Triumphrat

TOMKRILL · 04-23-2007

Anyone see the Birmingham, (Alabama) AMA road racing on Speed Channel yesterday? I recorded the races, as I was out biking. On the first lap of the 650cc bikes, the last turn before the main straight one of the top 3 tried to pass and he lost front wheel traction and then corrected and the rear came around and he went tumbling (at 120 mph) meanwhile a bike behind him came throught the corner, he& his bike were launched about 12 feet in the air and slammed down onto the track- it scared the ***** out of me. But- both riders were okay, and driver number 1 actually drove his bike back to the pit and could have raced it after his crew put on a new rear wheel and tire but the officials said he was not in the "hot pits", so he couldn't re start! I envisioned going down at 65 mph and I am glad I wear as much protection as I do, pre ride check my tires and bike and stay away from 4 wheelers as much as possible.

Pauley · 04-23-2007

Wear as much as you can. People in cars sometimes don't care. If I'm in my car I give bikes plenty of space.

Yesterday I was doing 75 mph on my speedy. I'm in the left lane on the interstate and I'm passing a row of tractor trailers. This dumb bimbo in a VW Jetta comes flying up and gets within 10 feet of my bike and starts flashing her lights. So, if figured since I wouldn't have the stopping distance I would need I slowed down to about 65mph. The more she flashed her lights, the more I slowed down. It was super windy out and the trucks were giving me more wind to contend with and I'm trying to maintain my position in my lane. If she wasn't pleased with me doing 75mph - then screw her. I eventually passed the last truck and got into the right lane and gave her the bird - which was only instinct.

On my way home I got caught in the rain - it only rains after I detail the bike by the way. I was on a two lane desolate road. Riding more cautiosly as the pavement was slick and visibility wasn't the best. All the sudden this car comes out of nowhere and is on my rear end. I was doing about 50 in a 45. This car was riding me and riding me. Then he finally passed me after he had plenty of oppurtunities. Some people just don't care.

piecesenregalia · 04-23-2007

Yeah, I was at the race. I couldn't believe the second guy got up. It was a perfect day for the races though. I'm from Birmingham, and I'm really proud Mr. Barber built that track and museum.

rbrian_taylor · 04-24-2007

I was there too, pretty incredible in person. The guy who flipped looked like he was about to throw up, don't blame him.

TOMKRILL · 04-24-2007

the VW story hits a nerve. ya can't win with rode rage (bike vs car) but I am damned tired of axxholes coming up 10 feet from my rear end and I am doing 10 over the limit- and they are usually talking on a cell phone. If I can I get way over and slow down and wave them pass but sometimes that is not possible. One of these days I swear I am going to follow one down and probably not smack them in the face (and I'd never hit a woman) but just to ask them in a calm voice, just what the fxxk were you thinking about!!! I was driving to work a couple of weeks ago and in the middle lane on a two lane road with a full width curb lane. A woman in a mini van pulled out of a parking lot and had plenty of space in the curb lane but she pulled right into my lane and caused me to swerve into the outer lane. I, of course when it was all done, realized that I didn't really know if anything was in the outer lane- my fault, but then I got po'd big time and wanted to double back and ream her a new one, but in my state (Wisconsin) in order to get a drivers license you need to know what a yellow upside down sign means- a)stop b)yield c)slowdown etc. they should make sure you know how to check your air pressure and oil level also!! (you should see our written motorcycle test- it was written by a mentally challenged lunatic who never saw a motorcycle)

bennybmn · 04-24-2007

I want a big ol lit sign for my back that says BACK OFF!!!

alfacliff · 04-25-2007

last year I was riding home on the Kansas turnpike coming up on the us54 interchange, I noticed two semis and a car coming onto the pike so I took the right lane to let them in. one semi took the accel lane, one the driving lane and the car took the right lane. none were anywhere up to speed, fortunatly I was awake and my brakes worked ok. it would be nice to fine who the lady was talking to on her cel phone.
cliff

speedblastr · 04-26-2007

I nearly had a hit and miss myself as she(on a cell phone) was in the fast lane(left) I in the right lane .My front axle was parallel with her rear axle- then she decided to come over into my lane,no signal nothing. (I hit my horn,but not loud enough) I'm sure glad I didn't panic and dump it. Glad I took rider test on bike before endorsement as I nearly had to stop on a dime.I did give her the #1 signal as I accelerated around her.I could read her lips through her window. (I'm sorry.)Has anybody mounted semi-air horns on their bike? Thinking about welding a grenade launcher on frame. :evil: Something That I can load up with old nuts and bolts ,silverware,etc. Seriously though ,we have to be very careful ,sort of like 360 degree vision 1000 ft. all around. P.S. Is the AMA featured exclusively on speed channel , I'd like to start watching.

[ This message was edited by: speedblastr on 2007-04-26 20:32 ]

bennybmn · 04-26-2007

I am seriously considering the stabil air horn. Even tho I have loud horns, louder is bettererer!

TOMKRILL · 04-26-2007

Most of the AMA racing is on the Speed Channel. There may be some on ESPN also- check out their web sight. Also, GP bikes are on Speed also. As far as horns, I got the blaster from ridesafer.com but I never used a horn in a car so I don't much think of one on my Speedy. I look 360 and 1000 feet also and try to stay away from 4 wheelers. I can drive a car to work in less than 20 minutes on a good day but when I take my bike, I go way out of my way so I can both ride longer and stay away from any traffic so it usually takes me 45 minutes to ride to work and when it is nice out, it usually takes me until sunset to get home- that's a nice 2-3 hour ride. I stay away from cars and wave them by me if they want to follow me too close. The one thing I really watch out for is a parked car pulling out and coming up a hill when I can't see what's over the top. Also, I drive during the daytime with my high beam on- it is a hell of a lot brighter than the low beam, and in the daytime it doesn't bug oncoming cars. Where can I get one of those grenade launchers to weld on my frame- sounds like a great idea for a few drivers I've encountered :-D But remember, you don't stand a chance against a car with rode rage- better to swallow your pride, it's not poison (borrowed that line from bob dylan- I don't plagiarize) :razz: