+1
I always try to make sure I have made eye contact or have seen that the driver in front of me has notice me in their side view mirror. This practice is also good for oncoming traffic as you stated, not only for cars turning but for cars attempting to pass. I alsolike to ride in this location to give a clear line of sight down the road.

Kewl- Good to hear the rider was ok. I think your reaction was the only thing you could have done in this situation. I dont think speeding up would have done anything. I have noticed with tailgaters, they have a tendancy to try to match your excact moves.

 

nice to hear he was ok. i rearended a car (in my old car) back when i was a teen. THAT right there teaches you to keep distance, lol. lesson learned early

 

tru dat dw. I know as a rider if I'm trying to pass someone I tend to get as close as possible to be able to make my move as soon as there's room but in the urban jungle there's no reason for that since you're just going to get stuck behind the next car 2 seconds later so it makes no sense. Just take it easy .. the risks some take to get somewhere 2 minutes faster is just asking for trouble eventually .. like this poor sap.

 

If you must follow a car or truck, be in their tire tracks, that way you won't pick up any nails and stuff. It's also faster to maneuver around or react to.

 

I almost seen 2 bikes get taken out behind a semi like that a couple of months ago.we were going over a bridge on the interstate, so there was a semi, 2 squids on bikes--no gear at all, then me in a cage.we were doing about 65-70mph. the 2 bikes had decided to gun it and pass the truck.... on the left, and about 5 seconds later a huge piece of debri flew out from under the truck and hit the front of my car and windshield. Itsmashed the hell out of the front of my car, and I thought for sure itwas coming thru the windshield. granted I was traveling behind the semi a bit too close, but not nearly as close as those bikes had been.

If that debris had hit those guys on the bikes, there is not a doubt in my mind it would have taken them off the their bikes, and right into interstate traffic with nowhere to go becuase it was a bridge.

 

I learned my lesson last year when I was following too close to a minivan. I wason my 650R andangry for some reason. I was getting impatient because the speed limit was 45 and everyone was going 35. Anyways, the van in front of me ran overone of those black bases for the large road barrels. The barrel was gone, but the bases for these thingsare about 3 inches tall, and I ended up running straight over it becuae I did not have time to react. I did not wreck, but it jarred my back really badly. I felt that one for a few days and considered myself lucky.

 

That's what your supposed to do.

Following too close is how I lost my GSX-R 750. I learned my lesson and this guy did too.