Close call the other day

[6or7dazeaweek]

Well folks, I need to fess up. I've been riding motorcycles since I was 16 and certainly have a lot of seat time on various makes & models.

The other day I decided to drive across town to visit one of my elderly friends who needs help with projects from time to time. We had a cup of coffee & had a nice visit. As I was leaving his place, I decided it was such a nice day that I certainly deserved taking a nice ride for myself.

So off I go, just traveling back roads and having a great time of it. I was looking here & there just admiring the scenery, new houses being built etc. All of a sudden I find myself going around a slight bend on an uphill. What startled me was that I was dead smack in the other persons lane...across a double solid yellow line. It only took an instant for that to happen and scared the crap out of me...so much so that I'm thinking seriously about puting the Harley up for sale. What should have been fresh in my mind was the two serious motorcycle fatalities in my locale that week. I think there was some devine intervention here because there was no cars coming at me when this happened.

At 62 years of age, I feel pretty stupid for having done that. Alive yes and thankful as can be. All I can say is if you're riding on two wheels, be extra cautious out there. For me, I think it's time to stick with four wheels under me.

Jon

 

[3RRL]

I tend to do the same when riding. It's not like sight seeing in a car where you have some sort of reference point like the car window or hood as a reference for the direction you're going. So you tend to see the lane and vehicle path merge apart more noticeably. Not so on a scooter. Also, a little weight shift...or lack of it will get you out of your intended path in a hurry. I've been riding almost as long as you (1965) and I really have to keep my eyes glued on the road. Also seems to happen more on my cruiser FLHS than on my street rod 89" stroker Sportster.

 

[Doc_Bob]

At 62 years of age, I feel pretty stupid for having done that. Alive yes and thankful as can be. All I can say is if you're riding on two wheels, be extra cautious out there. For me, I think it's time to stick with four wheels under me.

Jon

Jon, not your time to go. Four wheels improves your odds.
Bob

 

[AMP762]

It's these dang fool new machines,I used to be able to ride and look all I wanted,now when I look off to the side the thing wants to go there.They just don't make'um like they did back in the good ol'days.

 

[EddieWalker]

There's a saying that if you ride, you will crash. It's just how bad that's the question.

My crash wasn't too serious as I survived with just road rash and a ruined bike.

It was my fault. I was in a hurry, looked left, no cars, I looked right. Thre was a few cars, but a break after one of them. When the opening got to me, I took off. Forgot to look left again.

The moving van that hit me was doing 35 mph and picked me up and threw me. I was lucky. I was wearing heavy clothes, a helmet and gloves. If I'd gone under, it would have been allot different.

I sort of lost interest in riding after that.

Eddie

 

[Bird]

Jon, I'm 66 and the last time I renewed my drivers license I dropped the motorcycle endorsement. Don't figure on riding anymore, so figured I might as well save the $5.

 

[Thomas]

Now how does that ole saying go...4 wheels will get you there,2 wheels sets the sole free.

Takes a good man to admit he's cross the line and got some pucker power doing so,that a lone should tell you not to drop your MC tag.

 

[Jagmandave]

I had a very similar experience, except it was the car in the wrong lane, not me. Ran me off into a ditch full of boulders the size of VW's. Trashed my bike and the guy in the car didn't even stop to see if I was breathin or bleeding. I'm much more careful now........I've been riding since the mid 60's as well........but I'm not going to give it up, I enjoy it just too much. I hope that qualifies as my crash, cause I walked away from it.........

 

[Chuck52]

I was in Yellowstone and the Tetons early this month. Lots of middle-aged-to-60ish bikers enjoying the scenery. Made me wish I had done some more riding in my younger years. My older brother, I think he's 60 this year, still rides a big BMW. Heck, though, I even wander toward the scenery when I'm drinving a car. I'd probably be decorating the canyon of the Yellowstone if I tried riding there.

Chuck

 

[dholly]

Jon - I can understand your feelings, but aren't you being a little hard on yourself? Heck, if you hung up yer boots every time you did something wrong... well, I don't think that's the answer. Perhaps it's just another lesson learned, without (thankfully!) having to learn it the hard way. Everybody deserves a break now and again, so I'd say my thanks and get back up on the horse!

 

[George2615]

Jon,
I try to be more cautious the older I get. I've been reading about the accidents and fatalities in our state too. The majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by the inattentive person in the vehicle with 4 wheels and usually caused when they turn in front of you. I've been riding 35 years and the older I get, the more space I leave between me and the car ahead. Also I look further ahead for trouble areas. Probably a habit from driving truck. You need time to plan an escape route. If you still enjoy riding, just try and be more alert of your surroundings. I think we all start taking driving for granted with more years under our belts.

 

[NewToy]

I quit riding the street bikes 10 years or so ago, keep a dirt bike around to putter about the country a bit. After seeing a few bad cycle wrecks attributed to unattentive drivers pulling dead out in front of the unsuspecting cyclist I decided I didn't want my life in someone elses hands. I'll tell you one thing though, these dirt bikes today are alot faster than the ones from 25 years ago. I try to stay within my skill set (1st gear) while on the dirt bike so I still have fun. Since moving back to the country I've been kinda looking for a nice clean "R" BMW. (Don't tell the wife)

John

 

[6or7dazeaweek]

Jon - I can understand your feelings, but aren't you being a little hard on yourself? Heck, if you hung up yer boots every time you did something wrong... well, I don't think that's the answer. Perhaps it's just another lesson learned, without (thankfully!) having to learn it the hard way. Everybody deserves a break now and again, so I'd say my thanks and get back up on the horse!

Well I did manage to get back on the horse yesterday and was very aware of being on 2 wheels and trying to see if I did anything wrong. I still found myself wandering but in my own lane this time.

I think there are times in ones life when we know that it's time to move on and this may be one of them. I've only got 2500 miles on the Harley so it's not like I do a lot of veering out of my lane.

We're starting to get a nip in the air and I've always been a fair weather rider. What I think I'll do right now is store it over the winter & then decide in the spring wether to get rid of it. I'm sure there's going to be some very nice days in Sept & Oct for riding...but after that, it's all downhill.

I wish to thank all posters who have given their views on the subject.

Jon

 

[pennwalk]

Jon, How about , get a side car. Put your wife on the bike and enjoy the scenery. Women in leather are hard to beat.

 

[6or7dazeaweek]

Penn....I'm a two time loser with women....so the side car is out.