Close call...

[chauffeur]

Had a close call coming home from the GOTF that has been on my mind.  Thought I might share it with y'all.

Initial Conditions:  Spouse on back, leaving downtown Houston on northbound I-45, nothing but a jersey barrier on my left.  My only out is through three lanes of heavy traffic on the right.

I was getting warm, so I squeezed the clutch and used my right hand to rapidly open the velcro strap on my jacket's left wrist.  When I returned my right hand to the throttle, I quickly found that the engine had somehow cut off.  Immediately tried starter switch (no success) and releasing clutch in gear (no success).  Informed spouse we had some issues and we commenced methodically maneuvering across three lanes of traffic to the shoulder.  The vehicles in the right lanes were actually very cooperative.  I'm confident they sensed the urgency.

While still coasting on the shoulder, I found the cause.  The "kill switch" was off position.  I had inadvertently and unknowingly hit it when I was returning my right hand to the throttle.  I was a wearing leather riding gloves.

In retrospect, I created the close call.  I had chosen to close off the airflow through the jacket's wrists before the ride started.  I had knowingly chosen to take a very busy route.  I knowingly chose a lane that had only only one out thinking it was safer than dealing with the right lane entrance/exit ramp challenges.  I chose to briefly take my hand off the throttle in very busy traffic.

Interesting...  I would not be writing this if I had made a different choice on any of these.

That is all....


 



       

[Valkpilot]

Had a close call coming home from the GOTF that has been on my mind.  Thought I might share it with y'all.

Initial Conditions:  Spouse on back, leaving downtown Houston on northbound I-45, nothing but a jersey barrier on my left.  My only out is through three lanes of heavy traffic on the right.

I was getting warm, so I squeezed the clutch and used my right hand to rapidly open the velcro strap on my jacket's left wrist.  When I returned my right hand to the throttle, I quickly found that the engine had somehow cut off.  Immediately tried starter switch (no success) and releasing clutch in gear (no success).  Informed spouse we had some issues and we commenced methodically maneuvering across three lanes of traffic to the shoulder.  The vehicles in the right lanes were actually very cooperative.  I'm confident they sensed the urgency.

While still coasting on the shoulder, I found the cause.  The "kill switch" was off position.  I had inadvertently and unknowingly hit it when I was returning my right hand to the throttle.  I was a wearing leather riding gloves.

In retrospect, I created the close call.  I had chosen to close off the airflow through the jacket's wrists before the ride started.  I had knowingly chosen to take a very busy route.  I knowingly chose a lane that had only only one out thinking it was safer than dealing with the right lane entrance/exit ramp challenges.  I chose to briefly take my hand off the throttle in very busy traffic.

Interesting...  I would not be writing this if I had made a different choice on any of these.

That is all....


 



       

I applaud your honesty and transparency.

I think introspective thinking is critial to longevity.  Failure to honestly self-evaluate our riding increases risk.

Sometimes I lay in bed at night after a ride and wonder how I survived all the situations that presented themselves during the ride.

[SANDMAN5]

I have one of those universal throttle locks on my Valk.
Although I seldom use it, it has kept me from inadvertently
hitting the kill switch more than once!!

[Daniel Meyer]

I still think there should be a very bright red light come on in the dash somewhere when the kill switch is "off"...

[RainMaker]

Very detailed problem definition and solution. 

When I set the cruise, I often ride with my hand off of the throttle so that I don't interfere with the operation.  So, I've hit the kill switch pretty regularly.  Just flip it back on and listen to the backfire as the motor gets going again.

Glad you two are safe.

RainMaker

[saddlesore]

WHAT !! You take responsibility for your own actions? You don't try to blame someone else?

What world are you from?  I want to move there. 

[godfire]

WHAT !! You take responsibility for your own actions? You don't try to blame someone else?

What world are you from?  I want to move there. 

  +1 

[Jess from VA]

I also use my throttle lock to do brief adjustments to my bike and clothes.  I also have inadvertently killed the engine with the kill switch...... often, when I rock it back on (in gear), I hear gunfire.  LOL

[Disco]

I had inadvertently and unknowingly hit [the kill switch] when I was returning my right hand to the throttle.

I did almost the same thing Thursday evening on the way to GOTF.  Cruising in the left lane of 290 east of Hempstead and in very light traffic, I reached with my left hand to adjust my right mirror.  I had some momentary shock as the engine bogged, and dove the the left shoulder just in case, but realized my mistake quickly, flipped the switch, and reacquired my spot in the left lane.  Total episode was about 5 seconds. 

I may not ever turn my oem petcock off, but I do kill the engine with the thumb switch every time, then return it to run and turn the key off.  That probably helped my reaction time.

[chauffeur]

WHAT !! You take responsibility for your own actions? You don't try to blame someone else?

What world are you from?  I want to move there.  

It's not natural.  It is a learned behavior.  It takes years to develop.  Don't try it on your kids...

I spent the majority of my career operating, supervising and managing nuclear power plant control rooms.  To survive and succeed in those roles, one must very rapidly lose the defensive posture and quickly develop a self critical look at your own performance (both bad and good).   It is the only way to continuously improve and is one of the cornerstones for a successful corrective action program.  (blah, blah-blah, ...).  

The intent of the original post was to share an experience with others such that they may somehow or someway learn something from my close call.  The responses indicate that this is not an infrequent occurrence for others and that by changing a few habits, I could have more rapidly diagnosed and resolved the condition.  I particularly like Dave's response on routinely using the kill switch to stop the bike.  

BTW - the duration of the entire event was 10 to 15 seconds.  As soon as I got to the shoulder and saw the problem, I started the bike and moved back into the right lane.  Even with some shoulder braking, I don't think I was ever less than 50 mph.

I do believe that my career training and experience has some benefits for me as a motorcyclist.  Simply put, if your immediate actions do not resolve the situation, put yourself in a safe condition before it evolves into something unmanageable.  Hence, I put diagnosis on hold and maneuvered to the right shoulder while I still had some speed.    

Thanks for all the comments.  

[Baron]

Glad you worled it out  with no incident.   

[RainMaker]

Good news is that the incident did not lead to an event, gas flow was restored and your incident sequence analysis should help minimize future incidents and prevent future excited states.

While there may have been a fertile material release, no fallout was indicated in the report and application of heavy water will remove any spent fuel.

[HayHauler]

Good news is that the incident did not lead to an event, gas flow was restored and your incident sequence analysis should help minimize future incidents and prevent future excited states.

While there may have been a fertile material release, no fallout was indicated in the report and application of heavy water will remove any spent fuel.

I believe that would be "electricity was restored" my dear brother blue... 

Hay 
Jimmyt

[godfire]

Good news is that the incident did not lead to an event, gas flow was restored and your incident sequence analysis should help minimize future incidents and prevent future excited states.

While there may have been a fertile material release, no fallout was indicated in the report and application of heavy water will remove any spent fuel.

I believe that would be "electricity was restored" my dear brother blue... 

Hay 
Jimmyt

Sparkies and Blue Rule!