Close Calls?
#24
10-17-2011, 07:35 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
Been riding dirt and street for more than four decades. Close calls seem to come about once a year. Idiots not paying attention seem to happen on almost every ride. Never hit or been hit.
Last year I was coming to a stop sign and saw it kind of late. Watched my mirrors because of what I did and sure enough the car behind me didn't see it either. I had stopped to the far left which gave him room to slide next to me. If he hadn't been so far to the right I would've nailed the throttle and gotten out of his way.
Year before coming to my left turn into my complex I didn't notice the gray hair pulling out of the parking lot to my right. I was more (to) concerned about who was going to come at me head on in the turning lane. Missed her by inches or maybe a quarter of an inch. Scared me more than any other close call.
Pay attention and you've got a better chance.
Last year I was coming to a stop sign and saw it kind of late. Watched my mirrors because of what I did and sure enough the car behind me didn't see it either. I had stopped to the far left which gave him room to slide next to me. If he hadn't been so far to the right I would've nailed the throttle and gotten out of his way.
Year before coming to my left turn into my complex I didn't notice the gray hair pulling out of the parking lot to my right. I was more (to) concerned about who was going to come at me head on in the turning lane. Missed her by inches or maybe a quarter of an inch. Scared me more than any other close call.
Pay attention and you've got a better chance.
#25
10-17-2011, 10:24 PM
Elite HDF Member
I've been lucky in my comparatively limited riding with cagers. But my close call was my own fault and involved just me and my passenger.
We were all 2-up in the twistys following my other bagger friends and went to a right-hander as fast a the other two.
The True Dresser Duals for the right side are lower than stock and we scraped hard, skipping the bike to the left. I foot stomped, HARD at roughly 35mph? Came out of it smoothly but shook us up a bit. Any faster I'm pretty certain we would have dumped.
Excellent riding skills right there. I've been considering a modulator. Curious, were your brights on at that time?
Man, you must have a quick bike too! 
We were all 2-up in the twistys following my other bagger friends and went to a right-hander as fast a the other two.
The True Dresser Duals for the right side are lower than stock and we scraped hard, skipping the bike to the left. I foot stomped, HARD at roughly 35mph? Came out of it smoothly but shook us up a bit. Any faster I'm pretty certain we would have dumped.
As best as I can recall, I locked the brakes (no ABS) and started to go over, then pumped the brake and straightened out. I was probably going 50 mph at the time.
The guy was extremely apologetic and said, of course, that he didn't see me.
At the time, I had a single headlight and no modulator. I got a modulater immediately thereafter and never had another similar incident.
The guy was extremely apologetic and said, of course, that he didn't see me.
At the time, I had a single headlight and no modulator. I got a modulater immediately thereafter and never had another similar incident.
Ok. I'll admit it. One close call this year. All MY fault. I was on a 4 lane road, two in each direction. Coming up to an intersection, in the right hand lane, I saw the light go yellow and it appeared that the car in front of me was going to blow threw it so I accelerated. The car stopped, I hit the brakes hard, skidded into the left hand lane. The skid took me by the car and into the middle of the intersection. I jumped on the gas and cleared it before the cars coming the other way, waiting to turn left, entered the intersection. That was close enough to give me the shakes for a bit, and again, all my fault.
