Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
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From: Clermont, GA, CSA
Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
In the last month, 5 bikers have been killed in seperate accidents in my area. Four were in the county next to mine, and one in the county I live in.
Two were being stupid. The first was trying to outrun the police when he crashed. Whats sadder is he had a passenger who's still in critical condition. The second one was doing a high-speed wheelie, crossed the center line, and hit a van headon.
The other 3 were all Harley Riders. Though all 3 were killed in seperate accidents, all the accidents took place in the same way. A car turning LEFT in front of the bike.
I remember reading somewhere that's the most common type of accident where the car is at fault, turning left in front of the motorcycle. A few years ago, I started riding in a way to lower the chances of this happening to me.
1. When on a 2 lane highway, I pick out a car or truck that's traveling at a speed I'm comfortable with.
2. I ride far enough behind so if the car/truck makes a panic stop I can stop also.
3. I ride CLOSE enough so if a car is making a left turn after the car/truck passes, I pass the 'scene of the possible crash' too.
Even if the driver wanting to make the left turn does not see me, I'm by him and out of the way by the time he makes his turn.
So far, I've not had even any close calls while riding like this.
BE CAREFUL AND REMEMBER!! EVERYTHING ELSE IS A 'DODGE' OUT THERE!!!
Two were being stupid. The first was trying to outrun the police when he crashed. Whats sadder is he had a passenger who's still in critical condition. The second one was doing a high-speed wheelie, crossed the center line, and hit a van headon.
The other 3 were all Harley Riders. Though all 3 were killed in seperate accidents, all the accidents took place in the same way. A car turning LEFT in front of the bike.
I remember reading somewhere that's the most common type of accident where the car is at fault, turning left in front of the motorcycle. A few years ago, I started riding in a way to lower the chances of this happening to me.
1. When on a 2 lane highway, I pick out a car or truck that's traveling at a speed I'm comfortable with.
2. I ride far enough behind so if the car/truck makes a panic stop I can stop also.
3. I ride CLOSE enough so if a car is making a left turn after the car/truck passes, I pass the 'scene of the possible crash' too.
Even if the driver wanting to make the left turn does not see me, I'm by him and out of the way by the time he makes his turn.
So far, I've not had even any close calls while riding like this.
BE CAREFUL AND REMEMBER!! EVERYTHING ELSE IS A 'DODGE' OUT THERE!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: My house
RE: Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
I was wondering if you lived near Atlanta, looked your town up, I have been all around that area, you have some real curves in that part of Ga. It's a shame that the cagers cut on you like that, but like you said you have to anticipate everything. I also have my passing lamps and Hi beam on at all times, and my loud pipes have helped me more than once. I think I have had more close calls when someone is trying to pull out onto the lane I was in.
John TN
John TN
Road Captain
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RE: Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
SportyReb,
I too, have adapted to these kind of defensive riding tactics. I like to have a car next to me when crossing an intersection in case someone runs a red light. I have been over the hood of a car before. A lady was waiting to pull out of a parking lot. I was aproaching about 35 mph and as she looked me square in the eye, she pulls out in front of me! Too late, crash and over the hood. Luckily I only banged up my knees a bit. I am sorry to here about the bikers in your area that have parished. Everyone please ride smart, safe and alert...
I too, have adapted to these kind of defensive riding tactics. I like to have a car next to me when crossing an intersection in case someone runs a red light. I have been over the hood of a car before. A lady was waiting to pull out of a parking lot. I was aproaching about 35 mph and as she looked me square in the eye, she pulls out in front of me! Too late, crash and over the hood. Luckily I only banged up my knees a bit. I am sorry to here about the bikers in your area that have parished. Everyone please ride smart, safe and alert...
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Doylestown, PA
RE: Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
That is exactly how I got in my last accident 5 years ago. A septic truck turned left right in front of me and my leg got caught in between the truck and the bike. They were able to save the leg after 7 surgeries but it still ain't pretty. This is the first bike I have ridden/owned since that accident. The bottom line is..... people are stupid. Don't ever expect anyone to do the right thing and look at every car as if the driver is out to kill you.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2005
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RE: Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
Not too long ago a bagger was hit at night about 2:00 in the morning on I 96. Debris was scattered for about a quarter mile and the freeway shut down. I heard that the biker was rear ended and dragged some distance. Tired or drunk drivers don't see our lights well at night at high speeds so be careful.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
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RE: Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
I was coming home the other night with the sun in my eyes and caught a glimpse of a blinking light begining to turn left in front of me while I was driving my Bronco. It was a Heritage and the main headlight appeared to be on, but also blinking rapidly... thank god for him as I stood on my brakes and he shot accross the highway... Is this an option or an add-on for headlights? How does it work at night? Is there a night switch or detector to stop the blinking?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,300
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From: Central Virginia
RE: Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
I've read about the alternating (low beam to high beam) feature being installed on some bikes in order to give them more visiability during daylight hours. I don't think they can be used at night for obvious reasons. I seem to also remember the article stating that this feature is not legal in all areas.
Having worked in a job where I use visable and an audible warning devices during emergency responses, I can tell you from experience that flashing headlights (low beam to high beam) often gets more attention from other drivers than the emergency stuff does. My Tahoe is outfitted with the added abilty to alternate the headlights off and on in sequence (back and forth from one to the other) that works well, also.
I have to constantly remind myself to not become complacent while riding the bike in traffic. Its easy to mellow out while just enjoying the ride and forget about the danger posed by other drivers. I, too, incorporate some of the same defensive riding tactics mentioned here. I often use other vehicles as moving safety barriers to assist getting me through a busy intersection unharmed. I also plan my route and the time of the ride to miss the heavy traffic.
Having worked in a job where I use visable and an audible warning devices during emergency responses, I can tell you from experience that flashing headlights (low beam to high beam) often gets more attention from other drivers than the emergency stuff does. My Tahoe is outfitted with the added abilty to alternate the headlights off and on in sequence (back and forth from one to the other) that works well, also.
I have to constantly remind myself to not become complacent while riding the bike in traffic. Its easy to mellow out while just enjoying the ride and forget about the danger posed by other drivers. I, too, incorporate some of the same defensive riding tactics mentioned here. I often use other vehicles as moving safety barriers to assist getting me through a busy intersection unharmed. I also plan my route and the time of the ride to miss the heavy traffic.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Orange County, NY
RE: Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
ORIGINAL: TxMoores
I was coming home the other night with the sun in my eyes and caught a glimpse of a blinking light begining to turn left in front of me while I was driving my Bronco. It was a Heritage and the main headlight appeared to be on, but also blinking rapidly... thank god for him as I stood on my brakes and he shot accross the highway... Is this an option or an add-on for headlights? How does it work at night? Is there a night switch or detector to stop the blinking?
I was coming home the other night with the sun in my eyes and caught a glimpse of a blinking light begining to turn left in front of me while I was driving my Bronco. It was a Heritage and the main headlight appeared to be on, but also blinking rapidly... thank god for him as I stood on my brakes and he shot accross the highway... Is this an option or an add-on for headlights? How does it work at night? Is there a night switch or detector to stop the blinking?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: My house
RE: Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
I wanted to add a couple more things, 75% of all accidents, bikes and cagers occur at an intersection, and I know this is weird, but my insurance agent told me that he writes more claims during the week of a full moon than any other time of the month.
John TN
John TN
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
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From: Clermont, GA, CSA
RE: Be Careful! Five bikers killed in my area in last month!
Go to www.signaldynamics.com
They have headlight modulators, and brake light modulators. I have one of their brake light modulators and it works good. I even put one on my wife's car third brake light.
I've been thinking about getting a modulator for my headlight, when I can figure out where to put it. Not much extra room on a Sporty.
They have headlight modulators, and brake light modulators. I have one of their brake light modulators and it works good. I even put one on my wife's car third brake light.
I've been thinking about getting a modulator for my headlight, when I can figure out where to put it. Not much extra room on a Sporty.