Close calls
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I came real close to learning about abs braking the hard way, in a cage with no abs in the rain, wondering how in the hell the old gray haired fellow in front of me was stopping so fast. So did several cars behind me that ended up pointed different directions on and off the road, including the guy behind me that went sliding past me in the grass. The old boy had missed his turn in heavy traffic... A bike in that mess wouldn't have had much chance. I know a lot of riders think a bike stops faster. Just do a pedal to the floor stop in your abs equipped cage and then try to match it in the same place with your Harley (this might turn out differently if it has abs, but most don't yet). My minivan can beat the sportster easily. Every soccer mom and 90 year old can do race car stops with abs; ain't so easy for us on bikes, pulling and pushing on brake levers as hard as we can usually doesn't make us happy. That old boy may have done me a favor; early on as abs got popular, I increased my distance in everything I drove/rode. A longer response time is your friend when you're on any kind of wheels.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Something else surprised me in this thread. Contrary to most of these types of threads, other than the first response, the authors of the remaining posts all seem to be of the "personal accountability/responsibilty" mindset rather than the "blame everyone and everything else" mindset. Kudos to you guys.
Moderatress
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,427
Likes: 29
From: Dutchess County, NY
I agree with Imold... Increase your distance.
On my way home from NJ yesterday I had a bike coming up fast on my left and an impatient driver in a small car in front of me. The car did the expected and cut off the bike by a foot. I immediately slowed down expecting the worst but the bike managed to veer into my lane in front of me and avoid the car. If I hadn't slowed down, that bike would have either hit that car or me.
Glad you're ok!
On my way home from NJ yesterday I had a bike coming up fast on my left and an impatient driver in a small car in front of me. The car did the expected and cut off the bike by a foot. I immediately slowed down expecting the worst but the bike managed to veer into my lane in front of me and avoid the car. If I hadn't slowed down, that bike would have either hit that car or me.
Glad you're ok!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 11
From: Oroville,Washington.
Close calls are "close" because you make 'em that way. And there is no excuse for not allowing more space on a motor than in a car. Another motor can take you out just as surely as a car. Take nothing for granted,it's a heads up world on two wheels,or you eat it.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
The 2 that come to mind:
Two up riding down a 2 lane city 45 mph street, a green cab strays into our lane coming at us head on. I was prepared to lay it down on the right which was about 4 feet of gravel and then a block wall. The cabbie woke up and got back into his lane.
Turning left on a green arrow a cage blew the red light coming at us. I laid rubber and gave him the peace gesture (yeah right).
I'm a very defensive driver and stay way clear of blondes in SUV's on cell phones.
Two up riding down a 2 lane city 45 mph street, a green cab strays into our lane coming at us head on. I was prepared to lay it down on the right which was about 4 feet of gravel and then a block wall. The cabbie woke up and got back into his lane.
Turning left on a green arrow a cage blew the red light coming at us. I laid rubber and gave him the peace gesture (yeah right).
I'm a very defensive driver and stay way clear of blondes in SUV's on cell phones.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Lay it down? I would have been prepared to keep it up and evade. If I lay it down it is only because my plan went to **** and I lost control of the bike. I don't really understand the lay it down plan of action. I have always tried to ride it out. When I was on dirt I layed it over but if I layed it down I miscalculated traction. I would rather fly over anything than slide under anything.
The 2 that come to mind:
Two up riding down a 2 lane city 45 mph street, a green cab strays into our lane coming at us head on. I was prepared to lay it down on the right which was about 4 feet of gravel and then a block wall. The cabbie woke up and got back into his lane.
Turning left on a green arrow a cage blew the red light coming at us. I laid rubber and gave him the peace gesture (yeah right).
I'm a very defensive driver and stay way clear of blondes in SUV's on cell phones.
Two up riding down a 2 lane city 45 mph street, a green cab strays into our lane coming at us head on. I was prepared to lay it down on the right which was about 4 feet of gravel and then a block wall. The cabbie woke up and got back into his lane.
Turning left on a green arrow a cage blew the red light coming at us. I laid rubber and gave him the peace gesture (yeah right).
I'm a very defensive driver and stay way clear of blondes in SUV's on cell phones.
Stage IV
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I always ride as if everyone else out there is bound and determined to kill me ... because they are. May be paranoid but it has kept me alive over 35 years up on two. This philosophy takes nothing away from enjoying the ride - just the opposite.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
While I agree that being aware of your surroundings, including others on the road and anticipation of what they might do, under normal circumstances no one is out there trying to get you. To actually believe that "they're all trying to get me" is utter nonsense.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
Lay it down? I would have been prepared to keep it up and evade. If I lay it down it is only because my plan went to **** and I lost control of the bike. I don't really understand the lay it down plan of action. I have always tried to ride it out. When I was on dirt I layed it over but if I layed it down I miscalculated traction. I would rather fly over anything than slide under anything.