Total Motorcycle Community Forums

sorry to hear that dood.

wow! that's some bad luck right there. crazy drivers!

that's just wrong, well, maybe not as bad as crashing on the way home after an MSF course but still. that's just wrong.

Yeah, I don't know what to do. I've taken the MSF course, I've read "Proficient Motorcycling" and "Sport Riding Techniques" (twice) and I have a very good driving record. I consider myself to be a safe driver, and I WAS driving like I was invisible. This time I just had no where to go. I keep trying to think of what I could have done differently and I can't come up with anything. I mean, I wasn't speeding, I was in the center of the lane so cars could see me, and I was riding next to the car in the right lane (not in their blind spot) thinking it would be good to have it next to me when I go through the intersection so the cage turning left across from me would see me....I think I'm going to take some time off...I feel it would be irresponsible of me to get back on a bike at this point. Its really discouraging but, L.A. traffic just sucks and I obviously havne't had good luck with it.

Don't give up. If you need a break, it is understandable though. But just one thought on invisible. If you were invisible and you were on his right side, he wouldn't see you. I mean if you act like he can't see you, than riding next to him is not helpful. I understand that you were there because it made sense to use him has a barrier through the intersections, but really think invisible - that means if you were right in front of a car you would assume you can't be seen - so they might not stop when you stop. If you are at their right or left side, they might come over any time without warning. If you are behind them they might back up without warning. It is really hard to avoid all accidents though, and this may have been one of these awful, no way out cases. Glad you didn't get hurt man.

I don't think I was clear on the last post. I was riding next to the car to MY right, using them as a barrier through the intersection. The car that actually hit me was waiting in the left turn lane (to my left). When I got close to him, as I was about to pass him, he shot out into my lane (deciding not to turn left apparently) and hit me from the left. And because I was next to the car on my right, I couldn't swerve to right to avoid him.

I'm glad to hear you are ok. I'm also glad you posted. As an inexperienced rider your experience is definately going to impact how I think when I get out in city traffic. I've pretty much stuck to empty parking lots and local roads so far. I'm wary about riding into the city but I hope to feel comfortable in a little while.

I know I can't empathize with you, however; I say take a break but don't give it up.

I am not saying you did anything wrong... just wondering if maybe you were following the other car too closely? Bikes can stop a lot faster than cars so maybe if you keep more room around yourself you will have more time to react. Again... I am just trying to be helpful.

All I can say is I've been "almost" nailed a dozen or more times, and almost every time it was the fault of someone else not paying attention, and every single time I could have avoided the situation by being more safe in my relationship to other moving objects in my world.

If your case was different than that, and you couldn't have done anything, that's a bummer. I guess you have nothing to learn except motorcycles are dangerous because you can't control what happens to you on them. I'm still living in the fantasy world where only the most crazy situation should be able to take me out. I'm by no means saying your view is wrong, just that I operate from a chosen different place. I also have not gotten creamed yet, so maybe I'll have some crow to eat down the line.

You might try hitting a high school parking lot, or something similar, on the weekends. Should be empty, and probably has some obstacles like light poles or medians to practice turning safely.

Work on some basics. Get a good feel for the bike and how it reacts when there is no danger, and it will come more naturally when there is.

I found, when I started out riding, that slow was my enemy. I could buzz down the highway at 60mph without thinking, but dumped my bike turning into a parking space - the MSF will teach you slow riding techniques, plus you can dump some P.O.S. 250 and not worry about your own bike. (not 'dis'ing a 250... but the MSF bikes are crap at any displacement )

--Dave

Glad you came through OK. LA's a tough place to ride for sure. It sounds to me like maybe you blocked yourself out of an escape route by having that cage in the right lane on your hip. Just a thought but I personally try to avoid having any vehicle directly next to me.