Uneasy feeling lately...
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Rochelle, IL
I believe there is nothing like a healthy dose of concern before riding. I've heard that with small airplane pilots, the FAA has found most accidents happen at a certain number of flight hours, like 200 or something. They think that many pilots hit a certain number of hours in the cockpit where they think "this is no big deal" and lose their fears and respect for the aircraft.
I watch myself to make sure I don't fall into that pattern. While I certainly love twisting the throttle and having fun, I try to ALWAYS have a bit of fear, concern and respect for the machine I'm on. I think it keeps me more alert, and alert means confident and careful. Just sayin'.
-King
I watch myself to make sure I don't fall into that pattern. While I certainly love twisting the throttle and having fun, I try to ALWAYS have a bit of fear, concern and respect for the machine I'm on. I think it keeps me more alert, and alert means confident and careful. Just sayin'.
-King
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
About five years ago we had a guy on a bike turning into the parking lot here at work. We're kinda in the middle of nowhere right off a two-lane highway. As the guy was waiting to turn left into the lot, an eighteen wheeler that had been following him for at least ten miles just flat ran him over, never even hit the brakes. The guy was DRT. To this day, you don't think I look in the mirror when I am slowing down to turn in here? Some things just stay with you.
It'll pass, but never ignore that little voice in your head!
It'll pass, but never ignore that little voice in your head!
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Tomball TX
like it's been said so many ways already. You need to evaluate the conditions every time you go out. Your condition, the bike, the weather, it all comes into play. If you're not feeling it, head back home.
Left the house last Sunday, a little foggy but not too bad. Got worse the further I went. Sitting at a traffic light and heard the tires screaching behind me. Fortunately they didn't pick me off but shook me up pretty bad. That was it for me that day, turned around and headed back to the house. That's about as shaken as I've been in my 40+ years on a bike. My biggest fear is someone taking me out from behind when I'm sitting at a light. See it almost once a week on my commute to and from work. Someone not paying attention rear ends the car in front of them. Won't stop me from riding but I definitely keep my eyes on the rear view mirror and I try to leave myself an escape route but it's just not always possible.
Left the house last Sunday, a little foggy but not too bad. Got worse the further I went. Sitting at a traffic light and heard the tires screaching behind me. Fortunately they didn't pick me off but shook me up pretty bad. That was it for me that day, turned around and headed back to the house. That's about as shaken as I've been in my 40+ years on a bike. My biggest fear is someone taking me out from behind when I'm sitting at a light. See it almost once a week on my commute to and from work. Someone not paying attention rear ends the car in front of them. Won't stop me from riding but I definitely keep my eyes on the rear view mirror and I try to leave myself an escape route but it's just not always possible.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
This is not the holy grail to remain injury free and cheat death. I think of it as a assumed risk. To ride, I must understand the dangers, how to avoid them and what to do if something happens. I stay within the speed limit most of the time, 360 degree situational awareness, avoid riding in congestion, and trust no one else on the highway is looking out for me.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
End of last September in an instant, a Jeep Liberty stopped dead in front of me as I was accelerating in to third gear. I stopped, skidded until I ran out of room, heard the bike crash hard underneath the cage, rolled up against the cement embankment. How I survived, only an act of the spirit world suffices for me. So watch it out there when it's busy.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 4
From: On. Canada
I get those creepy feelings on occasion, but i don't let that stop me. I will just ride in super-defensive mode, if that's even possible. I'm not paranoid, just cautious.
I honestly don't know how many times a simple habit of mine saved my ***. That is, keeping one or two fingers on the brake at all times, even when there is no traffic near me.
When i get that feeling and I'm on a interstate, I get into the slow lane and leave plenty room from the vehicle in front of me.
I honestly don't know how many times a simple habit of mine saved my ***. That is, keeping one or two fingers on the brake at all times, even when there is no traffic near me.
When i get that feeling and I'm on a interstate, I get into the slow lane and leave plenty room from the vehicle in front of me.
Last edited by Pete6114; Jan 29, 2013 at 08:07 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 8
From: Central Fl.
I was that way after being hit, took a bit to be comfotable again. As soon as I went back out, almost hit again by another texter!
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Iowa
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Newmarket, NH
I've been riding for almost 50 years, since I got hooked at 14, and I've got 3 simple rules:
1. I never drink and ride- not even one beer, and I don't usually ride with guys who have been drinking. Off the bike, I like beer as much as the next guy, but for me it doesn't mix- personal choice.
2. I always wear a helmet- I don't agree with helmet laws as I feel it is a personal choice, but mine is to wear one.
3. Every time I get on the bike I believe in my heart that every car, truck, and bus is doing their best to find and kill me. I ride as defensively as possible, and have been called "overly cautious", which I think is impossible. I must be doing something right as I've been doing it for a long, long, time.
I've had friends who have had the same feeling as you're having, and some have quit riding. Some quit because they had children and worried about what would happen to their families if they got disabled due to a crash, some just had that feeling and lost some confidence.
Whatever the reason, you'll know when it is time to quit riding- listen to your gut.
I'm 63 and hope to have another 10-15 years of doing this, but time will tell.
Ride careful, Brother
1. I never drink and ride- not even one beer, and I don't usually ride with guys who have been drinking. Off the bike, I like beer as much as the next guy, but for me it doesn't mix- personal choice.
2. I always wear a helmet- I don't agree with helmet laws as I feel it is a personal choice, but mine is to wear one.
3. Every time I get on the bike I believe in my heart that every car, truck, and bus is doing their best to find and kill me. I ride as defensively as possible, and have been called "overly cautious", which I think is impossible. I must be doing something right as I've been doing it for a long, long, time.
I've had friends who have had the same feeling as you're having, and some have quit riding. Some quit because they had children and worried about what would happen to their families if they got disabled due to a crash, some just had that feeling and lost some confidence.
Whatever the reason, you'll know when it is time to quit riding- listen to your gut.
I'm 63 and hope to have another 10-15 years of doing this, but time will tell.
Ride careful, Brother