Hey, dudes, just wanted to post up a cautionary note on a near miss I had this Saturday, riding my restored 84 900 Ninja with some buddies.
I am now convinced that certain hill country roads are more dangerous, giving the masses of large shiny bikes that have a hard time negotiating turns.
Me and my buddies were returning to Austin on Hamilton Pool road, still on the very farther out section off of 281. Its actually FM 962 and at Cypress Creek Road there is a tricky curve that has a bit of rise and can catch you out.
Well, I am heading towards the turn, and a couple big shiny bikes exit, and since I know more often follow, I rolled off the gas a bit. As I enter the turn, a big bike has his rear wheel locked, smoking the wheel, front end wobbling.....as he crosses the double yellow right in front of me.
He was not wearing a helmet, and his eyes were big and bugging out, he was fixating right on me. His front end was wobbling around, he could not control his trajectory. I knew a head on collision was going to happen. I averted my eyes to the left, did a hard counter steer, and he grazed me and the bike. My bar end weight was snapped off the bar, the bar bent, my right footpeg sheared off, and I felt his bike mash my right foot and ankle. Thankfully I did not drop the bike.
He careened down a cluvert and dropped his bike, I think as he was trying to stand it up.
Dude was very apologetic, and provided me all of info by phone. I could smell alcohol on him.
Seeing as I could ride the bike, and we were quite a ways out from any near by town, I opted to ride it back home. So next is dealing with his insurance company.
Was a wake up call:
Practice your braking and counter steering.
Slow up if a couple of big shiny bikes emerge out of a turn, the next one may be in your lane.
Think out scenarios in advance.....how will you respond in a similar situation?
Wear high quality protective gear that fits.
Be wary of time of day.....are you heading back into town on a road that still has lots of riders heading the opposite direction?
Ride safe dudes!
I am now convinced that certain hill country roads are more dangerous, giving the masses of large shiny bikes that have a hard time negotiating turns.
Me and my buddies were returning to Austin on Hamilton Pool road, still on the very farther out section off of 281. Its actually FM 962 and at Cypress Creek Road there is a tricky curve that has a bit of rise and can catch you out.
Well, I am heading towards the turn, and a couple big shiny bikes exit, and since I know more often follow, I rolled off the gas a bit. As I enter the turn, a big bike has his rear wheel locked, smoking the wheel, front end wobbling.....as he crosses the double yellow right in front of me.
He was not wearing a helmet, and his eyes were big and bugging out, he was fixating right on me. His front end was wobbling around, he could not control his trajectory. I knew a head on collision was going to happen. I averted my eyes to the left, did a hard counter steer, and he grazed me and the bike. My bar end weight was snapped off the bar, the bar bent, my right footpeg sheared off, and I felt his bike mash my right foot and ankle. Thankfully I did not drop the bike.
He careened down a cluvert and dropped his bike, I think as he was trying to stand it up.
Dude was very apologetic, and provided me all of info by phone. I could smell alcohol on him.
Seeing as I could ride the bike, and we were quite a ways out from any near by town, I opted to ride it back home. So next is dealing with his insurance company.
Was a wake up call:
Practice your braking and counter steering.
Slow up if a couple of big shiny bikes emerge out of a turn, the next one may be in your lane.
Think out scenarios in advance.....how will you respond in a similar situation?
Wear high quality protective gear that fits.
Be wary of time of day.....are you heading back into town on a road that still has lots of riders heading the opposite direction?
Ride safe dudes!