Newbie Close Calls

[Ninja750R]

As a newbie i have definately had my share of close calls. One which i thought would be worthy of posting.
I had just gotten my bike insured and registered (a long and tedious process) and as i was driving home a car pulled in the lane next to me. I thought i would downshift excerate past him and lean into the oncoming right hand turn and if need be, be pushed into his lane. Unfortunately i overestimated my skill, and ended up going into the turn quite fast. I tensed up and hit the front brakes, which in turn not only pushed me into his lane but also into the left curb... My left leg came off the post and I was almost thrown. And the worst of it is that the guy in the car was right behind me the whole time, watching my mistake first hand. At the next stop sign, the guy was still behind me and i killed it... I really wanted to put the kickstand down, walk over to the guy behind me, tell him it was my friend's bike, and that he could go around me.
Ahh... But i can't be the only one with newbie mistakes...Any one else?

[pitchinguy]

Naw man! That's really weird cuz none of us ever make any mistakes! JK! Try to learn from it & go on. If ever ANY doubts, SLOW DOWN, pull over & let them go around & regroup! No shame there!

[daemon]

even being a semi-experienced rider i still find myself doing dull minded things.
my worst would be going too hot into a turn that i am unfamiliar with.
nothing worse than the feeling that you're going to lose it because you are too hot headed

[livefastordie]

ya I have been riding 3 days and I am still afraid to lean the damn thing

I had a close call today, in down town going over a hill to fast...and on the other side was a line of cars at the light. Me and my partner (on his bike) hit the brakes and got squirrly. I couldnt stop in time and had to go in between the cars 2 deep.

scary ****

[pat0021]

My advice is take the MSF course. Best thing I have ever done on a bike. Never felt like I was in control of the bike until I took that course! And most insurance companies will give you a discount. I had ridden for 5 years before I took it.

[nevin]

MSF would save you more then money...

I had a pretty newb mistake my first day out with my bike (after the MSF) i pulled over on the side of the road to turn around...little did i know i put my right foot down in some gravel and it slid out from under me...then the bike started tilting to the right...since it was a down hill slant i couldnt really react in time to stop the bike from going over..but i did manage to slow it down.

Then...i wasnt able to pick the bike up the first time i tried, but a little old lady ran to my rescue as she pulled over when she saw me go down. Thank GOD she said this "Its ok...happens to us all...I ride a big ole harley"

So my face turned a little less red and i got my head together and off i went stright home lol.

Everyone makes a few newb mistakes

[GreenJello]

Originally Posted by nevin

MSF would save you more then money...

I had a pretty newb mistake my first day out with my bike (after the MSF) i pulled over on the side of the road to turn around...little did i know i put my right foot down in some gravel and it slid out from under me...then the bike started tilting to the right...since it was a down hill slant i couldnt really react in time to stop the bike from going over..but i did manage to slow it down.

Dropped my first bike right between the first and second day of the riding class. Hadn't gotten enough riding during the class, so I borrowed my brother's 800a. Did practically the same thing you did, tried to turn around on a gravel road, and dropped it.

[LuckyArmpit]

Had a few close calls myself. Been riding about a month and a half. Have 1100 miles on my Vulcan. Bought it new, 2 weeks before I took the MSF class. Which is fantastic!!! My 2nd day on the bike, was riding down country road (I live in farm country) at 45 mph. Deer jumps on road. She was far ahead though. Put on the brakes because when there is one, there is more!! Sure enough two more popped out.
Almost dumped mine numerous times. My driveway and lane are gravel. The larger rocks but still, you can feel slippage when you make the bend. Another time, almost dumped it just by putting kickstand down on a grade. DUH!!!
One of my bad habits I'm trying to correct is when coming to a stop, I tend to put my foot down a little too early.
As far as riding goes, I can still hear the MSF instructor say, "keep 2 seconds minimum from vehicle in front of you". Always evaluate traffic situations ahead and plan your move in case of trouble. Lastly, always always be doubly careful on intersections and those roads and streets where some knucklehead may be pulling from a driveway.

Lucky...

[fastback]

What's MSF. I'm guessing motorcycle safety something.

[Watson69]

Years ago, just two months of riding under my belt, I swung far left to make a right turn at a two lane, crossing two lane intersection controlled by a traffic light, which was green. I maintained my lane, and I had my blinker on. As I begin leaning into the turn, a mini van is suddenly in the way. She mistakenly thought I was making a left, so in her haste, was going around me. The timing was just right, so it was like leaning against a wall. She panics, and slams on the brakes...my right handlebar removes her driver's side mirror and gauges the entire length of her mini-van. Also, my right foot peg pops-off both of her hub caps. This was a late 80's Honda Shadow. I maintained enough controll not to drop the bike, and somehow I had not injuries to my foot. She got two tickets....started arguing with the cop....I step in, pointing out that she could be slammed with a civil suit....her husband finally LISTENS to that noise, end of day.

Lesson: Own your lane, do not swing to the far right or left...that gives drivers a sense of being allowed to pass (naturally, stay within one of the two tire grooves during rain).