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| Tips & Training Riders new and old can always learn. Share and experience ideas for making motorcycling safer and more enjoyable here! |
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08-01-2004, 12:58 PM
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| TurtleWax Taster   Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Boston. MA
Posts: 592
|  Stupid mistake - ran out of gas
Yeah, I can't believe I did it, but I did run out of gas on the road. In itself this is just an embarassing story, no big deal, as many people make this mistake. However, the reason I want to share this with you guys is because I almost got into a serious accident. Learn from my mistake so you'll never experience the danger and panic I went through. Here I go... I was riding down this 4 lane major road (not a highway though) at pretty good speed (about 45-50mph) and I was boxed in by cars from all sides. Yeah that's how Boston riding is, but I'm used to it. All of sudden I feel a major loss of power, I try to compensate by opening the throttle, but all I get is a very jerky pull of the engine. Jesus freakin' christ!...what's going on  ? I slow down a bit (but you can't slow too much in flowing traffic), and downshift thinking that will get a bit more power from lower gears. No, the engine is still choking up...and then the worst part...the engine dies, and then immediately the rear wheel locks up sending me into a skid...I pull in the clutch to release the rear wheel and, I coast to the side of the road...but coasting in heavy traffic is a very scary experience. Fortunately all cars managed to avoid me through this ordeal. The whole thing must have lasted a few seconds, but it seemed like an eternity.On the side of the road I figure out what the problem is, I pull myself together and ride home. This was one of those experiences which will stay etched in forever in my mind. Don't repeat my stupid mistake! |
