Nearly got run over on the way home from the airport... TWICE

[chocobo_ff]

Was on my way home from the airport today cruising happily on my little Yamaha Scorpio, enjoying the nice-ish scenary (compared to CBD), when all of a sudden this big 4x4 on my left decided that the car infront of him was going too slow (this is the 100km zone as you come out of the airport), and changed into my lane without looking or indicating. Luckily I positioned myself away from his car at the time and before he changed (or tried to) to my lane, blasted my horn and gave him the finger, as you do.

As if that was not enough, when I got to the bridge leading towards Pakuranga, I was on the left-most of a three lane road, and the two left lane merges just after the lights. Anyway, I was going steadily at around 30-40km leading towards the light, waiting for it to turn green, when all of a sudden this kid in an old Celica in the middle lane decided that there was no one on my lane and changed lane, again without looking or indicating. After the first incident, it was no surprise that I had my finger on the horn for the remainder of the ride home, so again, honked and the finger

This isn't the first time this has happened, but twice in one ride is a bit too much... now yes I know I should've kicked in those two idiots' cars' doors in, and I welcome advise on how to do that legally but one thing I've come to realise is that, especially in the first incident, my bike just doesn't have enough grunt to get me out of trouble if I really need to... good thing I've booked for my full license test in mid January, and have put aside enough money for a bigger bike already

[The Baron]

Its good that you are OK and lived to tell the story.

[vifferman]

I've come to realise is that, especially in the first incident, my bike just doesn't have enough grunt to get me out of trouble if I really need to...

Y'know, people say that a lot, but I'm not sure that apart from being able to overtake swiftly that I've ever needed to use power to "get me out of trouble" since I started riding 35 years or so ago. If anything, power has got me into more trouble than it's got me out of.

[Gremlin]

Make sure you aren't riding in their blind spots. Sure, its their responsibility to check, but its your arse sliding/tumbling down the road when they get it wrong.

Otherwise... its the silly season. I was sitting at one set of lights, and across from me on the other side, a car stops for the red. No problem? Well, that was until the following three all went into each other, and the poor front one. Just glad I wasn't in between those twats.

[michael]

Its shit like this that make us better riders and drivers. After starting to ride bikes you're so much more aware of whats around you in a cage or a bike. Like the old saying goes, "treat everyone else on the road like they're an idiot". Generally helps, and as for more power I think a you'd find that its easier to maneuver out of the way when your cruising along, rather than flying along. Doesn't matter if you're in a big bike or small, best thing to do for shit situations is just to try (as hard as you can anyway) to not get into them.

[chocobo_ff]

Y'know, people say that a lot, but I'm not sure that apart from being able to overtake swiftly that I've ever needed to use power to "get me out of trouble" since I started riding 35 years or so ago. If anything, power has got me into more trouble than it's got me out of.

Yeah you are probably right, can't say much on that topic though since I never owned a fast enough bike/car to say I have too much power in my vehicle to get me into trouble...

Bit more power would be nice though, trying to overtake a truck going at 80km in a 100km zone isn't exactly easy on my bike

Make sure you aren't riding in their blind spots. Sure, its their responsibility to check, but its your arse sliding/tumbling down the road when they get it wrong.

I'm fairly certain I was in the blind spot the second time I nearly got run over, although there's not much I could've done because the other car has stopped and I was approaching the lights, so it was just that one or two seconds when I was in that idiot's blind spot that he decided to change lane.

I have to say, I've learnt to check my mirrors and do head checks a lot more often when driving my car since I got a bike. Don't want to be the idiot cager who hits a biker due to carelessness

[Badjelly]

Some people say otherwise, but IMHO horns are very useful things in situations like this. Just be sure to get in early and don't waste any time thinking, "He's not really going to do this. Surely he must have seen me."

[MadDuck]

.... IMHO horns are very useful things in situations like this.

.....so are debaffled "Screamin Eagle" pipes

It will happen in the city and the more it does the more you will be able to read it before it happens.

[Badjelly]

.....so are debaffled "Screamin Eagle" pipes

Each to his own. The "I'm a big mean motherfucker on a Harley" thing isn't for me.

[TLDV8]

..... blasted my horn and gave him the finger, as you do.

As if so again, honked and the finger

I will give you some free advice without writing a novel.

People make mistakes,it might be due to simply not looking properly or even ignorance.
Be assured you keep giving people the finger and some time soon you will incite the wrong person,the consequences will most likely go against you given your vulnerability.

*
*
You are riding along the motoraway,a car starts to change in to your lane,you toot the horn,they spot you and veer back into their lane looking shocked/embarrassed.
You have the choice of simply carrying on but decide to give that person the finger even though no real harm has been done.
They then become angry,strange but true.

[firefighter]

This shit just happens. Probably everytime you will ride, it's not really worth a second thought....you should see the fuckwits that pull in front of big red speeding trucks, thinking they'll pull over to the side on a narrow road once you catch up in 50m time and create a dangerous situation......it happens

[MadDuck]

"I'm a big mean motherfucker on a Harley" thing isn't for me.

ooohhh....yes and that is so me

[vifferman]

I'm fairly certain I was in the blind spot the second time I nearly got run over

Be aware of this, and make sure that people know you're there: move around in the lane, watch to see if they've checked their mirrors before moving, try and ride in a position that you can see their head in their wing mirror(s), then they are more likely to be able to see you if they do a quick mirror check.
Be observant - you can usually tell if a car is about to change lanes, as the driver will move his head / move in his seat, or the car will change speed and/or move slightly over in the lane. After a while, you'll get good at 'readin' traffic, but it's still not afe to assume that you can be sure what the drivers re doing - often even they don't know, or act on a whim.

Sometimes you need to be assertive in 'guarding' your bit of road (by tooting your horn or whatever), and sometimes you need to be ultra defensive and prepared to get out of the way in a hurry. But ALWAYS be alert and expect braindead, dozy, unobservant behaviour from other drivers: they don't need to be as alert as you do, so they (generaly) switch off.

[chocobo_ff]

I will give you some free advice without writing a novel.

People make mistakes,it might be due to simply not looking properly or even ignorance.
Be assured you keep giving people the finger and some time soon you will incite the wrong person,the consequences will most likely go against you given your vulnerability.

*
*
You are riding along the motoraway,a car starts to change in to your lane,you toot the horn,they spot you and veer back into their lane looking shocked/embarrassed.
You have the choice of simply carrying on but decide to give that person the finger even though no real harm has been done.
They then become angry,strange but true.

Agreed, can't say I'm proud of the gestures, and today's probably one of the few times I actually do that, normally it's a honk or two and if I had the chance, look at the driver and shake my head. Have to keep that advise in mind next time, although I wish there won't be a next time... oh who am I kidding, I live in Auckland

[chocobo_ff]

Be aware of this, and make sure that people know you're there: move around in the lane, watch to see if they've checked their mirrors before moving, try and ride in a position that you can see their head in their wing mirror(s), then they are more likely to be able to see you if they do a quick mirror check.
Be observant - you can usually tell if a car is about to change lanes, as the driver will move his head / move in his seat, or the car will change speed and/or move slightly over in the lane. After a while, you'll get good at 'readin' traffic, but it's still not afe to assume that you can be sure what the drivers re doing - often even they don't know, or act on a whim.

Sometimes you need to be assertive in 'guarding' your bit of road (by tooting your horn or whatever), and sometimes you need to be ultra defensive and prepared to get out of the way in a hurry. But ALWAYS be alert and expect braindead, dozy, unobservant behaviour from other drivers: they don't need to be as alert as you do, so they (generaly) switch off.

Thanks for the advise One thing I've found to be really useful is to avoid being directly next to a car if at all possible, which has saved me numerous times. I'm thinking, when I upgrade to a bigger bike, I should get a loud exhaust (within legal limits obviously), then I will probably be able to make others notice me a bit easier when I'm on the road...

By the way, love your avatar Vifferman