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Motorcycle top speed record holder dies trying to set new record, crashed at 285 mph

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X

XiaNaphryz

LATIN, MATRIPEDICABUS, DO YOU SPEAK IT
Motorcyclist Bill Warner dies attempting to set speed record:

Bill Warner, who holds the world speed record (311 mph) for a conventional motorcycle, died Sunday after losing control and zooming off a runway while trying to break his record at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine.

Warner, 44, of Wimauma, Fla., was clocked at 285 mph before he lost control.

Warner was conscious and talking after the crash, but he died about an hour and 15 minutes later at a hospital in Caribou.

"No one will touch Bill's achievements or be the type of racer he was. He was a personal friend and the land-racing community is less for his loss," Tim Kelly, race director of the Loring Timing Assn., said.

Riding his modified turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa, Warner previously set the record of 311 mph on the same course in 2011, using 1.5 miles of pavement. This time he was trying using just a mile of pavement on the 14,200-foot-long runway at the former Strategic Air Command base that closed in 1994.

The Limestone Police Department and Maine state police are investigating the crash.
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6UfbiY3.jpg
 
B

Barbacoatl

Banned
Pctx said:
Guy lived his life 285 mph at a time.
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And now he's dead!

Sorry, had clown for breakfast. It's just that I had a close friend die in a bike accident and the thought of someone setting speed records for no tangible purpose sets me off.
 
N

Naked Snake

Member
shinobi602 said:
RIP, but I gotta be honest GAF, it's sad people loses their lives this way. Such an unnecessary way to go...
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I'm sure he knew the risks. He died doing something he loves, that's more than can be said about millions of people who die every year from other causes.
 
B

Barbacoatl

Banned
Naked Snake said:
I'm sure he knew the risks. He died doing something he loves, that's more than can be said about millions of people who die every year from other causes.
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Same can be said for heroine overdose. I don't think neither is more laudable than, say, kid who dies of cancer or granny smith of natural causes.
 
B

boiled goose

good with gravy
If he had a family to help take care of then perhaps it is a little selfish of him to do something so risky.

If not, then I am fine with it. He was pushing the limits of humanity.
I think if he was completely mentally competent and informed of the risks it was his right do with his life as he pleased.

This was not unnecessary suffering or death. He was doing what he wanted to do.
 
A

Alebelly

Member
I would have been cool with just having the record at 311. That seems like a pretty huge fucking number.

Anyways, RIP crazy motorcycle guy.
 
L

Leunam

Member
amtentori said:
If he had a family to help take care of then perhaps it is a little selfish of him to do something so risky.

If not, then I am fine with it. He was pushing the limits of humanity.
I think if he was completely mentally competent and informed of the risks it was his right do with his life as he pleased.

This was not unnecessary suffering or death. He was doing what he wanted to do.
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People shouldn't push the limits of humanity if they have a family to take care of? I mean, this guy wasn't testing space shuttles in the 60's or anything, but I don't understand why that matters.
 
D

Dunlop

Member
SkepticalPanda said:
Falling off of a motorbike at 458km/h? No thanks. I'm pretty sure this guy felt next to nothing. Pretty lame way to go, though. RIP.
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The article says he was awake afterwards.

My coworkers son, crashed his bike doing about 80km/hour on the highway wearing full racing leather.

He was in a coma for over a month, had massive traumatic injuries (broken bones, neurological damage).

I cannot imagine what a crash at this speed would have done to his body

RIP
 
B

boiled goose

good with gravy
Leunam said:
People shouldn't push the limits of humanity if they have a family to take care of? I mean, this guy wasn't testing space shuttles in the 60's or anything, but I don't understand why that matters.
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Pushing the limits of humanity in a way that highly puts your life at risk, might be a bit selfish, though still within your rights.

You might have over analyzed what I meant.
 
L

Leunam

Member
amtentori said:
Pushing the limits of humanity in a way that highly puts your life at risk, might be a bit selfish, though still within your rights.

You might have over analyzed what I meant.
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I think it's the exact opposite of selfish.

But like I said, he wasn't exactly testing space shuttles.
 
A

Axiology

Member
Black Door said:
Look at the stickers on that bike. He was probably pulling in so much dosh from endorsements that they would support anything he did 100%
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Yeah. While I would never like to lose a loved one to something so preventable I question the speed at which some of you guys are casting judgment. First, he was probably bringing in more money for his family with those endorsements than he would be able to without. Second, it's safe to assume that he and his family were aware of the risks involved in attempting such a stunt. Third, am I supposed to conclude from this reaction that everyone who has a family and pursues a dangerous career is a selfish asshole? Or is that just when that career isn't "important"? Which careers are important?

Really, I'm most curious as to why people are even so eager to pass judgment in the first place. The biggest thing I've taken away from this is that if you're single and have no kids your life is essentially worthless, so it's cool to throw it away. Now, obviously that's not what anyone's saying here, but it seems like that's where the line is for most of you. As if it wouldn't be a horrific loss of life if he didn't have a family, and if he did it would then become a tragedy that will selfishly tear his family apart. Maybe it would be best to not assume what's going on in a family that we don't know?
 
A

Ace Harding

Member
I've been on the back of a motorcycle going like 75 and I was terrified. I cannot imagine piloting one of those things at 285 or 300 or whatever. That is ludicrous.

RIP, and no judgment for people that want to push the limits. Personally, I'm glad we have people that want to volunteer (or voluntarily get paid) to do shit like this. Pushing the envelope is an important way we progress.
 
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