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Cruiser
Posts: 103
| Yesterday I took a ride along the west coast of Fla. from Tampa to Venice. I was in no hurry and enjoying the beautiful weather. I have been riding a long time and feel right at home on two wheels, when I pulled over to fuel up and get a drink. I was approached by a guy that asked about the bike and I told him how much I loved this motorcycle. He asked what was the one thing above all else that I liked and I replied, I like beening seen by other vehicles because of the size of the Vision. No sooner had I said it that I knocked on wood, as Im very superstitious. I don't like riding on the freeway but I had a long way home so I headed north on US 75. Im crusing along in the lefthand lane when all of a sudden the car in front of me slams on his brakes. I ride with two fingers on the front brake and my right foot close to the brake, instantly I hit the brakes and the bike slowed down like I had formula 1 brakes. My second reaction was to check the rearview and low and behold the guy behind me wasn't paying attention. I was still moving a little so I steared of the road to the left of the car in front of me , who was at a complete stop. One nanu second later the guy plows into the car that was in front of me. Had I not checked the rear or had some speed to move to the left I would have been rear ended at 50 miles per hour. One car after another started crashing into each other. I bring this up to point out to all of us, that you must be 100% ready when the time comes. If your looking at a GPS, checking out the babe in the car next to you or what ever, it could kill you! The reason that this happened was up the road ,7 cop cars with lights a blazing, had some kid pulled over and the traffic was almost at a standstill to see what was happening. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Glad you did the right thing at the right time Codfather. You just lived through my biggest fear besides a deer and lived to tell about. I don't know how many times I've stopped hard and realized looking in the rear-view as an after thought. I'm keeping myself trained to look in the rear view especially at stop lights. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i had the samething happen to me last year. but the car in my rear didnt hit the car in front of me. But he stopped where i would have been.. i had the feeling of being lucky then Rage... but the look on that drivers face was worse than anything i could have said... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | We touched on this before, but when I'm on the freeways or the interstates, I try very hard to ride in the gaps. Meaning I will slow or speed up to ride in areas of the road that where there are less cars and trucks........sometimes you can't, but I make it a habit. Because of the high speed of the these types of roads most folks don't realize how long it takes to stop. Glad your alright. Also, riding with the front brake covered when dry and rear when wet is a good practice when in traffic. |
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Tourer
Posts: 301
Buffalo Grove,Ill | Since ive started racing (1980) i have learned to live by two rules. Always put be seat belts on before moving, and always check those mirrors constantly. I also have learned to ride and drive where i have an out. I dont like being boxed in in any situation. Go left or go right i have learned is always better than hit the hooks and just wait. Glad you reacted well. |
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Knock on wood