Thats-A-Fact Jack. There is a whole chapter of videos of well meaning folks that ride straight through the curve and drop well out of sight on THE DRAGON. Likely all that saves them is the whoopin they take bouncing off the tree limbs all the way to the 80 degree slope the trees grow on. Others that linger in that opposite lane aren't as lucky quite often. We that post in this section mostly ride big bikes with floorboards and not higher set foot pegs. One can do all the right things to take a curve at {higher than posted} speed but once the floorboard bracket gets low enough and grabs asphalt, it's your assfault that pays the price. OP, thanks for the post
sometimes we all need to take a deep breath as the bikes get bigger and more HP is on sale like a {Blue Light Special} at K-mart.
Of course anyone can load your H/D on a boat headed for The Isle of Man and roll the dice.

 

I was riding on a twisty road, that I was unfamiliar with. I was tired, and in a rush. I was supposed to meet my wife, and another couple for dinner, and I was late. I entered a curve too hot. I stood up the bike so I could brake, but there was gravel in the road, and I didn’t want to brake. So I rode onto the shoulder to straighten out the curve, at 55 mph. Luckily there were no signs or obstacles and I made it through.

I went back a different day to analyze my mistake. I had spaced on a 25 mph curve warning. If I hadn’t made the turn I would’ve flown into a 50 ft ravine, and been out of sight. Probably would have died. I take it easy when I’m tired now. Better late than never.

 

All I can say is I'm glad my wife wasn't behind me and we met you head on.

I've ridden twisties all over this Country, and I have a thing about crossing that center line. It pisses me off because it's not just your dumb *** that can be killed, you can kill someone completely innocent coming around a corner expecting you to be in your lane, not COMPLETELY in my lane all the way to the line on MY SHOULDER. That's one hell of a phucking mistake.

If we had met, and wasn't killed instantly (doubtful), I would do everything in my power to crawl over and choke you to death before I died.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you survived unscathed.

In case you don’t know, trail-braking is your friend.

 

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We have all made dumb @ss mistakes on a bike. The ones who survive are the ones who learn from the experience, however.

Crossing that white line puts others in harms way...

 

Hard to do with linked brakes and ABS common on today's motorcycles.

 

I haven't had any issues trail braking with linked brakes. Have you had issues with yours? If ABS is kicking in while leaned hard into a corner, you're already out of traction.

 

I always had the same habit until I was challenged and schooled on it It was HARD to break that 35 year old habit but front brakes, applied with linear pressure, really make all the difference.

 

plongson I did this just last week. Not as far left as you, but over the double yellow on an off camber hill crest, turning to my right. I almost head on a big Chevy pick up dead center.

I leaned it over right and went down the left side of the truck about 2-feet away. Which of course felt like 2-inches.

I tell everyone I make at least one mental mistake every single time I ride. Every. Single. Time.

This last one however, was a doozy!

 

OP I had that happen to me 50 years ago when I was 16 YOA. 1 month of experience on a motorcycle and hit a 25 MPH curve at 60 MPH. I used up ALL of the road and was kicking gravel on the oncoming shoulder with a buddy on the back of my bike. I have no idea how I saved it cause it darn sure wasn't skill. That lesson has stuck with me all of these years. Don't ride faster than your guardian angel can fly.