Almost Got Hit Today
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
Almost Got Hit Today
So, I'm riding home, down a road I've ridden probably 1000 times before and today I had some jerk in a pickup truck make a left turn into a private drivewayright in front of me. No turn signals...nothing... just a big green Dodge Pickup...he never even LOOKED.
Hit the rear brake and... you guessed it...she started to fishtail on me. I think the only way I kept her up was by sheer force, but I sure had this awful vision of hitting the pavement.
Whew! Thats as close as I EVER want to come...
Hit the rear brake and... you guessed it...she started to fishtail on me. I think the only way I kept her up was by sheer force, but I sure had this awful vision of hitting the pavement.
Whew! Thats as close as I EVER want to come...
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 970
Likes: 0
From: Clarkesville, GA
RE: Almost Got Hit Today
Sorry to hear about your close call and glad it didn't turn out worse. Bikes are now almost the size of some of the smaller cars on the roads today. Short of getting dayglow paint jobs and tall whip antenas with flourescent orange and chartruese flags on top- what can we do to get cagers to notice us? I'm waiting for the Smart Car to start hitting the streets - I wonder ifcagers will fail to see them too.
I'm considering installing a headlight modulator.
Be careful out there.
I'm considering installing a headlight modulator.
Be careful out there.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
RE: Almost Got Hit Today
ORIGINAL: SHOAT
Sorry to hear about your close call and glad it didn't turn out worse. Bikes are now almost the size of some of the smaller cars on the roads today. Short of getting dayglow paint jobs and tall whip antenas with flourescent orange and chartruese flags on top- what can we do to get cagers to notice us? I'm waiting for the Smart Car to start hitting the streets - I wonder ifcagers will fail to see them too.
I'm considering installing a headlight modulator.
Be careful out there.
Sorry to hear about your close call and glad it didn't turn out worse. Bikes are now almost the size of some of the smaller cars on the roads today. Short of getting dayglow paint jobs and tall whip antenas with flourescent orange and chartruese flags on top- what can we do to get cagers to notice us? I'm waiting for the Smart Car to start hitting the streets - I wonder ifcagers will fail to see them too.
I'm considering installing a headlight modulator.
Be careful out there.
I'm seriously considering a headlight modulator myself. Anything that will help.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: Jackson NJ
RE: Almost Got Hit Today
Its a horrible feeling when that happens. Bikes are so much smaller than a car its difficult for drivers to see them. Visibility is key, a combination of bright colors, lights, and movement are all important. A headlight modulator might help, or driving lights. No matter what you do, you always have to be on your guard against stupid stuff like what the truck did.
I'm glad you were able to come out of it ok but itsounds like you need to work on your emergency braking technique. You should always hit the front brake first, a gentle squeeze first and then really haul on it, the front is difficult to lock up and you can release if you do. Every year I go to a MSF ERC just to be able to relearn stuff like that. Its also a great place to pick up on other rider's tips for visibility and safety.
I'm glad you were able to come out of it ok but itsounds like you need to work on your emergency braking technique. You should always hit the front brake first, a gentle squeeze first and then really haul on it, the front is difficult to lock up and you can release if you do. Every year I go to a MSF ERC just to be able to relearn stuff like that. Its also a great place to pick up on other rider's tips for visibility and safety.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 0
From: Olympia. WA
RE: Almost Got Hit Today
Today must be the day. Had a guy do a u-turn right in front of me. I saw him on the shoulder and just knew he was about to do something stupid (instinct pays sometimes).
Anyway, I hear you.
Glad all turned out ok.
Anyway, I hear you.
Glad all turned out ok.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: Almost Got Hit Today
I don't think it really is dependent on what you are riding/driving.
Some idiots will pull or turn in front of you no matter if you are riding a motorcycle or driving a Kenworth truck.
I hear a lot of horror stories from Firemen, Ambulance drivers, and LEO's dealing with people doing the same to them, evenwhen they are running 'flashing red lights and siren'....
Doesn't matter if you light your bike up like a Christmas tree.
If some drivers can't see and/or hear an emergency vehicle with a blaring siren and flashing lights they won't pay any more attention to someone on a motorcycle, no matter what you do.
You just have to ride in a defensive mode out there on the mean streets and assume everyone is out to kill you..
Some idiots will pull or turn in front of you no matter if you are riding a motorcycle or driving a Kenworth truck.
I hear a lot of horror stories from Firemen, Ambulance drivers, and LEO's dealing with people doing the same to them, evenwhen they are running 'flashing red lights and siren'....
Doesn't matter if you light your bike up like a Christmas tree.
If some drivers can't see and/or hear an emergency vehicle with a blaring siren and flashing lights they won't pay any more attention to someone on a motorcycle, no matter what you do.
You just have to ride in a defensive mode out there on the mean streets and assume everyone is out to kill you..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 0
From: Great Falls, Va.
RE: Almost Got Hit Today
Glad it turned out okay...as tiger rider says, grab that front brake first...it is a daily occurrence for me with lane changers/drifters and the front brake is what saves my azz every time.
[IMG]local://upfiles/48168/285F132A75D749F5B5079709DEAFEB4C.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/48168/285F132A75D749F5B5079709DEAFEB4C.jpg[/IMG]
Trending Topics
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,114
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver B.C. Canada
RE: Almost Got Hit Today
Be careful, you can die 10 times a day if you are not playing attention, it may not be your fault but do expect some idiots are going to run over you. Ride safely!
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
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth, TX
RE: Almost Got Hit Today
About three weeks ago, I almost got hit. I blame poor parking garage design over anything. I had the right of way, but I was slowing to make a left out of the garage. A red car pulled right out in front of me. Fortunately, we were both going creeping parking lot speeds, both of us hit the brakes...no contact, so I just went on ahead. Swung back around the following night to get the red car's view of things, and yeah, he was in the intersection before he even knew it. Easy to do in THAT parking garage. No stop sign, no markings except on the OTHER side of the intersection, and at the end of the parking row, no visibility of other cars.
Then the following day, I was riding in the rain, stopped at a light. I casually and gingerly accelerated, and as I was almost through the intersection, my rear tire kicked out about a foot to the right, then fishtailed back. Only thing I can figure is rain-washed oil coming across my lane from the opposing lane, and the road cambered to the right, to drain the rain water. Thought I was going down for a split second. My concern wasn't hitting the asphalt....it was getting run over by the car behind me! The car kept his distance though, and I happily stayed up.
Teek
Then the following day, I was riding in the rain, stopped at a light. I casually and gingerly accelerated, and as I was almost through the intersection, my rear tire kicked out about a foot to the right, then fishtailed back. Only thing I can figure is rain-washed oil coming across my lane from the opposing lane, and the road cambered to the right, to drain the rain water. Thought I was going down for a split second. My concern wasn't hitting the asphalt....it was getting run over by the car behind me! The car kept his distance though, and I happily stayed up.
Teek
