I witnessed an R6 almost get wiped out by a cager

[VEGASRIDER]

As I was stopped at a red light in the left of three lanes in each direction, an R6 pulled upside along me, sharing the lane as we both waited for the light to turn greeen. I let him go first as we headed down a 45mph road. The far right lane was wide open, but this is a lane that I like to avoid because there is just too many entry and exit points. I stayed in the left lane behind a slower cager, and saw the R6 switch over across the middle lane into the right lane. Sure enough a car pulled out from a side street right in front of the R6. The bike swerves into the middle lane and avoids the collision. He slows down and starts doing the well, you know, rant against the cager. I pull up next to him at the next red light, I looked over to him and he's shaking his head. I told him it's his fault for riding in the right lane. I told him it's the most dangerous lane to be in. He said he knew.

The point is folks, accidents can be prevented. I took less of a risk choosing a safer lane to travel in, vs the inexperienced rider who picked the right lane just because it was empty. Look what happened to him, vs my ride. After that, he rode behind me the next 4 miles or so, riding my line (lane choice and lane position). I hope he learned something.

 

[SovietRobot]

While I agree about the right lane sucking, sometimes the left lane is no better, because of people turning left from the right, and people turning left going the opposite way.

Both me and wavex know what those scenarios are like

Really the only thing you can do is be completely aware and atleast one step ahead of the cars around you. But even that doesn't always work.

Good to hear nobody got hurt

 

[VEGASRIDER]

While I agree about the right lane sucking, sometimes the left lane is no better, because of people turning left from the right, and people turning left going the opposite way.

Both me and wavex know what those scenarios are like

Really the only thing you can do is be completely aware and atleast one step ahead of the cars around you. But even that doesn't always work.

Good to hear nobody got hurt

You always have to be aware of the cagers turning left on you, but you have a better visual of the entire traffic from the left and right, and more importantly, the cagers have a better visual on you. Plus if you are traveling with other cagers, they will most likely see them too so obviously you can use the other vehicles to your advantage. The angle in which a cager can see a bike travelling in the right lane is limited to a small radius. So the likeliness for them to pull out in front of you is greater. Which just happened to the R6 rider.

 

[GodSpeedLuc]

this is good to know

 

[Cali rider]

Thanks for the story, Kenny. Your regular insights on daily riding are consistently useful. If anyone out there wants to get some real feedback on how to survive in heavy traffic, search through some of the threads VEGASRIDER has started. Cops, accidents, rain etc. are discussed without hyperbole or distortion. We can all take away information to help us, newbie and experienced riders alike.

Keep it up Kenny, I read everyone of your posts!

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Thanks for the story, Kenny. Your regular insights on daily riding are consistently useful. If anyone out there wants to get some real feedback on how to survive in heavy traffic, search through some of the threads VEGASRIDER has started. Cops, accidents, rain etc. are discussed without hyperbole or distortion. We can all take away information to help us, newbie and experienced riders alike.

Keep it up Kenny, I read everyone of your posts!

Thanks John!

Probably the nicest compliment I have ever received on this forum. What makes your post so special that it comes from a rider who I respect and consider one of the most credible members on this forum. You have ridden a lot longer than me, who has much more skill as a rider than me. So I am flattered. I use the word respect because I have met and ridden with John, so I know I have personally seen how he is as a person and a rider. There are plenty of members who may just be as knowledgeble and skillful as John, but when you have actually witnessed his abilities in person, you just get a better grip about the person.

I consider myself as a better than average rider, but I certainly do not consider myself great. Therefore, I try to get an edge in other areas, such as the abiltiy to read the road and what potential hazards might be laying in the weeds ahead of me, and not put myself in vulnerable situations which I just posted by the R6 rider. Kind of like golfing, you may not have the longest or most accurate drive. But your better than average skill in reading the green when you go have to putt may make it up.

Final words: Take control of the situation before it controls you.

 

[Goop]

These are great pieces of info to store in the brain. I make a practice of "reading" traffic everyday I commute to work. It's a must for us riding in So Cal chaotic traffic, or anywhere for that matter!