Three Second Lesson

**Red Rider** · 04-29-2013, 06:10 PM

It only lasted about three seconds but seemed like an eternity. Took the twisty to lunch today. Rounded right hand curve posted with 20 mph limit with trees blocking view. Just as I got into enough lean for the turn, an offroad tracked tree trimming machine appeared tracking as opposite traffic in the left lane. I'll remember that next three seconds for a long time. I looked through the curve to see the bow tie on a black chevy silverado passing the tracking machine in the curve in my lane!! As a matter of training I know you are to avoid braking in a curve giving preference to standing the bike up straight and tracking straight while braking. In this case, braking while in the turn was my next to last choice. The last choice was to occupy the same space as the silverado at the same time! Not good. Fortunately, I applied just enough rear brake to slow me without losing traction and allowing an extra second for the truck to complete his pass. The next two seconds I spent trying to come up with an excuse for the smell in my pants once I arrived to meet friends at the resturant!!
Moral of the true story. Heads up, stay alert, always expect something unexpected to happen in the worst possible location. Do what you gotta do to escape. Practice your riding skills. It could save your life!

Loafer · 04-29-2013, 06:23 PM

Three seconds is a long time. Glad you survived it.

Old Bear · 04-29-2013, 07:47 PM

One wonders how we ever fall off the bike with the pucker factor that comes with a few seconds like that. It also makes me consider using Depends for crash gear! Depends do have a CE rating ... don't they?

Glad you're okay to tell the tale.

Sin City Stan · 04-29-2013, 09:27 PM

I'd rather ruin my underwear than do the head on. Seems like a fair trade.

Netnorske · 04-29-2013, 10:40 PM

Your story is an example of why I never ride twisties very aggressively. You never know if something is in the road like a rock, or piece of debris, or anything for that matter and one little change in your lean angle could cause you to run right off the road in a heartbeat.

I had a similar, near-life changing experience with a deer last July coming home from the Canmore Rally. Missed hitting her hind legs with my right highway peg by about 12"......at 50 mph....

. I only had time to swerve onto the center lane as she crossed the road from left to right and directly into my path. You realize how fast things can change at a time like that.

landman · 04-30-2013, 07:22 PM

I hear what you are saying kris.my last animal incident when riding the twisties was
a flock of turkeys.

davidhollinger · 05-01-2013, 03:21 PM

Deer and armadillos around here. I hate them... they are everywhere. Thats the price of living and riding in the country.

04-29-2013, 06:10 PM	#1
Red Rider Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: MS Posts: 64	Three Second Lesson It only lasted about three seconds but seemed like an eternity. Took the twisty to lunch today. Rounded right hand curve posted with 20 mph limit with trees blocking view. Just as I got into enough lean for the turn, an offroad tracked tree trimming machine appeared tracking as opposite traffic in the left lane. I'll remember that next three seconds for a long time. I looked through the curve to see the bow tie on a black chevy silverado passing the tracking machine in the curve in my lane!! As a matter of training I know you are to avoid braking in a curve giving preference to standing the bike up straight and tracking straight while braking. In this case, braking while in the turn was my next to last choice. The last choice was to occupy the same space as the silverado at the same time! Not good. Fortunately, I applied just enough rear brake to slow me without losing traction and allowing an extra second for the truck to complete his pass. The next two seconds I spent trying to come up with an excuse for the smell in my pants once I arrived to meet friends at the resturant!! Moral of the true story. Heads up, stay alert, always expect something unexpected to happen in the worst possible location. Do what you gotta do to escape. Practice your riding skills. It could save your life! __________________ Red Rider 2011 Red Vaquero, Aux Driving lights, 14" WIndscreen, V&H Slip-ons with Smartpartz quiet baffles, KQR Passenger Backrest, Grasshopper Driver Back Rest, K-Hwy pegs. VBA #02328 Previous: Vulcan 750 Yamaha 400 Enduro '74 Honda CL 350 (since new, still got it) Sears minibike Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-29-2013, 06:23 PM	#2
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	Three seconds is a long time. Glad you survived it. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
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04-29-2013, 07:47 PM	#3
Old Bear Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 1,432	One wonders how we ever fall off the bike with the pucker factor that comes with a few seconds like that. It also makes me consider using Depends for crash gear! Depends do have a CE rating ... don't they? Glad you're okay to tell the tale. __________________ Jerry "Old Bear" Barker Clarksville, TN Americas Guardians PS MC President, Tennessee 16-A VBA #02203 "Blaze" 2017 Vaquero "Black Magic" 2011 Vaquero, 69k miles, handed down to my son for hopefully many more miles!
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04-29-2013, 09:27 PM	#4
Sin City Stan Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,746	I'd rather ruin my underwear than do the head on. Seems like a fair trade. __________________ Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park
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04-29-2013, 10:40 PM	#5
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	Your story is an example of why I never ride twisties very aggressively. You never know if something is in the road like a rock, or piece of debris, or anything for that matter and one little change in your lean angle could cause you to run right off the road in a heartbeat. I had a similar, near-life changing experience with a deer last July coming home from the Canmore Rally. Missed hitting her hind legs with my right highway peg by about 12"......at 50 mph..... I only had time to swerve onto the center lane as she crossed the road from left to right and directly into my path. You realize how fast things can change at a time like that. __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-30-2013, 07:22 PM	#6
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	I hear what you are saying kris.my last animal incident when riding the twisties was a flock of turkeys. __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold
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05-01-2013, 03:21 PM	#7
davidhollinger Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 2,188	Deer and armadillos around here. I hate them... they are everywhere. Thats the price of living and riding in the country. __________________ I would be patient, but it takes too long!! David Hollinger 2002 Beige 1500 "Hannah2" VBA # 02195
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