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Post by xenaswolf on Jul 27, 2007 8:00:42 GMT -5
We went camping this weekend ( well our weekends are tue-thurs).
Got to the camp ground and got unpacked and I had forgotten the lantern. Well I had to go into the nearest town to get one.
I got to the entrance to the park and there were cops and ambulances everywhere.
Seems a 60 year old man on a Harley tried to pass a truck turning into the park. He was only wearing one of those little helmets that are so popular. He didn't make it. He was flying low on a twisty winding road and he had an expired license. They weren't sure if he was under the influence or not.
Seeing a dead body on the side of the road is disconcerting to say the least. I was a paramedic and it brought back some awful memories.
Please, please, be careful, wear the proper gear and don't do silly things on your beloved bikes.
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Post by Lady B on Jul 27, 2007 8:25:44 GMT -5
AMEN! I had too many experiences as a Physical Therapist with the "lucky ones"--the riders who unfortunately 'survived' the accidents but who weren't wearing the proper gear or did the silly things on their bikes. Even big, strong muscular bodies are no match for motor vehicles and solid asphalt...or worse, other stupid drivers.
Even as you are enjoying your ride, please be safe.
Lady B
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Jul 27, 2007 9:06:25 GMT -5
I've lost 3 friends to motorcycle accidents. Bikers, please wear your brain buckets. Drivers, please look out for the bikers... Be safe out there.
Dan
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jul 27, 2007 10:23:57 GMT -5
It is those idiots that take foolish chances- or the ones that ignore the bikes- that ruin it for the rest. I won't get a bike because it is just to insane out there
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WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
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Post by WyckedWyre on Jul 27, 2007 10:31:50 GMT -5
The problem is motorcycles are REALLY hard for drivers to see...especially in a blind spot. Unfortunately, no matter how much armor, you're no match for a car or truck.
And then there are the idiots on wheels, usually crotch rockets, who think it's fun to perform stunts *wheelies...speeding between cars, etc* in heavy traffic.
I've also seen a rider plant his peg when going around a turn and slide right under another vehicle. I want a bike, but they're SCAREY!
Have fun, be safe.
:-/S
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Post by Cher on Jul 27, 2007 11:12:18 GMT -5
Be safe, not sorry ...
Remember Indian Larry!!
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earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Jul 27, 2007 18:24:46 GMT -5
I don't wear a helmet, unless I go through a state where you have to. My helmet of choice is a half helmet. Takila has the full face helmet.
Even a car is hard to see in a blind spot! I don't understand why alot of people say a bike is hard to see when they all have a bright headlight on and in my case along with alot of others, a lot of gleaming chrome.
If these nitwits would get off the G.D. cell phones while they are trying to deal with kids in the back seat the whole time they are trying to mess with finding a radio station, we all would be better off.
I can't begin to count how many times we have been on the 8 lane interstate 94 coming from Chicago and some jerk merges on while talking on his cell phone, doesn't even look and almost takes us out, the whole time we are in the 3rd lane. I pull right up next to them and raise my hand with one finger stretched out.
In fact it happened last Sunday when we were coming home from Lake Shore Harley's 40th anniversary bash. People just don't look or care who has the right of way. Remember when the interstates used to have a yeild sign when you were merging onto the I? I know at least here in Wisconsin and Illinois, Indiana don't have them any more. And that makes people think they can just cut right in and the people already on the I have to move over or slow down for them.
If some dumbass wants to do something stupid especially while riding a bike and without a valid license, then they are just asking to get creamed.
Remember Billy Lane? Passing in a no passing zone, in a truck, while drunk. Doesn't matter if you are on a bike or in a car, if you do stupid things it will catch up to you.
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WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
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Post by WyckedWyre on Jul 27, 2007 18:32:21 GMT -5
I have a hard time seeing cars in my blind spot, too...but the bikes seem to come from nowhere. Most of my biker buddies don't wear helmets - the reason they give is they'd rather die of a head injury than live in a wheelchair following a broken neck. I plan on getting a bike soon...and the first thing I learned is that you HAVE TO drive defensively. Oh, and I'm with you on the cell phone issue...and DVD players in cars, and kids. Never had any of those, either...  S |
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earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Jul 27, 2007 22:14:08 GMT -5
I also can't count how many times I have had to weave and switch lanes because of some dumby in a car, not only on my bike but in my mixer too.
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WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
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Post by WyckedWyre on Jul 27, 2007 22:16:35 GMT -5
HA! Don't mess with Jimmy in his mixer!
:oS
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Jul 28, 2007 0:20:57 GMT -5
Quite a few years ago, 15-20 or so, I read a study that was done about why motorcyclists where getting run off roads. The conclusion was that motorcycles simply don't register in the minds of the majority of motorists. In other words, there could be a bike behind a car and another next to the car and the car driver looking at all mirrors and over the shoulder sees nothing but empty road. I experienced this a couple times when I still had a bike. Both cases I was next to a car on the freeway, they looked directly at my location and drove right at me. Both times I blew my horn and scared the shoot out of them. It's a weird thing but it seems to be real in some cases.
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earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Jul 29, 2007 18:54:33 GMT -5
In my mixer, you wouldn't believe the people in cars that look right at me and pull out in front of me right before I get to them when they had at least 10 seconds before I got to the intersection to pull out safely. I would say at least twice a season I spill a quarter yard of concrete on the road because of something like that and have to mash on the brakes.
The only thing I can do then is blast my air horn and flip them off. This year I have made up my mind that if someone is going to pull out in front of me, I will hit them instead of spill concrete and not have a witness. If I'm in the right then they will have a smashed up car. You want to mess with an 80 thousand pound truck, you might have to pay a price.
It just amazes me what dumb people will do with a huge heavy truck while driving a Geo Metro, or a Ford ranger little truck.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jul 30, 2007 10:29:44 GMT -5
The problem is too widespread- When I used to haul the camper I can't believe the idiots thats would pull in front of you- It is hard enought to stop a 1 ton pickup without another 8000 Lbs trying to push it out of the way- People need to focus on one thing when they are driving- DRIVING!!!
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Post by Cher on Jul 31, 2007 12:22:58 GMT -5
Try having them pull in front of an 80,000 plus semi. I was on my way to a board plant with a load of tree length aspen when a car pulled out in front of me. I locked her up, laid on the horn and the old guy driving was quick (lucky) enough to get his car over to the shoulder of the road without going in the ditch. I was very lucky as there was another car coming toward us, I could not have gone around him. Scared the begeebers out of me, I'm sure he had to go change his pants after that one.
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Post by BAZ on Aug 1, 2007 19:59:15 GMT -5
Nobody cares about all the bright red 1075 placards on my Propane truck either and the 2,550 gallons of the stuff in my barrel. I might as well be in a Radio Flyer as far as the public cares. I've been hauling HAZMAT for most of my driving career and have more stories than I can count. (especially down in Phoenix where it is a free-for-all on the freeway) It seems though that truckers and bikers are in the same boat, they both have to drive defensivley. I notice a mutual respect with bikers when I am on the road and I give them the most room that I can.
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Post by mcdoverbob on Aug 3, 2007 18:21:49 GMT -5
Ron: I've taken an MSF course and believe that it saved my life more than once. I've had every crazy thing that's been mentioned in this thread happen to me. My invisibility on my bike continues to astound me, in spite of the three million candle power of lights up front. Garrish clothes, chrome, bright paint, loud pipes, LED lights, etc., will not save us if we are not paying attention or riding while impaired. I agree that in a bad enough collision, the helmet will not save you. Air bags and seat belts won't save you if you pull out in front of a semi while driving a car. But if you slide off the road at low speed and hit your head on the curb on the way down, someone at the head injury clinic will certainly ask you why you weren't wearing a helmet! Things like this actually happen.
Here in Florida, there is at least one other good reason to wear a helmet - with a face shield. I don't get off on picking the bugs out of my teeth and eyes. Wherever else you may live, I defy you to match the complete coverage of bug splatter you get down here during love bug season. Even riding behind a windshield, your helmet shield gets covered. Bob
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Aug 8, 2007 19:56:45 GMT -5
As a mother with one son who did get his motorcycle license at 18 (that was a surprise, I have no idea how he learned to ride, but I know it wasn't legal!!), and another up and coming son (16) who is really thinking about it, I have to say that, in MHO, I really, really do appreciate all the training and safety classes out there now. Thanks so much for all you do!
Pet peeve; in my state, if you are 14+, you are required to take a boating safety class, prior to operating a jet ski or a water craft of any kind.
However, you can simply go down to the courthouse, take the motorcyle license test, and get a license. No class required. You do have to drive a simple course, but that's it.
I would sure make my younger boy take a class, if there was anything at all offered here.
Should that class be mandated? Hmmm. A dilemma for me; I really, really hate mandates, but I also realize that the general public has issues with common sense. As a parent, I will not allow my younger son to 'hit the road' until I am sure he is going to be as safe as possible, for his safety and others'.
And, as I said above, my older son somehow obtained his license, altho our motorcycle was not in operation at the time.
Live and learn, as a parent! And help your kids live and learn, too.
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Aug 8, 2007 20:10:33 GMT -5
Baz, yes, people do care about the bright red warnings, and all the other warnings. My sons and I have practiced what to do if...., and discussed how far to hang back from trucks like that, especially at intersections and railroad crossings. When I was teaching my kids to drive, I was actually teaching them how to LIVE. My own personal defensive driving lessons.
We practiced strange things, like pulling out of a skid on a 'mag' road, skidding on pavement, skidding on wet pavement, driving into a grassy ditch at 45 mph, etc. We also discussed avoiding a possible 'blow-up' situation, and what to do if you see the red warnings in a pile-up on the interstate. (Take the ditch, unless it's a huge canyon, then take the median!)
So, just so ya know, people really do pay attention to the warnings!
We have also gone over the "look, and look again" motto, with specific emphasis on motorcycles. We did that even before anyone was actually riding. My older son actually recently said that lesson was a good thing, because he almost missed seeing a motorcyle! Scared the crap out of him, he made a point of telling me that the 'look again' motto saved someone.
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Post by xenaswolf on Aug 10, 2007 8:22:15 GMT -5
Holy thread jack Batman! LOL
For everyone of you safe riders out there, there are 10 that are just idiots on two wheels. I'm glad my state requires the training course for riders, I just wish people would listen to what they learned.
As far as bad drivers in cars/trucks etc, yes there are tons of them too. Hell they scare me in my little truck!
As far as the placards on big trucks, it would be nice if there was something that explained ( on the truck) what the numbers mean. I know some of them will say "Liquid Nitrogen" or will have pictures of flames etc. But its been alot of years since I took driver's ed and all that stuff on what the numbers on the placards mean. I guess when ya think about it, ANY liquid in that big a truck will be hazardous if it gets spilled.
About helmets: I don't ride so I can't say one way or another if they are good or bad...but as a former paramedic I can say I've seen more folks with helmets survive accidents than without.
So let me rephrase my original plea....be careful on your bikes, watch out for idiots in cars/trucks, and drive safely and get home alive. BE SAFE!
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Post by takilasunrise on Aug 10, 2007 8:47:50 GMT -5
Here in WI, if you are under the age of 18 and wish to obtain a motorcycle license, you MUST take a DMV endorsed safety class. All drivers/riders under the age of 18 must also wear a helmet and eye protection. Over the age of 18, you have to obtain your instruction permit, which I recently got after taking the written test. And during this time period, you have to wear a helmet, you cannot drive at night without another driver with you that already has a motorcycle license for at least 2 years. You also cannot carry a passenger unless they have a motorcycle license. Then, you can take your on-the-road test though DMV to get your license. If you take the safety class, the on-the-road test is waived. IN WI, helmets are not mandatory over the age of 18.
I personally don't always wear a helmet. It depends on what kind of trip we're taking, how's the weather, etc. I know it's the smart thing to do, wear a helmet, but I'm grateful that I live in a State where it's your choice, not a law. I know people that don't ride usually are for helmets, but as the saying goes, "let those that ride, decide". What I don't get is you'll see some young guy riding a crotch rocket wearing a helmet, but he is wearing a tank top, shorts and flip flops. That's real safe! Yeah, save your head, but the rest of your body will be in so much pain from road rash, that you'll wish you were dead. Learning to ride safely is one thing, dealing with all the idiots on the road is another. I've only been riding my scooter a short time and so far everything has gone well. But I have been a passenger for a good part of my life, and it amazes me how people only look for other cars, not bikes or 80,000+ lb. trucks! They really need to revamp some of the driver's education and emphasize they are not the only ones on the road. Yeah, motorcycles are harder to see, but they still have the right to be on the road. So look a little harder the next time you're out. The way gas prices are going up, more and more people will turn to motorcycles and scooters to save on gas. And, as an ex-employee of a trucking company and a wife of a truck driver, that semi or cement mixer or dump truck can't stop, swerve or speed up like you, so give them the respect they deserve. Who do you think will "win" in an accident, your 2,000+ lb. car or the 80,000+ cement mixer with 10 yards of concrete in the barrel? And for the idiots on the motorcycles that think they can go anywhere, do anything, you're the ones that give motorcyclists a bad name.
P.S. Oh, yeah, since I'm a "newbie" rider, I plan on taking the motorcycle safety course. I know Earthdog has been riding since he was a teenager and knows how to handle anything on 2 wheels, but since I'm new to driving, I want to learn everything I can!
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S
