The 44-year-old Wagga man had been riding on the Bogong High Plains Road, about 20 kilometres south of Falls Creek, when he crashed into trees about 12.30pm on Sunday.

After crawling up the bank and alerting a passing driver, his condition deteriorated to the point where he was semi-conscious.

He was flown to hospital with a broken forearm, ruptured spleen and broken ribs and needed surgery.

Senior Constable Jason Frede said the man had been riding through the North East with two friends.

The injured rider had been using an older bike, and Senior Constable Frede said groups should travel with older model bikes in front as they are harder to ride. 

“Newer bikes have ABS and can stop quickly,” he said. 

“If a person travelling at the back locks up they can travel into the back of the other riders. 

“It’s about people riding to their abilities, to the conditions and their experience. Don’t try to keep up with other riders.”