Closest ive come to crashing was just about 30 minutes ago. Coming home on the backroads following an SUV. Up in the hills, were going around a sharp blind turn and he decides he wants to slam on his brakes and take a quick left right about the apex of the turn, oh yeah the turn was on a steep downhill slope. By the time i grabbed a handfull of front brakes and put in the clutch my front wheel locked up cause of the downhill slope and all my weight on my clip ons. Somehow i managed to barely keep my bike up, by the time i was done sliding and came to a full stop i was inches away from his bumper and i had one leg on the ground and the bike was tipped over with me holding all the weight by the throttle side grip, my bike was inches from the ground. So i was able to pull it back upright, no damage done other than my confidence for the rest of the ride home. Of course the asshole just made his left, leaving me in the middle of a blind turn with no shoulder, me trying to start it as quick as i could before somone else rounds it and kills me. I got it started real quick and got the hell out of there. Its amazing how quickly that stuff happens. Even though it happened within a few seconds time i was able to pull in the clutch, and stop it inches before it hit his bumper. Any other bike i would have crashed for sure, these bikes have dam good brakes. There was some sliding distance though, i was lucky. Having the front wheel locked up like that going downhill is not a good feeling. I dont know how i didnt go down i should have. Anyways, that just teaches me to keep my distance people are the stupidist drivers in cars its crazy.
GREAT SAVE!
and lessons learned. a good day after all.
Glad you are all right.
Sounds awful, Glad you are ok and did not crash. It sucks that people do not give a shit about others, they just do what they want when they want. Just reading about it made me get shivers. Glad your ok.
Quote from: 695LAM on July 30, 2008, 06:20:32 PM
Sounds awful, Glad you are ok and did not crash. It sucks that people do not give a shit about others, they just do what they want when they want. Just reading about it made me get shivers. Glad your ok.
Er . . . WHAT? Are you seriously trying to lay blame on Mr. SUV? Really?
Listen SaltLick knew there was an urban assualt vehicle in front of him on a twisty road that has intersections and/or driveways. And he continued on riding as he should. And apparently he was still barely within his comfort level because he was able to escape disaster. Good on him for the well executed manuever. [thumbsup] Way to stay alert.
Are you going to change any riding habits because of this close call?
sac
+1 on the good save, and also glad you're ok. Yeah, darn great brakes these Ducs have. This incident should remind us all that we should make time to practice our braking techniques regularly and to always allow a safe distance when following errant cagers, especially on country roads where they're likely to make unpredictable stops and/or turns when they're lost or suddenly want to gaze at a blunt-nosed lizard sunning himself on a rock by the side of the road. The only one who's going to save us is us. Stay alert!
Quote from: mxwinky on July 30, 2008, 06:40:30 PM
The only one who's going to save us is us. Stay alert!
Well said [thumbsup]
Good to hear that nothing bad happen to you SaltLick & may good the luck be with you [thumbsup]
Quote from: SacDuc on July 30, 2008, 06:31:20 PM
Are you going to change any riding habits because of this close call?
sac
Now, are you going to quit riding on Skyline all the time? I know its a nice twisty road close to town, but there's a buttload of traffic/bicycles up there, and it's a residential road. :'(
Quote from: krolik on July 30, 2008, 08:44:11 PM
Now, are you going to quit riding on Skyline all the time? I know its a nice twisty road close to town, but there's a buttload of traffic/bicycles up there, and it's a residential road. :'(
ha ha dude this wasnt skyline, yeah im off skyline now.
This was up off of burnside up at the top where all the cemeteries are...theres a road that shoots off of there that goes through some twisties and lands you on top of sylvan hill at the big intersection......yeah now come to think of it that road might be an extension of skyline, but it aint the same skyline area we are thinking of.....oh piss on it must be me following too close to cars, frikkin slow bastards!!
You pulled in the clutch?!!!?? Isn't that a great way to loose the rear?
Quote from: SacDuc on July 30, 2008, 06:31:20 PM
Er . . . WHAT? Are you seriously trying to lay blame on Mr. SUV? Really?
Listen SaltLick knew there was an urban assualt vehicle in front of him on a twisty road that has intersections and/or driveways. And he continued on riding as he should. And apparently he was still barely within his comfort level because he was able to escape disaster. Good on him for the well executed manuever. [thumbsup] Way to stay alert.
Are you going to change any riding habits because of this close call?
sac
OOOPs, No [bang] Was real tired last night when I read his post. Twisted it around in my head. But still some people could care less where and when they decide to pull a fast stop and want to turn. But you are right he did very good at saving it. [drink]
Quote from: mac900 on July 31, 2008, 12:22:06 AM
You pulled in the clutch?!!!?? Isn't that a great way to loose the rear?
your suppose to pull in the clutch if you remember and have time, it disengages the engine and helps to slow you down quicker.
Seriuosly? It's not up to the SUV to worry about the bike behind him when he makes a turn on a blind corner.
If the corner was blind, you should have gone slower. 99.999999999999% of the time it is your fault if you rear end someone.
Blaming the SUV here is just classless. Calling him an asshole for going on his/her way after seeing you didn't drop it is even worse. Most cagers wouldn't realize that leaving would put you in a dangerous position. Besides, you don't even know if the SUV driver realized they almost got rear ended by a reckless driver. [bacon]
I guess what I am saying is that the street is not a track.
Quote from: SaltLick on July 31, 2008, 06:04:41 AM
your suppose to pull in the clutch...it disengages the engine and helps to slow you down quicker.
I'm not sure this is correct. With the clutch/transmission engaged, you have the benefit of some engine braking. Am I missing something?
???
Quote from: Duc Stamp on July 31, 2008, 06:06:35 AM
Blaming the SUV here is just classless... I guess what I am saying is that the street is not a track.
Any driver who slams on his brakes to make a last-second turn is being inconsiderate to and endangering the drivers behind him. If you can't safely make a turn for yourself and the vehicles around you, continue driving and turn around. Otherwise, "a-hole" sounds pretty accurate to me. The street is not for slamming on your brakes to make a turn.
Quote from: CDawg on July 31, 2008, 06:35:46 AM
I'm not sure this is correct. With the clutch/transmission engaged, you have the benefit of some engine braking. Am I missing something?
When panic braking, disengage the clutch so the engine doesn't stall. The wheel brakes will slow you down a heck of a lot quicker than engine braking.
Quote from: ODrides on July 31, 2008, 06:59:51 AM
Any driver who slams on his brakes to make a last-second turn is being inconsiderate to and endangering the drivers behind him. If you can't safely make a turn for yourself and the vehicles around you, continue driving and turn around. Otherwise, "a-hole" sounds pretty accurate to me. The street is not for slamming on your brakes to make a turn.
While I don't disagree with you entirely, the OP was going around a blind corner. How does he know the guy slammed on his brakes unless he was following too closely? Otherwise, wouldn't it just seem like he slammed on his brakes since once OP got to the apex all the sudden there is a stopped vehicle there?
All I am saying is that there are enough ways to get killed on the street you cannot control, but you can control almost rear ending someone.
Quote from: Duc Stamp on July 31, 2008, 07:35:40 AM
While I don't disagree with you entirely, the OP was going around a blind corner. How does he know the guy slammed on his brakes unless he was following too closely? Otherwise, wouldn't it just seem like he slammed on his brakes since once OP got to the apex all the sudden there is a stopped vehicle there?
All I am saying is that there are enough ways to get killed on the street you cannot control, but you can control almost rear ending someone.
+11tybillion.
If you hit someone who stops (for whatever reason), you're following too close. What if the guy slammed on his brakes because of a deer? Kid in the street? Downed biker? Truth is you have *no* idea what the guy in front of you may or may not do for a million reasons. Giving yourself adequate space to stop in a reasonable matter really just is not too much to ask.
Quote from: someguy on July 31, 2008, 08:28:49 AM
+11tybillion.
If you hit someone who stops (for whatever reason), you're following too close. What if the guy slammed on his brakes because of a deer? Kid in the street? Downed biker? Truth is you have *no* idea what the guy in front of you may or may not do for a million reasons. Giving yourself adequate space to stop in a reasonable matter really just is not too much to ask.
well said dave [thumbsup]
don't be a tailgater ;D
Quote from: someguy on July 31, 2008, 08:28:49 AM
+11tybillion.
If you hit someone who stops (for whatever reason), you're following too close. What if the guy slammed on his brakes because of a deer? Kid in the street? Downed biker? Truth is you have *no* idea what the guy in front of you may or may not do for a million reasons. Giving yourself adequate space to stop in a reasonable matter really just is not too much to ask.
I also agree
except if it truly is a blind corner (or blind hill), road markings/signs usually do not allow for left turns. That's cause, even doing the speed limit, it's not always reasonable to expect that someone can react and stop behind a stopped vehicle that couldn't be seen due to the "blind" aspect. Now, you can add in the kid/dog/whatever, but I think any accident resulting from that would be no-fault.
So:
1 - hitting a car making an illegal left after a blind corner when you're doing the speed limit or under - their fault.
2 - same thing, but they are stopped for some other reason - dog/kid - no-fault.
3 - same as #2, but you are speeding - your fault.
4 - same as #1 but you are speeding - both at fault.
Or I'm crazy.
Just one of those things were the only preparation you can do is ride slower and be able to brake as well as your bike is capable of braking.
yeah i was riding too close to him, ill learn some day... :P
Quote from: SaltLick on July 31, 2008, 06:04:41 AM
your suppose to pull in the clutch if you remember and have time, it disengages the engine and helps to slow you down quicker.
Nope, downshifting would have provided some engine braking, pulling in the clutch does nothing to slow you down
I'm sure the SUV used his turn signal. Glad your ok [thumbsup]
Quote from: SacDuc on July 30, 2008, 06:31:20 PM
Are you going to change any riding habits because of this close call?
I think the real question is...did you have to change any of your riding clothes...I know, I would have!
Quote from: CDawg on July 31, 2008, 06:35:46 AM
I'm not sure this is correct. With the clutch/transmission engaged, you have the benefit of some engine braking. Am I missing something?
???
Not if you're in 4th gear. You only get to enjoy the benefits of engine braking if you have time to downshift. pretty sure you don't usually have time to downshift during emergancy meneuvers.
Quote from: 696Racer on July 31, 2008, 12:42:20 PM
Nope, downshifting would have provided some engine braking, pulling in the clutch does nothing to slow you down
if i had time to downshift, i would had had time to stop. shit like that happens in an instant, your lucky if you remember to pull in the clutch. Of course downshifting would be the best idea....try downshifting next time your seconds away from rear ending someone id like to see how that works for ya.
Quote from: 696Racer on July 31, 2008, 12:42:20 PM
Nope, downshifting would have provided some engine braking, pulling in the clutch does nothing to slow you down
Uhhh. Do a couple emergency stops...the first one with just brakes and pulling in the clutch so the engine doesn't stall...the second one while fumbling with down shifting, letting the clutch out to take advantage, etc.
Guaranteed the 1st try you'll stop WAAAAAAY quicker.
Brakes are strong enough to lock up your front tire...no need for the engine.
Yup...It's getting pretty awesome around here. :( >:(
A guy decides to blow off a bit of steam after a close call by sharing it with other forum members.
Next thing you know he's got guys telling him he was:
a) riding in the wrong place
b) riding too fast or tailgating
c) not braking properly
d) take your pick...invent something else he did wrong...it's so easy when you are an armchair expert !
Give the OP a break for Chrissake !! I'm beginning to think the best thing to do around here is to just not bother participating !
the way i see it,
1) glad he's ok.
2) glad he shared HIS lessons learned for ME to ride better
3) glad others provided further lessons for ME and HIM to ride better
4) not so glad people are throwing blame
5) i think HE took blame already so enough throwing blame.
6) can't we all just get along [thumbsup]
Quote from: Raux on July 31, 2008, 04:35:36 PM
the way i see it,.................
4) not so glad people are throwing blame
5) i think HE took blame already so enough throwing blame.
6) can't we all just get along
+1 thnx [thumbsup]
ha ha its okay i expected as much from a bunch of guys ;D always trying to fix the problem, or explain what you did wrong and what they would have done better. i know i do it myself all the time. i drive my wife nuts with that stuff. I guess i should have added in my first post what i did wrong (followed too close) and what can happen if you do (you go down) i have to keep reminding myself when im on a bike im on two wheels and to back off. its all good. [drink]
I think too many of you have the opinion that when car/truck/suv drivers do something stupid and put us in danger, it's just inevitable. That's not the case.
You need to ride so that even when other people do stupid things you're still not in danger of hitting them because you've done something to make it possible to avoid them. The original poster seems to understand that he was following a bit too close. Now will you change how you ride so that the same thing can't happen again?
I ride a lot of twisty roads, but one of my most important rules I have is to keep a two second following distance unless I'm about to pass someone. If I come to a section where there is no hope of passing (e.g., a blind curve) I go back to the two seconds distance again.
If you hit a car that was 100% at fault, YOU still get hurt, not them.
Quote from: 696Racer on July 31, 2008, 12:42:20 PM
Nope, downshifting would have provided some engine braking, pulling in the clutch does nothing to slow you down
Read the post again man. During EMERGENCY BRAKING engine braking has no effect as the rear wheel will have minimal if any contact with the road surface, and you certainly will not have time to down shift!
Eat some more [bacon] and call me in the morning.
Quote from: BastrdHK on August 09, 2008, 06:15:11 PM
Read the post again man. During EMERGENCY BRAKING engine braking has no effect as the rear wheel will have minimal if any contact with the road surface, and you certainly will not have time to down shift!
Eat some more [bacon] and call me in the morning.
I would add that being in first gives you options after you stop. What if you have to accelerate after you stop because someone from behind or the side is going to run you over? That's the the MSF course instructors told me. They took points off if you weren't in first after the emergency brake exercise.
Engine braking is minimal during braking and you're in high gear. Trust me, your rear brake is better than engine braking. You only get the benefit of the strongest force. Doesn't really add much if something less forceful (like engine braking) is used. Also, rear braking is easier to manipulate than clutching, imo. That last point is a personal thing, though.