Had a close call today
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, LA
Had a close call today
You know the usual. Main road, 4 lanes, one turning lane. Jackass in a hurry goes to turn left right in front of me (I was at the end of a stream of traffic, 3 or 4 car lengths behind).
Two things saved my life. One I was in the right hand lane, which is rare for me, although I was riding close to the yellow for more visability. Had both my fog lights on, my high beam on. My white helmet on. Its not like I'm not visible. That gave me time to avoid the idjit.
The second thing was my HORN. Got into the habit of hovering over it whenever I see a potential moron lurking (aka a cage, any cage that looks like it may enter my path). Mostly I beep the horn, either by accident or when I know I really don't need to. Well today, that practice paid off. I wasn't even consciously aware of him, till I heard my horn going off. Hit it the same time I hit my brakes, then I really saw him, swerving to go straight instead of into me. He reacted to the horn. My little, thought it was useless sporty horn, but he reacted.
Gave me a right scare.
Use your horn people.
Two things saved my life. One I was in the right hand lane, which is rare for me, although I was riding close to the yellow for more visability. Had both my fog lights on, my high beam on. My white helmet on. Its not like I'm not visible. That gave me time to avoid the idjit.
The second thing was my HORN. Got into the habit of hovering over it whenever I see a potential moron lurking (aka a cage, any cage that looks like it may enter my path). Mostly I beep the horn, either by accident or when I know I really don't need to. Well today, that practice paid off. I wasn't even consciously aware of him, till I heard my horn going off. Hit it the same time I hit my brakes, then I really saw him, swerving to go straight instead of into me. He reacted to the horn. My little, thought it was useless sporty horn, but he reacted.
Gave me a right scare.
Use your horn people.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 5
From: Concord, CA
RE: Had a close call today
Glad you came through it OK.
I know people say they horns are useless, but I use mine what seems like every day and it has stopped a lot of lane changes that could have been bad.
Good thing your guy wasn't one of those drivers that gets target fixation and once in a panic can't change course.
I know people say they horns are useless, but I use mine what seems like every day and it has stopped a lot of lane changes that could have been bad.
Good thing your guy wasn't one of those drivers that gets target fixation and once in a panic can't change course.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS!!!!
RE: Had a close call today
Definitely glad you came through that okay. It's always good to get a reminder that we need to be just as aware of cages as they need to be of us, but I'd rather hear the reminder than live it.
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Had a close call today
I too tend to place my thumb over the horn when I come to intersections. Especially if I know other drivers might be blind to me.
I went over a mountian road yesterday. I know there is a somewhat busy street that spills onto the road I was on and it's on a bend...Hard for cars to see cars much less motorcycles. My hand goes right the the horn switch in the case that I need it.
Good practice..Glad it worked
I went over a mountian road yesterday. I know there is a somewhat busy street that spills onto the road I was on and it's on a bend...Hard for cars to see cars much less motorcycles. My hand goes right the the horn switch in the case that I need it.
Good practice..Glad it worked
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 86,081
Likes: 118
From: Snottsdale, Az
RE: Had a close call today
Wow that was close, glad your alright. The horn on my Heritage sounds louder than a car horn. When I have to use it, it scares the peas out of the cagers. And then they look at me like, "what did I do ". Ride safe and have a good one !
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: SUNNY,FL
RE: Had a close call today
Glad your O.K.
I drive in simmular traffic every day! I have added an air horn, headlight modulator and a tail light modulator to try and stay alive.
So ar so good but I have had too many close calls. Years ago I read in a cycle magazine that you should ride like your invisable, so
yes you are invisable. Of couse I read that after someone made a left turn across my path and put me in the hospital in '88', but I still
consider it great advice. So ride Invisable!
I drive in simmular traffic every day! I have added an air horn, headlight modulator and a tail light modulator to try and stay alive.
So ar so good but I have had too many close calls. Years ago I read in a cycle magazine that you should ride like your invisable, so
yes you are invisable. Of couse I read that after someone made a left turn across my path and put me in the hospital in '88', but I still
consider it great advice. So ride Invisable!
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
RE: Had a close call today
Wow. Glad your OK! I have covered it before, mainly when passing through their blind spot. I usually only use it when I see a rebel flag!
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Had a close call today
I could be all wet but I've always felt that you could either honk a horn or take evasive action but it was impossible to do both at the same time. Instead of relying on the cager to make the proper response to my warning (if they hear it), I would rather trust myself to make the proper response. My horn does not get used but I will cover the clutch and brakes depending on the situation.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 1
From: Texas
RE: Had a close call today
I ride with my thumb over the horn button anytime I'm in traffic. I've got a Mini Beast air horn and I'm not afraid to use it.
On Sunday, after I got back from the ROT rally, I was headed into town for lunch. Some idiot in a Bronco was turning right in the right turn lane and never looked back to the left. I was in no danger of being hit, but I laid on the horn anyway.
He swerved off the road and slammed on the brakes. I cruised by him and he yelled "Sorry Buddy" out the window. I should have told him he wasn't ever going to be my "Buddy" driving like that. Maybe he'll remember to look next time...
On Sunday, after I got back from the ROT rally, I was headed into town for lunch. Some idiot in a Bronco was turning right in the right turn lane and never looked back to the left. I was in no danger of being hit, but I laid on the horn anyway.
He swerved off the road and slammed on the brakes. I cruised by him and he yelled "Sorry Buddy" out the window. I should have told him he wasn't ever going to be my "Buddy" driving like that. Maybe he'll remember to look next time...