Staying alive is harder every day...

I know this is hard to do sometimes but... we never know what others are dealing with in their lives. We have bikes to ride as our therapy. Obviously someone in an expensive car either doesn't have much to worry about, or they have WAYYYYY TOOO much to worry about... and may not have an outlet for therapy. Same goes for someone driving a beater car in all reality now that I think about it. There are some people out there who are relaxed and let things go, and others that are gonna be asses no matter how big or small an occurrence is... in their minds the world is against them. The thing I have found that keeps me safe is to just kick back and enjoy the ride no matter what it is. Push it and have fun when on back roads and there isn't traffic, go slow and be vewy vewy caweful and alert on freeways when there IS traffic. I, as I'm sure many members here, have been able to avert incidents just by being a split second slower than the car in front. They don't even know anything could have happened and they don't even know I was there in many cases. I could get pissed and ride up on them yelling... I don't. I've also had dick cops come up yelling and screaming at me. I just keep calm and speak to them slowly and softly and they calm right down. Amazing how a cop stops screaming when you say with a big smile, "Yeah I know how fast I was going!! I was doing 100 in a 65!!" Takes em off guard and you can have a regular conversation. Most peeps, including cops are used to people on bikes being assholes and running from them, so they get into chase and defensive mode as soon as they see us. Once they see a mature person who pulls over, talks to them and doesn't get defensive and lie about what's going on, they're cool. I'm not saying you handled yourself poorly or judging your actions at all... I'm just saying people have stuff going on in their lives that we may not even realize. We've all had bad days where we snap at peeps and maybe overreacted. When I see peeps like you experienced I just figure they have shit going on, I'm glad I'm alive and they didn't kill me, and I move on. When I think of the 10s of thousands of miles I've ridden safely on a bike, I'm not going to let a split second of a bad situation keep me from doing something I love.

Now here's the fun part. BB will want to jump in and comment about how on one post I'm texting at the ton and here I am talking about going slow and being safe on freeways.... as I've stated many times, BB likes to comment on things he knows nothing about. He has no idea what time of day I was on the freeway or what traffic was like while I was texting at the ton. Just as he knows nothing about most things he comments on... at least with regards to me... but, I'll happily wait for his misguided comments... and ignore them as usual.

I just remembered one specific time, I shifted lanes from middle lane to passing lane. There was an old Granada at least 10 car lengths back. At least two minutes later, he was on my ass, so I pulled over and he got up next to me and started swerving towards me, so I hit and took off ahead of him. I did my best to keep at least one car between him and me while trying to keep the speed reasonable. Finally got off at my exit and he followed me. The light at the end was red so I had to stop. He came up in the lane next to me. Big fat, Harley looking dude. He stuck is arm out the window pointing at me yelling "I'm gonna kill you!!! I see you again, I'm gonna kill you!!!" So I hunched down to his level, stuck my right hand out towards him, my left hand on my hip and I pointed to him shaking my finger and my head the way he was at me... I mimicked him the best I could, so we were both pointing our fingers at each other gesturing angrily. Of course it was a slow light, taking forever, so when he didn't stop yelling at me, I straightened up, turned forward and did the "Go Chicky" dance for him. He was in the right turn lane and could make a right on red, so when I started doing that, he just waved his hand at me and took off. And I sat there laughing at him... just wish I didn't have a full face helmet so he could have seen me laughing!!

I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.... that is never easy and we all just have to deal with that in our own ways and times....

 

Wow , I know that I have to STOP,THINK and not respond right away when gugheads do shit like that for no apparent reason . I just passed a car today in the fast lane doing 70 and the guy I passed didn't like it and followed me off the freeway, rolled his window down a gave me the bird., I laughed , opened my visor and gave him a big smile and said HAVE A NICE DAY, boy it felt great not to lower myself to his level. Just think , it must really suck living in there body's with all that bad thinking.
Chicky, if I remember correctly didn't you get side swiped last Laguna ? if so , how are you doing and did they ever catch the ass ?

 

Duccmann... yup... gotta watch out out there but keep some semblance of a sense of humor. I've often wondered if I was ever seriously damaged like in the hospital for months of recovery, if I'd still get back on the bike, and I really don't know the answer to that. Hope I never find out.

As for the guy that sideswiped me... sorry if I was vague on that. He was actually kinda cool. He really couldn't go far anyway, because his bumper got ripped off and was dragging under his car, but he followed me and stopped. He asked if I was okay and when I replied, "Hell no man, my leg is killing me!!", with that buzzed confused feeling and voice, he immediately called the cops and an ambulance. Once I got to breathe for a few minutes and saw I had some really nice swelling going on but could walk, I told him to ixnay the ambulance. And my leg is good. Finished up physical therapy a couple Fridays ago and I'm good as new. Still a slight bit of swelling and discoloration going on, but I'm sure the all that is remaining will be gone in a week or two. I was a very lucky little Chicky... thanks for asking.

 

Right on , very cool to hear everything NOW is A-O-K

 

Actually "Barnum & Bailey" includes riding your motorcycle while pretending that you are a MotoGP rider. Example, dragging your knee on public roads.

What I do in the back woods of my property is just to improve my fitness and eye/hand coordination.

 

If someone starts yelling at you, just remove your helmet and say "I love you" and blow him a kiss. Especially if you are a guy. Ya wanna see someone get wound up.

ANd Chicky....please define "mature" does that mean grey hair and a beer belly?

 

Randy... OMG, no! I know plenty of grey-haired guys with beer-bellies that are definitely NOT mature!! LOL!! Speak o' the devil!! I probably should have said "calm and reasonable" rather than "mature".

Taking off the helmet is a good one... I think too many people see cars, trucks or motorcyclists with helmets and don't associate them with people. Once people get out of their cars or a motorcyclist takes off their helmet, as long as they remain calm with hands at sides and show no aggression, typically the other person realizes this is a person, not an object out to get them and they feel foolish. I love just standing there peacefully while someone is yelling. When they get no one yelling back at them, they usually realize how foolish they look and lower their voice. I actually had a cop not cite me once because he almost rammed into my bike and came at me yelling. I spoke quietly to him, explained why I didn't pull over right away, and when he realized I was right and being safe, not wanting to cut off cars in the lane next to me.... he calmed right down, said he should cite me, but he wasn't going to because he was such a jerk... he apologized profusely. Most times if WE just realize the other person is a person first, they will realize the same thing and stuff can be worked out.

 

I was very happy to read this post. I can't imagine giving up riding and feel the exact same way as you do about being without a motorcycle. There have been times when due to various circumstances I've been between bikes. Yes, life goes on, but talk about a longing in your heart for something. ALL motorcycles were beautiful to me, from the beat up 20-year-old standard to the Italian superbikes. I loved them all and watched with envy from behind my steering wheel as any bike rode past.

 

Good news Mentally (he he) Hey next time if ever you come up to the San Fernando Valley ,give me a shout and I'll meet ya for a ride, maybe go up to the rock store . Until the end of the year I will have week days clear for riding ( the best time, no squids) OK

 

You're very welcome. Your focus on the van and traffic is completely understandable. Unfortunately, it doesn't bode well for the investigation unless the investigators get an admission from whoever was driving. I totally agree with Randy's earlier post that the fact that the vehicle had "Sheriff plates" may actually increase the scrutiny not protect the driver. Having "confidential" plates does nothing to prevent investigators from learning the identity of the registered owner and will most likely actually assist the investigators. The problem is, that doesn't tell us who was actually behind the wheel. A simple, "I have no idea what you're talking about" can leave the investigation dead in the water.

I also read about the guy who flipped you off after following you off the freeway. What the heck is going on?! I've been lucky so far (knock on wood) and haven't had anyone intentionally try to hurt me while riding but I swear there have been days when it seems that people truly are trying to kill me. Just horrible driving and inattentiveness. On those days I ride the gauntlet and feel extra grateful when I make it home in one piece. Be safe but never stop enjoying the ride!

 

I definitely will, thanks! I made a trip to the Rock Store a few years ago when I was riding a Ninja ZX6R. I met up with a number of riders from the Kawasaki forum but wouldn't you know it, they were all on Vulcans and an assortment of other cruisers. There I was on my Kawi green rocket ... one of these things is not like the others. As you might imagine, it was a rather relaxed pace through the twisties. A little too relaxed. But it was beautiful and I was with a good group of guys. It was my first time riding through Malibu and I really enjoyed it. I'd love to do it again. And I couldn't believe the number and variety of bikes at the Rock Store. Very cool.

 

Shoulda gotten a Glock suppository that bastard!

Gota watch out for your own ass, F dah constabulary ; )

 

I thought you guys were laid back on the west coast, I mean, with all the legal weed and what not. Guess Im wrong.... Never had anyone intentionally try to run me off the road, key word intentionally. I'm of the ride like they're trying to kill you mentality and after reading some of these posts,thats a good state of mind.
My condolensces on the loss of your friend, but like meatloaf said, you never know when your time is up, so you might as well LIVE in the mean time.

 

Sorry my friend, personal experience and the experience of friends and family has convinced me that injuries are 10x worse on the dirt and they happen 10x as frequently. Something about not having the tires on the ground, especially when they are 15-20 feet off the ground that just ends up in a disfiguring wreck, to both the rider and the bike...
...Been racing AMA, District 37, off road events since 1994.

 

I retired from motorcycle racing in 1996 at age 45. I mainly roadraced but did one summer of drags and a couple of times with short track and one hare scrambles. Every time I think I want to get started again I watch a recent video and it sets me straight.

Sorry that your experiences don't equate to mine. I ride single tracks on my property, both on my dirt bike a crf150 and my mtn bike. I don't ride supercross and wouldn't think of doing anything more than a bump associated wheelie or hop. Only those without common sense do big jumps, you agree?

It diminishes all of us when someone gets hurt, killed or into a fight.

 

While I don't have any off-road riding experience, my ex-wife is and has been an ER nurse for years and told me the vast majority of riders coming in busted up are the ones who were riding off-road. The stories I've heard are enough to make me think, "That off-road stuff is seriously dangerous!" Funny thing is, I've heard plenty of off-roaders say, "I'll NEVER ride a street bike...too dangerous!"

 

JTC you're the one who mentioned that jumps are bad for your health. I didn't bring it up except to say that I thought that riding my dirt bike didn't make me libel to get hit by a car or into an argument with another driver. So keep your cool and don't go ballistic with me, I know my limits.

We are joined here because we ride motorcycles. If you look to divide us then shame on you.

 

metallyguitarded
Yeah you are right riding a motor bike is very dangerous. I have had some injuries riding on and off road in the past 40 years. Most of the real hurt was done on the road, Broken leg, Broken collar bone Up to 17% of my body covered in road rash. Road racing was relatively safe although once I did high side. My off road experience has been trouble free as far as rash, broken bones, internal injuries and strains. I consider my background that of a road rider/racer and don't do crazy shit that would regret.

70% of my two wheel riding is on pedal bikes any more and has been for the last 15 years. I refuse to become out of shape and fat. I read about riders who are over 200 pounds They are headed for heart disease, diabetes and the like. Bike handling is nearly identical with the advantage of very easy maintenance. I have been over 54 mph numerous times on 20 mm wide tires and it demands a lot of attention.

 

I hate all you bikers. On road...off road...pedal bikes...You name it I hate it. I hate BB. I hate JTC. I hate my bike and I hate my riding every goddam day. Especially when it is warm and sunny out. ----------------------------------OK I'm over it.

I don't have the stats to back anything up. I don't ride off road except I did on my mountain bike. And I wasn't one to catch too much air either. (But I did that a couple times in a car or Suburban but that is another story) One thing to remember though, regardless of which riding produces the most injuries, if you are riding off road and get injured, it is more likely because you have pushed your limits. That's fine. That is a conscious action on your part. I suggest part of the thrill of that style of riding. And on road riding when you push the limits and wipe out, again that is part of the adrenaline rush most of us seek. Acceptable risk don't you agree? So long as you don't get too close to that high cliff for which there is no return. We have lost a couple from here that way. But the assholes in the cars, and lets face it, some on bikes too, causing our injuries is bound to get anyone upset, even on the near misses.

Now.....everyone have a nice hot tea and relax.....hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm................

 

I hate hot tea.