Second annual Motorcycle and Scooter group public service announcement

[flamin lib]

Hey folks, this is a hello from the Motorcycle and Scooter group. Weather’s warmin’ up and bikers are coming out of hibernation. Just a friendly reminder that we’re out there.

Now me, I’m a cruiser. Big bike with a sitting position sorta’ like a lounge chair; feet out front and arms at a “fist punching the wind” position. ‘Course there are the sport bikers too, some call ‘em crotch rockets, but we’re all sorta related in that we’re small by comparison to the average 4000 pound car and even if given the first punch don’t fare very well in a fight with that much iron. Yeah, some of us are loud and some of us live on adrenaline and some of us can be annoying but for the most part we just share the road with you guys in cars and you never notice us.

That can be a problem. A problem that will result in one out of every thousand motorcyclists dieing this year. That said, watch out for us.

If you see me ooch over to the very far edge of the lane when traffic stops, it’s not an invitation to pull up next to me and share the lane. I do that because sometimes one car will rear end another and I’d just as soon not be part of that sheet metal sandwich. Just keep a respectful distance as if I were another car occupying the whole lane.

Don’t drive next to me in traffic. Makes me paranoid ya’ know. Stay behind or ahead of me in adjoining lanes. I try to position myself so that a driver can change lanes without seeing me and not hit my bike. It happens and if I’m in the right place the driver only has an “OH SHIT” moment when I show up in the rear view mirror two feet off the back bumper. It’s hard to maintain that position in traffic, so help me out.

Give me two seconds of space. That’s two seconds between vehicles which is the minimum reaction time to an emergency. At 50 mph that’s about five car lengths or 80 feet minimum. Leave that much distance between your front bumper and my rear tire. I’ll try to do the same for cars in front of me. That’s also hard to do when somebody keeps filling up that 80 feet by pulling into traffic in front of me.

Mostly, just see me and recognize that I share the road with you. Two thirds of car/motorcycle accidents are because the car failed to yield right of way to the bike. Almost all of those are because the car driver “didn’t see the motorcycle”. Maybe I’m too small and get lost in the blind spot but most of the time it’s because car drivers do not psychologically equate bikes to cars. Yeah, you see me but I don’t translate into an object to be avoided. It’s like I don’t exist until there’s that annoying thumpity bump under your tires and everybody’s day gets ruined.

Thanks for your time and attention. If man and fish can co-exist, I’m sure motor bikes and cars can.

[XOKCowboy]

1. Happy to K&R

[DrDan]

2. thanks for posting that

might save me, or another rider, from yet another close call . . . or worse.

[Obamanaut]

3. Nicely put. Gets a 'rec' from this long time rider. Got my first one,

a 90cc Ducati in 1961. Currently ride a Suzuki 1500 (C90T)

Stay safe.

[guitar man]

4. Thanks for posting this

From an old Harley riding greybeard :hi:

[Captain Hilts]

5. What about the group I saw on I-64Eastbound all standing on their bikes with the front wheel

in the air at 65mph? I want them to watch out for me.

I'm a cyclist and am sensitive to the bikers/cyclists vs. cars issue, but bikers are driving over 100 mph on I-95 and weaving in and out of traffic. The herd of bikers pushing 70 while standing on one wheel was not a good ad for bikers at all.

[Gman2]

7. Their bikes are all black and junky, they look mad max.

The public doesnt equate us, but the cops sure think all sportbikers are sinister.

[guitar man]

8. sigh...kids

they sometimes think they are invincible :(

[Obamanaut]

9. Those are the ones who will never be able to say "I got my first

bike 49 years ago."

The problem is, they usually take someone with them when they depart this green earth.

[flamin lib]

17. Those aren't bikers . . .

they're organ donors.

According to the Hurt report 25% of motorcycle accidents are "collisions with the roadway or other stationary objects". Usually because of excessive speed, inability to control the vehicle or inexperience.

It's a good read to remind us of how things happen. Google Hurt Report.

[Captain Hilts]

19. Yes, most bikers ride safely. Vast majority. But you see so many idiots on the crotch rockets

weaving out of traffic on I-95 now. I had this happen last weekend. The guy startled me. It's not good to startle drivers.

Have a great riding season.

If I lived in Upstate, NY, I'd have a motorcycle.

[lumberjack_jeff]

38. Squids. Assholes. Call 'em what you want.

But that doesn't change the basic need for auto drivers to be alert for riders.

[Gman2]

6. IF the bike is narrow enough, lane split, it's safer.

Always go either slower, or faster than traffic, that way, you will be seen. Act ina manner that even if it were a demolition derby, they still could not contact you.

[lumberjack_jeff]

39. Only legal in some states. n/t

[NNN0LHI]

10. I have had this group in my favorites for a while now

Never owned a motorcycle but I watched a show a couple of weeks ago about the R&D process of the Yamaha Superbike and I was amazed. First one had over a 160 horsepower. I think my Explorer with a V-8 has less HP than that. Then I read the other day that BMW's first try at building a Superbike will have over 190 horsepower. That is mind boggling. I was going to post on that group just to ask how people stay on these things.

I would never own one. Even if someone gave it to me. They fascinate me but all I can think about is death when I imagine myself riding on one. Probably good for me to avoid them.

But I like your group. Thanks for the reminder.

Don

[old mark]

11. Years ago, I was riding near the center line, trying to see what was ahead, and the car behind me -

a big Jag sedan - passed me on the right, leaving about 2 feet between me and the oncoming traffic. The car behing HER thought this was a grand idea, and tried the same, but I cut her off, rode the middle till I got home. People driving cars DO NOT THINK, and this goes double for not thinking about bikers. Add this to cell phones while driving and spring fever, and it can be a bit hairy out there.

It would be a good idea to run remenders like this from time to time over the "riding months" and thank you.Rec.

mark

[lumberjack_jeff]

41. Holy shit, where do you live?

Where did she think she was going? Presumably you were following someone. That's never happened to me, thankfully.

[druidity33]

12. K&R, nt.

[iscooterliberally]

13. Happy to recommend

I had a bad spill about a year and a half ago. Someone in a car decided to turn right on red at the same time as I was entering the intersection. It was a busy street and I was doing about 45 mph. The car either had no regard for me or 'didn't see me'. I avoided him, but had to dump the bike. I got to spend about 5 days in the hospital with multiple fractures, and a torn ACL. Everyone make sure you have your insurance up to date. It's a good idea to have health insurance too if you are going to ride. I was fortunate to have purchased uninsured motorist protection. The driver of the car took off, and no one was able to get the tag number. OHH YEAHHH.....WEAR YOUR FREAKIN' HELMUT!!! :headbang:

[EnviroBat]

33. Hope you are doing well now...

I put a lot of light on the front of my sled, it has made a huge difference especially with a headlight modulator. I went to a full-face helmet recently, and I've never felt more confident while riding.

:fistbump:

[iscooterliberally]

36. Thanks, I am doing much better.

I did add more light to the front of my Harley. I have an XL883L, but now it's decked out like a cop bike with crash bars and a windshield and 3 headlights. I was wearing my full face helmut when I went down. I wish I had the crash bars and lights. Maybe the person in the car would have seen me. I also bought the loudest horn they had available. I'm not commuting on it anymore though. I did that for a while when gas was $4 a gallon. I put about 17,000 miles on the bike in 15 months. I suppose it's a crap shoot in S Florida. The more you roll the dice, the higher the chances are that someone is going to ruin your day.

[madokie]

14. Not a rider myself

but I'm a Rec'r to help to get this more exposure.

Ride safely and ride like everyone out there is trying to run you down. Or something like that when my dad was telling me when I first got a cushman

[midnight]

15. Two seconds of space equal five car lengths should be a bumber sticker.

[cherokeeprogressive]

16. Big recs from this Harley rider.

About pulling to one side at a stoplight though... I do it because it's usually the part of the lane that has no oil, or very little. It's also the reason I ride on the left side of the lane.

My Harley is big, has lots of lights, and STILL gets missed by drivers here and there. Knock wood though, in 30 years of street riding, I've never been on the pavement. I think that's due to my own diligence, and the fact that I HATE PAIN.

[snooper2]

18. And PLEASE don't get right on my rear tire at a red light...

For that 1 out of 100 times somebody might kill their bike right after moving only 6 inches...

Be at least be back far enough to see the point where the rear tire and the pavement meet. I was in stop and go traffic on my CBR600 ten years ago and killed it--- and before I could take the two seconds to get starting and moving bam- moved three feet forward and sideways...

[guitar man]

20. Kick for exposure

And while I'm at it, a pic of my ride :)

[EnviroBat]

34. Niiiiice Sporty Bro!

:hi:

[guitar man]

43. Thanks!!

:hi:

I picked it up used really reasonable about 4 years ago and put a little elbow grease into it. It's a "working mans Harley" for sure.

:D

[Gidney N Cloyd]

21. K&R. I especially love it when a driver makes eye contact with me and THEN tries to kill me. :-)

[Fumesucker]

22. Eye contact can be deadly..

They'll look right at you and still "not see you".

Of course I've seen people do the same damn thing to concrete trucks, it just happens a lot more to motorcycles.

[david13]

25. That happened to our governor. He was on his Harley, with sidecar,

and his kid in the sidecar, and a lady made eye contact, then backed out of the driveway and whacked him.
She thought she was just going to take out some low life biker, but she whacked a famous film star, a multi-millionaire, and the governor of her very own state.
I hope she got a ticket. I know she ended up getting a lot of death threats.
dc

[Gidney N Cloyd]

27. Didn't Arnold also get ticketed for not having a motorcycle endorsement on his license?

[david13]

29. He didn't have one. I doubt if they ticketed him. As governor he travels

with a state cop as body guard so it's not likely he got a ticket. Also he is kind of a big favorite with cops, so they probably wouldn't ticket him. When you are injured, not all cops like to hang a ticket on you. But also, it isn't clear the M is necessary for a sidecar rig, they were saying. Thus he might have weaseled out of any ticket anyway.
He vowed to get it. I don't know if he ever did.
dc

[flamin lib]

23. as of now there have been 250 reads of this post.

Factoring out the bikers that's at least 200 four wheelers who may have an "Ah-ha" moment.

It's a start.

[david13]

24. California recently had a weeklong statewide announcement on

the boards along the freeways which display various messages, such as lane closed ahead.
During certain times, the message said "Look Twice for Motorcycles: Share the Road".
We were all quite happy to see that message all over the freeways.
Absolutely. Give some space to motorcycles, they have a right to be on the road too.
dc

[Haole Girl]

26. kick

:kick:

[EnviroBat]

28. Thanks for that!

Last year I was intentionally hit by an asshole in a car that had been playing "chicken" with me on the freeway. I ended up behind this lunatic in a parking lot a short time later. When I went around him on his drivers side, (he was brake checking me quite aggressively), he shouted, "I'll kill you motherfucker". He turned the wheel and hit the gas side-swiping me and sending me to the ground. My right shoulder slammed into the car and was fractured in two places. It will never be the same and I'm still in pain. I didn't ride for the rest of the year. After rehab, I began working on my beloved 07 Harley Softail. The bike now looks better than the day I bought it.

I will admit that she is loud. But dammit, it gets drivers attention. I've installed two more headlights on the front so hopefully you can all see me coming. The back has super bright led tail-lights and when I hit the brakes the world behind me glows bright red.

Two things make me really nervous when riding; People waiting to turn left, and morons texting while driving, I STILL see this going on all the time! I believe that ALL left turns should be green arrow only, this would greatly cut down on motorcycle fatalities in every state.

Please do us a favor when you see us out there, SEE US, and stay away from us. Don't ride my ass in your 4000 lb vehicle, I and my bike weigh about 900, and I'm working to reduce that. Don't swerve your car at me for fun, my regard for your life can dwindle just as fast as yours can for mine. Perhaps someday I'll feel confident enough to put my girlfriend on the back again, it gets lonely riding alone...


EBat

[KittyWampus]

31. that second photo is faboo!

Good luck on the rehab.

[EnviroBat]

32. The girlfriend is a professional photographer.

The bike is one of her favorite subjects. I think I rank in there somewhere near the top too.

:hi:

[guitar man]

44. That is a beautiful bike

I hear you about the rehab thing, had a semi tractor pull out in front of me back in 95 and I kissed the side of it, rolled on the pavement and skidded through gravel in the ditch on my face. But I guess what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. ;)

And like you, I make no apologies for my pipes. They aren't ear-splitting, but they bark loud enough to get the attention of the driving while talking on the phone crowd.

Ride safe bro :hi:

[MountainLaurel]

30. Scooter rider saying thanks! n/t

[david13]

35. Drive safe. If you are important, you do not have to race like a

pizza delivery boy. If you are important, you can show courtesy for others on the road. Remember, the motorcycles are more vulnerable, give them extra space.
They have a right to be on the road also.
Show some courtesy. If someone needs to change lanes, back off and let them. If someone needs to pull out, slow down and let them.
Do not tailgate. That does not get the car in front of you to drive faster. In fact, it can only slow them down. Back off.
If you are late, drive safe. Racing will get you in an accident, and then you will get there very late, or not at all.
dc

[whistler162]

37. You forgot...

Scooter and Motorcycle riders DON'T stop 1", okay maybe 1', behind the car in front of you at a stop light!

[lumberjack_jeff]

40. Why not? I stop wherever I'm most obvious to the cars around me. n/t

[whistler162]

42. You shouldn't be riding if you are that suicidal!

If the vehicle in front of you gets hit and you are stopped that close to the vehicle in front of you then you are likely to be seriously injured or dead when that vehicle rolls back from the impact.

[lumberjack_jeff]

45. Do you actually ride?

The risk of a car stopped at a light in front of me being somehow involved in a head-on collision is way down the list of road hazards.

A far bigger risk is the car behind me being too close that they can't stop if bumped, or the car in front backing up without seeing me. Either way, I want to be obvious.

And all of those scenarios are smallish risks by virtue of being stationary.

Bottom line, don't be invisible. I'd rather cage operators say "WTF is that maniac doing?" (anyone going slower than me is an idiot, everyone going faster is a maniac. h/t George Carlin), than "I never saw him."

[michreject]

46. HANG UP THE DAMN PHONE

Nuff said.