Motorcycle accident afterthoughts

[cheetor]

Well now I've had a week and a bit to milill over my accident, I've had time to think, First of all I figued how I fucked my left leg when I struck the ground right side first

As I left the bike, my left foot was still tucked UNDER the gear lever, hence wrenching my leg sideways, teariing the tendons and sending me into a uncontrolable spin as I left the bike

second, Nev ever EVER let your mind drift from scanning for dangers, I let myself become absorbed in the euphoria of the accelleration and the 'time-warp' effect that bikes have then BLAM.. Noobies beware.


Crashing HURTS!!!!!!!!! Hence. don't crash!!!
I was busy being so careful making sure I didn't excede my cornering limit I forgot about cars, and that NZ is full of asshole drivers


and finlay, Just because you have your lights on, AND your bike is light up like a christmas tree with neons doesn't meen a car driver looking straight at you has noticed you.....

[bgd]

and finlay, Just because you have your lights on, AND your bike is light up like a christmas tree with neons doesn't meen a car driver looking straight at you has noticed you.....

It's funny that. Don't know whether they just don't see you or totally misjudge your approach speed. Recenlty had a car pull out on me on a country road, in the dark, where the only thing visible was my headlight bearing down on the bugger. Of course the guy did notice me when my full beam ended up 2 inches from his face

Either you work shifts or your accident is playing havoc with your sleep patterns

[Ms Piggy]

second, Nev ever EVER let your mind drift from scanning for dangers

Yes this is a lesson I have learnt through having a couple of near misses when I haven't been concentrating or scanning properly. Each incident has been "my fault" as opposed to ther driver or in one case I "didn't see" a pedestrian until the last minute b/c I was too busy scanning ahead and a little tired. Concentrate! Concentrate! Concentrate!

[Dr Bob]

Yes this is a lesson I have learnt through having a couple of near misses when I haven't been concentrating or scanning properly. Each incident has been "my fault" as opposed to ther driver or in one case I "didn't see" a pedestrian until the last minute b/c I was too busy scanning ahead and a little tired. Concentrate! Concentrate! Concentrate!

I hit a pedestrian once - kinda,... he was crossing Albert Street going real slow, he turned to look at me and saw that I had seen him, so didn't bother to get out of my path. I wanted to get close but didn't realise how good I got. I looked in my rear vision mirror and saw his shoe on the road. I haddn't touched him, just clipped his shoe off his foot.

This was some time ago, and I probably wouldn't do this sort of thing ever again.

[Motu]

Back in the ape hanger days I clipped a chick on the curb - the bars went out over the footpath as I went around the corner.I have to be careful on the Scenic Drive with the XLV750,if I cut the left handers too close I run my helmet through the greenery.

[vifferman]

I hit a pedestrian once - kinda,...

I hit a pedestrian once - no "kinda" about it. It was a very definite hit.
I have also hit a cyclist, four cars, various inanimate objects, and a tractor (although that was not on my bike, that was my one car accident).
That still leaves animals, trucks, boats, aircraft, ....

[FROSTY:Me]

I know I'm repeating myself but the one bit of advise about bikes my dad gave me was
"son when you're riding your bike just think everyone and everything is a homocidal maniac out to kill YOU"
I ride by that philosophy most of the time and its kept me alive so far

[Mongoose]

It's funny that. Don't know whether they just don't see you or totally misjudge your approach speed. Recenlty had a car pull out on me on a country road, in the dark, where the only thing visible was my headlight bearing down on the bugger. Of course the guy did notice me when my full beam ended up 2 inches from his face

Either you work shifts or your accident is playing havoc with your sleep patterns

Motorists normaly look for cars, vans, utes and trucks there fore do NOT see bikes, M/bikes or pedesrtrians. Can not remember where it was but I have read a study that found these same findings that proved my theory.

[kerryg]

Motorists normaly look for cars, vans, utes and trucks there fore do NOT see bikes, M/bikes or pedesrtrians. Can not remember where it was but I have read a study that found these same findings that proved my theory.

Yeah someone once explained it to me like this. If someone's told to spot the short red-headed girl in a crowd, he doesn't pay much attention to the tall brown-haired guys etc etc (you sort of censor out the things which are not what you're looking for...). Ask him after he's looked for the girl unsuccessfully" well did you see that tall brown haired guy in the blue jacket" and chances are he won't remember. You mainly see what you expect to see.

Probably still doesn't QUITE explain why someone doesn't see a lone bike with headlights on high beam with a rider in fluoro pink.....

[erik]

Yes this is a lesson I have learnt through having a couple of near misses when I haven't been concentrating or scanning properly. Each incident has been "my fault" as opposed to ther driver or in one case I "didn't see" a pedestrian until the last minute b/c I was too busy scanning ahead and a little tired. Concentrate! Concentrate! Concentrate!

That reminds me of a time I was coming up to a roundabout and focussed on the car in a side-street in front of me wondering if they'd seen me, but forgetting to pay proper attention to a car that was coming from the right. Maybe I thought he was going straight through or something (can't remember if he was indicating or not), but when I realised he was turning, I had to stop pretty quickly.

It's not good enough to just be concentrating, you've gotta be concentrating on the right things and shifting your concentration appropriately - something that's a fair bit harder to do when you're tired (I was tired in the above situation).

[Motu]

Probably still doesn't QUITE explain why someone doesn't see a lone bike with headlights on high beam with a rider in fluoro pink.....

Um...well...I once didn't see a bike while in a car - I ''thought'' the bike was a street lamp as he came down a hill at night...''look out'' screamed my wife,kinda embarrassing and I wasn't even senior back then.Lucky I drive a Pajero these days so it doesn't matter what anyone thinks.

[scumdog]

Um...well...I once didn't see a bike while in a car - I ''thought'' the bike was a street lamp as he came down a hill at night...''look out'' screamed my wife,kinda embarrassing and I wasn't even senior back then.Lucky I drive a Pajero these days so it doesn't matter what anyone thinks.

Maybe thats why the name Pajero ain't used in Spanish speaking countries, roughly translated it means wanker

[Ms Piggy]

It's not good enough to just be concentrating, you've gotta be concentrating on the right things and shifting your concentration appropriately - something that's a fair bit harder to do when you're tired (I was tired in the above situation).

Yeah that's exactly right Erik, in the situation where I "didn't see" the pedestrian I was concentrating on the car in front. I did see the pedestrian in time but I knew that they knew I hadn't seen them straight away from the way they were glaring at me And it's usually when I'm a bit tired or cold that I make silly little mistakes like that.

[Motu]

Maybe thats why the name Pajero ain't used in Spanish speaking countries, roughly translated it means wanker

That's why I bought it - I wanted a car with my name one the side.

[Skyryder]

I know I'm repeating myself but the one bit of advise about bikes my dad gave me was
"son when you're riding your bike just think everyone and everything is a homocidal maniac out to kill YOU"
I ride by that philosophy most of the time and its kept me alive so far

The one I like..........You're going to get just as hurt in the right as in the wrong. That's my riding philosphy............works so far.

Skyryder