very graphic!!!

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/bike.htm

On some of the reasons why fatalities are rising:
There are more inexperienced riders, especially in the 40 year old and over category. Engines are larger.

I've read elsewhere that many of the fatalities are actually in the older age group. Something about the dramatic increase of bikes on the road because the baby boomer generation wanting to relive their youth and ride bikes and getting hurt...or something like that.

And i honestly DO believe that the fact that modern bikes are significantly faster than the older ones has something to do with it as well. I ride a 919 with a relatively detuned 919cc motor, and it is noticeably faster than my '83 Honda Interceptor 750, which was a pretty dang fast bike in it's day and possibly one of the first of the modern 'crotch rocket'. It had about 90 hp. My 919 has about 110hp and is about 85-100lbs lighter. And it's faster on the road than i can think right now. I'll get used to it in a while, but i just can't imagine the kids nowadays buying 600RRs and even liter-bikes before they really know what they're doing. I can't imagine how fast a 1000RR would be when i'm rolling on the throttle and running out of road before i even feel like i'm getting on the power in my 110hp 919.

I wouldn't be surprised (and would actually be happy) if we started going to a graduated motorcycle license/permit for first time riders that restricted engine size for a certain amount of time. In fact, i'm surprised it hasn't been done already. I'd be one of the first to vote for it (and i'm usually not much for politics or government regulations...but this seems worth the trouble).

...I wouldn't be surprised (and would actually be happy) if we started going to a graduated motorcycle license/permit for first time riders that restricted engine size for a certain amount of time...
As most here already know my view on this, I just say I agree.

But alas this is America and no one will allow the government to tell them they can’t go out and kill themselves. The thing that bothers me most is the pain of those that will witness, deal with the aftermath and the innocent drivers that unwittingly get made a part of a motorcycle fatality thru no fault of their own. I mean, if some idiot killed themselves on my car or involved me thru their actions – even if I wasn’t injured, I’d still be rather messed up emotionally even knowing it was not my fault. I don’t want to put that on anyone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/keboyer/Misc/01.jpg

Interesting stats, Ken.

very very very interseting..........