Back in the saddle again!
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,138
Likes: 1
From:
Back in the saddle again!
[sm=biker2.gif]I just came back from a ride with my nephew. I was only gone 24 hours becausea bad storm was coming up the coast and there are flood warnings etc. We managed to rack up almost 400 miles in a short time and I feel great. I thing the post accident jitters are about gone.
A few things have changed though. Now I NEVER assume I know what a cager is going to do. I keep my distance and when they are clear then I go. Also, I found myself waiving people off when I think they are following me too closely. I just put my hand back and signal to them to keep their distance and they back right off. IfI am slowing down and I feel like a car is coming up from behind a little too fast I tap my brakes over and over to make my tail light flash and get their attention. I also slow down a littleand look at intersections even though I have the right of way rather than fly through without caution and end up getting t-boned.
Anybody else do these things or am I still not in the right frame of mind?[sm=confused06.gif]
PS: Thank you all for your words of encouragement in the "I went down today" and the "My first ride after the accident was not fun",threads!! I really appreciate it!
A few things have changed though. Now I NEVER assume I know what a cager is going to do. I keep my distance and when they are clear then I go. Also, I found myself waiving people off when I think they are following me too closely. I just put my hand back and signal to them to keep their distance and they back right off. IfI am slowing down and I feel like a car is coming up from behind a little too fast I tap my brakes over and over to make my tail light flash and get their attention. I also slow down a littleand look at intersections even though I have the right of way rather than fly through without caution and end up getting t-boned.
Anybody else do these things or am I still not in the right frame of mind?[sm=confused06.gif]
PS: Thank you all for your words of encouragement in the "I went down today" and the "My first ride after the accident was not fun",threads!! I really appreciate it!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,682
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
RE: Back in the saddle again!
Always good to be vigilant. The one-time I let my guard down it cost me a new shifter arm, clutch lever, and some forearm skin. I always assume the others on the road are complete morons whose meaning in life is to be an obstacle.
...I HAVE refrained from shooting them, so I think I'm OK.
...I HAVE refrained from shooting them, so I think I'm OK.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 750
Likes: 1
From: Katy, Texas
RE: Back in the saddle again!
Glad to hear you are riding again.
I do may of the things you have listed, so you are probably back in the right frame of mind.
I use a modulating tail light, so it does the flashing for you - five flashes then steady.
If they are following to close I let them now that also, most of the times they will back off. There have been a couple of times where they did not, so I slowed to a stop, kickstand down and let them sit for a couple cycles of the light. Is that the smartest thing to do, prob not, but they did not tailgate me the rest of the way.
You got to watch out for you own safety, because they will not. Just today, I was crusing down I-10 in the left lane and some idiot decided he needed to be where I was. Luckly I saw that he was going to come over and was able to get off on the shoulder. When I pulled back up next to him he would not even look over.
Be safe out there!
I do may of the things you have listed, so you are probably back in the right frame of mind.
I use a modulating tail light, so it does the flashing for you - five flashes then steady.
If they are following to close I let them now that also, most of the times they will back off. There have been a couple of times where they did not, so I slowed to a stop, kickstand down and let them sit for a couple cycles of the light. Is that the smartest thing to do, prob not, but they did not tailgate me the rest of the way.
You got to watch out for you own safety, because they will not. Just today, I was crusing down I-10 in the left lane and some idiot decided he needed to be where I was. Luckly I saw that he was going to come over and was able to get off on the shoulder. When I pulled back up next to him he would not even look over.
Be safe out there!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: Binghamton, NY
RE: Back in the saddle again!
ORIGINAL: DenimStreet
Anybody else do these things or am I still not in the right frame of mind?[sm=confused06.gif]
Anybody else do these things or am I still not in the right frame of mind?[sm=confused06.gif]
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: Back in the saddle again!
Defensive driving is a must on a bike. Glad to see you are back on the bike. I have no problem not being the fastes bike or car on the ride. I let the speeders pick up the tab (tickets) instead of me...
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 887
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Back in the saddle again!
ORIGINAL: Protrucker
It's called good, defensive driving. Keep it up. That's how everyone should drive. Always assume that everyone is out to get you & you'll usually be ready to take evasive action early enough to avoid catastrophy.
ORIGINAL: DenimStreet
Anybody else do these things or am I still not in the right frame of mind?[sm=confused06.gif]
Anybody else do these things or am I still not in the right frame of mind?[sm=confused06.gif]
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,138
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Back in the saddle again!
ORIGINAL: Protrucker
Always assume that everyone is out to get you...
ORIGINAL: DenimStreet
Anybody else do these things or am I still not in the right frame of mind?[sm=confused06.gif]
Anybody else do these things or am I still not in the right frame of mind?[sm=confused06.gif]
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Back in the saddle again!
Good to hear! Take up chewing tobacco,,works every time for tailgaters.....
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 371
Likes: 2
From: Escondido, CA
RE: Back in the saddle again!
glad to hear you are back on the road.
keep up the "offensive" riding. not to be "offensive" to others on the road,but to be "defensive" in not allowing the rest of the idiots to get the bestof us.
mjh
keep up the "offensive" riding. not to be "offensive" to others on the road,but to be "defensive" in not allowing the rest of the idiots to get the bestof us.
mjh
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MSgtJoe
General Harley Davidson Chat
12
May 10, 2007 01:06 PM