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| | JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)Page 4 of 5 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) | Well bugger me if today wasn't stupid driver day.
I had one chick sitting at a roundabout with no cars within cooee of the roundabout , no brake lights on, stationary, im looking to see it there is anything coming up to the roundabout and then realise that this car is not moving WTF oh shes talking to the kids in the back seat, nice spot to do it, missed by that much.
Then on the return trip i get the couple that decided that they needed to slap on the anchors and then indicate their intentions to turn on a corner.
Had i been in the truck there would have been two nasty crashes. Had i been on the bike who knows, as it stands i have two neat round holes in the seat of the ute where my @r53 puckered up a little too much.
I'm voting for compulsory driver testing every 5 years and pay your compulsory third party on your license. That way people who hold a license and don't drive for 10 yrs would think twice about owning one, and the people who are a risk can pay the extra. I pay 4 lots of CTP and i want to know how i can drive all 4 at once.......... | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 10/31/2008 12:31:52 AM | well today is the friday before the night ride (31/10) and would you beleave it. i was hit from behind while riding home from work. driver then proceeded to do a hit and run , stupid fool did not think and i got his rego. lucky for me no injury and driver is now being sought by police for leaving the scene of an accident and other offences relating to this.
DRIVES BE MORE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AS I WAS LUCKY AND DID NOT GET HURT BUT OTHERS ARE NOT SO LUCKY bike is damaged but im not so all is good. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 10/31/2008 2:56:41 PM | A very thought provoking thread.
The vast majority of vehicles on the road are cars which guarantees that most biffs and bingles with riders will always be with drivers. If there were only riders, all biffs and bingles would be exclusively between them. Could be we didn't see you because you're about one eighth the profile of other moving things. We can discuss and debate forever the stupidities of drivers versus riders. All we're really doing is making statistical comments.
I could write about this subject for hours. Don't want to bore you, so I won't. This is a very condensed version of my experiences. It has nothing to do with them and us. At the risk of perhaps offending some lovely forum people, I offer this observing point of view. And yes, before you ask the question, I too am licenced to ride.
~~ Half a leg, half a leg, half a leg onwards. Into the valley of death rode the six hundred. ~~
My mountain overlooks a valley. To the right is unlimited water, to the left unlimited meandering hills. Amongst the meandering is a 5k stretch of observable road inter spaced with two hamlets each of less than a dozen homes. Hamlet one has a 60kph speed limit in place and hamlet two an 80kph limit. As is my want when weekend toil is done I often sit on my front verandah, mint jelup in hand, terrestrial telescope focused across the valley watching the coming and goings (and sometimes the endings) of life.
All in all about 600 bike riders use the valley road weekly and about 400 cars. Less in the cooler months. Two hundred riders each on both Saturdays and Sundays and two hundred during the rest of the week. I have lived here for many years and have observed the habits and skills of many thousands of drivers and riders. 85% of all motorists slow down as they approach the straight stretches of hamlet road. I am not suggesting for a moment that they all conform to the speed limits but the vast majority at least make the attempt. 85% of all riders speed up as they approach the straights of hamlet road. There are many sweeping curves before, after and between the hamlets. I have observed untold thousands of riders overtake each other and other motorists on these curves. I have never observed a single motorist doing this. There is a single stretch of double unbroken's on this stretch of road. I have seen thousands of riders overtake other riders and motorists over these double unbroken lines. I have observed less than 100 motorists per annum doing this. In the years I've lived here I have personally saved the lives (or prevented maiming injuries) to three riders by knowing the valley road and accommodating to their stupidities. I have never had to do this with any driver.
The valley road forms part of a weekend bikers loop. A little over over an hours drive away is a hill that also seems to form part of the circuit. It's a downward slope accessed by a sweeping curve. Most riders seem to survive the curve, though no necessarily the slope that follows. There's a 50 metre unvegetated verge on the side of the road before it reaches the well treed 100 metre downward drop. For many years the local council and police service were at loggerheads over the ways and means of preventing riders coming too quickly out of the curve, onto the verge and over the edge. Reducing the speed limit on that corner didn't work because most riders seem to have an immortal fascination with approaching corners too fast, assuming they can always power out. Clearing the trees and brush on the verge helped, providing a slow down distance before the inevitable tree hug, or the look at me 'I can fly' (briefly) syndrome. Coarse sanding the verge also helped by increasing the braking effect and lessening the speed of impact. Fortunately the suggestion of steel barriers was never adopted, everyone knowing that steel is much less forgiving than trees. The most effective reduction of death wish rider accidents occurred when the hill was renamed. A blazoning double sized sign untouched by vandals and regularly cleaned. It's a much more pleasant drive nowadays on the downward slope of 'Lemming Hill'.
I have seen, passed by and often stopped at more than 50 rider carnage's over the years, none of them involving motorists. Here are some of the highlights. Ever seen a severe gravel rashed face. Nose gone as well as half the chin and all the bottom lip. I think she used to be pretty. She won't be that again. Did you know the arterial jet from a severed leg sprays a full six feet. Big Goannas make quite a mess of bodies two days old, assuming it wasn't the lizard that made the body dead. And the missed shards and chunks at other accidents. Them lizards seem to have a nose for putrid, rotting flesh. Fencing wire (at speed) is as sharp as any guillotine. The look of horror forever fixed forever upon his face. This severed head, still inside the unscuffed helmet. A crucifixion scene. Spread eagled on the fence, the blood still dripping, a star picket through her heart.
It's the thrill, that abhorrent, single, careless, take a chance moment. 99.9% of the time you'll get away with it. I hope none of you ride often enough to one day face, the day you don't. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 10/31/2008 3:39:04 PM |
I hope none of you ride often enough to one day face, the day you don't.
I don't really understand this statement, but I'm sure you mean well.
I ride my bike daily if I can.
I take the attitude my father taught me that everyone else is out to kill me.
I never sit in blindspot. I want to see their face in their mirror.
I always accelerate when changing lanes. This way, if someone is in my blindspot, I should effectively move in front of him, not move sideways into him.
When following other vehicles, I'll take note what is happening several vehicles ahead, not just the one directly in front of me.
The list goes on.
I drive my car the same way.
I'm teaching my daughter to drive the same way.
If it wasn't for our stupid QLD motorcycle laws, she would have a little 250 on learners now and we could go ridng together. Unfortunately this won't happen for a couple of more years.
How many BILLIONS of dollars would the government save on all this new road infrastructure if more people rode bikes. There should be an incentive to ride like free rego or something. More people commuting on bikes would save a lot of road rage and parking in the city would be much easier.
Just my 2 cents. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 11/1/2008 12:18:32 PM | ^^^^^^^^
99.9% of the time you'll get away with it. I hope none of you ride often enough to one day face, the day you don't.
The second sentence responds to the first. '99.9% of the time you'll get away with it.'
Cheers. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 11/1/2008 8:37:52 PM | Hey Toldy, I get what you're saying and, yes, I've seen a few boofhead riders in my time.
My motto is this: Ride because you enjoy it, and if you want to survive you'd better learn to ride for pleasure and not always for thrill.
The adrenalin rush is real, and it's addictive, but you need to temper it with common sense. There are no old, bold riders, but there are several maimed ones.
Similar to what Briz said earlier, if you think they're all out to get you you'll become more observant, you'll keep your wits about you and you just might survive... | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 11/3/2008 12:59:41 AM | Thank you LAL. A calming voice in my world of rider egos.
As expected the riders when challenged are mostly silent mouths. Let me now share some of my extra special moments.
A 19 year old 'P' plater. His whole life before him. "Am I going to be all right?" Lying through my teeth. "Yes mate. you're going to be just fine." As he died, his head upon my lap.
A 40 something female. "Mum, mum". "Are you there mum?" "Yes darling I'm here." "What happened?" "You just came off the bike." "Oh. Okay." Drifting off into unconsciousness. Her right arm twenty feet across the road.
I'm back. Cried out. Far too many memories.
I was going to do the other 4 deadly sins that riders do. I can't. I've lost it somewhere amongst the tears.
F it, F it, F it.
What can I tell you guys. That the left near side rear quadrant is a death zone. That the centre pillar offside, six foot out is maiming land. That we often don't see you, and always wish we had. That our antenna is always double tuned, the moment we spot a bike. That we live with you in urban and rural lands, and cringe, and usually say 'ar**hole when you almost always illegally pass us by. Oh please, don't give me the crap. I see thousands of you every year. I know what you do..... and what you don't. I know what you're capable off (which is bugger all), and what you're not. A corner, a smidgen of gravel, or sand, or oil, or rain, or fallen branch, or unexpected obstacle. 90% of you are on your bum or face, or worse, under bikes you can't lift or in trees that don't argue. Don't tell me it's motorists that mow you down. 70% of you are quite capable of that without any helping hand. Every motorist I know thinks about you, and how to save your life. Don't tell me you need bigger bikes with ever more cc's. Were I the licensing authority most of you wouldn't past muster on a 50cc step through.
So. You think I'm mouthing off. Stirring. B/s ing? Got the downers on riders. I'm doing none of that. I haven't ridden my trusty Triumph since 1989. 'Twasn't motorists that drove me off the roads. It was you. Well, maybe not your generation, but people just as silly, stupid and culpable.
I remember everything about riding as though it were yesterday. I want you guys to ride, enjoy, exhilarate. But much more than that I want you to live unmaimed. And if you can't do that at least I want you to live.
This is my last post in this thread. Tough cookie I may be but this sh*t (and all it's memories (all of them unecessary)) tears me apart. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 11/3/2008 2:14:27 AM | Well folks, one can curse an pull bike riders apart as a danger to themselves an everyone on the road, but in every instance the car drivers seem to forget they have that little extra bit of protection wrapped around them .
There are pork chops everywhere does not matter if they are on bikes, driving cars or trucks ,we are measured by our tempers, our patience an our upbring i myself have taught my kids to drive an even today i am nervous when they go out an stay out all night as i know they are good drivers but with a few drinks even the best drivers think they are invinicible an they fly with their angels looking over them, not so
On the other side of the fence i have nursed bike accident patients not all at fault for their accidents, as i said earlier we as riders have no protection,, so please we all need to watch our rear vision mirrors , side mirrors because no matter how careful we are there are going to be riders who have to push the envelope that little extrea, speed that little faster to get from A to B, | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 11/3/2008 2:15:20 AM |
As expected the riders when challenged are mostly silent mouths. Let me now share some of my extra special moments.
A 19 year old 'P' plater. His whole life before him. "Am I going to be all right?" Lying through my teeth. "Yes mate. you're going to be just fine." As he died, his head upon my lap.
A 40 something female. "Mum, mum". "Are you there mum?" "Yes darling I'm here." "What happened?" "You just came off the bike." "Oh. Okay." Drifting off into unconsciousness. Her right arm twenty feet across the road.
I'm back. Cried out. Far too many memories.
I was going to do the other 4 deadly sins that riders do. I can't. I've lost it somewhere amongst the tears.
F it, F it, F it.
What can I tell you guys. That the left near side rear quadrant is a death zone. That the centre pillar offside, six foot out is maiming land. That we often don't see you, and always wish we had. That our antenna is always double tuned, the moment we spot a bike. That we live with you in urban and rural lands, and cringe, and usually say 'ar**hole when you almost always illegally pass us by. Oh please, don't give me the crap. I see thousands of you every year. I know what you do..... and what you don't. I know what you're capable off (which is bugger all), and what you're not. A corner, a smidgen of gravel, or sand, or oil, or rain, or fallen branch, or unexpected obstacle. 90% of you are on your bum or face, or worse, under bikes you can't lift or in trees that don't argue. Don't tell me it's motorists that mow you down. 70% of you are quite capable of that without any helping hand. Every motorist I know thinks about you, and how to save your life. Don't tell me you need bigger bikes with ever more cc's. Were I the licensing authority most of you wouldn't past muster on a 50cc step through.
So. You think I'm mouthing off. Stirring. B/s ing? Got the downers on riders. I'm doing none of that. I haven't ridden my trusty Triumph since 1989. 'Twasn't motorists that drove me off the roads. It was you. Well, maybe not your generation, but people just as silly, stupid and culpable.
I remember everything about riding as though it were yesterday. I want you guys to ride, enjoy, exhilarate. But much more than that I want you to live unmaimed. And if you can't do that at least I want you to live.
silent mouths.......... every thing he said is true and I would be a hypocrite to agrue .but the thrill is defenitly the battle.
I always ride as if I am invisable and expect that no one else can see me.
As bris guy says to out your self where you'll be seen which is all good except for the unexpected!!!!!
Then we are very much in danger I have had a car pull out in ront of me, I hit it at about 80 - 100ks and was lucky enough that I jumped at the last minute and landed on the road about 15 mtrs past her car, were I rolled over and over till I rolled to a stop part from gravel rash on arms and stomach, I was ok the bike not so.
I also saw my ex brother in law right my bike of on Mt Tamborine I held him for an hour till paramedics come and took him to the helicopter then down the gold coast he broke his back in 2 places punchered his lung and broke his check bones.
I could say that I now ride a cruiser to avoide such incidents but I would be only fooling myself.
to "I told you so" .....you shore did  | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 11/3/2008 3:02:24 AM |
A 19 year old 'P' plater. His whole life before him. "Am I going to be all right?" Lying through my teeth. "Yes mate. you're going to be just fine." As he died, his head upon my lap.
A 40 something female. "Mum, mum". "Are you there mum?" "Yes darling I'm here." "What happened?" "You just came off the bike." "Oh. Okay." Drifting off into unconsciousness. Her right arm twenty feet across the road.
I'm back. Cried out. Far too many memories.
I was going to do the other 4 deadly sins that riders do. I can't. I've lost it somewhere amongst the tears.
F it, F it, F it.
The only thing I ask TYS is to not be too close to me while I'm on my bike....You sound like bad luck.
Let's see, I was taught to ride a bike close to 40 years ago.
I've been riding road bikes for 30 years now.
My first road bike was a Z1 900 Kawasaki.
The smallest road bike was my '83 GPZ750.
I average around 40,000k's a year, plus the miles I do in a car.
My current bike is a 1300cc Suzuki Hayabusa.
I do intend to put one of my stroker cranks and big bore kits in as a 1507cc with head work and cams etc should have a nice feel as you wind the throttle on.
I think the batting average is pretty good so far. I think I'll keep applying the rules my Dad set down for me 40 years ago. They seemed to have worked so far. But thanks for the tips. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 11/3/2008 3:10:24 AM | I get the idea of the poem as it is just letting everyone know that bike riders be they outlaws or average riders the point is we are all someones loved one. So take care, be aware, lookout for everyone on the road.
I have been a rider for 37 years, 30 of them on the road. Dirt bike riding enhanced my road riding skills. That is why I am still here today.
The other reason was a quote from a rider trainer named Fred Davies "a thinking rider is a survivor, a non-thinking rider is an accident waiting to happen" . I treat all other road users with contempt, wether I am riding or truck driving. I am usually ready for anything and am never surprised by things people do in their daily commute.
Ride safe, ride free. Be kind to truck drivers too,
stay upright,
GSXKing  | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 11/22/2008 4:05:00 PM | Being new to online I’m not sure if I ought to jump in, but I will. I’ve always had a bike dad did to hence my recklessness. If I’m not going through a fence, missing the front gate, falling off, being run off the road wishing I had a dirt bike or speeding fines or like recently a pretty lady yelling out to me “nice bike” while filling up with petrol, her instance required me to look up to politely to say thanks then poor petrol all over the tank. It’s all good though.
The thing I worry about most is trucks. Riding riding behind a semi is like getting sand blasted. Paint work back to bare metal, blocked carb but I admit the facial is better and cheaper than getting a derma abrasion done at the local beauty parlour! When seeing a semi head on I keep thinking about those wonderful Ettamonga (can’t spell it)pub cartoons. Those trucks have spot lights that melt bitumen up to 10 km’s away! Marvelling in my own craziness am caught off guard by the mighty blast of wind as it passes me by , knocks the wind out of my lungs, dizzy, heading off through a paddock oddly somehow enjoying the experience pull into a pub get pissed (if the publican lets me sleep in the beer garden) and feel alive, well temporarily. Cheers.
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 11/23/2008 6:44:17 PM | Hmmm...After many years of riding, six months in a chair, breaking virtualy every bone in my body, I'm still riding.
The 19 year old, licenced that day, Daddy bought him the car, when asked why he ran me down? His reply to Police? "I just don't like Bikers".
His penalty? A fine of $80 and 0ne month suspension.
My penalty? A brand new Harly, a lifetime of pain and a fear of teens in cars.
The 40 year old driver who told the Police, "I did not see him, I saw the tractor behind him."
The Mother who told the Police, " I was distracted by the kids." It was 3pm in the afternoon on a school day.
As for the others, they were my fault. I mean those things happen during a race, but at least we were all going in the same direction.
Sometimes it seems that people are trying to commit murder or suicide over their six foot of road space. As for cutting through traffic, I get the feeling that many cage drivers are just jealous because they have to wait in line while we don't.
My Bike may not be the biggest, but it is one of the loudest. The way I figure it, they may say they didn't see me but can't say they didn't hear me coming. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 11/24/2008 3:01:10 AM | | Huntingwulf there is a saying I totally agree with and it is "LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES" will be making sure mine has loud pipes for sure. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 3/20/2012 6:39:44 AM | +++++++++++++++LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES++++++++++++++
so true, you can hear me comming from miles away, my roomy who has a Vstarr 250, we just got new pipes for her bike
will be much louder
back on topic...........burried 2 mates in the last 12 months..........new bikes, quiet as.......
was killed by driver on her phone, busted.........she got 12 months....will be out in 3months.....
father of 3 kids under 15years, wife,,,,,,20 years in the same job...
killed by phone user
mother of 2 kids under 5 years...single....6 years in the same job....
car backed out of driveway....driver 19years old, will not be able to drive for 3 years, fine of 1500.00.
why do we ride.........its life, its a way of life too...
mates, friends...like minded...
drivers, all drivers just need to take more care.....LOOK | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 3/20/2012 4:57:50 PM | need to but dont, fact is bikes are hard to see and poeple dont look for them - your always a temporary australian citizen on a bike. you need three eyes in your head.
last time I rode a roadbike I was 19yr old and I pushed the thing home shaking cause I missed a car pulling out of a driveway by a few cm's.
swapped it for a HQ holden a week later. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 3/21/2012 7:00:47 PM | UNDERSTAND CAVEY.......
MOST HAVE HAD THAT HAPPEN......
I THINK ITS IN THE BLOOD...
TO RIDE, & DO THAT, RATHER THAN ANYTHING ELSE
ITS THE AIR THAT IS BREATH FOR US, WITH THE ODD BUG OR 2...
WE ALL DO WHAT WE DO, THATS WHAT MAKES US,
US | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 3/29/2012 5:24:05 AM | | Oh your small mind there is a big space there and you have on Idea there are bikie's and bikers learn and you will find out we are not the same , and I can see you have no mind of your own just the media feed mind with little through, and there is a law that only true bikies have and that never take it to any mans home or family. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 4/6/2012 3:08:05 PM |
and there is a law that only true bikies have and that never take it to any mans home or family.
that's aload of bullsh!t, atleast eversince i was 15 year old. not sure what the rest of your post is about or where your pointing that stick | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 4/8/2012 8:57:47 PM | | Tell it to the driver who rode straight into the back of us whilst I was a pillion passenger. After my broken back and spinal fusion, my opinion and attitudes haven't changed. I know full well the risks involved in riding bikes and being a pillion. I also know that according to Victorian T.A.C. stats..its a 50/50 thing as to fault, in a bike stack. Both riders and cage drivers can be morons. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 4/9/2012 1:21:36 AM | Ive been riding bikes since I was a kid and finally got my road licence in my 30's. When I was young I started on a Honda QA 50 and finished up on a Yamaha YZ 80. I did all the naughty things, taking friends doubling about on the streets after school before mum and dad got home etc. When I got on the road I was on a ZZR 250 but previous to that had a squirt in the dirt on a Z9 methanol burning speedway sidecar which I binned in monumental fashion. I now ride a ZZR600 Kawasaki which is just big enough and powerful enough and reliable enough for me.
Its true what they say, its a lifestyle. I dont ride my bike as much as I used to I must admit. I have had some very hairy moments at the hands of car drivers who didnt see me. Having said that, Ive also not seen bikes when driving in my car when they perch in my blind spot. You have to have much more awareness when riding bikes on the road. Bikes dont stop as quickly as cars nor as safely. This is a misconception by car drivers that a bike rider can 'pull it up' in time and they shoot out onto the round about etc. Ive had a car almost hit me and had I put my leg out I could have kicked the car squarely in the number plate. No blood lost!
I see some bike riders that ride like morons all dressed up like Casey Stoner to flog their bikes on a public road. Stupidity. Ive seen them bin them too through nothing but over zealous enthusiasm and reduced talent.
Bike riding isnt for everyone and you will come across some bonafide tossers on bikes thats a given. Still, we all want to go home to our families at the end of the day. | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 4/9/2012 5:30:35 AM | nicely said Noxious_Hysteria
just want to & need to go home at the end of the day..............
these days, we are helped a little by cameras.............some of us have them on our bikes, great to watch after a ride....we have also had them taken a couple of time to be used in court
these days, there are movie camera's still cameras, everywhere...........
our club now has over 120 memebers, only small, but these make for great movie nights....
hugs to all those who ride, hugs to those who may like too one days | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 4/23/2012 6:06:43 AM | I know all about dangerous lifestyles..lol whitsundayl7
you all should ditch the wheels and put on some wings, microlights, 2 seats go anywhere safer than roadbikes (gulp)
and ya mates can jump out in parachutes for fun - the dirt bikes of the skies and cheap too !! - caves beach | |
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| JUST A BIKER (but you didn't see me)
Posted: 4/24/2012 4:05:31 AM | | I ride a big bike and have done for 33 years i've learnt that the only safe place to be on the roads is in front of the cars, so if i speed a little or over take when i shouldnt ,I do that to be safe, I cant drink while im riding, I cant use my phone while riding, I cant fiddle with the radio while riding, i cant have an arguement with my partner while riding, I cant read the the paper while im riding, my ex did all the things I've listed, and her response when I camplained when she did any of the things was SO WHAT? i'll do what i want, she wondered why i made her my ex..... | |
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