Almost got hit

[willtill]

I am pretty rattled right now... gray haired mouth breather made a right turn adjacent to my line of travel and almost creamed into my right rear. Took a huge swerving maneuver to avoid contact

Still shaking. That mother effer....

[53driver]

Did y'all stop and have a conversation? Or did you just get out of there before you might have had to do some legal paperwork? :021:swordfight:071: :068: :067:

I know you are one who does practice your maneuvering Will and it just paid off.
Keep up the good work.

And now you are one step closer to your "...done almost everything."

Cheers,
Steve

[willtill]

After I cleared the intersection I slowed down and kept turning and looking at him. He hung way back. As a matter of fact all of the traffic that was around me saw it and everyone was driving very slowly. Everyone seemed very polite.

I can't believe this guy did not tag my right rear. He was so close I thought I was going down in that intersection.

I think I am a very alert rider but this time I did not see this asshat until it was almost too late. And I was wearing my white helmet, high vis jacket and had my Headlight modulators on.

Absolutely surreal to me right now, how he did not see me.

[53driver]

After I cleared the intersection I slowed down and kept turning and looking at him. He hung way back. As a matter of fact all of the traffic that was around me saw it and everyone was driving very slowly. Everyone seemed very polite.

I can't believe this guy did not tag my right rear. He was so close I thought I was going down in that intersection.

I think I am a very alert rider but this time I did not see this asshat until it was almost too late. And I was wearing my white helmet, high vis jacket and had my Headlight modulators on.

Absolutely surreal to me right now, how he did not see me.

Some MSF coaches have started a movement: to train kids to see motorcycles while in cars.
Drivers don't see us because they are not trained to look for us.
You know that the brain tells the eyes what to look for and not the other way around.
"Average" drivers will see a VW Beetle and think "slug bug" (or "punch buggy") because we were trained as little kids. These same drivers will not see motorcycles.

SO.....train your kids/grandkids not to play slug bug, but to play "Bike Like" and see how many motorcycles/bicycles they can see and at what distance.
Might hep the next generation....

[willtill]

Thinking that this time, the lack of aftermarket exhaust may have a factor this time as well. The F6B is very quiet. I have always been concerned about the lack of an exhaust note from it.

Armchair quarterbacking now....

[Sorcerer]

You will never get enough noise out of the flat 6 motor. You will only get the max rackit from it is at full throttle. That means 2nd gear at red line......all the time. To days car are so well sound proofed and the sound systom so good if your hoping an exaust note is going to be a plus to save your life IMHO you'd be better off whistling Dixie. As you found we must ride with our heads on a 360 degree swivel. All ways expect the unexpected. Glad you made it.

[unsub]

Some MSF coaches have started a movement: to train kids to see motorcycles while in cars.
Drivers don't see us because they are not trained to look for us.
You know that the brain tells the eyes what to look for and not the other way around.
"Average" drivers will see a VW Beetle and think "slug bug" (or "punch buggy") because we were trained as little kids. These same drivers will not see motorcycles.

SO.....train your kids/grandkids not to play slug bug, but to play "Bike Like" and see how many motorcycles/bicycles they can see and at what distance.
Might hep the next generation....

That's always baffled me. Why there isn't more driver awareness teachings in the driver's handbook. It's mostly if not all procedural. Time for DMV/DOL to modernize driver education.

I'm not an AMA member, could someone advise if they are lobbying for changes in this area?

WillTill glad you're OK.

[VStarRider]

There are dozens and dozens of yard signs around my area "Look Twice - Save a Life" and similar. I have one in my yard. Not that they change behavior in isolation, but with so many, one can hope that some folks are seeing them and looking/thinking twice.

NYS DMV runs some TV commercials, too, telling drivers to look out for motorcycles.

Glad you are okay. An old cager like that just as easily could have done that to you in your car. The bottom line is, you reacted appropriately and that's the reason you never hit the ground.

In my opinion, the fact that you are on this forum talking about what happened means what you did was effective.

[beppok]

I haven't "almost" been hit in a year and a half and it's starting to get on my nerves. I know it's coming and it's got me on edge now. I must have mentioned it to my wife because every time I come home she asks "Any close calls". I am really looking out for it so that may be a good thing.

[53driver]

I haven't "almost" been hit in a year and a half and it's starting to get on my nerves. I know it's coming and it's got me on edge now. I must have mentioned it to my wife because every time I come home she asks "Any close calls". I am really looking out for it so that may be a good thing.

Know that you have prepared and practiced your drills - high and low speed swerving and emergency braking - and ride with confidence.
Don't let your "cosmic anticipation" ruin your ride fun!

[Monk]

I don't think it is always about visibility. Several years ago, I got hit in an intersection by an 80+ year old driver.

He thought the right-a-way was his!! He was wrong, but I still got some broken ribs and a smashed up bike. :banghead:

[Dave Ritsema]

Thinking that this time, the lack of aftermarket exhaust may have a factor this time as well. The F6B is very quiet. I have always been concerned about the lack of an exhaust note from it.

Armchair quarterbacking now....

First of all, glad to hear that your skills and your guardian angel got you thru that event. Regarding your exhaust comment, I have to say that I really don't think that makes a difference in most cases. Inattentive drivers are oblivious to nearly everything. I have had people pull out in front of me, and/or not pull over when I am driving a firetruck with all emergency lighting on and siren/air horns activated. Some people are just clueless and shouldn't be driving.

[shortleg0521]

I am pretty rattled right now... gray haired mouth breather made a right turn adjacent to my line of travel and almost creamed into my right rear. Took a huge swerving maneuver to avoid contact

Still shaking. That mother effer....

Thank God you are OK.
what would I do without my ridding partner.
The older man that taught me to ride years ago made a point
to tell me to look at every car and ask myself what is this guy or
girl going to do to kill me. Man has that been true through the years.
shortleg

[willtill]

Yep, I'm just n a better frame of mind now. Thanks for all of your comments. :yes:

Had a nice, spirited ride on my DR650 yesterday afternoon and just got back in tonight with it as well. It's a seemingly cathartically (I think that's the word) move for me to get back out on one of my bikes promptly... I still think how close I saw that car's front end right next to me in that intersection and he was not even slowing down.

Yes Dave, we are going to Russelville. Get your saddle ready... we have some serious miles to eat up two days before the event. I am thinking that we should really push all of the way to Nashville (instead of Knoxsville) so we can make next day's ride shorter and get into Russelville mid-afternoon Tuesday... so we can relax, meet and greet while the sun is still up, and get ready for Rally riding Wednesday thereafter.

I will call you in a couple of days and discuss. Or PM. :icon_cool:

[terryboyle]

Dave Ritsema you nailed it. What do we need tail gunners?

[RickJ]

There are dozens and dozens of yard signs around my area "Look Twice - Save a Life" and similar. I have one in my yard. Not that they change behavior in isolation, but with so many, one can hope that some folks are seeing them and looking/thinking twice.

NYS DMV runs some TV commercials, too, telling drivers to look out for motorcycles.

Glad you are okay. An old cager like that just as easily could have done that to you in your car. The bottom line is, you reacted appropriately and that's the reason you never hit the ground.

In my opinion, the fact that you are on this forum talking about what happened means what you did was effective.


True confession...I've been the guilty cager more than once. I never knew what "look twice" meant- thought it was like "be careful" NO it LITERALLY means LOOK TWICE!!! It is NOW my standard routine at intersections...look left, right, left AGAIN and right AGAIN. When I realized that just because I ride, it doesn't mean I'm a better car driver, I worked on my driving awareness . I also had a bit more empathy with an occasional driver error. My rage at some asshole could be just as dangerous as some asshole!!

[3Chief]

True confession...I've been the guilty cager more than once. I never knew what "look twice" meant- thought it was like "be careful" NO it LITERALLY means LOOK TWICE!!! It is NOW my standard routine at intersections...look left, right, left AGAIN and right AGAIN. When I realized that just because I ride, it doesn't mean I'm a better car driver, I worked on my driving awareness . I also had a bit more empathy with an occasional driver error. My rage at some asshole could be just as dangerous as some asshole!!

I've been the guilty cager more than once too...that's with repetitive checks. It's amazing how quick a bike can appear in your blind spot...

[VStarRider]

True confession...I've been the guilty cager more than once. I never knew what "look twice" meant- thought it was like "be careful" NO it LITERALLY means LOOK TWICE!!! It is NOW my standard routine at intersections...look left, right, left AGAIN and right AGAIN. When I realized that just because I ride, it doesn't mean I'm a better car driver, I worked on my driving awareness . I also had a bit more empathy with an occasional driver error. My rage at some asshole could be just as dangerous as some asshole!!

Well said. I think we all have been the guilty cager. Just a few hundred feet down from my driveway, there is a large hill that shades a portion of oncoming traffic as they pass it. Bikes practically are invisible in this short stretch during the day.

I pulled out in front of a fellow rider a couple of weeks ago...when I was on my bike! A narrow profile, single headlight bike...never saw him. I was surprised when I took a peek in my rearview mirror and there he was. :icon_doh:

IMO, the middle of the day when it is sunny is the worst time for visibility of bikes. They just wash out in the bright light. Cloudy days make bikes stand out more ... and more comfortable to ride to boot.

[wjduke]

I got my license in 73. I never forgot, my instructor back then told me to look that last time before moving. Am I guilty here and there, I suppose so, but today, being a rider, I always do it.

[Bob Penn]

I've mentioned in other threads my opinion of deer. They are a lot dumber then most hunters are willing to admit. Even so, over the years of living in deer country they have taught me a lot about how to drive. They taught me to not just focus on the road in front of me but to watch both sides of the road (especially in intersections)! They taught me what's in front of me might not jump out of the way when I confront them head on. They taught me to ride no faster then they can run when in their back yards. But most of all, like most drivers, they have proven just how dumb they can be!

Now considering how dumb deer are, and what I still haven't learned how to handle yet from the deer, is exactly what scares me the most on the roads. What is that thing coming from behind me. After all I've never heard of a biker being trampled by a deer from behind, yet. Like a deer in the headlights I'm not sure what to do!

[Dave Ritsema]

Dave Ritsema you nailed it. What do we need tail gunners?

I would prefer small laser guided missile pods.:icon_lol:

[fxdl2051]

After a few very close calls over the years I drive with as much awareness behind me as ahead of me. I always leave wiggle room ahead of me when stopped in traffic and try to leave a emergency exit for a quick escape, I monitor the rear mirrors and tap the brake light in addition to having a brake modulator active during stops. I don't think a big black motorcycle is that noticeable so I like to take any precaution I can from becoming road toast.