[SkydiveSonic]

So one of my buddies almost got creamed by a truck yesterday .... He was riding behind a big van, and out of no-where the van driver slams on the brakes. No big deal, so he brakes too and while he's doing so, looks in his mirrors. HUGE freakin truck gaining ground quick. My buddy eases up on the brakes and moves to the side of the van (they're almost stopped at this point). The truck that was behind him stops about 1 foot away from the van in front. If my buddy hadn't moved to the side, he'd be in a bad way. Keep an eye on your mirrors people (assuming you haven't been dumb enough to take them off )

 

[Johnny_B]

Yep everytime I brake I check my mirror for cases just like that...luckily nothing like that has ever happened to me tho

 

[Commander Keen]

Same, I'm always checking my mirrors when I'm driving. It's a habit that transferred over to the bike. Thankfully...

 

[Spike]

Good advice. I always check the mirrors when i'm stopping, regardless of whether it's a normal stop or a sudden unplanned one.

 

[dayoff]

One of the basic survival techniques. Good advice.

 

[Jave]

when I saw the title of the thread I though u were talkin about an escape route from the cops

 

[SkydiveSonic]

Yeah - you gotta watch the mirrors for those guys as well ....

 

[rubberhead]

Always keep checking the mirrors whether on a bike or in a cage. If you get caught in a hairy situation, you already have most of the picture in your mind. I like to play with traffic when I ride. Keeps me fully alert all the time and makes the unexpected more fun.

 

[mascu]

also when at a stop..... continously scan the mirrors for the back..... UNTIL a car has stopped behind you... providing a protective barrier

 

[greenboy]

Same thing happened to me in the 1980's during a BC Safety Council riding course, of all things. On Willingdon southbound near Lougheed in Burnaby, on a slight decline. It had just stopped raining and the roads were wet. The class came to a stop behind a car, I was directly behind the car. I glanced in my mirror and saw a pickup truck coming down the hill sideways! I made a slipstream to get beside the car in front of me, as did a few others. The pickup truck stopped long before where the group was but scared the crap out of us all the same.

Ever since then I check not only when I'm stopped but as I'm slowing to stop. Something else I do too is I try not to stop directly behind the car in front dead smack middle of his bumper, but off to the left or right slightly, with my front wheel slightly pointed at my escape route. Stay like that in first gear until satisfied the car behind me has come to a full stop. Then I click into neutral and take a nap or make a sandwich.

 

[Guest]

one handed riding

I've been noticing a trend with riders of all bikes as I'm sitting going nowhere in my work truck that alot of us are tailgating car,van and truck drivers along highway 1 with one hand on the throttle and the other on the lap. It seems to be done mostly in the evenings, I can only guess that my fellow riders are very tired after a long days work. I do this myself but only on a long cruise and I need to change my posture for a few minutes and definately not tailgating. I can only guess it's a form of posing for those who can't sit on their tanks with their legs spread out, now those riders rule!

 

[JamieJames]

I try to make it a habit not to ride behind big trucks, vans, SUV's, or any large vehicle that I cannot see what's going on in front of it. If that means I have to ride like a bastid to get in front of it, I will.

 

[Stewy]

Having an out is a must. I also say to myself in my head, "What if that guy pulls out?" or "What if he cuts me off?". Excellent strategy to plan.

 

[gixxerboygenius]

haha, i was thinking of escape routes when being chased as well!!!

but ya, watch mirrors and don't put bike in neutral till ur satisfied the cars behind u are all stopped. if making a left turn, take the rightmost lane position so u can scoot between the cars if the guy behind you is gonna nail your six.

 

[katana john]

My mirrors were almost useless.
Good for checking bug splatter on my jacket sleave, but not for seeing anything behind me.
So off they came. Bike looks better.
And yes officer I shoulder check.

 

[900 SS]

I'm with JamieJames on this one.
I don't ride behind big trucks ever. I like to look waaaaay down the road.

 

[Purplekawi]

i drive around without a care in the world. if i don't attract it by thinking about it, it doesn't find me. course i instinctively always stop to either side of a vehicle with my front pointed to a side but then i always ride to either side of a lane like i'm formation riding anyways.

 

[chixilog]

i drive around without a care in the world. if i don't attract it by thinking about it, it doesn't find me. course i instinctively always stop to either side of a vehicle with my front pointed to a side but then i always ride to either side of a lane like i'm formation riding anyways.

never take off your side mirrors,,it'll save you alot of grief and will save your life as well....

same here, i always stop on the side of the vehicle in front of me as well as when im riding,i always make it a habit to ride on the side behind the vehicle in front of me....always check my mirrors when slowin down and stopping....

 

[Sethro250]

good point... i think i might put a mirror back on my bike.

 

[SkipTkt]

I always have an escape route at-the-ready. I think it comes in part from riding for so long and also because I drive a '91 Pontiac Firefly (convertible)... a "one accident" car. I've had to 'escape' many times. :rolleyes I'm even better at it when there's flashing red & blue lights behind me. Instinct I guess...

:devillook