Biker hits semi

Loud Pipes: I can't count all the cagers I saw notice me over their stereo when they heard my pipes. And it only takes ONE to kill you.
I used to teach motorcycle safety: it's a lot like driving a truck, with one exception:
You are technically invisible, so ride as if you were. People will look you right in the eye and pull out in front of you out of disrespect or expecting your braking ability to be supernatural. Keep spacing and demand yours. Stay off of the grease line. Run your lights. Always be ready to abort any move. Most of all, pay freakin' ATTENTION!
I believe about 99% of all accidents are caused by one thing: someone wasn't paying attention to something. (physical or mental)
Phil: If you have a crotch rocket, what do you mean by your former post? Sounds like you're scared to ride, then your last post sounds like you're reckless. I'm just curious.

 

Nope, first sentence I was puttin words in your mouth. I like dirt bikes, so not afraid of riding one per se, just don't think it's safe in modern traffic. By that I mean its very UNsafe, as I don't always remember to put on my seatbelt, so I'm not a safety pansy by nature.

A rider rests easy that it is the responsibility of others to watch out for them, but I just don't think that argument helps much when reality hits. And face it, it's not like you guys are obeying all traffic laws either. Considering all that instant power, I'm not sure how you could resist it 100% of the time.

I'm not saying I would ever have cause to open my door at a stoplight, but I gotta admit most of us have thought about it.

 

Do you ride? Ride in front of a HD with "loud pipes" then ride behind it. I'm not putting down anyone for customizing their ride, to each their own. I just don't like the whole "Loud pipes, save lives" ideal, new HD owners, buy a new HD and some loud pipes and hit the road, not really knowing how to ride safely. More lives have been saved by proper riding than by loud pipes.

 

Yes I drive a Yamaha
Whats funny is if my pipes were HD loud I would get a ticket

 

You ride a what...a Yamaha? Say it loud Yamaha Nothing wrong with a Yamaha, they build some beautiful bikes. I ride a '04 Honda Spirit 1100 and love it.

 

beautiful yes, but a PITA. work on them for twice as long as you plan to ride...

would like to own a dyna someday, but like my v65 sabre,still a performer for being an older bike, and is honda reliable.

 

Not only does California have a helmet law for motorcycles, bicyclists can be cited for failure to wear a helmet! And yet, lane-splitting (traveling on the lane dividers) is legal on California highways.

 

I have a Powerpoint presentation a friend sent me of an accident resulting from a DUI. Both passengers were decapitated when their car swerved and hit a car carrier. One slide shows a passenger with his head sliced cleanly through, below his nose, laying in his lap. The other is in a kneeling position, as if looking under the car, but without his head. Needless to say, blood, brains, and 'stuff' everywhere. I was going to post it, but thought better of it as it is way too graphic.

 

just to toss out there, I am less likely to ride/drive hard in something powerful than on something gutless. something about knowing that its there, and its possible, is satisfying enough. you no longer have a reason to "prove yourself"

 

Not me. I had a 5.0 in my 20's... I never wasted any time getting UP to the speed limit anyway. Fast vehicles are just plain fun to drive. But a motorcycle is just over the top. Over a long enough time line, nothing good comes of it.

Now that I'm out there trucking though, I see lots of places that motorcycle would just be awesome to have and a real pleasure. Most of my opinions were formed in my big city background. They really are nuisance vehicles there.