Boot or horn?

[Guest]

Haven't ridden in a week or so and wanted to check out a couple of modifications today (1/4 turn throttle tube and new speedo/computer). Took a short jaunt out to the local Home Cheepo for some trash bags.

Heading home, I turn out of the plaza on to a 2 lane and move from the right lane into the left lane as the right lane exits to a highway entrance in about 500 feet. I'm in the right wheel track going the limit with a few cages in front of me.

Suddenly and with absolutely no warning (isn't it the way?) Joe Cager in a big green Buick decides my lane is better than his and moves right into me. He didn't even look and I don't know how he didn't see me as I was riding abreast his door when he swung out.

Now I know the first reaction after moving away would be to hit the horn but I never thought of it and instead and purely on reaction put a size 10 into his door as I peeled off. I know it was wrong and a dangerous thing to do....and so admonished myself after the fact but I just reacted.

There was no place to pull off for another 1000 feet or so and after I hit him he moved in behind me and stayed back about 100 feet. When I did pull over he kept going.

I thought about chasing him but thought better, grabbed his plate number and rode home.

Shook me up. More my reaction than the incident. I need to learn where the horn is.

Ride safe all.
Cheers,
Spyug

[officerbill]

Boot or horn

Sometimes I think if I were to have a huge spinning strobe light and orange and neon jump suit the cager would still say "I never saw 'im." My reply if I can is that the cager needs glasses.

[tkent02]

I was riding abreast his door when he swung out.

Why were you there?

When I did pull over he kept going.

Why would you pull over?

I thought about chasing him but thought better, grabbed his plate number and rode home.

Have a beer, always better than a fist fight.

[Colorado85gs550]

My first reaction:

Your size 10 doesn't suggest you're BIG enough to make an impression with ANY cager out there.

Second:

Defensive driving is our best reaction.....I have never, in my 18 years of riding EVER had to put my size 13 into anyone's cage! I am always in enough control of the situation that when they decide to come over into my lane, I accellerate enough to get out of their way....

Thirdly:

Even the OEM horn on a brand new bike doesn't seem to work when on the road riding especially if the cage has a radio of any kind on at the time! Don't rely on ANY horn to help you in this situation.

Conclusion:

Brush up on your defensive driving skills to allow enough space for you in any situation so that you ALWAYS leave yourself an out!!!! The one and ONLY time I've ever been pulled over for speeding on one of my bike's was because I was accellerating to get away from an idiot who liked to drive in my blind spot in the mirror next to me and wouldn't back off....the cop let me off on a warning after explanation. I'm not saying to speed all the time to keep your distance at all cost...just simply implying that you're on a bike, you have the ability to speed up much faster than most any cage on the road!

Drive safely,

Paul

[spyug]

I agree with everything said and I do believe in maintaining my personal " bubble". Unfortunately in this situation, the two lane shuts down to one ( the through lane) when the right lane goes to a highway entrance . At the time he swung out I was in the through lane and right hand track, the so called blocking position. I had no other place to be other than in the left track which would have left the lane more open. I thought he was in position to turn off as were the cages in front of him. He changed his mind and swerved out without looking.

As I made contact with the door I immediately moved away and accelerated. I don't remember thinking about it it just happened. Instinct again.

I pulled over thinking he might want to have words about the dint in his door and I was getting ready to give him some lane changing education. I think me being covered in black leather may have intimidated him enough to keep going. I am 5'10'' 175 and look like the Michelin man in leathers. Again a pure reaction on my part and maybe not the smartest thing to do but the blood was up.

The point I'm trying to illustrate is that some times instincts take over and conscious thought goes out the window. I think instincts are sometimes the wrong move and we have to work hard to over come them. After this, I don't think I'll be using the boot again.

Ride safe folks.

cheers,
Spyug

[DanTheMan]

I think me being covered in black leather may have intimidated him enough to keep going. I am 5'10'' 175 and look like the Michelin man in leathers.
Spyug

Hmmmm..........Black leather, night time or close to, you were a black blob next to his door, and he looked right through you intent on getting where he wanted to go. I were a bright reflective helmet, a dirty, light colored 'Stich riding suit, and many times a bright reflective vest provided to me at no cost by MN Motorcycle Safety Center, that I also have to wear when I'm coaching the MSF classes.

[marz]

on odd ocasion i have had this happen. normally i have had the chance to get out of it..but on the odd occsion i felt it was too close,at these times i would really like a crow bar to throw through the window..

[tkent02]

The point I'm trying to illustrate is that some times instincts take over and conscious thought goes out the window. I think instincts are sometimes the wrong move and we have to work hard to over come them. After this, I don't think I'll be using the boot again.

Ride safe folks.

cheers,
Spyug

I have kicked a few doors, it has worked each time, the car has moved back over.
Seems likely to get the opposite result at some point.

[Skateguy50]

All you can do is reflect on it and figure out what to do better next time, think you got that covered so its ok to say you are safe and have a good laugh about kicking that cagers door.

I could see myself reacting the same way... but prefer to keep my space and not find out. I even have thought how cool would it be to have a lever in my truck to pull and have a big boot smack the car next to me trying to get in my lane.

Believe me if this happens to me in a full size truck it will happen on your bike, people dont always look... in fact I just assume they wont look at all.

[rudy]

Believe me if this happens to me in a full size truck it will happen on your bike, people dont always look... in fact I just assume they wont look at all.

VERY TRUE!!!! I'd have to say that riding a bike has made me a MUCH better driver in my car. I always check blind spots before changing lanes, put my signal on plenty beforehand, and always check my mirrors for impatient idiots regularly. I've never had a problem on my bike with people, and have done some stop and go, and busy city multi-lane in evening rush hour. I know it only takes one idiot on his cell phone. I try to weave back and forth if I'm on my own to make myself more noticed. It seems to work as I notice people looking in their mirrors at me. I also ride a white bike and wear a white helmet. Jacket has white and orange in it too. Good and visible day or night.

If I'm a passenger in a car, I actually find myself lecturing people on checking their blind spots and stressing how important it is. Not just for their safety, but that of the people they may hit. I tell them that it could be me on my bike. Puts things into perspective for them.

[spyug]

Good point you bring up Rudy. I also find myself driving better after learning to ride. I definitely does carry over. Somewhere I read or heard that kids that start off with scooters and bikes turn out to be be better drivers. I think I actually heard that in some country ( and I can't recall where) you need to start with a two wheeler before being able to get a car licence.

Thinking about it it makes a lot of sense to me but we need to start even earlier. I think kids on bicycles should have to undergo proper rider training and be made to a) wear safety gear always and b) ride in the roadway and not on sidewalks and c) follow all the rules and regulations and be subject to penalties for non compliance.

They did this back in Britain in the late 50's and early 60's and I remember well having to take and pass a course before I could ride my bike on the street. It made me aware from an early age how dangerous the roads are and how to help keep yourself safe. I've seen so many kids around here pull bone heads stunts that have landed them in hospital or worse. My favourite is a kid riding on the sidewalk (or skateboarding) that shoots across the sidewalk against the no walking sign and into the path of a left turning car. I nearly bopped one (again) last week. Why do they think they have the right of way? If they're on the sidewalk and crossing they should be off the bike and walking it across but not when the don't walk sign is showing. Idiots.

I blame the parents and the authorites. We have a so called helmet law for kids under 16 but I see 90% don't wear them. I've seen bunches of helmet less kids riding on the sidewalks and running the lights as I mentioned while in plain sight of the cops. Never once seen a cop do anything about it. The most maddening thing is that if I hit the kid, I'm the one that gets charged.

Well sorry got off on a bit of a tangent there but I think road safety is everyones concern not just us bike riders.

Stay safe all.
Spyug

[beingblueeyes]

Now I know the first reaction after moving away would be to hit the horn but I never thought of it and instead and purely on reaction put a size 10 into his door as I peeled off.

mad max the road warrior would be down with that move

[Mysuzyq]

Haven't ridden in a week or so and wanted to check out a couple of modifications today (1/4 turn throttle tube and new speedo/computer)....

Ride safe all.
Cheers,
Spyug

May I suggest your next mod...

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2137/

I picked one of these up on ebay when they just hit the market, but have yet to mount it on the bike (finding a suitable location seems to be the hardest part, with these). The stock Suzuki twin Nikko's are also decent, but not rude/angry enough for your situation.
Glad everything turned out okay. Your reaction was understandable, but I would hesitate to kick while taking evasive action, simply because impacting his door with massive force might cause some loss of control, precisely when it's needed most....not to mention the legal hassles if he notes your plate and reports it as a road-rage assault.

Tony.

[spyug]

Your reaction was understandable, but I would hesitate to kick while taking evasive action, simply because impacting his door with massive force might cause some loss of control, precisely when it's needed most....not to mention the legal hassles if he notes your plate and reports it as a road-rage assault.

In the calm afterwards I thought of that and I've been waiting for a visit from the local constabulary all week but I'm pretty certain he realised he goofed big time and chalked it up. I'm a bit miffed at myself non the less as I realise I could have done myself an injury so I need to work on my knee jerk reaction (no pun intended).

I like the idea of the improved horns as well and I was thinking of doing that. I haven't found anyone that carries the Stebels around here but on my XS Igot some Fiamms that are pretty darn loud so I might go that route again. Then all I need to do is learn where the button is and train myself to thumb it in times of stress.

Thanks for the info.

Cheers,
Spyug

[Colorado85gs550]

I had a dual setup of horns on my boat and removed one of them because they were TOO LOUD for the boat....

I might add that horn to the bike