Thanks for watching this week! There is a lot more great content at www.MCrider.com! You can find every video ever created on MCrider all sortable by keywords and subject matter. While you are there consider becoming a Member of MCrider at www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the forums and field guide, member map and more. Have a great week, Kevin
I am a 70 yr old woman riding a Fatboy 110. One year ago, I wrecked my bike. It was my fault, 100 %. A life flight to the hospital and a long recovery, was to say the least, difficult. I am back on the steel horse and am riding with more respect than ever, regarding riding techniques. Here's some facts: I was only 10 miles from home, just took my helmet off, did not have proper protective gear on. Had ridden those twisty roads, hundreds of times and I probably, wasn't giving it my full attention. All of which they teach you, not to do, in the safety classes. I don't remember the crash, at all. But, it was just me and a guard rail. I am pretty sure I hit gravel in the corner. Everything I did on that day, did not add up to being a safe and responsible rider. Lucky, I only hurt myself. Great video, thanks!
Another very good video Kevin! Sometimes you can do everything correctly and still the worst can happen. As a retired police officer and accident constructionist I’ve worked many a motorcycle wreck. The majority of them were not the motorcyclists fault, it was from the cager not paying attention to being on their cellphone.
Thank you, as always, for a great post. When I got my first bike almost 40 years ago, my father said two things to me: "When you put on that helmet, you're invisible and if you ever come home and tell me you were in an accident, it's your fault." I am grateful for those words and convinced they helped keep me alive and safe to this day.
My dad taught me this little poem when I was learning to sail...so applies to MC riding also: Here lies the body of George O'Day Who died defending his right of way He was right, dead right as he sailed along But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong
A friends dad who was a 30 year police seargent gave me advice when I got my first bike. There are old riders and there are bold riders, with very little overlap
The first motorcycle accident I had was over 50 years ago and remains a vivid memory. I was on a residential street going to lunch following. The car ahead had the right rear light flashing indicating a right turn. As the car moved right I began a pass to the left. The driver then turned left into her driveway not noticing me beside her. I took the mirror of the driver's side with my helmet while coming to a stop still upright. Her left brake light was burned out as her brakes were also bad she was "fanning" the brake pedal to slow. We all survived and this 25 year old rider learned a valuable lesson.
HOLY CRAP.... That was back when tail lights were also the "directionals" but still very instructive about the odd business of "assumptions". As I was passing cars on the highway today, I recall that last month my Tesla autopilot applied full braking ( for a fraction of a second ) on a wet highway at 70 mph in a curve. Yeh.... I didn't exactly stay glued to my own lane for a while there and if there was anyone next to me, it would have been very sketchy. We will soon be surrounded by self driving vehicles which are not perfect. Scary.
Completely agree with all of this. Instead of "moral" responsibility, I think of it as "Personal" responsibility. It is my personal responsibility to use every tool I have to ride safely and to avoid crashes.
This concept of “moral responsibility” makes so much sense for us motorcyclist. I expect that every rider can think of at least one situation where they would have been legally “in the right” but in the hospital. I can think of three situations without even trying. Thank you for another terrific video.
I ride a motorcycle (Goldwing) and fly a paramotor. I took safety training from state police motorcycle as part of a pilot program to get my motorcycle license about 13 years ago. At the time I thought a lot in the course was silly, however, over the years I’ve avoided three or four accidents because of what I learned in that class. It’s the same with flying my paramotor, which doesn’t require a license. I took lessons and learned how to reduce my risk of injury. I fly a lot with a friend who is self taught and have made suggestions about safety tips of flying, but there’s only so much you can suggest. I’ve already lost a friend April 7, 2020 in OBX, NC who didn’t practice safety precautions and I’d mentioned to him a couple times he should use a floatation device if he flys over water. He ended up drowning and would be alive today if he had flotation device on his equipment, which only cost about $200-$300. Take safety classes and use what they suggest, those safety suggestions could save your life.
Well said. I see videos of many crashes, 99% of which the cyclist could have prevented. I remember this from my original motorcycle safety course from nearly 50 years ago - "It does not matter who had the right-of-way when you are dead." Another one - "There are old motorcyclists and there are bold motorcyclists, but there are very few old, bold motorcyclists!" Ride Safe!
Randy, I agree with you on this one. Larry Grodsky, safety wiriter for Rider magazine and training expert for years, said the only issue a rider can't manage with good riding skills are animals. Sadly, that's what cause him to lose his life in Texas in 2006, a deer out of nowhere. Never had a chance. I knew Larry as a colleague, a fellow Pittsburgher, and a student from his on road classes. Best training ever in real world situations. Looking at the videos on line almost all are avoidable if the riders had skills and common sense.
I got my licence in 1962 at age 17 and I'm still riding. There were no riding schools, tutorials of any kind and the test was brief & written, no road test. I developed my shills over time. In my younger years my various bikes hit the ground four times (for various reasons) without contact with another vehicle. I have had just one, luckily very minor, collision. The police officer said to me "It isn't your fault, but it is your responsibility." BTW - The British police do not use the word "accident'. They use RTC - Road Traffic Collision. They believe that every collision is preventable if drivers and riders would follow the guidelines you presented in this video. Keep up the good work Kevin.
Couldn't agree with you more Kevin. As a motorcycle instructor in British Columbia, Canada I am constantly telling my students that instead of laying blame on other drivers that we as riders are commonly at fault, or partially at fault, in accident scenarios. BTW...I frequently direct my students to your channel...keep up the great work and excellent quality videos and commentary.
I had a crash in 2020. I hit a deer at 3:30 am on my Harley-Davidson SGS going to work. Insurance decided to fix the bike at over $13,000. I had a hip replacement surgery and 2 months later I was working. I did ride some demo bikes, but my Harley-Davidson was not repaired for 5 months. The deer I hit popped out of the talk grassy ditch with any warning. I had no time to ever hit the brakes. One thing that I did was stopped riding in the dark. I was only going 40 mph when I hit the deer. I stil ride, bought a new 2022 SGS AT 70 years old. Thanks for your channel.
This is a very good point. So many riders (and drivers) claim they had right-of-way, but that is a legal concept used to assign liability in a crash. Right-of-way has nothing to do with whether you could have avoided the crash or not. The majority of crashes are avoidable with basic defensive driving practices and instincts. I have always driven and ridden with the primary goal not to crash, in any situation. I am surprised by the riders who operate differently and seem to want to cause an accident that they are legally not responsible for. They are obsessed with other drivers and riders, when the only person they can control is themself.
Dear Kevin -- You've talked at times of the ministry. While I'm surely not the only one to say this, but you already have a ministry. Right here. It's already likely saved me at least once. Thank you.
I really appreciate your breakdown of legal and moral responsibility. Personally I’ve ridden around 170K over the last fourteen years and the only accidents I’ve had have been single vehicle that I attribute to my own poor reading of the road surfaces. Most were minor tip overs with only one being at highway speed. Moral of my story is as a rider I own my safety 100%. Legally that may not always be he case, but morally, that’s the way to ride. Thanks for the great content!
@@bissellsmith8690 most were minor tip overs with the only the one (not minor tip over) was at highway speed. That one was definitely not a minor tip over. I walked away from it but the bike was totaled.
Well said! Thank you. I’ve been riding for 50 years (much of it in Southern California) and never had a motorcycle accident (except for those drops in a parking lot and my garage). I do take that moral responsibility when riding and I admit I’m probably more cautious than many, but I believe I enjoy the rides as much as anyone. I know drivers will do dumb things, so it’s my responsibility to prepare for those and avoid them.
The disproportionate consequences to a motorcycle rider make it necessary to drive defensively - not just for oneself, but to protect the public from their mistakes.
About 11 years ago I rode a Suzuki Burgman 650, and was a member of the Burgmanusa forum. One of the members, who I believe lived in Seattle, and commuted daily on his Burgman, rain or shine, had a saying that has stuck with me ever since: “I never put myself in a position to be in an accident.” And since reading it, that’s exactly how I ride. 120,000 miles later, not only have I not been in any accidents, I haven’t been in any ‘near misses’ either; all driver errors were easily avoided by a quick bit of braking, lane change, or on rare occasion, a blip of my horn. I ride in Southern California, by the way, but always look to avoid heavy traffic, and don’t split lanes unless traffic is moving really slow. Thanks for posting this very important video!
This is one of the best motorcycle videos I've ever seen. I'm hoping to teach MSF courses at some point and would almost consider this video as a perfect cap to the class.
My situation is a little different. I was riding down a country road it was 11:30 am and it was very warm. Still had all my proper riding equipment. I was riding below the speed limit just going to get gas before my trip the following day. When a doe jumped out of the wooded area. She didn't run out in front of me, she jumped on me. Hit my head trying to jump over me. When I crashed a gentleman behind in a pickup truck stopped and pulled the deer off me. I woke up in the emergency room. Had a broken neck ,ribs and shoulder. I have over 750,000 miles been riding over 50+ years. My bike was a BMW K1600 probably the safest bike on the road. I love riding and bought another bike. I will not lie I am weary but my love of riding is to hard to give up I raced motorcycle's years ago, attended safety training even was an instructor. I just wanted to share
"It's not my fault but I am responsible!"!! Kevin you can share my story of my dumbest crash; I was sitting at a long stop light when a woman of age parked me in her windshield. Had it not been for the officer coming the other way hitting his brakes I would have been much worse. I was sitting stopped at a stop light when she struck me. to this day if she were still with us she'd profess I pulled in front of her and she wasn't speeding. My faults were many; I was in neutral (long light excuse), I wasn't watching my mirror, I was on my way home at the end of an Iron Butt run from a friend's funeral to be at work the next day. Wearing my leathers as I always do I was NOT wearing a helmet! Fatigue and complacency! The young officer saw my bike and the car and never really saw me, he told me later. Riding an antique bike invites distraction from drivers, especially those with a love of motorcycles. When he locked up his brakes he woke me from my near slumber and I stood up just as the car hit my rear tire. The courts with the officers testimony found in my favor but only from the legal standpoint. I know to this day where I was wrong and not prepared to be a defensive rider. So when the armchair quarterbacks get done, rethink what should have been done to prevent the accident, yours and mine! I still ride my antique bikes and deal with looky looky drivers coming into my lane or at me. On my Goldwings I know the front brake gets grip when I hit the rear brake, they've been that way since before ABS so emergency braking is different than on my 47 Indian Chief. You all are in my prayers Hoka Hey
I just found this channel, just what I need. I've been riding a long time and never dropped or crashed but I feel that I've become complacent and these videos help.
Cool stuff, Kevin! You know i have been riding for many years now, and I drove long haul truck for a lot years as well . I have seen a lot on the road. And a lot of wrecks happen when people on both sides are not doing what should be doing. like every thing you talk about in your video's. I can go on and tell you all about the wrecks I saw all that ,but we would be here all day! Watch Kevin's video's and put them to use. They will save your life and anther's. God Bless you Kevin for doing this!
I've been riding since 1982, one accident in 1983 where I T-bone a car that pulled in front of me and I totaled a Yamaha 650 Special (I loved that motorcycle). No injuries to me, but the friend I was doubling broke his arm and got a nice concussion. As good a rider as I think I am, one day in 1998, I was riding on 495 in Virginia. I was behind an 18 wheeler that blew a tire. A big rubber ring flew off the truck, spinning about 15 feet in the air and landed right in front of me. I was on Yamaha 750 Virgago. I had no time to react. As I hit the tire, each wheel of my bike left the ground as a rode over the twisted piece of rubber. Somehow at 65 miles an hour, I was able to keep the bike upright. Lesson learned is still to this day, if I am behind or beside a big truck on the highway, I create distance as quickly as possible.
As someone who's worked on a US Aircraft Carrier flighdeck during flightops... keeping your head on a swivel and being "in the moment" the entire time keeps you alive. This is exactly how I ride a motorcycle. 😊
Great reminder that there is no one single contributor to a crash. Seldom is there a single cause, but instead an accumulation of contributing factors. You are point on with your description of "moral responsibilities" and those factors we are in direct control of.
I’ve been riding for 64 years I’ve had one reck a car rounded a curve and crossed into my lane I swerved to the Wright and lost control in some loose sand , I no the know what else I could have done , however we didn’t collide ,seems every day I have the operitunity to reck but I’ve long ago learned to anticipate what the cager is going to do ,I have the attitude that no one can see me so I watch every one closely and taught my boys to do the same
Well said. I’m lucky to have somehow survived my first couple years riding when I disregarded this kind of information. These days I try to not rely on luck at all.
I always love your content but this was by far my favorite video so far! I am a displaced Texan living in Florida and this made me homesick for some reason. I think society as a whole has forgotten personal and moral responsibility. Great message!
Such an immensely important topic, and my opinion is that personal responsibility is just not practiced and/or taught enough these days! Great video, Kevin....thank you!
Great response. When I was teaching my sons the basics of riding, something like 20 years ago, I still encouraged them to take the MSF course, it wasn't offered when I was younger, because I thought every leg up I can give them would help them stay alive. I taught them that it doesn't matter if they are in the right or the wrong, if they get into a "battle" with anything on four wheels they WILL lose that fight. I loved it when they came home and tell me that almost everything their instructor told them is something I already taught them. We can never hear things that will help us become better riders too many times.
Kevin, thank you for these great videos! This is what helps us to say sharp on the road, and be aware of what’s going on around us, and to take ownership of our safety.
Great advice Kevin. Keeping in mind that most people never anticipated having an accident or they would have tried to avoid it in the first place, it's a good idea to always stay on guard. I'm always saying to myself- what if 😬😉 Stay safe out their everyone 🙏
This is a great video and a wonderful PSA for all riders. I truly think preaching this sentiment does a part in saving lives. Definitely not quantifiably so, but just a theory. Thanks for sharing!
I have been in one MC wreck and there were no other vehicles in sight. So, I have to say it was all my fault... can't even blame the weather or road conditions. Several usually minor mistakes on my part added up and resulted in a helo evac and 3 days in ICU. I still ride daily but those minor items are still utmost in my mind before and during my rides. Thank for another meaningful video.
For the longest time I chose not to buy a bike. I finally got one soon after my 50th b-day. My youngest are 20 now so I no longer have to worry about my kids.
Well stated! An MSF coach I worked with coined the phrase: " the best way to avoid a crash is not show up." This means folowing the rider checklist you outlined. Ride smart.
Dashcam channels are the worst for this. They're full of people with the "well he legally doesn't have to ..." mentality defending terrible riding and driving in crashes that could completely be avoided. Even on a car I don't want to get in a crash, ruin my day, have to deal with insurance etc. Let alone on a motorcycle where the stakes are often much higher.
I'm an experienced rider, I do like 30.000km a year on twisty mountain roads, had several advanced courses, I have a racing license AND still learning everyday! Learning never stops. Whenever there is a change that my personal trainer has time, I ask him to look at me riding in the twisties. Evaluate what and why I'm doing what i do. Old habits easy slip in at high speeds... I'm now totally into trailbraking, not as a way to go faster, but the way to point the bike more precise into the corner AND already breaking when entering a corner
Hi Kevin! I thoroughly enjoyed this weeks’ video on “Moral Responsibility” when riding my motorcycle. I feel the same way you do, and always have, thank you! BTW, where can I get one the caps you’re wearing in this video? I looked for it in the pictures up on the right side of your website but didn’t see it! Thanks again Loyal.
I had my first crash and my only one to date. The roads were clear with damp spots. I was cornering while doing the speed limit for the corner. I crashed because of a fuel oil spill. This spill was reported and a Sheriff Deputy was responding to the report and present on the road during the crash. GOD, my gear and the instinctive way to crash helped in limiting my injuries. I fractured my hip and tore my left bicep muscle. I was responsible for all bills that insurance did not cover. Because there is a window of opportunity allowed for road crews to clean or fix the roads from the time of the report, the Town, State and County were not accountable. It was determined that the response time to the report of the spill was within the allotted time frame of response in NY State. I was not a happy rider but was Blessed to not have more serious injuries. NY State is not rider friendly (.) I enjoy your knowledge
Had that experience today on my ride. Was making a right hand turn at a stop light. Thanks to your "look thru the turn" I was able to see a Jeep making a U-turn into my lane. Because of your technique, I was able to see the Jeep and do progressive braking, thus avoiding an impact. Thanks for the lesson!!!
On Aug 28 of this year, I wrecked my MC. No one else was involved. I had ridden this minor curve by my house 100's of times, if not more. I left my house to run errands before lodge practice. I was thinking about those errands and practice AND NOT on where I was on the road. When I listened to my screaming brain. The emergency maneuvers that you and others have mentioned kicked in. BUT, because I was so close to the edge of the curve where there is gravel. And I think was close to or on the edge of my tire's grip strength. The rear wheel slide out & down I went & into the march we went. Dislocated my left shoulder, gave myself a concussion and trashed the tins & handlebars on my MC. Engine still works. Tested that. Not sure if I bent the frame. Not well enough yet to test. The point of me telling my story is that because of complacency and me not being in the moment, I went down. I HAVE NO ONE ELSE TO BLAME, BUT MYSELF!
Great inspirational speech to close the video. You put me, the rider, in the middle of a world and roads populated by imperfect people (me included) where responsibility for my actions and a desire to improve is a certain way forwards.
I agree that moral responsibility is our number one. As a wreckless young adult i was riding with no moral responsibility, at a rest area many miles later an older rider mid 50's if i had to guess, pulled my to the side and simply said "son if you continue that style of riding you will never enjoy riding for a long as i have" that one chance encounter really changed my riding and moral responsibility. I hope he is still riding as i am 45 years later!
I agree 100% we are morally responsible to avoid and minimize. Thank you for a clear and well worded encouragement to stay vigilant and adjust for others' failures. Many of the mental and procedural controls you mention that help prevent accidents would not be legal issues if missing during a ride, and your advice is sound. I'm glad you left plenty of room for cases where "nothing I could do" would avoid an accident. Maybe cargo drops from a moving vehicle, a car runs red light and pushes cross traffic into stopped vehicles faster than we can move out of the way, or many other legitimately unavoidable occurrences in the urban jungles out there could happen. I've not seen any in 6 years of commuting twice a day year-round, but they do exist. It's important to note breaking the law in some places can also change legal responsibility in addition to moral responsibility. If I'm doing 50 around a 25 corner the case is strong for taking a ticket for unsafe operation and the major blame for the accident. A lawyer will point out that if a truck was stalled or broken down where the car was making an illegal U-turn and the stalled truck had not yet had time to place warning flares, a vehicle following the safe guidance for that corner should be able to stop. A car not significantly moving toward me did not contribute much if any to a crash. They were rude, unsafe, used poor judgement in selecting a place to make a U-turn, and possibly illegal; yet still some "reasonable minds" would assign them little or no fault due to my more dangerous infraction. My sister was actually rear ended while making a left turn at night and the driver claimed her lights were not working. All 6 tail lights and corner marker lights, all 4 stop lights, and the turn signals on a 1970-ish Cadillac. The police investigated the possibility that her violation contributed to or caused the accident. They found proof he was wrong, however the point that if a violation existed she would incur some legal culpability was made clear. I don't have to like it or agree it should be that way, I have to know the position I put myself in if I ride that way.
Thank you, Kevin,!! Been saying this for years, so sick of the Excuses Riders have for being in accidents they could have easily avoided, but because they thought doing 60mph thru town or on blind corners, or not paying attention to telltale signs of moving car doors at intersections, or not having an escape route, like you i'm not perfect in my 58 years of riding i've been down, and i've made dumb mistakes, but i learned from them, then studied to be an instructor for the Harley riding programs, but even i had issues when i went from a superglide FX style motorcycle to a full dresser FLH but with practice i became much better, and that's the key practice ALOT !! and learn how not to crash. It's funny much of the Road Strategy you and other teach and talk about, but some of it i learned when i was in the Outlaw motorcycle club world, we needed to learn escape rtes, and avoidance if we ran into rival clubs and the handlebar to handlebar high speed club style riding will teach you a lot about control too, it's just aggravating how many would rather blame the person in the car for their own foolishness.
Great video! I often tell people that you may win in a court of law from your wheelchair but you’re still in a wheelchair or your family can win in court while you’re dead. The best riding defense is not to be there in the situation. One thing that always worries me though is sitting at a red light. I blink the taillight, watch the mirror like a hawk and am in gear and have already selected an escape path in case the vehicle approaching does not stop. However it’s difficult to formulate a strategy if a vehicle hits you from the side. If they are making a right turn at an intersection going by you on your left and they go wide in their turn you’ve got no time or path. I’m curious if you have a strategy beside high vis gear for that scenario. Thanks for your videos - you make a great contribution to motorcycle safety.
when you stop at an intersection stay 15 to 20 feet behind the car in front of you stop behind the driver, with your bike pointed to the left of the car, so you can pass it just by letting out the clutch also look out for that cars backup lights coming on If you see ANYTHING coming towards you get out of its path immediately - DONT WAIT to see what happens: GO! IF something is coming at you from the direction of your escape path, your other option is to jump off the bike sideways, usually leap for the side walk, dropping your bike not good, but better than getting pancaked
Excellent videos. Hadn't watched in awhile, just drifted away. Was doing some Indian research and low and behold, you popped up. Glad to be back on the watching team.
My first ride was at 5 on a Honda QA50 & I progressed thru larger bikes to a Honda 750F at 18. At 19 I read a cycle world article about a six cylinder Honda motorcycle. I couldn't sleep thinking of it and sold the 750F and spent every cent I had for a down payment. The dealer knew me well & signed the loan for the balance and I had a new silver 1979 CBX 1100. That bike took me everywhere rain or shine. At that age I was very aggressive on the road and was fearless yet I survived. Very little was available at that time to improve one skills other than magazine articles, trial and error and speaking to other riders. I sadly lost my oldest brother and another family member and two coworkers to motorcycle accidents. The causes varied from extreme speed to a motorist having a medical emergency. When I married and had children I sold the CBX because I needed to be around to provide for my kids. I continued to ride dirt bikes which my daughters enjoyed as well. Now the daughters are grown and moved on so I bought a beautiful Harley Roadglide and immediately went to work making it handle a little better and more comfortable so I was back in the saddle of a road bike. But age and experience had changed how I choose to accept and process risk. I am always concerned about the dangers associated with riding and continue to work on my skills. The reality is I'm not as comfortable or maybe carefree as I was in my youth on a bike. I am constantly looking for hazards, road debris and trying to steer clear of irresponsible drivers. It seems every long ride has a few moments where being alert is a must. I'm of the opinion the road is no place for a complacent rider. I am in my 32nd year of law enforcement and have seen many fatal motorcycle accidents with a variety of contributing factors. Its easy to spot inexperienced riders and I have stopped many and tried to politely give them some tips in the hope they would be safer more skilled riders. I nolonger encourage people to take up riding road bikes but if they do will hound them about the importance of good equipment, inspections and mastering the machine. Last summer a new employee showed to work on a new BMW s1000rr. He had essentially no experience but he did have a new bike with 200 hp yeah very concerning. I was able to convince him to attend a track clinic and get some professional instruction and also sent him a link to several great training videos to include your site. I still ride but find it most enjoyable when I carefully choose the time, route and who I ride with. Thanks for the videos as the goal is to master the machine. Be safe because life is short. MH
I've been saying the same thing to everyone that tells me not to ride. Just returned from my yearly ride. On my way home from the MABDR I rode both the Back of the Dragon and Tail of the Dragon in the same day. On both roads I rode as fast as I could get the bike stopped if I needed to. On the Tail several bikers came over in my lane but because a rode right I would say that they were more shocked then I was. I see accidents all the time that could have been avoided and have been in situations where I avoided them like you did. Thanks for your videos people need to hear this stuff and I hope that they also listen to the great advice given.
I am 74yrs old and I ride an Indian Scout 60 because it is low light and easy to maneuver. I have been riding since I was 16yrs old and have had many fun and wonderful memories. But, after I got out of the Army in 1969 (3yrs of service ) I studied to become an Orthopedic Technologist which I worked for over 45 yrs, I had treated and assisted my Orthopedic surgeons in many hundreds of trauma cases throughout the years, many Motorcycle accidents were pretty bad with many spinal injuries, femur fracture, etc. But my most important lesson while having treated all these Biker accidents was the fact that the survivors always talked about how they hit a vehicle or a solid object which made their injuries even greater. So! I promised myself that if I were ever in a crash on my bike I would jump off the motorcycle and take my chances rolling on the blacktop or an edge of a roadway. I would ride every day to and from work and also on the weekends. I will mention that I watched plenty of football and I always observed how the players that got tackled would keep all their extremities in a close and tucked position to their body, So! I always said to myself, if I ever jump off the motorcycle I will make sure to keep my arms and legs tucked together to keep from having them fracture. Well! one day going home after a long day of surgical procedures ( 1983), I am on a two-lane road and I was doing about 35 mph when I noticed a car coming in the other lane pretty fast and about 40 or 50 ft in front of me, he swerved right into my lane, I immediately got on my mid foot pegs and gripped the handles bars and just as he was coming in for the head-on collision I saw that he was still to my left just enough for me to take off from my bike and I flew over his car. I did get clipped by his front fender and I suffered a knee fracture, But, I saved my life because all this happened in milliseconds. I couldn't get out of his way because he was too close to me and the road was wet because it was raining. The moral of this event! is always to leave yourself a way out, never take anything for granted and it is better to roll with extremities tucked than to hit a solid object that could or will kill you. after my accident, I was off bikes for about a year! But, then I got back on and I am still wearing out the tires on my Indian. Vietnam didn't Kill me and I don't know how my end will be! but until that moment I will be riding into the wind. (the driver had been consuming alcohol) PS very interesting and informative video, thank you MC rider.
I tell people all the time, I regularly give up my right of way in favor of my right to live. It so easy to blame it on bad luck, someone else, road condition, etc but if you aren't doing your part to keep youself self you are still part of the problem. Great Vid, couldn't agree more
right of way is what lawyers use to get the maximum payment for your estate survival mode riding and driving is how you stay alive colored lights and signs and lines painted on the road have no power to stop a 2 ton vehicle
One of your best videos in a while, excellent concept of moral and legal responsibility. Your recent video on Speed Differentials is a great example of a lack of Moral Responsibility. Every viewer needs to share this video with a friend who rides. 😎
From someone who owns a small trucking company, and has driven for a loooooong time- there’s a massive difference between an at fault accident, and a preventable accident. There’s almost always a way to prevent an accident, even when you’re 100% not at fault.
I ride for enjoyment more than as a means to get to where I need to go.. I am retired so I don't have to ride to work, and I don't ride to the grocery store etc. Because of this I usually ride in more rural or country areas. I find the that greatest problem I see is when I'm stopped at a light. People tend to look right through you and judge their stopping distance based on the car in front of you, leaving them to nearly run into you. I do a couple things to help lessen this possibility, such as side to side lane movement before coming to the stop to draw attention to my bike, and I do not stop where my brake light would be in direct line to one of the brake lights on the car thus looking like one vehicle. I also tap and let off of the break in an irregular pattern if I think someone is coming up on me too quick so that it can get their attention as well. I say irregular pattern, so that it doesn't look like a blinker on a vehicle waiting to turn.
Last year, the night before thanksgiving. My dad was in surgery having 5 bypasses. I had a 400 mile trip from PA to Ohio the next morning and I had just worked a 10 hour shift. My mind was not where it should have been. I turned down a road coming home at night that I’ve ridden several thousand times. The mini van in front of me clearly missed his left hand turn. I knew he didn’t know the area. He went a block up, found a shopping plaza on the left and signaled a left turn. He actually started to make the left turn. I hit the white line on the right to make the pass as he turned left. He suddenly turned right. All I saw was the passenger side mirror come into my view. He pushed me off the road into a ditch where my crash bar dug into the ground. I low sided for a while, then I went airborne for about 40 feet. I hit the ground shattering my legs. I spent the next 4 months off work, got a rod from my knee to ankle, shattered my other ankle and broke my shoulder. I’ll eventually need a new knee and I’ll need my ankle pinned into place. The guy was sited for the accident and I was not. However, I understand my fault in the accident and I know it was avoidable. I knew not to pass him but I was fried, beyond tired and frustrated he was impeding my ability to get home… which was about 5 miles away. I’ll never walk right again, it cost $900,000 to put me back together. However, I had replaced my bike while I was still confined to a wheel chair. If I didn’t believe I was partially responsible for the accident, I wouldn’t be able to ride again. Most motorcycle accidents have a shared responsibility, no matter what the police report says. I’ve been riding for over 35 years and consider myself cautious and educated. At any moment, we can relax our guard and pay dearly for it.
Very well explained...makes so much sense! Just straight up good stuff! Thank you. I feel that everyone who rides needs this information...or better yet everyone on the road period. I feel also there should be so much more training required for new drivers/riders in this country. Including motorcycle and tractor-trailer training for new drivers/ riders.
As a Ridercoach I tell all my students to keep a good risk offset because, "It doesn't matter who makes the mistake, the person on the motorcycle is the one going to the hospital'"
My comment last about people always try to get me every time I’m out. I never said I do see them and read people and can tell what they are going to do. Also reading the road ahead is best thing anyone can do which ever vehicle it is
I'm 60 y/o and heard the most incredible "Not my fault" story this summer... I rode my bike to a store and was awaiting by the door for it to open. A 40ish guy approached me and said he quit because it was too dangerous. I expected to hear the typical deer or driver story. Nope, his reasoning was that the roads were not designed for motorcycles. He proceeded to tell me he was traveling 50-60 through a turn. A stop light with a pickup waiting was just around the turn. He "had" to drive across the road and hit a traffic sign injuring himself badly by taking out the sign. A woman stopped to help. She told him she just lost a friend a week or so earlier due to the same situation. Her friend died because the sign was more secured (cemented). The guy I talked to said he only alive because the sign was not secured. He said a light on corner exit with non break-away signs proves the roads are not safe for motorcycles. He never even considered his choices. I walked away and thought "Yep, motorcycling is too dangerous for that guy". 🙄
90% of the riders I see on the compilation videos on youtube are at fault for the situations they are mad at the cager about. Speed being the main contributor to issues.
Any new (or expecting) father should seriously consider not riding until the kid(s) are grown -- the risk of serious injury or death is real, and the impacts on your loved ones is devastating. Whether you ride or not, have proper levels of life insurance to financially take care of your family in case of unscheduled departure from this plane of existence.
I've been in 4 major motorcycle accidents over the last 30 years of riding. All four where in the first 5 years of riding. All four I was "not at fault". All four would have been avoided by me today, and as such I consider all four to be my responsibility.
Thanks for watching this week!
There is a lot more great content at www.MCrider.com! You can find every video ever created on MCrider all sortable by keywords and subject matter.
While you are there consider becoming a Member of MCrider at www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the forums and field guide, member map and more.
Have a great week,
Kevin
I don’t know how to do what you want. Sorry. But still love your stuff anyway. Thank you.
I am a 70 yr old woman riding a Fatboy 110. One year ago, I wrecked my bike. It was my fault, 100 %. A life flight to the hospital and a long recovery, was to say the least, difficult. I am back on the steel horse and am riding with more respect than ever, regarding riding techniques. Here's some facts: I was only 10 miles from home, just took my helmet off, did not have proper protective gear on. Had ridden those twisty roads, hundreds of times and I probably, wasn't giving it my full attention. All of which they teach you, not to do, in the safety classes. I don't remember the crash, at all. But, it was just me and a guard rail. I am pretty sure I hit gravel in the corner. Everything I did on that day, did not add up to being a safe and responsible rider. Lucky, I only hurt myself. Great video, thanks!
Another very good video Kevin! Sometimes you can do everything correctly and still the worst can happen. As a retired police officer and accident constructionist I’ve worked many a motorcycle wreck. The majority of them were not the motorcyclists fault, it was from the cager not paying attention to being on their cellphone.
God bless you, my lady.
Glad to know you recovered- and also did not give up the riding you enjoy!
What a bummer. Most likely road contamination. So glad that you recovered and are back enjoying your bike.
Glad to see you are back up riding again. I hope I am still able to ride at 70! Keep on riding! Stay Safe!
Thank you, as always, for a great post. When I got my first bike almost 40 years ago, my father said two things to me: "When you put on that helmet, you're invisible and if you ever come home and tell me you were in an accident, it's your fault." I am grateful for those words and convinced they helped keep me alive and safe to this day.
My dad taught me this little poem when I was learning to sail...so applies to MC riding also:
Here lies the body of George O'Day
Who died defending his right of way
He was right, dead right as he sailed along
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong
A friends dad who was a 30 year police seargent gave me advice when I got my first bike.
There are old riders and there are bold riders, with very little overlap
The first motorcycle accident I had was over 50 years ago and remains a vivid memory. I was on a residential street going to lunch following. The car ahead had the right rear light flashing indicating a right turn. As the car moved right I began a pass to the left. The driver then turned left into her driveway not noticing me beside her. I took the mirror of the driver's side with my helmet while coming to a stop still upright. Her left brake light was burned out as her brakes were also bad she was "fanning" the brake pedal to slow. We all survived and this 25 year old rider learned a valuable lesson.
HOLY CRAP.... That was back when tail lights were also the "directionals" but still very instructive about the odd business of "assumptions". As I was passing cars on the highway today, I recall that last month my Tesla autopilot applied full braking ( for a fraction of a second ) on a wet highway at 70 mph in a curve. Yeh.... I didn't exactly stay glued to my own lane for a while there and if there was anyone next to me, it would have been very sketchy. We will soon be surrounded by self driving vehicles which are not perfect. Scary.
Completely agree with all of this.
Instead of "moral" responsibility, I think of it as "Personal" responsibility. It is my personal responsibility to use every tool I have to ride safely and to avoid crashes.
This concept of “moral responsibility” makes so much sense for us motorcyclist. I expect that every rider can think of at least one situation where they would have been legally “in the right” but in the hospital. I can think of three situations without even trying. Thank you for another terrific video.
I ride a motorcycle (Goldwing) and fly a paramotor. I took safety training from state police motorcycle as part of a pilot program to get my motorcycle license about 13 years ago. At the time I thought a lot in the course was silly, however, over the years I’ve avoided three or four accidents because of what I learned in that class. It’s the same with flying my paramotor, which doesn’t require a license. I took lessons and learned how to reduce my risk of injury. I fly a lot with a friend who is self taught and have made suggestions about safety tips of flying, but there’s only so much you can suggest. I’ve already lost a friend April 7, 2020 in OBX, NC who didn’t practice safety precautions and I’d mentioned to him a couple times he should use a floatation device if he flys over water. He ended up drowning and would be alive today if he had flotation device on his equipment, which only cost about $200-$300.
Take safety classes and use what they suggest, those safety suggestions could save your life.
Well said. I see videos of many crashes, 99% of which the cyclist could have prevented. I remember this from my original motorcycle safety course from nearly 50 years ago -
"It does not matter who had the right-of-way when you are dead." Another one - "There are old motorcyclists and there are bold motorcyclists, but there are very few old, bold motorcyclists!" Ride Safe!
Randy, I agree with you on this one. Larry Grodsky, safety wiriter for Rider magazine and training expert for years, said the only issue a rider can't manage with good riding skills are animals. Sadly, that's what cause him to lose his life in Texas in 2006, a deer out of nowhere. Never had a chance. I knew Larry as a colleague, a fellow Pittsburgher, and a student from his on road classes. Best training ever in real world situations. Looking at the videos on line almost all are avoidable if the riders had skills and common sense.
I always say that "It wasn't my fault" makes for a very poor epitaph.
When we were learning to drive a car, dad would say "Always remember you could be right. Maybe you could be dead right."
I friends father and 30 year police officer told me the old/bold rider talk verbatim when I started writing
I got my licence in 1962 at age 17 and I'm still riding. There were no riding schools, tutorials of any kind and the test was brief & written, no road test. I developed my shills over time. In my younger years my various bikes hit the ground four times (for various reasons) without contact with another vehicle. I have had just one, luckily very minor, collision. The police officer said to me "It isn't your fault, but it is your responsibility." BTW - The British police do not use the word "accident'. They use RTC - Road Traffic Collision. They believe that every collision is preventable if drivers and riders would follow the guidelines you presented in this video. Keep up the good work Kevin.
Couldn't agree with you more Kevin. As a motorcycle instructor in British Columbia, Canada I am constantly telling my students that instead of laying blame on other drivers that we as riders are commonly at fault, or partially at fault, in accident scenarios. BTW...I frequently direct my students to your channel...keep up the great work and excellent quality videos and commentary.
I had a crash in 2020. I hit a deer at 3:30 am on my Harley-Davidson SGS going to work. Insurance decided to fix the bike at over $13,000. I had a hip replacement surgery and 2 months later I was working. I did ride some demo bikes, but my Harley-Davidson was not repaired for 5 months. The deer I hit popped out of the talk grassy ditch with any warning. I had no time to ever hit the brakes. One thing that I did was stopped riding in the dark. I was only going 40 mph when I hit the deer. I stil ride, bought a new 2022 SGS AT 70 years old. Thanks for your channel.
This is a very good point. So many riders (and drivers) claim they had right-of-way, but that is a legal concept used to assign liability in a crash. Right-of-way has nothing to do with whether you could have avoided the crash or not. The majority of crashes are avoidable with basic defensive driving practices and instincts. I have always driven and ridden with the primary goal not to crash, in any situation. I am surprised by the riders who operate differently and seem to want to cause an accident that they are legally not responsible for. They are obsessed with other drivers and riders, when the only person they can control is themself.
Dear Kevin -- You've talked at times of the ministry. While I'm surely not the only one to say this, but you already have a ministry. Right here.
It's already likely saved me at least once.
Thank you.
I really appreciate your breakdown of legal and moral responsibility. Personally I’ve ridden around 170K over the last fourteen years and the only accidents I’ve had have been single vehicle that I attribute to my own poor reading of the road surfaces. Most were minor tip overs with only one being at highway speed. Moral of my story is as a rider I own my safety 100%. Legally that may not always be he case, but morally, that’s the way to ride. Thanks for the great content!
How do you have a "minor" tip over at highway speed....please explain?
@@bissellsmith8690 most were minor tip overs with the only the one (not minor tip over) was at highway speed. That one was definitely not a minor tip over. I walked away from it but the bike was totaled.
Well said! Thank you. I’ve been riding for 50 years (much of it in Southern California) and never had a motorcycle accident (except for those drops in a parking lot and my garage). I do take that moral responsibility when riding and I admit I’m probably more cautious than many, but I believe I enjoy the rides as much as anyone. I know drivers will do dumb things, so it’s my responsibility to prepare for those and avoid them.
The disproportionate consequences to a motorcycle rider make it necessary to drive defensively - not just for oneself, but to protect the public from their mistakes.
About 11 years ago I rode a Suzuki Burgman 650, and was a member of the Burgmanusa forum. One of the members, who I believe lived in Seattle, and commuted daily on his Burgman, rain or shine, had a saying that has stuck with me ever since: “I never put myself in a position to be in an accident.” And since reading it, that’s exactly how I ride. 120,000 miles later, not only have I not been in any accidents, I haven’t been in any ‘near misses’ either; all driver errors were easily avoided by a quick bit of braking, lane change, or on rare occasion, a blip of my horn. I ride in Southern California, by the way, but always look to avoid heavy traffic, and don’t split lanes unless traffic is moving really slow. Thanks for posting this very important video!
This is one of the best motorcycle videos I've ever seen. I'm hoping to teach MSF courses at some point and would almost consider this video as a perfect cap to the class.
Wow, thanks!
My situation is a little different. I was riding down a country road it was 11:30 am and it was very warm. Still had all my proper riding equipment. I was riding below the speed limit just going to get gas before my trip the following day. When a doe jumped out of the wooded area. She didn't run out in front of me, she jumped on me. Hit my head trying to jump over me. When I crashed a gentleman behind in a pickup truck stopped and pulled the deer off me. I woke up in the emergency room. Had a broken neck ,ribs and shoulder. I have over 750,000 miles been riding over 50+ years. My bike was a BMW K1600 probably the safest bike on the road. I love riding and bought another bike. I will not lie I am weary but my love of riding is to hard to give up I raced motorcycle's years ago, attended safety training even was an instructor. I just wanted to share
Aside from your meat-and-potatoes logic, your family orientation is another reason why I prefer your channel over so many others.
"It's not my fault but I am responsible!"!!
Kevin you can share my story of my dumbest crash;
I was sitting at a long stop light when a woman of age parked me in her windshield. Had it not been for the officer coming the other way hitting his brakes I would have been much worse.
I was sitting stopped at a stop light when she struck me. to this day if she were still with us she'd profess I pulled in front of her and she wasn't speeding.
My faults were many; I was in neutral (long light excuse), I wasn't watching my mirror, I was on my way home at the end of an Iron Butt run from a friend's funeral to be at work the next day. Wearing my leathers as I always do I was NOT wearing a helmet! Fatigue and complacency!
The young officer saw my bike and the car and never really saw me, he told me later. Riding an antique bike invites distraction from drivers, especially those with a love of motorcycles. When he locked up his brakes he woke me from my near slumber and I stood up just as the car hit my rear tire.
The courts with the officers testimony found in my favor but only from the legal standpoint. I know to this day where I was wrong and not prepared to be a defensive rider.
So when the armchair quarterbacks get done, rethink what should have been done to prevent the accident, yours and mine!
I still ride my antique bikes and deal with looky looky drivers coming into my lane or at me. On my Goldwings I know the front brake gets grip when I hit the rear brake, they've been that way since before ABS so emergency braking is different than on my 47 Indian Chief.
You all are in my prayers
Hoka Hey
I just found this channel, just what I need. I've been riding a long time and never dropped or crashed but I feel that I've become complacent and these videos help.
You should become a Member John!
There is a ton more on the forums and the field guide to help you continue to improve.
www.MCrider.com/Member
Cool stuff, Kevin! You know i have been riding for many years now, and I drove long haul truck for a lot years as well . I have seen a lot on the road. And a lot of wrecks happen when people on both sides are not doing what should be doing. like every thing you talk about in your video's. I can go on and tell you all about the wrecks I saw all that ,but we would be here all day! Watch Kevin's video's and put them to use. They will save your life and anther's. God Bless you Kevin for doing this!
I've been riding since 1982, one accident in 1983 where I T-bone a car that pulled in front of me and I totaled a Yamaha 650 Special (I loved that motorcycle). No injuries to me, but the friend I was doubling broke his arm and got a nice concussion. As good a rider as I think I am, one day in 1998, I was riding on 495 in Virginia. I was behind an 18 wheeler that blew a tire. A big rubber ring flew off the truck, spinning about 15 feet in the air and landed right in front of me. I was on Yamaha 750 Virgago. I had no time to react. As I hit the tire, each wheel of my bike left the ground as a rode over the twisted piece of rubber. Somehow at 65 miles an hour, I was able to keep the bike upright. Lesson learned is still to this day, if I am behind or beside a big truck on the highway, I create distance as quickly as possible.
As someone who's worked on a US Aircraft Carrier flighdeck during flightops... keeping your head on a swivel and being "in the moment" the entire time keeps you alive. This is exactly how I ride a motorcycle. 😊
Great reminder that there is no one single contributor to a crash. Seldom is there a single cause, but instead an accumulation of contributing factors. You are point on with your description of "moral responsibilities" and those factors we are in direct control of.
I’ve been riding for 64 years I’ve had one reck a car rounded a curve and crossed into my lane I swerved to the Wright and lost control in some loose sand , I no the know what else I could have done , however we didn’t collide ,seems every day I have the operitunity to reck but I’ve long ago learned to anticipate what the cager is going to do ,I have the attitude that no one can see me so I watch every one closely and taught my boys to do the same
Well said.
I’m lucky to have somehow survived my first couple years riding when I disregarded this kind of information.
These days I try to not rely on luck at all.
I always love your content but this was by far my favorite video so far! I am a displaced Texan living in Florida and this made me homesick for some reason. I think society as a whole has forgotten personal and moral responsibility. Great message!
Such an immensely important topic, and my opinion is that personal responsibility is just not practiced and/or taught enough these days! Great video, Kevin....thank you!
This video is why I'm a subscriber and love your channel. Truth. Honesty. And great advice. Thanks so much.
I appreciate that!
Great topic Kevin. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Great response. When I was teaching my sons the basics of riding, something like 20 years ago, I still encouraged them to take the MSF course, it wasn't offered when I was younger, because I thought every leg up I can give them would help them stay alive. I taught them that it doesn't matter if they are in the right or the wrong, if they get into a "battle" with anything on four wheels they WILL lose that fight. I loved it when they came home and tell me that almost everything their instructor told them is something I already taught them. We can never hear things that will help us become better riders too many times.
Kevin, thank you for these great videos! This is what helps us to say sharp on the road, and be aware of what’s going on around us, and to take ownership of our safety.
Great advice Kevin. Keeping in mind that most people never anticipated having an accident or they would have tried to avoid it in the first place, it's a good idea to always stay on guard. I'm always saying to myself- what if 😬😉 Stay safe out their everyone 🙏
This is a great video and a wonderful PSA for all riders. I truly think preaching this sentiment does a part in saving lives. Definitely not quantifiably so, but just a theory. Thanks for sharing!
I have been in one MC wreck and there were no other vehicles in sight. So, I have to say it was all my fault... can't even blame the weather or road conditions. Several usually minor mistakes on my part added up and resulted in a helo evac and 3 days in ICU. I still ride daily but those minor items are still utmost in my mind before and during my rides. Thank for another meaningful video.
My Dad has been gone since 2013, but something you said reminded me of him, he told me you might be right, but you don’t want to be dead right 👍
For the longest time I chose not to buy a bike. I finally got one soon after my 50th b-day. My youngest are 20 now so I no longer have to worry about my kids.
Great explanation Kevin. Thanks for your expertise.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent! Beautiful! So helpful!
Well stated! An MSF coach I worked with coined the phrase: " the best way to avoid a crash is not show up." This means folowing the rider checklist you outlined. Ride smart.
I like that phrase. 👍🏻
Dashcam channels are the worst for this. They're full of people with the "well he legally doesn't have to ..." mentality defending terrible riding and driving in crashes that could completely be avoided. Even on a car I don't want to get in a crash, ruin my day, have to deal with insurance etc. Let alone on a motorcycle where the stakes are often much higher.
Excellent Video!!! Practice, technique, and proper gear...
I'm an experienced rider, I do like 30.000km a year on twisty mountain roads, had several advanced courses, I have a racing license AND still learning everyday! Learning never stops. Whenever there is a change that my personal trainer has time, I ask him to look at me riding in the twisties. Evaluate what and why I'm doing what i do. Old habits easy slip in at high speeds... I'm now totally into trailbraking, not as a way to go faster, but the way to point the bike more precise into the corner AND already breaking when entering a corner
One of your best topics. Thanks kevin
Hi Kevin!
I thoroughly enjoyed this weeks’ video on “Moral Responsibility” when riding my motorcycle. I feel the same way you do, and always have, thank you! BTW, where can I get one the caps you’re wearing in this video? I looked for it in the pictures up on the right side of your website but didn’t see it!
Thanks again
Loyal.
I will have them for sale soon. Watch for the video.
I had my first crash and my only one to date. The roads were clear with damp spots. I was cornering while doing the speed limit for the corner. I crashed because of a fuel oil spill. This spill was reported and a Sheriff Deputy was responding to the report and present on the road during the crash. GOD, my gear and the instinctive way to crash helped in limiting my injuries. I fractured my hip and tore my left bicep muscle. I was responsible for all bills that insurance did not cover. Because there is a window of opportunity allowed for road crews to clean or fix the roads from the time of the report, the Town, State and County were not accountable. It was determined that the response time to the report of the spill was within the allotted time frame of response in NY State. I was not a happy rider but was Blessed to not have more serious injuries. NY State is not rider friendly (.) I enjoy your knowledge
Two prerequisites I often tell wannabe riders - how’s your driving skills and can you anticipate stupid?
Had that experience today on my ride. Was making a right hand turn at a stop light. Thanks to your "look thru the turn" I was able to see a Jeep making a U-turn into my lane. Because of your technique, I was able to see the Jeep and do progressive braking, thus avoiding an impact. Thanks for the lesson!!!
Thanks, Kevin. Job well done.
thanks for the video.
On Aug 28 of this year, I wrecked my MC. No one else was involved.
I had ridden this minor curve by my house 100's of times, if not more. I left my house to run errands before lodge practice. I was thinking about those errands and practice AND NOT on where I was on the road. When I listened to my screaming brain. The emergency maneuvers that you and others have mentioned kicked in. BUT, because I was so close to the edge of the curve where there is gravel. And I think was close to or on the edge of my tire's grip strength. The rear wheel slide out & down I went & into the march we went. Dislocated my left shoulder, gave myself a concussion and trashed the tins & handlebars on my MC. Engine still works. Tested that. Not sure if I bent the frame. Not well enough yet to test.
The point of me telling my story is that because of complacency and me not being in the moment, I went down. I HAVE NO ONE ELSE TO BLAME, BUT MYSELF!
BTW, I always wear helmet when riding. I think that helped with me only getting a concussion. Be safe out there!
Great inspirational speech to close the video. You put me, the rider, in the middle of a world and roads populated by imperfect people (me included) where responsibility for my actions and a desire to improve is a certain way forwards.
There is no point having on your tumbstone : "He had the right of way".
Excellent.True.Well said.Thank you. (From an English biker aged 78.)
Preach brother. Amen!
(happy thanksgiving)
Thanks Kevin!
I agree that moral responsibility is our number one. As a wreckless young adult i was riding with no moral responsibility, at a rest area many miles later an older rider mid 50's if i had to guess, pulled my to the side and simply said "son if you continue that style of riding you will never enjoy riding for a long as i have" that one chance encounter really changed my riding and moral responsibility. I hope he is still riding as i am 45 years later!
I agree 100% we are morally responsible to avoid and minimize. Thank you for a clear and well worded encouragement to stay vigilant and adjust for others' failures. Many of the mental and procedural controls you mention that help prevent accidents would not be legal issues if missing during a ride, and your advice is sound.
I'm glad you left plenty of room for cases where "nothing I could do" would avoid an accident. Maybe cargo drops from a moving vehicle, a car runs red light and pushes cross traffic into stopped vehicles faster than we can move out of the way, or many other legitimately unavoidable occurrences in the urban jungles out there could happen. I've not seen any in 6 years of commuting twice a day year-round, but they do exist.
It's important to note breaking the law in some places can also change legal responsibility in addition to moral responsibility. If I'm doing 50 around a 25 corner the case is strong for taking a ticket for unsafe operation and the major blame for the accident. A lawyer will point out that if a truck was stalled or broken down where the car was making an illegal U-turn and the stalled truck had not yet had time to place warning flares, a vehicle following the safe guidance for that corner should be able to stop. A car not significantly moving toward me did not contribute much if any to a crash. They were rude, unsafe, used poor judgement in selecting a place to make a U-turn, and possibly illegal; yet still some "reasonable minds" would assign them little or no fault due to my more dangerous infraction.
My sister was actually rear ended while making a left turn at night and the driver claimed her lights were not working. All 6 tail lights and corner marker lights, all 4 stop lights, and the turn signals on a 1970-ish Cadillac. The police investigated the possibility that her violation contributed to or caused the accident. They found proof he was wrong, however the point that if a violation existed she would incur some legal culpability was made clear.
I don't have to like it or agree it should be that way, I have to know the position I put myself in if I ride that way.
I used to work at a bike shop, riders tow in their wrecked vehicles, most common phrase I heard, "it just flew out from under me".
Well said, good points, fully agree on the difference of legal and moral responsibility.
Thank you, Kevin,!! Been saying this for years, so sick of the Excuses Riders have for being in accidents they could have easily avoided, but because they thought doing 60mph thru town or on blind corners, or not paying attention to telltale signs of moving car doors at intersections, or not having an escape route, like you i'm not perfect in my 58 years of riding i've been down, and i've made dumb mistakes, but i learned from them, then studied to be an instructor for the Harley riding programs, but even i had issues when i went from a superglide FX style motorcycle to a full dresser FLH but with practice i became much better, and that's the key practice ALOT !! and learn how not to crash. It's funny much of the Road Strategy you and other teach and talk about, but some of it i learned when i was in the Outlaw motorcycle club world, we needed to learn escape rtes, and avoidance if we ran into rival clubs and the handlebar to handlebar high speed club style riding will teach you a lot about control too, it's just aggravating how many would rather blame the person in the car for their own foolishness.
Great video! I often tell people that you may win in a court of law from your wheelchair but you’re still in a wheelchair or your family can win in court while you’re dead. The best riding defense is not to be there in the situation. One thing that always worries me though is sitting at a red light. I blink the taillight, watch the mirror like a hawk and am in gear and have already selected an escape path in case the vehicle approaching does not stop. However it’s difficult to formulate a strategy if a vehicle hits you from the side. If they are making a right turn at an intersection going by you on your left and they go wide in their turn you’ve got no time or path. I’m curious if you have a strategy beside high vis gear for that scenario. Thanks for your videos - you make a great contribution to motorcycle safety.
I do the same thing at a light. Constantly looking in my rear view mirror until the next couple cars come to a stop.
when you stop at an intersection stay 15 to 20 feet behind the car in front of you
stop behind the driver, with your bike pointed to the left of the car, so you can pass it just by letting out the clutch
also look out for that cars backup lights coming on
If you see ANYTHING coming towards you get out of its path immediately - DONT WAIT to see what happens: GO!
IF something is coming at you from the direction of your escape path, your other option is to jump off the bike sideways, usually leap for the side walk, dropping your bike
not good, but better than getting pancaked
Excellent videos. Hadn't watched in awhile, just drifted away. Was doing some Indian research and low and behold, you popped up. Glad to be back on the watching team.
Don’t be a stranger Edward. 😉
Thanks Kevin for another great video!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Good Job Kevin! Love the content that you're producing.
I appreciate that!
Happy Friday Kevin thank you for all your information and observations have a blessed weekend Kevin
Same to you!
My first ride was at 5 on a Honda QA50 & I progressed thru larger bikes to a Honda 750F at 18. At 19 I read a cycle world article about a six cylinder Honda motorcycle. I couldn't sleep thinking of it and sold the 750F and spent every cent I had for a down payment. The dealer knew me well & signed the loan for the balance and I had a new silver 1979 CBX 1100. That bike took me everywhere rain or shine. At that age I was very aggressive on the road and was fearless yet I survived. Very little was available at that time to improve one skills other than magazine articles, trial and error and speaking to other riders. I sadly lost my oldest brother and another family member and two coworkers to motorcycle accidents. The causes varied from extreme speed to a motorist having a medical emergency. When I married and had children I sold the CBX because I needed to be around to provide for my kids. I continued to ride dirt bikes which my daughters enjoyed as well. Now the daughters are grown and moved on so I bought a beautiful Harley Roadglide and immediately went to work making it handle a little better and more comfortable so I was back in the saddle of a road bike. But age and experience had changed how I choose to accept and process risk. I am always concerned about the dangers associated with riding and continue to work on my skills. The reality is I'm not as comfortable or maybe carefree as I was in my youth on a bike. I am constantly looking for hazards, road debris and trying to steer clear of irresponsible drivers. It seems every long ride has a few moments where being alert is a must. I'm of the opinion the road is no place for a complacent rider. I am in my 32nd year of law enforcement and have seen many fatal motorcycle accidents with a variety of contributing factors. Its easy to spot inexperienced riders and I have stopped many and tried to politely give them some tips in the hope they would be safer more skilled riders. I nolonger encourage people to take up riding road bikes but if they do will hound them about the importance of good equipment, inspections and mastering the machine. Last summer a new employee showed to work on a new BMW s1000rr. He had essentially no experience but he did have a new bike with 200 hp yeah very concerning. I was able to convince him to attend a track clinic and get some professional instruction and also sent him a link to several great training videos to include your site. I still ride but find it most enjoyable when I carefully choose the time, route and who I ride with. Thanks for the videos as the goal is to master the machine. Be safe because life is short. MH
I've been saying the same thing to everyone that tells me not to ride. Just returned from my yearly ride. On my way home from the MABDR I rode both the Back of the Dragon and Tail of the Dragon in the same day. On both roads I rode as fast as I could get the bike stopped if I needed to. On the Tail several bikers came over in my lane but because a rode right I would say that they were more shocked then I was. I see accidents all the time that could have been avoided and have been in situations where I avoided them like you did. Thanks for your videos people need to hear this stuff and I hope that they also listen to the great advice given.
Good advice 👍
I am 74yrs old and I ride an Indian Scout 60 because it is low light and easy to maneuver. I have been riding since I was 16yrs old and have had many fun and wonderful memories. But, after I got out of the Army in 1969 (3yrs of service ) I studied to become an Orthopedic Technologist which I worked for over 45 yrs, I had treated and assisted my Orthopedic surgeons in many hundreds of trauma cases throughout the years, many Motorcycle accidents were pretty bad with many spinal injuries, femur fracture, etc. But my most important lesson while having treated all these Biker accidents was the fact that the survivors always talked about how they hit a vehicle or a solid object which made their injuries even greater. So! I promised myself that if I were ever in a crash on my bike I would jump off the motorcycle and take my chances rolling on the blacktop or an edge of a roadway. I would ride every day to and from work and also on the weekends. I will mention that I watched plenty of football and I always observed how the players that got tackled would keep all their extremities in a close and tucked position to their body, So! I always said to myself, if I ever jump off the motorcycle I will make sure to keep my arms and legs tucked together to keep from having them fracture. Well! one day going home after a long day of surgical procedures ( 1983), I am on a two-lane road and I was doing about 35 mph when I noticed a car coming in the other lane pretty fast and about 40 or 50 ft in front of me, he swerved right into my lane, I immediately got on my mid foot pegs and gripped the handles bars and just as he was coming in for the head-on collision I saw that he was still to my left just enough for me to take off from my bike and I flew over his car. I did get clipped by his front fender and I suffered a knee fracture, But, I saved my life because all this happened in milliseconds. I couldn't get out of his way because he was too close to me and the road was wet because it was raining. The moral of this event! is always to leave yourself a way out, never take anything for granted and it is better to roll with extremities tucked than to hit a solid object that could or will kill you. after my accident, I was off bikes for about a year! But, then I got back on and I am still wearing out the tires on my Indian. Vietnam didn't Kill me and I don't know how my end will be! but until that moment I will be riding into the wind. (the driver had been consuming alcohol) PS very interesting and informative video, thank you MC rider.
I tell people all the time, I regularly give up my right of way in favor of my right to live. It so easy to blame it on bad luck, someone else, road condition, etc but if you aren't doing your part to keep youself self you are still part of the problem. Great Vid, couldn't agree more
right of way is what lawyers use to get the maximum payment for your estate
survival mode riding and driving is how you stay alive
colored lights and signs and lines painted on the road have no power to stop a 2 ton vehicle
One of your best videos in a while, excellent concept of moral and legal responsibility. Your recent video on Speed Differentials is a great example of a lack of Moral Responsibility.
Every viewer needs to share this video with a friend who rides. 😎
Thank you very much!
Well said!
From someone who owns a small trucking company, and has driven for a loooooong time- there’s a massive difference between an at fault accident, and a preventable accident. There’s almost always a way to prevent an accident, even when you’re 100% not at fault.
I ride for enjoyment more than as a means to get to where I need to go.. I am retired so I don't have to ride to work, and I don't ride to the grocery store etc. Because of this I usually ride in more rural or country areas. I find the that greatest problem I see is when I'm stopped at a light. People tend to look right through you and judge their stopping distance based on the car in front of you, leaving them to nearly run into you. I do a couple things to help lessen this possibility, such as side to side lane movement before coming to the stop to draw attention to my bike, and I do not stop where my brake light would be in direct line to one of the brake lights on the car thus looking like one vehicle. I also tap and let off of the break in an irregular pattern if I think someone is coming up on me too quick so that it can get their attention as well. I say irregular pattern, so that it doesn't look like a blinker on a vehicle waiting to turn.
Last year, the night before thanksgiving. My dad was in surgery having 5 bypasses. I had a 400 mile trip from PA to Ohio the next morning and I had just worked a 10 hour shift. My mind was not where it should have been. I turned down a road coming home at night that I’ve ridden several thousand times. The mini van in front of me clearly missed his left hand turn. I knew he didn’t know the area. He went a block up, found a shopping plaza on the left and signaled a left turn. He actually started to make the left turn. I hit the white line on the right to make the pass as he turned left. He suddenly turned right. All I saw was the passenger side mirror come into my view. He pushed me off the road into a ditch where my crash bar dug into the ground. I low sided for a while, then I went airborne for about 40 feet. I hit the ground shattering my legs. I spent the next 4 months off work, got a rod from my knee to ankle, shattered my other ankle and broke my shoulder. I’ll eventually need a new knee and I’ll need my ankle pinned into place.
The guy was sited for the accident and I was not. However, I understand my fault in the accident and I know it was avoidable. I knew not to pass him but I was fried, beyond tired and frustrated he was impeding my ability to get home… which was about 5 miles away.
I’ll never walk right again, it cost $900,000 to put me back together. However, I had replaced my bike while I was still confined to a wheel chair. If I didn’t believe I was partially responsible for the accident, I wouldn’t be able to ride again. Most motorcycle accidents have a shared responsibility, no matter what the police report says. I’ve been riding for over 35 years and consider myself cautious and educated. At any moment, we can relax our guard and pay dearly for it.
Kevin, every time you said, “moral responsibility”, I heard "ride wisely" in my head.
Thanks Kevin
Good episode.
Well stated, sir.
Couldn't agree more. I completely share your opinion... 110%
Very well explained...makes so much sense! Just straight up good stuff! Thank you. I feel that everyone who rides needs this information...or better yet everyone on the road period. I feel also there should be so much more training required for new drivers/riders in this country. Including motorcycle and tractor-trailer training for new drivers/ riders.
As a Ridercoach I tell all my students to keep a good risk offset because, "It doesn't matter who makes the mistake, the person on the motorcycle is the one going to the hospital'"
My comment last about people always try to get me every time I’m out. I never said I do see them and read people and can tell what they are going to do. Also reading the road ahead is best thing anyone can do which ever vehicle it is
I'm 60 y/o and heard the most incredible "Not my fault" story this summer...
I rode my bike to a store and was awaiting by the door for it to open. A 40ish guy approached me and said he quit because it was too dangerous. I expected to hear the typical deer or driver story. Nope, his reasoning was that the roads were not designed for motorcycles. He proceeded to tell me he was traveling 50-60 through a turn. A stop light with a pickup waiting was just around the turn. He "had" to drive across the road and hit a traffic sign injuring himself badly by taking out the sign. A woman stopped to help. She told him she just lost a friend a week or so earlier due to the same situation. Her friend died because the sign was more secured (cemented). The guy I talked to said he only alive because the sign was not secured. He said a light on corner exit with non break-away signs proves the roads are not safe for motorcycles. He never even considered his choices. I walked away and thought "Yep, motorcycling is too dangerous for that guy". 🙄
Well said
Well said 👏
90% of the riders I see on the compilation videos on youtube are at fault for the situations they are mad at the cager about. Speed being the main contributor to issues.
Great advice great video stay safe love your channel
Thanks, you too!
Any new (or expecting) father should seriously consider not riding until the kid(s) are grown -- the risk of serious injury or death is real, and the impacts on your loved ones is devastating.
Whether you ride or not, have proper levels of life insurance to financially take care of your family in case of unscheduled departure from this plane of existence.
True! Plain and simple.
This should be considered a general life lesson. Excellent.
I've been in 4 major motorcycle accidents over the last 30 years of riding. All four where in the first 5 years of riding. All four I was "not at fault". All four would have been avoided by me today, and as such I consider all four to be my responsibility.
This video demonstrated cleverly that the previous one wasn't just for bragging about one's riding skills.
Great video. I would call it personal responsibility instead of moral responsibility.
I've been in two and both have been people pulling out from a median or the shoulder, directly in front of me.
I would like that more people choose to listen and act as you say!