A buddy and his wife just got wacked on their bike this weekend . He is dead and she is in a bad way. Person who hit them says she never saw them. Mid day, no rain or fog? Maybe I am just losing my nerve, but it really isn't safe on a bike anymore. Dam cell phones are killing us?
- Thread starter dej(Jed)
- Start date
Tom in TN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Southern Middle Tennessee
dej(Jed),
I'm not making excuses because I was completely to blame for this, but I almost hit a couple on a motorcycle a couple of months ago. We were in a parking lot at a Home Depot. The lot was just about full. I drove my car to the end of a traffic lane. Stopped. Looked both ways and made a right turn. The motorcycle came from my left and just barely missed me.
I went over and apolgized to the guy who would not really accept my apology. He was really mad. I simply did not see him coming.
There's no way I'd ride a motorcycle on the roads (or in a parking lot for that matter).
Tom in TN
I'm not making excuses because I was completely to blame for this, but I almost hit a couple on a motorcycle a couple of months ago. We were in a parking lot at a Home Depot. The lot was just about full. I drove my car to the end of a traffic lane. Stopped. Looked both ways and made a right turn. The motorcycle came from my left and just barely missed me.
I went over and apolgized to the guy who would not really accept my apology. He was really mad. I simply did not see him coming.
There's no way I'd ride a motorcycle on the roads (or in a parking lot for that matter).
Tom in TN
buickandeere
Member
I rode for one summer but quit after car drivers kept trying to run over myself and my bike. If I ever drove again it would be while carrying a crowbar and a cover for the license plates.
i hired a local guy about 5 miles from me here in eastern ohio to haul my mf35 over to mf dealer in newlexington ohio i never met him but my wife did when he was loading the tractor said he was a real nice guy .he got killed last friday afternoon while riding his mototcycle in a funeral possession in zanesville ohio.
RICK
RICK
I was never a die hard bike rider, but I've had a couple. I could never really relax riding a bike though, seemed like I must have had a bulls eye on my jacket. You have to ride like everyone is out to kill you. Eventually took any fun there was out of it.
I would advise anyone who rides to do one thing though - always, always ride with your lights on - anything you can do to make yourself more visible is a good thing...
I would advise anyone who rides to do one thing though - always, always ride with your lights on - anything you can do to make yourself more visible is a good thing...
Yes the cell phone is one of the problems,but other is people today do not want to be slowed down for any thing and they dont know what common curtse means, whit a vehical.and the number one THING IS THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT Oouthers.
AND THERE SAFITY;
PEOPLE LIKE THAT DO NOT NEED A DL, JUST DAMN GOOD PAIR OF WALKING SHOES;
aS FAR AS YOUR BUDDY GOES, STILL BE A FREAIND
AT A TIME LIKE THIS.
IGNORANT PEOPLE
JR FRYE
AND THERE SAFITY;
PEOPLE LIKE THAT DO NOT NEED A DL, JUST DAMN GOOD PAIR OF WALKING SHOES;
aS FAR AS YOUR BUDDY GOES, STILL BE A FREAIND
AT A TIME LIKE THIS.
IGNORANT PEOPLE
JR FRYE
Nancy Howell
Well-known Member
Don"t know that"s its cell phones. In my former life, rode a few times and seemed like we were invisible to cars. Just too dangerous, at least in the Dallas area.
If the person was on her cell, she is in big trouble. Just last week a teenager was sent to prison for causing a fatal accident because of texting.
If the person was on her cell, she is in big trouble. Just last week a teenager was sent to prison for causing a fatal accident because of texting.
I ride my motorcycle regularly. Mostly on county maintained lightly traveled back roads. I approach every crossroad as if it were a four way stop until I'm sure no one is coming even though I supposedly have the right of way. Buuuuuutttt I'm now going to ride it to a doctor appointment in a few minutes. Wish me luck! TDF
Here in Pa the state motorcycle safety school training is primarily geared towards defensive driving. At a stop stay in gear with your hand on the clutch and watch for cars behind you. Be ready to take off if they don't appear to be stopping. When you are being followed on a highway move around in the lane. Move around when getting ready to make a turn, etc.
Drivers just don't seem to mentally recognise motorcycles as being there.
Oh well at 62 pushing 63 I had better be more careful or sell the Goldwing.
And just when I was thinking about riding it to my place in Clairemont, Texas. I am thinking that would be 1500 miles of nothing but Hell on my body. The fun is gone........
Wanted to add my 2 cents worth. I have ridden my entire life, am now 55 last week. I am a career FF and in last 12 months worked 5 fatal accidents of bikers and non were bikes fault, but still they died. I had my best friend get hit last Oct 6, again not his fault and he barely walks, has limited memory, and hardly talk. Farmed 2000 acres of family farm and now cant even be left alone or drive. I have been struggleing with the same question, ride or sell the bike, as I am loosing my confidence of my safety as well. Thanks for letting me weight in .
Greg
Greg
I got in my first real MC accident about a year and half ago. Knocked unconscious with some broken bones. I realized then that the more time
you spend on two wheels, the less your chances of survival.
I still ride every now and again, but only for short rides near home. I'm just
playing the odds by reducing the amount of riding time.
By the way, if anyone doesn't wear a helmet, the ER doc told me if I hadn't been wearing one, I would be dead. My skull would have been smashed like a melon. I know this is only one story, but for those who rationalize that helmets do more harm than good, think again.
you spend on two wheels, the less your chances of survival.
I still ride every now and again, but only for short rides near home. I'm just
playing the odds by reducing the amount of riding time.
By the way, if anyone doesn't wear a helmet, the ER doc told me if I hadn't been wearing one, I would be dead. My skull would have been smashed like a melon. I know this is only one story, but for those who rationalize that helmets do more harm than good, think again.
I quit riding in 2000, after a friend was hit on the freeway from the side by a girl switching lanes. She didn't even stop and he was left for dead. He did survive, but it took years for him to rehab and then he is still not the same guy I knew. Sold my 2 motorcycles that summer and got a Mustang convertible. Still driving the Mustang, not sure I would be if I had kept riding. People just do not see motorcycles and a fender bender in a car is a fatality on a bike.
I have not rode a motorcycle in many years. The wife set me down when we had the first kid and told me to think about if I wanted to raise him or have some one else do it. I did not ride any after that until the youngest was out of the house. She was dead serious too. She never once said a thing about me being in the service but felt that riding a motorcycle was a selfish thing to do if I had kids. I think she was right. If you have a family you have to think of your job/duty to them first.
I will tell this on myself. A few weeks ago I just about hit a motorcycle. I was coming out of a big dairy farm that has a pretty long lane, in the semi. The motorcycle and I where moving at the same speed. I looked to my right twice, each time there was not a thing there. He was riding just the right speed that he was behind the mirror each time. HE was lucky that I was empty. As I went to swing out into the road I saw him not fifty feet from me. I was able to hit the brakes and stop before I entered the road but I just about got him. I have had them be behind the window post on the pickup before too where you could not see them.
A motorcycle is just not big enough to be real safe to ride. In an accident it just about always the motorcycle riders that get hurt/killed. It is just simple physics. The bigger vehicle usually wins the battle in an accident.
There are too many people killed on them each year for me to even think about riding anywhere other than my farm lane. There is much more traffic anymore and they are driving faster. A cycle is just not safe. Don't tell me that loud exhaust makes it better all they do is aggravate the people you ride by after the fact.
It is really amazing that they are still legal. I am serious. There are many things that cause far fewer deaths that have been sued out of the business/culture. I am not supporting that but it really makes you think about it.
I am real sorry for your buddy getting killed. His wife and family will suffer the most in the time to come. He is already in a better place we hope.
I will tell this on myself. A few weeks ago I just about hit a motorcycle. I was coming out of a big dairy farm that has a pretty long lane, in the semi. The motorcycle and I where moving at the same speed. I looked to my right twice, each time there was not a thing there. He was riding just the right speed that he was behind the mirror each time. HE was lucky that I was empty. As I went to swing out into the road I saw him not fifty feet from me. I was able to hit the brakes and stop before I entered the road but I just about got him. I have had them be behind the window post on the pickup before too where you could not see them.
A motorcycle is just not big enough to be real safe to ride. In an accident it just about always the motorcycle riders that get hurt/killed. It is just simple physics. The bigger vehicle usually wins the battle in an accident.
There are too many people killed on them each year for me to even think about riding anywhere other than my farm lane. There is much more traffic anymore and they are driving faster. A cycle is just not safe. Don't tell me that loud exhaust makes it better all they do is aggravate the people you ride by after the fact.
It is really amazing that they are still legal. I am serious. There are many things that cause far fewer deaths that have been sued out of the business/culture. I am not supporting that but it really makes you think about it.
I am real sorry for your buddy getting killed. His wife and family will suffer the most in the time to come. He is already in a better place we hope.
SweetFeet
Well-known Member
I am cautious driver even with four wheels and a cab around me. I drive the speed limit and I don't pass or change lanes unless it is safe to do so...
Yet a few years ago I nearly took out a guy on a motorcycle when I was making a lane change - he honked at me and saved the day (especially his day - because motorcycles definitely lose in a crash situation). I felt really bad, but I literally did NOT see him... not in my side view mirror, not when I looked back before changing lanes. Had to have been in my blind spot both times - just like he wasn't there... 'til he honked.
Yet a few years ago I nearly took out a guy on a motorcycle when I was making a lane change - he honked at me and saved the day (especially his day - because motorcycles definitely lose in a crash situation). I felt really bad, but I literally did NOT see him... not in my side view mirror, not when I looked back before changing lanes. Had to have been in my blind spot both times - just like he wasn't there... 'til he honked.
M-MAN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Bostic, NC
It never was safe. The question has alway's been when - not will I. Seems to me like half the guy's on bikes are maniac's just like half the people in cars and trucks. Problem is the bikers are way outnumbered & have no protection when the crash happens.
Dieseltech
Well-known Member
- Location
- Akron, Indiana
Was riding a motorcycle to work May 1984, got hit and nearly lost right leg, now walk a little funny but can still walk. No more riding motorcycles, they are fun but they always lose to heavier traffic. Sad to hear about your friend.
Hard to say in your situation whether it was distracted driving or what, but the occurrence of motorcycle accidents resulting in fatalities has been prevalent for quite some time, it never ends from what I have seen. I know at least 2 dozen, from quick recollection, either fatal or serious injury, and in reality its more than that, I'm just not sure I can recall each incident, funeral, or situation over the years. I can recall gruesome scenes of the results. I am not sure what it is, was it like this say from the 80's or 70's back, seemed like a lot less bikes in the 70's, so maybe further back the incidents were less, less riders ?
I used to ride, as a mode of transportation, and for fun on occasion. There was a time that is all I had, one reliable ole rice burner of a Yamaha Maxim, easy on MPG, starts every time and insurance was cheap, just when winter comes around brrrr....
I remember even then keeping my eyes peeled and just being paranoid of other drivers, vehicles, doors opening from a curbside and similar. That kind of etiquette has to be magnified 10X now, so whats the fun in riding when it has to be like that and the results could still be injurious or fatal, by the same token you could have any other number of things happen just the same.
Its incredible, we've had 4 or 5 deaths recently in close proximity, one yesterday morning, snarling traffic, woman killed in a bike accident.
My opinion is that its highly dangerous, also a lot of fun, making you forget the consequences, its always the other guy it seems that cuts a bike off or what have you. Happened to my uncle, Oct 15 2002, did a face plant on the back of a dumptruck that pulled out in front of him, another corpse in a casket with a head the size of a basketball.
Still have 2 maxims in dry dock, (really need to sell em) since '93-'94, which was not long after losing a friend, traffic backed up in a dip on the belt parkway in brooklyn, several did not make it, whole group of them slammed into cars that were stopped.
I think the only fun left is the back country roads, and you still have critters, loose gravel, but thats always been the case, not like the cell phone toting drivers and overall increase in cars and trucks today.
I used to ride, as a mode of transportation, and for fun on occasion. There was a time that is all I had, one reliable ole rice burner of a Yamaha Maxim, easy on MPG, starts every time and insurance was cheap, just when winter comes around brrrr....
I remember even then keeping my eyes peeled and just being paranoid of other drivers, vehicles, doors opening from a curbside and similar. That kind of etiquette has to be magnified 10X now, so whats the fun in riding when it has to be like that and the results could still be injurious or fatal, by the same token you could have any other number of things happen just the same.
Its incredible, we've had 4 or 5 deaths recently in close proximity, one yesterday morning, snarling traffic, woman killed in a bike accident.
My opinion is that its highly dangerous, also a lot of fun, making you forget the consequences, its always the other guy it seems that cuts a bike off or what have you. Happened to my uncle, Oct 15 2002, did a face plant on the back of a dumptruck that pulled out in front of him, another corpse in a casket with a head the size of a basketball.
Still have 2 maxims in dry dock, (really need to sell em) since '93-'94, which was not long after losing a friend, traffic backed up in a dip on the belt parkway in brooklyn, several did not make it, whole group of them slammed into cars that were stopped.
I think the only fun left is the back country roads, and you still have critters, loose gravel, but thats always been the case, not like the cell phone toting drivers and overall increase in cars and trucks today.
Zachary Hoyt
Well-known Member
I don't ride a motorcycle but do ride a bicycle and I see a lot of driver inattention and lack of thought. I have had some near misses being cut off by drivers or people coming out of driveways. Seems that on a motorcycle the rider has not much more protection than on a bike plus you're going much faster so you have less time to react to something that happens ahead of you. I have thought that a motor scooter would be a handy cheap way to get around but I am not brave enough to try it for those reasons.
Zach
Zach
Motorcraftman
Member
An Inrteresting thread indeed!... I have a Motorcycle and I'm just simply Scared to ride it... I'm 67 and I would hate to be laid up on that account.. It's sad its that way now.. Larry KF4LKU
I'm sorry to hear about your friend and his wife.
I lost a good friend at 22 years-old due to a bike crash. There have been plenty of others in the area over the years, but doesn't seem to be any more these days than there used to be. Risk vs. reward kind of thing I guess.
Personally, I haven't had a motorcycle in almost 20 years. I risk my life enough farming, cutting trees, running the dozer and excavator, and the most dangerous of them all... driving to work!
I lost a good friend at 22 years-old due to a bike crash. There have been plenty of others in the area over the years, but doesn't seem to be any more these days than there used to be. Risk vs. reward kind of thing I guess.
Personally, I haven't had a motorcycle in almost 20 years. I risk my life enough farming, cutting trees, running the dozer and excavator, and the most dangerous of them all... driving to work!
Busy church schedule means Goldwing is still in storage even after fresh gas and battery charge, test start. 3 foot of bits and pieces between back wheel and door is another minor problem- but I"m planning to have it out July 4th. I"ve been riding since 1970 fairly steady with couple year break for radiation treatment- can"t lift cycle, etc for awhile after Tomotherapy- but had Wing out 3 years back. Sold off most of collection couple years ago- that was more loss of storage space than any desire to sell old R50/2 ,R69/2, Yama 400 thumper,BSA chopper, Suzi T500 I"d bought new in 1968. I"ve always been riding under idea that cars, trucks and fat pedestrians are out to kill me- survived holiday traffic 1971 cutoff with a few broken bones, stitchs in head and rode R69 again after plaster came off shoulder so I could reach throttle. Have been hit while in car, seen others after car accidents when helping tow truck clear scene as well as cycle crash. Traffic is dangerous, paranoia is a survival mechanism on 2 wheels and helps a lot with 4. Some people walking in mall were killed by runaway car last year, last month was stolen car driver smashing through house wall into bedroom- motorcycle riding is on the list of dangers all around, but staying in bed rest of life isn"t much of a life- and you can still get hit by falling plane or truck leaving road. Motorcycle accident - "didn"t see him" rate could be improved by allowing 10,000 motorcyclists the opportunity to have 15 pounds of C4 in shape charged frontword and impact detonator wired into cycle- car hits cycle and car taken out also, 10 incidents and cycles WILL be given right of way like Saigon 1970 after the second bicycle, scooter bomb knockdown and blowup before they could be parked outside bar. One army truck and one fancy politicians car and passengers destroyed with the terrorists mobile bomb, lots of publicity and cyclists started playing chicken with embassy limosines who stopped quick or swerved to avoid possible scooter, bicycle bomber. Just a thought before getting my morning coffee. RN
Had 2 miles on my last bike just left the dealership with 4 other riders. Lady cut us all off, two dropped behind, 3 of us pushed right off the shoulder. Decided at the end of the summer that would be my last road bike, its been 18 years.
500 lbs vs. 5000 lbs. Who wins, the laws of physics every time. I'll stick with my full size truck. Lost a few friends over the years on motorcycles, sometimes the cars fault, sometimes my buddies faults for riding like idiots.
Now I occasionally putt around the yard on the Honda 70 or 80 of my kids.
Rick
500 lbs vs. 5000 lbs. Who wins, the laws of physics every time. I'll stick with my full size truck. Lost a few friends over the years on motorcycles, sometimes the cars fault, sometimes my buddies faults for riding like idiots.
Now I occasionally putt around the yard on the Honda 70 or 80 of my kids.
Rick
I had two runs with motorcycles. When I first got out of Air Force, I had to have a Yahama 350 twin, two stroke with auto mix. I rode it like there were no other vehicles on the road.
After about two years, I was 1 mile from home when I got too close to the edge of the road. I lost control and slid in the grass. Hurt my pride, the left turn signal, and a few scratches.
25 years later, I got the "Harley" bug. What a waste of time and money. Everything with that brand on it is way over priced.
I never dropped the Harley, never had even a slight incident with it. I rode for about 6 years and sold it.
Now when I see them on the highway, it is very clear that motorcycles and vehicles just do not mix.
If you ride one, be prepared to get hurt or die. Even the best riders will have someone not see them and pull out.
If I want "wind in my hair", I roll down the windows of my truck.
"With age comes wisedom", for most of us.
After about two years, I was 1 mile from home when I got too close to the edge of the road. I lost control and slid in the grass. Hurt my pride, the left turn signal, and a few scratches.
25 years later, I got the "Harley" bug. What a waste of time and money. Everything with that brand on it is way over priced.
I never dropped the Harley, never had even a slight incident with it. I rode for about 6 years and sold it.
Now when I see them on the highway, it is very clear that motorcycles and vehicles just do not mix.
If you ride one, be prepared to get hurt or die. Even the best riders will have someone not see them and pull out.
If I want "wind in my hair", I roll down the windows of my truck.
"With age comes wisedom", for most of us.
Bleeding Orange SW Iowa
Member
- Location
- SW Iowa
I have ridden for 20-some-odd years, from coast to coast and well into Canada. Hazards ranged from traffic congestion in big cities to moose up north. I have worn a helmet everywhere, regardless of state law. Defensive m/c riding involves a wide range of skill and knowledge, but I do not consider myself an expert. I was very fortunate to learn from the experience of a couple of motorcycle cops with whom I rode for several years in Michigan. One of those fine men was killed a few years ago--run over from behind by a lady on a cell phone while he was stopped at a red light. Ironic, and tragic, that in the end, his experience could not help him.
I have seen two m/c wrecks directly in front of me, but have not YET laid it down myself. One wreck I witnessed was because the rider was on an unfamiliar bike (Ultra) that was heavier with a different balance due to hard bags. He also had his wife on board, whose weight probably compounded the balance issue. His wife was in halo traction for a few months, but survived. Her helmet was split open on impact, but saved her noggin. The lesson I took from that was to know my equipment. (Sound like farm work?)
It seemed like the further east I rode, the worse the drivers. In hindsight, I think it was just more congestion. Washington DC was the worst, though. Every driver in that city was from somewhere else, and unfamiliar with our roads and laws. Several close calls.
There are advantages to riding: better gas mileage, easier to repair, and I think it makes me a better driver. The disadvantages are many, and the results are all around us in the friends that have been hurt or killed. However, many work/leisure activities carry hazards that must be mediated by training, safety measures, and an ongoing assessment of our skills and surroundings. M/C riding, farming, law enforcement, construction, truck driving, etc. We all have to decide our individual limits, for the good of ourselves, our families, and everyone around us. No easy answer to your question.
I have seen two m/c wrecks directly in front of me, but have not YET laid it down myself. One wreck I witnessed was because the rider was on an unfamiliar bike (Ultra) that was heavier with a different balance due to hard bags. He also had his wife on board, whose weight probably compounded the balance issue. His wife was in halo traction for a few months, but survived. Her helmet was split open on impact, but saved her noggin. The lesson I took from that was to know my equipment. (Sound like farm work?)
It seemed like the further east I rode, the worse the drivers. In hindsight, I think it was just more congestion. Washington DC was the worst, though. Every driver in that city was from somewhere else, and unfamiliar with our roads and laws. Several close calls.
There are advantages to riding: better gas mileage, easier to repair, and I think it makes me a better driver. The disadvantages are many, and the results are all around us in the friends that have been hurt or killed. However, many work/leisure activities carry hazards that must be mediated by training, safety measures, and an ongoing assessment of our skills and surroundings. M/C riding, farming, law enforcement, construction, truck driving, etc. We all have to decide our individual limits, for the good of ourselves, our families, and everyone around us. No easy answer to your question.
Dave in GA
Member
Always wanted a late 50's panhead, but lost my favorite uncle in a cycle wreck, so I've refrained from getting a bike. The roads are TOO dangerous these days, with all the electronic gadgets that drivers feel they must play with while driving, and cops ingnoring all the bad behaviors going on around them. I do feel safe in my old Suburban. I've probably been run into a few times by some little economy cars, but haven't felt anything.
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
Been riding now for 42 plus years and in all that time I have only had one car/bike mishap and that was when I was 15 or so. Yes I was legal back then. Car made a left turn in front of me and I did not have the room to stop. His insurance payed me and he got drop by them to boot. Learned years ago you have to watch your self and you have to be double sure what and where the cars are at the same time. Still ride some but not like I did years ago and probably will keep riding as long as I can
37chief
Well-known Member
- Location
- California
Sorry to hear of the deth of your friend. There are a lot of motorcycles on the road nowdays. seams like about every month someone gets killed here. I have been riding since the late 50's. I don't ride much nowdays, but I enjoy restoring them. My favorite is my 37 indian Chief. If you stop riding you will probably not get killed on a M/C, but there are a lot of other ways to get killed. Just ride with caution, and always stay alert. I hit a car head on on a mountain road one time, flew over the car, and landed behind tha car. Wasen't paying attention. Stan
Gambles
Well-known Member
I used to ride, but I retired the bike years ago. There are just too many deer in our area.
Also, there is a corner close to our place that has a bunch of trees that overhang the road. Just a couple of days ago, I almost pulled out in front of a camouflaged Jeep that was driving in the shade of these trees. It was going at high speed and was hard to see. Had that been a motorcycle, I might not have seen him. Scary.
Also, there is a corner close to our place that has a bunch of trees that overhang the road. Just a couple of days ago, I almost pulled out in front of a camouflaged Jeep that was driving in the shade of these trees. It was going at high speed and was hard to see. Had that been a motorcycle, I might not have seen him. Scary.
Bob Bancroft
Well-known Member
- Location
- Aurora NY
Shoot! Two spills from a 3HP minibike cured me! I'll never forget sliding on my belly face first down a gravel road(thankfully in the winter- with all my winter clothes on) Hit a pot hole and I kept going! Bike went elsewhere I guess.
Other time was in a hay field when the front end broke off. I know what happened that time, because I remember vaulting over the handle bars when the front of the main frame dug in.
Oh- there was one more incident- but that was just stupid- didn't hurt though!(just the wallet)
This was all before 16 years of age. With 16 it was a license, car, girlfriend, and off I went!
Other time was in a hay field when the front end broke off. I know what happened that time, because I remember vaulting over the handle bars when the front of the main frame dug in.
Oh- there was one more incident- but that was just stupid- didn't hurt though!(just the wallet)
This was all before 16 years of age. With 16 it was a license, car, girlfriend, and off I went!
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Do what makes you happy.... Life's (death) is a number game... When your's is up it ain't gonna matter if you're ridin a bike or blowin your nose...
Just don't try being cool.. Wear a helmet and bright/reflective clothes, use your lights, and pay attention...
Enjoy...
At 80 I still miss riding(sold last Kawasaki in 1999) but it seems to me that you are destined for an undertaker when idiots are texting, talking, and generally listening to MP3's with their earphones on and bouncing around in the car eating a mc burger. As a pilot, I flew with a lot of people that were careless but I lost 4 of my pilot friends on motorcycles, only one in an airplane crash. I will still take my chances in the air although general aviation still kills an average of 55 people a month. A lot less than cars or motorcycles.
jose bagge
Well-known Member
I used to ride my BMW every day...got tired of each ride becoming an accident in progress because of careless folks. SOld it to my brother, he got hit by a Cab near National Airport 2 weeks later. I'm too paranoid to ride a street bike now- to many folks trying to drive and text or yap on the phone makes it a deadly passtime now.
Brad Buchanan
Member
I have been riding since the late 70's and have developed a strategy for road riding.
I literally operate on the assumption that other drivers (or riders for that matter) are stone drunk and are complete idiots.
Whenever I brake I glance in the mirror and if I have any question about the vehicle behind me stopping I move to the shoulder.
Also if I have a vehicle tailgating me I either accelerate and put a few cars between us or simply pull off the road.
Years ago Harley riders were as a bunch the most experienced and competent riders on the road however in the last 15 years or so this is less true.
If I see a group of riders with brand new Harleys, Harley jackets, Harley sunglasses, and who knows probably Harley underware I stay as far away as I can. A lot of these people can barely manage their 2-wheelers in general not to mention in an emergency.
Sorry if I ------ anyone off, it's just my 2-bit opinion.
Brad
I literally operate on the assumption that other drivers (or riders for that matter) are stone drunk and are complete idiots.
Whenever I brake I glance in the mirror and if I have any question about the vehicle behind me stopping I move to the shoulder.
Also if I have a vehicle tailgating me I either accelerate and put a few cars between us or simply pull off the road.
Years ago Harley riders were as a bunch the most experienced and competent riders on the road however in the last 15 years or so this is less true.
If I see a group of riders with brand new Harleys, Harley jackets, Harley sunglasses, and who knows probably Harley underware I stay as far away as I can. A lot of these people can barely manage their 2-wheelers in general not to mention in an emergency.
Sorry if I ------ anyone off, it's just my 2-bit opinion.
Brad
bobs old iron
Well-known Member
couple of week ago, friend calls me to tell me about a [old job] company worker we knew, got killed in head-on while riding his bike,[model not important],,some idiot cross over in his lane...a million stories about every type of reason why, to and not to ride, drive, pedal bike, with all the dummy's that think that they are the exception, what are the odds that you will meet up with that jerk.. no one can say they are they best, we are all at fault...
Sorry to hear about your friends.
I've always been a cautious rider when it comes to the idiots on the road.
My worst accident wasn't due to cell a phone.
A deer hit me 6 years ago.
Totalled the bike, killed the deer and got me a nice helicopter ride to the ER.
I bought another GoldWing and rode it home with my jaws still wired shut. That ride was the first time I had been able to put jeans on since the accident as well.
A real "get back on the horse" experience.
I still ride, but not nearly as much as I used to.
I've always been a cautious rider when it comes to the idiots on the road.
My worst accident wasn't due to cell a phone.
A deer hit me 6 years ago.
Totalled the bike, killed the deer and got me a nice helicopter ride to the ER.
I bought another GoldWing and rode it home with my jaws still wired shut. That ride was the first time I had been able to put jeans on since the accident as well.
A real "get back on the horse" experience.
I still ride, but not nearly as much as I used to.
Mark - IN.
Well-known Member
I don't know. I guess, to each, his or her own. I have a number of scooters, my favorite is the shovelhead, although the cast iron jugs hate this heat. They don't like it when it gets above 60 degrees, love it down around or below zero. Just the same though, riding is more risky than it used to be, and I have to admit that I see about half of the drivers with cell phones glued to their ears, and a good amount of them texting while driving. Just two more excuses to crash or be crashed into. I have spots on my scooters and I see fellas riding with their spots on all of the time, but I don't. Knowing that the fella I'm coming up to is going to pull out in front of me, I reach down and turn my spots on when I can see him, or her looking at me, until I pass them and turn them back off. My theory is that they may not be looking at me, but rather right through me. I flip on the spots as a change, wake up call, figuring that if they do pull out in front of me after waking them up, and take me down again, this time if I do get back up, I'm going to strangle them. Decades back I got taken out by a lady that was looking right at, through me, and as soon as I got up to her, she hung a left in front of me, then stopped because she couldn't get into the oncoming lane because of traffic. I went down, scooter slid into the side of her. She was looking right at, through me. I swear we had eye contact. She told the cops she never saw me. She did, her brain didn't.
I sometimes ride my '08 full dresser that weighs a ton. If I broadside someone in a car on that one, as light and cheap as they make cars today, I may live, but after flipping on the spots to get their attention and not, they will die, after they get their texter cell phone shoved up their...
Be safe at whatever you do, best you can anyway.
Mark
I sometimes ride my '08 full dresser that weighs a ton. If I broadside someone in a car on that one, as light and cheap as they make cars today, I may live, but after flipping on the spots to get their attention and not, they will die, after they get their texter cell phone shoved up their...
Be safe at whatever you do, best you can anyway.
Mark
I ride, and I gotta admit, it is way easy to speed on a bike... I don't think it is necessarily the car drivers' faults. More often than not, bikers are speeding. And there are just as many crappy bike drivers as there are crappy car drivers.
I do agree that the texting is completely out of control. I hope the law, and insurance companies, are getting tough with folks getting into accidents, and insisting on a copy of their cell phone records to prove that they were not on their phone. And having stiff consequences... not like murder 1 or anything, but some sort of preventable accident charge.
I have a thing against cell phones...
My 2 cents...
Troy
I do agree that the texting is completely out of control. I hope the law, and insurance companies, are getting tough with folks getting into accidents, and insisting on a copy of their cell phone records to prove that they were not on their phone. And having stiff consequences... not like murder 1 or anything, but some sort of preventable accident charge.
I have a thing against cell phones...
My 2 cents...
Troy
Billy Shafer
Well-known Member
Sorry to hear about your friends. I have had four friends that rode bikes.All killed on bikes.My brother in law. Parked his Harley after getting hit by someone on a cell phone.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Sorry to hear about your friend. I gave up riding this year. It has just gotten to dangerous. I have been down hard twice. The last time a seventeen year old girl on her way to school, talking on her cell phone, rear ended me while I was stopped to make a left hand turn. I flew about forty feet. When the paramedics came they were amazed that I was alive. They said that usually when they come to these kinds of motorcycle accidents, they end up scraping the rider off the pavement. I love to ride, and I really miss it, but as I have gotten older and heal slower, I have learned a very fundamental thing: PAIN HURTS!!!
Very good advice about the other drivers/riders.
When I was learn'n to drive granddad told me to all ways keep in mind that the next guy I met on the road might be drunk, stoned, or just a dumb a.. and to all ways top a hill on the back roads like there is a good chance that there is a cow in the road.
Dave
When I was learn'n to drive granddad told me to all ways keep in mind that the next guy I met on the road might be drunk, stoned, or just a dumb a.. and to all ways top a hill on the back roads like there is a good chance that there is a cow in the road.
Dave
I just read the other day that young motorcycle riders are the prime source of organ donations. In fact, the article was stressing how important it was for bike riders to sign the donor card.
I sold my motorcycle to pay the hospital bill when my first son was born in 1968. So far, I've been able to convince my two sons that they don't want to be bike riders. Some of the best times of my life were on a motorcycle, but there were no cell phones in the sixties. Cell phones make those of us who are a little dumb a whole lot dumber and a whole lot more dangerous. I'm in favor of cell phones that are disabled while moving.
I sold my motorcycle to pay the hospital bill when my first son was born in 1968. So far, I've been able to convince my two sons that they don't want to be bike riders. Some of the best times of my life were on a motorcycle, but there were no cell phones in the sixties. Cell phones make those of us who are a little dumb a whole lot dumber and a whole lot more dangerous. I'm in favor of cell phones that are disabled while moving.
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