That momentary loss of focus

[Venturous Randy]

I have had my 83 venture for about 17 1/2 years and have put over 140,000 miles on it and have been very lucky that during this time, with having had several close calls with other drivers, animals ranging from deer to a big pig, and some less than desirable road conditions, I have never crashed at speed. The fastest I have been going when I did go down was probably not more than two miles per hour.

In the four years Linda has been riding with me, I have put about 33,000 miles on and a vast majority has been with Linda. During this time, I have dropped the bike one time each year. The first time was due to the parking spot at a convince store not being flat and instead of pulling up and stopping, I tried to do a U-turn and caught myself not being able to touch the ground and we went down to the left side. The second one was going down a paved one lane road that was an old rail road bed. When the pavement was about to end, while just barely moving, I touched the front brake and was on fine gravel and did the slow tip over to the left. This one ended up being a lot more serious because in picking up the bike, I ended up with a Vitreous hemorrhage in my right eye, ultimately losing my vision in that eye. The third year was with a ride with the Asheville group down a dead end road and when pulling into a driveway to turn the bike around, I put the side stand down while on a slight slope and did not realize I was in neutral and rolled forward and went down, again to the left. This last one was again at a convince store and while pulling out up a slight grade and stalled and tipped over to the right.

In all cases, I know what caused these mishaps and it was simply a momentary loss of focus. I was just not paying good enough attention to what I was doing. I think this is what makes this so frustrating is all this was all completely preventable.

OK, I'm through whining, even though I am still hurting on my right side a lot more than I thought I would be two and a half weeks after the fall. I just wanted to remind others how quickly a loss of focus, even for just a few seconds, can have such an impact.

If any of you want to share your loss of focus events, please do so.

RandyA

[uncledj]

Travelling down a country road.....enjoying the sights side to side.....doin' about 50mph......crested a small hill and went instantly from paved road to newly laid, deep, loose gravel......had a puckered butt until I got it down to about 10mph.

That stuff was so loose I couldn't safely go any faster.

Rode it out for the next 3 miles until I got back to paved road.

 

I don't care for gravel, but I don't usually shy away from it, but this stuff was LOOSE !!!

[KICKSHOT]

I know what you are saying is the truth! My loss of focus came a few years back riding to work one morning. Same road, same trip every morning. But as I came up to an old BBQ joint/bar that had been closed down for a long time all the lights were on. I was looking to the right to see what all the lights were about and when I turned back to the road there was a deer crossing and he was three feet in front of me at 70 mph. Well I hit him and I'm still here to tell the story. One leg re-inforced with plates and screws but still here. Moral of the story stay focused! It only takes a second!

kickshot

[cabreco]

Randy, loss of focus is a big issue but then compounded by the fact that these bike weigh a ton, they are awkward & top heavy and crawl speed, and to be honest we ain't getting younger. I can lose momentary focus on my cb750 & still recover with no major incident.

I'm 54 an I have already begun the reseach into triking. I figure I can push it until my early 60's. Since the Ms. & I love taking bike road trips, I know I need a big 1200cc plus bike. This of course means weight. Personally, I don't want to think about falling over even now!

IDK your age but it may be time to start planning.

Always planning for the next step.

[Venturous Randy]

IDK your age but it may be time to start planning.

Always planning for the next step.

 

I turned 63 a month ago and am also thinking about what it will take to trike the 96 Goldwing I have.

RandyA

[Pegasus1300]

the problem you are referring to called "Loss of Situational Awareness" and is a real problem among older pilots and as I learned much to my chagrin older motorcycle riders. While on a trip to Death Valley in March of 2011 with some friends,I ran into the back of a van. We were in heavy traffic going slow when something to my right distracted me for only an instant. When I looked back traffic had stopped. I grabbed the brakes but still slid into the rear of the van and then went down, totaling the 2008 RSTD I had waited and saved 12 years for. I was fine. Loss of Situational Awareness. I have since realized that I am not as aware of things as I used to be.I have now become more deliberate in my watching and riding. I drink more water,rest more, take more breaks, leave more space between the cars in front of me, ride a little slower. It can and will happen to all of us sooner or later. Keep yourself in as good a shape as you can, take your meds, get your rest, drink plenty of water and be aware.

[Hummingbird]

I turned 63 a month ago and am also thinking about what it will take to trike the 96 Goldwing I have.

RandyA

 

$6K to $10K

[bongobobny]

Yup! Every time I dropped it was from me doing something stupid...

[Flyinfool]

So far I have caught myself every time I was loosing situational awareness and have not had anything bad happen yet. Maybe it is because most of my riding is in heavy city traffic where I just know that I do not have time to allow any form distraction.

Cuz I know that every one of those cages are out to get me......

[Brake Pad]

I find, Heat is the reason, for the impairment. coming back from the IR, I was crossing, from bloomington to champaign ILL. it was extremely hot. found myself, losing concentration ( like a quick loss of realty)., afterwards I got off the highway, and found a hotel for the night. needed to cool the body down. a cool shower and a hop in the pool, did the trick. and more sleep:draming: it was the only day I pushed myself to get somewhere. not the longest day in the saddle though.