Author Topic: UK Journo killed on watercooled GS Launch (Read 9340 times)

2StrokeDan · « **Reply #140 on:** January 26, 2013, 09:19:18 pm »

Yes, RIP thread, until we know what has happened.

spoedvark · « **Reply #141 on:** January 26, 2013, 10:54:48 pm »

Quote from: Bliknêrs on January 26, 2013, 09:17:23 pm

RIP Kevin.
RIP thread...

I 2nd that!!

Well said Blikners!!!

JustBendIt · « **Reply #142 on:** January 27, 2013, 05:24:50 am »

That is a beautiful - and fast - piece of road where the "accident" happened
- a lekker smooth and loose gravel surface with some nice gentle humps on it that you can get lekker air and some gentle sweeping bends where you can see your gat if you are not paying attention

A 650 Dakar will top out in 5th gear and bounce off the rev limiter at 190 (measured on a GPS) - I know because I did this on that same piece of road in 2007

Was I stupid and reckless ? hell YES (and I probably still am)

Did I deserve to die for doing this ? I would like to think NO (but others will disagree)

I am a fatalist and fully believe your "passing" is pre-ordained somewhere - sure you can speed it up and bring that date forward by doing stupid things - but ultimately when the Big Man says your time is up then your time is up

I don't believe for 1 second there was any "failure" on Kevin Ash's test bike whatsoever - him and the other journo were simply stretching the new GS's legs after a lekker ride through Baviaans - Kevin miscalculated, cocked up and left the road and the other journo kakked himself when he saw this and put his bike down too - simple - I have seen it happen and done it myself more than once

Very unfortunately he came to a sudden stop in the veld and did not make it - RIP Kevin Ash

Tragic sad fatal accidents happen every day

To cut a long story short - My dad had a big stroke 6 weeks ago - I put him in a private frail care / convalescent home in Wynberg in Cape Town - in the high care clinic in the bed next to him was a 48 year old mother of 2 lying in a coma - she stepped off a bus in Adderley Street in October 2012 and was blown over by the wind - she hit her head on the pavement and has not woken up - the doc says she probably never will and if she does she will not be the same person - very very sad but an accident nevertheless - whose fault is this ? the bus, the bus driver, the pavement, the wind, Helen Zille's, hers ? No - it was simply an accident - there is no use trying to analyze it and look for "spooks"

badseed · « **Reply #143 on:** January 27, 2013, 06:36:00 am »

Just as good stuff happens so does bad shit. No matter if he was riding like a chop or on a dangerous bike or whatever his dying has left a huge hole in the lives of his loved ones and they are having a kak time . We can find something of value out of this if next time we swing a leg over our bikes we give a thought to tragic events like this and ride a little safer so that our loved ones won't be getting the same phone call.

Since Burry died the other day I have become more vigilant on my morning bicycle rides and even taken to wearing reflective gear as a case in point. Maybe his death could save mine and others lives.

Skipskop · « **Reply #144 on:** January 27, 2013, 07:04:40 am »

Ping badseed, check your PM`s and sms`s

Karel Kat · « **Reply #145 on:** January 27, 2013, 08:40:54 pm »

Quote from: Jagsding on January 27, 2013, 05:24:50 am

A 650 Dakar will top out in 5th gear and bounce off the rev limiter at 190 (measured on a GPS) - I know because I did this on that same piece of road in 2007

I want one of those Dakars too...

Pullaway · « **Reply #146 on:** January 27, 2013, 09:04:24 pm »

My condolences to the fallen biker- journo. Personally I don't think it was a planned attempt by the Germans against the allied's, but about time the krauts come up with some "hanwers" before to many rumours start?

ahlbebuck · « **Reply #147 on:** January 27, 2013, 09:21:32 pm »

2SD: Kevin Ash seems like he was someone you may have liked...

Quote: "He was once banned from Triumph launches after they took umbridge at his opinion of a new machine. BMW, too, was not backward in expressing its disapproval of his opinions on its Telelever front suspension, nor Suzuki when he expressed disquiet with the notorious rotary damper on its TL1000."

Not just a BMW thing...

Quote: "Then there was the infamous KTM launch where, as Kevin admitted, he misjudged a corner on a winding Alpine route and slid off the road on to a gravel-surfaced car park. The machine dug in and spun to a halt, while Kevin slid clean across the car park and off the edge of a cliff. "I thought that was my day," he recounted as he explained how he landed on a small ledge, winded but otherwise unharmed."

2StrokeDan · « **Reply #148 on:** January 28, 2013, 07:23:50 am »

No reason that I can see why I would not have liked the man.
Since boyhood I have been amazed how people lose most ability to reason when dealing with death. Here it is the same. If Hinksding's post was correct, and they were indeed doing
highly illegal speeds on a public road, then I see no way open to pay respect. Respect for his life, and his life's work yes, but this last act of irresponsibility should not earn him respect.
And the argument that we all speed on public roads simply makes all that do criminals, it does not make breaking the law OK.
This is what Jacko and quite a few do not grasp.

Bensien · « **Reply #149 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:23:05 pm »

I have received a first hand confirmation from people present at the launch that the BMW press release is factually correct. The accident was definitely not caused by excessive speed. So unless the person who came up with the 160kph figure can back it up, this whole discussion is pointless.

BlueBull2007 · « **Reply #150 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:30:04 pm »

Thanks for that Bensien.

Actually threads like this where there seems to be such a lack of empathy and tactless remarks makes me a little ashamed to be a WD.

Snafu · « **Reply #151 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:46:01 pm »

Quote from: BlueBull2007 on January 28, 2013, 03:30:04 pm

Thanks for that Bensien.

Actually threads like this where there seems to be such a lack of empathy and tactless remarks makes me a little ashamed to be a WD.

I agree

Operator · « **Reply #152 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:46:17 pm »

It is called an accident, and sometimes it happens when you get on to a bike or into a car.

So Mr Ash had an unfortunate accident and he died.

It called life...............and it happens.

Can't really see why this thread is on page 8 already if it was not for condolences.

ETS · « **Reply #153 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:49:36 pm »

Quote from: BlueBull2007 on January 28, 2013, 03:30:04 pm

Thanks for that Bensien.

Actually threads like this where there seems to be such a lack of empathy and tactless remarks makes me a little ashamed to be a WD.

agree.

BiG DoM · « **Reply #154 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:50:32 pm »

Yeah I think it should probably be locked IMHO. Just becoming distasteful.

badseed · « **Reply #155 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:12:29 pm »

And I guess the truth will never out . If it ever came to light that perhaps the boys were doing the suggested 180kph it might open BMW up to a very costly damages claim and also void insurance claims. My guess is the journos never once went over 100kph.

Moondog · « **Reply #156 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:17:37 pm »

Quote from: badseed on January 28, 2013, 04:12:29 pm

And I guess the truth will never out . If it ever came to light that perhaps the boys were doing the suggested 180kph it might open BMW up to a very costly damages claim and also void insurance claims. My guess is the journos never once went over 100kph.

Who ever suggested 180kmh? What is it with people on this thread that they need to make up their own story? Seriously, a well respected biker died - it's a sad day. Why filthy the story with unsubstantiated, and sometimes completely imagined drivel?

Wolzak · « **Reply #157 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:42:41 pm »

Quote from: BlueBull2007 on January 28, 2013, 03:30:04 pm

Thanks for that Bensien.

Actually threads like this where there seems to be such a lack of empathy and tactless remarks makes me a little ashamed to be a WD.

Agreed.

All of us should just remember that this can happen to any of us at any time. Adventure riding is not a walk in the Park as most of us have been on the ragged edge and I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, sweat pouring down my Body from the shit I caused on the previous day with excessive speed. I is fucked up and senseless to hint and insinuate about the Bike or the Rider. A man has lost his Life. RIP

sting · « **Reply #158 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:48:46 pm »

Quote from: Moondog on January 28, 2013, 04:17:37 pm

Quote from: badseed on January 28, 2013, 04:12:29 pm
And I guess the truth will never out . If it ever came to light that perhaps the boys were doing the suggested 180kph it might open BMW up to a very costly damages claim and also void insurance claims. My guess is the journos never once went over 100kph.
Who ever suggested 180kmh? What is it with people on this thread that they need to make up their own story? Seriously, a well respected biker died - it's a sad day. Why filthy the story with unsubstantiated, and sometimes completely imagined drivel?

In all fairness. While everyone is crucifying 2SD, someone else posted the speed thing (160km/h) quoted by some secret person supposedly there at the time. so if someone posts something as fact, why blame him for responding to it?

Teapot · « **Reply #159 on:** January 28, 2013, 05:03:32 pm »

Moondog Tony my friend your damn right. Why is everyone bitching and moaning??? Let him Rest and his family mourn. Too many dogs with massive chips on there shoulders and looking to vent.
Like I said before when a great Dakar rider, or super biker or even a family member or best friend do you curse and moan and fling crap at there memories. Come on guys!!!