Same story different day,car pulls out ,fatal crash

I was out for a ride Sunday keeping a eye out for Bigfitz as he said he might be in my neck of the woods. 5 miles from my house I came across a vehicle that pulled out in front of a Goldwing with a Husband and Wife in there early 60's .The wife died and the husband was in bad shape,people in the vehicle did not see them. I bought my first road bike in 1985,it was a 83 virago 500 that my girlfreind (now my wife) would always hop on and go for a 100 mile ride.I sold the Virago to a guy I worked with in 87 to buy a FZ 600. He also died on THAT bike from someone pulling out in front of him.My wife will not even sit on the bike I have now because of the above storys,and lets me know of every bike car accident that she here's of. Do you guys have any safe riding tips you can give me and other riders?Them Dam cars just don't see us.

 

That's why I ride with my light on high. I really don't care how upset cagers get about it, at least they see me.

 

One of the things I try to do is weave a little in my lane when I see a potential problem ahead.

My hope is that at some point the beam from my lights will be pointed directly at them

 

Headlight modulators are next-to-impossible not to notice during daylight hours (for all except the most hopelessly brain-dead----which may unfortunately include 90% of the population).....sort of looks like a police or emergency vehicle.

 

It's really scary, man. I think about it sometimes, and wonder if riding is worth it. It's just rolling the dice every single time, and more is at stake than the money in your pocket.

Does anyone know anybody that just gets scared out of riding? Like they can't shake the feeling of impending doom, or the logic of how dangerous it is just kind of wins out, and they stop riding?

I've always wondered if anyone does that, or if once you start you never stop.

 

I've seen those flashing lights on other bikes.Do you have them and how much are they?

 

Not yet........

However, just be aware that if/when you get one, don't for a second think that it is a "saving grace" or a "get out of the morgue free" card........in other words, don't get a false sense of security over having one, because that "sense of safety" will reduce your level of paranoia over what the "other guy" can/will do, and in many cases, it is that paranoia that keeps you alive.


Tail-light strobers/flashers are not a bad idea either.........

 

I think headlight and brake light modulators are an excellent idea too. Although I haven't added a headlight modulator (yet).

I'm almost certain the girl that pulled out on me never looked. There is absolutely nothing I could have done that she would have seen. The only way I could have prevented this crash is if I'd seen her, but I picked the wrong time to glance down at a switch I'd just installed on my motorcycle.

I've had people turn in front of me or pull out numerous times and was only safe because I'd predicted their move. I like to think I try harder now.......

For what it's worth, a couple weeks ago I had a little blue haired lady pull out on my GMC Yukon. I watched her reach the intersection, look down the road away from me and proceed to go. If I hadn't been on the ball her little econo-box would be a stain on my tire.

 

Pipe Dreams,I hear ya 100% My 9 and 12 year old kids always want to go for a ride with me but I'm afraid to take them.

 

If we are so scared why bother to walk out the door to begin with? Caution,observation and expect the unexpected from the cagers are all good common sense tools u can use to help with your riding habits. I TRY and stay ahead o the packs o traffic to avoid being trapped by them,and clear vision ahead but even that can be a dauntin task. the 12 second scan rule will keep u alive if you observe it. Scan ahead 12 seconds to anticipate problems before they become a problem.when coming to an intersection EXPECT someone to pull out in front o u,especially if a cager is sittin at the stop sign(light). The HARDEST ones to avoid are the ones that cut you off crossing your lane of traffic whether 2 or 4 or 6 lanes. i had to ditch mine once to avoid a side impact as the driver heard my horn and stopped dead in the middle o my lane. the bike wasnt damaged more than the signals and neither was i but i was mighty upset. the look on the drivers face said it all.he was white as a ghost and scared sh__less.

 

Carl, I bet it was a Blue haired lady in a Buick.

 

marge simpson?? gotta have homer beat the crap outta her when she gets home!!!!! sorry couldnt resist!

 

Cant add anything t what has already been said other than somedays it keeps me from riding.. I fI get up and really dont feel it a good day to ride I dont regardless of the weather..

Just my 2 cents...

 

When my wife and I started dating, I had my Maxim the first time round. She rode with me everywhere. Then I sold it. Now that I have it back again, she is none too happy. Stories like this, along with my 5 year old and 18 month old, make me second guess my decision to get back into riding.

I agree with, and practice, all the stuff that others on this forum often mention when this topic comes up: Vigilance. Safety course. Ride like you are invisible. Point at other drivers. High beams. Be conscious of cagers' blind spots. And never wonder if the driver of that car saw you - know in your heart that they didn't.

But we can't lose the simple pleasure of a twisty road in front of you, the smell of the open air, and the crack of the throttle. Otherwise, what's the point...

 

Instead of being paranoid and/or doing things that you "think" might make you more visible (flashing brake lights and riding with your annoying high beams on all the time) might I suggest:

Firstly: ensure your bike is inproper working order with good tread on your tires and the brakes in tip-top shape. Controls properly lubricated and adjusted. Etc. This only makes sense. If you can't afford, or don't know how, to do it...then if you ride on the road you are only taking your life in your own hands.

Secondly: ALWAYS keep an eye open on all traffic around you. ALWAYS look at potential upcoming problems (like people pulling out of driveways and running reds). Always have a way out...if....if whatever. Take a motorcycle safety course...often. It is good experience...and saves you $ on your insurance.

You can't control the idiots in the cages who don't see you. But you can improve your riding skills. And if your bike is in as good a shape as your skills you might be able to avoid those inattentive fools that are out there to kill you.

My sincerest condolences to that couple on the Goldwing.

 

So Mike what your saying is that you dont think the headlight modulators, flashing brake lights and extra lights on the front end dont help?

I dont agree with you on this but do agree with your other points

 

My kids come first. if they tell me to stop riding, I will mothball my bike for a later time. I wont even think twice about it.
However, my kids love the fact I have a bike. they love sitting on it, putting on my helmet and making the sweet sounds of the XJ revving up. It is quite hilarious to watch.
they also understand that I wrecked a while back and were upset that it happened. My son made sure I was okay on a daily basis by testing my ribs. he would jump on me as I tried to lay down. my groans would let him know I wasnt healed yet. :lol:
My daughter is a different story. she still asks about it. she looks at my knee to look at the rash I have left. Every time that I get my helmet out, she is the first to jump up and tell me "Be careful on your motorcycle, daddy!" She reminds me everyday of the need to be vigilant and safe.
Every intersection that I pass has my head on a swivel. I watch the faces of the drivers in the cars to see if they see me. I note how close in the intersection they are to the street I am on. look for cars that are creeping forward in a hurry. I move to the center of the street as much as I can so they have an unobstructed view of me.

on the highway, I never let cars get in my blind spot. I dont get in theirs, either. I can always speed up or slow down to find a pocket where there are no cars around me. Always stay in the right hand lane so I only have to worry about what is on my left. as I come up to on-ramps, I scan the entire ramp for cars coming. I notice every car on the highway and I especially look for people on their phones.

 

one of the best pieces of advice I ever got was "watch the tires" if the tires are spinning the cage is going to roll, forget the driver, you can look right at them and they wont see you, but the tires never lie. So, whenever I'm coming to an intersection and I see a car doing a "california stop" I wave, blow my horn, swerve my bike in the lane any of these things will help, but I watch the tires and if they stop, then I know I'm good to go.

 

Vigilance is a must. In my short time riding (less than 3 months) I've had two people pull out in front of me or almost pull out. The lady yesterday was half out into my lane when she saw me and stopped. I was already on the brakes when she saw me as I had anticipated that she was coming out. The rolling tires wouldn't have meant anything.... she had come to a dead stop and just didn't see me. I always slow down and watch the drivers when I see them at the intersection or stopped to turn left. My first one was a dear heart talking on her cell phone. I sensed that one beforehand and was already slowing down. She got my horn and a look but I refrained from "waving" at her.

Before my husband got his MC last year, we had decided that even though we would like to have one, they were too dangerous. But then a friend pointed out a pearl of wisdom that changed how I think about things.... "If you live your life not doing things because "something might happen", you'll never do anything." We just do what we can to stay safe and look out for others.

 

Came across an accident this weekend. 4 lanes on stopped traffic. Once we were moving again, there was a cycle on its side and car rolled over. Cycle driver in hospital in critical condition. His passenger, his 12 year old daughter. Just looking at the scene was scary. Yet, I took my cycle out yesterday for 1.5 hour drive with my wife on back. I've had a number of close calls, but never laid it down. I have friends that have had a bad incident and refuse to go back out on a cycle. Got my wife riding now and worry about her because she is new to driving. Have told her the cagers are trying to hit her, so act accordingly. Hope I never have to stop riding. Not sure how I would react if I had an accident. I feel if it is going to happen, it will. I try to keep room to react and try to predict danger. Yesterday, there were several situations of people pulling out without estimating my speed. I try to back off at intersections until I know for sure they are not pulling out.

 

Just this past May, the same week i got my maxim back from teh shop, i had THREE near death experiences. The first one i avoided by jumping my bike up onto the side walk while teh car that would of rear ended me hit the car in front of me. The second was the very next day. I had a car pull out of a driveway and i was able to stop in time. (they were reversing and obviously not checking there blind spots). The third time was a couple of days later and i came up to a four way stop and was waiting for my turn to go. A semi driver wasnt paying attention and ended up having to slam on his brakes. Luckily i was looking in my rearview mirror because i just popped the clutch and drove right into someone lawn. The trucker slid right through the intersection and then kept going. Luckily no one was hit.

I absolutely love riding. If there was no risk in life, would there be any rewards?

 

It can happen at anytime and anyplace. I think marsmom quoted it well "If you live your life not doing things because "something might happen", you'll never do anything." And like Helmet it would only take one request from my family and my bike would be off the road. We had legnthy discussion about this after Bill and we believe in the saying above and also in what Bill told me a few weeks before his accident. Dave, "I know where I'm going in Life and In death. Do you? Make sure you have your head right."

I've had my share of accidents some my fault by riding above my skill set or not being aware of conditions. I tend to ride more agreessive keeping myself away from cagers out of their blind spots andthem out of mine. I ended up blowing by a young girl in a jacked up pick up texting yesterday to get away from her. The same with a county employee putting on make up after I got tired of her dropping beloew the speed limit (this one I turned in). You just need to be ALERT!! and figure they are all out to get you!! but please leave the mind set in your helmet when you take it off or people will think your a crazy @$$hole.

Ride safe!

 

First... I was sadden to read up on Bill's passing (I have been away for awhile and not able to access internet). Although I have only asked for advice a few times, it has been more than educational reading tips and techniques people like Bill has offered. I have had a few issues with my bike in the past few months, the typical stuff, carbs, valves, starter, etc.... i believe everytime i have done a search for similiar issues, Bill seems to have some advice for the person asking, I will repeat what someone here has phrased "if it wasn't for XJBIKES.COM and the people here, i would not be riding" anyway my point and .02 is that when i hear stories like Bill's and others, that gives me more passion and courage to hit the pavement....

Bill - R.I.P.
when you look down around the Ottawa area you will see me cruising the south country roads

on a side note regarding ideas for cagers to see you better, while i don't have an opinion on that, however, a co-worker and fellow rider here does take a unique item when he hits the roads for a nice cruise - 1 dozen eggs :twisted:

 

I love my family just like everyone else on here so I upped my life insurance and keep on riding.

Always watchfull for that cager not looking and always ride with my high beam on.I also installed an airhorn 139db mounted under the seat really helps with the deer.

Safe riding to all,
James

 

how is the horn working out, can you share a brand name or link for purchase, I desperately need a new one!

 

Guy's no matter what we add or do to our bikes there is some bad drivers out there . They do not see cars imagine a bike lets just be ALERT and keep doing what we love .We cant stop always to think about death or accidents on bikes because we would never ride.

Fab

 

I think this is the one I have [http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2137/]
Its freaking loud. I have pods so I put it where the air box used to be my 81 650 maxim even had a factory hole that worked for mounting.

 

thanks, my current horn barely even works. so might as well upgrade while replacing!

 

Yup, I've been looking at a new horn, I like the brake mods with 5 sec flash and perhaps the head light modulator. I also have a bright riding jacket with armor. again, Bill was as safety, as careful as they come, it is a matter of does your passion outway your fears ( for my other brother, no he is selling his bike) and always ride with your eyes wide open. You'll not only enjoy the view, but you'll make it home too.

 

I gave up riding for nearly 20 years when I had the responsibility of a wife and two minor kids. I still have responsibility for my wife and now Bullethead the Boston Terrier but they both ride with me so what the hey! The question was asked earlier if people just get cold feet and stop riding. I have had times when I decided to delay a ridebecause I just didn't feel that I would be safe but it was for personal reasons. Too pre-occupied with work, etc. to be able to devote full concentration to the task at hand.

One thing that is inexpensive and yet is very effective is a conspicuity vest in the green color. It will make you stand out like a sore thumb. All that is needed is to find a safety aparrel store or an equipment rental place and they usually cost less than $20.

The bad side? Ya kind of look like a dork going down the road
The up side? You like like a VERY VISIBLE dork going down the road.

For nightime these vests usually include a couple 3M scotchlite strips!

A lot of protection for a reasonable price.

 

Ride like you're invisible.

Test your braking... Run your bike up to the speed limit on an empty road (both open and normal roads)and jump on the brakes, brake as hard as you can without coming off the bike... Do this regularly in wet and dry conditions so that you know how much distance you need to stop.

Be alert, the world needs more lerts!

 

I like that. Thats how I think of it too. I pretend NOBODY can see me and everyone might try to hit me since Im invisible. I think my loud exhaust does help a little though with it, people usually look over if Im next to them. Doesnt help much with the dummies who pull out without looking. Im ready to swerve out of the way every time.

Long story short, You could die anytime. stay paranoid and alert.