My 3 lessons of the day
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 181
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From: 29°16′49″N 082°07′29″W
My 3 lessons of the day
Stopped at the local stealer in Gainesville, FL this evening. On the way out I was having trouble starting my bike. As I'm fiddling with the choke an older gent that I had just seen in the store backed into me in his Silverado pickup. My bar end hit his tail light and dragged a gouge down the bed side. I yelled to him "WHOA, STOP", and of course, he got out, apologized, and didn't see me. No damage to me or the bike, other than some Chevy paint caked in the knurled end of my Iso-grip. He had a disabled vet license plate, and I didn't make a big deal of it.
Later on, 5 miles away I'm cruising ~40mph on a 4 lane road. Mini-van Dad doesn't see me and changes lanes. Halfway through his lane change I pull the clutch and rev my pipes to get his attention. He waves apologetically but continues into my lane and completes his lane change.
Three lessons learned or reinforced today:
1- Nowhere is safe. Not even the Harley dealer's parking lot.
2- Loud pipes might save you from an accident...If you can get your bike started.
3- Everyone on 4 wheels is trying to kill you, whether they know it or not.
Later on, 5 miles away I'm cruising ~40mph on a 4 lane road. Mini-van Dad doesn't see me and changes lanes. Halfway through his lane change I pull the clutch and rev my pipes to get his attention. He waves apologetically but continues into my lane and completes his lane change.
Three lessons learned or reinforced today:
1- Nowhere is safe. Not even the Harley dealer's parking lot.
2- Loud pipes might save you from an accident...If you can get your bike started.
3- Everyone on 4 wheels is trying to kill you, whether they know it or not.
Last edited by Pete838; Jun 9, 2011 at 10:35 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Arizona
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 436
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From: Pittsburgh PA
And 18 for me today.
Thought I did everything right...
- Hung in his mirror view behind him for 30 seconds to give him a chance to see me
- Was passing him briskly, not loitering beside truck
- I have V&H BSS that aren't quiet by any stretch
He turned his turn signals on and started to squeeze me between him and the cement barrier anyway...
Thankfully I quickly enough found and he heard the horn!
Thought I did everything right...
- Hung in his mirror view behind him for 30 seconds to give him a chance to see me
- Was passing him briskly, not loitering beside truck
- I have V&H BSS that aren't quiet by any stretch
He turned his turn signals on and started to squeeze me between him and the cement barrier anyway...
Thankfully I quickly enough found and he heard the horn!
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
A few weeks ago a friend of mine was at a dealer and an older gnetleman on a BMW Trike ran into his bike and knocked it over doing $2500 in damage. Its not just the cagers...
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I believe that they are out to kill and just dont realize it. I wasnt seen and breifly shared a lane with a lady yesterday. Traffic was moveing a a tad bit faster speed in my lane and she wanted over. I was moveing past at that time and she was comeing over when she saw me the oh-*hit face popped up as I reved my engine and sped up to moved over more. I dont know how close she got as I was trying not to find the bumper in front of me too. Pipes draw attention to us and lights also but awareness is our only friend. Stay safe and enjoy the freedom of the ride.