I'd like everyone to share two educational moments so that others can learn from our mistakes. The goal being "real world events" other can learn from.
In three years of riding the FZ I've repeated two mistakes which could have ended badly. Both are identical in nature and you're all gonna question "what was he thinking"... That's why I'm writing!
1) Trusting the cage. Don't do it. I was separated from my riding partner but in no hurry to make a pass. I waited and waited for a long straight stretch with no apparent options for a cage to turn left on and take me out as collateral damage. I didn't wait long enough.
I'd been behind this little truck for 6+ miles and it seemed like a good place at the time but I was wrong as there WAS A WIDE SPOT and he wanted to turn around. I was at his door when I see him begin to slow AND THEN HE's coming left into me!! I was steering left toward the shoulder, locked the back as I didn't skoot back enough on the seat and/or apply enough front brake but I did steer left and braked hard enough to prevent being ran over. He made his turn and all was well as I fell back in line on the right side of the road. It could have ended badly!!
2) Much like #1 in that I was behind a string of 3 cages held up by a car being towed up the pass. On a long straight stretch I gave the cages lots of time to pass the tow truck we'd all been behind it for 20 minutes on an uphill grade at half the posted to speed. I thought people would want past him at the first chance but no one moved to do so. So before the straight section ended I pull out for the pass. The car right in front of me almost took me out!
- Like above I waited and looked through the rear window of this car keeping an eye on the driver, about the time I was at his bumper (me now in opposing lane of traffic), the guy whips over nearly taking me out. I steered quickly to the shoulder applying some brakes and avoided this one with and followed for the pass.
Summary; passing nearly took me out twice despite waiting and watching for the best opportunity; I misjudged others intentions even though I was looking at the base of the there skull for any head nod that might indicate a lane change. Those are my two close calls in 3 years, 15,000 miles and lots of spirited riding.. .. .. Bottom line, some people just don't check their mirrors. That is my cue they may move. Neither driver moved their head at all and just turned left!
In three years of riding the FZ I've repeated two mistakes which could have ended badly. Both are identical in nature and you're all gonna question "what was he thinking"... That's why I'm writing!
1) Trusting the cage. Don't do it. I was separated from my riding partner but in no hurry to make a pass. I waited and waited for a long straight stretch with no apparent options for a cage to turn left on and take me out as collateral damage. I didn't wait long enough.
I'd been behind this little truck for 6+ miles and it seemed like a good place at the time but I was wrong as there WAS A WIDE SPOT and he wanted to turn around. I was at his door when I see him begin to slow AND THEN HE's coming left into me!! I was steering left toward the shoulder, locked the back as I didn't skoot back enough on the seat and/or apply enough front brake but I did steer left and braked hard enough to prevent being ran over. He made his turn and all was well as I fell back in line on the right side of the road. It could have ended badly!!
2) Much like #1 in that I was behind a string of 3 cages held up by a car being towed up the pass. On a long straight stretch I gave the cages lots of time to pass the tow truck we'd all been behind it for 20 minutes on an uphill grade at half the posted to speed. I thought people would want past him at the first chance but no one moved to do so. So before the straight section ended I pull out for the pass. The car right in front of me almost took me out!
- Like above I waited and looked through the rear window of this car keeping an eye on the driver, about the time I was at his bumper (me now in opposing lane of traffic), the guy whips over nearly taking me out. I steered quickly to the shoulder applying some brakes and avoided this one with and followed for the pass.
Summary; passing nearly took me out twice despite waiting and watching for the best opportunity; I misjudged others intentions even though I was looking at the base of the there skull for any head nod that might indicate a lane change. Those are my two close calls in 3 years, 15,000 miles and lots of spirited riding.. .. .. Bottom line, some people just don't check their mirrors. That is my cue they may move. Neither driver moved their head at all and just turned left!