I'm the motorcyclist you're probably going to kill
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 773
From: Earth
I'm the motorcyclist you're probably going to kill
https://www.yahoo.com/news/im-motorc...205708830.html
Not the kind of milquetoast editorial one usually finds on Yahoo News, but I'll take it. Because he's right.
But even though we all know he's right, nothing is going to change until the death toll reaches some kind of tipping point which pushes society over the edge. And that hasn't yet happened, so people are willing to just accept it.
Some dude gets shot by the cops, society loses it and burns half the town down. A soldier gets killed on a battlefield in a faraway land, people march on Washington and demand immediate change to foreign policy. But 40,000 people are slaughtered every year on the roads and no one bats an eye.
Not the kind of milquetoast editorial one usually finds on Yahoo News, but I'll take it. Because he's right.
But even though we all know he's right, nothing is going to change until the death toll reaches some kind of tipping point which pushes society over the edge. And that hasn't yet happened, so people are willing to just accept it.
Some dude gets shot by the cops, society loses it and burns half the town down. A soldier gets killed on a battlefield in a faraway land, people march on Washington and demand immediate change to foreign policy. But 40,000 people are slaughtered every year on the roads and no one bats an eye.
Last edited by DM426; Oct 9, 2016 at 08:32 PM.
Popular Reply
Oct 9, 2016, 07:30 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
It goes both ways. There are more people riding motorcycles on the road today that don't have the appropriate skills to do so.
So here's what I say to "our" community:
Stop lying to yourself for the sake of ego. Thinking you can do something and being able to do it are two completely different things. You will resort to what you have practiced in the time of emergency; if you've practiced no skills for avoidance then panic takes over and you crash or get hit.
Realize that the best way to keep from getting killed is to eliminate, avoid or minimize your time in the killing zones. Crying about how cars constantly change lanes on you tells me you spend too much time in blind spots. I've seen guys riding in cars/trucks blind spots that had the outside mirrors broken off. All I see is a guy at the family reunion perpetuating those same old BS stories about how he used to race motocross but gave up street riding because nobody is good enough to keep from being killed.
The enemies:
Right of way left turn violators. If nothing else, go the speed limit thru intersections. Speed x 1.5 = feet per second. The slower you go the better chance you have to brake and or swerve. Don't enter intersections cloaked by another vehicle, hiding yourself from left turners. Watch vehicles for signs of movement as well as the driver. Their hands sometimes move before the cars do.
Right of way violators from the right. See above
Single vehicle crashes involving only a motorcycle rider in a curve, or Fail To Negotiate. Learn to ride, then learn to ride well; never be satisfied with your skill and ride your ride when with others. Don't get sucked into someone else's corner entry speed.
Don't ride after one drink, toke or med.
Wear a helmet.
Have a license and the skill to pass the test on the machine you're riding. If you can't pass the test on your bike, you don't possess the minimum amount of skill to ride that bike on the street.
Don't dick with the radio, phones, texts or other geegaws. Riders cry foul when car drivers and the cops do it, then do it themselves on machines that require much more attention to control.
I've seen the enemy and the enemy is us. Just because you choose to ride a machine that makes you more vulnerable doesn't make you special. It means you have a greater responsibility to yourself and your family to be proficient. And to the crowd that says, "it's gonna happen sometime no matter what"; you're right, it will happen to you.
So here's what I say to "our" community:
Stop lying to yourself for the sake of ego. Thinking you can do something and being able to do it are two completely different things. You will resort to what you have practiced in the time of emergency; if you've practiced no skills for avoidance then panic takes over and you crash or get hit.
Realize that the best way to keep from getting killed is to eliminate, avoid or minimize your time in the killing zones. Crying about how cars constantly change lanes on you tells me you spend too much time in blind spots. I've seen guys riding in cars/trucks blind spots that had the outside mirrors broken off. All I see is a guy at the family reunion perpetuating those same old BS stories about how he used to race motocross but gave up street riding because nobody is good enough to keep from being killed.
The enemies:
Right of way left turn violators. If nothing else, go the speed limit thru intersections. Speed x 1.5 = feet per second. The slower you go the better chance you have to brake and or swerve. Don't enter intersections cloaked by another vehicle, hiding yourself from left turners. Watch vehicles for signs of movement as well as the driver. Their hands sometimes move before the cars do.
Right of way violators from the right. See above
Single vehicle crashes involving only a motorcycle rider in a curve, or Fail To Negotiate. Learn to ride, then learn to ride well; never be satisfied with your skill and ride your ride when with others. Don't get sucked into someone else's corner entry speed.
Don't ride after one drink, toke or med.
Wear a helmet.
Have a license and the skill to pass the test on the machine you're riding. If you can't pass the test on your bike, you don't possess the minimum amount of skill to ride that bike on the street.
Don't dick with the radio, phones, texts or other geegaws. Riders cry foul when car drivers and the cops do it, then do it themselves on machines that require much more attention to control.
I've seen the enemy and the enemy is us. Just because you choose to ride a machine that makes you more vulnerable doesn't make you special. It means you have a greater responsibility to yourself and your family to be proficient. And to the crowd that says, "it's gonna happen sometime no matter what"; you're right, it will happen to you.
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Oct 9, 2016 at 08:21 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,982
Likes: 1,587
From: Philadelphia, PA
I agree 100%. The other day in bumper to bumper traffic a young girl moving about 5mph had her head and phone out the window taking selfies along side of me. She missed the back of the P/U in front of her by inches only because I yelled "put the xxxx phone away".
It's getting worse on all of the roads. I've seen State Police talking on there phones on I-95 going over 70mph. How can you enforce the law when your breaking the law?
It's getting worse on all of the roads. I've seen State Police talking on there phones on I-95 going over 70mph. How can you enforce the law when your breaking the law?
Last edited by IzzoQuazzo; Oct 9, 2016 at 09:28 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 1,165
From: No where near you, OH
Distracted drivers is a recipe for disaster. Everyone knows it and there's laws against it but if the ones who are trying to enforce the law are doing it then it defeats the purpose.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
It goes both ways. There are more people riding motorcycles on the road today that don't have the appropriate skills to do so.
So here's what I say to "our" community:
Stop lying to yourself for the sake of ego. Thinking you can do something and being able to do it are two completely different things. You will resort to what you have practiced in the time of emergency; if you've practiced no skills for avoidance then panic takes over and you crash or get hit.
Realize that the best way to keep from getting killed is to eliminate, avoid or minimize your time in the killing zones. Crying about how cars constantly change lanes on you tells me you spend too much time in blind spots. I've seen guys riding in cars/trucks blind spots that had the outside mirrors broken off. All I see is a guy at the family reunion perpetuating those same old BS stories about how he used to race motocross but gave up street riding because nobody is good enough to keep from being killed.
The enemies:
Right of way left turn violators. If nothing else, go the speed limit thru intersections. Speed x 1.5 = feet per second. The slower you go the better chance you have to brake and or swerve. Don't enter intersections cloaked by another vehicle, hiding yourself from left turners. Watch vehicles for signs of movement as well as the driver. Their hands sometimes move before the cars do.
Right of way violators from the right. See above
Single vehicle crashes involving only a motorcycle rider in a curve, or Fail To Negotiate. Learn to ride, then learn to ride well; never be satisfied with your skill and ride your ride when with others. Don't get sucked into someone else's corner entry speed.
Don't ride after one drink, toke or med.
Wear a helmet.
Have a license and the skill to pass the test on the machine you're riding. If you can't pass the test on your bike, you don't possess the minimum amount of skill to ride that bike on the street.
Don't dick with the radio, phones, texts or other geegaws. Riders cry foul when car drivers and the cops do it, then do it themselves on machines that require much more attention to control.
I've seen the enemy and the enemy is us. Just because you choose to ride a machine that makes you more vulnerable doesn't make you special. It means you have a greater responsibility to yourself and your family to be proficient. And to the crowd that says, "it's gonna happen sometime no matter what"; you're right, it will happen to you.
So here's what I say to "our" community:
Stop lying to yourself for the sake of ego. Thinking you can do something and being able to do it are two completely different things. You will resort to what you have practiced in the time of emergency; if you've practiced no skills for avoidance then panic takes over and you crash or get hit.
Realize that the best way to keep from getting killed is to eliminate, avoid or minimize your time in the killing zones. Crying about how cars constantly change lanes on you tells me you spend too much time in blind spots. I've seen guys riding in cars/trucks blind spots that had the outside mirrors broken off. All I see is a guy at the family reunion perpetuating those same old BS stories about how he used to race motocross but gave up street riding because nobody is good enough to keep from being killed.
The enemies:
Right of way left turn violators. If nothing else, go the speed limit thru intersections. Speed x 1.5 = feet per second. The slower you go the better chance you have to brake and or swerve. Don't enter intersections cloaked by another vehicle, hiding yourself from left turners. Watch vehicles for signs of movement as well as the driver. Their hands sometimes move before the cars do.
Right of way violators from the right. See above
Single vehicle crashes involving only a motorcycle rider in a curve, or Fail To Negotiate. Learn to ride, then learn to ride well; never be satisfied with your skill and ride your ride when with others. Don't get sucked into someone else's corner entry speed.
Don't ride after one drink, toke or med.
Wear a helmet.
Have a license and the skill to pass the test on the machine you're riding. If you can't pass the test on your bike, you don't possess the minimum amount of skill to ride that bike on the street.
Don't dick with the radio, phones, texts or other geegaws. Riders cry foul when car drivers and the cops do it, then do it themselves on machines that require much more attention to control.
I've seen the enemy and the enemy is us. Just because you choose to ride a machine that makes you more vulnerable doesn't make you special. It means you have a greater responsibility to yourself and your family to be proficient. And to the crowd that says, "it's gonna happen sometime no matter what"; you're right, it will happen to you.
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Oct 9, 2016 at 08:21 AM.
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From: Illinois
It goes both ways. There are more people riding motorcycles on the road today that don't have the appropriate skills to do so.
So here's what I say to "our" community:
Stop lying to yourself for the sake of ego. Thinking you can do something and being able to do it are two completely different things. You will resort to what you have practiced in the time of emergency; if you've practiced no skills for avoidance then panic takes over and you crash or get hit.
Realize that the best way to keep from getting killed is to eliminate, avoid or minimize your time in the killing zones. Crying about how cars constantly change lanes on you tells me you spend too much time in blind spots. I've seen guys riding in cars/trucks blind spots that had the outside mirrors broken off. All I see is a guy at the family reunion perpetuating those same old BS stories about how he used to race motocross but gave up street riding because nobody is good enough to keep from being killed.
The enemies:
Right of way left turn violators. If nothing else, go the speed limit thru intersections. Speed x 1.5 = feet per second. The slower you go the better chance you have to brake and or swerve. Don't enter intersections cloaked by another vehicle, hiding yourself from left turners. Watch vehicles for signs of movement as well as the driver. Their hands sometimes move before the cars do.
Right of way violators from the right. See above
Single vehicle crashes involving only a motorcycle rider in a curve, or Fail To Negotiate. Learn to ride, then learn to ride well; never be satisfied with your skill and ride your ride when with others. Don't get sucked into someone else's corner entry speed.
Don't ride after one drink, toke or med.
Wear a helmet.
Have a license and the skill to pass the test on the machine you're riding. If you can't pass the test on your bike, you don't possess the minimum amount of skill to ride that bike on the street.
Don't dick with the radio, phones, texts or other geegaws. Riders cry foul when car drivers and the cops do it, then do it themselves on machines that require much more attention to control.
I've seen the enemy and the enemy is us. Just because you choose to ride a machine that makes you more vulnerable doesn't make you special. It means you have a greater responsibility to yourself and your family to be proficient. And to the crowd that says, "it's gonna happen sometime no matter what"; you're right, it will happen to you.
So here's what I say to "our" community:
Stop lying to yourself for the sake of ego. Thinking you can do something and being able to do it are two completely different things. You will resort to what you have practiced in the time of emergency; if you've practiced no skills for avoidance then panic takes over and you crash or get hit.
Realize that the best way to keep from getting killed is to eliminate, avoid or minimize your time in the killing zones. Crying about how cars constantly change lanes on you tells me you spend too much time in blind spots. I've seen guys riding in cars/trucks blind spots that had the outside mirrors broken off. All I see is a guy at the family reunion perpetuating those same old BS stories about how he used to race motocross but gave up street riding because nobody is good enough to keep from being killed.
The enemies:
Right of way left turn violators. If nothing else, go the speed limit thru intersections. Speed x 1.5 = feet per second. The slower you go the better chance you have to brake and or swerve. Don't enter intersections cloaked by another vehicle, hiding yourself from left turners. Watch vehicles for signs of movement as well as the driver. Their hands sometimes move before the cars do.
Right of way violators from the right. See above
Single vehicle crashes involving only a motorcycle rider in a curve, or Fail To Negotiate. Learn to ride, then learn to ride well; never be satisfied with your skill and ride your ride when with others. Don't get sucked into someone else's corner entry speed.
Don't ride after one drink, toke or med.
Wear a helmet.
Have a license and the skill to pass the test on the machine you're riding. If you can't pass the test on your bike, you don't possess the minimum amount of skill to ride that bike on the street.
Don't dick with the radio, phones, texts or other geegaws. Riders cry foul when car drivers and the cops do it, then do it themselves on machines that require much more attention to control.
I've seen the enemy and the enemy is us. Just because you choose to ride a machine that makes you more vulnerable doesn't make you special. It means you have a greater responsibility to yourself and your family to be proficient. And to the crowd that says, "it's gonna happen sometime no matter what"; you're right, it will happen to you.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
The whole post was spot on, but in my opinion, this is the best line in it.
I have been saying this for years.....I don't believe that "**** happens" without some kind if trigger from the fool that it happens to.
