Houston-Motorcyclist, 20, dies after crashing into tree

[Thermalser]

Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/5112270.html)

A 20-year-old Houston man died after his motorcycle crashed into a tree in the median of Westheimer Parkway in southwest Houston early today, police said.

Erik Samuel Jimenez of the 8300 block of Royal Grove, was pronounced dead at Ben Taub General Hospital at 1:32 a.m., about an hour after the wreck, HPD accident investigator Officer L.C. Morrison II said.

Jimenez was riding eastbound on Westheimer Parkway, formerly known as Beeler Road, at about 12:25 a.m. when he lost control of his Suzuki 750 motorcycle, jumped the median curb and rammed into a tree, Morrison said.

Evidence indicates Jimenez was traveling at a high rate of speed, Morrison said.

[Manfred]

There's that late night aspect again. sigh Grandma was right - nothing good happens after midnight. Appears the rider lost control as well. sigh Not good for a biker.

[mlinkibikr]

RIP young man.

Dave.

[Rob919]

He was a new Rider, with about 3 months experience, no MSF, and this 750 was his first bike.

RIP.

[Thermalser]

He was a new Rider, with about 3 months experience, no MSF, and this 750 was his first bike.

RIP.

There is a lesson to be learned from this one.

[Chirpy]

Graduated licensing?

[wonder91178]

Graduated licensing?

Ding ding!! :clap:

[kurt]

There is a lesson to be learned from this one.

Decisions sometimes have consequences?

[flb_78]

Graduated licensing?

Ding ding!! :clap:

:doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh:

nope, no, nada, dont think so. You can easily kill yourself on a 250 virago just same as a R1. Stupid hurts.

Graduated licensing would do nothing more than drive people away from motorcycling. If my first bike would of had to been a 250, I wouldn't be riding now. I could not see a 400lb fat guy riding a 200lb bike. It was bad enough that my first bike was a 550 and I still looked like a gorilla riding a moped.

[Faylaricia]

Graduated licensing?

It is only a matter of time until some mother creates "Mothers against Motorcycles" or something and pushes for this. If it is kept within a young age group, I'd be all for it.

Too many young guys are killed by failing to understand the power of these motorcycles. Granted, anyone can get killed on a 250, but being 20 and speeding on a rocket with buddies racing down the street seems to be a lot more inviting on the SS bikes.

RIP.

[ac0001]

RIP young man.

[Ace Wingnut]

Evidence indicates Jimenez was traveling at a high rate of speed, Morrison said.
250 or 1250, the impact is the same.

[ed29]

Graduated licensing?


I am not at all surprised by the swift, strong rejection of this idea. I can see the merit in the proposal though. Like it or not, nobody new to driving would start out in a car such as a Porsche or Ferrari, yet it is taken as a right to start as a beginner motorcyclist on machines with comparable power to weight ratios and acceleration. Machines with brakes that perform incredibly well in skilled hands, yet lock wheels all too readily in less experienced hands. Even though my sons are accomplished dirt riders I am encouraging them to start small on the street. Skills transfer, but the environment variables must still be learned.

I started on a 250 Yamaha when I was 20, and it was plenty to learn on. Mistakes on a 250 are not the same as mistakes on a 750. Impact speeds are reduced when mistakes lead to incidents. I would back an initiative to place a graduated licence, or a displacement restriction for six months. It would not be popular with all, but then what ever is? If it causes unskilled riders to live and ride long enough to become skilled riders then it is a good thing in my view.

By the way.... To some extent there is a graduated MC licence in Texas. It allows riders 15 years of age to ride bikes 250cc or smaller. All other requirements for under age 18 remain, and the restriction is lifted at the 16th birthday. Stretching that into a diplacment restriction for new riders would not be a huge change, it would be an extension of an existing safeguard. Ride on, Ride fun, Ride safe!