So I'm driving down a three lane city street in the far left lane at about 50 miles per hour and as I approach an intersection I slow down a little bit  knowing from MSF that this is where you get hit if you're a motorcyclist and i see a truck waiting in the turning lane. Anyway, right as I approach the intersection the truck (which is turning left accross the road) decides to turn as if I'm not even there. As I jam on the brakes I think, "no f'ing way, I'm right here in broad daylight on an almost empty road, how can you not see me?!" So pretty early into my stop I realize there's no way in hell I can avoid an impact (I mean he turned when I was RIGHT THERE!!) To my left is a large median and I don't want to turn right because that's where the truck is going. So I aim slightly to the left to get as far towards the back of the truck as possible hoping it might just make it past me, and I realize I'm going to hit the back of the truck, but strangly, at this point in time I'm slightly euphoric  as I realize that I've scrubbed off enough speed that at least I'm not going to die. A couple feet from the truck I apply more pressure to the rear as a last ditch effort to slow down some more and the rear wheel locks up and swings me to the left.  And here's the amazing part: locking up the rear wheel somehow sent me just enough to the left that I pass by the rear of the truck, just about grazing the rear. (I think the truck also may have seen me at the last minute and floored it, which might have made the difference.) I'm absolutely amazed that I missed the truck, but there is still one problem: now I'm heading towards the median at about 15 MPH! I know you're not supposed to let off the rear brake if you lock it, but instinctively, I let go and turn to the right, with the back swinging smoothly back into place with no problem at all, and just miss the median! So once I'm stopped I sit there for half a second, completley dumbfounded at how I managed to miss a truck that literally turned right in front of me (I mean I was probably like 20 feet from it when it turned, and I was going 50 MPH!) and then managed to avoid a highside and a median to come to a stop. The only thing is that my bike stalled in the process, but that's the last thing I'm worrying about now.

So anyway, after being stopped in the road for a half second, I realize I better get going because I see a truck in my rear view mirror that is slowing down pretty darn fast! So I hit the starter and drive about 1/8 mile to the next intersection. I stop at the light and the guy who was in the truck behind me pulls next to me and gives me this amazed look, like "how the hell did you manage to avoid that" and "you're one hell of a lucky man" all at once. I just shake my head knowingly, completley lost for words at that moment.

And you know the worst part about this? There was a cop at the intersection where I almost got hit waiting at the stop sign, and he obviously saw what happened, there's NO WAY he couldn't have. (he was looking right at us pretty much). And he does NOTHING to stop the truck that nearly killed me, the truck passes right by him and he continues to wait at the sign until traffic slows down and then casually pulls out like nothing happend and continues on his way! I was so pissed because what the hell are the odds of having a cop RIGHT THERE in a situation like this, witnessing everything, and then does nothing?! I mean the guy in this truck obviously deserved a moving violation for christ sake!  

Anyway, I'm just glad to be in one piece and I also KNOW for a fact that MSF already saved my life or at least severe injury. Sorry for the long post, but I hope you found it interesting.  Also, I've been replaying the situation in my head trying to figure out what I could have done better, and I think I did just about the best I could, but I also know that locking the rear wheel was lucky because somehow it shot me in just the right way at just the exact right time to avoid hitting some sort of object. I may have had some more front brake to grab too, I can't tell for sure, but it definitely felt like it was on the verge of locking.  Also, all of this took place in literally like one second so it's hard to know exactly what I did. It's amazing how fast your brain can work when it needs to though.  

Okay, I'm outa here. And take care everyone, please! I'll be heading down the same road tomorrow on my way to work. That's one intersection that I'll remember for a while!

Wow thats a lucky break.    Glad to hear you're ok!!

Thats crazy. Good to hear your alright.

Sheesh man. Glad to hear you're OK.

This sort of thing keeps happening to me too. Maybe I need MSF? What the hell is it?

Quote from: SpitfireThis sort of thing keeps happening to me too. Maybe I need MSF? What the hell is it?

MSF or Motorcycle Safty Foundation offers "free" riders course (safty class for bignners) here in the states. They also provide other more advanced classes too (like the sidecar class  :lol: ).

Quote from: JetSwing

Quote from: SpitfireThis sort of thing keeps happening to me too. Maybe I need MSF? What the hell is it?

MSF or Motorcycle Safty Foundation offers "free" riders course (safty class for bignners) here in the states. They also provide other more advanced classes too (like the sidecar class  :lol: ).

http://www.msf-usa.org/

Its not free tho.  The course in AL is 300 bucks.

Quote from: JetSwing

Quote from: SpitfireThis sort of thing keeps happening to me too. Maybe I need MSF? What the hell is it?

MSF or Motorcycle Safty Foundation offers "free" riders course (safty class for bignners) here in the states. They also provide other more advanced classes too (like the sidecar class Laughing ).

http://www.msf-usa.org/

Its not free tho. The course in AL is 300 bucks.

Yeah, it costs money (here in California it's 198 bucks) but it's well worth it, really. It will definitely make you a better/safer rider, pretty much guaranteed.

Nathanael

You should phone the city hall and tell them about how useless the cop was (be more polite than that but give them an ear full both on the phone and in writing) Make sure you have someone proof read your email or letter. Cause that is bullshit.

Quote from: nathanaelIts not free tho. The course in AL is 300 bucks.

Yeah, it costs money (here in California it's 198 bucks) but it's well worth it, really. It will definitely make you a better/safer rider, pretty much guaranteed.

i said it was "free" becasue for 3-day class with motocycle and helmet rental with 3 instructors, it's practically free. btw, i only paid $60. i'm pretty sure you can take the class in other states (maybe it's cheper in neighboring states  :dunno: ). my instructors were so good that i was told that people from other states come to take the class.

dude.  i would stay off the streets for a while.  you may have used up your good luck quota for the month.

glad you're alright.

Quote from: jiggersplatdude.  i would stay off the streets for a while.  you may have used up your good luck quota for the month.

i'll have to go riding pretty soon or my good luck quota will expire...

Quotedude. i would stay off the streets for a while. you may have used up your good luck quota for the month.

haha, yeah I probably should. But since the bike is my only transport I was back at it at 7:30 this morning again.  So far so good!  :lol:

Quote from: dyranYou should phone the city hall and tell them about how useless the cop was (be more polite than that but give them an ear full both on the phone and in writing) Make sure you have someone proof read your email or letter. Cause that is bullshit.

X2

Dude....the story is crazy...you are crazy...and apparently it wasn't your time.  Good for you.  Keep doin' what your doin".      

Freeow!  Don't you just have to pull over and let your heart settle back into your ribcage in a moment like that?  Glad you're here to tell us about  it!

Everybody on four wheels is out to kill everyone on two wheels.  Two days ago, I was driving up 15th; it's a two-lane-in-each-direction 35mph road.  I'm cruising up at about 35, since there are plenty of pedestrians around at that time.  Surprisingly, nobody else in my vicinity on the road, so I'm going up the right lane.  I see a white sedan with its right turn signal on, and move to the left lane (partly out of niceness, to allow them the turn; partly out of cynicism, thinking they'd take it anyway).  Well, they take the right turn - across two lanes, pulling into the left lane as I'm in it.  I have to pick the swerve.  There's a bit of a yellow painted median there, just enough to let me get away with it.  At the next light - clueless dip is behind me - I give chickybabe at the wheel a very aggressive bird.  I can see her and the random male companion giggling with "Silly ol' me..." expressions on their faces...

Cops should summarily revoke licenses for clueless crap like that.  I'm dressed in bright yellow gear on a bright yellow bike, fully upright, headlight on...

Glad you made it allright!

Glad to hear your ok man!

as for the cop there wasnt much he could do, he might of been able to pull off giving him a failure to yield but that would be pushing it. best he could of done was yell at the guy. personally i think he should of done that sorry to hear he didnt.  

MSF is awesome!

Whenever I see a fellow biker arguing with a four wheeler I always pull up to offer 'moral support'.  :guns:
Even if I don't know what happened. You don't question your loyalty in these situations. I do it in the hope that the same would be done for me in that situation??

QuoteWhenever I see a fellow biker arguing with a four wheeler I always pull up to offer 'moral support'. Shootemup
Even if I don't know what happened. You don't question your loyalty in these situations. I do it in the hope that the same would be done for me in that situation?? thumbsup

That's totally awesome spitfire, and I really agree. It's always the four wheeler's fault anyway!  

If I'm ever riding in London (admitedly, that's a small probability!) and I see you arguing with a cager I will definitely back you up!  :mrgreen:

nathanael