 Left hand turners
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690 |
110 mile trip from North Georgia to home yesterday on my 2005 America, had 3 different people turn, or attempt to turn in front of me, 2 being close enough for my heart to skip a beat and scare the fajitas out of me....not sure what to do except ride 35 mph wherever I go...Starting to want to say "screw this", it's not worth it!
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,666 Likes: 16
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,666 Likes: 16 |
You have been riding too long so now have started to think about things. Two types of riders, those that have been down and those that are about to go down.
After I witnessed my son's 8 broken bones and a traumatic brain injury in 2012 (he is fine now) I started riding less and less and not having nearly the fun.
Only you can decide but maybe your brain is telling you something. These are the times when your cheerleaders tell you to block it out and your friends tell you if you typed that post, it is probably time.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Sad but true. I gave up riding totally for about three years after nailing my first deer. And only got back on accidentally. Now I'm counting on years of experience and slower riding to save my dumb butt. I've put double the miles each of the last two years from my past averages. And if anything ever happens to my wife, I'll probably quit working and just ride the bike around and around the country, robbing gas stations for food and fuel. 
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,628 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,628 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
You have been riding too long so now have started to think about things. Two types of riders, those that have been down and those that are about to go down.
After I witnessed my son's 8 broken bones and a traumatic brain injury in 2012 (he is fine now) I started riding less and less and not having nearly the fun.
Only you can decide but maybe your brain is telling you something. These are the times when your cheerleaders tell you to block it out and your friends tell you if you typed that post, it is probably time.
Lots of lights up front, whole lots of lights. LED Highbeam head light, very bright LED running lights, yellow LED turn signals always on that go off to blink two on each side. Total of seven lights on front and three LED in back that all go bright and flash when I brake. They may hit me but they cannot say they couldn't see me.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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1 member likes this:
VABird |
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1 |
I like to say that they is two kinda riders, them what has done crashed, and them that ain't done crashed.
I has been ridin since I was 10 or so, and ain't crashed yet, and don't aim too neither.
Drivin a truck taught me to see the big picture and be proactive, and a dose of humility helps, too when you is a little rabbit in a bunch of big dogs.
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
And then there is the Kamikaze Deer, you'll never look at Bambi the same again.
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
The French had just the thing. They bought up a lot of 105MM recoilless rifles from the US army and mounted them on Vespas. I used to have a picture, but that was about 4 computer crashes ago.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,175 Likes: 47
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,175 Likes: 47 |
I installed a headlight modulator to get the attention of left hand turners and people entering or crossing the road from the right. It seems to attract attention and only one cop pulled me over so far.
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,628 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,628 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
I installed a headlight modulator to get the attention of left hand turners and people entering or crossing the road from the right. It seems to attract attention and only one cop pulled me over so far.
Being seen is the best way to avoid those idiots who pull in front of you. But, I find the headlight modulator particularly obnoxious. I had one behind for for several miles last year and the WC Fields road hog bit came to mind.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,152 Likes: 12
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,152 Likes: 12 |
Quote:
Quote:
I installed a headlight modulator to get the attention of left hand turners and people entering or crossing the road from the right. It seems to attract attention and only one cop pulled me over so far.
Being seen is the best way to avoid those idiots who pull in front of you. But, I find the headlight modulator particularly obnoxious. I had one behind for for several miles last year and the WC Fields road hog bit came to mind.
someone is bound to pull out in front of, or turn across you no matter what you do. they are too busy with activities other than driving to really pay attention to on coming traffic.
talk to any truck driver and you will get the same stories as here. If they don't see the semi coming, they sure as hell will not see a motorcycle.
I do agree that extra lights, especially the LED type and headlight modulators all help (because they are annoying) but the only real defense against a clueless driver turning in front of you is a rocket launcher capable of clearing the field.
Short of that, you just have to assume the worse and ride accordingly. 
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 130
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 130 |
We lost a rider here yesterday by some jacka$$ pulling out from a stop sign to turn left without looking.
Mark
College Station
13 America
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
talk to any truck driver and you will get the same stories as here. If they don't see the semi coming, they sure as hell will not see a motorcycle.
Sad about the rider that got killed. All lives matter.
People's brains get short circuited sometimes I think. I have had folks pull out in front of me in my big ole Ford LT9000 dump truck while looking right at me. One was a school bus loaded with kids, had to take the shoulder, one was an old man, he disappeared under my bug shield , on and on. Always be ready to leave this world if your name is called. 
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 135
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 135 |
All of this is the main reason my speedmaster has so few miles. Street riding had always brought along a level of uneasiness for me. I'm certainly much more comfortable as my skill has increased ... but the lack of attention of motorists is only getting worse. And for some reason, our society isn't seeming to see an issue with inattentive driving ... instead thinking we'll solve everything with driverless cars.
But I digress.
I've been fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time on the track instead. I much prefer a weekend at the track over on the street (unless it's riding around with this crew of course!). Much safer and I can't begin to express how much of a better rider the track makes you.
With that said. It will always be worth it. And I will always ride on the street ... just maybe not a lot. :-)
Last edited by jackshakes; 07/02/2017 4:08 PM.
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1 |
they don't yack on them cell phone when they on the track
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214 |
Just curious, but do you ride w/ your high beam on during the day or auxiliary lights?
2009 America
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,066 Likes: 1 |
During the day I run every light I have. I have these mantra things I live by when riding (see number three)
1. Get the big picture
2. Leave yourself an out
3. Make sure they see you
4. Keep your eyes moving.
5. Don't trust Whitey
6. Don't get high on your own supply
7. On infinitum ad nauseum
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,053 Likes: 6
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,053 Likes: 6 |
I ride with lots of light (high beams on), lots of noise and try to be super defensive in town where most of the crazies frequent  . At least on the highway, most drivers are headed in the same direction as you.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 728 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 728 Likes: 1 |
Here in good ole Kalifornia, riding/driving (like most of you have mentioned) has gone from bad to crazy. I too, along with the wife, have reduced our time on our Triumphs. Even riding in groups, is not safe due to cages merging threw the middle of our group rides. Where is the best place to move, for reduced crazy traffic problems? So I can look like this again, 
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
Where is the best place to move, for reduced crazy traffic problems? So I can look like this again,
Hmmm..., that is a good question. I WOULD say Iowa but we just scored in the top ten for rude drivers in a new safety poll I read. Even if you could find a place with fewer drivers, that would probably be a state with MORE deer! (Or moose, or armadillos, or whatever)
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Quote:
Here in good ole Kalifornia, riding/driving (like most of you have mentioned) has gone from bad to crazy. I too, along with the wife, have reduced our time on our Triumphs. Even riding in groups, is not safe due to cages merging threw the middle of our group rides. Where is the best place to move, for reduced crazy traffic problems? So I can look like this again,
SW Washington State, lots of long winding, extremely clean and smooth roads and you pretty much own many of them on weekdays.
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385 |
Quote:
You have been riding too long so now have started to think about things. Two types of riders, those that have been down and those that are about to go down.
After I witnessed my son's 8 broken bones and a traumatic brain injury in 2012 (he is fine now) I started riding less and less and not having nearly the fun.
Only you can decide but maybe your brain is telling you something. These are the times when your cheerleaders tell you to block it out and your friends tell you if you typed that post, it is probably time.
Glad to hear your son is fine. Idunno what possesses people to have brain flatulations, not that i am immune to them. Maybe we just see it and being on a bike stokes our emotions. Semi busy intersection, cars turning left in front of me, and they see me right there with a couple of car lengths room. A woman with her daughter still has to get in there. Not looking left to see the traffic stopped in the intersection, she gets stuck in my lane i had to stop for her at my green light. I just yelled out "are you serious!?" so she and her daughter (i assume) heard me. And we wonder why kids are worse than ever. Fine teachers like this. Every year more people pass into our lanes with double lines down the middle forcing people with the right of way to slow for them. Methinks drivers ed should be mandatory now.
06 in Mulberry. AI, Dunstalls, Nology coils, TTP
Keep your faith in God, but keep your powder dry.
-Oliver Cromwell
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Re: Left hand turners
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385 |
Quote:
Quote:
talk to any truck driver and you will get the same stories as here. If they don't see the semi coming, they sure as hell will not see a motorcycle.
Sad about the rider that got killed. All lives matter.
People's brains get short circuited sometimes I think. I have had folks pull out in front of me in my big ole Ford LT9000 dump truck while looking right at me. One was a school bus loaded with kids, had to take the shoulder, one was an old man, he disappeared under my bug shield , on and on. Always be ready to leave this world if your name is called.
Oh man, that had to be tough bro. Sorry to hear. Similar to your experience but with far better results, i had a car coming at me pass a couple vehicles over a double solid slowed for a car turning into a business heading towards an intersection where i was oncoming and there were pedestrians on my shoulder ahead. All i could do was lay on the horn to warn the peeps walking and jump on the binders. I was just gonna eat the oncoming car. Fortunately the car got back in line. There is a Smith's rule for driving that we all should be taught, not just truckers:
It operates on 5 key principles:
Aim High In Steering. Look at least 15 seconds into your future, not just at the vehicle in front of you.
Get the Big Picture. Look for hazards. ...
Keep Your Eyes Moving. Don't stare. ...
Leave Yourself an Out. Monitor the space cushion around you.
Make Sure They See You. Use your signals.
Then there's today's unwritten rules if anyone would like to add:
The first is easy. Screw you it's all about me.
06 in Mulberry. AI, Dunstalls, Nology coils, TTP
Keep your faith in God, but keep your powder dry.
-Oliver Cromwell
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