One was an R6, the other was a GSX-R 600. Both 600cc Sportbikes. The incidents were about two years apart.
They were both apparently advised by their squid buddies that those cutting-edge Sportbikes were great beginner bikes.
Sure the bikes had great brakes, suspension, handling, and acceleration. What was lacking was skilled riders that could take advantage of those inherent bike characteristics.
They didn't have experience with that level of performance, and essentially panicked when they twisted the throttle more than they previously had, and were quickly in over their heads.
Both riders were advised we weren't racing, and it was just a nice ride through the Mountains. The second rider was even told about the first rider's untimely demise by grabbing too much throttle, panicking, target fixating, and ultimately running straight off a curve and crashing. But awhile later I watched him do the same thing.
It sucks to watch impending doom, and not be able to do a [censored] thing about it.
The sad thing is both could have easily made it around the respective curves they crashed on, if they had more experience.
I've been riding Sportbikes almost exclusively for the last 30 years. I appreciate the better performance they offer over other types of bikes, in those aspects. But the fact remains that if someone isn't used to that level of performance, they can quickly get in over their heads. Usually with bad results.
I would also advise anyone that has been riding for awhile to take a riding class like the Yamaha Champions Riding School
LINK on a Roadracing track.
A guy that I grew up riding with, is an instructor with that school.
Even if you don't have any intention of racing, learning what you and bikes are truly capable of, without the distraction of cars, gravel, wild animals, etc., will only make you a better street rider.