Triumphrat

Moondogger

I thought I'd share a story from this morning's commute, nothing too serious, just an incident that reinforces the fact that we as motorcyclist need to always anticipate what will happen around us.

It was a beautiful morning today, mid-60's, a welcome change from the heat we've been having here in SoCal. I got on the road around 7:30AM.

I take the 10E to the 5N into Burbank, traffic on the 10 was moderate, but I was in the carpool lane so wasn't affected by it. Once I got onto the 5N, the traffic flow was bit heavy at first, but past Griffith Park, it started to loosen up.

I was in the far left lane (fast lane) going with the flow of traffic at around 70mph when I saw an Audi A4 ahead of me in the lane to my right start to do little jerky left-to-right movements. If I had been driving my car, I probably wouldn't have noticed, but on the motorcycle, I'm much more perceptive. My first thought was that the driver was probably dialing her phone, text messaging or emailing.

I backed off the throttle and sure enough, the moment did, the driver moved into my lane without signaling. I hit my horn and to my surprise the driver actually heard it (the stock horn on the Bonneville is horrible) because I saw the car straighten out.

I moved into the right lane and passed the car, shaking my head at the driver as I rode by. It was a woman in a business suit, she had her hand up as a sign of apology - at least she realized what she had done.

I guess the moral of this story is to always anticipate. I look at riding a motorcycle like a chess game - you always need to be 3 steps ahead of your opponent.

miker

Good story Moon, and yes anticip.....................................ation is the name of the game.

Mick

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"We may not be able to change the direction or strength of the wind, but we can always trim our sails"

Tbirdnz

Yes, anticipation is part of defensive riding. On a motorcycle you are more aware of your surroundings and what other road users are doing than you are in a car. It comes with being more vulnerable.

I've always maintained motorcycling makes you a better car driver.

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Ride on !

skiTTles

I see you shiver with it

Hudson

I have certainly become a better driver since riding a motorcycle. I am more patient and generous and try to drive my car as thoughtful as possible. Its funny, on a motorcycle you get an understanding of how vulnerable you are. After riding, I also got a better understanding of how dangerous my car was - not to myself but to the rest of the world. And most importantly in both the cager and the two-wheeler: head check!

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