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Oct 30, 2007 | 11:32 AM

Luther OBanion

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Narrow miss

Just a note to see if anyone has had this occur to them. A couple of days ago I was traveling at about 65 to 70 on a four laneroad going home. I was passed by a cager and then lets say the person got into a left turn lane ahead of me. I was watching this person who then decided to go straight and pull across the road in front of meabout 25 yards aheasd of me. I had to slam on thebrakes of my bike (06 Bob). I am glad that I ride a very balanced bike and light enough to control to keep from going down. I probabaly need a new seat ( butt pinch), the person looked at me and acted as if nothing happened. I did give this person the straight finger wave and they just waved back.
I wanted to stop and give them a cursing but was so P Off that it would not have been a good scene.

Oct 30, 2007 | 11:40 AM

mvinc01

Road Master

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 929

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From: Peoria, AZ

RE: Narrow miss

Hey Luther, yep, similar things happen. Cagers decide to change their minds and direction at the same time, without any warning or looking. Just "there one minute, here the next". Then they are too oblivious to realize what they did (or too stupid, embarrassed, scarred, etc), don't own up to it, and generaly drive off thinking "G-damn bikers!".

Yep, happens all the time! It's a cry'in shame!

Very glad to see that you handled it well. It's all about anticipation and reaction. Could've stopped and beat the holly **** out of them, but would not have done a bit of good, and probably would've landed you in the pokey.

Ride safe.

Oct 30, 2007 | 11:45 AM

DGlide04

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Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 4,022

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From: Hudson Valley- NY

RE: Narrow miss

Don't worry, it's not just because you're on a bike. I get the same people about 2x a week driving the car to work. They'll be in the driving lane of a 4-lane highway, suddenly decide that they need to exit NOW and pull straight across 3 other lanes of traffic and off the exit ramp like they own the f'n road. Maybe they'll hit their turn signal one blink, but usually just crank the wheels and go.

Oct 30, 2007 | 01:44 PM

ElConquistador

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From: Youngsville, NC

RE: Narrow miss

Had a joker in a work van take me down that way in July. Except he was stopped at a traffic light behind a car a car, and I was approaching the light. He waited until I was five feet from his back bumper to decide that he wanted to occupy the same physical space as me - no signal, no look, just came over on me. No injuries to my person, thanks to the low speed, but caused $7,000 in damage to my bike and cost me a whole summer of riding.

My younger brother wasn't so lucky - in April, a guy FACING HIM made a left turn directly into his path - multiple compound fractures of his lower leg and a shattered knee. Also ended up having several staph infections during his recovery. Somehow, he had the presence of mind to use his body to shield his 11-year old son from the cage and the road, and he (his son) managed to come out with only a scraped knee. My brother was on a Softtail Heritage, with passing lamps lit. I understand someone not seeing you in a blind spot, but can anyone explain how you can miss something that big in your windshield 40 feet away?

The laws concerning negligence behind the wheel need bigger, pointier, nastier teeth, IMHO. Anyone got the number for Bikers Against Dumba$$ Drivers?

Oct 30, 2007 | 02:06 PM

wreakmongrel

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RE: Narrow miss

I see the most fugged up crap from cagers, EVERTIME Iam on the road. We've got to be alert AT ALL TIMES and never let our guard down. Glad nothing came of your incedent.

Oct 30, 2007 | 02:26 PM

DeJavu

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 3,306

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From: Bellville, Tx

RE: Narrow miss

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ElConquistador

My younger brother wasn't so lucky - in April, a guy FACING HIM made a left turn directly into his path - multiple compound fractures of his lower leg and a shattered knee.
but can anyone explain how you can miss something that big in your windshield 40 feet away?

The laws concerning negligence behind the wheel need bigger, pointier, nastier teeth, IMHO. Anyone got the number for Bikers Against Dumba$$ Drivers?

A vast majority of bike accidents are caused by left turning idiots who all claim to not see you. Recently had the exact same thing happen to me on a 2 lane country road. Would have Tboned a 19 yr old girl if I hadn't automaticaly did my own hard left. As it was my leg was smashed between my bike and her rear quarter panel, almost missed her but not completely. So I'm laid up for atleast 3 months and have all sorts of titanium parts and screws holding my smashed ankle together. All I could think as I lay in the road waiting for the medics was "I can't believe this has happened to me".
I guess there's no way to anticipate every possible bone headed move that the idiots can come up with.

Oct 30, 2007 | 02:50 PM

Luther OBanion

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RE: Narrow miss

I would have stopped and beat the "S" of of this person but I am the Chief City Marshal for the court here in College Station Texas. I would have called over a city patrol officer to write her a ticket but it was in the county with no jurisdiction. Just glad I was watching her. The strange thing was she was not on a phone. I hope the rest of you that are injured get well soon and the insurance pays for you a new and better bike.