First SMIDSY!

[steelphoenix]

So I just had an object lesson in the old adage "Nobody notices motorcylces."

Yes, both me and Scorpio are okay.

Driving down Great North Rd from the city, towards the lights at the intersection with St Lukes Rd. Took off pretty fast from the lights at Stadium Rd, well clear of the cars behind me. Noticed the huge line of cars before the lights and slowed down, no need to speed, I can just pootle into the bus lane on the left, no problem. I'm in 3rd gear at this point.

Some instinct must have warned me to slow down, because suddenly a lady in a green car (Corolla?) swings out into my way. No indication. There's a moment of blank incomprehension - panic - go evasive - RIGHTRIGHTAVOIDAVOIDAVOID - BRAKESBRAKESCLUTCHBRAKES - she must have noticed me at this point because she stops - a gentle bumph against my leg, her right headlight topples to the asphalt. Stop. Stalled.

Push Scorpio to the right hand side of the lane. Start her again, check the side. Check my leg. All okay. She pulls up beside me.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. So's the bike."
A sigh of relief - "Thank god."
"Yeah. It's okay. Nobody notices a motorcycle. Consider it a lesson."
"I will!"
"It's only my third ride -" (with sarcasm) "- I'll consider it a learning experience."
"Yes. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, no problem. Your car isn't though..." Off the bike, on the stand, pick up her fallen light, hand it to her. "You lost your light."
"Thanks so much!"
"Y' welcome. Drive safe." Back on the bike, in gear, forward to the lights - going orange, then red - sigh of relief. Neutral. Pat Scorpio. Calming down. Breathe.

Lights go green. In gear. Go.

I'm alive. First SMIDSY, survived.

[Bald Eagle]

U missed the important lesson you should have kicked in her other headlight - for balance yah know.

[Gremlin]

Always listen to that little voice. Glad you're OK.

[baptist]

Welcome to riding. Bit of a shock when it happens, glad you are OK, that is the main thing, the bike is secondary. Well done for avoiding a more serious issue as well. (Katman will be along presently to say hi )

[The Pastor]

and why didnt u call the cops, that's careless use right there.

[Timmeh:P]

I expect you also hit the car because of a little "target fixation". (happens to everyone when the panic strikes)

Glad to hear you escaped with no damage!

[Spazman727]

Good on you for not going off at her too, I would have (and frequently do in situations like that though I've never actually hit the car)
I hope you both learn from this and she tells her friends and they learn from it too.

[hellokitty]

Yes, good on you for not going off at her - I would have (the shock of it) and it isn't nice for anyone.
Welcome to the world of motorcycling and blind cagers

[The Everlasting]

Glad you weren't hurt!

It's good you stayed calm,I know I would have struggled too myself.

[hayd3n]

well done now dont tell the boyfriends!!!

[Genie]

well done now dont tell the boyfriends!!!

Yeah...this was what he was talking about.

I'm glad you're ok...bloody Auckland!

[steelphoenix]

Thanks for all the well-wishes, guys!

@hayd3n, Genie - I did tell the boyfriends, and while they were concerned, they were more happy that I (and secondarily, the bike) were okay.

@Spazman, hellokitty, The Everlasting - I have no idea why I didn't go off at her. Possibly because the first thing she did was apologise/seemed actually worried that she might have hurt me? I'm generally pretty calm in a crisis, though.

@renegade master - Because I didn't think of it... and I didn't get her rego.

@Timmeh - Quite possibly! It all happened so fast, I was just acting on instinct most of the time.

[Hiflyer]

Thanks for all the well-wishes, guys!

@hayd3n, Genie - I did tell the boyfriends, and while they were concerned, they were more happy that I (and secondarily, the bike) were okay.

@Spazman, hellokitty, The Everlasting - I have no idea why I didn't go off at her. Possibly because the first thing she did was apologise/seemed actually worried that she might have hurt me? I'm generally pretty calm in a crisis, though.

@renegade master - Because I didn't think of it... and I didn't get her rego.

@Timmeh - Quite possibly! It all happened so fast, I was just acting on instinct most of the time.

Just a quick note, if you want to reply to everyone and let them know you have replied, you can click the icon circled in red on each post you want to quote then click the one I have circled in green to quote them all at once in the same post.

Then you can just put a couple of lines between each quote and reply individually.

Hope it saves ya some time!

[steelphoenix]

Just a quick note, if you want to reply to everyone and let them know you have replied, you can click the icon circled in red on each post you want to quote then click the one I have circled in green to quote them all at once in the same post.

Then you can just put a couple of lines between each quote and reply individually.

Hope it saves ya some time!

Aha! Thanks for demystifying that for me!

[BoristheBiter]

the way i see it is people don't see me in the car or truck and pull out all the time so on the bike I am extra careful (sometimes).

there is also a lot of "i can make that gap" and there seem to be a lot of drivers, and riders, that have a hard time judging others speed.