Don’t let your guard down

[The emperor has no clothes]

On my way to work this morning I had an adrenaline pumping experience. As I was approaching a parking lot a couple vehicles were moving up towards the hiway to exit the lot. They weren’t moving fast or erratic, so I assumed all was good and they would stop at the sign. I took a look in the lot to see if my buddies car was there, I was going to stop and BS with him for a minute if he was. I didn’t see his car. Turned my head back straight ahead and HOLY CRAP ! The first vehicle a full-size Chevy truck had blown the stop sign and then panicked when he realized I was coming at him, stopping dead in my lane. Luckily this was at 5:45 AM and there was little traffic. I was able to evade him by a couple feet to the left. But had there been traffic I don’t know what I would have done. Probably try to go behind him, but likely would have hit a curb and crashed. Never assume they are going to stop. 

[Chrisj CMA]

"Never assume they are going to stop" 

Its better to ALWAYS assume they are NOT going to stop.  This happened to me in a slightly different situation but it is a heart stopping feeling when you realize you cant stop! 

[Pete]

Never assume they are not out to get you - thru ignorance or a simple mistake or malice.
Awareness is you best asset ALWAYS.

Good luck.

[scooperhsd]

Remember - the key to riding as long and for as many miles as some of us have is to ride like you're invisible. That and pay attention to what other vehicles are doing.

[Jess from VA]

It's bad enough they pull out right in front of you, but then the deer-in-the-headlight reaction of stopping dead across the lane (in your way) when they realize the foul-up is the icing on the cake.  

If you're going to pull out in front of me (without properly looking), at least have the decency to floor it across the road and out of my way.

When I have the jack wagons rolling (and not stopping) at cross streets, I usually aim the bike at them to get the full effect of my double 80W low beams, and have been known to hit my double 100W brights, but no flash, just leave them on.  Of course, if they're not looking, I suppose this is a waste of time.

[John Schmidt]

When I was teaching my four girls to drive(I could write a book), one thing I emphasized was the "right-of-way" issue. I always stressed the point that the right-of-way is something you get only if someone else gives it to you....NEVER assume it. In the years since, each girl at different times have told me that thought stuck in their mind and has saved their bacon more than once. I do the same on the bike, if a situation looks like it could develop into trouble....most likely it will and I try to address it ahead of time.

[Gary]

Hopefully you remembered to change your drawers after.

Glad it worked out in your favor. I recall back in the day commuting to/from work on the Santa Ana Fwy and every day was a "which one of you will try to take me out today" kind of ride event. Always invigorating. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Hopefully you remembered to change your drawers after.

Glad it worked out in your favor. I recall back in the day commuting to/from work on the Santa Ana Fwy and every day was a "which one of you will try to take me out today" kind of ride event. Always invigorating. 

it was invigorating Gary ! It was a good reminder to be on my toes even when there is hardly anyone else around. One of the good things about riding for so long is your instincts take over in a situation like that. One of the bad things is it’s easy to get complacent. (At least it is for me)

[rocketray]

yep..this am I left for Walmart for some glue for cracked Indian keyfob..the stoplight 75 yards from the house has a 6 lane 45 MPH intersection for our 30 mph sidestreet..fortunately I was #2 in the left turn lane when we got our arrow..the fella in front of me gave a 3 count before he moved..some guy ran it at some 60 mph..I was in a hurry and if I was first..this wouldn't be typed

[SpidyJ]

Hyper vigilance will save you!  Don't trust anyone a don't tailgate fer sure.

Same thing happened to me, only I had to dump the bike.......glad I was just starting up from a light and it was only my old Harley.  Just some raspberries and a ruint helmet.  $5k put the HD back together thanks to her innshurance (A Leo parked in the lot she exited saw the whole thing).

It seems like they look right through you!!

[J.Mencalice]

Hopefully you remembered to change your drawers after.

Glad it worked out in your favor. I recall back in the day commuting to/from work on the Santa Ana Fwy and every day was a "which one of you will try to take me out today" kind of ride event. Always invigorating. 

it was invigorating Gary ! It was a good reminder to be on my toes even when there is hardly anyone else around. One of the good things about riding for so long is your instincts take over in a situation like that. One of the bad things is it’s easy to get complacent. (At least it is for me)

And it's winter.  They are not looking for motorcyclists to be out and about during this season (no matter whether you live in a cold or warm climate). I'm extra cautious when going out for a ride as the frozen minds behind steering wheels are out to get us.

[old2soon]

Head on a swivel and BE Very aware of your surroundings and your situation. Pilots call it S A-situational awareness. And one of the best safety sayings-complacency kills you. Just BECAUSE I have run that road a hunnert times before do NOT mean it are the same last time I wuz there. Traffic is generally fluid-even when it backs up or stops-think rush hour time. One of my life savers came from the guy who taught me to move furniture and drive 18 wheeler. Always try ta figure out the most dumb assed stupidest off the wall crazy ass crap the other driver could/might/will do-I'm rarely disappointed. RIDE SAFE.

[rocketray]

old too soon.. ...getting on the bike for 3 blocks just isn't the same as hopping in the pickup

[RainMaker]

Thanks for the reminder - they are all out to get us!  Also happy to hear you escaped from the situation.

[DDT (12)]

A fella once asked me if I were a defensive driver on the bike... I told him HELL NO! I'm a defensive driver in my car... on the bike I'm a paranoid driver! Glad you were able to adjust and recover... it just wouldn't be the same without ya!!!

DDT

[Pappy!]

Isn't it amazing that they always hit the brakes and stop DIRECTLY IN FRONT of you!! Then look at you with the deer in the headlight look.

[boss hoss bill]

The last adrenaline inducing pucker situation for me took place on the BRP.

I ws riding with my buddy , on his Kawasaki Councours 14,who was leading on the left side of our lane, I was behind and to the right. We were in the area North of the Pisgah Inn around Asheville.

We had a nice groove going, light traffic, setting up for the curves and powering through them. As we came around a curve suddenly there was an idiot turning around on a area with just the 2 lanes of pavement. No overlook, no shoulders,nada. My buddy hit his binders and was slowing quicker then I could on the fat girl. I got as far to the right portion of the lane and hoped my buddy wasn't going to get in front of me. As I came up to and ultimately past him I shouted "watch it." I managed to avoid him and the car by inches. When we pulled over up the road he said "I could smell your brakes smoking as you went past.

Hoped the jerk on the cage had to change his drawers. I was so angry if I had the chance I would have happily beat him to a frazzle. Glad I didn't have the opportunity!

Closest I had come in years!

As I rode in the Miami area for 40 years, 12 of those as a motor cop,with my head on a swivel, defensive as all get out, I'm used to being proactive and assume they're all going to do stupid things. Luckily I never went down and hope to keep it that way until I hang it up!

[sheets]

A similar situation years ago. Was SB on CA 101 not far from the Oregon line. Was crossing a bridge over the Smith river. Spotted a pickup on my right at a stop on a side road not far off the end of the bridge. With headlight modulator doing what it does, I had that sneaky feeling that I was not recognized. I scrubbed off about ten mph as I approached the offending rig. As I got to the  the critical point I see the driver look to the south as he moved across my lane to go north. By the time he turned to look north he was across my SB lane. His eyes as big as silver dollars he realized the er of his ways and fortunately, for me and wifeunit, he put the pedal to the metal and tried to get out of our way. I still had to do a little bob & weave to clear his rear bumper as we squeezed by, missing him by a mere foot or two. There was no shoulder to use as an escape route. Impact or off the shoulder down an embankment, it would not have been pretty. One of the few close calls forever embedded in my memory chip. 

[Crackerborn]

They are out to get you. Their methods vary but rest assured, they are out to get you. The last near miss for me totaled an '86 Suzuki GSXR 1100 (in 2002). The Jack A$$ got me from the rear while I was stopped for a left turn on a 4 lane road without a turn lane. I saw it coming and managed to get to 45MPH (10 over the speed limit) before I was launched into oncoming traffic. I bounced off one trunk lid before sailing over a guard rail to safety. The local LEO estimated the car that got me was traveling in excess of 80 MPH on a crowded local village street. I will not turn left at that intersection, even in a cage, to this day. I walked away that day, well, actually I was carried but I had no serious injuries, and I am glad every time a rider escapes the clutches of the clueless. When they found the "gentleman" that ran over a 450lb machine and dragged it 200 yards under a car, he claimed he never saw me or machine. I average approximately 10k miles per season and it seems the local roads and drivers are getting worse every year. They really are out to get you.

Oh, and just to add insult to riders launched into traffic, I was charged with failure to have a vehicle under control and sued for damage to a trunk lid. I had to pay for a trunk lid and a lawyer to get the traffic violation dropped.

They are all out to get you.....