Safe Riding

Strange feeling last night. I ride to and from work nearly every day, rain , shine, wind. Everything except snow. And have been caught in that too. Mostly freeway miles. And yes, my space has been encroached upon. But last night I went into the city for a work Christmas party and my wife was to be with me so we took her car, me at the wheel. I can't explain this but I did not feel as safe in that car on the busy freeway than I do on my bike. Her car is a "like new" 03 Civic.

I mean WTF here. Maybe I am nuts contrary to what I keep saying.

Now we can debate car vs bike at intersections here. No real debate. Car is safer. But I get the incredible feeling I have more say over my safety on the highways on a bike than in a cage. I "believe" I have a better opportunity to avoid trouble when shit hits the fan on the freeway.

What do you think?

 

That may be your highten awareness on the motorcycle. On the freeway you have more of a say of what your next move may be. My answer always seem to go faster to blow by trucks, cars with people on cell phones. You feel the wind, and hear a lot more than you can in a car. In a car it can give you a false sense of security on the freeway. You beleive that you are in a protected box and that nothing can happen to you.

 

I know that feeling. Every time I have come back from a 2 or 3 day ride, the first time I take my truck (Toyota) anywhere, it feels too big, too clumsy, and too slow. Perhaps it does come down to being a smaller target on a bike.

Although, with all the junk I always bring along on a bike, the difference might not be as great as it seems.

 

I tend to agree with you but I sure had the heightened sence of awarenes last night. Kept thinking "What if? Where would I go?" while in the cage and realizing I did not have the same options in the car as I would have on the bike. Shit. Now I am getting parinoid. Everyone is out to get me....alllllll the time!

 

Thats because we are.

 

Randy, I feel the exact same way. Thought I might be nuts (well, the jury is still out on that). I have a much heightened sense of awareness and control when I'm on the bike. And it helps that it is infinitely easier to pass due to size and incredible acceleration, and it's much easier to squeeze through tight spots making escape routes more plentiful.

I know it's going to hurt more getting hit on the bike as compared to the cage, but I just feel I have a better chance of avoiding a bad situation when on the bike. I am an aggressive (maybe assertive is a better word, but I doubt it) driver on both bike and while in my cage. I work to be skilled at both, rather than just settling on being an "average" rider/driver only interested in getting from point A to point B.

 

Now THAT is an excellent point. If all other riders/drivers did the same, it would infer that they actually had a sense of awareness and responsibility. And if that were the case, well, this thread wouldn't exist and we wouldn't be typing. :smile:

 

:frown::frown::frown::hurt:

you don't love me anymore

 

I don't know about you man.... when there is ice in the road I'd rather slide around on 4 wheels than 2.

 

You'll always be my favorite, you know that...

 

I'd rather just crash and get it over with. :biggrin:

 

It don't matter Joey. When I crash on the freeway, no stopping at the local hotel. It is straight to hell. They have a place of honour waiting for me there. I expect to be seeing you there too.:wink:

 

I know what you mean, Randy. Maybe I don't feel 'safer' on the bike, but I do have more confidence that I'll be able to avoid a collision. I don't know if it's the false sense of security or 'remoteness' in the car, or the visibility factor or maybe the fact that I'm sitting a little lower, but I do feel a little more vulnerable for some reason.

I try to use the same tactics while driving as I do when riding - looking ahead, watching my 6 and blind spots, anticipating the actions of others, using good following distances, etc. I also try not to let the usual in-car distractions (music, conversations with wife/kids) affect me.

 

There are many times when I wish I had the throttle and zippiness of my VFR versus my Accord. Getting stuck in a line of traffic sucks on the highway when there is so little room to pass.
Sometimes it is better to be on the bike.

 

That's an F350 isn't it Reg. I always thought that 60 was top end in those things?.

My Duramax limits out at 100mph.

 

Yeah.....!!!

 

Yeah, low siding on ice is just God's way of telling you it's time to put the bike away for the Winter. Otherwise, how would you know? :biggrin: