So I think I might hate dumb people too much to be able to ride again. Ever since being rear ended by a woman the fell asleep I keep thinking how much worse it easily could have been. If I got tossed at a different angle I could have been in oncomming traffic... Thinking about how much worse it could have been makes me feel a combination of anger and thankfulness.
I am angry because my body and my bike are injured. I am also angry because I feel like the purity and the love for riding is now tainted, this woman was stitting behind me at the red light for 2 minutes and then she accelerated into my back while the light was still red! I am the most paranoid rider out there, if nobody is behind me at the light I am always watching, with this I thought I was safe because she was there for 2 minutes, never did I think she'd just decide to drive into my back while the light was still red throwing me into an active intersection. NOTHING could prepare me for what she did... I mean WTF! Is it over? Can we just trust no one anymore? Like it's not bad enough to watch out for cars but now you've got people texting and messing with I-Pods while driving, parents with movies playing and crap, what happened to just "driving"?
I live in the city, the suburbs south of the city are the worst for bad drivers, I am damn good at avoiding the crazy cab drivers and the congestion in the city but the suburbs have morons blowing red lights and speeding all over the place, probably while sending text messages too. In the city there's too much traffic for anyone to do serious damage so I actually worry less. I have been good on the highway because I am super-defensive but since my accident I saw 2 incidents where cagers almost knocked bikers going 60mph on the highway, one time it was a girl in a SUV and it looked like she was texting. It's an epidemic with the gadgets in the cars, my level of paranoia is almost enough where I cannot imagine having fun out there.
Riding has been the best thing I ever did, I absolutely love being able to get away from the phone and computer and getting out and riding by myself, it's like meditation for me. I absolutely love my bike, probably the coolest thing I have ever owned, I *almost* like to just admire it more than I like riding it. Despite how much I like the bike and riding has really helped me find a good healthy hobby I just keep thinking how much worse it could have been. I want to have fun out there but I don't want to lose an arm or a leg, that aspect of it worries the crap out of me. I am moving away from the city, will I feel safer in the sticks??? I keep picturing screeching tires, a big SUV, and a world of hurt. I just keep thinking of how much worse it could have been and it makes me angry that people are so careless. I worked a 90 hour week and just wanted to relax and instead I ended up on my hands and knees in an intersection, just the thought of how unfair the whole thing played out has me seeing red and makes me very bitter.
It's good to vent man, but riding a motorcycle has risks and one has to accept those risks when getting on the bike. It's that simple. I feel bad for what happened to you, but the same thing could have happened if you had been driving and you probably would have walked away with a sore neck and a bent fender.
Life goes on man, no need to hold that stuff on your shoulders for the rest of your riding years.
I'm sorry for your troubles, I notice cagers doing the stupidest things. unreal.
preach on brother
i'm with you
i absolutely love the isolation and escape.... helmet on, world gone. everything disappears except the sublime pleasure of dropping 2 gears and leaning over. i literally spend my days counting down the hours till i get to ride home
then, you're at a light, watching a hummer approach in the rearview, doing the math, realizing that they weigh 10x what you do and praying that they notice you with the cheese burger, cell phone, and brat competing for attention.
The only thing we can hope for is for gas to go still higher, thus taking a fair number of these 2 per centers off the road. I really wish all states would adopt the CA method of allowing bikes to lane share/lane split. It's really safer for everyone concerned; especially us bikers.
Man what happened to you is not easy to take. There are no words that can explain how $#$@% up that is...You will recover, and perhaps you will get your bike repaired before summer ends, good luck to you. But you are right, it could have been so much worse.
Riding a bike is not a healthy hobby however, I live in San Francisco, and I had a tour bus trying to avoid traffic once that decided to exit the freeway at the last possible time. I was on its way. This was some time ago, there was not a helmet law in California than, however I had mine on. The thing is that I saw the bus coming at me and there was nothing I could do, it only took 3 to 4 seconds for it to hit me and send me flying. I was find thank God, I tell you My helmet destroyed, my jacket with only the silk lining left on the back, the bike, well, the bike was gone..!
I have always been very aware of everything that goes on around me when I ride, not in a paranoid way, I guess if shit happens, it will happen no matter what, hence your example.
You will find your way back to your bike and riding, you will know however by your own experience, that what we do is dangerous and it is not for every one. I never thought of it that way until 3 weeks ago I met this guy. My bike was parked and he was looking at it, savoring it, and I could see what was going on in his mind. I asked him, do you ride, he said, I did.. for a very long time, not any more.! He looked at me with a smile, and said, I survived.....! and he left. I saw the old timer walk away and I learned something very important right there.
Ride safe my friend, that is all we can do ! [thumbsup]
Quote from: Juan on July 18, 2008, 11:39:52 AM
I never thought of it that way until 3 weeks ago I met this guy. My bike was parked and he was looking at it, savoring it, and I could see what was going on in his mind. I asked him, do you ride, he said, I did.. for a very long time, not any more.! He looked at me with a smile, and said, I survived.....! and he left. I saw the old timer walk away and I learned something very important right there.
So very true, but it is also so hard to stay away from the bike. I took a 3 year leave, but still got suckered back in. I had a couple of rough experiences last week or so and it made me remember that Damn, this is a high risk activity...still, it's hard to stay away.
Quote from: CDawg on July 18, 2008, 11:48:12 AM
I took a 3 year leave, but still got suckered back in.
ducatis and cigarettes... you might leave for a while, but you'll always come back....
or something like that... apologies to peter egan
Quote from: cmorgan47 on July 18, 2008, 11:52:22 AM
ducatis and cigarettes and midget foot fetish porn... you might leave for a while, but you'll always come back...
[coffee]
Quote from: cmorgan47 on July 18, 2008, 11:52:22 AM
ducatis and cigarettes... you might leave for a while, but you'll always come back....
or something like that... apologies to peter egan
Great quote...
Yeah I had a bad incident this morning. Moron with a 5th wheel trailer. Luckily I saw what was coming. Two turn lanes, me on the inside at a light. Now a normal (good) driver would have take the turn wide due to having a trailer, not this guy, he took both lanes and cut the corner. I was already reaching for the brakes when I saw the turn and had to come to a complete stop to avoid the curb and pole. What was more fortunate is that I had cagers behind me who were paying attention and slowed as well. Needless to say after the corner I had a choice finger for him. I hated doing that, but I wanted to let him know what he did.
I will be glad to get back to Europe where people understand and respect driving as a privilege not a right.
Quote from: Raux on July 18, 2008, 01:08:17 PM
I will be glad to get back to Europe where people understand and respect driving as a privilege not a right.
Now THAT is funny. Not sure where in Europe you are from, but having spent some time in France recently, I know the drivers there are just as nuts
Germany and Northern Italy. And yes, France is crazy. But craziest place I've ever ridden... Athens, Greece. Lane etiquette is not their best skill.
Quote from: ducducgooseme on July 18, 2008, 01:15:54 PM
Now THAT is funny. Not sure where in Europe you are from, but having spent some time in France recently, I know the drivers there are just as nuts
I drove in Italy for the first time in May. They may be nuts, but they are superb drivers. They respect the "drive on the right and pass on the left" and the average driver know how to handle their vehicle much better than the average American.
eesnas, I've considered this kind of situation before. I figure that if I ever get too scared to ride city street anymore I'll sell my bike, buy a track-specific bike and only do track days. On the track it's a controlled environment with ZERO chances to be rolled on top of by an SUV.
Have you considered staying in motorcycling by only riding on the track?
You can die of cancer or a motorcycle wreck.
I'll take the wreck thank you very much.
I mean preferably neither, but, well I know my genetics and I am a shoe-in for the big C so why not take risks?
Wanna go skydiving?
This diatribe is the exact reason we all wave to each other on the street, and that we feel the need to be nice to other motorcyclists. Our mode of transportation is inherently dangerous, and there's no getting around it. Even if we lived in a place that had the most courteous, intelligent cagers, we would all still be at risk. I think, for me, it's the thrill of riding that I enjoy, and I hope I don't get in such a bad accident that I lose sight of that.
Take some time off. Don't ride until you hear that calling.
I live in the country and hate to ride in the city. I spend almost all my time riding in the Hocking Hills Region of South Eastern Ohio. Appalachia. I feel much safer there ,but you still have kids that think they are speed racer on the curviest roads and people in pickup trucks that think they are running a Nascar race on these roads.
I still must be on guard for those types coming and going plus the 4 legged critters that are the size of my bike that appear from out of nowhere since most of the roads I ride are lined by woods or Forest.
Never know what is going to be around the next curve since many are blind ,but that is where I love to ride.
I thought I was getting pretty good at riding these roads at crazy speeds for someone who had only been riding a Ducati S4Rs for about 1 year.
Missed a blind curve at between 50-70- mph and broke 4 ribs, punctured my right lung, had a contusion of my right shoulder, 2 sprained ankles and lots of soft tissue damage.
I was my own worst enemy. That was in early April and I've mended enough that mid June my Surgeon said I could ride if I choose to.
Well I've slowed down quite a bit and let's hope I don't relapse or I'll end up dead. You can bet I lost my innocence about riding like a Roadracer.
I do feel safer in the country as long as I don't ride over my head. I am slowly getting my confidence back.
I'm in the Army, I drink, I smoke, I scuba dive, I skydive, I snowboard, I surf (a little)... I might as well ride a motorcycle too. That said, I've got a beautiful, loving wife, and a one month old baby boy. The fact of the matter, is that there are risks in life, and that there always will be. I choose to live my life by being the best person, the best soldier, the best son, the best husband, the best father, and the best friend that I know how to be. I also choose to enjoy my life by not limiting myself from activities that I find enjoyable. If something happens to me, I want to be remembered for being a good person who really knew how to enjoy life.
Fear is not an easy thing to get over. In many cases fear is a necessary protocol in life. Fear is healthy, worrying is not. Fear keeps you alive in many situations, worrying induces stress and muddles the senses.
“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.†Winston Churchill.
+1 on the track bike idea.
We all go through the second guess after a fall... big or small. The f*&^ed up thing is the factors that are beyond your control. every time you hop on your bike or get into a car, your are putting your life in the hands of those around you... and trusting that they are safe and responsible enough to be driving. unfortunately that is not often the case. I am in LA... and heard about 4 different crashes on the freeways involving bikers... its ruff. even if you are not an idiot racing around the freeway... you could get clipped and there you go. Now that summer is here, i am reading more and more on the boards about a fellow member that went down. and every time i read it, i think, when is it my turn. but you are alive to live... and if motorcycling is a part of your life... your not living with out it.
QuoteYou might be a king or a little street sweeper, but sooner or later you'll dance with the reaper.
- Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey
You are going to die. I am going to die. We all are going to die. Do I want to die? No. Do you want to live in fear of all the bad things that might happen? I don't. It wastes time. Money comes and goes but time doesn't come back. Challenge yourself to live. Really live. Living of fear isn't living. There's a billion cliches saying the same thing. I wrecked my bike a few weeks ago because some jackass pulled out in front of me. I ordered a 696 2 days later. I could barely walk but I got my ass to the dealer. If I am going to die I prefer to do it on my terms. I would prefer to have a few scars and stories to tell rather than look back at my life and remember nothing worth remembering.
http://www.bigeye.com/donotgo.htm
i think this might be one case where loud pipes save lives, just always rev your bike at stoplights just to keep the people behind you awake :D
What happened to you is pure bad luck. There is nothing you could have done or any way you could have seen that coming.. I can feel the hate man.. I would be forever pissed after that.
Yesterday when I was going to watch the new Batman movie I saw a fellow rider that had just been rear ended! I stopped next to him with traffic behind me to see if he needed help. He was fine, he said.. I'm shaky, but I'm ok.. and got on the phone with the police.. The stupid cager of course was a teenager on a BIG SUV. she did not see him? How stupid are some people? I guess there is nothing we can do to avoid the inevitable. There are some ANIMALS behind the wheel.. that take the fun out of riding... I hope you overcome this fear soon.. although I know it will be on the back of your mind forever.. It would be on mine. Get better [thumbsup]
I was thinking of getting a vest and put a big reflective 'Radio Active' sign!!! I'm sure that'll get peoples attention! I just hate the idea of giving up something you love because of someone else's stupidity! I don't think you should give up riding. People could get killed sitting at home and a plane crashing into it!!! Might as well live it up! Just my 2 cents.
My first year of riding I ended up sliding through the intersection. It was dark out and a truck turning left cut right in front of me. I think I grabbed too much front brake because I was instantly (no skidding, no tank slapping) on the pavement sending sparks flying in the air. Physically I was okay and the bike was still drivable. Just needed some cosmetic work. I got lucky I think.
The problem is it's too easy to drive a car. Our brains demand more stimulation than we get from driving. So destractions help fill that stimulation need. That's why riding is so nice. Riding is all you need to keep your brain entertained.
Quote from: eesnas on July 18, 2008, 10:47:46 AM
So I think I might hate dumb people too much to be able to ride again. Ever since being rear ended by a woman the fell asleep I keep thinking how much worse it easily could have been. If I got tossed at a different angle I could have been in oncomming traffic... Thinking about how much worse it could have been makes me feel a combination of anger and thankfulness.
I am angry because my body and my bike are injured. I am also angry because I feel like the purity and the love for riding is now tainted, this woman was stitting behind me at the red light for 2 minutes and then she accelerated into my back while the light was still red! I am the most paranoid rider out there, if nobody is behind me at the light I am always watching, with this I thought I was safe because she was there for 2 minutes, never did I think she'd just decide to drive into my back while the light was still red throwing me into an active intersection. NOTHING could prepare me for what she did... I mean WTF! Is it over? Can we just trust no one anymore? Like it's not bad enough to watch out for cars but now you've got people texting and messing with I-Pods while driving, parents with movies playing and crap, what happened to just "driving"?
I live in the city, the suburbs south of the city are the worst for bad drivers, I am damn good at avoiding the crazy cab drivers and the congestion in the city but the suburbs have morons blowing red lights and speeding all over the place, probably while sending text messages too. In the city there's too much traffic for anyone to do serious damage so I actually worry less. I have been good on the highway because I am super-defensive but since my accident I saw 2 incidents where cagers almost knocked bikers going 60mph on the highway, one time it was a girl in a SUV and it looked like she was texting. It's an epidemic with the gadgets in the cars, my level of paranoia is almost enough where I cannot imagine having fun out there.
Riding has been the best thing I ever did, I absolutely love being able to get away from the phone and computer and getting out and riding by myself, it's like meditation for me. I absolutely love my bike, probably the coolest thing I have ever owned, I *almost* like to just admire it more than I like riding it. Despite how much I like the bike and riding has really helped me find a good healthy hobby I just keep thinking how much worse it could have been. I want to have fun out there but I don't want to lose an arm or a leg, that aspect of it worries the crap out of me. I am moving away from the city, will I feel safer in the sticks??? I keep picturing screeching tires, a big SUV, and a world of hurt. I just keep thinking of how much worse it could have been and it makes me angry that people are so careless. I worked a 90 hour week and just wanted to relax and instead I ended up on my hands and knees in an intersection, just the thought of how unfair the whole thing played out has me seeing red and makes me very bitter.
That sucks E!! Sorry to hear that happened. :-[ Be glad that you're still alive and get back on the saddle. That's all you can do. Maybe find another hobby or just track the bike or find a new off-road bike? There's always other options! [thumbsup]
90% of my riding is down in Manhattan. Come down to the big apple and you'll learn quickly how to survive and your skill set will sky rocket. We shouldnt need to ride like we are going to die, but its become a norm for me to slow down, and check my mirrors at the same time. I head check 3-4 times if i feel like theres a hot headed SOB thats doing 100mph down that lane (happens fairly often). I check every driver i pass.
Older gentleman in a suit. he looks like the type to mind his own buisness stay in lane, and maybe speed a little bit.
(this one is today) a Blonde who drifted to her right over 2 lanes. I was behind her and saw her jerk her car 2 lanes back. She did this twice, so i passed on the left very cautiously. We appraoched a red light, and i brake, shes behind me, and i put my bike in between 2 cars. The pregnant dog was texting. :/
Young teen dude in a BMW/Mercedes benz with or without a girl, hes going to try and race me. If traffic permits, im going to get away from him as far as possible. If no traffic, i just let him get pedal happy, and ride normally.
Anyone in an SUV automaticly gets flagged. They drive like they own the road. 90% of hte people i know who drive SUVs, drive them becasue they feel that if they get into an accident, they will live. So their mind set is "im invincible"
Ricer cars, watch out for sudden lane changes and annoying exahusts. they will ALWAYS try to show of their traffic skills by zipping in and out of lanes.
Other bikes are generally cool. 90% of the time i try to gun it with them and they dont wanna play. :( not like i could win anyway, they are all big4 Supersports!
you just need to becareful man. Every day i get into a situation where i think im going to be involved in a car accident and its always avoided because i made a bias judgement against a specific car or a driver and i keep my eyes peeled, ears wide open.
Be safe.
QuoteAnyone in an SUV automaticly gets flagged. They drive like they own the road. 90% of hte people i know who drive SUVs, drive them becasue they feel that if they get into an accident, they will live. So their mind set is "im invincible"
Very true. I watch out for SUV's even though that is my cage when I dont ride. I just drove back in my SUV from Tennessee and saw SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY BIKES! I wish I had my ducati instead of the suffocating cage. However, since I ride, I ALWAYS watch out for motorcycles and always give em the biker wave from my car. [thumbsup]
I really get angry at cagers. More so than ever. I am starting to get worried for my own safety now. However, I always say a prayer before I get on the bike and I always know that I just might get hurt or die. I ride knowing that anyone can die at anytime regardless of if they are riding a bike or not. I could die in my sleep tonight.
I guess the reason I choose to ride is because of my faith - I trust that my life and safety is in the hands of the Lord. Knowing that comforts me. ;)
Ride safe, guys.
Not that it is much comfort, but in reading the replies, notice that no one has said that, "yea, that happened to me to". Freak accident man that you were the unlucky receipient of. Take time to heal and let your head reset. I can't count the close calls that could have taken me off the bike forever. But with two baby girls, a screwed up 50 hour a week job supervising 78 people, and being a full time mechanical engineering student (to get me out of the screwed up supervisor's position), my Monster is my only break from life and I (just speaking for myself) couldn't give that up! With that being said, do what is best for you. If the paranoyia takes all of the fun and relaxation out of your ride, then you are being missing the benefit that justifies the risk. My humble advice is to just take some time off. It will come back around. Good luck.
Take a break and heal up. Think the thing through and see where you're at when you're well. The worst thing you can do is get on a bike if you're tentative. I took about 8 years off, not because of an accident, but to be an adult (stupid me.) When I got back to rding I couldn't believe I existed those years without it.
I will note one thing, when I started street riding in '72 it was a lot more dangerous, brakes and tires sucked, gear was not nearly as comfortable and no one look out for you. Upside was there weren't many SUVs or any cellphones.
Sue her out of house and home, for damages: to property and mental. If an idiot has ruined something you love, they pay.
Then go get an 848/1098(S)(R?)/F4 312R, and go play on some track.
I guess I'll chime in...We all know that riding is a calculated risk. We can take certain steps to mitigate disaster by wearing protective gear and riding defensively. At the end of the day, you'll have to ask yourself whether the benefits of riding outweigh the risks and only you can answer that question. One of my closes friends recently low sided resulting in bruised ribs and a broken collar bone. He's a father with two young sons. Despite his heavy passion for riding (roughly 12,000 miles in 9 months), his passion for living to see his kids grow up took priority so he hung up his helmet.
For me, the love of riding is still there, despite the retarded bay area drivers. I rode through the Oakland hills on Friday and found a Suburban going reverse in my lane after a blind right-hander. Later down the road, I was going around a blind left turn and found an old lady in a Lincoln Town Car attempting to U-turn over a double-yellow in the middle of the corner. Her car was effectively blocking the road in both directions in the middle of a blind curve. Still later, I Fawn was standing in the middle of my lane. There's sections of that road that I normally blast through, but earlier in the day, I read "The Pace" post in the Riding Techniques" forum. I was trying to apply some of what I learned from that post and was focusing on slowing down a little bit and riding smoother. In all three of the above situations, I feel that a crash was prevented as a result of this. Anyway, I'm rambling...
Quote from: Remy on July 18, 2008, 01:56:15 PM
eesnas, I've considered this kind of situation before. I figure that if I ever get too scared to ride city street anymore I'll sell my bike, buy a track-specific bike and only do track days. On the track it's a controlled environment with ZERO chances to be rolled on top of by an SUV.
Have you considered staying in motorcycling by only riding on the track?
I actually have considered this but I do not think it would do for me what I try to get out of the sport. I ride to escape, not crush lap times... I am very cautious on the bike, I ride fast and lean far but I am not looking to take the relaxation out of things. I think the track would be fun, but somedays I would still want that smooth ride though the hills to just admire the scenery. Being on the bike makes me enjoy the world around me more, it lets me really take in the moment, I think the track would be fun to ride but it's not the best place for relaxing and trying to calm down.
Again, this is what pissed me off about getting hit. I am out there just trying to relax after a long week of working my @$$ off, then some retard knocks me off the bike and ruins my chance to have a moment to myself. [bang] Still mad about it when I think about it, the whole damn situation sucks and the only way it could be worse would be if I was more hurt or dead. As far as the worst accident situation possible, I think a woman falling asleep at the red light and hitting you from behind takes the number 1 spot, I just got lucky I am not more severly hurt. IMHO she should have been arrested on the scene, in NJ they have a law where if you fall asleep and hit someone you can be charged with attempted murder. While she was plowing into me and I saw the oncomming traffic it sure felt like someone was trying to murder me...
which is why i say sue.
Quote from: eesnas on July 20, 2008, 09:01:18 AM
I actually have considered this but I do not think it would do for me what I try to get out of the sport. I ride to escape, not crush lap times... I am very cautious on the bike, I ride fast and lean far but I am not looking to take the relaxation out of things. I think the track would be fun, but somedays I would still want that smooth ride though the hills to just admire the scenery. Being on the bike makes me enjoy the world around me more, it lets me really take in the moment, I think the track would be fun to ride but it's not the best place for relaxing and trying to calm down.
Again, this is what pissed me off about getting hit. I am out there just trying to relax after a long week of working my @$$ off, then some retard knocks me off the bike and ruins my chance to have a moment to myself. [bang] Still mad about it when I think about it, the whole damn situation sucks and the only way it could be worse would be if I was more hurt or dead. As far as the worst accident situation possible, I think a woman falling asleep at the red light and hitting you from behind takes the number 1 spot, I just got lucky I am not more severly hurt. IMHO she should have been arrested on the scene, in NJ they have a law where if you fall asleep and hit someone you can be charged with attempted murder. While she was plowing into me and I saw the oncomming traffic it sure felt like someone was trying to murder me...
So Essnas.. have you sued the lady? What will come out of this? I sure hope that you will try to sue at least.. I know I would find a way to make her pay for attempting to murder you!!!!
I feel you man... It sucks when someone else's stupidity affects your ability to have a good time. Unfortunately, my OWN stupidity is preventing me from being able to get out there, + have fun and ride. (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=6913.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=6913.0)) I'm just tryng to chalk it up to a lesson learned, but at the same time it makes ME feel like one of the idiots!! :-\ I could've very easily taken out a motorcyclist or pedestrian. I am SOOO thankful I was the only one involved, but it was still stupid on my part, no doubt about it. Hopefully I can turn a bad situation into a good one by making better decisions in the future as a result of this.
When he moved up to 500's from 250's, Valentino Rossi once said something to the effect of: "The 500's are much more diffcult to ride safe, so is more possibility I crash. But what can I do, stay inside all day so I am safe?? No, I contiue to ride fast as possible."
In other words, there is an inherent risk in most things we do. The intangibles + "unforseeables" (like a lady plowing you from behind after siting there for two minutes) are always going to be present when we take risks, and all we can do is try and minimize the frequency of them occurring. If we quit something every time we get knocked down doing it, it would make for a pretty boring life IMHO...
I say if you love riding eesenas, don't give it up all together. Sure that lady was clueless, but who knows. If you keep riding, you may have many many years of joy on the bike, but you'll never know if you just stop. :-\
-just my .02, take it for what it's worth... [beer]
eesnas, I have to agree with you that your accident is by far the worst situation! It's completely out of your hands and there's really nothing you could have done. As a matter of fact the only time that I've ever been freaked out on my bike was when I was in DC stopped at a stop sign and a cabbie came to a screeching halt within cm's of my rear tire. By the time I even knew what was happening it was done. If he hadn't seen me in the last second, I WOULD have been done. By the way, hands-down the worst drivers I've ever seen in any developed country are the drivers in the DC area! All of them, DC, Northern VA, and Northern MD! Must be that DC self-righteous, entitled, attitude that's emanated from 1600 Penn Ave. :P I lived there for 2 years, after being in Boston for over 15, and every time I got on the bike (no exaggeration) I had a near-death experience. I rode almost everyday, so that gives you some numbers to work with.
I feel your pain man... I can't say what I would do had it happened to me, but I can tell you that no matter what decision you make I'm sure that everyone here will understand.
People used to be able to have fistfights (thunderbox if you will) to get over their problems. You can't really do that anymore (so people use lawsuits) and since she has ruined something you loved, this is what those types of lawsuits are there for.
Heaven forbid she's having tea and crumpets with her cronies and mentions how she got the pants sued off of her because she was a terrible driver and hit a motorcyclist, injuring him and ruining the hobby for him. Then her cronies also know that if they are boneheads, they too will lose big time.
There should be one of two minimums in getting a driver's license. Either they ride a motorcycle, or they take a HARD driving test with a probationary period.
If everyone rode motorcycles, there would be a lot less crappy driving, imo. We are all like robartlum in that when we drive cages, we're pretty darn careful and aware of motorcycles.
Let me add to "BMW/mercedes benz" thing.
This is the worst one yet, Im in h te middle of a 3 lane avenue appraoching a redlight, this pimped out Mercedes snaps a hard left into my lane when im already by his rear wheel. I break and steer, even with my HID high beams on his whole rear window, and me blairing my Stebel nautlius horn, he CONTINEUS into my lane even harder, and when i finanly stop with my foot 2 feet from his door, i start screaming at the window (which has been tintied completely) and after 20 seconds, he rolls down his window and laughs and says, i didnt see you man chill [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] Holy crap. If this was a lawless world, id sucker punch him and ride off.
So with taht said. SUE HER. People in america are too relaxed with everything. Driving while not paying attention is probably the leading cause of accidents that are user related. +1 to jclin They need to make it much harder to get a license. Im so sick of this shit.
Quote from: He Man on July 21, 2008, 12:29:43 PM
Let me add to "BMW/mercedes benz" thing.
This is the worst one yet, Im in h te middle of a 3 lane avenue appraoching a redlight, this pimped out Mercedes snaps a hard left into my lane when im already by his rear wheel. I break and steer, even with my HID high beams on his whole rear window, and me blairing my Stebel nautlius horn, he CONTINEUS into my lane even harder, and when i finanly stop with my foot 2 feet from his door, i start screaming at the window (which has been tintied completely) and after 20 seconds, he rolls down his window and laughs and says, i didnt see you man chill [bang] [bang] [bang] [bang] Holy crap. If this was a lawless world, id sucker punch him and ride off.
So with taht said. SUE HER. People in america are too relaxed with everything. Driving while not paying attention is probably the leading cause of accidents that are user related. +1 to jclin They need to make it much harder to get a license. Im so sick of this shit.
So what would have happened if you kick and dent his door? he would probably try to run you over.. unless you are skilled and fast enough to get away...but then.. you may risk getting into a serious accident by TRYING to get away. It sucks.. I know.. If you had a modular helmet you could have spit on his face at least!! [laugh]
Quote from: julianista on July 21, 2008, 01:08:03 PM
If you had a modular helmet you could have spit on his face at least!! [laugh]
If you spit on my face I am far more likely to hunt you down and kill you for it than if you kick in my door. Mostly because I will hunt you down and kill you for spitting in my face.
he had one of those AMG mercedes, to my knowledge, he could probably hang with me unless i WOT'ed it.
This is why i love traffic. you kick peoples doors in and just lane split away. I didnt mention the other day where a driver was so busy yelling at me becasue i was about 1 foot from the lane divider on a 4 lane st, he forgot to break and ended up panic breaking 2 inches from the rear end of someone else. and he continued to scream at me saying how it was my fault if i hit that car. I gave him the middle finger and it looked like he was about to have a heart attack.
Seriously man, RIDE in NYC for a month or two and you will develop every skill you need to survive the streets. minus drive by shootings.
Quote from: He Man on July 21, 2008, 10:20:46 PM
he had one of those AMG mercedes, to my knowledge, he could probably hang with me unless i WOT'ed it.
This is why i love traffic. you kick peoples doors in and just lane split away. I didnt mention the other day where a driver was so busy yelling at me becasue i was about 1 foot from the lane divider on a 4 lane st, he forgot to break and ended up panic breaking 2 inches from the rear end of someone else. and he continued to scream at me saying how it was my fault if i hit that car. I gave him the middle finger and it looked like he was about to have a heart attack.
Seriously man, RIDE in NYC for a month or two and you will develop every skill you need to survive the streets. minus drive by shootings.
come to Memphis.
will you guarentee drive bys ;D? I havent seen one since 1995, citys been pretty safe with guns recently.
The only crime in Memphis (besides those by politicians) is within places like Orange Mound - so you have to go looking for it.
That being said, a man in the 'hood shot another man recently, because he would not share is beer, and yes, it was a 40. I could not make this up - it was on the news.
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=7561.0
Another car versus stopped motorcycles...bad outcome.