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One of the advantages of riding a tall ADV bike is the great view one has of the surroundings. My Triumph Tiger was especially good in this respect but too tall for me as I aged. The CB works good for me now but I do miss the sightlines I had from the Tiger.
Many good riding tips presented here. Most of us probably use these learned survival tactics every time we ride.
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In a broader sense it is Being Taken By Surprise that has contributed to most of the close calls I've had. That tends to happen when I'm day dreaming or preoccupied and just rolling along minding my own business...SURPRISE! The more I am present and holding focus situationally the more I can anticipate, anticipate and anticipate. Trouble is being on the road, on my bike triggers all sorts of stuff in my mind that kinda pulls me out of my situational awareness unless I can catch it first.
I don't always catch it first. For example being surprised when a car overtakes me on the freeway and I realize I didn't see it coming up in the left lane. A sure warning I have been sleeping at the switch sort of speak.
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Everything said here and in the article should have been taken care of in "Riding 101". More examples: Shoulder check before and during lane change signalling - in a car and on a bike (Note the signalling, hand and/or light indicators). I have been doing this forever, in all motorized vehicles and bicycles. I credit my first rider's course for this. Leave the appropriate space between you and the vehicle ahead of you. I can go on, but everyone in this forum is aware of the recommendations. The problem is many riders and drivers just plane old neglect it after getting their license. This is a generations old problem - not new. When you get a car and a bike being negligent, who usually "wins"? Now, I am not referring to driver/riders who are all out aggressive drivers - the risks there are obvious. I was just referring to daily routine driving/riding.
I have actually been hit by a car that was in front of me. It was in traffic, on a bridge and I was boxed in and in front of a truck who watched this unfold: Dude in VW stick Jetta is rolling back, I honk, he puts brakes on. He is on cell phone. Jetta start rolling back again, I honk, he puts brakes on. I roll back closer to truck behind me to create some margin between me and Jetta. Now cuss in Jetta is rolling back yet again. I lean on horn and he stops but has already hit me. I'm thinking, ugh, what now? Cracked forks? - jeez. Luckily nothing serious came of it, but I was quite unhappy with the state of laziness by drivers.
As riders, we must always be on the defensive - even if a bit on the offensive. That means always being totally aware regarding your perimeter and constantly re-sampling. This is innate with me and I carry this into the cage. "Riding 101" taught me that too long ago.
