Passed MOD 2 and had an off all in one day!

Beerguzzler · 5 Jun 2014 at 18:44

So, I was riding along this morning to attend my MOD 2 at 13:10. I was on my CBR 125 going 60 behind a red car on a busy road. The red car indicated left and began to turn in in front of me, I had slowed a little at this point and as I was doing so I seen a car in the same junction looking to pull out. I was about 30m away when it suddenly pulled out. I braked as hard as I could but combined with the slipperiness of the wet road I slid and rolled towards the car. I managed to get up and we got my bike to the side of the road where some others had got out and asked if I was ok. I got his insurance and details of a witness before he then took me to the bike school where I had an hour lesson before finally passing my test with 3 minors!

My bike is in a poor state, the front fairing has come off, the brake lever is bent, the front ain't sitting right and it's all scuffed up... Got a call from his insurance at least and they say they're going to sort out my bike.

Got my SV650 waiting in the garage, just need an MOT and it'll be good to go. Cheaper insurance than my 125 as well!

NooBish AbbZ · 5 Jun 2014 at 22:28

I also went from a CBR125 to an Sv650

Although didn't' have an off on my Mod 2 day

congratulations on Mod2, hope the bike gets sorted and enjoy the SV

Kreeeee · 5 Jun 2014 at 22:30

Got my eye on the SV650 too!

TallPaul_S · 5 Jun 2014 at 22:36

Glad you're ok, and congrats on the mod 2 pass!

Now start to work on your obs and forward planning skills

If a car is turning into a side road and there's another car waiting to pull out of the same road, that should be ringing huge alarm bells your head. Assume the car pulling out has not seen you, as they probably won't have done. If you ride in the right of your lane too, rather than directly behind cars and well behind so cars can see you and you're not obscured by the car in front, this will all help. But you need to be reading the situation much more, in this case, slowing in preparation for the car pulling out, covering your brake, and doing the "SMIDSY weave".

quad · 6 Jun 2014 at 14:56

yes that's true. you need to put yourself in the drivers seat of the car pulling out. he's obviously not clocked you and come out. It's a classic "sorry mate didn't see you" situation. We need to be avoiding those at all costs.

Scythe · 6 Jun 2014 at 17:24

At least you're not hurt, and well done on getting back on and passing your test! The best way to get over an off is to jump back on the bike and confront your fears ASAP.

wazza300 · 6 Jun 2014 at 19:27

just take extra care on your sv650

and always slow down at busy junctions ect,there's always one chancer that thinks he can get across

Beerguzzler · 6 Jun 2014 at 22:21

Cheers guys, luckily I did semi-anticipate it but I was so close I thought he'd definitely seen me! Live and learn I guess. Anyway, got the SV mot'd today and had a blast about. Love the sound it makes, like riding on thunder! Feels much more stable and safer than the CBR.

ttaskmaster · 9 Jun 2014 at 16:50

Always assume you've not been seen and adjust your ride accordingly.

Yaayuh! · 9 Jun 2014 at 17:12

That sucks, but well done for going straight into a test and passing straight after

ttaskmaster said:
Always assume you've not been seen and adjust your ride accordingly.

Eh? So sound the horn and flash lights at every junction? Most of the time there's nothing you can do and you can't change the driver either.

ttaskmaster · 9 Jun 2014 at 17:37

Rossi~ said:
Most of the time there's nothing you can do and you can't change the driver either.

OK, so either roll over and die, or just don't use the roads, then... Pretty fatalistic thinking, there.

Alternatively, hold off, slow down, change position, manoeuvre around the situation, get past the danger point as quickly as possible, or an appropriate combination thereof.
Although hindsight may reveal more after the event, there is rarely 'nothing you could have done'. If more people were honest with themselves (riders especially) and more willing to learn from others' mistakes, we'd have less incidents.

Sin_Chase · 9 Jun 2014 at 19:03

Always assume the worst of other people using the road. Anticipating the numpty actions of others gives you more time to respond and let's you take mitigating action prior to them doing said numpty thing.

Whether that is slowing down, changing position or even stopping. Plenty of times I will stop the bike (even the car) and just let people pull out KNOWING they are going to do something stupid and I'd rather avoid being involved with them.

ttaskmaster · 10 Jun 2014 at 13:49

Sin_Chase said:
Anticipating the numpty actions of others gives you more time to respond and let's you take mitigating action prior to them doing said numpty thing.

Most definitely.

However, my bike instructor told me off for using the commonplace term 'anticipate', as "it suggests you think you know what is going to happen, when most often you don't".
He formerly taught other Police riders, so I figure he knows what he's on about!

Rather he just explained it as leaving space for whatever might happen and always riding to the 'What If...'
That 'What If...' has saved me no end of times and usually just in the nick of time, as well!

Sin_Chase · 12 Jun 2014 at 09:51

ttaskmaster said:
Most definitely.

However, my bike instructor told me off for using the commonplace term 'anticipate', as "it suggests you think you know what is going to happen, when most often you don't".
He formerly taught other Police riders, so I figure he knows what he's on about!

Rather he just explained it as leaving space for whatever might happen and always riding to the 'What If...'
That 'What If...' has saved me no end of times and usually just in the nick of time, as well!

‘Roadcraft’ states the system of car control is a way of approaching and negotiating hazards that is methodical, safe and leaves nothing to chance. It involves careful observation, early anticipation and planning and a systematic use of controls to maintain your vehicle’s stability in all situations.

I've completed Roadcraft Police training. Anticipation is the correct and appropriate term. I can see the point of view though and agree. Thinking you know what will happen is silly. "He has seen me, he won't pull out" OH REALLY?!

Anticipation is merely creating a mental picture of seen and unseen potential hazards and working out the appropriate responses in your head prior to actually needing to employ them. Should you need them, your reaction time to take said action is reduced.

Anticipation may merely be identifying a potential need to slow/stop and covering the brake.

Driving to full 'Roadcraft Standard' can be very satisfying (Albeit very bloody difficult). I've given a full commentary drive and approached a 90 degree bend. I commentated "Sharp 90 degree bend, chance oncoming traffic will cut corner into my lane". As I approach bend, oncoming car cuts corner and comes into my lane. Jedi Magic!

ttaskmaster · 12 Jun 2014 at 16:44

Technically to anticipate, means to predict, regard as likely, expect, etc...
Steve (my instructor) always said, "Don't anticipate anything, but *allow for* everything". Obviusly that's not absolutely everything, else you'd never go out in case aliens abduct you or something silly.... but that's where the 'What If...' comes in.

Steve's case in point was made when we were out and the Lead Rider (I forget his name) was approaching a major-to-minor right hander, with a big black new model Range Rover indicating to turn right. RR was over well to the right of the lane and already partly inclined into the turn. There is an 8' high brick wall running all the way down the left side of the road.

Lead Rider (behind him was Steve, then me) decided it was safe to pass on the left. Big no-no anyway, but not for the reasons you might 'anticipate'...

Nothing oncoming, nothing pulling out, all clear. LR, moves left and anticipates that nothing will happen as he starts to pass...

RR suddenly revs up and turns left, ploughing head-on into the brick wall and taking LR out in the process. His bike actually bounced off the RR like a snooker ball being hit by the cueball. He pretty much high-sided as he clipped the curb and was flung off the bike into the wall.

The bike was trashed, but he had only bruises and a shattered lid. Not even a concussion (score one for Caberg).
The RR driver's excuse was that she was "only following her SatNav"!!

It was such a memorable event anyway, but more so as I happened to live half-way down that minor road at the time and there was a large branch of Colin Collins m/c dealership on the corner, where LR was able to immediately source a new lid for the pillion ride home on Steve's bike.

But it really hammered home the difference between anticipation and allowing for!!