Thursday misadventure. How to win a week in hospital.

**pritch** · 6th November 2010, 14:34

Originally Posted by Katman

Some of you need a serious dose of wake the fuck up.

It happens - learn to read the situation and take appropriate action.

You can blame everyone else all you like - after all, that's what the public have become used to hearing from motorcyclists.

Katman this may be the wrong time and place - again. Some drivers will do stuff that is beyond comprehension, certainly it isn't predictable.

Terbang, sorry that you and the girl were injured. I hope the worst of the pain is over. Can't imagine that the driver will get more than a slap on the wrist. She will likely make no effort to improve her technique as in her mind she is a good driver and it wasn't her fault...

**hellokitty** · 6th November 2010, 14:42

Originally Posted by pritch

Katman this may be the wrong time and place - again. Some drivers will do stuff that is beyond comprehension, certainly it isn't predictable.

Terbang, sorry that you and the girl were injured. I hope the worst of the pain is over. Can't imagine that the driver will get more than a slap on the wrist. She will likely make no effort to improve her technique as in her mind she is a good driver and it wasn't her fault...

Lets hope she does learn - I know when I crashed my car back in May it made me think long and hard about many things.

**baptist** · 6th November 2010, 15:20

Originally Posted by Katman

Here's an idea - how about you put some thought into how you would overtake a driver that you have seen driving erratically.

Exercising your brain will be a whole lot more beneficial to you than reading words on a page - and may just help prompt your brain into action if you find yourself faced with a similar situation.

So I take that as an "I don't know anything more than anything else and am not sure what I would have done"? thanks Mr Mentor.

I will put thought into what I do, I have to I am learning, but obviously you are not prepared to share your vast knowledge of information regarding how we stop ourselves getting side swiped, funny I thought people that knew stuff that might help a fellow rider would share.

I was wrong and apologise.

Sorry Jdogg I will not feed the Troll anymore...

**JohnR** · 6th November 2010, 15:42

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Thirdly, it is an interesting point that Katman raises. Is there anything, within reason, terbang that you think you could have done differently to change the outcome?

Taken the kids out in the SUV instead of the bikes

**onearmedbandit** · 6th November 2010, 15:45

Some might think I'm a cu%t for saying this, but after witnessing the driver driving slowly along a section of road, I'd be looking at the drivers head to see if they are watching the road, looking at their stereo/map/phone, or looking side to side for a turn off. If I couldn't identify what they were doing I would treat them as unknown threat, and as it's not mentioned in the OP that they indicated to pull over to the left, I would slow behind them. Even if they did indicate to pull over left I would probably pass them at no more than 40km/h.

And I have experienced situations like this before.

**onearmedbandit** · 6th November 2010, 15:47

Originally Posted by JohnR

Taken the kids out in the SUV instead of the bikes

If that's the way you feel you can best protect yourself on the road, then be my guest.

**p.dath** · 6th November 2010, 17:00

Originally Posted by terbang

Or just another biker down thread...

Last Thurs, Daughter and I decided to take a ride over to Kaiaua for lunch. Twas a nice day and we took the 1100f for a run. Georgies boyfriend was to accompany us on his Yamaha 250 Zeal. Gassed up at Waiuku and planned on the Bombay Hunua route. All was going fine until we encountered an asian lady driving a 4WD.

Let me share an experience today Terbang so you can see the positive results of your post.

I came around a corner today on a 100km/h stretch of road and spotted a car parked on the left about 200m in front of me. Almost immediately I noticed something about the exhaust that led me to believe the engine was running in the car - and your post immediately came to my mind. I buttoned off the throttle a little bit. I then looked at the cabin and there were two heads in the car. I buttoned off a little bit more. Then the drivers head started looking right at something on the other side of the road. I buttoned off a little bit more. Actually (combined with your story) the risk in my mind was now so great I had decided I would not pass the car on the right hand side. I'd bring the bike to a complete halt if I had to - that's how nervous the situation made me.

The driver did then indeed proceed to execute a right hand turn. Had the driver seen me? I don't know. I didn't see them look in the mirror. Note that I have no particular gripe with the driver. I had reduced my speed by so much at this stage I was no longer in any danger - and importantly, greatly extended the amount of time I had to react. I accept responsibility for me own safety - and will take what I consider to be sufficient steps to avoid getting hurt.

So you see, by sharing stories like yours you help to remind people like me of the dangers on the road, and how we have to be ever vigilant to make sure we don't allow ourselves to be hurt.

So thank you for sharing your painful story, and take away this positive from the whole incident that you may well have helped many others from having a repeat of the experience you went through.

**MarkH** · 6th November 2010, 17:09

Originally Posted by p.dath

The driver did then indeed proceed to execute a right hand turn. Had the driver seen me? I don't know. I didn't see them look in the mirror. Note that I have no particular gripe with the driver.

Why not? Did you consider that the driver could have just killed a less experience rider? If what you say is true and you didn't exclude anything important then you just witnessed someone making an illegal right hand turn who not only didn't indicate but also probably failed to notice a vehicle coming up from behind.

Maybe it would have been worth taking the time to have a quick chat to the driver and say something like: "Hey mate, if you keep that up you might end up with the death of a young driver on your hands, next time you might like to try using your indicators and check your mirror."

**hellokitty** · 6th November 2010, 17:39

Originally Posted by MarkH

Why not? Did you consider that the driver could have just killed a less experience rider? If what you say is true and you didn't exclude anything important then you just witnessed someone making an illegal right hand turn who not only didn't indicate but also probably failed to notice a vehicle coming up from behind.

Maybe it would have been worth taking the time to have a quick chat to the driver and say something like: "Hey mate, if you keep that up you might end up with the death of a young driver on your hands, next time you might like to try using your indicators and check your mirror."

hmmmmm last time I tried to politely let a driver know the possible consequence of his actions, nearly got my head punched in.

Pick your battles. Good idea in theory but you gotta pick your battles, sometimes you just have to walk away.

**Pussy** · 6th November 2010, 17:51

Wishing you and Georgie a speedy recovery, Bruce!

**MarkH** · 6th November 2010, 18:01

Originally Posted by hellokitty

hmmmmm last time I tried to politely let a driver know the possible consequence of his actions, nearly got my head punched in.

Pick your battles. Good idea in theory but you gotta pick your battles, sometimes you just have to walk away.

Yeah, it's sometimes better to just make a complaint to the police after noting their numberplate. The big problem is that no one does anything and the driver continues with the dangerous behaviour and then at some point someone ends up paying the price.

**JohnR** · 6th November 2010, 18:31

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

If that's the way you feel you can best protect yourself on the road, then be my guest.

If I was to become as paranoid as is advocated...then yes this would be the best way.
While I totally agree that people should be attentive, aware, focussed and defensive while driving/riding (I also agree that many are not), in my opinion the degree to which it is advocated is ridiculous and the manner in which it is put is in many cases callous and offensive.

Katman certainly is passionate (fanatic!) about the subject but in my view his passion for the cause seems more important than the individuals involved.
In short he is to defensive/advanced driving what Osama bin Laden is to Islam.

It seems to me that in Katman's world if I was attacked by a drug crazed, knife wielding maniac I should feel some responsibility because I was not wearing a stab proof vest!

**Katman** · 6th November 2010, 18:40

Originally Posted by JohnR

While I totally agree that people should be attentive, aware, focussed and defensive while driving/riding (I also agree that many are not), in my opinion the degree to which it is advocated is ridiculous and the manner in which it is put is in many cases callous and offensive.

There is no such thing as too attentive, aware, focussed and defensive when it comes to riding.

If you find the concept offensive, stiff fucking shit.

**jellywrestler** · 6th November 2010, 18:49

Originally Posted by p.dath

Let me share an experience today Terbang so you can see the positive results of your post.

I came around a corner today on a 100km/h stretch of road and spotted a car parked on the left about 200m in front of me. I then looked at the cabin and there were two heads in the car.

A car with a Cabin, sounds like it's the sort of thing the Amish people would drive...