BKP video and my own experience w/ car drivers are making me disheartened

[legioss]

Just venting my fraustration !! and seeing so many retarded drivers on the rode. it really makes me sick to my stomach and disheartning to ride again.

Basically,

Just had my 1st spill going about 30 mph in a small side street. My body is OK, except few abrassion on the knee and soreness on plam of my hand and left thigh. As for my bike, OES slider took most damage, and shift lever and rear left turn signal are bent. My helmet shield is all scratched, so are my jacket, pants and right glove.

How it occurred---Around 9:30 pm, i went out for a ride to get some fresh air. After riding for approx. 30 min., it began raining. Being a new rider and not seeing too well with water dropletts, i decided to take a side street to return home. As i was passing one of the intersection and was approaching a busy parking lot to the right, a car just jump out in front of me from the lot.:wtfgun: I could not swerve to the left, becaue of an oncoming traffick and only option was to brake hard, which made the bike slide to its side. Although, i avoided the collision, in hind sight, i should have ran the bike into the baster and had him pay for the damge.

Anyways, very very upset now, but thank God that i am able to return home to my family in one piece.

Will post pics later, but now, i just want to get relaxed by reading and watching funny videos.

 

[BKP]

Legioss, first and foremost I'm glad to hear it was a minor spill, and you're OK.

That being said, you can have two different takeaways from your experience (and mine).

One: this sucks, and why bother dealing with the abundance of self-absorbed a-holes on the road, because they'll never learn, and it's just not worth it.

Or Two: this sucks, however, knowing first hand that there's an abundance of self-absorbed drivers out there is something *I* can learn from, and will make me that much more self-aware, because riding is a singularly incredible experience, with few equals, and is so definitely worth it.

And, legioss, it keeps getting even better... Not the drivers... rather the riding experience...

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MistahT]

I have a close call at least once a week here in the DMV whether I'm on my bike or in my cage. Unfortunately, you have to be safe, aware, and ready to react enough to compensate for yourself, the road, and multiple stupid drivers all at the same time.

Glad you're safe!

 

[Andy]

Sorry you went down.

Sorry to hear another rider down. Glad it was minor. As stated above always expect the worst from cars around you. Expect them to pull out or merge on you. Ride defensive, slow down in the rain. Most important keep a 2 or 3 second gap to have room to react to idiots or crap in the road. On the highway I like to speed just enough to flow thru traffic. Not riding with them, keep picking them off and like driving a comercial vehicle have a out if something goes wrong around you. Dont fly thru highway trafic and then slow down and try to ride the same speed. They havent looking in the mirror in forever and dont know your around. Live and learn. Keep on riding.

 

[Nastybutler]

It helps to follow the Smith Driving rules:

1) Aim high in steering. (Look 15 seconds ahead of you, not at the bumper of the guy in front of you.)

2) Get the big picture. (Use your mirrors and look all around you.)

3) Keep your eyes moving. (Don't target fixate or stare at any one spot for more than a few seconds.)

4) Leave yourself an out. (Always have an "exit" strategy. "If this guy does X, I'm going to do Y.")

5) Make sure they see you. (Hi-Vis gear, high beams in the daytime, proper use of signals, etc.)

Glad to hear you're alright. Don't get discouraged; instead use this as an object lesson in defensive riding.

 

[NUISANCE]

Where are you in Cali? You are more than welcome to have my near new rear signal for free if you need it. Hell, you can have the whole rear set up if you need to get up and running.

I also have an extra barely used helmet you can use in the mean time until you get a new one if you need that too. Size is XL, it's a bell.

 

[buzzbomb]

Just venting my fraustration !! and seeing so many retarded drivers on the rode. it really makes me sick to my stomach and disheartning to ride again.

Basically,

Just had my 1st spill going about 30 mph in a small side street. My body is OK, except few abrassion on the knee and soreness on plam of my hand and left thigh. As for my bike, OES slider took most damage, and shift lever and rear left turn signal are bent. My helmet shield is all scratched, so are my jacket, pants and right glove.

How it occurred---Around 9:30 pm, i went out for a ride to get some fresh air. After riding for approx. 30 min., it began raining. Being a new rider and not seeing too well with water dropletts, i decided to take a side street to return home. As i was passing one of the intersection and was approaching a busy parking lot to the right, a car just jump out in front of me from the lot.:wtfgun: I could not swerve to the left, becaue of an oncoming traffick and only option was to brake hard, which made the bike slide to its side. Although, i avoided the collision, in hind sight, i should have ran the bike into the baster and had him pay for the damge.

Anyways, very very upset now, but thank God that i am able to return home to my family in one piece.

Will post pics later, but now, i just want to get relaxed by reading and watching funny videos.

Don't feel bad, man. I dumped my first bike several times. Thankfully all low speed. Once was in the rain and I went over the trunk of a car backing out of a parking spot and not looking.

Every down. Every near down. Everything that happens to us, makes us better riders. It is all about experience. Feel bad for those who have ridden for a long while and never been down. Drivers are inherently stupid and uncaring. You've learned the most valuable lesson of all: Sometimes, bad stuff just happens and we can't do a darn thing about it.

From experience, I can tell you it will make you better rider. Ride on.

 

[godwearsblack]

that sucks, and im sorry it happened to you. I havent gone down yet, but ive had countless near misses by dumb drivers who arent paying attention. I catch about 5-10 people on their cell phone everyday... and its frustrating, but ehat can we do, just ride safe and be defensive in all situations.