Quote:
Originally Posted by wildchild
I've had 'em do it when I was wearing a yellow jacket and riding a yellow bike and just for contrast wearing a bright red helmet. color doesn't matter.
idiots in cages will always be idiots in cages. Best "cure" is to indeed treat every cage on the road as though it's being driven by a complete moron who was barely able to feed themselves this morning. As they say in training courses always, ALWAYS be looking for the exit strategy. It sucks and yes it takes away a little from the enjoyment of the ride but we are the ones at risk, and the only ones who care about us is ourselves.
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That's kinda where I'm at.. I always treat cagers like they're all out to get me.
But at the same time.. us motorcyclists are still human. Even if we're on top of the game 99% of the time, there's still that 1% where maybe we're looking in one mirror and the idiot barrelling down on us is coming at us from the other direction.. things happen SO fast, and we, as imperfect beings, have only so much in the way of resources as far as reaction time and training to help mitigate the odds.
I've had heated discussions with people who didn't believe in taking the MSF more than the first time.. I for one don't see how it can *hurt* to refresh one's training, and occasionally practice things (panic stops, quick maneuvers, etc.), especially when you have a new bike. But that being said... all it does is lower the chances, it doesn't get rid of the danger altogether.
It's one of many choices we make in life.. I think people who jump out of perfectly good air planes or jump off rock cliffs are nucking futs (and I'm sure people think the same of me for riding bikes or being in the military), but it's something that they enjoy that fulfills them. Motorcycling is that way for me. I understand the risks, I've been in an accident that could have been fatal if I hadn't had friends who were able to call for help right away.. but *my* personal choice (being as I don't really have the means by which to ride on a track whenever I want... *coughZoomiecough* Love ya... mean it
) is to continue riding in spite of the risks.
It's like anything else in life. You pays your money, you takes your chances...
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