Staying Alive

I'm an OK driver I suppose. Haven't been in an accident in over 40 years and I was a teenager then. Been lucky more than a few times but equally maybe have been smart. Like looking both ways before entering an intersection when the light turns green. Costs nothing, takes one second, and I've watched a lot of people sail by on the red. I just wave and wish them well on their travels.

I haven't done any riding to speak of for a long time but today driving my wife's car to the supermarket I noticed the old habits coming back, or at least they seemed sharper than in a long while. Things like trying to make eye contact, looking for escape routes, keeping generous distances etc. Not just semi-unconsciously but actively aware. I think riding makes me a better driver and a lesser risk. Of course my insurance company disagrees.

You're right. Better for depth perception, judging speeds, balance and give you the idea you're not invincible.
Steve

I agree totally, It also helped me drive a manual transmission better.

For the past 5 yrs. I've had to take my now 92 yr. old mom every yr. to the DMV in SHITcago to take her driving road test & while waiting for her & the instructor to return I see the DMV passing & handing out licenses to foreigner's who cant drive, read or speak American, & the only thing they drove b-4 coming to America was a donkey or a camel, & now they're behind the wheel of a 3-4000 # vehicle on the streets
It just scares the shit outta me, & then you see 1 out of every 20 cars with people texting while driving, WTF !!!
I'm riding the bike less & less each yr. because of so many close calls I've had with these IDIOTS,
Pete

Come out to God's country Pete

My '65 Mustang is my daily driver. No air bags, no shoulder belts, no power brakes, way too much engine for the chassis and a 5 ft. steel shaft pointed at your chest. You have to drive these things like you ride a motorcycle; complete awareness of what's around you and anticipating others being idiots. I can't believe how often I get tailgated. It's a 50 yr. old car for Pete's sake!
I think being a rider helps with the antique car and vice versa.

My motorcycle instructor told me "Don't give the other guy the chance (to make a dumb mistake)."

This has always been in my forethought when riding and I guess served me well since I'm still riding when every riding partner I grew up with has since had bad accidents resulting in them no longer riding.

Then recently, while riding my 550a just about 800 feet from my house, this girl looked right at me and then pulled out in front of me. It defied all logic. Didn't she just look at me in this lane? Didn't she just check for on-coming traffic?
Thankfully, I was able to slow down enough and squeeze between the curb and her car as she pulled out but I was at that moment preparing myself to dump it into the culvert around that driveway she pulled out of.
The girl it seems wasn't looking at me or traffic afterall; she was looking up from the phone in her lap I suspect out of habit. - oh yeah, i gotta look at the road while texting, erm, I mean driving... :pinch:

They'll look right at you and not see you. Their pea brains are looking for cars/trucks, a bike doesn't register in what minds they have. Always been that way. The headlight on laws were made for this reason. Even then it doesn't help much.
kzrider.com/forum/13-bike-related/599951...se-call?limitstart=0
I bought a HID headlight. It has a blue tint to it and is very bright. I can tell I'm being seen but I'm always ready to find a hole in case one of these morons decide to pull out anyway.
As far as I'm concerned, anyone that does away with safety features is just asking for trouble. Bobbers and the like. :dry:
Ride safe.
Steve

I've said for the past 50 or so years - half of them can't see you and the other half are TRYING to kill you. :evil:

bluej58 wrote: Come out to God's country Pete

Even Gods Country is getting more dangerous with these obsessed texting while driving kids,
Pete

My kids didn't have a phone until they could buy one themselves.
Steve

Everything you guy's have said is why I find myself playing with the drag bike
and not finishing one of my street bike project's.
I have been street riding a little lately and have almost been run over a few time's
a matter of a few week's