Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Laid the Speedy down yesterday

The classic left turn in front of me and I didnt even see her due to a SUV blocking my view. Oh well, all things considered I got out of it pretty lucky. Bike is still rideable but has some scrapes and scuffs. Could be an oppurtunity to do some powder coating I suppose. There is a small dent in the tank that didnt break the paint, but its there.

The bummer is I'm a pretty inexperienced rider with fewer than 10k miles under my belt. This is my second accident and now I have the wife in my ear. First one was pure inexperience mistake. A little too fast, a corner a little too sharp and my inexperienced eyes going to the wrong place. This time I'm trying to convince myself that there wasnt anything I could have done differently and things could have been much worse, like me crashing through her passenger window. But... hindsight being 20/20, I could have (should have) read the situation a little better and had been expecting someone to be hiding behind that SUV.

Anyways, I'm just sitting here with an icepack on my knee sipping some pain reliever and needed to whine a bit.

Glad you're ok Ed, and your bike's not too bad

It's all part of a learning curve, just do what you can to stay on that curve and don't let it become an abrupt stop

Glad you and the bike are ok with some minor bumps. Don't let it get you down. My theory is everybody is going to turn in front of me, my way of trying to stay vigilant. Good luck with the boss-remind her how great the gas mileage is on the bike

You might want to give this a try while you're healing:

clicky

Doesn't cover everything of course but covers a lot.

Seems to me you've analyzed and dissected the reason for your present condition extremely well there, Ed.

With that kind of insight, I believe that "sixth sense" which all experienced riders use to minimize those "unfortunate instances" such as you've just experienced is right around the corner for you.

(...in other words, I hope you'll climb right back up on that "horse" and continue to enjoy this sport...and glad to hear you and your bike are in pretty good shape, all things considered!)

Well, thankfully you're in reasonable shape under the circumstances and secondly... good to hear the bike not to bad either. The nemesis of riding... being cut off but someone turning right in front of your path! As Dwight said, you've gained insight into accident prevention. Better days ahead!!

Good news that it wasn't more serious for you or the bike. I bet your first thought after coming off was "How's my bike".

I hate following SUVs. It pisses me off that the owners choose the vehicle for their own safety (or just posing and never take them off-road) and disregard the increased danger they put everyone else in - from high level impact, less collapsing impact zones and by restricting other drivers' vision. I will either pass them as soon as I can or hang back if I can't safely pass.

I can't help thinking that SUV drivers must wonder why everyone wants to overtake them.

What I do when I ride is continually prepare for the car ahead to do just that. If there is no car then what if one suddenly came through from that side street and so on. Always expect the unexpected. Everyone else on the road is an idiot and you are invisible. So far I am still alive. I am glad you are okay.

I'm glad you and the bike are OK. Like they said, it's a learning curve. Just get back on the bike and keep at it. Before you know it you won't be a new rider anymore. Enjoy the self medication, but not too much.

I've been riding for 39 years. I believe every accident I've had occurred in the first 18 months.

I always assume that a) I'm invisible and b) anyone that can see me wants to kill me. That has served me well.

Glad you are OK. The very fact that you realize that maybe there were things you might have done better says to me that you probably will do things better. Hope you get your bike straightened out without much expense.

Happy to hear the news your ok. I worry about that all the time, living here in Fla.
People talk and text all the time.I watched a man with a hands free device. He was shouting and beating on the steering wheel, and driving like a idiot.

Ed,
Glad to hear you will be ok, although a little sore.

Don't get discouraged. I'm told there are 2 types of bikers: Those that have gone down and those waiting to go down.

I'm in the first category and got banged up pretty good, 3 years ago, in the deal (got a new shoulder and totaled the bike too, dagumit!!!). It's good you are thinking things through. It might help to take an intermediate riders type course in your area, if available. That will help you work on your riding skills.

Seems you've already gotten some solid advice here. But don't be discouraged. Just take your time, go slow and build your confidence back up. I'm still working on mine!

I laid my bike down, not long after I first got it. I have a small barely noticeable dent on the tank. My reminder to not be impatient in traffic (even in the rain).
Also the reason I moved those stuped blinkers off of the handlebars.

If you didn't see her due to a SUV blocking your view there is a good chance she didn't see you . This may not be the case but I think you may have been riding in a blind spot which can be created following trucks in traffic also.
After a while you will start to look out for things like the hand on the steering wheel start to move as the approaching vehicle starts to cut you off.
I know a guy who runs cheap 12 volt halogen household downlights on his crashbars to get noticed and I've read on here other people talk about getting more lights up front.

Frank, I'm not suggesting SUV's are slow or that all SUVs are unnecessary.

I am commenting on the proliferation of SUVs in Aussie and that they are dangerous (compared to regular size cars) to non-SUV drivers. I understand their purpose in rural environments like yours (and recreationally) but I don't think the following reasons are crap:

1. If a regular car gets hit by an SUV the impact is more detrimental to the car than if it was a car to car collision. The impact area is higher and in a t-bone collision the impact is at a more dangerous level.

2. A large percentage of SUVs have roo-bars (bullbars). That means 0% collapsing impact on the recipient vehicle or person. Many SUVs have a chassis and that's bad like the bullbars.

3. SUVs restrict vision from following vehicles. When in traffic I like to be able to see the tail-lights of vehicles further ahead than just the vehicle directly in front of me - for greater reaction time.

4. The majority of SUVs in Aussie never go off-road and are totally unnecessary. They have become a trendy or Aussie macho. Visit a school during drop-off or pick-up time and see how many SUVs are being driven by moms. Their size and lack of vision around the vehicle make them a danger to children pedestrians.

I understand they make driving safer for the occupants - but that's at the expense of the safety of everyone else.

+1 Richard
I agree with your reasoning.
Your third reason,is a good one. The restricted vison of what's in front of the SUV I'm following is disconcerting to me.
I live in the country with LOTs of suvs so I'm definitely not saying all suvs or their drivers are wrong or bad or unnecessary or whatever.
but I always try to overtake them,if it's SAFE to do so,or,if they're doing a fair speed I'll hang back and leave plenty of road between them and me.
I like as much clear vison as possible.

So what do we do Richard ban SUV's because they are dangerous when you run into them.

While we are at it we can ban buses,vans,semi trailers, b doudles because you can't see past them.

Don't forget there are an awfull lot of people out there who would ban motorcycles because if you fall off one you might hurt yourself.

Whether it be your fault or somebody elses.

One of the reasons I own an SUV is because I feel safe inside my 2 tonne cage. Do you mean If some clown in a car or on a motorcycle runs into me through their own negligence I shouldn't be allowed to own it because they were hurt.

Richard get into the real world.

I am a great believer that you should be responsible for your own actions.

Don't take it personally Frank. I'm not saying SUVs should be banned. In fact I don't think there should be any legislation. I can't see the % of unnecessary SUVs going down unless petrol/diesel goes way up in price. I don't think I can explain it any clearer. I was simply explaining (and ranting a bit) about why I overtake SUVs and try to keep away from them in general. The SUV was a large contributing factor in the accident this thread is really about.

Sorry about the side-track on your thread Ed.

I have been riding for 30 years plus but less yearly mileage as I have got older, and was caught out like you recently which shook me up a bit .

ANSWER I went on a rider training refresher course, which really helped sharpen my mind and confidence, would recommend this route.

NO Shame in it and might get better half of your case.

I did a refresher course when I started riding again,definitely worth the money.
something to thing about.

SUVs, big pickups, semis, vans, landscaper trucks, box vans, motor homes, RVs, mopeds, wind, rain, plastic bags, sand, oil spills, morons, etc.

All part of the hazards we face everyday that we ride.

The trick is recognizing the hazards and acting accordingly.

Use the twelve second rule: Know EVERYTHING that is happening 12 seconds in front of you. If someone is in the way of you knowing, eliminate the problem; change lane position, back off, or pass.

Very well summed up,BigBill

Glad you servived. Every year I refresh my mind by reading "Proficient Motorcycling" by David L Hough. I just got back from riding in the mountains of Nc. Just before I left I read a chapter on curves. I started feathering the front brake and notices I had better control and if something came up, my hand was already on the brake. Little things like that can make you a better rider. Seconds add up to many feet.

Thanks for the encouragement all and I appreciate the sound advice. I picked up David Hough's book after my first spill and keep it next to my favorite porcelain reading chair The part that keeps flashing through my brain is begining the riding season by practing the quick stop. Perhaps if I had... Oh well, just going to chalk this up to experience is all and the wife is going to have to get over it. She does ride horses so all I have to do it throw Christopher Reeve into the conversation and it usually ends quickly.

Not that I find Mr. Reeves unfortunate accident amusing.

But still..........