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***old honda rider*** · 05-18-2010, 03:08 PM

Well, I just came back from a buzz on my motorcycle around some of the backroads within 50 or so kilometers (that's about 30 miles) of my home.

In the 90 or so minutes I was out:

A woman yammering on her cellphone while driving changed lanes without looking, almost sending me into the rhubarb
Some gravel on the road was kicked up by a truck, showering me with tiny fragments of stone
A driver entering a roundabout didn't check to see that there was a motorcyclist (ME!!) already in the circuit and I had to do some deft brake-and-avoid so as not to hit him
Lastly, upon coming up to a red light, the driver behind me wasn't paying attention until the very last moment and barely missed knocking me through the intersection.

Were not my head mounted on an often-used swivel, I could have very easily be writing this from the Great Motorcycle Rally In The Sky.

Riders, friends, what's the lesson? Eyes open, head swivelling, ready to react to anything in an instant.

Riding's done for the day. I need a drink.

V-Strom · 05-20-2010, 05:18 PM

That's why I love my high-vis green Olympia motorcycle jacket! You have to assume the cage drivers don't see you or you're being peeled off the pavement...

desertbear · 08-31-2011, 12:36 PM

Thats exactly why I gave up street riding 15+ years ago. Riding home from work on a small dual-sport(old kawasaki 250) some dingbat goin the other direction turns left right into me. After nursing
Several broken toes, really deep bruises, and a couple of sprained knees, I decided to take my riding off-road. living in southern cal. we are lucky to have riding areas close by. I sometimes miss cruisin' the open road , but in the years since I havent had more than desert rash and some bumps and bruises. jeeps, sand buggies and dirt bikes yeah!

Scooter Britches · 08-31-2011, 10:05 PM

Head and eyes up...ride like everyone is trying to kill you (cause they are)...don't watch the driver's eyes, watch their front tires...keep your controls covered in traffic...always leave an out...never "look" at anything, but "see" everything...when in doubt, accelerate! (speed is normally your friend) Smile

-CanyonDancer
MSF Inst # 156759

(oh, and avoid banana spiders!)

**Scythe Matters** · (This post was last modified: 08-31-2011 10:27 PM by Scythe Matters.)

Oh good grief!!! So glad you're okay OHR Smile

You and Mr. Matters could trade some stories, I bet. He has to ride to and from the ferry both on our side and the Seattle side. He once had someone turn left in front of him on this side. He slammed on his brakes and managed to slow down enough that the only thing really hurt was the bike. I'll let him tell the story if I can get him in here (he registered but is having trouble).

He wears a neon vest over his leathers and I guess it helps a bit. I am very aware of motorcycles now when I drive. Because it could be one of my friends on that bike!

***Boomer*** · 09-01-2011, 06:46 AM

This sounds markedly like my ride home every night. I cannot even begin to count the number of times I have had to do the duck, dodge and sprint from trouble on the bike. Truth is I hate riding in town, but sometimes things need to get done, and its a lot easier for me to ride the bike. Once I get out on the 2 lane blacktops, then its a whole other story of folks lighting their cigs crossing the centerline, not paying attention - CURLING THEIR HAIR, reading the paper. Last week I had a grain truck run a stop sign and just narrowly miss me because the the trucker wasn't paying attention. He came to a stop about halfway thru the intersection, but clearly had run the stop sign.

Moral of the story - pay attention - wear a helmet - stay safe!

Scooter Britches · 09-01-2011, 08:44 AM

Curling her hair? Really?!? Sheesh.

***old honda rider*** · (This post was last modified: 09-01-2011 01:49 PM by old honda rider.)

(09-01-2011 08:44 AM)CanyonDancer Wrote: Curling her hair? Really?!? Sheesh.

Yep. Plus putting on makeup, yammering on the phone, eating, enchanted by their GPS, hollering at their kids in the back, or simply not paying attention. And it's not restricted to gender. Both men and women occasionally have their cranium inserted into, uh, well, you know.

When I took my first rider's course, one of the instructors put it this way:

"Every new rider has a full bucket of luck and an empty bucket of skill. Your job is to fill the skill bucket before the luck bucket run out."

Truer words were never spoken.

***RN-PRN*** · 09-01-2011, 12:42 PM

It is easier to count to number of people actually paying attention to driving than it is the distracted idiots.

derekpt · 09-01-2011, 01:25 PM

Has anyone noticed a difference in regional awareness shown by four (or more) wheelers for motorcyclists? Or are we talking about complete, utter lack or regard for any and all things on a highway? I'm guessing the latter, or at least here in the US. Other countries/continents have more history with two-wheeled transportation so at least they are used to seeing bi- and motorcycles alongside.
Personally I dont ride though I'd love to learn if it wouldnt get me divorced. But I'm in no hurry to "work them angels", either.