Playing Russian Roulette with odds of 10:1 will end pretty quickly. It isn't about worrying, it is about being aware, training ourselves to react to what we see and maintaining adequate safety margins to allow for the sometimes bizarre actions of others. Doing this becomes second nature and doesn't make riding any less enjoyable. But if you find yourself drifting off or thinking "that could have turned nasty" then alarm bells should start to ring. @El Toro is correct, but you sound like a smart guy. Your future is in your hands. Enjoy the Diavel if you go ahead with it
I suppose it's partly about blame. I would have little issue with if i come off on a corner, when i was go fast due to gravel on the bend. Normally would have been fine but due to the gravel I came off, thats my fault and fair enough. But riding down a village road at 30 and a car pulls out from a side street and i go over the bonnet, I would have an issue with. Thats part of what determines the danger factor for myself, but i agree, it'd become second nature to be aware. I'd love the Harley cherod! A bit heavy though as a jump from the little Ninja which weighs about 4 ounces.
Who would be to blame for that accident ? A court of law would probably hold the driver responsible and award damages accordingly. But who could have prevented that accident ? Firstly the car driver could have seen you and not pulled out, but that is outside of your control. What you do have control over is seeing the junction (junctions are dangerous places), possibly seeing the car which might pull out, adjusting your speed, covering your brake and anticipating taking avoiding action. By being proactive you could have prevented that accident from occurring even if the car driver did pull out. Bikes are not dangerous, but there are risks consisting of probability and consequences, both of which we have control over. Read the book Motorcycle Roadcraft - Roadcraft: the police driver and rider handbooks for better, safer driving. seriously. My last words on the subject Edit. Don't buy the Harley.
I agree, and by covering my brake and anticipating him to pull out can only go so far. If they pull out and I've done everything I can and I still go over the bonnet, then that's their fault. The covering brake & anticipating is only regarding my safety rather than legal precedence. I don't have a duty of care regarding a driver pulling out on me as I travel down a road at a suitable speed that the conditions allow, providing it's below the speed limit for the road.
legal precedence goes for nowt when you are in a hospital bed,,, riding a bike is a constant case of self preservation.. as i am sure that you know ..a suitable speed is one which permits some wally to cut in front of you and you survive, nothing to do with the law... enjoy your harley mate.
