Motorcycle Safety Expert Dies in Motorcycle Accident

Trib Review ^ | 4/12/06 | Mikey_1962

[Mikey_1962]

A world-renowned motorcycle safety expert from Squirrel Hill was killed over the weekend in a motorcycle accident in Texas.

Larry Grodsky, 55, owner of Stayin' Safe Motorcycle Training, died after a deer ran in front of his motorcycle Saturday night in Fort Stockton, Texas.

Grodsky, a Gateway High School graduate, had a decades-long love affair with motorcycles and trained celebrities including Ted Koppel and Mike Tyson on safe-driving techniques.

He was the nephew of Myron Cope, the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers announcer who retired last year.

His mother, Violet Grodsky, also 85, said her son began riding motorcycles while attending Ohio University, where he graduated with an English degree in 1968.

He spent a few years teaching in Ohio schools and doing freelance writing for several magazines before returning to Pittsburgh and opening his training center, Violet Grodsky said.

Grodsky, who was single, traveled the country attending training and safety seminars and was returning from a conference in California when the accident happened. An officer with the Texas Department of Public Safety said he did not know whether Grodsky was wearing a helmet or what kind of motorcycle he was driving.

Grodsky had many friends and valued the work he did for charity, his father said.

He participated in charity motorcycle events and did other volunteer work, Harold Grodsky said.

"That was typical of Larry to always be helping other people and thinking about those who had less or were suffering," he said.

Luke Hingson, president of the Brother's Brother Foundation in the North Side, said Grodsky helped the organization raise money for the victims of the December 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia and for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I've seen a couple dudes with the Hi Viz suits... they get grimy pretty fast. If you go with a Roadcrafter get the 2 piece, I have the 1 piece for commuting and it's not as flexible for long rides.

Sometimes I just pile on the ol' black Vansons and a pair of Aerostich Combat touring boots and play Road Warrior (slowly) :)

[Blue Jays]

Hi CougarGA7-

Yup, we're in 100% agreement.

I've definitely used the superior acceleration of a motorcycle way more times than the impressive braking capability. Three huge discs and sticky performance tires lead to some incredibly short stopping distances while the power-to-weight ratio allows acceleration only a narrow segment of the supercar population would understand.

~ Blue Jays ~

[armydoc]

I have the 'Stitch hi-viz. Love it, especially the looks I get by motorists. At least I know they see me.

[Blue Jays]

Hi Tijeras_Slim:

We have a similar gear set-up. I typically wear a custom Langlitz Leathers full suit coupled with Aerostich Combat Touring boots, gloves, lambskin scarf, and a full-face Arai helmet. It's a combination that definitely provides lots of protection when I'm out on my sportbike.

Thanks for the good suggestion about opting for the two-piece Darien suit. I was thinking that might provide a little bit more flexibility when deciding what to wear in terms of swapping leather for textile and vice versa.

~ Blue Jays ~

[Tijeras_Slim]

The Roadcrafter comes in a 2 piece, and IMO is easier to put on. The Darien would be better for hardcore tourning in nasty condition.

[rahbert]

If you are getting looks then you have half the battle won.

I will need to switch to the Brosh Tex pretty soon, since
the RC is unbearable above 90F. Texas summer is already
beginning.

[xarmydog]

I was there and saw the aftermath.The investigation is still going on as there was a van that also had to be towed from the scene.It is still unclear if he hit the deer and was run over by the van.You could not tell the deer from the motorcycle driver,as the scene was so bad.Body parts were everywhere.If you did not see the motorcycle,you would not have known there was a human riding it.A very horrible scene.One thing he should have been aware of,is the deer come to the side of the road at night to feed,and,for the heat given off from the road.It is a long stretch of road from Marathon to FT.Stockton and at night,in any type of vehicle,you do not drive 70 because you can.I feel for his family.I don't know for a fact if he was doing 70,but the road is so long,it would be tempting.Most of the bikers I know,are aware of this deer,rabbit,feral hogs,and other critters and slow down at night.Deer whistles on your vehicle only make you feel safer.I have no faith in them whatsoever.As I said ,God bless his family.

[Blue Jays]

Hi Tijeras_Slim:

OK, you've totally clarified it for me. I was originally under the impression that the Roadcrafter was simply the one-piece version while the Darien was the two-piece version of the same garment. I now understand that they're two totally separate styles of protective clothing with the Roadcrafter available in either format. The Darien is only available as a two-piece suit.

I've often remarked that I wouldn't be disappointed with anything coming from that company. All their gear is absolutely top-notch quality.

~ Blue Jays ~

[spunkets]

"This ensures problems don't "sneak up on you" from the rear."

You'd think! Glanced in the mirror once and the trooper was clearly out of breath trying to keep up. Funny how the siren's so quite 'till ya turn sideways.

[MarkL]

Not much of an expert, was he?

Have you ever hit a deer, or come close, in a car? You're lucky to have a quarter second reaction time, and even it you do, it's usually too late. Not even long enough to even think the bad words before you hit!

Being an expert has nothing to do with it.

Mark

[Tijeras_Slim]

I've bought a number of their clothing items. Somethings give you what they promise, but few deliver more... all their stuff has. Once I was looking for padding material for some electronics shipping cases, I e-mailed them regarding the visco-elastomer they put in the suits, Andy Goldfine, the President responded to mer personally within the hour. Their heated vests and grip wraps are superb.

[MarkL]

deer are the scourge of the roads here in MN.(well that and foot deep potholes).

I had some buddies who were driving up to Canada to a fishing lodge, and just across the border in CA, they hit a 1500# moose in the van they were driving at about 45 MPH. It rolled the van down an embankment, totalling the van, and the boat & trailer it was towing. It was a miracle they weren't killed, but wound up in the hospital for a while.

Mark

[Rakkasan1]

those long , spindly legs put their chest at windshield level. they're damn fortunate.

[barker]

Slaps forehead. Changed it. Thanks

[Poser]

"I no longer feel I have to do unsafe acts just to prove I am a man. Been there done that."

Me neither. I just like riding motorcycles.

[TXBSAFH]

Your evasion options are limited in rush hour traffic. He tried. He failed. At least in a car you have something more substantial then a jacket between you and them. Don't get me wrong iding is fun, but I do believe taht riding on the road is to dangerous.

[68 grunt]

... He tried. He failed.

He died. Get over it and get off this thread. Limp Richards won't get the last word on this thread!

[zipper]

It is still unclear if he hit the deer and was run over by the van.

So sad! Sounds like he might have been alive in the road then was run over by a cager later.

I was riding in the Ozarks at night on my Ninja '900 back around '86 or so-- came over a hill as I was in a turn at about 60 or 70 mph-- just over the hill I caught a glimpse in my headlight of a cow standing in the middle of the road. I pushed on the inside handlebar just enough to countersteer the bike and miss him by about four feet to the inside of the turn as I whizzed by. There was no way I could've braked in time. I stopped and looked back and the cow never even moved. If I'd been in a cage, I probably would've at least clipped him, maybe lost control, or run off the road.

"Cheated death again" as I (too) often say.

I don't know about your state but in mine you can call or write the state Dept. of Safety and they'll send you a copy of the accident summary/investigation report. I've done it before.

[Hammerhead]

Im a single dad with a 5 and 9 year old. Im very careful but I gotta live.

I just avoid riding at dusk and very early morning and NEVER trust drivers to see you.

ride one of those new triumph bonnevilles.

friend of a friend of mine was killed one afternoon by an owl. hit him in the face and broke his neck.

so you never know......

[wizr]

Thanks for the ping.

As I say when I go for a ride: " Lord, it's a good day to die."

What better way to go, than doing what you love.

OK, guys. I know what you're thinkin'. But, you can spend more time up on your bike, than you can THERE.