A little spooked
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
From: southern california
i don't know if this helps or not but... when i was in southern india (kerala) a few years ago i was blown away by the casual relationship between scooters and the cars and trucks that fly, and i mean fly, this way and that way. many of the scooters had 3 and even 4 people on them. mom, dad and 2 kids. the tires on some of the trucks (tata's) were larger than the scooter + rider. i could not keep track of the number of near misses, seemed to be one every 15 seconds or so. and by "near miss" i'm talking a foot or less at 40, 50, 60 mph. and everyone was casual about the whole thing. the entire time i was there (6 weeks), i did see or hear of a single accident. the math just didn't work. the only explanation i could come up with was that everyone on the road was part of something bigger. and i am not religious. i'm not saying back off of being hyper aware. i guess i'm saying i experienced something that seemed to defy statistics and it made me think that maybe everyone on the road is somehow connected. since then i try to plug into that and use it to sense bad possibilities and adjust accordingly. be safe.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
So I was coming home from work the other day and stuck in a traffic mess, as I come up to the accident ahead I see 6 cars all smashed and on the side highway. When I look back I see a motorcycle lying on the ground, and a man lying on the ground. He's leg was turned the wrong way and blood was just pouring out he's mouth. I can't get this thought out my head, I know before I started to ride, you are always taking a risk, and I have accepted that but this vision if affecting my confidence on my bike. I been riding for 3 years and would like to think I been becoming a good rider. Over the weekend I was taking my normal ride and everything was fine until I hit the highway, I got spooked almost scared, I was thinking about going down and that is a big no no. Like the saying goes, you end up where your looking at , and in may case was the ground. I was second guessing myself and it felt like I was having a panic attack. All I was thinking about was my 5 year old boy, my wife and that poor guy on the floor.I love riding my bike and I just want to ride like I use to no thoughts just instinct and confidence. Any of you had something like this happen to you? Thanks for listening and be safe.
All 3 times I was LUCKY. If you ride motorcylces long enough and far enough, you will go down at some point. Have you taken an advanced rider's course? If not, DO SO! You will learn and practice techniques that will enable you to avoid a crash in the first place. You can't eliminate all risk, but you can reduce it. Add lighting such as Hyperlites brake light strobes and driving lights mounted low for a "light triangle" as DRL's. I use Motolights on my bike. The Hyperlights are about $85-95, and the Motolights are about $385-both are cheap insurance in crash prevention (less than the insurance deductable). The goal is for other drivers to SEE YOU so that they don't waffle you from behind or turn left in front of you/pull out in your path. Increase your visibility. Also, replace the anemic stock HD horn with a good air horn. A blast of an air horn will wake up an inattentive driver and keep them from coming into your lane or pulling out on you. I use the siren on the police bike all the time in that manner, and have a kick *** air horn on my RGU that serves the same purpose.
Ride safe!
Mike
Last edited by PghCycle24; May 9, 2012 at 04:55 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: Santa Rosa, CA
I agree on the benefits of the advanced riders course. Took mine on a cold, rainy day. Yeah it sucked, but riding in the worst conditions prepares you for the worst situation.
And yeah, I sometimes think too much about what could happen. Take a day or two off and refocus.
And yeah, I sometimes think too much about what could happen. Take a day or two off and refocus.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
From: central Texas
i don't know if this helps or not but... when i was in southern india (kerala) a few years ago i was blown away by the casual relationship between scooters and the cars and trucks that fly, and i mean fly, this way and that way. many of the scooters had 3 and even 4 people on them. mom, dad and 2 kids. the tires on some of the trucks (tata's) were larger than the scooter + rider. i could not keep track of the number of near misses, seemed to be one every 15 seconds or so. and by "near miss" i'm talking a foot or less at 40, 50, 60 mph. and everyone was casual about the whole thing. the entire time i was there (6 weeks), i did see or hear of a single accident. the math just didn't work. the only explanation i could come up with was that everyone on the road was part of something bigger. and i am not religious. i'm not saying back off of being hyper aware. i guess i'm saying i experienced something that seemed to defy statistics and it made me think that maybe everyone on the road is somehow connected. since then i try to plug into that and use it to sense bad possibilities and adjust accordingly. be safe.
- In India, 120,000 people die and 1,270,000 sustain serious injuries every year in Road Traffic Accidents. (I think the number is over 150,000 now)
- As per the statistics, there is one death on the Indian road every four and one-half minutes and this is expected to escalate to one death every three minutes by 2020.
- Even this may be an underestimation, as according to the Institute of Road Traffic Education (2006) Institute of road education, New Delhi, out of the estimated 1.4 million serious road accidents/ collisions occurring annually in India, hardly 0.4 million are recorded. Many road traffic deaths in rural areas are not recorded. Similarly, accidents which result in late deaths after the discharge from hospital due to the effects of morbidity also are not recorded. (Indian Journal of Neurotrauma (IJNT) 2008, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 63-67)
- India accounts for about 10% of road accident fatalities worldwide
- Although India accounts for only 1% of the registered motor vehicles, it accounts for nearly 9 % of RTA deaths.
- According to the experts at the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NTPRC) the number of road accidents in India is 3 times higher than that prevailing in developed countries.
- The number of accidents for 1000 vehicles in India is as high as 35 while the figure ranges from 4 to 10 in developed countries
- World Health Organization has revealed in its first ever Global Status Report on Road Safety (2009) that more people die in road accidents in India than anywhere else in the world, including the more populous China.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Funny thing - BIkes. Can't stop thinking about those great rides but one thing like an accident usually has an effect on about every rider. Last fall, we enjoyed a 89 degree day in Maine over the Columbus day weekend. Millions of bikes out. Rode by Coos Canyon, a very popular spot, only to come upon a girl lying in the rode with her bike down. Must have just happened a few minutes prior. Lots of bikes at the canyon and coming an going, all the hearts went out to her. Unfortunately , she didn't make it. Strange thing is that she was coming from the north and came upon the falls first on her left. Was likely taking in the view on that gorgeous day and slammed into her husband's bike as he stopped to turn left into the scenic look out.
Somehow, that didn't really effect my day all that much ( other than feeling really bad for the family ). But the other day I was reading a post here about who wears helmets and I was struck by the number who do. I do not, but haven't been able to stop thinking about that girl and the fact that I probably should. Kids are pretty much grown and gone, but still would like some grandpa time someday. Guess the key is, stay super sharp, be ultra conservative and wear as much protection as you need to feel comfortable and confident. Might well have been a dead driver in one of the cars instead of a bike. You just can't control everything. Be safe .
Somehow, that didn't really effect my day all that much ( other than feeling really bad for the family ). But the other day I was reading a post here about who wears helmets and I was struck by the number who do. I do not, but haven't been able to stop thinking about that girl and the fact that I probably should. Kids are pretty much grown and gone, but still would like some grandpa time someday. Guess the key is, stay super sharp, be ultra conservative and wear as much protection as you need to feel comfortable and confident. Might well have been a dead driver in one of the cars instead of a bike. You just can't control everything. Be safe .
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
Danm this has been a hard thread to read. I have had friends die on bikes and others who have crashed. I have been down for doing dumb stuff as well. I try to make eye contact with the cagers around me as much as possible when I ride. I try not to ride at night for this reason. I also never head out without a full face helmet and long pants, gloves on my hands and no drinking whatsoever. I think the best thing to do is stay as aware as possible and ride within your skillset and limitations.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
From: central Texas
I definitely agree with the 'make eye contact' practice and no drinking and riding. On the other hand, I feel safer at night because I think I'm easier to see when my lights can stand out against the dark.
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
Here is my 2 cents, When in doubt go slow, cosntantly beaware, if your worried about riding; dont.
There is an inherent danger to riding an 800 + machine on the road that has no "cage protection" but that is why we do it!
IF for any reason you feel afraid, that you are a hazard. DONT!
Riding and being aware: no beers, no bones, no nothing that will impare you and the enjoyment of the days ride is key to the enjoyment. If your frenched in any way, well your asking for trouble. IF you are just freaking about what youy have seen, get over it and be on the vigil.
As a life long enthusiast, I can say that if you for a moment think that things are cool around cagers, your wrong.
Do not perseverate on the negative of what you have seen make it work for you to keep you safe. JMO
There is an inherent danger to riding an 800 + machine on the road that has no "cage protection" but that is why we do it!
IF for any reason you feel afraid, that you are a hazard. DONT!
Riding and being aware: no beers, no bones, no nothing that will impare you and the enjoyment of the days ride is key to the enjoyment. If your frenched in any way, well your asking for trouble. IF you are just freaking about what youy have seen, get over it and be on the vigil.
As a life long enthusiast, I can say that if you for a moment think that things are cool around cagers, your wrong.
Do not perseverate on the negative of what you have seen make it work for you to keep you safe. JMO
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island, NY
I was on the Dragon last August, going from North Carolina to Tennessee.I seen a guy on A Triumph pass me going in the opposite direction.I U turned to go back, I just passed Killboy taking pictures, when I saw a guy in a plumbing van waving people to stop.There was a couple in front of me, they got off there Harleys and were going to see the accident.I asked the guys by the van, what happened.They told me a tractor trailer crashed into a motorcycle killing the rider.Sure enough, it was the guy on the Triumph, the last guy to pass me.I had an 800 mile ride back home, I couldn't get the accident out of my head, thinking, that could of been me, if I got there seven minutes sooner.Sure, the Dragon isn't your average road, but I think riding a motorcycle in the New York Metro area where I live, is more dangerous.The whole experience on the Dragon has made me more aware.