Kyle Roust died after his 2002 Suzuki GSXRT10 slid off of Fellsway north near Charles Street and tumbled just after 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Massachusetts State Police said.
Troopers believe he was speeding and racing a dark-colored sedan when he lost control on a curve.
Responders rushed him to Massachusetts General, but it was too late. Doctors pronounced him dead when he arrived, State Troopers said. Troopers are searching for the sedan driver who sped away after the wreck.
Friends said Kyle Roust was a "beautiful soul" who had a wild streak, but he was fiercely loyal and caring.
"He was such a good guy," friend Aidan Donovan said. "He would do anything for his friends. He was always there for you."
Roust bought the sportbike he died on last week. He started riding motorcycles last year, but he'd never had a bike with that much power.
Ben Whalen said he and other friends had lectured Roust repeatedly to drive more carefully, but Kyle enjoyed the speed and thrill. He wouldn't have backed down if someone had challenged him to a race.
"Kyle liked to live on the edge," Whalen said. "... He lived day to day. That was just how he was."
Roust had recently made a lot of improvements to himself. Friends said he started working at a moving company and had turned his life around. He was looking forward to his 22nd birthday next month because he was going on a trip with friends.
Donovan and Whalen said they'll miss Roust's sense of humor and his passion for life.
"I’ve never met anyone like him," Donovan said. "I don’t think I'll ever meet anyone like him again. He was so different than everyone else."
The family will host a visitation at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, at Burns Funeral Home, 354 Boston Road in Billerica. A prayer service will follow at 7 p.m.
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