Never thought I'd post a thread like this - aka Spuds1234 nearly bins it

**Spuds1234** · 10th May 2008, 16:36

Just a reminder for you guys to take it easy out there on the roads aka Spuds1234 nearly bins it

Had a car pull over to the side of the road, he didnt indicate, he just pulled over to the left.

I was right behind him when he suddenly swung out to do a U-turn.

Needless to say that yelling in fright inside your helmet doesnt help you stop faster.

It was probably a good thing that I didnt have time to brake to much as he hit my leg and braked hard and I just bounced off the car and carried on riding along.

No damage to me or the bike (had I been quicker on the brakes I would have been on the pavement as he would have just pushed me right over). I hit the right side of the front of his car (just in front of the right wheel).

His car as some dust on it and what looks like a broken bracket.

We both got off very lucky.

Unfortunately I cant say he was 100% at fault. I was going a bit quick and probably wasn't paying enough attention.

So take this as a word of warning guys, take it easy out there and expect that ninja U-turn at anytime.

Cheers

Spuds1234

**90s** · 12th May 2008, 12:23

Glad you were OK.
Hav eto really watch it at this time of year - so many cars in the traffic with completely fogged up windows in the morning - they have no idea of what it out there and little care. We have to watch it, but its easy to slip.

**CookMySock** · 12th May 2008, 13:11

I would have slowly taken my helmet off and grasped it really tightly by the rim, and then hit him really hard with it. Then I would carried on riding. What an asshole.

Glad you are ok bud.

DB

**2Slow50** · 12th May 2008, 16:42

Glad you got off lucky mate..

Something very similar happened to me the other day except I was lucky enough to break/stop in time before the guy pulled right out in front of me.. I stopped there shaking me head at him, when he got out to apologize, I gave him the finger and hit the gas = P

Its a good reminder.. We are invisible to cages and the slippery roads are not forgiving.

**vifferman** · 12th May 2008, 16:55

Originally Posted by Spuds1234

Had a car pull over to the side of the road, he didnt indicate, he just pulled over to the left.

I was right behind him when he suddenly swung out to do a U-turn.

Same thing happened to me, but unlike your guy, the idiot I encountered didn't brake, so even though I did, I was still basically fukt: a car can turn faster'n a bike that's braking. Result: bike written off, my foot still aches more'n five years later.
BTW - even though you can attribute some blame to yourself (which is good - means you can learn from it), legally he's at fault.

I did the same thing myself: even though the other driver was at fault, I learned to make sure to never assume that what you think a driver's doing is what he will actually do. Plus, if in doubt about whether a driver knows you're there, tootle them (melodiously at first, then more vigorously).

**MIXONE** · 12th May 2008, 16:59

loud pipes save lives!

**Spuds1234** · 12th May 2008, 20:46

Loud pipes point behind you not forward. The majority of the sound travels behind you and in an upwards direction ergo the car infront of you probably still wont hear you and you will go deaf faster.

Id rather have my hearing than loud pipes any day. Sure I could have loud pipes, but then I would have to wear ear plugs around town aswell as on the open road so I wouldnt be able to hear whats going on around me aswell which I think has probably saved my bacon more than having loud pipes has.

**MIXONE** · 12th May 2008, 21:24

I disagree.With stock pipe on my beema I had people step out in front of me,cars pull out etc.etc.Since fitting a decent pipe not one of the above.Coincidence I think not.Same with my old bonnie.Straight thru pipes and if anyone starting crowding me I just pulled in the clutch and gave it a rev.Worked every time.Even if the majority of the sound is not going forward sufficient is to make a big difference.I've lived and ridden both sides of this fence and know which I prefer.If they hear me coming they know I'm there.
But then if we all agreed the world would be a boring place.

**scumdog** · 12th May 2008, 21:40

Originally Posted by MIXONE

I disagree.With stock pipe on my beema I had people step out in front of me,cars pull out etc.etc.Since fitting a decent pipe not one of the above.Coincidence I think not.Same with my old bonnie.Straight thru pipes and if anyone starting crowding me I just pulled in the clutch and gave it a rev.Worked every time.Even if the majority of the sound is not going forward sufficient is to make a big difference.I've lived and ridden both sides of this fence and know which I prefer.If they hear me coming they know I'm there.
But then if we all agreed the world would be a boring place.

Most CAR drivers won't hear you until it's too late.

Yeah, sure pedestrians might but cars tend to make more of a mess of you.

**jrandom** · 12th May 2008, 21:51

The GSX1400 has a very noisy horn. It's as loud as most car horns. Far better than the usual "meep meep" excuse for a horn that most bikes seem to come with these days.

I'm sure it's saved me from getting creamed once or twice.

**fireliv** · 12th May 2008, 21:54

GLad you OK Spud, what an idiot.

Just reinforces that "Constant Vigilance" theory.

**Spuds1234** · 13th May 2008, 06:21

Cheers guys.

I prefer the constant dickwad theory.

It like this "I can be a real dick on my motorbike, am I doing something that is overly putting me at risk?"

Its what I think when I ride through town. Out of town Im not to fussed as there is less traffic to worry about.

However in town if Im aggressivly lane splitting or overtaking etc I will probably rein myself in pretty quickly.

**Highlander** · 13th May 2008, 06:30

Don't wish to detract from your incident and the message to always be vigilant while riding, but if you were behind him,he pulled left then started a u turn in front of you, how did you manage to hit the left of his car?

**Spuds1234** · 13th May 2008, 06:40

haha my bad.

I hit the right side of his car.

Atleast I can walk away knowing Bike 1, Car 0

**Radar** · 13th May 2008, 08:25

Originally Posted by Spuds1234

Unfortunately I cant say he was 100% at fault. I was going a bit quick and probably wasn't paying enough attention.

So take this as a word of warning guys, take it easy out there and expect that ninja U-turn at anytime.

Cheers

Spuds1234

Glad to know you are OK Spuds. Its good to finally read a KB'er being honest and self-critical: you knew you were going too fast and were not paying attention as you should have been. All too often I read here about an accident or near accident, and the KB'er blames cagers, road conditions, bad brakes, the weather or anything else but never puts himself into the equation. When roads are used as race tracks by bikers who cannot see past their nose with any self awareness, accidents will happen.

So Spuds, thanks much for your post. You have given us a fair analysis and hopefully it will result in better safer riders.