[shaggles]

I had my first close call on my bike yesterday. For anyone who knows the Seattle area I was riding west on NE 65th where it passes under the freeway. I was in the right lane and the left lane was backing up because someone was waithing to turn left. So this idiot in a green Jetta whips into the right lane right as front wheel is about even with his rear bumper. I slammed on my brakes and skidded the front wheel but managed to stay upright. I was only going about 25 and I was geared up so it probably wouldn’t have been to bad if I had gone down. Watch out for green Jettas.

[CBennett]

jerk(the guy in the Jetta)hate them!

[fotobits]

Every riding school I’ve been to has braking drills for new riders. The key is to practice pulling the lever lightly to set the suspension, then squeezing harder to slow the bike. You have to practice so it becomes a reflex action. I learned proper braking technique after 20+ years and at least 200,000 miles of street riding. Even us old dogs can learn new tricks. I work on the technique every time I ride.

And always anticipate stupid moves from cagers. As the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers used to say, “You aren’t paranoid when they really are out to get you.”

[Budd]

Watch the tires. Got that from Idiot’s guide to Motorcycling. If you see tires turn your way a car is sure to follow. watching the tires gives you about an extra second reaction time.

“I am the best I am at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Anonymous]

…. is probably because you’ve already started avoidance maneuver a split second earlier – normal gut reaction. So, bike was probably leaning some.

[BoOZe P-ti Motard]

I noticed that if I was not 100% concentrating on the road, I used to skid the front wheel while braking… I mean there was a delay in seeing danger and reacting… Then with time I still continued to ride and then later while braking hard in situations, I kind of heard a sound coming from the front wheel, not tyres but that of brake pads in contact with the disc. Is this sound the limit of maximum braking before locking the wheel?
Pressing front brakes hard along with back brake workz wondafuly..

BoOZe
Solomolo Rider

[SuperMotoRider]

It was your fault for not predicting the worst. It was your responsibility as a biker to identify this stuff. If this sounds cruel, then TOUGH. If you can’t admit this then you shouldn’t be on a motorcycle.

[megaspaz]

Had a few close calls myself today, in the same shopping center. 2 were classic driver turning into the intersection, the other was a lady backing out her suv to my right while i was right behind it waiting to park in the opening stall on my left. Got to use the horn on that one.

The first one was sort of the scariest as this on the right makes a left across my lane and I didn’t really see him. It was like nothing there and all of a sudden half a car. I was going slow, so emergency braking was easy. Stopped with a good 7 feet to spare. He did see me though as he stopped quick as well and I could see him staring at me while i was braking. He did a sorry wave as I let him go and it was all good. The second guy to pull out was making a left into my direction on my left hand side. He was a dick, I saw him all the way and I was already slowing down, moving more to the right of my lane. He pulls out 1/2 into my lane before seeing me hits the brakes hard. I had already stopped by that time. He then just sat there for 10 seconds looking at me like it was my fault or something. I let him go on his way and I give him the universal sign of “hello, fuck you” when he looks at his rear view mirror. Shit happens, but as long as you have the attitude of everyone’s out to kill you, you should do fine…

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Budd]

Well, not everyone is out to injure you. Some are out to maim and handicap you. I do think that some people really do want to hit me. This morning getting on the interstate, I reach the speed limit in the on ramp and turn on my blinker. A car passes and I do my head check and have a wide berth between me and the next car. As I merge I notice in the mirror that the SUV that was far behind is now speeding up. I roll on the throttle up to about 80mph until the traffic in front of me dictated that I had to slow down. That idiot in the SUV just kept coming and got right on my tail. What a jerk. He really wanted to kill me. I am going to have to start carrying ball bearings in my pocket for people like that.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[megaspaz]

Old spark plugs work well, not that i condone that or anything…. yeaaaahhh….

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Shane]

Budd, nails work well too. I’m not saying I’ve used them, I’m just sayin’…….. lol

—-

The birds are calling my name, thought Caw.

[SuperMotoRider]

hahaha, im gonna start carrying marbles… lets see how those agressive drivers like the feeling of ‘no traction’ that bikers feel all the time.

[shaggles]

Your comments don’t sound “cruel”. I’m well aware of my responsibilities as a rider but that doesn’t make it my fault that someone almost hit me.

[Andrew]

I drive my car defensively and looking at peoples front wheels. Expecting them to be idiots. If someone causes me to take evasive action then I will do that first. I’ll break and hit the horn at the same time if I can. After the collision is avoided is when I’ll give them the eye or a mouthful. So I’ll do everything possible to avoid a collision but that doesn’t make something they did my fault. A bike is similar in that it may be their fault but you have to be able to deal with it. Unlike a car there is no air-bag.

Andrew

[Jiriki]

remember, the carbon fiber across your knuckles is for punching in windows

[Author]

Posts