So I'm crusing down the frontage road, slightly faster than speed limit as usual, and I see this car coming out a driveway from a fast food place. I noted that she made no head turn so there was definitely no eye contact. I immediately knew what was coming. Right...she didn't stop. She just plowed right out into the roadway. I had already twisted the throttle and swerved, and she missed my rear end by inches. At the next intersection she pulled up and turned right without looking at me despite honking my horn to get her attention. I just wanted to give her the old thumbs down for being an idiot. That really agrivated me and I was thinking about chasing her down for a confrontation. I decided against it and kept going. (My road rage is extremely diminished since I retired. There was a day I never would have let it slide.) I have had people roll down the window and say "I'm sorry." That's nice.

So anyway having a near miss was far from a unique incident. It happens a lot to all of us. The thing is I escaped this time like I've escaped every other time.....by hitting the gas. Like every other time I can remember, if I'd hit the brakes there would have been a crash. One time a guy ran a red light and I didn't see him until he was 20 feet away about to broadside me at 45 MPH. I hit the throttle on my KZ1000 and pulled up into a little wheelie which thrust me foreward just enough to feel a tiny tick on my back fender. I love power.

In 1969 I got a Norton 750 Commando. Before that I lived in Hawaii and rode a Yamaha 80. I had a friend at the time who thought big bikes were dangerous so he got a small bike. I took a ride on his little trail bike and I remember feeling very vulnerable. I told him I thought little bikes were the ones that were dangerous. Yes too much acceleration can get you into trouble quickly, but there's no substitute for a modicum of self control.

I've ever since been of the firm belief that power = safety. Power has always saved my ass!

stay cool y'all
Sharkey

* Last updated by: Sharkey on 6/1/2009 @ 6:11 PM *

Remember the Norton 750SS with dual up-swept pipes? It had a yellow tank and the exhaust collars would unscrew if you did not drill and wire them up. I wish I kept that bike now.

I have many close or stupid incidents with people almost every time out. That new road I found the other day, some guy still hit the gas trying to time the other traffic coming the other way. As I approached and shot a throttle full just in case. Yep, he darted and stopped. It's like daily you need to be on guard almost every second.

You have that street savvy looking out for the common side street action. Good thinking on your feet or should I say wrist, Sharkey.

I'm REALLY glad you both are being "missed".It can definitely happen to any rider,any age,any amount of years riding.Skill has nothing to do with "other people's actions"-except your own in dealing with it.One of the most dangerous things about riding up here is when I'm going to pass a lane of cars,maybe 4 or 5.They're traveling below the speed limit.The lead car is apparently oblivious to the line of traffic they're holding up.There's usually many turn out spots on these highways here.Yet rarely will somebody have the presence of mind to pull over and let others go along at the speed limit.So I look way ahead,make my judgement,then hit my signal lamp,do my head check(twice at least, downshift and accelerate out and around-RAPIDLY.The scary part in all this is-if you're NOT LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PICTURE, it's very easy to "miss"that sideroad that's intersecting with the main road(coming in from my left).You know the story most likely-yep,that lead car is making a turn onto that sideroad,WITHOUT SIGNALLING.So here you are-stuck in the oncoming lane,passing at speed,and you've got 5 or 6 seconds to DO SOMETHING.Maybe even less than that(usually less).It's a frightening scenario to consider.I've had it happen here-however,I was NOT passing.BUT.....3 or 4 more seconds and I WOULD HAVE-I was getting ready to make my move.Had I done that,I would most likely NOT be writing this now.I guess what I'm saying is that I've got to stay in the game and not forget that other drivers are most likely gonna do things to endanger everyone around them when I least expect it.So I've concentrated on staying alive,and slowing up when approaching intersections, and not being so quick to "get ahead"of those cars.I try to use other vehicles when going through an intersection as the "blocker"-even if I have to slow up some to keep em close to me(on the side).I remember reading somewhere a saying-"trucks(semi's)are your friend"-when approaching intersections that is.I'm following this van along this twisty,curvy road -plenty of semi-straights in between.We're cruising along around 70ish.I'm back about a good 150 feet or so.No prob-having a nice ride.Little further along I decide to pass and move along at a quicker clip.So I pull up calmly to about the 2 second rule behind.Suddenly,brake lights go on,he starts to move over to the right hand side of the road there,slowing.Okay,I'll pass-he's giving me the room to go on by.Cool-head check,dotted yellow line,signal,downshift-good.Gas-yep,I'm movin now.One more glance back.Turn my head back forward-Here's this lovely gray van pulling ACROSS MY LANE.SHIT-GAS,GAS!!I gotta tell ya-I was doin about 75.This guy JUST MISSED MY REAR END.I know had I been able to reach back there,I could have felt his front quarter panel.All I noticed when I went by was this AMAZED,SHOCKED guy's face lookin at me.Jerk made a U-TURN AT A BRIDGE CURVE entrance.No signal,nothin.It happens here.Had he hit me,I'd undoubtedly been in the hospital or dead.I assumed he had seen me in his mirror-Isn't that what most of us do?look in our mirrors at least once in two miles!Dude didn't even KNOW I was back there ALL THAT TIME.You just never know what someone's gonna do!(or NOT do).Ride safe there all.Have fun!!I think having this bike,though "dangerous"as it can be,is teaching me to think ahead about stuff-especially my own riding style.I've had to adjust how I ride.It's no longer "balls out" everywhere I go.I'm enjoying this bike more and more.Life is good!!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/2/2009 @ 12:52 AM *

I hear you blue. I would rather live long enough to see the 2020 version of the ZX14 (i heard it comes with a jet engine). Every situation is different, but I find that being on the defensive at all times is a receipe that works for me.

Tell ya what Blue. You said the magic word.....DEFENSIVE....the only way to fly.
I've been around for a long time and the truth is, mileage counts. The longer you've been riding the more you can anticipate the bone head moves as they are about to happen. The key to defensive is anticipation.
When I taught my son to ride I gave him some basics which were mental rules.
-The most important is EYE CONTACT!
Always position yourself so you can see the other drivers' eyes. If they don't look at you assume they don't know you're there. Ride appropriately.
-Look for the telltales of a bonehead move.
Drivers will usually make a small move before changing lanes without a signal. With experience you'll almost be able to read their minds just by the way they track down the road.
-Always ride like other drivers will do the unexpected.
You can play a game, trying to count the number of stupid thinge a driver might do. (Quick stop, lane change, left turn without breaking...etc.)
-Look for escape routes if something goes wrong.
Play little scenarios in your head. Is the lane next to you vacant or is someone coming up fast?
-Be constantly aware.
Don't get complacent. The mental exercises will keep you on your toes. Cruise control is for shaking your hand not for taking a nap.

No matter what you do, eventually another driver will come after you. It's not personal just the ebb and flow on human existence. When the moment comes you woln't have time to think. But if you've positioned yourself properly you'll have the best chance to make the right reaction, and it's not always hitting the brakes.
Again I say, Power Rules.

I have found that the eye contact does not always work. In this age of cell phones people can look straight at you and not even see you. I try to watch the tires. Just like telegraphing a punch people always turn the wheels when they are thinking of turning. It works better when coming from the opposite direction looking for people crossing your lane. I have been able to save a collision to the rear of cars I was passing by watching the front tires anything other than straight and you know you had better go or brake for all you are worth.

Personally-I no longer rely on eye contact either.I try like heck to stay out of any blindspots.Don't know about you all,but having my bike has definitely changed my driving habits.When I'm in my cage,I'm doing the same things I do on my bike(except the high speed funsies).Non- motorcyclists just don't KNOW about "being aware".But I also think there's a lot more officers who actually "get it" when it comes to some of the things we riders do to drive defensively.Seems that way to me anyway.Most of em are fairly understanding when ya explain in a rational way WHY you were rolling at that speed while trying to pass.At least up here.(but I still got my ticket anyway!!) .

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/3/2009 @ 1:37 AM *

I second the watching the tires thing! and the cops around here don't seem to understand or care about sportbikes at all.