A Close Call

guscar65

Active Member
Local time
Today, 05:11
Joined
Jun 15, 2019
Messages
101
Points
27
Age
73
Location
kirkcaldy fife scotland
First Name
angus
My Ride
blue/white T120 2018
just wanted to share an experience----So , last Thursday the three of us headed out for a day trip to Inveraray--it was a beautiful day----maybe the last of summer. There were literally hundreds of likeminded bikers on the roads---we came up fast on a slow moving procession of cars /vans etc. The leader passed without incident----I followed in quick succession whereupon the last but one vehicle pulled right out as I was passing!! --I did have the presence to use what twist grip I had in hand and shot away. the car missed me by , virtually the width of my saddle bag the road was just wide enough ---not full carriageway probably 5.7mtres (common in scotland). IF contact had been made I would have been in a high verge ---and bushes.
The thing is , and this is a cautionary tale------I recognised the hazard about 60 yds distant for what it was YET DID NOTHING ABOUT IT!!. It was clear to me that in bunching traffic ---someone was going to make a break for it. Its just tooo easy to get drawn into the moment. so what should I have done? well I should have held the outside lane slowing slightly with flashers on making sure that I and my intention to pass was clearly seen ---just taken that moment longer instead of being single minded to keep up!. Older and wiser. Please everyone be safe.
Another thing I have come to realise ----the bike, at its limits, has more acceleration than I can handle currently---i am getting more used to it as I use more, but its still that bit beyond. Back to that age old question----just how much HP do you actually need? and how much can you realistically use on current roads.
 
Good tale reminding us to be ever vigilant and not to get overconfident or cocky.
Things can indeed change in an instant when you're on two wheels.
 
Good story and sz good reminder. So glad you were not hurt! TUP
 
Good story and a great reminder. Glad it turned out well for you.
The very same thing happened to one of our riders last year while we were out on a club ride.
Our rider should have blasted the horn when he pulled out to pass.
You never know what an impatient driver may do.
 
Thank you for sharing and reminding.
 
One always needs to be so awake at all times as we just never know what might jump out at us at any moment. At times I have to remind myself this especially after I have made a move and then think about it later and what could have gone wrong. Having more HP is an advantage when you really need it in situations like these and at times we forget that the bike can do more than possibly we willing to try and push it to do.

Glad it all ended up well for you in the end.
 
thanks for your interest, and sharing your experiences. All is well-----just hurt pride this time and a sore bum by kicking myself for being soo lax------experience great-----if you actually use it!.
 
Knocking on wood here ...
 
Thanks for sharing, your hindsight ideas are good, try and pt them into practice, when you decide to overtake do it quickly and get out of the danger zone ASAP, could I suggest you consider further training there's a lot of good advanced road training out there that deals with this sort of thing and its fun. I travelled from Southampton to London yesterday and saw several mature riders on Triumphs (it was Sunday sunny and there's a dealership en-route) who were clearly in need of help. I thought to myself the stereotype born again is actually correct; It was real slap your forehead stuff. Stay safe and rubber side down.
 
Good post, things like that happen, i am in my 70's now and have been wondering when or rather how my reactions are in respect to "slowing down" speeds and distance wise. I am thinking about getting a smaller light weight and agile bike for closer to home rides.
 
David, like you, i am considering stepping down also.
 
That's one of the reasons that I like my Bobber so much. Is because, it so lite and nimble. That I can get around things really slow and easy. Plus, After that really bad accident that I had, that almost killed me back in 83. When I wasn't paying attention. Because I was showing off my riding skills to these pretty women, when I hit a stopped car on HWY 17. I hit them going fifty five miles an hour. I went over two cars and landed on my butt, very hard. I messed up my back really good, along with fracturing my pelvis, But I didn't even hit my head, thanks to my higher power. So I'm very careful these days after that. I ride very defensively these days. No more dumb stuff, like showing off anymore, for me.
I'm going to change the subject for a second. I was at my dealer's yesterday, checking out that new BMW Bobber that they're asking 22,000 bucks for. It's 1800 ccs and a very nice bike. I had seen them in the magazine and I wanted to see one up close, set on one just to check it out. What a nice bike too. But it should be, for 22,000 bucks. But, I still prefer my Bobber over it. It's just not as nimble as my Bobber is. But it's still a very nice cruiser. But for that kind of money, I'd rather have the Triumph Rocket 3. But the really cool thing was, I met this really nice couple yesterday, that were both buying their first motorcycles. He was going for the Triumph Street Triple R Low, while his wife was going for a Can-Am Riker 600. So, we got to chatting, swapped out phone numbers, I told him I'd be glad to help him break it in, nice and easy on the back roads in the lower foothills. So that he has a nice tight motor. Plus now, I finally, have some nice folks to ride with and go camping with. Plus, making new friends is always cool. My dealer was very happy with me also, for helping him to decide, to buy that Triumph Street Triple R Low and the Riker 600 for his wife. I just got off the phone with my new friend Eric. Who spells his name as Airic and I told him about our site and ask if he would like to become a member of our Triumph family? He's said, that he differently wants to be a part of us. So when he joins? Please, welcome Airic and his wife to our Triumph family. They're both first time riders and he's a proud new Triumph Street Triple R Low owner, for his very first motorcycle. His wife is also, the new owner of a Can-Am Riker 600. I feel really excited for both of them. I also told them, that I'd ride along with them to help them break in their new babies. So, that the engine is broken in nice, with a tight engine. This is what riding is all about in my IMO. Making friends, having fun and good camaraderie. Not having to deal with those 1%er, hard ass attitudes. Along with the drugs either. I really hate that kind of silly nonsense. Yesterday was a very good day for, indeed.
 
I'm always leery of multi car passes for that reason, not only do you have to deal with the cars you are passing but also the car heading towards you. As for the HP I'd rather have it in case you need it than not have it'
 
Thanks for sharing, your hindsight ideas are good, try and pt them into practice, when you decide to overtake do it quickly and get out of the danger zone ASAP, could I suggest you consider further training there's a lot of good advanced road training out there that deals with this sort of thing and its fun. I travelled from Southampton to London yesterday and saw several mature riders on Triumphs (it was Sunday sunny and there's a dealership en-route) who were clearly in need of help. I thought to myself the stereotype born again is actually correct; It was real slap your forehead stuff. Stay safe and rubber side down.
yes I was considering further training, not sure which way to go though, there is such a variety , the local school (pro-scot) do some but there doesn't seem to much demand so its sparse and costly. I really wanted to do 'bikesafe' with the police, but the nearest is in Cumbria which would mean a hotel stay. Police Scotland, doesn't take part in the scheme as their chief doesn't believe in it. I remember chibbing the police riders at their stall a few years ago at the motorbike show in edinburgh ---they were quite embarrassed. I was trained in the current method as i passed my test in 2010 ----but am quite shocked at some of my colleagues who passed their tests 30odd years ago as they seem to take some eye-opening risks, mind you I am one to talk , not.! I think the difference is that i know i need to improve. A close friend of many years in the saddle once asked me ----what was this 'counter-steering ' stuff. -----he had been three-penny piecing around bends for years!.
 
yes I was considering further training, not sure which way to go though, there is such a variety , the local school (pro-scot) do some but there doesn't seem to much demand so its sparse and costly. I really wanted to do 'bikesafe' with the police, but the nearest is in Cumbria which would mean a hotel stay. Police Scotland, doesn't take part in the scheme as their chief doesn't believe in it. I remember chibbing the police riders at their stall a few years ago at the motorbike show in edinburgh ---they were quite embarrassed. I was trained in the current method as i passed my test in 2010 ----but am quite shocked at some of my colleagues who passed their tests 30odd years ago as they seem to take some eye-opening risks, mind you I am one to talk , not.! I think the difference is that i know i need to improve. A close friend of many years in the saddle once asked me ----what was this 'counter-steering ' stuff. -----he had been three-penny piecing around bends for years!.
It will help, with getting your insurance rates down, that I know for sure. In the US, the more safety classes, that attend. The better your insurance rates are going to be. I like going to them, because you get to meet some really cool people and I like making new friends to ride with. Plus, you learn about any new motorcycle law updates, also. It's just a good thing, it you can and have the time to do it. IMO
 
I'm 68 and ride almost everyday. Just came back from a 1200 mile ride L.A. - Lake Tahoe - Santa Cruz , down Hwy 1 back to L.A.
Yesterday I rode from Hollywood to Santa Monica, damn dangerous traffic, you know all those candy asses in those cages. When in doubt, I just give it a twist and throttle up. On the weekends I ride Angeles Crest or Mulholland hwy more lately because it's cooler on the coast. My momma didn't raise no full.
 
One always needs to be so awake at all times as we just never know what might jump out at us at any moment. At times I have to remind myself this especially after I have made a move and then think about it later and what could have gone wrong. Having more HP is an advantage when you really need it in situations like these and at times we forget that the bike can do more than possibly we willing to try and push it to do.

Glad it all ended up well for you in the end.
just reminded. Your comment on how much more the bike will do as against what we are prepared to use is ---for me the real hub of the matter ---one of my buds keeps saying 'you have about 300+ hp/ton on most bikes ---that will get you past!. hmmm okay ,but I think its more about what your body can actually deal with. At first , when faced with acceleration you are not used to ---your field of vision pulls in as your brain struggles to cope with the amount of data caused by the countryside flying by, and as you get used to it you can tackle greater rates. I find that , (maybe because of our short season here or my age) that it it is taking me many trips to really master it. I take solice in the fact that even seasoned road testers experience the same thing. I remember reading some reports about a super bike ( blackbird i think) where the tester said that the acceleration was 'scary'. I note that nowadays they don't use that language but they still convey the principle. Remember back when they said that the Z900 was for 'experts only' it had 80HP!. anyway , one thing adds to the issue ---when you really give it the beans on the T120----you tend to slide back in the seat so your weight comes onto the bars , which is not really good . I need to work on that one.!
 
There are certain things i am overly careful about. Passing in the oncoming lane of those. I do it, but only when it's clear and any car in front of me doesn't appear to be anxious to pass. But i see other guys, always sportbikers who pass in crazy places like curves. A few have come so close to me coming in the opposite direction in my lane while passing a car that i have had to quickly move to the right side of the road. Good thing i don't have the option of talking to them because it would not be a pleasant conversation. One time being caught by police doing that and it should be away with your motorcycle license for life. Thats how i feel about it.
 
All of that gives us riders a bad rep!
 
City driving brings up interesting situations. I was riding today on a single lane road and the car in front of me was making a left turn. I slowed down and the car in back of me passed both of us on my right. Technically, that was an ass. It’s a reminder that there are people out there that do not think.
 
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