto Riders in Col not to mention the disasterous condition of some of the roads. Like missing manhole covers for example in a dark street, Drivers who repeatedly run Red Lights, that has nothing to with stupid people with no brains, its a situation you have no control over unless you have built in radar avoidance system in your brain,,,A Little Kid in Bogota fell into one(uncovered manhole) and at the bottom was a network of live steam pipes--he sure wasn't some idiot, only an innocent victim of cruel circumstances, someone having stolen the Manhole cover to pawn for a few bucks,,,Have fun on those Colombian roads,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

tomtom33 says on Apr 7, 2008, 01:36:

Lack of respect for motos? Fucken A. The way most of them drive how can they expect any respect?

I owned Honda Super 90 in the mid 60s when I was a dumb assed kid. I'm still a dumb ass, but I would not ride a bike in the US either.

miamimike says on Apr 7, 2008, 01:47:

TT--True, riding here in the US is really an adventure at times. Hey should have kept that Super 90, they have really appreciated in Value. I had a Honda CT 90 Trail I paid $225 for in 1980, sold it in 89 for $400 and today it would bring over $1100,,,not a bad investment

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Robert Jorge says on Apr 7, 2008, 07:12:

This is sort of related: What is up with the helmets in Colombia? It is illegal to ride without a helmet (unless on one of those motorcycle rallys), but the helmets are like toys. All the helmets I looked closely at were a plastic shell with a little bit of felt or sponge on the inside. They had the protection level of a fake baseball helmet an 8 year old buys at his first Cubs game.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

morphus says on Apr 7, 2008, 07:18:

My girl in Medellin was telling me that she does'nt want to drive anymore. She already crashed her car with 2 motos.

bradenmiami says on Apr 7, 2008, 08:00:

Webmanco... I agree wholeheartedly, and the anti-biker feelings that usually comes up in a discussion like this are usually from non-bikers that don't know the skill or abilities of bikers, and assume that every lane change, high-speed pass or lanesplit is a dangerous move. There is absolutely a risk...both here and in the US (more in the US in my opinion given the average speed of a bike)...however the guys down here drive REALLY well, and can handle bikes in situations where average American riders would spill it in a heartbeat!

MiamiMike... Definitely not disagreeing that moto riding isn't dangerous, however I think blame should be equally dispersed...especially here! I would be interested in any stats, and have searched quite deeply before, but haven't found anything of significance or fact. Still working on my spanish so some websites I might be missing some things.

Morphus...thats too bad for her, I hope they weren't serious accidents! Was she at fault in any way or were the bikers pulling off some risky moves. I recently got hit while heading North on Las Vegas just before the circle at Estacion Poblado. The brand new Toyota crew-cab truck decided (as he was almost into the intersection on a green light) that he would smash his brakes and cut across three lanes of traffic to make a right turn from the far left lane, slamming into me and taking me with him. If I was not alert and agile on my bike, I would have been under his tires. Instead, ended up wit a passenger's bruised elbow and big black scrape down the side of his car. He then proceeded to scream at ME all the way around the circle for being in his way and being an asshole moto rider. Then there was the woman who almost hit three bikes on the highway this morning after almost hitting a dump truck.... Then there was...well...you get my point. Can go both ways!

Robert...Yes, the helmet thing is a joke here. According to Transito, you MUST wear a helmet at all times and of course it must also be marked to your plate (same with the jacket). However, you are correct, most of the helmets here are total shit. The reason is that they are not confined to only selling/wearing DOT approved gear. In the US,you almost can not find non-DOT approved helmets for sale from any licensed dealer or accessory shop...if it is not DOT approved, it must be labeled as "Novelty Use" or something like that. Not here though.... You can find good imported helmets like Shoei (which runs about 50% higher cost at about 900k COP minimum) or HJC (which is more economical) or Shaft (which is a popular brand that is made ok but I don't think it is an imported DOT-approved). I bought all Shaft gear until I go back home and bring back all my jackets and helmets....the REAL stuff!

tejasmarcos... I'm talkin chit? Last I checked you will pull my posts out of anywhere and start shit. Arent you the one who recently made some idle threats to me down here (still laughing by the way - i thought you would have had me knocked off by now?) Geez...you are one of the many reasons that this board is filled with nonsense - look at the other post by Mranderson...I provide some perfectly good and legit info, and you spice it up with uneducated BS. Find something else to do..or block me...

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

droble77 says on Apr 7, 2008, 08:07:

LOL, my very first motorcycle ride was in Medellin with a HOT chick wearing shorts and a tank top in the driver's seat.

And me clinging for dear life! ;-))

I should have taken pics as I must have made quite a ridiculous sight. She had a real motorcycle though, not the dinky ones most of the locals ride. All the other moto drivers were checking us out, or at least her. . . :0))

I think it's a good way to get around a lot of traffic but it does seem quite dangerous.

tejasmarcos says on Apr 7, 2008, 09:14:

what happened to bad brad? is he still posting here? i can't see him anymore becuz i blocked him. someone please keep me updated. he is one of the coolest guys i have met here. did anyone else know he was a professional motorcycle guy. i seen him one time do a 3 mile wheelie in dallas going 120 mph - amazing!

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

mranderson says on Apr 7, 2008, 09:22:

I've been on a bike before a couple times with a chick driving through medellin. I thought it was pretty hot.

miamimike says on Apr 7, 2008, 11:01:

RJ-I saw them selling those make believe "Skid Lids" in San Andresito in Bogota! The Harley "Live Free or Die" Guys here in Miami wear these which is a miracle they even have anything on. LOL Those things barely would deflect a shot from a BB gun let alone a high speed moto crash. The Best Helmets have the Snell Z90 approval which trumps the DOT approved stamp. Usually they sell for a few bucks more.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

bradenmiami says on Apr 7, 2008, 11:11:

Thank God TM...

MM....its amazing the price gouge you take for a real helmet down here!

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

miamimike says on Apr 7, 2008, 12:41:

BIM-I know, I see them on MercadoLibre.com/col--no deals there!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

spigrimace says on Apr 7, 2008, 13:55:

In case you knew the young lad:

from el colombiano.com:

Otros dos muertos en accidentes

Medellín
Un motociclista y un peatón murieron en accidentes ocurridos ayer en Belén y la autopista Sur, en Medellín.

En la carrera 80 con calle 25 murió Cristian Mauricio Aguirre Arias, de 18 años, quien manejaba la moto de placas CHB82B, que chocó con un poste del alumbrado público.

En otro caso ocurrido en la Autopista Sur, en el sector de Apolo, murió arrollado por un automóvil, el peatón Juan Carlos Arias Giraldo, de 40 años.

DodgerDogs says on Apr 7, 2008, 14:29:

Look what happened to this tourist while riding a moto in Colombia

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

tejasmarcos says on Apr 7, 2008, 14:37:

wow. where is the rest of it?

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...

DodgerDogs says on Apr 7, 2008, 16:03:

Now I know why Ray rides his guard dogs shotgun , so he wont be like the dude in the video.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

tejasmarcos says on Apr 7, 2008, 16:10:

guard dog - LOL!

my glass is getting shorter on whiskey, ice and water...