public service announcement "don't be stupid"

[cclase]

Dumped my 85 last Monday after exercising some extremely poor judgement...I was fortunate in that I was able to walk away from it without much more than a little rash, jammed thumb and a very chastened ego.  The FJ on the other hand was not quite so fortunate.  So on to the lessons learned:

-somewhere along the way I posted that my dad was always reminding me not to be "dead right".  Well, he's still right...that jerk in the truck behind you, you know the one, he rides your butt no matter what you do to try and get away and then he flips you off when he finally passes you?  And then you get mad and twist the throttle to catch in hopes of something (I'll show him!)   Yea, well don't think for a second that he won't slam on the brakes, watch you go down and drive off.  This can be avoided...and speaking to myself here, don't be stupid, just let it go and be on your way.  It could be that there are people (wife, kids (x6), etc) counting on you to do the right, smart thing and make it home.

-atgatt...road rash sucks as bad at 43 as it did at 13.  That polo will not protect the exposed skin of your arms.

-engine bars!  Even a relatively "minor" incident can break stuff that will make your ride INOPERABLE.  Next thing you know you're asking Randy and Robert to dig around to see if they had what you need to put humpy dumpty back together again (but it sure is awesome to know that RPM and FJowners are there!).  Don't put it off like I did, get the bars...they can make for a cool location to mount your go-pro and just may save your engine!

Thank you for your attention.  You may now return to your regularly scheduled FJowners forum topic.

Chris

[Lotsokids]

Sorry, man. That sucks. Glad it wasn't worse. Good lesson... I admit I'm aggressive. I would have done the same thing, but they drive better here in Hungary.

[Bones]

Unless you've got flashing lights and a siren, don't even bother chasing a car when on a bike, because a car will win the battle every time. I've done it once myself where I've chased a car for a while after he nearly ran me off the road before finally realising shit, he had no problem nearly running me off the road, what problem would he have jamming the brakes on or swerve when I'm beside him, so I backed off begrudgingly and just let him go. There are some crazy people out there driving around and unfortunately they have the upper hand over us.

As for the engine bars, totally agree, I've got them on mine after a fall over off the stand nearly put the brake pedal throug the case.

[ken65]

Recently i was pestered by a numb scull in a BMW.   My crime was sticking to the speed limit and he was in a hurry.    After he just about hit me overtaking  me on the inside

i felt an almost overwhelming desire to chase him.  I'm glade i didn't.  Went home and had a few beers which restored order in my universe.   I'm glad your ok...

ken

[movenon]

Glad you are OK. Life is learning experience for sure. The road rash looks painful but it will heal. The bike doesn't look that bad. Easy fix. When you get into fixing the bike you can take that rear brake pedal and grind off quiet a bit of metal on the case side of the pedal.  It will not stop the pedal from impacting the side cover but will help a little to minimizes damage on a light fall.  Ask me how I know.... .  Get well and again I am glad you are still here to share your experience.
George

[Lotsokids]

A friend told me he used to keep a piece of hard foam mounted near his handlebars on his Harley. He kept about 4 old spark plugs in it. He said if a driver tailgated or started getting stupid, he got a spark plug in his windshield. But I can see that also not ending well.

[Country Joe]

A friend told me he used to keep a piece of hard foam mounted near his handlebars on his Harley. He kept about 4 old spark plugs in it. He said if a driver tailgated or started getting stupid, he got a spark plug in his windshield. But I can see that also not ending well.

Yep, that sounds like a satisfying idea, but in reality, a very poor option. Just let the idiots go by. Live to ride another day with the knowledge that they are still a knob and you are not.

[Steve_in_Florida]

A friend told me he used to keep a piece of hard foam mounted near his handlebars on his Harley. He kept about 4 old spark plugs in it. He said if a driver tailgated or started getting stupid, he got a spark plug in his windshield. But I can see that also not ending well.

This is how the local constabulary view actions such as these:  http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0790/Sections/0790.19.html

Second degree felony. My cousin almost faced this many years ago when he "playfully" tossed some ice onto a friends' car. The act was observed by a couple of undercover officers, who proceeded to pull us over and read us "the riot act". They let us go, but that was back then. Jailable offense.

Better to NOT give them a reason.

Steve