Near Accident
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Joined: Dec 2005
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RE: Near Accident
back in the early 80's when my wife and I only had our first of two daughters - I was riding home after a long day at work. I was on an expressway up here in the SF bay area - 2 lanes each way. I had come up to a stop light and ... due to my being brain dead after work, I pulled up behind the car in front of me in the center of the lane and kicked my bike (at the time a Honda CX500) into neutral so I could straighten up and stretch my back. As I'm stretching I hear a car comming up behind me ... then I hear the brakes on said car lock up...
Quick appraisal... I'm too close to the car in front of me and I'm centered in the lane... even if I had somewhere to escape to, the bike is in neutral - no time to get it into gear and pull away...
The car slammed into the back of the car in the lane next to me...
My choice at the time was to quit riding until my kids grew up. It wasn't until 2003 that I felt is was ok to ride again, and I bought my HD softail classic.
So it comes down to what your personal choice is. Mine was to stop riding for awhile... and yeah, 20 years is a heck of a long time. There is no one right choice for everyone. You just have to do what you feel is right. You could keep riding as usual... in So. Cal. having a bike makes getting through traffic easier... or you could back off a bit and only ride on weekends when the traffic is a bit easier.. or you could quit riding until you feel the time is right to come back to it.
Quick appraisal... I'm too close to the car in front of me and I'm centered in the lane... even if I had somewhere to escape to, the bike is in neutral - no time to get it into gear and pull away...
The car slammed into the back of the car in the lane next to me...
My choice at the time was to quit riding until my kids grew up. It wasn't until 2003 that I felt is was ok to ride again, and I bought my HD softail classic.
So it comes down to what your personal choice is. Mine was to stop riding for awhile... and yeah, 20 years is a heck of a long time. There is no one right choice for everyone. You just have to do what you feel is right. You could keep riding as usual... in So. Cal. having a bike makes getting through traffic easier... or you could back off a bit and only ride on weekends when the traffic is a bit easier.. or you could quit riding until you feel the time is right to come back to it.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
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RE: Near Accident
Thanks to all for your feedback, your personal opinions, and in some cases, your own individual mishaps. Some of you have extreme passion in riding your bike.... I do not. However, I love to ride it and enjoy every minute on my Harley, but it is not something "I live for". I guess having a new Wellcraft center console for the ocean and bass lakes here in Southern California help buffer the 'passions'.
Here is a link of a few photos of my bike. It is a real gem, black pearl '05 Super Glide Custom with all the trimmings. You Dyna riders will notice some of the changes from stock when you see the pictures. There are quite a few. Arlen Ness Big Sucker, Power Commander, and V&H Big Shots Staggered. It kicks serious a** when I want it to do so. The seat is a great one that I got at Chicago Harley for around $200.... it's a Sundowner, and I wouldn't trade it for any of the $500+ after market seats that many Harley riders prefer. I ride solo only, and having had 3 back surgeries in my like, the seat flat out fits.
If I sell it, which is a real possibility but not only because of the 'near miss' 2 nights ago, I'll give you a holler on this forum. It has a 5-year extended warranty and all of 1800 miles to date.
Thanks again. Here's the link: http://photobucket.com/albums/b241/ricardob/
Here is a link of a few photos of my bike. It is a real gem, black pearl '05 Super Glide Custom with all the trimmings. You Dyna riders will notice some of the changes from stock when you see the pictures. There are quite a few. Arlen Ness Big Sucker, Power Commander, and V&H Big Shots Staggered. It kicks serious a** when I want it to do so. The seat is a great one that I got at Chicago Harley for around $200.... it's a Sundowner, and I wouldn't trade it for any of the $500+ after market seats that many Harley riders prefer. I ride solo only, and having had 3 back surgeries in my like, the seat flat out fits.
If I sell it, which is a real possibility but not only because of the 'near miss' 2 nights ago, I'll give you a holler on this forum. It has a 5-year extended warranty and all of 1800 miles to date.
Thanks again. Here's the link: http://photobucket.com/albums/b241/ricardob/
Novice
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17
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From:
RE: Near Accident
As I read through this thread what I picked up on is that each rider has their own reasons for riding and comfort level for risk. Personally. I ride because it's my passion and has been since I was young. I recognize the risk and understand how a rider would reflect on what they are risking after a near or actual mishap. I would never put someone down for choosing to no longer ride because after all, it's a choice to ride to begin with. I'm glad Fuente came out OK.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 350
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From:
RE: Near Accident
Hey WHIFFLEBOY I live in LA as well and go through the same risk everyday. However I do like splitting those lanes at the stoplights and leaving the car suckers suffering through 3 light changes. I live in the Sunset Blvd Fairfax area.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 715
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From: Yaphank, Long Island
RE: Near Accident
NY deer need to be on a plate as often as beef theres just too many of them.
Fuente I hear ya bro but an incident such as that happens pretty frequently with me living on Long Island and all, but then again my own driving may have alot to do with it.
Steve
Fuente I hear ya bro but an incident such as that happens pretty frequently with me living on Long Island and all, but then again my own driving may have alot to do with it.
Steve
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,511
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From: Michigan
RE: Near Accident
Glad to hear your ok.
Riding a bike or in a cage you still have to be alert for the idiot drivers out there. So many people just don't pay attention to what is going on around them and will turn in front of you.
You have to drive defensive minded assuming the other person doesn't see you, this has saved me a few times in the car actually.
After reading Hoggsbreath's post I have this tip I do: When at a stop light on your bike, keep an eye on your mirror, if you see a car coming up behind you, flash your brakes so you help them see you.
You risk getting in an accident everytime you drive a car, truck or your bike. You can't worry about it or it will consume your thoughts in a very bad way.
The way I look at it, I like riding my bike and I going to ride it when ever weather permits (I live in Michigan so no riding is happening for a couple more months). I don't worry about getting in an accident in the cage or on the bike. If it happens, well then I will deal with it (yes I do have a family, 3 kids and a wife). It's all a matter of how much risk you want to take to enjoy what your doing.
Riding a bike or in a cage you still have to be alert for the idiot drivers out there. So many people just don't pay attention to what is going on around them and will turn in front of you.
You have to drive defensive minded assuming the other person doesn't see you, this has saved me a few times in the car actually.
After reading Hoggsbreath's post I have this tip I do: When at a stop light on your bike, keep an eye on your mirror, if you see a car coming up behind you, flash your brakes so you help them see you.
You risk getting in an accident everytime you drive a car, truck or your bike. You can't worry about it or it will consume your thoughts in a very bad way.
The way I look at it, I like riding my bike and I going to ride it when ever weather permits (I live in Michigan so no riding is happening for a couple more months). I don't worry about getting in an accident in the cage or on the bike. If it happens, well then I will deal with it (yes I do have a family, 3 kids and a wife). It's all a matter of how much risk you want to take to enjoy what your doing.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,224
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From:
RE: Near Accident
I know the feeling. I've been down and took a 30 foot leap over the hood of a car that pulled out in front of me. Sometimes, the inevatable occurs and you have no chance. The driver who hit me, oblivious to life in general, could have cared less.
Took a 3-4 year hiatus from bikes after the accident; luckily recovery was quick. Family and friends were dead set against me every having another bike and quite frankly, I agreed with them at the time; I lost my nerve and passion for motorcycling all together. Could not bear to read my motorcycle books or magazines. Slowly, but surely, my nerve came back and bought a new bike a few years ago.
Took a 3-4 year hiatus from bikes after the accident; luckily recovery was quick. Family and friends were dead set against me every having another bike and quite frankly, I agreed with them at the time; I lost my nerve and passion for motorcycling all together. Could not bear to read my motorcycle books or magazines. Slowly, but surely, my nerve came back and bought a new bike a few years ago.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 55
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RE: Near Accident
Don't forget the GEICO squirles. After splitting miles of dead stop traffic I finally got to my off ramp. A real long one..I punched it up to 70 as there was only 1 car and a old truck way up ahead. As I approached the truck rapidly - the car started to slide sideways, then the truck started sliding sideways blocking the whole lane and here I come. I simply could not believe what I was seeing and did not react (high noon, dry road, no alcohol,GREEN LIGHT!!!) At the last second I laid the bike down to avoid the tailgate impact. I ground to a halt while still holding the bars.-I was going 60 when I hit the ground and had to rotate my body as my shirt and jeans were melting.. Missed the truck by a foot and watched as the car and truck drove off to the light that was still green. I pulled the bike to the side of the road and found neutral and started the bike. I JUMPED ON AND MADE THE SAME GREEN LIGHT!! Drove the mile home, put the bike away, got in the shower and scrubed my melted shirt off. All the while I could hear the emergency vehicles trying to find me...
The good news.... I was riding my DRZ 400s at the time and there was literally NO DAMAGE TO THE BIKE !!!
My steel toed boots saved my feet, banged up one knee and a square foot of rash.. all in all ..NOT TOO BAD !!!!!!!!!!
Everyone has to make up their own mind - but my job as a sea urchin diver is so dangerous I really don't worry much...
I hate to admit it but close calls excite me and I really like the feeling right after pulling off a good high speed slide or almost running out of road. It's not right - but I like trying to scare myself.
Remember, this isn't pratice - it's life - the real thing!!! Whatever you decide ... GOOD LUCK !!!
The good news.... I was riding my DRZ 400s at the time and there was literally NO DAMAGE TO THE BIKE !!!
My steel toed boots saved my feet, banged up one knee and a square foot of rash.. all in all ..NOT TOO BAD !!!!!!!!!!
Everyone has to make up their own mind - but my job as a sea urchin diver is so dangerous I really don't worry much...
I hate to admit it but close calls excite me and I really like the feeling right after pulling off a good high speed slide or almost running out of road. It's not right - but I like trying to scare myself.
Remember, this isn't pratice - it's life - the real thing!!! Whatever you decide ... GOOD LUCK !!!
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