Rode the Savage to work today.  Second time on the bike in ~2 months due to being under the weather physically, the real weather being too dang hot here, and being so busy with projects requiring the truck.

Anyhow, I had just made a LEGAL right turn on GREEN onto the 4 lane bypass through town, and in the opposing turning lane was a large SUV that was staring right at me as I made my turn and he literally turned left and pulled out across the first lane (left lane, I was in the right lane) trying to zip across to get to the service station on that right corner. He acted as if he was about to gun it and try to beat me across since I was going ~15mph through my LEGAL turn on GREEN, that's when I laid on the horn and raised up my right hand giving him the palm-up open hand as to say "WTF dude".  He then stopped, hanging out there in the left lane while I passed and then proceeded across.  

Just because people are staring you in the EYE, which he was because my visor was up, does not mean they are yielding to you. So many idiots think that when they make eye contact it is a free pass to do what they want because "hey...he sees me".

Do not ever take eye contact as a validator of someone not pulling out on you...take it as a note that they are probably about to try something stupid at your expense.

Ditto on the rear brake. I crested a small hill going ~30ph to find stopped traffic. Yanked both brakes and locked up the rear, slid and fishtailed a little until I told my foot to "let go" and it corrected itself just in time for me to be at a walking pace where I could plant my feet (with sime skidding of my boots) and keep the bike upright...stopping about 3' from the stopped car.  Glad I wasn't on a 900lb bagger!

stewmills wrote on 09/06/19 at 08:51:26:
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The rear brake is not a bad thing, especially during panic stops and heavy straight ling braking.  Most of the time it's actually working to keep your bike straight.   Too much rear brake when leaning over while cornering is where people get in trouble.  

Rule of thumb, get most of your braking (speed reduction) done before you corner and use trail braking to increase traction and control while cornering (not much speed reduction).  Stay upright as long as possible when panic braking.  Lay it over when you have no other recourse.

Related:  I did a fishtail during my endorsement test while doing the "panic maneuver".  I'm thinking "Oh crap, he thinks I'm showing off or reckless"...the Trooper gives me a thumbs up.  

A motorcycle endorsement was added to my state drivers license after I passed the test.  I think it's required in all states???

I have a friend who held an AMA Pro Motocross license when we were younger. He got a cited for operating a motorcycle without a license because he didn't have a valid motorcycle endorsement.   He actually got arrested during the traffic stop when he pulled out his AMA license and said: "Show me that course and I'll ride a f&*king wheelie around it!"  I had to go bail him out.  He was the guy who thought he could get away with anything as long as he did it with a certain amount of charm. Nope, not that one. What a clown!  

Eegore wrote on 09/06/19 at 10:49:38:


Might want to check this list in case you live in one of the states on the list.


https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/motorcycle-licenses/

"Might want to check this list in case you live in one of the states on the list."

 Ahh yeah that's right.  Thanks.

Mine was self inflicted......I was the dummy.

Riding to work a little after 4AM, heading toward the ferry.
It is winter, and very, very cold out, however, dry.

As you make your final approach toward the ferry, its downhill at about a 6% grade that is sweeping left.
Off to the right is a big cliff, the original land mass that they cut the roadway from, it very steep, with about 150 foot wall on the right hand side.

This hill was weeping water, that froze over once it hit the roadway, as thin black layered ice.....
You can't see it until you get right upon it, going DOWNHILL.....

I saw two fatboys go down, their wheels just came out from under them, so I was lucky in that sense that I had a better warning than they did.
I go on my front brake, with quick squeezing and releasing, hoping to slow my momentum...it worked to some degree.
I had both feet on the ground, I was literally skiing my bike at this point.

I was about to lay over, as I thought a controlled fall would be better than one not, as I could not turn to the slight left, and was heading to the curb, railing, etc...

That is when I saw a dry patch, and knew if I could make it to that ground, I could then gather myself up, and change my panties, etc....

I did, I righted the list, pulled my feet back up, gave it some rear brake, and aimed for better turf...the toll booth.

I made it...and I thank the low center of gravity, not my skills, for saving my butt.
I watched 2 other bike bikes drop in the few minutes I was at the toll booth.....

These guys were mad, cussing, and blaming everyone about the BS condition of the road.

I just shut up.....

Good point about making sure the clutch is in Mike.  It's just second nature to me from riding and racing off road.