Braking is always a concern of the rider. I had a man who took our course and did very well in it. He passed both written and skill exams with 100% on each. He rode a beautiful yellow 1200 H.D. He had an accident and totaled the bike. He could not understand why he had the accident. He had the police report drawing showing lanes and the skids left from his tires before impact with a curb.

This is what happened. He was E/B on Bell Rd. in the center lane. He was in the left track of this lane. A van was just ahead of him in the left lane. He was close and in the drivers blind spot. The van began to move right into his lane. He locked the brakes and swerved for the curb lane. He kept the brakes locked until he hit the curb and was thrown from the bike.

As a rider what went wrong and when? What could he have done to prevent this incident?

1. He was in the other drivers blind spot.
2. He locked the brakes and swerved right. Remember you can not brake and swerve at the same time. You lose all steering control and the bike wants to fall down. It did.
3. He should have been sure he was not in the other driver’s blind spot.
4. He could have straight line braked and let the van pass in front of him. He would be straight up and backing off at the same time. No turns involved and no accident.

Hope you understand that most motorcycle fatalities are single bike with no other vehicle involved. We are having far too many bike accidents here in Arizona. The reason may or may not be someone else’s problem. But it is your responsibility to know what is going on around you. It is your responsibility to make good riding judgments that keep you out of trouble. Shinny side up and rubber side on the pavement.

Safety is a Concern for All of Us
Do Not Take Chances
Ride with Safety in Your Mind at All Times
No Matter What You Ride Remember:
Keep Your Head Up, Eyes on the Horizon & Look Through the Turns

Charlie Thayer, Rider Coach

Motorcycle Riding Training
623-979-1839
www.azmrt.com