Nearly!

synaptyx · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Karma :

Well, I suppose I had to experience this for myself to get how blind some cagers can be. I've had people pull out on before, but never one like this.

This lunchtime I was heading back to work after lovely italian lunch (courtesy of my wife who's on maternity leave and has been making my lunch for me for the last few weeks, bless Smile

), and a bloody great Audi pulls out in front of me. Now he was sat at a junction that has a stone wall right around the corner, the pavement isn't that wide and If I'm being charitable, I'll say it's hard to see unless the bonnet of your car is over the line by a few inches. I know this from experience, I've been sat at that junction in the car many a time. He was a little over the line as I would expect and I adjust my position to compensate. He looked straight at me, then suddenly thinks it's a good idea to pull out. In a blink he's two thirds across my lane! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. A quick twist and I skirt the bike around his front bumper and miss him by the width of a finger, thumb on horn. Bastard! Evil or Very Mad

I nearly lost my lunch!

I leave him with two fingers raised behind me. Twisted Evil

FFS I'm on a bright yellow bike, dipped beam on, wearing a day-glo yellow reflective vest over my jacket (I always do this in the winter). It just goes to show, no matter how visible you think you are, even if they're looking smack bang in your direction they won't see you if they're not looking for you. Be careful out there folks!

Amazing.

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Good to ehar you're alright Thumbs Up

Riding this time 2 years ago, on a 125, I felt much more vulnerable than I do now on a 500. Sort of lures me into a false sense of security that I should really try and get rid of. Sad

synaptyx · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Karma :

Thanks, I know the feeling. I started out on a wee Yamaha JogR CS50, christ I felt vulnerable on that. Even on the massive X9 I felt a bit vulnerable, it was a 125 and I knew it wouldn't get me out of trouble. The GSXF will definitely get me out of trouble they are surprisingly nippy. You start to feel quite secure which at times can lead you into complacency. It's about that time I usually get a huge fright and start riding like I'm sitting my test again. Laughing

Today just rammed home the fact that cagers are not looking for bikes, so they don't see them, even while starting straight at them.

I'm off to scrub me gusset now...

Ninja · Caption Abuser Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Karma :

Highlights two points:-

1) Acceleration can be safer than braking in an emergency situation...erm, tell that to the 'ped rider stuck on-the-limit when something like this happens?

2) Eye contact means nothing - he saw you, sure, you were bright enough - but his retarded-almost-asleep-warm-air-heated-seats-droning-stereo brain is unable to accurately define your approaching speed...know this and you will benefit... Laughing

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James
4 wheels transport the Body ... 2 wheels transport the SOUL

Gracie Jones · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Karma :

Loud cans should be legal as a safety measure.

synaptyx · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Karma :

Yeah, I'd love a loud can Gracie. Thumbs Up

The standard can on this bike is very quiet. Confused

I don't think he could have heard me at all, don't they double glaze Audi's these days? Wink

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Ninja · Caption Abuser Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Karma :

synaptyx · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Karma :

Thanks guys, I'll be watching the wheels in future. Thumbs Up

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Another thing happened on the way home, I just slid the back wheel round a corner at low speed (5-10Mph). Diesel. It totally put me off my stroke and I managed to wobble it on every corner after that. I feel utterly noobish and pathetic now. Laughing

Kept it upright though. All in a bit of a crap biking day really. Must check that tyre in the morning...

stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

Sad to say guys, I figure a lot of this is down to arrogance. He knew you were the most vulnerable of the two so he pulled out thinking "let the biker sort the mess out".

Just today on a dual carriage way I had some mong fucking "dawn of the dead extra" driving his/her car in the outside lane, going a little slower than the traffic in the inside lane no less. No right hand turnings, no need to be there. The driver was either being a wanker or worse still failed to notice a dayglow orange bike tailgating with it's high beam on.

As far as the wagging finger or shaking head goes? bollocks, it really made me feel better giving the driver the wanker sign because thats what he/she was!
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Now what?