| Motorcycle Safety / Safety Gear |
| Need a Good Summer Jacket
|
Cash Anthony
* Today * 12:33 AM |
Once again, you can get a great deal if you wait long enough.  That's an amazing price on that jacket, and I really hope a lot of riders here who have been hesitating about getting quality gear will go for it, or will find similar bargains this early in the season from left-over 2009 inventory.
I've gotten some excellent deals from www.BikeBandit.com, by waiting for a sale on the items I wanted.
Manufacturers are always trying to come out with the next great thing that will justify a price increase, but if you don't have a reliable and comfortable, strong basic jacket, this could be a good deal, and chances are, you won't miss the extra pocket or two. IMO, if you can snag one of these at this price, you won't care about the next new gizmo in jacket design and will congratulate yourself on a bargain.
I'm also pleased that Jim has recommended both the Kilimanjaro and the Torrent. I hoped he would enjoy the lighter jacket, and indeed, he's been able to ride in it a lot this Spring, using the water-proof liner with it on colder days. He bought us a pair of the former, and I bought us a pair of the latter, but only last year.
We've had the heavier jackets for probably well over a decade, and they have stood us in good stead in all kinds of weather and temperatures. Unlike the Torrent, the Kilimanjaro has a thick fleece liner that will often suffice as a jacket by itself when you're off the bike. Under the principal jacket, you'll be warm as well as lightly armored, with all the vents closed and the Velcro fasteners wrapped tight.
I opted to get the Torrents last year because we were suffering under extreme heat in Texas, with many days over 100 degrees F. The idea of putting our heavy Kilimanjaro jackets on was just too much, even given their great ventilation. I had been looking at mesh jackets for a couple of years, but I didn't want one that stopped at the waist. We would never ride without good jackets, and the First Gear product line came through when I discovered the Torrent, which has a peplum that covers the lower back. That may not appeal to everyone, but it was a major feature for me.
When the temps came down a bit so that we could get back on the bikes without sweltering, I noticed immediately how much cooler the Torrent was -- I felt the breeze through the mesh on the sleeves and generally on the body, and it was a great relief to me.
Of course, women are a little more temperature-sensitive than guys at times.  
There are lots of excellent summer-weight jackets out there, but for what we like - lots of coverage with strong shred protection, including a bit below the waist, with many pockets, solid armor, light weight, and comfort --I think I made a good choice with the Torrent. We'll get to test them more soon, I hope.
Cash
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| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Riding Under the Influence
|
acidragon12
03/09/2010 10:24 PM |
Yeah! When I saw those percentages I had to reread it just to make sure I was seeing things right... then I saw a reality tv show called "The Full Throttle Sallon" and then it made sense... they have a bunch of bars bunched together targeting bikers for one week, where the bar owners try to make the most money they can in that week by selling as much alcohol as possible! |
| How do you decide that your riding is a thing of the past?
|
acidragon12
03/09/2010 10:18 PM |
I also began a great career in the past couple of years...but with my occupation comes its own dangers. Any day, if I'm not focused or just from a bout of bad luck, I can get seriously injured or even lose my life.
I weigh that constantly when considering if I should start riding again (I'm not riding with the intent of losing my life or getting injured, but I know it's a possiblity). However, if I get injured, I basically lose my job due to its physical demands.
I ask myself if I ever got injured to the point where I was unable to ride again, would I regret not riding now? Opinions welcomed.
|
| Motorcycle Safety / Safety Gear |
| Need a Good Summer Jacket
|
bostons
03/09/2010 9:10 PM |
I had been thinking about getting a new jacket for awhile. After reading Mr. Davis' review of the Kilimanjaro jacket I went on the Jake Wilson site and ordered one. I haven't had a chance to field test the jacket yet but right out of the box it's easy to tell that this is one sweet jacket. At $129 it's a steal. Thanks! |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Navy motorcycle safety push
|
James R. Davis
03/09/2010 6:25 PM |
As most of you know, I make safety presentations from time to time to groups of motorcyclists. This last year the Navy has become particularly alarmed about the rising death and injury rates involving their motorcycle riding servicemen (officers and enlisted) and asked me to put together a couple of presentations for them.
I am being sent to the State of Washington by the Navy Region North West to make those presentations from May 11th through the 14th. May 11th is a travel day then there will be two presentations: the first will be at Bremerton on the 12th and the second at Whidbey Island on the 14th.
I am honored by the invitation and look forward to the experience.
If any of you have suggestions for topics you think would be particularly relevant, please feel free to post them here. |
| The Spring Ride
|
Axiom2000
03/09/2010 5:52 PM |
My favorite kind of motorcycle trip, no particular destination and no particular time to be there or anywhere. Trips like that are the best kind, usually by the third day I am asking myself, what day is it, and the answer is who cares. Enjoy, and make some good memories. |
| The Spring Ride
|
Cash Anthony
03/09/2010 5:45 PM |
We'll go from Houston west out to the San Marcos / New Braunfels region (could go through San Antonio if desired), and then through Boerne. I expect we'll stop around there the first night, though we've gone farther before -- our old friends who ran a B&B in Leakey are no longer in that business, so we don't have those friendly smiles waiting at the end of a long day.
Then we'll go to Bandera and across to Vanderpool, and ride TX FM 337 and 338. Somewhere in there, we'll go through Medina. Could go as far north as Junction, but that will depend on stamina and weather. Or we could go through Uvalde on the way and come back through San Marcos coming home.
We have many alternatives for that area -- up through Kerrville and Austin, down and across the Devil's Backbone, and then back east to Houston...There are tons of little towns that we've ridden through that are on that route, including the ones with the famous Painted Churches, or one that takes us through Lockhart with its outstanding barbecue.
Wherever the road goes, it'll be fun. 
Cash
|
| The Spring Ride
|
Axiom2000
03/09/2010 3:51 PM |
Cash, sounds like a trip is in the making, where will the roads carry you this time? |
| The Spring Ride
|
Cash Anthony
03/09/2010 3:42 PM |
Some of you who have been around the forums for a number of years will probably recall that Jim and I have made most of our cross-country trips in April.
Not only is that the month of Jim's birthday, but that's when the weather in the South tends to settle down a little bit -- Spring here is fraught with thunderstorms and hail, so we try to slip in on a week when the weather is cooperating.
Despite that, we've run into blizzards in Colorado, hail in Texas, tornados in Mississippi, and fog in North Carolina in April. In each case, we had to modify our plans a little on the fly, but we still had wonderful trips (and stories to tell afterwards!).
We've had a string of years lately where, between my seven surgeries and Jim's adverse reaction to medications, we've had to curtail our riding a lot, when we used to do 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year.
Nonetheless, this Spring finds us modestly healthy  and I'm going to try to put off my next back surgery until the summertime so that I won't pine for the outdoors while getting well (and at that, maybe they've got some new non-surgical techniques -- I know! A complete spine transplant via robots who do it cell by cell!)... So we're looking at a long-postponed trip to the Texas Hill Country in April.
I expect it will be past the middle of the month, so as to catch Jim's BD on the end of the trip. But if anyone is interested in following the planning, the routing, etc., and joining us on the ride, this is likely to be one of the last long-ish rides we're going to make. So if you want to come ride with us, now's the time.
I say that knowing that we'll ride locally as long as possible, and that I may be completely mistaken (come on, cloned disks!), but we've also tried several times to put together a ride where we'd go cross-country and meet our old friends and new ones from the forums as we go. None of those ventures have worked out, in terms of people riding along with us. We hoped to meet folks in Arkansas and Tennessee and North Carolina last time, and did have supper with one of the Colorado guys, but only that one. But there may be some long-distance riders who haven't ridden the Texas Hill Country yet and would like to come ride with us -- and let me tell you, it's GORGEOUS in the Spring.
You can ride past fields of bluebonnets where the perfume fills your nose with delight, and the blue of the flowers combines with the clear blue skies to make you want to ride to infinity.
And there are great twisties, and little towns with legends and stories, and many places and friends we recall from rides past, so we'll be in full story-telling mode.
So - I'm throwing this out there early enough, I hope, that if you folks want to organize a ride and come to Texas for a week or a little less of fine riding, I think 2010 will be the best year for it. If we have a long Spring, like last year, the weather will be hot in the day time but not debilitating, and cool and refreshing morning and night.
Anyone interested this time?
Cash |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Close call
|
James R. Davis
03/09/2010 2:37 PM |
Congratulations on your renewed commitment and dedication to the use of PLP for safety reasons.
I am, however, not particularly happy with, again (not from you), hearing the expression "Lots more PLP" because that is definitely NOT the recipe for increasing safety. Oh, don't get me wrong, PLP IS part of the recipe - I'm concerned about the concept and word "lots".
In the beginning, you do well to spend a good deal of time on a parking lot. That, because you are LEARNING from the experience - and getting better at your skills. But once you have mastered your clutch and front brake lever usage, and attained a reasonable degree of experience and skill in riding, an hour on a parking lot is way too much time and is counter-productive, in my opinion. But if by "lots" you mean 'frequent,' then I'm completely with you.
My opinion is that PLP should be done with great regularity - perhaps as often as before each ride, as is the case with Cash and myself. We ride about one mile to an open parking lot and then spend FIVE MINUTES or so doing a set of exercises on the lot before we then head off and do our rides. We are NOT trying to 'improve' or 'learn how' during our PLP time. Instead, we are confirming that we are competent with the basics, that our health and the health of our motorcycles is GOOD, and that we really WANT to make that ride. In the process of confirming our readiness to ride and health of our machines, we certainly do MAINTAIN competence. Something that a rare hour-long PLP does not do.
I assure you that even a five-minute PLP can have you sweating and even mildly cramping a muscle or two (particularly in your left hand) - there IS stress as you do your exercises. But if you then agree to make your ride, you KNOW that all is well and can pay attention to what you need to focus on, instead of wondering what that strange or unfamiliar noise might mean. "Lots" of PLP in terms of frequency instead of duration leads to a much higher expectation of a safe outcome, in my opinion. |
| Close call
|
jack87
03/09/2010 1:50 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by bachman1961
IMO, surviving that ordeal was not a progressive means to the next step ramping things up, it was more a warning shot! Parking lot practice with braking exercises are two areas I would look at researching here to get a blueprint of progression and some ideas to build on. You can improve balance, braking skills and confidence and do it in a way that minimizes risk as in PLP.
Edit for an afterthought; Please avoid night riding if at all possible for a while!!
~brian
Hello Brian,
I realize that I need to practice more my braking skills. Will do a lot more PLP this spring. I consider myself a fast learner, the conscious decisions are often correct. What I need to build is muscle memory to react quickly.
Maybe I was lucky last year. I did my motorcycle course, got my license, tried my bike with a Honda trainer, bought it and drove it home. No practice at all. I did 7800 km (5000 miles) on it in 3 months before storing it for winter. Now I realize it would have been a much better idea to practice!
This spring, I will start with a lot of PLP. I'll still ride my bike to work and everything but I'll do as much PLP as possible. It'll give me confidence in what the bike can do at slower speed. I'm lucky, my bike weighs nearly nothing, so even leaned at 45 degrees at 0 kph I'm still able to hold it...
Thanks everyone, with PLP I'll probably have a safer summer! :D |
| Close call
|
Cash Anthony
03/09/2010 1:43 PM |
Just a reminder that if you see you may go off the road from the shoulder because of a car coming at you head-on, you'll want to look WHERE YOU'RE GOING, not at the car that's the threat, and make sure you aren't going to collide with signage or some other fixed object.
If there's anything in the way, of course you'll want to be going as slowly as you can if you hit it. I've seen cases where friends rode off the shoulder for various reasons, and I'm reminded that a bike may not handle the way you expect it to, once you hit a different road surface or gravel or sand, especially if you're braking hard in an emergency.
Cash
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| Close call
|
CrtrTylr
03/09/2010 12:25 PM |
A scenario I have had a lot of experience with on the road, but with a bicycle instead of a motorcycle. Visibility, I do not think is an issue when on a bicycle. I believe the drivers just assume you are going to move for them. Doesn't matter if you are going 30 mph and there is a group of you, they come. I can't count the number of times I or another bicyclist was buzzed by a car going in the opposite direction at speed, by less than a couple of feet. When by yourself, you see it and can move. If you're in a group, maybe the guys up front see and get out of the way, but the rider back a few is slow to see and react. Lost a friend last year in this exact scenario.
I spent so much time on the road training, I actually developed a strategy of riding the center of the lane, not giving it up. This forced the cars to wait upon me as they would a slow moving tractor. It actually worked while I was doing it, never had any instances, but it felt so much like Russian Roulette that I had to drop it due to the psychological wear and tear it had on me.
As far as on a motorcycle, if I see cars or one car behind another, I move closer to the center or right of the lane to be more visible to those drivers, from my usual position in the left track. Go too far right you have the bicycle effect, where you are not in the road, and they see the gap. If they come out, I instantly move right so the riders behind me have a chance to see and react. The shoulder is my friend at this point, and speed is my enemy.
I have had half a dozen cars that did this to me last year and none ever developed into any kind of uncontrollable situation. You just have to give the riders behind you an opportunity to see and react. Plus not take one out due too braking too hard in front of them. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Honda Gen II Interceptor Carb rebuild
|
Gs82Seca650
03/09/2010 10:00 AM |
For a salvage title bike, unless bikes are worth way more in your area than in mine, even running, I'd say you'd be looking at under 1K on a bike that old with a salvage title. Probably around $800 or so.
Just my .02 |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Close call
|
scottrnelson
03/09/2010 9:20 AM |
I don't have anything to add about how to handle this situation, since it seems that the original poster did the best he could for the situation. In some countries it's normal for the smaller motorcycles to stay out of the way of bigger vehicles:
It is my opinion that you're always better off to slow way down whenever there is a serious hazard ahead of you. Honking probably does very little for anyone coming towards you, but flashing the high beam on and off can be your best option to get noticed. That and wearing bright clothing and a bright helmet to better get noticed in the first place.
Glad you made it through unscathed. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Adjusting shocks
|
88Honda Hawk
03/09/2010 9:18 AM |
Thanks for all the help guys. You guys always come through. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Close call
|
rkfire
03/09/2010 9:15 AM |
Jack, as you wondered out loud, I think braking to a stop, or very slow might have been a better response. Getting over to the shoulder in your case made all the difference though, good on you.
I suggest braking hard to a near stop, WHILE getting over to the shoulder might be preferable simply because while the passing car was eating up the distance between you at a high rate of speed, YOU too were eating up distance by continuing at 80-90kph as well. More time MIGHT have allowed him the distance to clear the truck before he got to your position.
Like MSWeders said too, from a standstill or very slow, you could bail if need be. |
| Close call
|
bachman1961
03/09/2010 8:47 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by jack87
The truck was seen, the cars were seen, but it never crossed my mind that someone would try to make it.
Now, if I see the same truck / car situation, I will make sure to be seen and to prepare for something like this!
This site is such a good resource it can help to do a filter search and the key word will be highlighted in yellow in the reference text for the thread or posts it directs you to. Same with tips where you can search them by subject matter. Other times the randomness of a thread or tip will click too.
Many riders have avoided hwy speeds (even 2 lane road hwy speeds) for quite some time in the early phases of riding. Decisions have to be made that much quicker, threats and scanning for them have to take place at a higher level of input processing and these things don't add risk factors, they multiply them. Take things down a notch and count your blessings.
IMO, surviving that ordeal was not a progressive means to the next step ramping things up, it was more a warning shot! Parking lot practice with braking exercises are two areas I would look at researching here to get a blueprint of progression and some ideas to build on. You can improve balance, braking skills and confidence and do it in a way that minimizes risk as in PLP.
Look up the books by Hough, Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling, must haves.
Also search out and get familiar with speed of travel versus reaction time and braking to a stop distances.... It's a good eye opener.
Your best learning curve will be from the controlled and more relaxed experiences rather than the seat of your pants thin margin of survival experiences. Often times, the rush of adrenalin in a 'near hit' does not let us accurately remember the events as they really happened,, just our own version filling in the gaps. Have fun with it and enjoy!
edit for an afterthought; Please avoid night riding if at all possible for a while !!
~brian |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Any lesson here? Daytona 200
|
gymnast
03/09/2010 8:47 AM |
In such a rear wheel skid, as in the same situation if one were steering an automobile, one should steer in the direction of the skid to maintain or regain control. The key is that the direct steering input must correspond to the rate of yaw and yaw recovery from the skid.
Dirt track riders (as well as some paved track racers) in a intentional spinning rear wheel yaw situation "balance" the throttle input with the steering input to maintain the induced yaw throughout the turn. If the throttle is inappropriately reduced or "chopped" while the bike is in the yaw state, a high side can result.
Chris Carr's dirt track school is an appropriate venue for learning the techniques. It must be emphasized that there is minimal, if any, carry over from learning these skills to what is required in terms of knowledge and skills for reasonable and prudent street riding. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Adjusting shocks
|
Dnc
03/09/2010 8:37 AM |
Found some articles on suspension tuning and adjustment here
http://feelthetrack.com/tuning_guide.htm
The author, Dave Moss, also has a number of tuning videos on
http://www.onthethrottle.com/conten...ory/5/24/73/
though they're a bit more track-oriented.
|
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Any lesson here? Daytona 200
|
toolmaker
03/09/2010 8:30 AM |
Daddio,
Good point, regarding counter-steering.
I have to admit that when I think of the rear end sliding out, I think of cars. In a car that's called oversteer (I suppose in bikes, too), and you correct by steering in the direction the rear end is sliding - rear slides right, steer to the right. Which, to my mind, is counter-steering, after all the car is turning left and you're steering to the right.
I think one of the things you do on a motorcycle when the rear slides right is also to steer right. At least that was my instinct the one time it happened to me.
But, I see your point, and motorcycle nomenclature may be different. Perhaps someone could enlighten us.
I have no idea if it makes any difference, as far as this discussion goes, whether the rear tire is skidding due to spinning too fast or too slow.
And, yeah, I'm not about to practice low-siding to avoid high-siding.
Best,
Jerry
|
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Close call
|
WSMeders
03/09/2010 8:19 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by jack87
The headlights are still coming and I quickly weight my options. I decided against braking to a full stop as the incoming car probably wouldn't stop anyway. I aimed for the small space in between the shoulder line and the buzz strip.
Hummm... Interesting query. To stop completely or to keep moving at a slower speed, so as to be able to maneuver/move out of the way.
In this case, I think stopping in the road would be the worst option, obviously. But riding on the shoulder can have various risks, like a soft shoulder/other hazards, which may cause you to lose control and even fall into the path of the on coming vehicle.
Stopping on the shoulder would probably be the best option, if you have room/distance to do so.
Imagine being the oncoming vehicle and trying to pass a mc that is riding along the shoulder, versus on that is parked on the shoulder. Just like passing parked cars, versus moving cars, one is much more comfortable in passing the stationary object, knowing (assuming) it wont be swerving into your lane.
Plus you can always bail to the side if the driver is perhaps malicious, actually trying to strike the mc. And it's always nicer to bail on a stopped bike than a moving one!
One should keep in mind the type of situation where where the driver is trying to run the mc off the road, as we have all heard the horror stories of.
Give those caged beasts their room! ;o)
These "Lessons Learned" are a wonderful exercise for the new season.
Thanks to all those who submit them, and may we all learn from others, as much as ourselves. |
| Close call
|
jack87
03/09/2010 7:46 AM |
Hello and thanks for your replies.
I never drove on the buzz strips, they seem harsh. Here, they are around 8 inches wide. They are made by a machine that "punch" the asphalt to leave a cylindrical mark, around 1 inch deep, 2 inch long, spaced each 6 inches. I'll try to take a picture one day, as they have the same things around the bike path in my residential area. (No pictures on the highway... too dangerous!)
The truck was seen, the cars were seen, but it never crossed my mind that someone would try to make it.
Now, if I see the same truck / car situation, I will make sure to be seen and to prepare for something like this! |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Any lesson here? Daytona 200
|
Daddio
03/09/2010 7:26 AM |
quote:
From toolmaker:
It looked like the rider simply didn't try to save it, he let the rear go without counter-steering or attempting to get the rear back under him.
I highlighted your use of the term counter-steering because I have questions on your choice in the context you intended.
My understanding of counter-steering is it is a normal input to change the direction of a single track vehicle. It causes an out tracking of the front wheel which then causes the bike to fall into the intended turn.
I have seen dirt track racing (not sure of its actual classification) where the racers are in a constant state of riding a controlled "skid". They are driving their bikes sideways around the track.
The big questions to me are - Are these folks using counter-steer or direct input? Are they steering into the skid like a 4-wheel vehicle would use for skid recovery or are they using counter-steer input that would normally steer a motorcycle? What is the proper input for rear wheel skid on a bike? Is the inertia of the rear wheel enough to send a bike into a rear wheel skid or is it just a matter of poor accelerator use in a turn?
Is counter-steer the correct input to recover from a rear wheel skid or do you use direct steer input to steer into the skid? Does it make a difference if the skid is caused by poor braking technique vs. over use of the throttle? I don't see this as a practical thing that could be practiced on the street under normal riding circumstances. I am looking for a heads up in case this happens to me.
|
| Motorcycle Safety / Safety Gear |
| unexpected safety gear
|
MattInFla
03/09/2010 5:53 AM |
I used to keep the opener in a pocket as well.
But I went geeky on it. I traced the wiring from the siren control switches on my left bar, and used the siren yelp button to actuate the remote, which now lives in a pouch on the windscreen.
Matt |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Close call
|
bachman1961
03/09/2010 2:22 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by jack87
Hello everyone,
In the other lane, there was a truck, going slower than the traffic, so there was maybe 5 or 6 cars following him. Suddenly, from behind this lineup, there's a pair of headlights that are clearly incoming in MY lane. At this point, I'm easing on the throttle, and flashing my highbeam (quite frantically).
What I've learned from all this : Always have a plan in case of emergencies like this. Ideally, plan B, plan C, plan D and E as well, you're never quite sure what you'll encounter!
Let me know what you think!
Good save ... not sure I can help you with advice but two things come to mind;
First, my complements on you questioning your maneuver and if it was the best or correct thing to do.
Just because something did work out can become a trap and it's good to see you open to other ideas.
The other item is more for my own clarification; Is it your sharing of the situation in describing the slower moving truck with a line up of traffic behind it or did you actually have the opportunity (time) to note that situation and weigh the chance that a vehicle could try a pass?
~brian
|
| Close call that could have killed me
|
bachman1961
03/09/2010 1:44 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by mildhog
What I normally would have done is watch him (which I did), slow down and tap the horn until I knew he saw me (did neither). At least slowing down would have given me the option of stopping and hoping I don't get rear ended or opened up some maneuvering options. At 60mph, there was no time to think. Divine intervention, instinct, call it what you will. I rolled on the throttle and survived being stupid. Bottom line is my failure was mental.
I assumed you meant throttled hard and went wide to mean instinctive.
Instinctive could mean plan 'b' as reacting to a realization I had skipped an earlier option or tactic.
As I read others approaching 'iffy' situations, I'm reminded that at city speeds, dropping 10 mph can cut stopping distance in half or almost in half.
Your story is excellent and I hope the point is not lost where vehicles have a pretty significant blind spot potential for smaller, narrow profile vehicles as our bikes (and pedestrians) due to the window frame on the windshield or doors. Great example!
In sloppy weather when wiper blades are cleaning just that part of the windshield, the gap can be huge.
Well done mildhog !
~brian |
| Close call
|
DataDan
03/08/2010 10:28 PM |
Good job avoiding a very nasty incident!
As a prevention strategy, I try to stay in the right-hand third of the lane on a rural two-lane to get the best view to oncoming traffic (though not if I'm behind other traffic). Of course, that doesn't guarantee they'll see you, only that you'll be able to spot a threat as early as possible.
Have you ridden on the buzz strip? I have no idea what they're like in Quebec, but here in California they're rideable, if annoying. You should try it sometime. If you get into a similar situation in the future, confidence to ride on it will give you some extra maneuvering room.
I've been very fortunate never to have had an incident like that progress as far as yours did. But facing the threat, my first priority is to move to the right, rather than slowing. The shoulder is the safe area, and the quicker I can get there the better. |
| Close call
|
gymnast
03/08/2010 9:23 PM |
My first reaction, if I understand your situation correctly, would have been to have flashed my high beams rapidly and gotten hard on the brakes while moving so as to be ready to take to the shoulder if necessary (as it apparently was). You are fortunate to have had sufficient paved shoulder that he missed you without your having to leave the paved portion of the roadway. On most two lanes in this area, that would not be the case. The distance to the ditch is minimal, and leaving the road at any speed above 10 mph or so can be tenuous at best in most areas, if one is on the brakes after leaving the paved roadway.
Glad to see you made it home safely, if shaken by your experience. If a car or truck had been following you at a normal interval, it is unlikely the the opposing car would have committed to the pass, but you never know for sure. |
| Close call that could have killed me
|
mildhog
03/08/2010 8:33 PM |
What I normally would have done is watch him (which I did), slow down and tap the horn until I knew he saw me (did neither). At least slowing down would have given me the option of stopping and hoping I don't get rear ended or opened up some maneuvering options. At 60mph, there was no time to think. Divine intervention, instinct, call it what you will. I rolled on the throttle and survived being stupid. Bottom line is my failure was mental. |
| Close call that could have killed me
|
James R. Davis
03/08/2010 8:23 PM |
Thank you. Not just for your post, but for being civil in the way you expressed yourself. Rider errors do NOT mean that the rider is stupid - we ALL (myself included) make rider errors from time to time. If we survive them, we probably learn something from the experience - though not always.
Mildhog apparently learned something. He shared with us. You properly, I think, honed in on rider error but did not take a personal shot in the process. Bravo! |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Honda Gen II Interceptor Carb rebuild
|
Apollonrop
03/08/2010 8:19 PM |
Has anyone ever rebuilt the carbs on an 86/87 gen II Honda 750 Interceptor? I have been working fiendishly on my Suzuki Katana 750 and I believe I have done well in finally learning and understanding how to clean/rebuild those carbs.
But I want to know from anyone who has already done a carb rebuild on a Honda Interceptor if "the juice is worth the squeeze" so to speak to repair them or if I'm better off just selling the bike as is...non running.
The bike is already a Salvage title so I figure if I fix it I might get 1200 and not running maybe $5-700.
Any thoughts? |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Close call
|
jack87
03/08/2010 8:07 PM |
Hello everyone,
This is something that happened to me last year. At this moment I had my CBR for maybe 1 month. Here's what happened :
Small rural highway, one lane in each direction, max 100kph (60mph). This highway has "buzz strips" on the side, around a foot or so outside the shoulder line. It was after dark, around 11pm.
I'm in my lane, doing about 110 (here in Quebec, everyone drives 20 over the limit...).
In the other lane, there was a truck, going slower than the traffic, so there was maybe 5 or 6 cars following him. Suddenly, from behind this lineup, there's a pair of headlights that are clearly incoming in MY lane. At this point, I'm easing on the throttle, and flashing my highbeam (quite frantically).
The headlights are still coming and I quickly weight my options. I decided against braking to a full stop as the incoming car probably wouldn't stop anyway. I aimed for the small space in between the shoulder line and the buzz strip. About 100m from me, the incoming car suddenly realize he's coming toward me and put his flasher on to return in his lane. As he was trying to pass the 5-6 cars plus the truck, there was no space for him to move.
We passed each other with maybe two feet max between us. I was doing around 75 or 80, he was probably more around 130. I don't really think it made any difference but I was on the horn the whole time... however it's quite probable he didn't hear me, as we crossed at 200+ kph.
I'm thinking I made the right move to keep some speed to be able to move on the shoulder, but I think I should have braked a lot more. I don't think I could have done anything different to prevent him from trying to pass the whole line in one shot... but I'd like to have your thoughts on the whole thing.
Let me tell you, I was quite glad to be alive when I got home this night. Even with ATGATT, I think that head-on at 200kph would have probably killed me.
What I've learned from all this : Always have a plan in case of emergencies like this. Ideally, plan B, plan C, plan D and E as well, you're never quite sure what you'll encounter!
Let me know what you think! |
| Close call that could have killed me
|
WSMeders
03/08/2010 7:35 PM |
quote:
Originally posted by mildhog
Instinct and the Lord saved me that day. Lesson learned.
I feel like James here, ;o) but your statement seems in error.
How is it "instinct" that saved you if you nearly were killed because of your error?
It seems that one needs to train (PLP, etc) until our unconscious instinct is to do exactly what we should do. In your case, do a mirror check to your rear, slow down, honk, and if the fool still doesn't recognize you/stop, be prepared to stop far in advance of his entering the roadway. Not to mention not making assumptions about the abilities of others on the road.
Otherwise useful post. It has me thinking critically!
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| Close call that could have killed me
|
Stevebr242
03/08/2010 5:11 PM |
Wow, great post. That's the sort of story that will save some folks.
Steve |
| Close call that could have killed me
|
brooks10
03/08/2010 4:50 PM |
Thanks very much for your timely post. I rode today for the first time since November and felt as if I was right back in the groove after 2 hours of PLP. Reading your story when I got home makes me feel a little subdued but hopefully a lot safer.
Steve |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Adjusting shocks
|
Windwalker
03/08/2010 2:31 PM |
I would second visiting Cogent Dynamics if they are in your neck of the woods. The shock I just installed on my Bandit is a Cogent Dynamics shock. Rick is great to work with and his equipment is first rate. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Safety Gear |
| unexpected safety gear
|
scottrnelson
03/08/2010 12:20 PM |
I also keep a small garage door opener in a pocket of whatever riding jacket I happen to be wearing. I live on a rather quiet street, so I haven't considered it to be much of an issue.
My Alpinestars jacket has a pocket over the right breast, so I'll keep the opener in there and it's easy enough to push with my left hand. My Dainese jacket only has pockets down at the side, so I keep it in the right pocket where it's a little bit more awkward to reach with my left hand and a little trickier to make sure I'm pushing it correctly. My First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket has lots of pockets, but I normally user the lower right-hand pocket for that one too. That one is even more tricky to use correctly. I may have to experiement with other pockets on that jacket.
I'll push and hold the button starting when I'm about 100 feet way from my driveway and continue to hold it until I can see the door opening. If there were any traffic issues at all on my street - including pedestrians anywhere in my path - I would just wait until pulling into my driveway before attempting to open the door.
Unlike you, I regularly ride three different motorcycles, so I don't consider it a reasonable option to have them all fitted with their own openers, whether or not they're integrated with other switches.
I'm glad that you found a good solution that works for you. |
| unexpected safety gear
|
Peter Darby
03/08/2010 11:39 AM |
I used to keep my garage door opener in my coat pocket and would push the button through the coat. Sometimes, especially with thick gloves on, I would end up not getting it / not being sure if I got it, and having to look at the garage door/ getting it pushed then pushing again and again and watching the door open and shut before I got there. And lastly having to give up all together and stop the bike, pull out the opener, and activate it.
So this weekend I installed a switch that operates off my bright light switch. Flick them twice and the door opens. I don't have to fumble or split my attention and with it operating off the light switch I don't have to locate a seperate button somewhere on the bike. I found the ease of use means I can concentrate on getting into my drive and around my vehicles, rather than splitting my concentration between riding and opening. |
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Arizona House Bill 2475, motorcycle operations
|
alblancher
03/08/2010 11:35 AM |
Laws that shape a culture should be vague and open to interpretation according to the society at the time. The US Constitution left some questions open, for future interpretation, intentionally. These laws get revisited by the Supreme Court regularly and as previously mentioned, shape or are shaped by society.
Other laws should be clearly stated and easy to understand. Traffic laws fall into the "clearly stated" category. Lane splitting should be illegal, if you get a ticket for passing between two stationary cars to avoid a Ford F150 barrelling down on you at 50 mph on a slick road so be it. Most LEOs and traffic judges would understand your actions and either not issue a ticket or find you not guilty for violating the ordinance.
To me the most important reason for clearly stated traffic laws is that drivers should be predictable. After driving around Los Angeles in the rain last week I am convinced that strict enforcement of clearly stated traffic laws will save many lives. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Adjusting shocks
|
rkfire
03/08/2010 10:51 AM |
Cogent Dynamics in Fletcher NC is a great suspension shop, familiar with Penske's. The owner Rick is an enthusiast and a nice guy too. He may be able to help you set it up. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Close call that could have killed me
|
aidanspa
03/08/2010 9:50 AM |
Thank you for the post, and for reminding us of the importance of ALWAYS expecting the unexpected.
I think it is especially easy during these first days of a new riding season to be caught up emotionally in the fact that we're actually riding again, and perhaps let our guard down. I mean, hey, I'm riding so all is right with the world!
I believe the only safe assumption I can make is that the other guy will ALWAYS do the wrong thing at the wrong time, and I need to be prepared for it. Glad you're OK.
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| Motorcycle Safety / Technical/Maintenance |
| Adjusting shocks
|
Windwalker
03/08/2010 7:41 AM |
You might pick up a copy of "Total Control" by Lee Parks. It has a lot of good information about what all the different settings do and how to set them up correctly. You start out by setting the sag correctly (via the preload control) and then move on to the rebound and damping controls. In the SF Bay Area, there is a group (Doc Wong) that does free suspension clinics where they teach people how to set up their suspension correctly. There may be something similar out your way. Learning about suspension is critical to getting the most out of your bike. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Close call that could have killed me
|
mildhog
03/08/2010 7:23 AM |
On Friday, I went to Blacksburg, VA to see my son. Took Rt. 40 most of the way, because I had never used it before. It is a rural two-lane, 55 mph highway and 35 mph in the towns. I was riding my 1983 Honda GL650.
West of I-85, I was cruising at 60mph in open country with clear, sunny weather. I looked to the left and saw a late model pickup approaching the highway on an angled side road with a stop sign (think of an inverted lower case y, with me on the long leg and the pickup on the short leg). He was slowing down approaching the stop sign so, as it was open country, and figuring he could see me, I kept on going. Big mistake. He did a "rolling stop" and kept going. No time to stop, limited shoulder with ditches, so my options were limited. No time to think, so I instinctivly throttled up and went wide at the intersection. He clipped me on the edge of the left rear hard bag at the same time I went on the gravel shoulder, so I wasn't sure if I was hit. Went back on the road, felt for the bag, still there, kept going. Don't know why. Figured, "no harm done", I guess. Anyway, when I unpacked and saw the damage to the bag, my suspicion of getting clipped was confirmed.
Thinking back on this, it occurred to me that this was entirely my fault and could have easily been avoided if I hadn't broken my #1 rule of never assuming anything when on the road (a rule I constantly drilled into my kids when teaching them to drive). Because of the angle of the side road, I was probably screened by the side door pillar so the driver couldn't see me. I didn't slow down nor hit my horn to warn him. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Instinct and the Lord saved me that day. Lesson learned. DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING. I'll never let my guard down again.
Hope this is helpful to somebody. I'm just glad to be alive and unhurt. |
| Motorcycle Safety / Campfire chat |
| HOA picks the wrong guy to mess with
|
shadowrider
03/08/2010 6:45 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by Nightwatchman
HOA's are such a huge pain in the arse... One day I will buy where there isn't one. Where does anyone get off telling me what I can do with my private property that I own?
+1 on that!
|
| Motorcycle Safety / General Discussion |
| Arizona House Bill 2475, motorcycle operations
|
shadowrider
03/08/2010 6:43 AM |
quote:
Originally posted by rayg50
[quote]
Are the boundaries of AZ counties clearly marked and the population indicated, or is this a way of welcoming the out-of-towners?
The bounderies for the counties are usually pretty clear and easily seen, but Phoenix is sprawling and neighboring cities such as Mesa, Glendale, Tempe and Chandler do not always clearly post their bounderies.
|
| Motorcycle Safety / Safety Gear |
| Safety Feature...or not?
|
dhalen32
03/08/2010 6:20 AM |
If you think it will help, then go for it. If you know someone who already wears one you might ask if it increases noise or helmet buffeting. Those could be reasons to choose not to make the purchase.
Dave
|
| Heck of a deal if you wear a small
|
Axiom2000
03/08/2010 6:14 AM |
If its your size this has to be one heck of a low price for this jacket.
http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/s...cycle+Jacket
|
| Motorcycle Safety / Sharing of Lessons Learned |
| Two threats at the same time
|
rayg50
03/08/2010 6:11 AM |
quote:
...I have developed the habit of anytime anything in front happens to always be aware of what is behind that may develop into a threat...
+1
Don't know when I was elected but I have given driving lessons to just about all of the new drivers in my family. One of the things that I emphasize is that they can only drive one car at a time, and that is the one that they are sitting in. Anticipating what the other cars on the road will do is critical, assuming they will do what you want is foolish.
Yours is a great example of NOT driving more than one car. You anticipated that the other car might not let you back in. Had you been driving both you might have assumed that the SUV was going to let you back in because it is what you would have done.
Nice job. When I retire from helping the pups in my family get their drivers licenses I will nominate you for the job.
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| Two threats at the same time
|
bachman1961
03/08/2010 5:19 AM |
Good going keeping a level head there.
I can easily picture a rider frustrated, angered or flustered to the point of not thinking about the mirrors/head check and riding into trouble as they entered that lane.
It's good to take a short time-out and a few deep breaths .. or
'S T O P' stop-think-observe-plan.
As I get more experience (the aging process) I see more and more drivers taking advantage of situations like that where they take any opportunity to get by the vehicle in front of them. The first vehicle may not have seen you yet the one tailing you made a conscious decision to put you at risk.
~brian |
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