I just saved your life.

[TheVitaleMob]

Well, last week, I read THIS thread about sport bikes because it caught my eye. In this thread, it was remarked that, "For carving your way through traffic, you can't beat agility." As you can tell by my avatar caption, I am a safe-minded truck driver. As you can imagine, this comment sent huge red flags through my head. I decided that this thread did not need my commentary, and I refrained from stirring the shit.

Fast-Forward to the next day.

Here I am driving on I-405 at 0530, and I come around a relatively sharp curve at 58 mph (2mph under the limit) with a good amount of following distance. Traffic is at a dead stop about 200 feet ahead of me. I hit my brakes hard, engaging ABS and doing my best to stay safe. A crotch-rocket comes up behind me at 85 mph and proceeds to pass me on the RIGHT, and on the SHOULDER. He then cuts in front of me thinking that I'm just being slow. When he figures the problem out he will probably be able to stop in time. If he stops, I will hit him. I blow on my horn, he realizes the problem, and cuts around the person stopped in front of us, gives me the finger, and speeds off on the shoulder, passing more people.

A few facts: I am in my truck, my following distance is 8 SECONDS, not 4 or 2. I can't see him until he is 30 ft in front of me (meaning that he is in a blind spot until he is in front of me. I weigh 100,000 lbs with a 62,000 lb load of paper rolls in the box. I have about 12 SQUARE FEET of brake pad/liner material, and still can only BARELY stop in time to not hit the car in front of me. He is wearing shorts, sneakers, a t-shirt and a dirt bike helmet, with the big chin, not a standard "street" helmet.

I'm sure the sport bike riders in this forum are stand up guys. I'll be frank here. If I hit this guy, that's the ballgame. No ambulance. Just a cop car, a camera and a yellow tarp. I just saved his life by telling him to get the fuck out of the way, and he gives me a finger.

Words cannot express the level of outrage that I felt at the gall, the arrogance, and attitude of this rider.

I won't tell you what to do or what not to do, but one thing is for sure. If there is a truck anywhere near you, you can't tell if he's loaded or empty, you can't tell if he's 20K lbs or 100K. You have NO IDEA WHATSOEVER how long it will take him to stop.

Know what the fuck is behind you, and don't get yourself killed, or get off the fucking road.

 

[Doc Wylie]

Sadly, the bone-headed stunt the biker pulled on you is probably more the norm than the exception, Chris. With all due respect to the responsible sport bikers on this forum, anyone who goes on the road on two wheels is taking a huge risk just to begin with and failing to respect the power of a behemoth semi is just plain stupid. The guy you encountered will someday fail to beat the odds. I know. I used to run the operating rooms at a major trauma center and we saw these guys on a fairly regular basis come through our doors (the ones under the tarp obviously never made it that far). Certainly not in all, but in many cases it was their lack of good judgement, inexperience or just plain poor driving skills that got them into trouble. This guy took his mind off the situation at hand to flip you the bird? Incredible. Just an example of irresponsibility.

I think I must have seen this guy's brother driving on the I-190 in Buffalo during rush hour recently. Bright yellow sport bike...matching helmet and jacket....doing wheelies at about 85 and weaving in and around traffic, squeezing between lines of vehicles etc etc. King of the fucking road. I'm sure his name will be in the paper sooner or later.

 

[Jinxedwarrior]

I've got around 30 years of motorcycle riding behind me, and you can usually tell the intelligence and riding experience level from what the rider is wearing!

He is wearing shorts, sneakers, a t-shirt and a dirt bike helmet, with the big chin, not a standard "street" helmet.

It also lets you know that the rider hasn't fallen off or wrecked yet!

Rocky

 

[Macion Grey]

The compounded level of idiocy that is found on the roads astounds me constantly. It's not just motorcyclists, but the whole damn spectrum of transport owners who think they are invincible and endanger others lives at every turn. It makes me furious when I have my little girl and pregnant wife in the car and some hoon pulls off a stunt on the highway. If you have to drive like an idiot, take it somewhere out the way where you aren't going to endanger anyone elses life.

 

[saltypete]

I've got around 30 years of motorcycle riding behind me, and you can usually tell the intelligence and riding experience level from what the rider is wearing!

He is wearing shorts, sneakers, a t-shirt and a dirt bike helmet, with the big chin, not a standard "street" helmet.

It also lets you know that the rider hasn't fallen off or wrecked yet!

Rocky

I remember a former 500cc World Champ (whose name eludes me) saying there are two types of riders. Those who have had a high side and those who will. Its amazing to see blokes sitting on an R1 or a Duke that's capable of doing 300+ Km/h wearing shorts and joggers. They can't have much sense.

Pete

 

[Mizicke5273]

As someone already mentioned, sounds like the guy hasnt been riding all that long, to be wearing shorts, sneakers and a MX helmet. Though Ive only been riding for about 3 years now myself, I know how to properly dress to ride.

If you have to drive like an idiot, take it somewhere out the way where you aren't going to endanger anyone elses life.

I agree completely.

Thats why I have a Predator 500 sports quad. I can save my "horse play" for when Im ridding it. Cause whether it be on the trail, track, or open field I can have my fun, push the limits, and not have to worry about involving someone else.

The bike and Mustang on the other hand, dont get to see any messing around. 90% of my bike riding is done with my older brother and our friends. We all have cruisers, so no screwing around on them and I go the speed of the group. And the Mustang is purely babied even though its only a v6.

 

[{tpc}]

The stupidity of some people (this rider) never ceases to amaze me. While I don't ride often, if/when I do, I always leave space around myself and am always aware of the cars/situation around me. I always have an out somewhere. I sure as hell don't want to get creamed by a big rig, but even the smallest of cars is gonna hurt.

And no gear? Jeez. I'd rather sweat my ass off and save my skin, then have to have gravel scrubbed out of an open wound. I've not been down (yet), but when it does happen I will be geared up for it. I see people all the time in tennis shoes. I mean if you fall with tennis shoes on...you may be lucky to have a foot left. Not to mention if your laces get caught in something and it sucks your foot in. I've heard too many horror storys...

 

[Doc Wylie]

I'd rather sweat my ass off and save my skin, then have to have gravel scrubbed out of an open wound.

Getting half your arm or leg..or worse...sanded off by pavement isn't pretty either.

 

[MoeCizlak]

I drove a truck for years and still do on occasion for the chemical company I work for. I used to be one of those people who would dart in and out of traffic and never paid any mind to the trucks I was cutting off. That ended as soon as I received my CDL and saw the crazy stuff people do in front of trucks that couldn't stop in time if they had to. I still say that if you sentenced some of these idiots to riding in a truck for a couple of days to see what all is involved in driving a truck in traffic, it would change their habits as it did mine.

 

[sack]

If you live in a big city, like Chicago, where a new group of people are buying crotch rockets with NO idea of the laws of physics, you'll see some real good examples of stupidity.

 

[souldog]

I'm sure the sport bike riders in this forum are stand up guys. I'll be frank here. If I hit this guy, that's the ballgame. No ambulance. Just a cop car, a camera and a yellow tarp. I just saved his life by telling him to get the fuck out of the way, and he gives me a finger.

I gotta say, I see this aspect of the aftermath of idiotic riders more often than I would like to, and it ain't pretty. You're right, no ambulance, well maybe just to show up and measure the brain splatter and say, "Hmm...yep. I think he bought it..." Drive with some decency for fuck's sake. It might save your life.


My favorite part was when he decided to flip you off. 2009 Darwin Awards Winner In-Training!!!

Glad you're safe though.

 

[BlindedByScience]

There's a reason more than one agency refers to "Bullet Bikes" as "Donorcycles".

I've ridden bikes off and on for years and have always been able to keep in mind I'm outweighed many times over. Jamming in and out of traffic, let alone play "chicken" with a semi is something that would have never crossed my mind.

Hang in there, Chris - they're not all assholes, but the spectacular few give the rest of us who ride a bad name......

Cheers - B.B.S.

 

[AngryFishH]

Unfortunately this problem will naturally correct itself. Someone who rides a bike like that is going to end up on the wrong side of an accident. The only downside is the conscience of the person that liquefies them.

 

[H311oLHD]

I have to say, I really appreciate you posting about your experience. I don't ride a motorcycle, but I do drive a lot on the highway and am known to do a little bit of speeding at times (I try my best to not go over 80, but sometimes I do without paying attention.) I will definitely be more concious about trucks and make sure the driver knows exactly what I intend to do before I do it. I cannot imagine the anxiety that you guys endure b/c of shitty drivers that don't realize that you can only do so much to stop your vehicle.

Stay safe everyone. :thumbs:

 

[NullSmurf]

Hey, there is a shortage of organ donors. Thankfully, the brain isn't needed. Regretfully, said organ donors often harm other motorists carrying out their death wish.

 

[gtadroptop]

I don't ride a bike either, but I do tend to go into NASCAR mode when I'm driving the Mustangs. Thanks for the reminder that the big rigs need to be treated with respect.

 

[Ginseng]

My favorite part was when he decided to flip you off. 2009 Darwin Awards Winner In-Training!!!

Glad you're safe though.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Glad to hear you made it out ok with no damage you yourself or your rig, Chris.

Wilkey

 

[sinnyc]

I ride a lot. Sport bikes, touring bikes, motards, etc. And yes, there is a constant influx of "immortal" 19 year olds into the fraternity of riders. Those that make it out alive and not too badly damaged tend to become decent riders. many of the rest end up in situations like the one VitaleMob described although with less pleasant results.

I compete in long distance motorcycle rallies ranging from 24 hours to 11-days long. These things are non-stop and I often ride 18 or more hours a day. My favorite time on these things is at night on truck routes. Generally speaking, truckers are out there working and when I am on a rally, I am basically working too. I find that truckers tend to be much better guys to share the road with than the average cage driver and that since I treat them with respect (dim my lights as I come up behind them, make sure I have a clear run past them, signal, pass, and get back in front) they treat me with the same. I often talk to those guys on my CB and they give me good info about what's coming up in front of me.

To go back to stupid bikers (although this works for cars too) for a moment, the scenario that always blows my mind is this one:
A motorcyclist in the left lane poised to pass a truck. For whatever reason - traffic, cruise control, idiocy - the bike does not actually pass but just sits there next to the truck in the left lane. Let's think of all the bad shit that can heppen here:
- Trucker has to make an emergency move due to a problem directly in front of him. He has nowhere to go but left and because the left lane vehicle didn't do what he was supposed to, i.e. actually pass the truck, he is now in the way. Bike loses.
- Motorcyclist has to make an emergency move due to a problem directly in front of him. He has nowhere to go but...off the left shoulder since there is a truck that he hasn't passed directly on his right. Bike loses.
- Truck blows a tire out. Sometimes these things go quietly, sometimes not. If it goes quietly it will start to shred and toss pieces of "alligator" (tread) that can way 10, 20 or more pounds each off like a dog shaking off water. If you get hit by one of these or even run over one you are in a world of hurt. If they go "loud" they can more or less explode off the rim and fire those chunks out. Catching one of those on a bike is an instant crash. Either way, bike loses.

The moral of the story is simple physics: yield to mass.

When I pass a truck, I make sure I have clear road and then move past wth all acceptable speed. He doesn't want me there and I don't want to be there. It makes life better for both of us

- Tim