Near Miss

[country-bum]

Almost said final goodbye today. I was heading to work, when some cat in a Camero decided that the pickup in front of him was going too slow. So he pulled out to pass. The only problem with this was the pickup was only about 200 yrds in front of me, traveling towards me. I hit the brakes hard (no one was behind me) started to the right shoulder. But he did to, I hit blinker and stayed in my lane. He and the pickup passed me at the same time on opposite sides. All I can say is thank God for looking out for me, and the brc for the lesson on quick braking.
I just needed to vent, I apologize if this is a dumb thing to post.
Safe riding to all.

[Colyn]

These incidents is what make us stronger :) ... glad you are ok.

[cws]

deja-vu... there was another post almost identical a week or 3 ago....
whats going on over there!!!

If you haven't already... get that front lit-up like a Christmas tree... so even the blind can see you!
Glad you came out OK! Go buy a lottery ticket.... :eek:

[Patric]

Im glad you came out OK . I just hate that run down feeling (;-»)

[EncoreJoe]

Jay,

I'm so glad you're OK. I had the exact same experience (see the "Almost met my Maker" thread under Bike talk forum.

You did the same thing I did, and I'm glad it worked out for you too.

No one expects oncoming traffic to pull out without looking but they do.

I notice a lot of drivers following so closely that there is no way for them see oncoming traffic without pulling into the passing lane.

Take care and keep riding ... carefully.

Joe

[ArthurKnowles]

These are the kind of incidents that have always promoted my safety bug. It's why I recommend headlight modulators, auxillary lights, etc. I'm going to be adding some auxillary lighting to my LT soon. I was thinking of a headlight modulator, but have a HID low beam (stock) and a HID high beam (aftermarket) which kind of put a damper on that idea. I didn't want to burn out the balalst or bulb modulating it.

I'm hoping the auxillary lighting will do it for me. If not, I'll look at other alternatives. Gotta be something out there. :)

Glad to hear you are OK and still with us. Let's keep it that way shall we? :)

[pickerbiker]

Thankfully, you're quick thinking averted a potential disaster and you're ok, but this brings up an interesting question for defensive riding skills (and maybe it's just one of those things that can't be anticipated). On two lane roads, is it safer to ride towards the right side of the pavement so cars who are looking to pass in the opposite lane can see you sooner? Or, is it better to ride towards the middle to have more time to avoid potential hazards coming from the right (i.e. car backing out, car pulling out of driveway, wildlife, etc). Or, is it just a dynamic situation that must constantly be evaluated and a decision made? Any thoughts and/or experiences from the board?

[Lonewuff]

Better tell Grif you are going to have to have the cone removed from your seat during the 12K too. ;)

Glad you made it through...I agree, get some lights on that thing!!!

[gglove]

Glad to hear you are unharmed.

[Steve_R]

I'm hoping the auxillary lighting will do it for me. If not, I'll look at other alternatives. Gotta be something out there.

I'm a strong believer in MotoLights. While most people install them and then complain about them not providing enough light at night. For me it is about being seen. Here are two pictures of my LT, one with HID and amber MotoLights on and second with all lights off. Both are taken about the same time of day. I haven't had anyone pull out in front of me yet, tried to once or twice but stopped short when something didn't look right.

Had a guy pull into the gas station behind me some time ago. Made the comment that he had almost pulled out in front of me but he had never seen a light pattern like that before and stopped. He asked what they were and what they were for. I told him to make me for visible to guys in 5 ton Chevy trucks. :D

Lights on.

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/1989/2604808500025504544S600x600Q85.jpg

Lights off.

http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/43693/2894765280025504544S600x600Q85.jpg

And here's one of my old LT courtesy of Raffy.

http://motogear4you.com/catalog/images/MTL-CMB.jpg

JM2CW

[country-bum]

Thanks for all the kind words. Yes I do want to put some more lights on the Lt, as soon as the book keeper allows it.
I did see the post "almost met my maker" It ran through my mind yesterday after it happened.
I'm am just glad the cat had as good of reflexes as he did.
Main thing I got out of the ordeal {other than living}, was even more belief in the brc course took before taking to the road.
As for as the cone removal procedure, took care of that last night. Just don't know how to patch the hole in the seat.

[HH-60EngineTroop]

The motorcycle safety course they (the base) make us take tells you to ride in the left hand part of the lane so you have a way out of this exact situation, Just to answer pickerbickers question. On a Two lane road (both heading the same direction) I stay close to the center lane, unless I am in a group then it just depends on the postion I am in. Thank goodness you are all right and atleast you where looking out for everyone else like you should be. Because remember you can't fix stupid and thats whats wrong with alot of drivers. Sorry for the spelling the vicodin is kicking in (just had my vasectomy done the other day).

Gabe

[Dick]

The motorcycle safety course they (the base) make us take tells you to ride in the left hand part of the lane so you have a way out of this exact situation, Just to answer pickerbickers question. On a Two lane road (both heading the same direction) I stay close to the center lane, unless I am in a group then it just depends on the postion I am in. Thank goodness you are all right and atleast you where looking out for everyone else like you should be. Because remember you can't fix stupid and thats whats wrong with alot of drivers. Sorry for the spelling the vicodin is kicking in (just had my vasectomy done the other day).

Gabe
So - Gabe. Typing standing up a problem?? :histerica

I often wonder how cage drivers (the passers who can't wait) get themselves in this situation. Several years ago, I wuz driving the family car, with 5 of us aboard (outta the seven in the family!!); long 2-lane straightaway, with 3 or 4 cars approaching. Last car pulled out to pass. Didn't seem to be accelerating enough to make it, and now I've got a decision to make - when/where to take to the minimal shoulder/ditch, with culverts!! Instead of braking and pulling back in line (which he/she had time to do), he/she took to the shoulder!! My side of the road!! Rocks and gravel were a-flyin' as we passed each other - then I see the deal. He/she wuz turning left into a gravel drive!!! Had been trying to get there before I did! Wuzn't trying to pass the cars; just wanted to make it to the driveway instead of waiting for us to pass!! :eek: My Mom's car interior took a leetle detailing later. ;)

[dukey33]

YIKES! :eek:
glad you escaped unscathed (well, except for the damage to your seat).

Good reminder for staying on your toes at all times.

[BillCav]

Glad to hear your okay!!

Same thing happen to the wife and I. I moved over to the left and the car went by on the right and hit a tree. I didn't stop.

Cheers, Bill
05 K1200LT

[kevincook]

Thanks for all the kind words. Yes I do want to put some more lights on the Lt, as soon as the book keeper allows it.


Jay, even inexpensive lights will make a big difference. A couple of years ago I added two sets of lights for about $50, I figured they where cheap enough to consider disposable. I noticed right away that people stopped cutting me off. I would recommendd adding lights to anyone. I have since installed HID lights to help me see but the auxilliary lights help everyone else see me.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7062 http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7064

See this post: http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14641&highlight=lights

Good Luck,
Kevin

[StillJustJerry]

I am a firm believer in a headlight modulator. After you put one on, people will look at the bike like you have something broken. Key - they LOOK!

[avonfloater]

Glad you had the skill to make the snap judgement needed to keep er up and that you're OK. I had a similar experience with a teenage Camaro driver who thought he'd pass a mammoth front-end loader on a double-yellow blind curve. I managed to miss him, but caught gravel on a side road apron and did a bit of asphalt inspection. Totaled my Honda Sabre. The kid said he was sorry, but didn't tell me he had two moving violations in the past couple of months.

Denny