Know your horn button

[flynrider]

I had the weirdest thing happen to me on Sunday. I have learned to expect the unexpected while riding, but some guy caught me napping.

I had just exited a freeway and was at a stoplight at the bottom of the ramp. I was number two in the right turn lane, with a pickup truck ahead.
After being stopped for about 10 seconds, the pickup lurches and the guy starts backing up. He had no reverse lights, was not looking in his rearview mirror and had absolutely no reason to go backward from his position (i.e. he wasn't encroaching on the crosswalk). I've to to say, it took me completely by surprise and in a second, he'd pushed me back a couple of feet before I could do anything but yell. Of course his windows were closed, so he didn't hear me.

Just when I thought this jerk was through, he starts backing up some more. It took a few stabs at the turn signal switch, but I finally found the horn button as my front tire was getting wedged under his rear bumper. He heard the horn and FINALLY checked his rearview mirror to see me waving him forward, which he did. This was, of course, followed by several more universally accepted hand signals.

Fortunately for me, no damage was done. He squeezed the front tire between his bumper and the ground and came an inch or so from taking out the front fender.

Afterward, it occured to me that if I'd managed to hit the horn earlier, I would have been much better off. I don't use the horn that much, and when I do, it's usually because someone is about to encroach on my lane, so I'm already prepared with my finger on the button. I think I'm going to have to make it a point to use the horn more, so I can instinctively hit it when I need it.

[Chris8187]

That is a good tip and glad that nothing happened to your bike. So far with my little experience, I accidently hit the horn sometimes when I turn the blinkers off. I think it is because of my glove though.

[Jamers!]

wow, what a story, how are people dumb enough to reverse without knowing it????





JWF

[Sev]

wow, what a story, how are people dumb enough to reverse without knowing it????





JWF

Lots of people do "poo poo" like that. We had a member here a while back had her front end mangled by someone who backed into her, then took off when the light turned green. Despite furious honking.

[Relsek]

I even go as far as to test my horn at the beginning of every ride. I've also installed air horns on my bike to make sure I'm heard.

[canuckerjay]

I just think of all those nuts with the stereo cranked, slipping the clutch in their cars at the light on an incline. 1/2 the time they're not aware of what's in their mirrors.

[swatter555]

Yep, the same exact thing happened to me. Some gal was stopped in the middle of the parking lane talking to her friends when she decides to back up and park in a space she already passed. I was completely caught by surprise and was fumbling for my horn. Luckily her friends told her to stop right before she ran over me.

[earwig]

Don't feel bad my father has been riding for over 40 years and when we are out riding I hear his horn honk for no reason... yes he still hits the horn on accident.

That is a good tip and glad that nothing happened to your bike. So far with my little experience, I accidently hit the horn sometimes when I turn the blinkers off. I think it is because of my glove though.

[CNF2002]

Good tip...I probably would have fumbled for the horn too late, too.

[jmillheiser]

I have only had to use my horn in anger once so far.

some jackass pulled out in front of me and forced me to swerve around him, he got an earfull of my bikes horn as I rode by.

Its definately good to always assume the cagers are going to do every stupid thing imaginable when riding. I noticed that bike horns are not very loud.

Hey Relsek how did you manage to fit air horns on your busa? Unless they are tiny air horns I cant think of any place that they would fit