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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| RT, sounds like you are already running through the checklist, good on you, and I surely didn't mean to be critical in any way. As some may recall I like to use these mishaps as a learning tool of sorts to avoid if at all possible a similar situation. I have been thinking about your get offs since reading of them and was wondering if you had changed anything with regards to riding gear, glasses, etc... that might be playing a role? I know you said one was following too closely or rather riding up on a slower vehicle in a residential zone, but I suspect your riding skills are better tuned since you took the appropriate avoidance steps upon recognizing the hazard. That said it has been a wicked year for sun in the eyes approaching sunset. I hope you have one of those "eureka moments" when the cure comes out of nowhere, and many more safe future miles...... Ride safe my friend and I do apologize if my comments were taken as anything more than curiousity and concern. I'm suppose to be riding thru Texas this next summer and if so it would be great to meet you along the road for a coffee. I'll shout when I have some dates established...... T |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
not far from hustler wisconsin | i just read this whole thread.
dam glad to still have you here. sounds like a bummer for the bike but as others have said your not hurt. thanks for posting this. we all need to stay on top of the game. reading about near misses and walk aways is infinitely better than reading obits.
your wife loves you, because she said she wants you to quit riding for your own good. well since she loves you she should know how much you need and want to ride and she should come around. make sense?
you ride safe too. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Teach,
I appreciated your posting very much. It gave me the push to write down the event information that was buzzing around my head. The "Twist of the Wrist" books that you suggested a long time ago, helped me to be a better rider.
The more I think about it the more I think it boils down to glare on the glasses and visor. These late sunrises and early sunsets can be part of it for sure. That and increasing my following distance. I was way too close to that truck for those driving conditions.
Please look me up if you ever get down to San Antonio.
wibiker,
I think she is remembering what a "Pain in the rear" I can be when I am not riding. She had no problem with my ride to work today.
On Sunday I took a 50 mile ride mainly on urban highways to a show across town. If felt good to get on the Vision and just ride. As they say at the rodeo. "If you get thrown off get back on!" In other words, "Cowboy Up!"
Ride Safe
Edited by radioteacher 2010-12-06 9:11 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Paul, I understand your wife's emotion on this one. Earlier this year my wife and I were riding behind our friends on their Road King on one of the three sisters and he slid the bike in a curve. We were right behind them and watched it in full 1080 HD. They were ok, except for some bruises and scraps, and about $4000. But the reaction from my wife was amazing, she actually had a hard time getting back on the Vision that day. She's fiine now and rides all the time with me, but that day, it was tuff for her to get back on the horse. Your a determined informed rider, and your good at riding. Ensure your wife, you have it under control. Take care. |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | I carry no man card and do not need to discuss my riding with my Lady. She is well within the rules and regulations of the Wildman - 150 mile away, do not live together and are not married, just enjoy being together almost every weekend! Just glad your OK Brother and fit enough to ride again....
Ride hard, ride fast, but above all - ride safe....
Let us all learn a thing or two from this posting! |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Who stole 8-ball's Man Card? I bet he just burned it! Sounds like a good setup for me. When I get my man card back, I think I'm gonna burn mine tooo. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Paul
I'm very glad to hear that you're OK and that your Vision can be repaired.
I find this time of year difficult with shorter days and daylight savings ended. I also have to ride into the setting sun in the evening, which may have been fine for Shane or the Lone Ranger, but sucks for a guy with bifocals on a motorcycle who is surrounded by car drivers who cant see either.
I know most motorcyclists don't like polarized lenses because it makes reading digital gauges, GPS and other electronics difficult or impossible, and does weird things to plastic windscreens and face shields; but I find that the reduced glare improves my ability to see and react to traffic or obstacles in the road significantly.
I also do not wear a face shield (regardless of weather) because of the glare and distortion created by having to peer through multiple layers of less than perfect plastic. I find that a visor peak is also an essential accessory. The laminar lip on my bike affords me great wind protection without having the shield in front of my face.
I have discovered that as I have aged I have had to make other concessions based on my changing eyesight (and slower reaction times). I have two pair of bike specific glasses with my bifocal prescription adjusted to allow me to clearly see the images in the mirrors of the Vision. I have increased my following distance as well, which can be problematic , since during rush hour car drivers will attempt to fill the smallest opening with 4000 lbs of scratched and dented sheet metal.
As to the whole wife / man card thing.......If she didn't love you she wouldn't have asked; and that is one more thing to be thankful for. |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | Never had a man card, so no need to burn. We all pick our life path, I could not do what most do but will not say any path is wrong as long as you do what is in your heart or follow the path you were given...
Ride hard, ride fast, but above all - ride safe..... |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | As an x-Rodeo Cowboy, kick some butt and "COWYBOY UP" This would make all of us Vision Riders proud.... |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | As an x-Rodeo Cowboy, kick some butt and "COW
BOY UP" This would make all of us Vision Riders proud.... |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | The most experienced riders should ride or pay attention just like a novice, this will help us all have that special focus while riding that allows us to ride on again and again. Brothers and Sisters of the wind....
Ride hard, ride fast, but above all - ride safe..... |
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Minor Accident
