Triumphrat

brolane

Bomb, you did a great piece of riding to avoid that a55hole. I wish I knew the answer to keeping idiots off the road.

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Matter can neither be created or destroyed, but it can be lost.

J_DOGG

Yup, like anything one bad apple can tarnish the reputation of the entire bunch....

I can't tell you how many times I have had to explain to people at work. Not all bikers ride like morons and lane splitting is not any more dangerous than coming to a complete stop in the fast lane on the highway. Most admittedly hate it when a bike is lane splitting and I have received reasons as simple and stupid as "why should they keep moving when I can't"..

They never take into consideration any other bike safety issues or how a bike heats up and needs air to stay cool, they just don't like you moving when they can't... How arrogant American is that mentality for yah... These are the same people that drive around with a cell phone, coffee and smoke going all at the same time.. They don't care about safety they only care about beating the next guy home....

drainbamage

*sigh*
We had a pretty hot discussion on another forum. A guy was all excited about buying some bike... he said it would be a piece of cake to ride because he was SOOO good at a bike computer game...

Stupid.

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Atheism is a non-prophet organization. (courtesy of mglemans86)

Sprint1050DA

I can't imagine the bike computer gamer being serious, at least I hope not. I had a friend, not a particularly good rider, that I was discussing a road with and I said that I was having a much easier time with right turns than left turns (I had a bad car accident involving a left hand turn and think I freeze up a bit going into turns at times.). His response was that of course those turns were easier, you have the whole left (oncoming) lane to use if you need to. I ended the conversation there.

HiDesert

Excellent rant, BombFactory. I"d give it a 9 for emotion, and 9.5 for topic.

Friends don't let friends start out on literbikes. We've got to help out new riders, or our friendly big brother will resort to the only tool he has; more rules, more restrictions, and more hassle.

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We are young, wandering the face of the earth
Wondering what our dreams might be worth
Learning that we're only immortal for a limited time.

MickMaguire

If you want my (more selfish) perspective on this stuff...

Idiots like that cost us a bunch - they are the people who drive up insurance rates on sports bikes.

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Mick...

MVP44

You hit it spot on - Guys like this effect us all even if we don't have a close call with them as Bomb did. They make it hard for cage drivers to see motorcyclists as anything but a hazard. Glad it was only a scare - could have been much much worse. Good work on your evasive maneuvering skills Bomb.

jefftarlton

I agree with the insurance angle.
I was on the same road where I almost had a head on this year. Bike off in the ditch and EMTs strapping him to a board. It was the third air medevac of a rider that day alone. Lots of idiots on a 10-15 mile stretch of road.
It used to be my favorite road. I haven't ridden it since. Too many cops and too many triple digit bikes.

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jeff tarlton

AceT100

Me & my friend headed up to Alice's on Sunday figuring the same thing...as Laguna Seca was on....sadly the idiots were still out there...just not as many.

We were overtaken on Skyline, approaching a downhill 180 degree lefthander, hard on the brakes & leaning into it, when this (in the words of Carlos Mencia) Dee Dee Dee rider comes past us, on a full dresser Yamaha!! Dragging the footboards & almost dropping it in our path.

Wearing shorts, wife beater & the worlds smallest helmet!

Glad to hear you are ok.

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McQueen

I commute amongst these morons everyday...usually on my '79 Bonnie.

They'll say, "I can't see bikes." Bull5#it. You're not even looking for them. I used to apologize for these idiots. I used to mind my manners for fear I'd be "giving other bikers a bad rep." Now I just don't care. Kill or be killed.

In fact, before sitting down to my desk this morning, I had a woman just come over on me...while she was looking me right in the eye. Kept coming. So I kicked her front fender with my boot and gunned it between the cars in front of us.

I don't care if you're out to get me or just plain stupid. This is war.

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+ Ton Up Club NorCal +