Close call last night

**Bob** · 10th June 2005, 21:33

Just reaching the end a road and coming to a junction - traffic all lined up in centre lane, so I am heading down the left hand lane. Instinct had sent me away from my 'traffic flowing' position of to the right of centre lane to over to the left of the lane.

Just as well - matey decides the very thing to do is not bother looking, just fling the wheel and pull out as hard as he can. I reckon he was just a few feet away from me.

So on goes the front brake - HARD. If I am honest, I think there was an initial snatch, but I turned it into squeezing on hard very quickly. Anyway, the rear comes up... and keeps rising. So I left off just a bit to allow a slight forward movement and brought the bike back down.

Still came down with a hell of a thump, but I was ready for it and had legs in place to cushion impact.

Annoyingly, I stalled.

Matey was sat at lights, so zoomed up - in 1st gear to be noisier. He did apologise before I could say anything, but I did point out I was really lucky to keep the bike upright - he apologised again. Nothing more could really be done, so lights changed and off I went.

Just pleased I kept everything in control, but need to work on minimising that 'snatch' instinct even more. Also shows the benefit of experience - I'd changed road position without even realising it.

**Aitch** · 10th June 2005, 21:39

Matey had the decency to apologise......

**Two Smoker** · 10th June 2005, 21:47

Geez that was a close call mate

Well controlled and glad you kept it upright

Even though the guy pulled out infront of you, at least he had the decency to apologise...

**StoneChucker** · 10th June 2005, 21:49

Lucky break for sure. Good that he apologised, but that still doesn't help the fact that he could've wiped you out!

At least ONE more person will look out in future, I hope

**250learna** · 11th June 2005, 02:49

Originally Posted by Bob

Just reaching the end a road and coming to a junction - traffic all lined up in centre lane, so I am heading down the left hand lane. Instinct had sent me away from my 'traffic flowing' position of to the right of centre lane to over to the left of the lane.

Just as well - matey decides the very thing to do is not bother looking, just fling the wheel and pull out as hard as he can. I reckon he was just a few feet away from me.

So on goes the front brake - HARD. If I am honest, I think there was an initial snatch, but I turned it into squeezing on hard very quickly. Anyway, the rear comes up... and keeps rising. So I left off just a bit to allow a slight forward movement and brought the bike back down.

Still came down with a hell of a thump, but I was ready for it and had legs in place to cushion impact.

Annoyingly, I stalled.

Matey was sat at lights, so zoomed up - in 1st gear to be noisier. He did apologise before I could say anything, but I did point out I was really lucky to keep the bike upright - he apologised again. Nothing more could really be done, so lights changed and off I went.

Just pleased I kept everything in control, but need to work on minimising that 'snatch' instinct even more. Also shows the benefit of experience - I'd changed road position without even realising it.

I saw something very similar to this on way home from wellington yestourday, i thought it was you until i realised your not local

**John** · 11th June 2005, 02:56

Wow, thats a good save glad you kept it upright - I instincitvly grab clutch when i grab brake probably becuase of my off road riding who knows, good on ya - I would have jabbed his car but each to there own

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 11th June 2005, 07:37

Originally Posted by John

I would have jabbed his car but each to there own

Why? We all make mistakes and he did apologise. Why turn a mistake in to an argument? Guess I take this line as I have made mistakes and realise that if it wasn't for other peoples good nature I to would have ended up in a punch up that need never happen. You never know what was on the mind of the person who turned in front of you. A child dying of cancer a wife or partner who has just left who knows but it is not good to antagonise or you make a situation 100 times worse.

**Will** · 11th June 2005, 08:00

Originally Posted by Bob

Also shows the benefit of experience - I'd changed road position without even realising it.

You must have "read" something in that line. Maybe his carbody line gave him away. I travel in rush hour Auckland traffic and notice that I usually "know" when someone is going to change lanes etc before they do. The movements and line of vehicle give them away.

**StoneChucker** · 11th June 2005, 09:26

Originally Posted by Gixxer 4 ever

Why? We all make mistakes and he did apologise. Why turn a mistake in to an argument? Guess I take this line as I have made mistakes and realise that if it wasn't for other peoples good nature I to would have ended up in a punch up that need never happen. You never know what was on the mind of the person who turned in front of you. A child dying of cancer a wife or partner who has just left who knows but it is not good to antagonise or you make a situation 100 times worse.

This is one of the more sensible posts I've read lately. Hit the nail on the head. I know this, from personal experience. I have no problem with saying sorry if I screw up and I let it go if someone else screws up.

Just imagine if you accidentally cut someone off, still say sorry but they come over and push your bike over? Unneccessary conflict never pays.

**Ixion** · 11th June 2005, 09:44

Originally Posted by Aitch

Matey had the decency to apologise......

Yes, if someone carves me up , but has the decency to apologise (either directly , or by a gesture - hand hitting forehead etc), I don't feel so mad. Still pissed off maybe but not homocidal. And I'll usually just let it go.

It's the berks that try to kill me then act like they've done nothing wrong, even claim it's YOUR fault ("motorcycles always have to give way to cars "! etc) that REALLY make me mad. Time for a little chat.

**crazyxr250rider** · 11th June 2005, 09:46

sorry about last night
get verry angry when people dis my bike

**zadok** · 11th June 2005, 10:59

Originally Posted by Bob

Just pleased I kept everything in control, but need to work on minimising that 'snatch' instinct even more. Also shows the benefit of experience - I'd changed road position without even realising it.

Not the sort of practice you need, eh? It's amazing how much instinct cuts in when the manure hits the rotating device.

**Biff** · 11th June 2005, 11:15

Well done for keeping your cool Bob.
From experience (my one and only time in a police cell) I've learnt to simply verbally abuse said Muppet, and would only resort to anything stronger in self defence.