1st Ride of the Season, 1st Jerk driver

[oldbike54]

I lost a coworker/friend exactly 24 hours ago. Died at the scene, pronounced dead at the hospital. A vehicle turned left in front of him at a somewhat country road here in Ohio, he was wearing a helmet and all. We had just discussed insurance quotes and getting bikes ready for the season right before the weekend - He's Gone - Been trying to deal with it, didn't want to make a post about, but everyone please watch out. He was 43 old and a much loved guy by everyone at work and his family.

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/man-killed-in-motorcycle-crash-near-johnstown/1907795300

 Condolences .

 Dusty

[beetle]

Always ride like they're out to get you.


 

[twowheeladdict]

Hi all,                                                                                                                                             4-08-19

The only thing I have to add (even though it has been said many times), is RIDE VISIBLY!  I have "seen" too many black bikes with black leather, with black helmets and headlights that need a flashlight too see them.  I respect individuality, even herd individuality, however, drivers are not expecting us to be there (especially when they are on the phone).  Please be visible, be safe.

Ride like you are invisible and expect the unexpected.  You can't assume someone sees you just because you have bright gear or bright lights.  People pull in front of semi-trucks and fire engines. 

You have to be proactive to survive.  I was taught that riding is like being behind enemy lines.  You have to be aware of everything around you.  You have to keep out of the line of fire.  You have to continually ask yourself why is that person doing what they are doing.  You have to be like a chess player and be thinking many moves ahead. 

This is why today I mostly ride on deserted country lanes. 

[Guzzi Gal]

I lost a coworker/friend exactly 24 hours ago. Died at the scene, pronounced dead at the hospital. A vehicle turned left in front of him at a somewhat country road here in Ohio, he was wearing a helmet and all. We had just discussed insurance quotes and getting bikes ready for the season right before the weekend - He's Gone - Been trying to deal with it, didn't want to make a post about, but everyone please watch out. He was 43 old and a much loved guy by everyone at work and his family.

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/man-killed-in-motorcycle-crash-near-johnstown/1907795300

I'm so sorry for your loss.  

I appreciate the feedback. It's not my first time around the block. In hindsight, I could've handled the situation differently and put myself in better position. What I choose to do remains to be seen with my life long moto habit. Being 54 and having 3 young kids at home has changed my perspective. As my 5 year-old came out to watch me leave for work this morning and fist bumped me, I need to come home for them.

I'm a fifty-two-year-old mama of 3, the youngest just turned 8, so I'm right with ya.  I do a lot of thank you waves and thumbs up when drivers see me and adjust appropriately.  I hope they remember the nice lady on the bike and do a repeat performance for the next rider they encounter.   

[Lannis]

Couple of years back... similar situation, I was in the left lane, gravel truck in the right. See that the left lane ends up ahead, traffic backed up behind the truck, nothing in front of it... so I twist the throttle, get a couple car lengths ahead of the truck and merge right, with lots of room.

At the next stop truck pulled up behind me and the driver, late 50s, early 60s, jumped out and ran at me with a deadblow hammer in his hand.  I hopped off the bike... and he sorta stopped in his tracks. Not sure if he came to his senses, or was hoping to hit me while I was unaware. As it was, it took a while to defuse the whole thing.

I got the whole screamed speech. "I ride, and guys like you give us a bad name" and on and on and on.

Some people are just assholes. Fact of life.

I've had that happen before.

The reaction from the truck driver, even if you didn't startle him, or make him put on the brakes, even if he didn't have to change his line or his speed or anything, was because ...

You BEAT him!!

YOU got there first.  YOU were ahead of him.   You WON!   You have diminished him as a man, as if you'd insulted him in a bar in front of his woman.

People on the road will accept anything other than being BEAT in the Death Race 2000 competition that goes on all over the modern highways.

Once you recognize that, and back off just a tad so he can beat YOU and be a bigger and better man, and things calm down considerably ..... !

Lannis

[blu guzz]

Groover:  Sorry for the loss of your friend.  We lost a club member some years ago the same way.  I still think of Gary often when I ride.  Older lady, sun at a low angle, she turned right into his path. No malice involved, just bad facts.

To the OP: Don't try that in Kentucky.  Our genius of a Govner just signed a bill that lets any old idiot carry concealed without any training at all.  That means a lot of morons will be packing thinking it's ok to shoot someone for pissing them off.  The carry classes had good information about how limited the rights of self defense and protection of others are. Please ride safe out there.  If you can't let things like that truck driver's attitude go, you should leave riding at least until the young ones are grown.  Only you can decide.

[Sasquatch Jim]

Always ride like they're out to get you.


 Because they are.  You are safer riding behind that butt breath than in front of him.

[Motormike]

I ride under the assumption that every car on the road is operated by a complete idiot.  I am seldom disappointed.

[Texas Turnip]

This couple flipped a driver off, then they got caught in a traffic jam.
the two dudes walked up to the car and opened their jackets to show their pistols, but didn't use them. Use that finger for typing or scratching your eye instead of flipping someone off.  Finger verse a gun. You don't have to be good at math to figure this out.

Tex

[kballowe]

We have 330 million people in this country
Some of them are crazy

Be careful and Ride safe

 

[Rick in WNY]

This couple flipped a driver off, then they got caught in a traffic jam.
the two dudes walked up to the car and opened their jackets to show their pistols, but didn't use them. Use that finger for typing or scratching your eye instead of flipping someone off.  Finger verse a gun. You don't have to be good at math to figure this out.

Tex

Gotta be careful doing that. In NY that's called "brandishing" and is a crime in itself... not sure about everywhere else.

That said, I understand the sentiment, and kudos to the two guys for keeping cool heads. That's an important thing to do today, doubly so when you're packing. 

[rocker59]

We have 330 million people in this country

MILLIONS of them are crazy

Be careful and Ride safe

 

Fixed that for you.   

[John A]

We have 330 million people in this country
Some of them are crazy

Be careful and Ride safe

 

One out of ten are on the edge, ready to flip out and take someone with them.  Don't let that be you.

[twowheeladdict]

Gotta be careful doing that. In NY that's called "brandishing" and is a crime in itself... not sure about everywhere else.

That said, I understand the sentiment, and kudos to the two guys for keeping cool heads. That's an important thing to do today, doubly so when you're packing. 

I don't think so Rick.

Brandishing:  wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.

He said the guys just opened their jackets.  Definitely not Brandishing. 

[rocker59]

I don't think so Rick.

He said the guys just opened their jackets.  Definitely not Brandishing.

Depends on the local enforcement.  In my State, the CCW laws had to be amended because a few CCW holders were charged with brandishing when their side arms were inadvertently revealed due to shirts or jackets opening or riding up to reveal them. 

If opening a jacket to purposely reveal a sidearm with the intention to intimidate, a person would be at risk of being detained or arrested for "brandishing".   

[Daleroso]

This time of year they're not use to as many of us yet.
Some are simply a  holes.
Notice skid marks & gouges after merge lanes on interstates? The merger didn't check to see if it was safe to merge & just merged into the right lane when something already there couldn't move left cause anorher vehicle was next to them.
Riding is through a gauntlet.
Do all the looking out & all the giving in.
Years ago Roger Hull ( founder of Road Rider mag now MCN) & other m/cling poobahs met in Lake of the Ozarks after the Hurt Report to discuss safe riding & why some riders have long riding careers & most other riders don't.
Their conclusion; long term riders seem to possess a 6th sense.
Just some random thoughts.
Ride safe.

[rdbandkab]

We had a truck pull out in front of us last weekend.   We're doing 40 on a two lane road with another road crossing it at an angle.  They have the stop sign.  A pickup arrives from our right and stops at the sign.  I could tell by the driver's head movement that he didn't register us.   I slowed down enough to easily go around the back of his pickup.
What worries me most is that we ride 2up almost 100% of the time.   
Be safe.

[Huzo]

My working life these days is in a truck.
It’s 28 metres long, has 34 wheels, two trailers and weighs 65 tons loaded...
Here’s one I prepared earlier..



I am fearful of cutting off vehicles in underneath the passenger door on (my) left side, even a car can hide in there.
I think you were playing a foolish and dangerous game with the truck driver according to your description of events, just create a space between the two of you as you can easily do.
If I was in the truck, I would have been thinking.,
“How crazy and self absorbed is this tool on the bike...?”
I’m not saying you are either, but you wanted to play a game that you cannot possibly win, even though you are in the “right”.
I sometimes get a young child driving persistently on the back corner of my B Double combination, you only have to scratch an itch with one hand and the tiny flick of the steering wheel will give them a taste of the rear tri-axle...!
FFS..
Just pissoff ahead and give an alternate flick of your turn indicator/s if you want to play with him, he’ll do the same in response and WHEN he catches you at the next servo...?
He’ll more than likely come up and talk to you about HIS Guzzi, instead of enquiring about the state of your erect finger as displayed earlier...

[tonUPRacer]

My working life these days is in a truck.
It’s 28 metres long, has 34 wheels, two trailers and weighs 65 tons loaded...
Here’s one I prepared earlier..



I am fearful of cutting off vehicles in underneath the passenger door on (my) left side, even a car can hide in there.
I think you were playing a foolish and dangerous game with the truck driver according to your description of events, just create a space between the two of you as you can easily do.
If I was in the truck, I would have been thinking.,
“How crazy and self absorbed is this tool on the bike...?”
I’m not saying you are either, but you wanted to play a game that you cannot possibly win, even though you are in the “right”.
I sometimes get a young child driving persistently on the back corner of my B Double combination, you only have to scratch an itch with one hand and the tiny flick of the steering wheel will give them a taste of the rear tri-axle...!
FFS..
Just pissoff ahead and give an alternate flick of your turn indicator/s if you want to play with him, he’ll do the same in response and WHEN he catches you at the next servo...?
He’ll more than likely come up and talk to you about HIS Guzzi, instead of enquiring about the state of your erect finger as displayed earlier...

I understand the physics of the situation, this driver deliberately moved to cut me off. I got emotional, I admit that. I guess I'm just not as cool headed as everyone else. Was it a lesson for me? Yes it was, thank you for pointing out where I was wrong. Hopefully the driver also got a talking to by his company.

[Huzo]

I understand the physics of the situation, this driver deliberately moved to cut me off. I got emotional, I admit that. I guess I'm just not as cool headed as everyone else. Was it a lesson for me? Yes it was, thank you for pointing out where I was wrong. Hopefully the driver also got a talking to by his company.

I’ll admit that I recently moved over the centreline of the road a small but dangerous amount while grappling with a cappuccino.
A stupid, careless,  thoughtless and “self absorbed” act on my part.
Just added to show that I’m not judging you as a person, only dissecting your actions on the day mate..
Although he moved to cut you off, he could not have cut you off if you weren’t there.
In a couple of weeks I’ll be in Paris on the Norge, I hope I’m as all knowing then as I am now or I’ll be the recipient of someone else’s hindsight as you are at present.
Glad you are ok above all else..

[twowheeladdict]

Depends on the local enforcement.  In my State, the CCW laws had to be amended because a few CCW holders were charged with brandishing when their side arms were inadvertently revealed due to shirts or jackets opening or riding up to reveal them. 

If opening a jacket to purposely reveal a sidearm with the intention to intimidate, a person would be at risk of being detained or arrested for "brandishing".

Well then, someone needs to update the definition of brandishing because those situations are definitely NOT brandishing and a competent lawyer would win that argument in court. 

[Sykestone8886]

After 35 years on the road as a commercial truck driver (now retired ) I have been in many situations where I could have been in trouble if I let my emotions get the best of me. That being said I think all those miles in the truck has made me a much better driver on the bike or in my personal vehicle. One thing I learned is take a deep breath. Cooler heads prevail. It's just not worth it. Live to ride another day !!'

[Guzzistajohn]

Interesting how a thread started about something negative just goes on and on and on................. ....just funner than a barrel of monkeys 

[Rick in WNY]

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but this is a partictularly nasty bit of legalese in NY State.

http://ypdcrime.com/penal.law/article120.htm?zoom_highlight=BRANDISHING#p120.13

S 120.14 Menacing in the second degree.
  A person is guilty of menacing in the second degree when:
  1. He or she intentionally places or attempts to place another person
in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death
by displaying a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or what appears to
be a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or other firearm; or
  2. He or she repeatedly follows a person or engages in a course of
conduct or repeatedly commits acts over a period of time intentionally
placing or attempting to place another person in reasonable fear of
physical injury, serious physical injury or death; or
  3. He or she commits the crime of menacing in the third degree in
violation of that part of a duly served order of protection, or such
order which the defendant has actual knowledge of because he or she was
present in court when such order was issued, pursuant to article eight
of the family court act, section 530.12 of the criminal procedure law,
or an order of protection issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in
another state, territorial or tribal jurisdiction, which directed the
respondent or defendant to stay away from the person or persons on whose
behalf the order was issued.
  Menacing in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.

You can be charged with brandishing if your CCW is exposed for any reason and that exposure scares some special snowflake. Back to my first post on this, had that happened in NY, those two gentlemen could have been arrested and would have very easily been convicted because they exited their vehicle, walked up to another vehicle, and purposely displayed the firearms they were carrying.

Having grown up in NY, I understand not all states have this stupid law, but there are many more that have them or are adopting ones like it. The NY law is written such that if you're an out of state person or are otherwise ignorant of this law, that is not an excuse and you can and will be charged for violating it. That is the point I was making, so please, be aware and don't give the system a reason to make you a criminal.

[twowheeladdict]

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but this is a partictularly nasty bit of legalese in NY State.

http://ypdcrime.com/penal.law/article120.htm?zoom_highlight=BRANDISHING#p120.13

You can be charged with brandishing if your CCW is exposed for any reason and that exposure scares some special snowflake. Back to my first post on this, had that happened in NY, those two gentlemen could have been arrested and would have very easily been convicted because they exited their vehicle, walked up to another vehicle, and purposely displayed the firearms they were carrying.

Having grown up in NY, I understand not all states have this stupid law, but there are many more that have them or are adopting ones like it. The NY law is written such that if you're an out of state person or are otherwise ignorant of this law, that is not an excuse and you can and will be charged for violating it. That is the point I was making, so please, be aware and don't give the system a reason to make you a criminal.

Menacing and Brandishing are two different things, but I get your point.  Hope the "victim" has to have witnesses or trumped up charges could easily be filed by a vengeful ex lover. 

I followed a guy on/in a T-rex one time because I wanted to talk to him about it.  Good thing it didn't occur in NY!

[oldbike54]

 Fellas , any chance we can not start down this road ? In other words , promoting weapons as the solution to this problem isn't productive . Do we understand ? Intelligence and situational awareness , along with exercising self control will keep you alive .

 Dusty

[Texas Turnip]

These two "gentlemen" more than likely according to the victims did not not have CCW.
Many years ago I was riding with a young lad in his pickup when he got all fired up when another driver did something stupid. I said, "you lost". You got worked up and he got off scott free. People use to say to me they did not know how I "fought" the traqffic in the big cities driving tanker hauling hazardous material. You aint gonna last all day by getting your panties in a wad. I knew where I was going, my radio worked and my a/c worked so I stayed cool. And alive. 

tex

[John A]

Thanks, Tex , I've never seen you get wrapped around the axel.

[Rick in WNY]

These two "gentlemen" more than likely according to the victims did not not have CCW.
Many years ago I was riding with a young lad in his pickup when he got all fired up when another driver did something stupid. I said, "you lost". You got worked up and he got off scott free. People use to say to me they did not know how I "fought" the traqffic in the big cities driving tanker hauling hazardous material. You aint gonna last all day by getting your panties in a wad. I knew where I was going, my radio worked and my a/c worked so I stayed cool. And alive. 

tex

Well, in NY, your only option is concealed... again... laws vary.

As for not getting upset, you put it so beautifully right there. Clear, concise, and effective. Well put, Tex, that's something everyone can apply. 

[larrys]

Depends on the local enforcement.  In my State, the CCW laws had to be amended because a few CCW holders were charged with brandishing when their side arms were inadvertently revealed due to shirts or jackets opening or riding up to reveal them. 

If opening a jacket to purposely reveal a sidearm with the intention to intimidate, a person would be at risk of being detained or arrested for "brandishing".

CT has concealed carry and open carry.  If a citizen sees your piece, they can still call the cops if they feel "scared". Methinks you'd beat the rap, maybe not the ride...
Larry