I actually knew the driver of the bike, worked with him for last few years, just told him last week that he was going to kill himself on that thing. The guy is only 5'6, he had to get off the bike to back it up, his toes barely reached when he sat on it. He bought the lowering kit but I don't believe that he lowered it in this last week, he might have I'm not sure of that.
A few months ago, he went bike shopping, never owned a rice rocket, wanted a 650 scooter and or a cruiser of some sort (his dream bike was a Honda Gold Wing). He went shopping for a cruiser and ended up leaving the bike shop with a Hayabusa. As soon as he told us he bought a Hayabusa we (our shop) knew he was going to more then likely die or be in a horrible accident. The bike is too much for anyone that isn't a gifted well trained speed demon. If you want to know more about him, read on. He asked his wife for a divorce, his wife, daughter and son moved back to Illinois. He began dating, he liked one girl in particular, more then likely that is the rider that was thrown off the bike and pronounced dead on site, if it is her, she had two children. there are lots of people to mourn and say a prayer for.
With all of that said and some comments about bars being responsible for any of us drinking too much. How about a decent sales person or manager of a bike shop telling a 5'6 guy who has never owned a crotch rocket that the BUSA is too much of a bike? Would they sell this bike to a midget? Gene kept the bike up on his tippy toes, with how much horsepower under his seat?
Now here is the real kicker, he went shopping for a cruiser ... who pressed him towards the fastest street bike? I don't suggest making laws, I suggest we as a society stop putting a commission ahead of someones life. Trust me when I say this, my 18 year old daughter could go in and buy a Busa ... She makes enough money and has great credit. She is 5'5 135 pounds ... that isn't much different then 5'6 and we can't use the argument that a man is stronger, because the guy I'm talking about is a gymnastics teacher on the side, extremely strong and while trying to back the bike out of his garage it tipped went to the ground and he played hell getting it back up. If they want to sell bikes to people 5'6 then lower the bike before it leaves the shop. Don't offer lowering kits, lower the damn bike for the drivers safety, and sleep well knowing you did the right thing. Unwritten rules, you can't own a busa until you've gone through the 750's, R1's etc ... and have 5 years of crotch rocket experience. No federal laws, unwritten laws that the bike sellers and bikers agree upon with full understanding that it is for the common good. Should someone sue the bike dealer? No, but it might not be a bad idea for the Bike dealers to grow up. I wonder how many times the dealers step back and snicker and amongst themselves say "This MF is going to kill himself" as they smile and wave goodbye to their latest commission.
that salesman won't be working long.
