What would you do - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

charleym3 · 07-02-2004, 01:12 PM

This event was a significant contribution to my taking some years off from riding. Now I'm coming back, but I still don't know what was the most appropriate action. I know what I did and what I would like to have done, but I want the voice of others experience. Here goes.

I was riding a Yamaha 250cc @ 65MPH in the right trough of the right lane on I-40 half mile from my exit. A 450SL comes around me with his right wheels in the left trough of my lane. Within arms reach. The wind blast from his front end was pushing me toward the shoulder.
Acceleration was out of the question. I was pretty near maxed out. I wanted to visit violence on his vehicle, but hit the brakes instead.

Certainly it was partly my fault for not watching what was going on around me. I should have seen it coming.

It gave me a lesson that I have never forgotten. Some drivers go beyond lack of respect for 2 wheelers to the point of disrespect or even disdane. Could be ignorance, apathy, or even vindictiveness, but the bottom line is that it ain't safe out there.
It was with great trepidation that I started riding again. My wife hates it. My son is afraid for me. But damn it, it's fun.

charleym3 · 07-02-2004, 01:14 PM

BTW I'm riding a GS500E now.

md2lgyk · 07-02-2004, 04:18 PM

I understand what you're feeling. With about 4 years of riding experience, I had an accident back in 1976. Not too serious - broke my right elbow and dinged the bike a bit. After about 6 weeks of recovery I started riding again. A month or so later I sold the bike and quit riding. The trepidation you describe was just too much for me at the time. After a couple of years I took the MSF course, got another bike, and have been riding ever since.

I guess the only advice I could offer is something you already know: Pay close attention, at all times, to what's going on around you.

007 · 07-03-2004, 01:41 PM

Idiots are everywhere, and very often in minivans...On my very first street ride, I was riding in the rigth lane at about 25mph. There was very little traffic, perfect for a rookie like me....then I see a minivan coming up from behind in the left lane, and when it gets next to me, it starts merging into me

...there were no other cars anywhere, all lanes empty, but this psycho decides to merge into me...so I just braked hard and let him go. I had other minivan incidents since then, but it's too long to detail each one of them here...The point is that nothing surprises me anymore. One has to have a strong mental constitution to keep cool and riding in such conditions...but hey, that's why we are 1%-ers!!!!

Drake · 07-05-2004, 09:19 AM

When I'm riding on a 2-lane highway. I usually stick in the center of my lane. If I'm in the right lane and there's cars coming up on my left, I will usually get to the left side of my line to make my position in that lane clearly visible to them. If I'm in the left lane passing, I usually try to get out of the persons blind spot as fast as I can. I try to make sure I can see their face in their own side mirror, and then when I have room in front of me to pass them, I give the throttle a good turn and accelerate past them back into their main line of site again. Worst thing to do is just sit there in their blind spot for a bit.

You are at no fault with your incident. You have a right to that segment of lane, and they are supposed to be responsible drivers who maintain their vehicle in their own lane. Personally, I only took my old Honda CL360 out on the highway once. The main reason was, I couldn't twist my wrist on my throttle and get out of there. I will not ride on the highway at any speed that would keep me from accelerating out of a bad situation if I needed to. So, even this 1982 GS550M Katana is limited on the highway. I really don't like taking it above 75mph, because much higher and I'm eating into my acceleration range. If you're flat out with your bike trying to maintain the current road speed, then you should really think about finding another route, in my opinion. Nothing against you, just my own way of keeping my options open for defensive riding. I like being able to accelerate, brake, or change lanes to avoid incidents.

**Uncle Bob** · 07-05-2004, 10:33 AM

That's exactly why MSF teaches that you ride in the left third of your lane.

charleym3 · 07-05-2004, 11:04 PM

I have a lot more bike now than I did then. I still don't like the highway in town. When I get the 550 under control. I'm planning on a Vstrom 1K. I have a lot to lean before then.

tlwisner · 07-07-2004, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charleym3

A 450SL comes around me with his right wheels in the left trough of my lane. Within arms reach. The wind blast from his front end was pushing me toward the shoulder.
Acceleration was out of the question. I was pretty near maxed out. I wanted to visit violence on his vehicle, but hit the brakes instead.

Your brakes were your only reasonable option at that point, but you don't say why you were riding in the right part of your lane.

charleym3 · 07-07-2004, 10:56 AM

I was lining up for the exit. A little early. The short story is that I spaced off what I had learned as I was in the comfort zone stage.

tlwisner · 07-08-2004, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charleym3

I was lining up for the exit. A little early. The short story is that I spaced off what I had learned as I was in the comfort zone stage.

I'm still looking for the fork mount sawed off shotgun carrier.

Gixxerdale · 07-08-2004, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlwisner

Quote:

Originally Posted by charleym3

I was lining up for the exit. A little early. The short story is that I spaced off what I had learned as I was in the comfort zone stage.

I'm still looking for the fork mount sawed off shotgun carrier.

Sorry that won't be available until next year, however the exhaust 12 gauge is available now! Dual exhaust, one functional, one well, hey a paint ball gun would be cool!

LayinLo · 07-08-2004, 12:34 PM

as a fairly new rider, I can never read enough of you guys experiences. It keeps me cautious and reminds me to respect riding.

PS. I'm always learning, whether it be personal experience or from the posts on here.
Thanks

07-02-2004, 01:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
charleym3 Seat Tester Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Central NC, USA, NorthAm, Earth Posts: 52	What would you do This event was a significant contribution to my taking some years off from riding. Now I'm coming back, but I still don't know what was the most appropriate action. I know what I did and what I would like to have done, but I want the voice of others experience. Here goes. I was riding a Yamaha 250cc @ 65MPH in the right trough of the right lane on I-40 half mile from my exit. A 450SL comes around me with his right wheels in the left trough of my lane. Within arms reach. The wind blast from his front end was pushing me toward the shoulder. Acceleration was out of the question. I was pretty near maxed out. I wanted to visit violence on his vehicle, but hit the brakes instead. Certainly it was partly my fault for not watching what was going on around me. I should have seen it coming. It gave me a lesson that I have never forgotten. Some drivers go beyond lack of respect for 2 wheelers to the point of disrespect or even disdane. Could be ignorance, apathy, or even vindictiveness, but the bottom line is that it ain't safe out there. It was with great trepidation that I started riding again. My wife hates it. My son is afraid for me. But damn it, it's fun. __________________ -Charley, When the need is great enough, limitations are meaningless.

07-02-2004, 01:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
charleym3 Seat Tester Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Central NC, USA, NorthAm, Earth Posts: 52	BTW I'm riding a GS500E now. __________________ -Charley, When the need is great enough, limitations are meaningless.

07-02-2004, 04:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
md2lgyk Wants Better Weather Joined: May 2004 Bike: '03 Marauder 800 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 662	I understand what you're feeling. With about 4 years of riding experience, I had an accident back in 1976. Not too serious - broke my right elbow and dinged the bike a bit. After about 6 weeks of recovery I started riding again. A month or so later I sold the bike and quit riding. The trepidation you describe was just too much for me at the time. After a couple of years I took the MSF course, got another bike, and have been riding ever since. I guess the only advice I could offer is something you already know: Pay close attention, at all times, to what's going on around you. __________________ "The great object is, that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun." - Thomas Jefferson

07-05-2004, 09:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
Drake Clunked into first gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 208	When I'm riding on a 2-lane highway. I usually stick in the center of my lane. If I'm in the right lane and there's cars coming up on my left, I will usually get to the left side of my line to make my position in that lane clearly visible to them. If I'm in the left lane passing, I usually try to get out of the persons blind spot as fast as I can. I try to make sure I can see their face in their own side mirror, and then when I have room in front of me to pass them, I give the throttle a good turn and accelerate past them back into their main line of site again. Worst thing to do is just sit there in their blind spot for a bit. You are at no fault with your incident. You have a right to that segment of lane, and they are supposed to be responsible drivers who maintain their vehicle in their own lane. Personally, I only took my old Honda CL360 out on the highway once. The main reason was, I couldn't twist my wrist on my throttle and get out of there. I will not ride on the highway at any speed that would keep me from accelerating out of a bad situation if I needed to. So, even this 1982 GS550M Katana is limited on the highway. I really don't like taking it above 75mph, because much higher and I'm eating into my acceleration range. If you're flat out with your bike trying to maintain the current road speed, then you should really think about finding another route, in my opinion. Nothing against you, just my own way of keeping my options open for defensive riding. I like being able to accelerate, brake, or change lanes to avoid incidents. __________________ If at first you don't succeed, then maybe skydiving is not for you....

07-05-2004, 10:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
Uncle Bob Site Admin & Squeegee Boy Joined: Dec 1969 Bike: 2003 Volusia SE Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 107	That's exactly why MSF teaches that you ride in the left third of your lane. __________________ Yadda yadda yadda, whatever, they ain't going to listen anyway.

07-03-2004, 01:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
007 TurtleWax Taster Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Boston. MA Posts: 592	Idiots are everywhere, and very often in minivans...On my very first street ride, I was riding in the rigth lane at about 25mph. There was very little traffic, perfect for a rookie like me....then I see a minivan coming up from behind in the left lane, and when it gets next to me, it starts merging into me ...there were no other cars anywhere, all lanes empty, but this psycho decides to merge into me...so I just braked hard and let him go. I had other minivan incidents since then, but it's too long to detail each one of them here...The point is that nothing surprises me anymore. One has to have a strong mental constitution to keep cool and riding in such conditions...but hey, that's why we are 1%-ers!!!!

07-05-2004, 11:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
charleym3 Seat Tester Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Central NC, USA, NorthAm, Earth Posts: 52	I have a lot more bike now than I did then. I still don't like the highway in town. When I get the 550 under control. I'm planning on a Vstrom 1K. I have a lot to lean before then. __________________ -Charley, When the need is great enough, limitations are meaningless.

07-07-2004, 10:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
charleym3 Seat Tester Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Central NC, USA, NorthAm, Earth Posts: 52	I was lining up for the exit. A little early. The short story is that I spaced off what I had learned as I was in the comfort zone stage. __________________ -Charley, When the need is great enough, limitations are meaningless.

07-08-2004, 12:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
LayinLo Flipper ( Don't Ask ) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Crunchy 02 GSX-R 750 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,936	as a fairly new rider, I can never read enough of you guys experiences. It keeps me cautious and reminds me to respect riding. PS. I'm always learning, whether it be personal experience or from the posts on here. Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)