ShadowBoxer
Wannabie Member
Interesting and good to see.
When commuting in my big city,
I usually stay near the lines and/or behind the tires/taillights. I NEVER stay in the center if I don't have to or while traffic is moving.
• I feel one has less maneuvering room
• Less visibility. Both OF yourself and YOUR VIEW of the surrounding conditions. Especially in close traffic conditions.
When near or on the lines I can sometimes see things farther up ahead. That is useful information. For example in your video here, you might have realized that traffic was slowing/stopping ahead.
I feel I'm more visible both to the vehicle at my rear quarter and in the mirrors of the vehicles ahead (if they bother to look, but I have to give them a chance).
Being near the lines also allows access to emergency lane changes or emergency lane splitting. This could be very useful as inches if not feet are saved from maneuvering when things are getting tight quickly. The gap is right there in front, not two feet away after a sharp left or right turn...
Only had your type of situation once really. I had a pillion on the back (a guy) and the bike was thus way heavier. This was also on the freeway/highway/whatever you call it over there. When the car/traffic in front stopped suddenly and the car on my right did not allow a lane change (was a merging on-ramp), I did not slam on the brake but slowed and allowed the bike to thread between the car in front and it's neighbor to the left (I had already assessed that this was possible and was closer to that side at the moment).
Riders often say, "Everyone wants to kill you." I don't agree.
I mention in a Street Strategies video of mine, that I believe everyone wants to go faster and no one is looking for you. Which seems to be exactly what happened in your video. The amateur driver/rider is only looking for where they can fit - how they can go faster, etc. I look for what I think others might want to do. In my video I try to give a few clues (among many possibilities) that might indicate intention.
What ever happened, if you made it home safe: Good Job.
When commuting in my big city,
I usually stay near the lines and/or behind the tires/taillights. I NEVER stay in the center if I don't have to or while traffic is moving.
• I feel one has less maneuvering room
• Less visibility. Both OF yourself and YOUR VIEW of the surrounding conditions. Especially in close traffic conditions.
When near or on the lines I can sometimes see things farther up ahead. That is useful information. For example in your video here, you might have realized that traffic was slowing/stopping ahead.
I feel I'm more visible both to the vehicle at my rear quarter and in the mirrors of the vehicles ahead (if they bother to look, but I have to give them a chance).
Being near the lines also allows access to emergency lane changes or emergency lane splitting. This could be very useful as inches if not feet are saved from maneuvering when things are getting tight quickly. The gap is right there in front, not two feet away after a sharp left or right turn...
Only had your type of situation once really. I had a pillion on the back (a guy) and the bike was thus way heavier. This was also on the freeway/highway/whatever you call it over there. When the car/traffic in front stopped suddenly and the car on my right did not allow a lane change (was a merging on-ramp), I did not slam on the brake but slowed and allowed the bike to thread between the car in front and it's neighbor to the left (I had already assessed that this was possible and was closer to that side at the moment).
Riders often say, "Everyone wants to kill you." I don't agree.
I mention in a Street Strategies video of mine, that I believe everyone wants to go faster and no one is looking for you. Which seems to be exactly what happened in your video. The amateur driver/rider is only looking for where they can fit - how they can go faster, etc. I look for what I think others might want to do. In my video I try to give a few clues (among many possibilities) that might indicate intention.
What ever happened, if you made it home safe: Good Job.
MotoJedeye
Wannabie Member
Posted my comments on the youtube video. Wow, my heart is still beating fast. Good save bro.
OlliePrice
The Friends of Ollie
Kinda glad my bike has ABS too now. Thanks for this video 
. You did a great job, I would have been dead, swearing at the white car
. You did a great job, I would have been dead, swearing at the white car
JamesBrown
TheBrownsWorld
Omg thats scary. i crashed 2 months ago. im ok and bikes ok. it scared the shit out of me but i learn from it.
ShadowBoxer
Wannabie Member
If you got something out of that or my video, very glad to help.
You can thank me by any combination of:
a) By me a beer or whiskey if we ever meet in Aussieland. Something specific to Australia, preferably.
b) Watch my video. Comment, Like, Subscribe!
c) Continue to make it home safe everyday.
Cheers,
: )
You can thank me by any combination of:
a) By me a beer or whiskey if we ever meet in Aussieland. Something specific to Australia, preferably.
b) Watch my video. Comment, Like, Subscribe!
c) Continue to make it home safe everyday.
Cheers,
: )
ShadowBoxer
Wannabie Member
One more thing:
What saved you was not ABS.
What saved you was having enough distance to stop before connecting with the vehicle in front.
ABS may slow you down quickly but you still need a minimum distance to transform all that momentum energy into heat energy. You did mention this in the video. I just wanted to underline it.
Motorcyclists have been braking safely for over a hundred years without ABS.
They simply gave themselves and the brake technology available, enough time and space to work.
When things get crowded and you have less space around you,
simply slow down and/or look for gaps to split through if needed.
What saved you was not ABS.
What saved you was having enough distance to stop before connecting with the vehicle in front.
ABS may slow you down quickly but you still need a minimum distance to transform all that momentum energy into heat energy. You did mention this in the video. I just wanted to underline it.
Motorcyclists have been braking safely for over a hundred years without ABS.
They simply gave themselves and the brake technology available, enough time and space to work.
When things get crowded and you have less space around you,
simply slow down and/or look for gaps to split through if needed.
Wht a brilliant analysis of both the incident and learning experience. I can't add anything meaningful to your summary of the pertinent points and wholly concur with your close: "......assume everyone out there is out to get you.....".
biker1968
Mistar Biker
Hey man, i'm glad you are okay...that was some scary shit...
The only thing I can say is having watched the video several times, is that I would not have gone for the second shoulder check, the car in front is way to close to be taking your eyes of.
Absolutely not denying the driver was being a right prick, me personally would have gunned it on the first check, even with him pulling up next to you, you have the power to out accelerate him (providing you're in the right gear). If i decided not to at that point I would have maintained focus on the car in front and just let the dick head go past....
I commute into London everyday and have learnt this lesson long ago, in heavy traffic, the car in front is more important than the car behind.
By the way, totally agree with the statement about ABS and Kudus for not catching up to the guy and kicking his f*cking side panel in...
