A gentle reminder - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

bluem50 · 05-23-2006, 11:11 PM

I read the link from Rowdyred94--4 phases of motorcycling maturity. I recently got my "gentle" reminder.
I was traveling down Route 9 in Delaware (a rural area with low cager traffic with some nice twisties and long straights) on one of those long staight-aways when I saw a car backing out of a driveway on my left. Rather than backing off the throttle all the way and braking, I continued assuming he would see me--wrong. Before I knew it I was up on him doing about 45mph (from a high of 55mph when I initially saw him) and he was continuing to back up and had come into the right hand lane--my lane--partially. I counter-steered but I believe by this time his wife saw me and he hit the brakes. I went by him and came to a stop with heart in mouth. I looked back to see an elderly couple waving at me with the wife telling me you're fine.
What a major error (not mistake) on my part; I had gotten complacent. One of many things that my MSF instructor told me was there are no accidents only crashes and if you get in a crash it's your fault ...That is to say no one cares about your safety but you and it is your responsibility to keep yourself safe.
This was the second or third time I had gone out for a ride this season and for some reason I didn't heed what I knew. But truthfully, I think what was going through my head was: this is my part of the blacktop and it's your responsibility to stop--what an idiot I was. I now not only going through a bike check every time I go out, but a brain check. I literally have a list I go through each time before I ride, even though I know it by heart, to remind me of my responsibilities while I am on the road.
By the way to put some of this in perspective I have been riding for a year. I picked up my m50 5/21/05 (my birthday). I have ridden about 5,000 miles ...1600 miles of that last summer when I went on a ride by myself down Skyline Drive and the entire Blue Ridge Parkway and back.
Also, If you have not read The 4 phases of Motorcycling maturity see rowdyred94---it's awesome.

Danr · 05-24-2006, 07:08 AM

I continued assuming

Never, Never , Ever "Assume"

Glad it came out alright.

soundcolor99 · 05-24-2006, 09:45 AM

close call bro. glad both you and the bike are o.k.

hammersfan · 05-24-2006, 07:05 PM

Well something good has come out of it. You are much wiser for it and unscathed to boot.

sundude · 05-25-2006, 09:23 PM

Don't forget, no airbags, seat belts, bumpers, or steel cage around us. It's what we accept when we choose to ride, just be ready to accept the consequences for your actions/inactions.

I have done the "flying" act once and trust me, the landing hurts.

droopy170 · 05-28-2006, 12:43 PM

Glad it was only a close call. BTDT myself. Still do a "brain check" every time I get on the bike, even after almost 20 years of riding.

The BeatKat · 06-03-2006, 01:05 AM

Again..no mention of horn use in your post.....did you blast 'em? The "Beepy" little horn may sound weak, but it's annoying and loud enough to definately get attention from a mentally or sight challenged driver.....has saved me several times already.....I'm looking for a good compact car horn to mount on my M...glad you're ok!

Rhodester · 06-03-2006, 10:41 AM

Loud pipes save lives. I've done a little rev/blast with the pipes several times to get a cager's attention (Jardine 2 into 1s).

rtroiani · 06-03-2006, 05:21 PM

Glad to hear you are ok. I call that a "pucker" moment. I was at a red light, and after it turned green, began to pull across an intersection when a high school kid came flying through (the red) to my left at about 40mph. Luckily I saw him and stopped. We are on our own when it comes to looking out for number one. I would have lost.

Sullyboo · 06-04-2006, 01:35 PM

Hello everyone. I just found this forum last night. I got my M 2 months ago and love it. I've had 4 close calls with cars pulling out in front of me so I put on BACKOFF DIAMOND STAR HEADLIGHT MODULATOR. It has only been on about 1 week but already I see a dirferents in other drivers. I even had 1 drive follow me about 3 miles out of his way because he thought something was wrong with my headlight. that tells me it catches peoples attention. my advice is to try it you might like it.

Danr · 06-04-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sullyboo

Hello everyone. I just found this forum last night. I got my M 2 months ago and love it. I've had 4 close calls with cars pulling out in front of me so I put on BACKOFF DIAMOND STAR HEADLIGHT MODULATOR. It has only been on about 1 week but already I see a dirferents in other drivers. I even had 1 drive follow me about 3 miles out of his way because he thought something was wrong with my headlight. that tells me it catches peoples attention. my advice is to try it you might like it.

Amen Bro, The first items I added to my C50 were the Headlight Modulator, A Sylvania H4ST headlight Bulb and a BACKOFF brake light modulator. You are definitely noticed, Even to the point of seeing some front ends on cars at intersection dive down a little more then usual when they see that flashing light. There was a poll on this forum awhile back on how to be noticed in traffic and the headlight modulator didn't fare to well, Why, I don't know, it is money well spent. IMHO

05-23-2006, 11:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
bluem50 Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: m50 Location: Hockessin, Delaware Posts: 27	A gentle reminder I read the link from Rowdyred94--4 phases of motorcycling maturity. I recently got my "gentle" reminder. I was traveling down Route 9 in Delaware (a rural area with low cager traffic with some nice twisties and long straights) on one of those long staight-aways when I saw a car backing out of a driveway on my left. Rather than backing off the throttle all the way and braking, I continued assuming he would see me--wrong. Before I knew it I was up on him doing about 45mph (from a high of 55mph when I initially saw him) and he was continuing to back up and had come into the right hand lane--my lane--partially. I counter-steered but I believe by this time his wife saw me and he hit the brakes. I went by him and came to a stop with heart in mouth. I looked back to see an elderly couple waving at me with the wife telling me you're fine. What a major error (not mistake) on my part; I had gotten complacent. One of many things that my MSF instructor told me was there are no accidents only crashes and if you get in a crash it's your fault ...That is to say no one cares about your safety but you and it is your responsibility to keep yourself safe. This was the second or third time I had gone out for a ride this season and for some reason I didn't heed what I knew. But truthfully, I think what was going through my head was: this is my part of the blacktop and it's your responsibility to stop--what an idiot I was. I now not only going through a bike check every time I go out, but a brain check. I literally have a list I go through each time before I ride, even though I know it by heart, to remind me of my responsibilities while I am on the road. By the way to put some of this in perspective I have been riding for a year. I picked up my m50 5/21/05 (my birthday). I have ridden about 5,000 miles ...1600 miles of that last summer when I went on a ride by myself down Skyline Drive and the entire Blue Ridge Parkway and back. Also, If you have not read The 4 phases of Motorcycling maturity see rowdyred94---it's awesome.

05-24-2006, 09:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
soundcolor99 In Training Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 suzuki m50 Location: cottontown Posts: 100	close call bro. glad both you and the bike are o.k. __________________ jesus did it for the chicks.

05-24-2006, 07:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
hammersfan U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2008 C90 SE Location: Ajax ,Ontario ,Canada Posts: 1,233	Well something good has come out of it. You are much wiser for it and unscathed to boot. __________________ Ride Safe Hammersfan

06-03-2006, 01:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
The BeatKat In Training Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: Black M50 Location: Ct, USA Posts: 132	Again..no mention of horn use in your post.....did you blast 'em? The "Beepy" little horn may sound weak, but it's annoying and loud enough to definately get attention from a mentally or sight challenged driver.....has saved me several times already.....I'm looking for a good compact car horn to mount on my M...glad you're ok! __________________ It's not WHAT you ride...It's THAT you ride.... '05 Black M50, Zuki inspired rear fender mod, LED license plate bolts (blue), Painted wheel weights black, leather lever covers, Low sissy bar and mounts, rear fender rack, partially debadged and dedecal'd

06-03-2006, 05:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
rtroiani Seat Tester Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: Boulevard M50 (Gray) Location: Henryville, PA Posts: 58	Glad to hear you are ok. I call that a "pucker" moment. I was at a red light, and after it turned green, began to pull across an intersection when a high school kid came flying through (the red) to my left at about 40mph. Luckily I saw him and stopped. We are on our own when it comes to looking out for number one. I would have lost. __________________ Ricky T. “The only man who makes no mistakes is the man who never does anything.” Theodore Roosevelt

05-24-2006, 07:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Danr Sit speling cheker Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,616	I continued assuming Never, Never , Ever "Assume" Glad it came out alright.

05-25-2006, 09:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
sundude Puddle Runner Joined: May 2005 Bike: Suzuki M50 Location: South Florida Posts: 378	Don't forget, no airbags, seat belts, bumpers, or steel cage around us. It's what we accept when we choose to ride, just be ready to accept the consequences for your actions/inactions. I have done the "flying" act once and trust me, the landing hurts.

05-28-2006, 12:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
droopy170 Ditch Magnet Joined: May 2006 Bike: 06 M50 Black Location: Travelers Rest SC Posts: 186	Glad it was only a close call. BTDT myself. Still do a "brain check" every time I get on the bike, even after almost 20 years of riding.

06-03-2006, 10:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Rhodester Seat Tester Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: Silver '06 M50 Location: Meridian, Idaho Posts: 62	Loud pipes save lives. I've done a little rev/blast with the pipes several times to get a cager's attention (Jardine 2 into 1s).

06-04-2006, 01:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
Sullyboo Clunked into first gear Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: M50 Location: NJ Posts: 223	Hello everyone. I just found this forum last night. I got my M 2 months ago and love it. I've had 4 close calls with cars pulling out in front of me so I put on BACKOFF DIAMOND STAR HEADLIGHT MODULATOR. It has only been on about 1 week but already I see a dirferents in other drivers. I even had 1 drive follow me about 3 miles out of his way because he thought something was wrong with my headlight. that tells me it catches peoples attention. my advice is to try it you might like it.

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