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Misc / Open / Careful out there
« on: July 24, 2024, 08:00:13 AM »
Absolutely loving my 550k1 which gets better with every ride as the new rings/ pistons/engine bearings bed in. Out today and a very nasty moment which could have badly damaged me and bike.
30 mph, sunny day, headlight on, hi vis full face helmet and car is emerging in the exit of a hotel on a quiet country road. I slow down but the car just keeps coming and turns out when I am almost on top of it. Either didn’t see me, didn’t care or was just not properly in control. I emergency braked but to avoid contact had to swerve between the car and nearside curve as it pulled away.
With the benefit of hindsight I could / should have had my horn button covered and used it as the car never fully stopped in the exit. Also tried to make eye contact and changed my position on the road. But I was just jumping on the brakes almost as soon as I clocked the car. I think it could have been the missus driving husbands unfamiliar car after a big night at Cartmel races, didn’t look fully in control and then proceeded at 20 mph for a few hundred yards before I overtook and gave her the stare.
The front brake is ok on my bike but not up to more recent standards. Had I been riding my GS or Fazer ( but not my R80)then I reckon I could have stopped behind the car and not needed to swerve. Moral of the tale keep that horn button covered in places where this can happen and make allowance in your riding for the braking performance of a 50 year old design. Be careful out there SOHC pals.
30 mph, sunny day, headlight on, hi vis full face helmet and car is emerging in the exit of a hotel on a quiet country road. I slow down but the car just keeps coming and turns out when I am almost on top of it. Either didn’t see me, didn’t care or was just not properly in control. I emergency braked but to avoid contact had to swerve between the car and nearside curve as it pulled away.
With the benefit of hindsight I could / should have had my horn button covered and used it as the car never fully stopped in the exit. Also tried to make eye contact and changed my position on the road. But I was just jumping on the brakes almost as soon as I clocked the car. I think it could have been the missus driving husbands unfamiliar car after a big night at Cartmel races, didn’t look fully in control and then proceeded at 20 mph for a few hundred yards before I overtook and gave her the stare.
The front brake is ok on my bike but not up to more recent standards. Had I been riding my GS or Fazer ( but not my R80)then I reckon I could have stopped behind the car and not needed to swerve. Moral of the tale keep that horn button covered in places where this can happen and make allowance in your riding for the braking performance of a 50 year old design. Be careful out there SOHC pals.