Close to crashing, dam!

[Popeye the Sailor]

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.

[TiNi]

+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 

don't be a tailgater 

[DCXCV]

+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.

[SaltLick]

yeah i was riding too close to him, ill learn some day...

[696Racer]

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

[Ducatiloo]

I'm sure the SUV used his turn signal.  Glad your ok

[ducpenguin]

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!

[A.duc.H.duc.]

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.

[SaltLick]

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.

[Triple J]

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.

[PizzaMonster]

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 !

[Raux]

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 

[PizzaMonster]

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   

[SaltLick]

ha ha its okay i expected as much from a bunch of guys    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. 

[ScottRNelson]

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.