Close call (my fault)

[Mad Max]

Short story: On a tight road that is new to me. Friend is riding on the back. I am going faster than is safe for the road (blind corners, slightly narrow, lots of driveways) nevermind the fact that I didn't know it. Come around a pucker corner and see a stop sign as I blow past it right into a T intersection with a slightly more busy road. I go about halfway across the road with a tire just into the far lane. Didn't drop the bike, no vehicles went off the road or collided. VERY LUCKY (and stupid)

Longer story:
I started braking when I saw how tight the corner really was and then got on the brakes hard after the corner ended and I was plowing by the stop sign. A cyclist in closer lane was about 2 seconds late for being hit and the mini van in the far lane stopped about 5 feet short of where I would have been if I went all the way into the other lane. The speed limit on the road was 20-25. I was averaging 35-40.

There were a couple things that I made note of.

1) Riding quickly on unfamiliar streets is stupid.

2) Trying to show off for a friend is always a bad idea.

3) I got lucky, very effing lucky. If there was a car in the close lane we would have been toast. If the bike was a second or two ahead of where he was we would have been hit. If the woman in the minivan freaked she could have driven into us or off the road.

4) Practicing a lot of emergency braking is a good idea. When I saw the situation starting to unfold I was almost sure my passenger and myself were going to end up sliding on the pavement. The bike stayed up and stopped with relatively little drama. What I wish I had done was practice it more. I know that there was more left in the brakes and I could have stopped several feet shorter. It's ironic that I had contemplated going to an empty lot this morning before picking up the passenger to practice emergency braking. The reason for not doing it: Did it like 4 months ago (not a good choice)


All in all, this was a very cheap lesson. No one was hurt, no property damaged and I even managed to not soil myself. I am passing it onto you guys as a reminder to make good decisions.

There is probably a cyclist bitching (and rightfully so) about some asshole (me) on a motorcycle who shouldn't be riding.

This was the first ride my passenger ever had on a motorbike. I couldn't have been more embarrassed to call myself a motorcyclist. He was almost oblivious to how close the incident was.

[Doc]

Live and learn.

My biggest concern is the passenger and the first time pillion ride.

[Paul_E_D]

Practice quick stops WITH your passenger.

[slammp]

Learn from it. It has probably happened to most on this site at one piont or another. Be greatful that no one was hurt and call it experience.

[ptk-napalm]

You learned a very valuable lesson that day & you were very lucky also.

You will find that when ever you have a passenger on board that it will take you longer to stop the bike due to the extra weight. Your rear tire may not lock up as fast, but it sure sucks having that other person pressing on your back as you are cranking on the brakes.

I'm glad that you came out of that close call unscathed.