Could you have avoided this?

[Matariki]

why didnt he just turn the corner?

If you watch the video again, the truck was turning into the corner, pretty much taking up most of the road. Considering where the rider was located on the road when it clicked into his mind what was happening, the chances of him turning successfully into the corner were slim. Reaction time in most people is 1 to 2 seconds, so looking at the video again, from the time he realized what was happening to him and hitting the truck was about 1.5 seconds. In those 1.5 seconds he would of had to mentally react to the situation, slow down and pinpoint an escape route. I know for me it would of taken me 2.5 seconds to have done all of that. So yeah, slowing down as aggressively he could was probably the best course of action (though its hard to tell in the video whether or not he was going to take the corner or weave around the oncoming truck and go straight through, probably the later).

[Katman]

Considering where the rider was located on the road when it clicked into his mind what was happening, the chances of him turning successfully into the corner were slim.

That possible escape scenario should have entered his head the moment he saw the trucks - well before the black one moved.

Once the idea is already there, executing it becomes relatively simple.

[Matariki]

That possible escape scenario should have entered his head the moment he saw the trucks - well before the black one moved.

Once the idea is already there, executing it becomes relatively simple.

Yep, I agree. That's why he should of slowed down as soon as he saw the trucks through the trees. It would of given him far more time to react.

[george formby]

Yep, I agree. That's why he should of slowed down as soon as he saw the trucks through the trees. It would of given him far more time to react.

There's the nub, a bit more to the left, a bit slower, a bit more focus & it could have been a win not a bin. The impact was pretty slow. I think the running commentary had him a bit preoccupied, mid sentence he yelps & the bike does not seem to veer or dip at all, the front of that truck is a real attention grabber.

[FJRider]

From the time he realized what was happening to him and hitting the truck was about 1.5 seconds. In those 1.5 seconds he would of had to mentally react to the situation, slow down and pinpoint an escape route. I know for me it would of taken me 2.5 seconds to have done all of that.

He was pre-occupied with his commentary ... which was probably as bad as making a phone call (hands free or not) and expected everybody else to obey the rules of the road. They didn't. For whatever the reason the truckie didn't .... and it matters little why he didn't. Too late to consider why ... afterwards.

The one assumption that I can agree with is ... the assumption that everybody else is out to get you. It will add minutes to your travel time ... but may add years to your life. Or at least save you money ... and blood.

[sleemanj]

If you ride towards a truck trying to turn in front of you and you flash your lights, the truckie will say "shit where did that bike come from? Sweet he's flashed his lights to tell me he is stopping to let me through".

+1 on this. Bad idea to give any sort of "hey I'm here" signal to a driver at an intersection that might possibly be construed as "go ahead", that includes flashing your lights and tooting your horn, it's just too risky that they will misinterpret it in my opinion.

Moving about on the road (while slowing down until you're SURE they saw you) much better idea, it's easier for the driver to see you if you move about rather than come directly towards them.

[Katman]

Moving about on the road (while slowing down until you're SURE they saw you) much better idea, it's easier for the driver to see you if you move about rather than come directly towards them.

Especially if the headlight is on already.

[nodrog:Me]

If you watch the video again, the truck was turning into the corner, pretty much taking up most of the road. Considering where the rider was located on the road when it clicked into his mind what was happening, the chances of him turning successfully into the corner were slim. Reaction time in most people is 1 to 2 seconds, so looking at the video again, from the time he realized what was happening to him and hitting the truck was about 1.5 seconds. In those 1.5 seconds he would of had to mentally react to the situation, slow down and pinpoint an escape route. I know for me it would of taken me 2.5 seconds to have done all of that. So yeah, slowing down as aggressively he could was probably the best course of action (though its hard to tell in the video whether or not he was going to take the corner or weave around the oncoming truck and go straight through, probably the later).

if he turned the handlebars instead of screaming like a bitch, he would have made it, piece of piss.

[schrodingers cat]

He wasn't blithering on about anything else once the truck started moving, so what you're saying about dialogue is moot.

The guy was pootling along, and felt perfectly safe giving his little political spiel or whatever it was. That he was barely moving when he hit the truck, goes to show he very nearly avoided the crash, and if he'd had more wits about him would have easily made it round the left hand turn if he'd thought about it.

Talking endless shit like he was meant he wasn't given the situation enough attention when he needed to. For sure the truck blinker was appplied late but the question from the OP isn't who's fault it is, rather 'Could you have avoided this bin?'

For me, I'm going to say emphatically MAYBE

Anyway Drew, the guy sounds like a fucking moron in any case

[James Deuce]

Anyway Drew, the guy sounds like a fucking moron in any case

He is not a moron. He's gone out of his way to understand his accident and posted his shortcomings on the Internet for goodness sake. He's one of the least deserving recipients of the title "moron" ever. Previously over-confident, now repentant better describes him.

[mossy1200]

Hey sorry guys but if you cant back yourself to perform if required then you are riding above your limits or without thinking about the task.
If you hadnt put your hands over the brake and clutch and change down a gear when coming across that situation then you need to think about the damage a large object will cause.
Idd have my brakes on before shit could leave my mouth and idd be aiming to turn the instant the truck turned. All this 1.5secs stuff is bollocks as when riding into that situation you should already be in reaction mode.

If you answered you couldnt avoid then you need to make a few changes to the way you ride so that you can back yourself and increase your chances of making it home.

The guy was an epic fail. Hes in a dream world and not doing himself any favours with the distraction of the camera. If anything he should have been saying trucks ahead ill be taking care now and been ready to react. Shouting shit wont make it hurt less.

Edit- Anyone siting on a start grid ready to react to the lights wont take 1.5secs to leave the line when lights go out. Why? Because they are ready to react. The rider should have been in the same state arriving at a intersection full of stationary trucks. Indicator isnt a factor. If the truck wasnt going to turn it wouldnt have been stationary at the corner. Assumption driver has seen you is a pathetic excuss for getting hurt.

[Matariki]

if he turned the handlebars instead of screaming like a bitch, he would have made it, piece of piss.

Everybody reacts different when they see danger. I remember before I crashed I said "SHIT". Speaking of crashing (or near hits), have you ever been in this sort of situation before?
Because I'm trying to figure out whether or not I should take this post seriously.

[ducatilover]

Dude, you missed the most obvious one, dropping a rod back on the straight, pulling over, and watching the next 5 cunts lay it down cos they didn't notice your oil slick

That's entirely plausible and the carnage would be excellent

[FJRider]

Because I'm trying to figure out whether or not I should take this post seriously.

This is KB ... take posts seriously at your own risk.

[koba]

I haven't read this thread but an interesting thing is I miss-read the title as "Would" rather than "Could" on this basis I blinged Kiwifruit saying "no" however the C/W thing makes quite a difference; Could I have avoided it? Yes, WOULD I have avoided it? Possibly but very probably wouldn't have.