[DannoXYZ]

Like with cagers, there appears to be more idiots on bikes now than ever.
When I started, only weird crazy fringe outlying people rode bikes.
They tended to be more focused and skilled.

Nowadays, so many newbies do it because it's fashionable and looks cool.
Take MSF class, buy brand-new litre-bike and try to do wheelies.
Next thing you know, cars driven by other idiot pulls out of driveway or turns left in front of them SPLAT!!!!

I don't think electronic nannies are solution to idiocy....

 

[pdcomm]

I don't think electronic nannies are solution to idiocy....

"You Can't Fix Stupid." - Mark Twain.

 

[GatorJoe]

watch out for left turning drivers at all times and intersections in general!

No Question this is the biggest Killer in Accidents .. But for those that can back a ways .. In the early 1970's the Kawasaki 2 Stroke Triple was without a doubt a Killer for an inexperienced Rider .. Was Super Fast but didn't handle or brake all that well .. Am referring to single vehicle accident deaths..

 

[gunsmoker]

In the last 9 months since I bought my first dedicated street-use motorcycle, there have been 4 motorcycle fatalities around me reported in the local news.

Three out of the four involved drivers of cars or pickups turning into the road and pulling out in front of the motorcyclists.

Here's a story on the latest one:

Alleged drunken driver arrested after motorcyclist killed in Cobb crash

The driver of a motorcycle was killed and his passenger seriously injured in a crash Thursday evening with an allegedly impaired pickup truck driver in Cobb County, authorities said.

www.ajc.com

One other death was a rear end collision where a distracted off-duty cop struck and killed a motorcyclist and the bike's passenger, while they were just sitting at a red light.


I have not yet, in all those 9 months, heard of any fatality or even serious injury by an accident caused by the fault of the two wheeler! ( Athough there definitely are reckless riders out there-- I see a guy 2 or 3 times a week because we take a similar route down the highway on our morning commute, and this Harley rider tailgates the vehicles in front of him so close he looks like he's being towed on a motorcycle trailer! I saw him crank that throttle so hard pulling onto the highway on-ramp that he started fishtailing, but he managed to keep it upright.)

 

[Eagle Six]

What position would you rather have?
Riding fast, I'll take B
Riding at a speed where I can effectively swerve, I'm thinking A

I like A most of the time. In town where there are many cross roads and entrances I slow down! If you are at a speed that reduces your ability to swerve and/or brake you have put yourself at a disadvantage to overcome another drivers error. Defensive driving applies to both cages and bikes!

 

[RogerC60]

Three out of the four involved drivers of cars or pickups turning into the road and pulling out in front of the motorcyclists.

Whenever I see the side of a vehicle, I get ready for that vehicle to move into my path of travel. We always need to be watching and ready for this.

I'm not trying to shift the blame to the motorcyclists. But we are responsible for our own safety, and riding defensively can overcome a fair amount of car driver stupidity.

 

[Eagle Six]

But we are responsible for our own safety, and riding defensively can overcome a fair amount of car driver stupidity.

^^^^^^^

 

[Bitterroot Bugler]

I agree with previous posts and that we are responsible for our own safety.

However, for a completely different look at the subject heading, FEAR often prematurely removes motorcyclists from the brotherhood of two-wheelers... their own fear or that of an insistent/convincing loved one. Taking some portion of living out of their life.

 

[WormGear]

I like A most of the time. In town where there are many cross roads and entrances I slow down!

I like riding in position A also as well as at least one LONG car length back. (left cager tire track)
I can see around the vehicle ahead of me and oncoming traffic can see me. (if they look)

If somebody gives me the creeps, I'll Smidsy by touching the center line and returning to position A.
It often gets their attention when you swerve toward them and I think I stand a better chance of a panic swerve to the left.
My bike doesn't accelerate that well so beating a left turner through the intersection is not really high on my preferred avoidance maneuvers. (I do see it used on YouTube a lot)

 

[hogcowboy]

watch out for left turning drivers at all times and intersections in general!

Smidsy

The SMIDSY or great big swerve is possibly the best defense against left turners. Breaking your bikes headlight out from the background and headlights of cars behind gives those left turns a better chance of seeing you. Then of course slowing down gives you a better chance should idiot still pull out. In the end it's up to you to live to ride another day or not.

 

[DannoXYZ]

Yeah, I'm firm believer in day-time headlight modulators. Really stands out in traffic now that lots of cars have day-time running lights.