Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Im sorry dude, but im glad you're ok. I agree with what has been said, if you need a break, thats understadable but dont quit and I agree that riding next to the other car impeeded you ability to swerve and miss the other guy. Gather your thoughts and dont wait to long before your back.

When I started riding, I was bouncing off cages on a fairly regular basis for the first few years. Usually a result of the cage doing something totally unexpected. After awhile, I started learning to pick up cues when a cage was going to change direction. Looking for head movements, speed changes or noticing that they were edging over to one side of the lane. Little things like that go a long way toward avoiding cage contact.

I started doing it unconsciously at first. I didn't even notice it until I was helping my girlfriend learn to drive (a cage) and I would tell her what people in front of her were going to do, even though they weren't signalling.

It must work, though. Even though I see a stupid cage trick just about every time I ride, they haven't got me in over 15 yrs.

well the other thing to remeber..is live and learn. There is nothing out there like riding a motorcycle. Just when you think that you have seen or experienced it all. Something jumps out at you good or bad.

Some a few posts back...said something about practicing your slow riding. Man...I can not suggest that enough. That is where it is all at. the person that said I can go down the freeway at 60mphs no problem...is right anyone can do that. For me I enjoy the slow riding more than anything. Everyday I do little things...almost like games for me. To keep my skills sharp. I might see a little getting ready to turn red..I will slow down..and make it a slow ride to the stopping area..and see how long I can balance the bike before putting my foot down. Stuff like that.

I am very lucky to have a training ground(an parking lot..that was used for RC car racing) not to far from where I live. I try to go there at least 4 to 5 times a year. It is all 1st gear riding...I will go through the course one time..using only my back brake...then another time...the front brake only...then another time..no brakes at all...only throttle control. Practice...practice....and practice some more to keep those skills razor sharp...that is the only way to survive the cages on the road.

flynrider wrote:When I started riding, I was bouncing off cages on a fairly regular basis for the first few years. Usually a result of the cage doing something totally unexpected. After awhile, I started learning to pick up cues when a cage was going to change direction. Looking for head movements, speed changes or noticing that they were edging over to one side of the lane. Little things like that go a long way toward avoiding cage contact.

I started doing it unconsciously at first. I didn't even notice it until I was helping my girlfriend learn to drive (a cage) and I would tell her what people in front of her were going to do, even though they weren't signalling.

It must work, though. Even though I see a stupid cage trick just about every time I ride, they haven't got me in over 15 yrs.

great advice...I even take it to another level...I look at things...like what if this were to happen? What would I do...I go throughs those thought in my head.... for example...what you see a pickup going down the road..with a bunch of stuff loaded into the back of it...and it not properly tied down...barely..staying in the bed. I would think to myself what would I do if they were to fall out? Stuff like that...keep the mind working...

Okay, time for some "Tough Love."

gitarjunky wrote: 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.

>You've got to always keep in mind an escape route.

gitarjunky wrote: I keep trying to think of what I could have done differently and I can't come up with anything.

>If you can't figure out what you could have done differently, then you are doomed to have this same scenario happen to you again (and again).

gitarjunky wrote: I mean, I wasn't speeding, I was in the center of the lane so cars could see me,

>Center of the lane is the worst place to be. You are on the 'ickiest' patch of pavement - the biggest collection of oil and muck. AND, unless the driver in front of you uses his rearview mirror (and many never do) you are invisible to him/her. AND you have a farther distance to escape to another lane if necessary.

Ride in one wheel track or the other. Behind the driver is generally the best place.

gitarjunky wrote: 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 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....

>Try to never ride next to a car. Especially in traffic. That 'guard car' can become another danger in a second. Blind spot or not, if you ever need to get out of your lane quickly - as you just did - that car is in your path of escape and you're doomed. What if the car that hit you had been a car coming at you, making a left turn across your path of travel instead of going the same direction as you were? You could get mashed between the oncoming car and the one you had been trying to use as a shield.

gitarjunky wrote: 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.

Taking a bit of time off is probably a good thing. Settle yourself, then come back slowly. Spend time re-tuning the basics from the MSF and take it easy. No one wants you to give it up completely.

P

Do take a short break from riding

Do get the bike fixed

Do start practicing in low traffic areas after your break

Do assume the cagers will always do the stupid thing

Dont expect any cager to see you

Dont get rid of the bike

and most importantly

Dont give up

You're all wrong, cagers see you, they know you're there, and they're actively trying to hurt you.

If you ride with this basic assumption, you'll probably avoid most of ths stupid "poo poo" a cage will pull.

Thanks everyone for your support and advice. I know that I've come off like a complete squid with 2 "wrecked my bike" posts in a matter of a couple weeks. But I've decided not to give up. I'm going to get the bike fixed (that jerk's insurance is going to cover it) and take it really slow around my parents house in the O.C. (where there is a lot less traffic). I'm going to use an empty parking lot by the house to re-do all the MSF drills. I just need to get control of my emergency evasive maneuvers, and work on things like swerving and harder braking. I know I can be a good rider...I just need a few thousand miles of successful trips under my belt! I know if I quit now I'd regret it forever (hell, I'm only 24) and I'm not a believer of a predetermined fate so...thanks for the support!

gitarjunky wrote:Thanks everyone for your support and advice. I know that I've come off like a complete squid with 2 "wrecked my bike" posts in a matter of a couple weeks. But I've decided not to give up. I'm going to get the bike fixed (that jerk's insurance is going to cover it) and take it really slow around my parents house in the O.C. (where there is a lot less traffic). I'm going to use an empty parking lot by the house to re-do all the MSF drills. I just need to get control of my emergency evasive maneuvers, and work on things like swerving and harder braking. I know I can be a good rider...I just need a few thousand miles of successful trips under my belt! I know if I quit now I'd regret it forever (hell, I'm only 24) and I'm not a believer of a predetermined fate so...thanks for the support!

Way to go mate.

You've identified the problems and come up with a sensible plan...IMO you're NOT a squid.

Good luck and keep riding.

I think the first one was a mistake anyone could make, sometimes when you brake bad stuff happens. With more experience I don't doubt that you wouldn't have gone down, but it's to late now, so you just need to work on the experience part.

As for some twine changing lanes into you, all you can do is set yourself up to avoid it. That too is experience. All of the advice that was given is great stuff, and just assume that any car near you is going to change lanes into you. Watch for head turns, the car easing towards the center lane, or just acting hesitant in general. Stuff like that made me a better cage driver, which in turn made me a better biker. I've avoided a lot of cages trying to hit me, just by assuming they were going to try to.