Two weeks old and bye bye Harley
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 143
From: Palm Desert,CA
Two weeks old and bye bye Harley
Today going on a quick errand, loving the new seat and pegs I installed last night. Was behind a large dump truck on a two lane highway (one lane each direction). Must have been following him for 8 miles, good safe distance since he was carrying gravel.
We pass an intersection and he slows down and stops right in the middle of the road. I slow down and stop behind him, maybe 30 feet or so... waiting for him to start again (no turn signals or anything, remember this is a small highway). All of a sudden his reverse beep sound comes on, and I freak out, can't go turn into oncoming traffic and he's backing up. Hit my horn once maybe twice then jump off the bike. Crunch goes this truck carrying 16 tons. I get up to front yelling at the top of my lungs. He stops to get out.
He was super apologetic, we're in a pretty rural area where most people know each other, he works for a local quarry felt kind of bad for him but not that much. Police came, he got a summons for stopping in the middle of a highway I guess. Hopefully the trucking company takes care of it quickly.
Of course now my wife wants me to think twice before getting another bike and I was having the time of my life on it. Gotta get a new one (besides there wasn't a scratch on the new seat
)
We pass an intersection and he slows down and stops right in the middle of the road. I slow down and stop behind him, maybe 30 feet or so... waiting for him to start again (no turn signals or anything, remember this is a small highway). All of a sudden his reverse beep sound comes on, and I freak out, can't go turn into oncoming traffic and he's backing up. Hit my horn once maybe twice then jump off the bike. Crunch goes this truck carrying 16 tons. I get up to front yelling at the top of my lungs. He stops to get out.
He was super apologetic, we're in a pretty rural area where most people know each other, he works for a local quarry felt kind of bad for him but not that much. Police came, he got a summons for stopping in the middle of a highway I guess. Hopefully the trucking company takes care of it quickly.
Of course now my wife wants me to think twice before getting another bike and I was having the time of my life on it. Gotta get a new one (besides there wasn't a scratch on the new seat
)
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 17
From: Ontario Canada
Today going on a quick errand, loving the new seat and pegs I installed last night. Was behind a large dump truck on a two lane highway (one lane each direction). Must have been following him for 8 miles, good safe distance since he was carrying gravel.
We pass an intersection and he slows down and stops right in the middle of the road. I slow down and stop behind him, maybe 30 feet or so... waiting for him to start again (no turn signals or anything, remember this is a small highway). All of a sudden his reverse beep sound comes on, and I freak out, can't go turn into oncoming traffic and he's backing up. Hit my horn once maybe twice then jump off the bike. Crunch goes this truck carrying 16 tons. I get up to front yelling at the top of my lungs. He stops to get out.
He was super apologetic, we're in a pretty rural area where most people know each other, he works for a local quarry felt kind of bad for him but not that much. Police came, he got a summons for stopping in the middle of a highway I guess. Hopefully the trucking company takes care of it quickly.
Of course now my wife wants me to think twice before getting another bike and I was having the time of my life on it. Gotta get a new one (besides there wasn't a scratch on the new seat)
We pass an intersection and he slows down and stops right in the middle of the road. I slow down and stop behind him, maybe 30 feet or so... waiting for him to start again (no turn signals or anything, remember this is a small highway). All of a sudden his reverse beep sound comes on, and I freak out, can't go turn into oncoming traffic and he's backing up. Hit my horn once maybe twice then jump off the bike. Crunch goes this truck carrying 16 tons. I get up to front yelling at the top of my lungs. He stops to get out.
He was super apologetic, we're in a pretty rural area where most people know each other, he works for a local quarry felt kind of bad for him but not that much. Police came, he got a summons for stopping in the middle of a highway I guess. Hopefully the trucking company takes care of it quickly.
Of course now my wife wants me to think twice before getting another bike and I was having the time of my life on it. Gotta get a new one (besides there wasn't a scratch on the new seat
)
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
All you had to do was let the clutch out and scoot to the right.
More than a couple times I have had people back up at traffic lights right into the space I was in. Just pick a side and scoot up next to them.
Oh and leave more space between you and the truck next time. Also try and be in constant view of the driver in his mirror. No way he could see you with how close you were.
More than a couple times I have had people back up at traffic lights right into the space I was in. Just pick a side and scoot up next to them.
Oh and leave more space between you and the truck next time. Also try and be in constant view of the driver in his mirror. No way he could see you with how close you were.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 84
From: Southern Maine / Seacoast NH
Holy crap!!
Glad you got out of this uninjured! Insurance money fixes bent metal much easier than it fixes bent bodies.
Good call hopping off the bike - If he couldn't see you when he started backing up, there's no way he'd see you as he got closer. I work around this type of dump truck all the time - they have enormous blind spots - which is why there is absolutely NO excuse for him not getting out and checking them before backing up in the middle of a traveled road.
Glad you got out of this uninjured! Insurance money fixes bent metal much easier than it fixes bent bodies.
Good call hopping off the bike - If he couldn't see you when he started backing up, there's no way he'd see you as he got closer. I work around this type of dump truck all the time - they have enormous blind spots - which is why there is absolutely NO excuse for him not getting out and checking them before backing up in the middle of a traveled road.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 17,750
Likes: 3,347
From: maine
Please don't misunderstand me but why didn't you keep his mirror on the drivers side in your field of vision. That's the mirror he (I) use when backing up. Never ride or stop on the inside of a lane unless someone is on the outside riding with you. I have a sticker on my truck that says "If you can't see my mirrors I can't see you". Sorry for your loss and I'd bet you've learned something to.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 603
Likes: 18
From: Akron
Holy flying doodoo Glad you're okay.
I worked in the quarry biz for a number of years.
I worked in the quarry biz for a number of years.
Last edited by IzzoQuazzo; May 23, 2014 at 09:16 PM.
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5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: florida
It's always easy to tell people what they should have done. Glad your ok, you did good and did not get hurt. I've seen trucks back up very quickly and there is often little time to do anything.
Now lets talk business,I will give your $90.00 for the seat shipped.
Now lets talk business,I will give your $90.00 for the seat shipped.