Wow, look at all these people that are having accidents on their bikes. A lot of them are fatal crashes and if not their all goofed up for life.
Some people should ask themselves if it's worth it or not.
I've been riding for decades and never any issues....some just got started and WAM!

 

If you live by what might happen there won't be much to life.

 

What people? Is there supposed to be a link to a story? Or are you just saying in general?

 

I haven't been on a motorcycle in years. I believe that a lot of folks don't have the proper amount of respect and even fear for what can happen on a bike. That includes not only the operators of the motorcycles...but...the operators of other vehicles as well.

 

The one big problem I've seen with motorcyclists is the attitude that everyone else should be looking out for them. In every other mode of transportation, it's the responsibility of the smaller vehicle to yield to the larger vehicle so long as it's a powered vehicle.

I find that they tailgate and ride in my blind spot constantly. They weave in and out of traffic, ride 2 abreast in one lane, and usually exceed the speed limit or go much faster than the rest of the traffic.

I watch out for all vehicles, but it's the cyclist's responsibility to not do things that put them in more danger. Just like how I try to not do dumb things around semis like drive in thier blind spots or cut them off.

In any case, you're just more likely to get hurt on a motorcycle because there's no vehicle around you. Most of the motorcycle accidents I have been to have been caused by the rider doing something stupid and at least half have involved alcohol.

Mike

 

So my Mustang should yield to an F250 because it's smaller even if the truck is wrong?

 

Right and wrong don't really effect the laws of physics. Maybe you have the legal right not to yield to that F-250, but it may be in your best interest to do so. If you don't, you would certainly be in the right, but you still have to deal with a munched up mustang, insurance adjusters, etc, etc, etc. You decide.

 

Nope, you totally missed the point as I figured most would. Motorcyclists need to think about what they are doing and not just assume that everybody can see them. It's like driving a bass boat right in front of an oil tanker. You're so close that nobody will see you. If you cut right in front of me and slow down, I might not be able to slow down as fast. If you're coming over a hill, you need to thing about how another vehicle coming out of a cross street on the other side isn't going to be about to see you as soon as most other vehicles and slow down in case they do pull out.

But to your question, a Mustang should not drive in the F250's blind spot.

Like I said, in every other mode of transport, the smaller powered vehicle yields to the bigger one.

Mike

 

Freedom of choice? Or should Nanny chose for you?

 

I drive a motorcycle of sorts, an ATV, so I know what I'm talking about. If I'm at an offroad park that lets trucks and rail buggies offroad with the ATVs, I stay alert of what they are doing and give them space as they don't have the same visibilty and manueverability that I have. It's common sense.

Mike

 

I always ride with the attitude that everyone else is out to kill me. I assume that car in the turn lane will turn in front of me, and try to be prepared for it. I have a lot of off-road experience though, and I believe that makes one better at dealing with sudden obstacles and changing condtions. I think it would help newer riders to have laid it down a few times (or in my case much more than a few) before they get out on the road.

 

I was being sarcastic..I see your point, I don't know where you live but if the common riding style of motorcylist is as you portray then most will pay a price sooner rather than later for sure. As for responsibility...the 4 wheel vehicle driver has to obey all laws as well and not have the attitude that I'm in a car/truck and the motorcycle will slow/stop or give right of way because I'm bigger. Situational awareness..ie: some car will kill me today..Is the mindset I leave with everytime I'm on my motorcycle, but someone will get killed today on their bike because some "person" will say I didn't see them when they pulled out in front of the motorcycle. An ATV at an offroad park is not quite the same as a motorcycle on the freeway at 70mph. Apples and oranges

 

Everyone has to obey the laws of the road. What I'm saying is the motorcyclist need to be cognizant of the reality that people driving bigger vehicles can't see or manuever as well. Actually there are bigger blind spots on our Solara than my F150.

I'd say that my example is apples to oranges, the ATV park is more dangerous. There is no speed limit, no lines, the "road" is not improved, no laws, nothing. You are truely on your own and the speeds can often exceed those on improved roadways.

Mike

 

ATV parks are a good place to see the laws of natural selection at work, ambulances should just sit and wait.

 

Motorcycle riders should drive as if they are invisible, except to cops. Many car/truck drivers do NOT SEE motorcycles. I have almost been run over a few times by someone who was looking right at me and had a surprised look on their face when they finally did see me. ALWAYS have an escape route in mind and be in gear and ready to roll at intersections, just in case the dolt behind you doesn't see you and decides to jump the light. Been there done that a couple times.

Motorcycle accidents are up because more people are riding, to save on gas. And it is more crowded out there. Also new riders are more risky or unaware. More experienced riders are better, but still, the old saying is... "There are riders who have gone down, and those who will". So far I haven't gone down, I don't count me slipping in a puddle at a gas pump.

I drove in California since the 70s. 4 years or so on my bike. I had only 3 accidents between 73 and 91 all in cars. We moved to Oregon in 91 til 2004, had an accident there in my van with a guy who didn't see me right next to him.

When I came back in 2004, the roads and traffic were WAY different. In 1 1/2 year I was rear ended 3 times, once in a 4 car pile up. In at least 1 accident, I would have been killed if I was on a bike. Probably hurt good in the other 2. So In congested areas, I probably wouldn't recommend a bike anymore. Any accident on a bike is likely to at least scrape some meat off. All my car accidents were minor irritations. Most of them were because the other driver did not see me(even in a car or van) or was distracted.

Still, I would like to get my old yammiehopper back on the road. maybe after my son is off to college and away from temptation.

Bottom line is Bikers are invisible and usually the other driver didn't see you even if you were in a car.

Just my opinion,

Jim Henderson