Topic: Scare tactics//Statistics//New Rider//

[greenjeans]

Been riding some sort of cycle for almost 40 years now.   Somehow I've never heard or even thought about the don't fill up at the diesel pump.  When reading that statement, I initially thought it would end with:  those big 'ol diesel trucks won't see you and run you over at the pump...
You can learn things everyday.  Never took a safety course until I was 43 - had some fun and picked up a few new things and reinforced things I inately always did.   

The advice I always give:  Ride as if you are invisible.   

[trueblue]

The one habit that has saved my arse more than anything else is to keep your head moving, if you start day dreaming and only focus on a spot 50' in front of the bike you won't see  that car up ahead turning across in front of you, or that car running the stop sign on your right, or a multitude of other different scenarios. 

[grcamna2]

The one habit that has saved my arse more than anything else is to keep your head moving, if you start day dreaming and only focus on a spot 50' in front of the bike you won't see  that car up ahead turning across in front of you, or that car running the stop sign on your right, or a multitude of other different scenarios. 

I hear you,that gives me more of an 'I am in command of this' type of feeling.

[krusty]

The one habit that has saved my arse more than anything else is to keep your head moving, if you start day dreaming and only focus on a spot 50' in front of the bike you won't see  that car up ahead turning across in front of you, or that car running the stop sign on your right, or a multitude of other different scenarios. 

That's called scanning and planning.

[grcamna2]

The one habit that has saved my arse more than anything else is to keep your head moving, if you start day dreaming and only focus on a spot 50' in front of the bike you won't see  that car up ahead turning across in front of you, or that car running the stop sign on your right, or a multitude of other different scenarios. 

That's called scanning and planning.

it's necessary for survival out here.

[Retro Rocket]

The one habit that has saved my arse more than anything else is to keep your head moving, if you start day dreaming and only focus on a spot 50' in front of the bike you won't see  that car up ahead turning across in front of you, or that car running the stop sign on your right, or a multitude of other different scenarios. 

That's called scanning and planning.

I do that on auto pilot, just like putting on a seatbelt when driving the car, don't even think about it, it just happens...

[BobbyR]

So to sum up and get back on point. After reading all of these, as a Newbie.........would you begin riding?

[Retro Rocket]

So to sum up and get back on point. After reading all of these, as a Newbie.........would you begin riding?

Oh hell yeah....   {its easier than being married, and safer most of the time}   

[Stev-o]

So to sum up and get back on point. After reading all of these, as a Newbie.........would you begin riding?

I would (cause I thought I was bulletproof) but I bet this thread would make a lot of newbies think twice...

[grcamna2]

So to sum up and get back on point. After reading all of these, as a Newbie.........would you begin riding?

I would (cause I thought I was bulletproof) but I bet this thread would make a lot of newbies think twice...

Especially we need to 'count the cost' of inattention; cagers are doing it almost as an occupation,looking at a screen WHILE driving... THAT"S scary to me.
We as cyclists have the maneuverability to avoid them when they go astray,we can run rings around them if we need to.Develop some 'Street Smarts' and practice 'Escape Routes' continually !; be Vigilant and you Will stay on course for the duration   

[billingstitan]

"The reason I do it is because if you get it wrong, it’ll kill you.
If you think it’s too dangerous go home and cut your grass and leave us to it."
-Guy Martin, Isle of Man Champion

[grcamna2]

"The reason I do it is because if you get it wrong, it’ll kill you.
If you think it’s too dangerous go home and cut your grass and leave us to it."
-Guy Martin, Isle of Man Champion

Yeah  !

[trueblue]

A cousin of a mate of mine was on a ride  this weekend gone, he was preparing to overtake a car so he was sitting slightly higher than normal but still well in his lane.  A car coming the other way (department of fisheries), towing a boat drifted over the centreline and cleaned him up with the guard of the trailer.  He is currently in hospital with a broken left leg, dislocated left knee, broken right foot and two broken toes. He is bloody lucky to be alive as they were both traveling at 100kph when they hit.

[trueblue]

So to sum up and get back on point. After reading all of these, as a Newbie.........would you begin riding?

#$%*ing oath mate, life's too short to not

[Retro Rocket]

A cousin of a mate of mine was on a ride  this weekend gone, he was preparing to overtake a car so he was sitting slightly higher than normal but still well in his lane.  A car coming the other way (department of fisheries), towing a boat drifted over the centreline and cleaned him up with the guard of the trailer.  He is currently in hospital with a broken left leg, dislocated left knee, broken right foot and two broken toes. He is bloody lucky to be alive as they were both traveling at 100kph when they hit.

Lucky boy.....

[trueblue]

You can say that again Mick.  He is currently in Nambour hospital awaiting a knee reconstruction and there was some other surgery he needed but I can't remember what. 

[petercb750]

Mmmm, lucky boy. Hope he has a full recovery, but sounds like it's gonna be a long haul.
 

[trueblue]

The docs reckon he will likely have to use a walking stick from now on, once he is back on his feet that is.  Thankfully the other fella admitted fault, so that makes it a bit easier from an insurance perspective.

[Vicman]

So to sum up and get back on point. After reading all of these, as a Newbie.........would you begin riding?

Oh hell yeah....   {its easier than being married, and safer most of the time}   

Would I?
Yes. For the same reasons. Do I recommend it? Heck no!!!
 But like getting married, there is no talking some guys out of it.

Riding a skoot is the MOST enjoyable thing I do followed by flying little airplanes. Then the wife of 27 years comes into play

[billingstitan]

Jesus - the picture of that boot makes me shudder 

[greenjeans]

Jeees....    The front tire completely blown off the rim ?    Thank goodness he survived.

[BobbyR]

I am sure the potential new rider feels even better now. 

[vfourfreak]

Jesus - the picture of that boot makes me shudder 

Yup ! I felt the same way. And when I look around here and see "cool" dudes taking their R1s down the beach wearing shorts and sandals, I just shake my head in dismay.

Wear the best gear you can, always, even if the day is fcukin hot. Even if is to go 2km to the shops.

I hope the rider from this mishap is going to be OK.

Kev

[Vicman]

Wear the best gear you can, always, even if the day is fcukin hot. Even if is to go 2km to the shops.

That's what I say and do. Nobody plans for the crash.

[billingstitan]

Yeah, it's funny - I've been so lucky. There was a time when I was hit and miss with wearing gear - Always wear it now.

I've had a couple bad and a couple not so bad accidents, but was lucky enough to have been wearing proper gear each time.

One was a low speed crash - going maybe 15 mph - when my front wheel caught in a rut and the bike threw me head first into a boulder. If I hadn't been wearing a helmet I would have probably been dead, or at least severely injured.

The other time, I was on a long road trip and hit a deer. There was a girl on the back of the bike, and I had told her before we left that she needed to ditch the chaps and wear proper leathers. "Anything that's not covered by leather will turn into hamburger if we get into an accident."

Welp, hit a deer going 80 mph - dragged it for almost a mile before losing control (that's a whole 'nother tale) but long story short - although I suffered some broken bones, all in all I was fine. She came out okay too - except for the two huge patches of road rash right across her ass cheeks