Almost, but not quite!

[thedon]

First, I'm new to the biking world. At 55 yrs young I got my license last fall and purchased a 1997 Valk on the way to Inzane 10. That was the first bike I have ever owned, for that matter, other than the Honda 250 I rode for the riders course, the first bike I ever rode.
Anyway, my wife, Barbo, and I have been putting the miles on and loving it.
Yesterday we were riding and I came up to a left turn on a highway. Turn signal on and coming toward us were a van and a car. The van had it's right turn signal on and turned on the same road. The car was right behind the van and kept going. I turned left after the car had passed and saw the van start to move over to the side of the road. Now, I had just made the turn so I was not going very fast and decided to go by the van. Just as that decision was made the van pulled across the road to do a u-turn. I had to lock it up and stopped in time. I even gave him a blow with my air horns. You know, he never looked at me, backed across the road and went by. Never even mouthed a sorry, just kept going like I was not even there.
Barbo and I just took a deep breath and went on our way. There is all kinds out there!!!!

[HayHauler]

thedon, we have to ride like they are all out there to kill us, beause most of them are.  Cell phones, make up, cigarettes, kids, drinks, radios, etc.. are all more important that you and I on a motorcycle.  At least that is how they act when they get behind the wheel.

Ride safe out there!

Hay 
Jimmyt

[oxfordhog]

Hi TheDon,
Glad to hear there was no accident involved and you managed to execute the correct response to the situation.  You have not been riding for long so I have some advice for you to help you have many years of positive years of riding experience (BTW I am a motorcycle safety instructor and I care   ).  First, brush up on the material you learned at your motorcycle safety course.  You, and I, have to continue to monitor and brush up on our mental skills (judgment) so we can apply them when the time comes.  You will be amazed how much my former students have forgotten important mental skills after they complete the couse because all they want to do is to have fun on the bike   .  Without mental skills our fun time on our bikes can be prematurely cut short   .  Second, statistics show that accidents are high among the 18 - 30 and 50 + age groups.  The former accident stats can be attributed to lack of experience (poor judgment) and excess testosterone   .  What about the over 50s like you and I?  Our physical abilities decrease with age for one.  Hopefully we have more experience on the road and we have better judgment.  In fact get a copy of Motorcycle Consumer News -- I believe the July or August issue from this year as there is a good article on mature riders   .
Enjoy your Valk.  I got mine last year in September last year.  Same color as yours with only 15 K miles on it and it came with lots of goodies. 

[Linedog]

Oxforddog,  I just bought a 98  Standard two weeks ago.  Rode it in from Minneapolis.  I live up here in the Spokane area.  I'm  66 and the wife is thinking I'm insane in my purchase!  Oh well old guys do dumb things to!  Linedog

[Valkahuna]

TheDon,

I am happy that you are safe! Whether you were lucky, or did everything right, I don't know. Important thing is that you learn and remember something about the event.

I have been actively riding for 46 years, and also am the Safety Officer for the HOG Chapter that I am a member of. As such I agree totally with what Oxfordhog posted about brushing up on what you learned in your basic rider course. As a matter of fact, I would highly recommend that you take the "Skilled" or "Advanced" riders course to take it to the next level. Another thing I always recommend to our newer members is that they should take their bikes to a secure paved area and practice their emergency maneuvers, such as locking up the rear brake, swerving, tight turns, etc. under controlled conditions. You don't want the first time you try something to be the time that if you do it wrong, you die. Sorry if I am being dramatic, but our hobby will kill you, and there are plenty of distracted folks out there in their cages that will help do that to you. 

As others have said, drive like everyone out there is trying to kill you. You need to get to the point where emergency maneuvers are automatic without you thinking about executing them. Thats why everytime you are on your bike, THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD DO IF SOMEONE DID THE WORST THING THEY COULD. 

Typically that comes only through lots of experiences. You've just had one of those. You handled it well, and now you need to remember it and build on it. Good Job! 

[thedon]

Thanks Oxfordhog, Linedog & Hayhauler,
I was thinking about the advanced course anyway. Also I did practice at the local high school. They have a very large parking lot where I was alone and could do my starts & stops without anybody caring. Part of the basic riders course is to always be looking ahead and try to see things happen. That one tip really paid off.

[sugerbear]

i've ben riding for a "while" now and still use the high school parking lot. great place to practice

[..]

Another thing I always recommend to our newer members is that they should take their bikes to a secure paved area and practice their emergency maneuvers, such as locking up the rear brake,

Surely one wants to practise correct use of the front AND rear brakes. Front brake is the most effective. This should mean NO locking up of the rear brake. Locking up and incorrectly releasing the rear brake will result in losss of control of the motorcycle. ABS not included in this discussion because he rides a Valkyrie.

This web site is essential reading for all motorcyclists.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/braking-tips.htm

[..]

First, I'm new to the biking world. At 55 yrs young I got my license last fall and purchased a 1997 Valk on the way to Inzane 10. That was the first bike I have ever owned, for that matter, other than the Honda 250 I rode for the riders course, the first bike I ever rode.
Anyway, my wife, Barbo, and I have been putting the miles on and loving it.
Yesterday we were riding and I came up to a left turn on a highway. Turn signal on and coming toward us were a van and a car. The van had it's right turn signal on and turned on the same road. The car was right behind the van and kept going. I turned left after the car had passed and saw the van start to move over to the side of the road. Now, I had just made the turn so I was not going very fast and decided to go by the van. Just as that decision was made the van pulled across the road to do a u-turn. I had to lock it up and stopped in time. I even gave him a blow with my air horns. You know, he never looked at me, backed across the road and went by. Never even mouthed a sorry, just kept going like I was not even there.
Barbo and I just took a deep breath and went on our way. There is all kinds out there!!!!

The Don.

Did you look at the vans mirror as he was pulling over as you moved to go past the vehicle. If you couldn't see their face they most certainly couldn't see you. Although if you can see their face it doesn't mean they've seen you. It's just the start of the practiced judgment call you have to make as a motorcyclist.



Could you see their centre mirror. If not they couldn't see you especially if you were in the centre of the lane behind the van and fairly close having I'm sure accelerated faster than the van was doing or capable of doing after making the turn.



We motorcyclists have to remember we move faster than all other vehicles on the road. Drivers forget this and maneuver expecting all other vehicles to  move at their speed



I remember a couple of years ago on the Fall Color ride I was on my ST1300 with a friend on his ST. Smokin Joe said the problem with those sport tourer riders is they are so quick you have no idea what they are going to do next. He was referring to the ability of the bikes, not our riding prowess.  

Not preaching just trying to pass on some riding lessons learnt along the way.

[JimC]

Hey Don
glad you guys are OK.  Plus, it would be a shame to put a crease in the red & white!
Jim

[thedon]

Hey Britman,
Great site, thanks.
Jimc,
It was a heart pounder.
Then we were going to Waterloo (town about 12 miles away) for a fund raiser.
We get into town and they were doing their annual Weiner & Kraut day plus a city wide rummage sale.
Talk about slow riding, wow people crossing the street and cars going slow. It was a test day!!!

[Valkahuna]

Another thing I always recommend to our newer members is that they should take their bikes to a secure paved area and practice their emergency maneuvers, such as locking up the rear brake,

Surely one wants to practise correct use of the front AND rear brakes. Front brake is the most effective. This should mean NO locking up of the rear brake. Locking up and incorrectly releasing the rear brake will result in losss of control of the motorcycle. ABS not included in this discussion because he rides a Valkyrie.

This web site is essential reading for all motorcyclists.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/braking-tips.htm

Of course you would use both front and rear brakes. However, in the heat of the moment, especially inexperienced riders tend to jamb on the rear brake, and actually get into more trouble since not only will they not stop quickly, but also the locked rear tire often causes the bike to get all crossed up and pitch the bike over. What I meant was that the first time that is experienced it should be under controlled conditions in a safe area. Thanks for pointing that out. I guess I should have been more specific.

But, if the driver of the bike does not know something as basic as that the front brake is most effective at stopping ones forward momentum, then what the heck are they doing on a bike in the first place?

I am actually a huge proponent for off road (dirt) experience before ever placing a tire on pavement anywhere near traffic. There is no teacher like experience, and to experience crashing, doing it on a smaller, lighter bike in the dirt is definately preferred to doing it on the road with cars all around. 

[JetDriver]

Like many here, I've been riding since I was a kid (12 to be exact- 56 now....).  The best OVERALL advice I think can be offered is what has been said a few times already- ride like they're trying to kill you.  A variation of that that actually works better for me is, "Ride as though you are invisible."  All the rest is details, and we all need to keep working on the details.  Take courses (all kinds of them) as often as your time and money allows.

Glad to see you on the boards.  Thanks for sharing your experience- it helps us all to stay alert.

[98 T]

Don,

Glad you're ok... I hate to say it, but it won't be the last time someone in a cage does something stupid around you while you're riding.

Speaking of... when are we going riding?  It'll be snowing soon!

Loth

[Kaz]

Don,

I'm glad to hear that you and Barb are OK.  Remember guy, they're all out to kill us.  I had a near miss on the way home from Copper Harbor this past weekend when some yahoo ran a stop sign to turn out in front of us.

Bill

[thedon]

Thanks Kaz,
Glad you are safe also.
98T,
If we don't get to ride before maybe we can do something on the 26th.

It sure is nice to have some of the VRCC members respond. This will be locked in my memory for many years to come.

Thanks again,

Thedon