FB400
Super Member
Hey all -
quick summary of my experience leading me this far
. in my 7th season, ~36,000 miles of riding experience, two 10+day trips and one shorter trip (camping 3 days) under my belt.
. I commute very occasionally but since I must travel from Long Island through 2 of the 5 NYC boroughs. It's a bad idea but I do this 2 to 5 times a year anyway. sometimes it is find but there are reminders of how dangerous it is almost each time.
. My riding style - I tend to ride a little fast - I am talking under 70 with bursts above that with conviction to motor away from cars. to just keep up with traffic often times means 70+mph. when ever possible I utilize the HOV lane for safety of a law prohibiting lane changes into or out of it except in designated sections.
. I kind of hate driving my car in this metro area and have lived here my whole life. Motorists are seldom nice and driving is often a very rude experience. I tend to drive slower and stay the hell out of people's way. I only drive in the left lane when I am willing to drive a bit faster. Motorists here will tailgate me no matter what lane I am in and I tend to just let it roll right off and I maintain a polite distance to the car in front me. besides they are so impatient and act like lab rats with predictable results in that they wouldn't stay behind me more than a few seconds if that.
-> Anyhow, I have started to slow it down on the bike. I figure it is time to get back to basics and if I could find the advanced MSF course being given I would sign up for it but I have inquired at least twice and there is never enough demand for it.
-> I went for my favorite ride last evening from the North Shore of Long Island down to Jones Beach on the south shore. I have done this ride 100+ times in 7 years, no exaggeration. I rode last night like my life depended on every move, essentially with the caution of a newbie but with the skill of an advanced rider.
A few observations and a story
1. when not moving the usual pace - faster than cars, motorists will come up along side you to get a look at you. I am made extremely uncomfortable by this. Thankfully it was a fiat and not a large SUV or pickup truck.
2. On the way home after I had made a safe journey of 50+ miles and was ~6 miles from home. I had planned a stop at Dunkin Donuts along the way for a snack and coffee before heading home to my wife. I kept the speed very moderate and even kept out of the left lane (a tertiary road where the speed limit is 55).
3. At one point along comes chugging along pretty fast a Jeep Wrangler or similar with is brights on in the right lane. No biggie I thought he is going to pass.. but he didn't he just stops and paces me for a few seconds and this scares the **** out of me. i stay calm and do not look over, apply throttle and get the hell out of there. there is not chase or anything but I am like WTF just happened and why now.. never before in 7 seasons...
He went ahead and that was fine, I was glad to have him where I could see him and not have to wonder what he was contemplating behind me. I was pretty pissed and couldn't resist giving him about a 10 second immersion HID high beams! we came to a light 20 seconds later where there would be a merge to 1 lane about 1000 feet away. when the light turned green we both accelerated slowly for a good bit when the light turned green and after 5 seconds I moved ahead and there was no contest. there was no further incident but like the snakebite where the venom stays after the bite means I have been replaying this event in my mind over and over since last night
-> I can only surmise that motorists generally cannot get close enough to look at motorcycles while in operation, or at least not a sport or near sport bike. so some cannot resist the opportunity to get a look at a bike not moving fast. I have a couple things that could attract attention front and back, namely the Hyperlites and also the HID projector headlights (aimed politely by the way)
-> I intend here to solicit advice from you all. I don't believe you ever have too much experience to stop learning
Sorry about the long post and for those that got all the way here thanks!! I don't post much but this one feels very important
Thank you
Tom
quick summary of my experience leading me this far
. in my 7th season, ~36,000 miles of riding experience, two 10+day trips and one shorter trip (camping 3 days) under my belt.
. I commute very occasionally but since I must travel from Long Island through 2 of the 5 NYC boroughs. It's a bad idea but I do this 2 to 5 times a year anyway. sometimes it is find but there are reminders of how dangerous it is almost each time.
. My riding style - I tend to ride a little fast - I am talking under 70 with bursts above that with conviction to motor away from cars. to just keep up with traffic often times means 70+mph. when ever possible I utilize the HOV lane for safety of a law prohibiting lane changes into or out of it except in designated sections.
. I kind of hate driving my car in this metro area and have lived here my whole life. Motorists are seldom nice and driving is often a very rude experience. I tend to drive slower and stay the hell out of people's way. I only drive in the left lane when I am willing to drive a bit faster. Motorists here will tailgate me no matter what lane I am in and I tend to just let it roll right off and I maintain a polite distance to the car in front me. besides they are so impatient and act like lab rats with predictable results in that they wouldn't stay behind me more than a few seconds if that.
-> Anyhow, I have started to slow it down on the bike. I figure it is time to get back to basics and if I could find the advanced MSF course being given I would sign up for it but I have inquired at least twice and there is never enough demand for it.
-> I went for my favorite ride last evening from the North Shore of Long Island down to Jones Beach on the south shore. I have done this ride 100+ times in 7 years, no exaggeration. I rode last night like my life depended on every move, essentially with the caution of a newbie but with the skill of an advanced rider.
A few observations and a story
1. when not moving the usual pace - faster than cars, motorists will come up along side you to get a look at you. I am made extremely uncomfortable by this. Thankfully it was a fiat and not a large SUV or pickup truck.
2. On the way home after I had made a safe journey of 50+ miles and was ~6 miles from home. I had planned a stop at Dunkin Donuts along the way for a snack and coffee before heading home to my wife. I kept the speed very moderate and even kept out of the left lane (a tertiary road where the speed limit is 55).
3. At one point along comes chugging along pretty fast a Jeep Wrangler or similar with is brights on in the right lane. No biggie I thought he is going to pass.. but he didn't he just stops and paces me for a few seconds and this scares the **** out of me. i stay calm and do not look over, apply throttle and get the hell out of there. there is not chase or anything but I am like WTF just happened and why now.. never before in 7 seasons...
He went ahead and that was fine, I was glad to have him where I could see him and not have to wonder what he was contemplating behind me. I was pretty pissed and couldn't resist giving him about a 10 second immersion HID high beams! we came to a light 20 seconds later where there would be a merge to 1 lane about 1000 feet away. when the light turned green we both accelerated slowly for a good bit when the light turned green and after 5 seconds I moved ahead and there was no contest. there was no further incident but like the snakebite where the venom stays after the bite means I have been replaying this event in my mind over and over since last night
-> I can only surmise that motorists generally cannot get close enough to look at motorcycles while in operation, or at least not a sport or near sport bike. so some cannot resist the opportunity to get a look at a bike not moving fast. I have a couple things that could attract attention front and back, namely the Hyperlites and also the HID projector headlights (aimed politely by the way)
-> I intend here to solicit advice from you all. I don't believe you ever have too much experience to stop learning
Sorry about the long post and for those that got all the way here thanks!! I don't post much but this one feels very important
Thank you
Tom
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