Uneasy feeling lately...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
BINGO!
When it's your time to go, it's your time to go regardless of whether you're on a bike or not.
Bottom line for me is (and I don't get to do it often enough) when out riding alone (if anyone sees me, they'll think I'm nutz) but I practice high speed stops, throttle roll ons, and high-speed manuevers. You never know when you'll need to reflect on that to keep yourself and your passenger alive. People in cars are idiots and you should always assume someone or something is about to end your life when on the bike. It's not about fear it's about stayin alert in ALL situations.
Being right outside of the Texas Hill Country I hear all the time about riders going down and injured or killed when axis deer jump out in front of them. For those of you who don't know what an axis deer is, simply interpret it as ignorant deer who think they're faster than you and are attracted tio bright lights. I can't help but to think how many people wouldn't go down at all if they only knew to calmly react differently instead of panicking which usually leads to the ensuing mistake of hammering down on the brakes. In a lot of situations, throttling up will save your life.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities
As terrible as some of the things that happen out there are, it is still good for us as riders to think about these things and re-dedicate ourselves to being as safe as possible. I'm doing that right now - thanks for sharing.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 2
From: x
You aren't out of the box. There are times when I clinch up and just don't feel right. The usual symptoms are over controlling, "steering" the bike, taking turns in little pieces. Screws me up for a while but, I can usually cure it with mega-doses of throttle or, best of all, running through a parking structure and setting off all the car alarms. Ahhh, that one can make any day better!!!!!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
So I'm not alone with that one! LOVE IT!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Always go with your gut. Last summer my wife and I were getting ready for a ride and as I put my boots on I bumped my head on the bookcase. Told the wife, sort of jokingly, that it was a sign we should wear our helmets. Now we NEVER wore helmets and she says let's do it (even though it was over 90). Well, that was the day some cager ran a stop sign and laid us out. Both our helmets hit the ground and we walked away with just bruises and road rash. I know it was just a coincidence, but still...
Do what your gut tells you. If it lets you, miles are the answer to getting over an individual situation.
Do what your gut tells you. If it lets you, miles are the answer to getting over an individual situation.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: Fort Pierce, Florida
Been a State Trooper here in Florida for almost 25-years, and unfortunately I have seen way too many traffic related fatalities.
I'm not really sure if it gets easier to see them, other than I just try to take it in perspective! It's a crappy thing to knock on someones door and break the bad news, but it's life, and it can be taken at any given time!
Enjoy riding, be a defensive driver, and never let your guard down. Remember the statistics> 85% of fatal motorcycle crashes in Florida are the motorcycle striking a fixed object! Another words; a stopped vehicle, a vehicle violating the motorcycle's right-of-way (Turning left in front of a motorcycle), striking a curb, leaving the roadway hitting a tree, sign, any fixed object.
Make sure you are covering while approaching an intersection! The time it takes for your brain to tell you to grab your brake (At best is a minimum of 1-second but usually longer), figure out how many feet per-second you just traveled in just 1-second (At 60 MPH, it's apprx:88 Feet per second) That could be the difference from hitting a vehicle turning left in front of you!
Just stay alert!
I'm not really sure if it gets easier to see them, other than I just try to take it in perspective! It's a crappy thing to knock on someones door and break the bad news, but it's life, and it can be taken at any given time!
Enjoy riding, be a defensive driver, and never let your guard down. Remember the statistics> 85% of fatal motorcycle crashes in Florida are the motorcycle striking a fixed object! Another words; a stopped vehicle, a vehicle violating the motorcycle's right-of-way (Turning left in front of a motorcycle), striking a curb, leaving the roadway hitting a tree, sign, any fixed object.
Make sure you are covering while approaching an intersection! The time it takes for your brain to tell you to grab your brake (At best is a minimum of 1-second but usually longer), figure out how many feet per-second you just traveled in just 1-second (At 60 MPH, it's apprx:88 Feet per second) That could be the difference from hitting a vehicle turning left in front of you!
Just stay alert!
Last edited by mattbee; Jan 27, 2013 at 04:44 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 903
Likes: 8
From: California
Great question and some good responses as well. There are some days when I get on my bike I wonder, is this going to be the day something happens. I too think a little fear is a good thing. Riding a motorcycle is dangerous but that is part of the thrill I suppose. I used to fly airplanes and I always had the some feeling every time I left the runway, is this the day I die. One of my biggest fears is to have a wheel bearing fail at high speed or some mechanical failure that will do me in. Life is a risk one way or the other. All we can do is to do the best we can, look out for those who do not see us and above all, don't drink and drive a motorcycle. Having said all that, I sure do love to ride my Harley and sometimes I scare the hell out of myself.
Last edited by Terrabella; Jan 27, 2013 at 04:40 PM. Reason: spelling