Close calls

[FizzySix]

Originally Posted by chunkygoat

I've had my bike for a couple of months now and had no serious incidents YET. I've had quite a few \\\"oh crap\\\" moments though.

I like to think i'm a good rider. But i've had a number close calls now within just a few months and its kinda freaking me out.

From your "What do you find most entertaining" thread:

Originally Posted by chunkygoat

I love windy roads, being able to lean far over and take turns faster than most drivers on the road. At the same time i like driving through traffic - passing people on the right when they're turning left, driving where cars can't fit, etc.

Putting these together, it sounds like you're riding beyond your limits (or being new, discovering what your limits are, and finding them just ever so slightly behind what the current situation demands).

Not to sound like your dad here, but you might want to consider easing up a bit before your luck runs out, and gradually grow your skills on and off the bike from there such that you continually increase your skill/fun without any more close calls. We've got a whole winter coming up to read books, practice vision skills in our cages, etc.

We don't want to see you start another thread that begins "I wrecked my beautiful bike today...."

[chunkygoat]

I ride easy maybe 90% of the time. I'm not concerned so much about the other 10%, but rather the conditions beyond my control.

Thanks for the advice though, I'm a very impulsive person and its hard not to take advantage of being on a bike.

[keira]

Originally Posted by chunkygoat

I'm a very impulsive person and its hard not to take advantage of being on a bike.

this comment makes me scared for you. Impulsive should not mean stupid, but in many cases, uncontrolled impulses have led to injuries or death. Have I had Oh Sh*t moments? Yeah, sure. But they were my fault, riding too hard for my skills or the conditions, or just being blissfully unaware of all the things that could have happened. I have also had situations where I have been cutoff, swerved into, lane-changed on (yes, someone actually came 85% of the way into my lane before I punched their window with my kevlar-lined knuckles). Do I think of those as "Oh sh*t" moments though? no, I don't. Those are par for the course on a motorcycle, where you are invisible to the majority of drivers.

The real "Oh Sh*t" moments are the ones that it is your fault, and the only way to minimize them is to work your way up to high skills (don't just pretend you have them already), stay within your comfort zone (it will get larger, I promise), and don't do things that are just plain stupid. Getting to be experienced takes time, and if you spend your first few months riding like an idiot, one of these days you won't be so lucky.


And I don't want to read that thread......

[abacall]

Take it easy man. There's a very real learning curve to riding a bike. I learned that the hard way. Twist of the wrist gave me one of the best rules to live by. Ride within 75% of your ability (when pushing), that way you can always make some corrections when needed.
It's a great read...

There comes a point that you feel like you're "getting it" and you start building confidence. You start pushing it a bit more and more. It's all good, but remember that there is NO replacement for experience.
My suggestion is simple, once you start feeling confident, go out on the track to improve. Get your thrills there and keep riding "normal" on the streets where you can get hit by a car, or run over by a truck if you low-side......
Ever see a car make an unexpected turn, or in your lane? What would happen if you're leaned over and can't get out of the way?

I got confident after three months, I started pushing it. I had enough sense to really only push it on roads that there were no cars. One day I lost it, and my bike.
Wear gear, and build your skills in controlled environments.

[AlanB]

I was a new rider a year and a half ago and haven't had nearly the close calls you've had, even with 7,000 miles in fairly dense traffic. Watch your space cushion. If they are pushing you off the road, you must spend a fair amount of time beside cars. I go from sufficiently behind to stop to visible at their front fender very quickly, like I was passing rather than just driving in the next lane. So far has worked for me.

[AlanB]

Originally Posted by abacall

Take it easy man. There's a very real learning curve to riding a bike. I learned that the hard way. Twist of the wrist gave me one of the best rules to live by. Ride within 75% of your ability (when pushing), that way you can always make some corrections when needed.
It's a great read...

That advice saved my bacon a couple of weeks ago in the twisties. I was headed uphill and some jackass in leathers playing Rossi was headed downhill passing well over the double yellow through the curves. I rounded to come headlight to headlight with him, but because I was at 70% I was able to immediately adjust to the outside of my lane. If I was doing the same as him, we'd both be dead. Close call? Depends on your definition, I guess. Scared the crap outta me, but had enough room to correct so I don't feel like we almost collided. My 19 year old son was with me - fortunately behind me - and it made a GREAT object lesson for him.

[champion221elite]

I had one close call this Summer and it happened in a parking lot. I was leaving the parking lot and was headed out towards the main road. I was moving maybe 10 mph. when I caught movement out of the corner of my left eye. It was a tan colored Buick Lucerne (Elderly Driver) who was moving perpendicular to my direction of travel. The old timer never saw me, and I had to fully apply both brakes to avoid a "T" Bone accident.

He stopped and mouthed the word "Sorry" to me. I acknowledged his apology, and shook my head in disgust while the realization of what could have happened finally sunk in.

You can never be impatient while riding a motorcycle. Never assume other motorists see you either, and don't write a check your ass can't cash. Basically, ride within your limits... experience will come with seat time.

[Botch]

Chunkygoat, your thread sounds extremely similar to my experience when I first started last summer, I think I even started a thread something like "What's your close call per mile ratio". I had four VERY close calls the first 300 miles, all other drivers' fault, and was about to sell the bike.
Things never have been as bad as that first month or so, guess it was just beginner's bad luck. Hopefully things will smooth out for you too, hang in there and be careful!
EDIT: okay, I didn't see this second page until just now, but my advice is the same, be careful!

[chunkygoat]

My rider coach always said that most accidents occur within the first 6 months of riding (actually a percentage, i forget what it is though).

And on top of that I'm used to driving a ford explorer. Slow, but big - I was always afraid of nothing. Having the power of the fz6 in my hand, I feel like i'm just getting past the initial thrill and shock of how fast and exciting it is.

And only 2 of my "close calls" were my fault. The 3 or 4 were other people being idiots. Every close call was very well handled on my part and I barely consider them close calls because I had it fully under control and saw them coming.

I've calmed down since. I'm still learning that precious balance of fun and safety. I'm still learning and will be for a long time to come.