Note to self:

UNLOCK THE HANDLEBARS BEFORE starting the ride home.

:oops:

Yup. See, locked the handlebars turn slightly to the right, but not at ALL to the left. So I pulled out of my work parking lot (right turn), got to the T intersection and *tried* to turn left... but the bike refused to go left at all and down I went.

:furious:

I felt like such a damn dolt. Bruised the hell out of my hip, busted the left foot board (plastic) and scraped the left hand brake a bit.

:crap: :crap: :crap: :crap: :crap:

Yup. That was my dumbass move today...

/End rant about self's stupid move.

<Start rant about stupid, reckless drivers>

Note to the minivan driver today:

When vehicle in your lane is stopped, with left hand turn signal on, it is NOT advisable to pass them on the left. Especially not ten mph OVER the speed limit .

One of several things is likely to happen when you do make this dumbass move.

1. The vehicle will not have oncoming traffic and will make the left turn - RIGHT into your minivan, which will be your fault.

2. The vehicle will have oncoming traffic (preventing it from turning into you) and that oncoming traffic will be a car or truck or maybe even a semi (hey, I can dream, can't I?) and said oncoming vehicle will smash head on into YOUR minivan because you have driven it into THEIR lane, causing major accident - which will be your fault (see a trend here?).

3. The vehicle will have oncoming traffic and that oncoming traffic will be a motorcycle (me, in this situation). Unfortunately, if you hit the motorcycle head on, that will be VERY bad for the motorcyclist (considering your speed at about 55mph and motorcyclist's at about 40mph). Which will be YOUR fault, because once again, you are in THEIR lane.

3A. If the motorcyclist happens to be fast enough and over far enough to miss your minivan hurtling at them at 55pmh in the WRONG lane, you will have managed to scare approximately ten years or more off of the motorcyclist's life. You will also have earned a slew of curses and derogatory names that will turn your ears red for at least the next 25 years. If, however, you don't have the decency to have reddened ears for the next quarter century, I find myself quite happily obligated to hunt you down and beat the ever-lovin' hell out of you... til you find that decency, of course.

:furious: :pull: :crap: :furious: :old: :pull: :crap: :furious:

/End rant about careless, reckless drivers.

~ defensive riding ALWAYS ~

cuz it will not matter if its the cages fault TO YOU if it runs you over...dead

Truth: doesn't help to be 'dead right'. This is when it's good to be nimble & smaller than a car. Glad you're ok. Ummm, you ARE ok????

:old: Glad your ok I am sure we all have a move or two like that we would like to forget.

Yes, thank you, I am okay... just had my heart skip several beats when that minivan came hurtling at me.

I purposely slowed - not because of that minivan, but because of the larger one that had its left turn signal on... you never know when they are going to turn and cut you off. So, I slowed - thankfully - because I didn't see the one that came flying around it til it pulled into my lane (hidden by bigger minivan/van).

Thankfully, having slowed (Pop's defensive riding in play there!), and being over in the outer half of the lane, I was able to swerve over to just about the line and avoid being smushed into minivan windshield.

It's amazing - I'm a very lowkey, easygoing person and it takes a LOT to get me angry... but I had to force myself to refocus several times on the way home because I was ranting at the minivan driver. *sigh*

:old: You mean their face might have kept getting in front of your hand ?

It doesn't matter where you are in the world, there will always be a unique group of idiots that share the same driving habits. I've encountered my fair share myself.
Always be prepared and practice avasive and emergency stops regularly.

Hand... foot... matter of a fact, I have six inch heel boots that would be perfect for that... :rolleyes:

:old: :smack:

First of all, glad your ok. :whew: This kind of experience only shows how much we have to listen to that little voice inside us everytime where riding because most of the time we only get one chance to avoid absolute @$$bottoms like this cager. :whiping:

Hope the hip is not too sore. :yes:

Not too sore - just sore enough to remind me to check my handlebar lock! :yes:

If its any consolation Jayderaven, even us more experienced riders make the odd silly mistake as well. Every now and again if I am in a rush I forget about the steering lock, my saving grace is that after I start the old girl up I always straighten up my steering before I go, and thats when I find out that Ive done it again. Then its a case of switch off, unlock the steering lock and then start up again, one thing that I have noticed though is that when I make a silly mistake I always have an audience to enjoy the moment as well. So in short mate, your not alone and as far as idiot drivers go, "they are everywhere." :moto:

Thanks, Dave.

My steering lock only locks if the wheel is straight - then allows the wheel to be turned to the right, but not the left... which was my downfall... literally! *laugh*

I won't be forgetting that any time soon, however!

I guess that's one advantage with my GV250, steering lock is off when ignition turned on. :rubeyes:

Nice...

Would be nice to see the same view on the newer 2008 model as its changed...

Yes they are definetly everywhere cant get away from them

yes, that's a feature of all the Hyo 250's, and the GT650's that the GV650 sadly missed out on.

By putting the ignition key down on the airscoop they removed the ability to have the one lock. I regularly forget and have to stop the engine again so I can unlock the steering. :pull: :pull: :crap: :crap:

Ask and you shall receive....



Photo: Courtesy of Lunk...posted at ACD 05/04/08....written the correct way.....5th April 08 :hahaha: :hahaha: :hahaha:

BTW :I know the other mounting brackets look crapping, not sure if they're still like this.

I notice vortex 01 has a 2008 model, he may be able to shed some light.

knew I'd seen it posted somewhere, thanks Errol, obviously your memory is better than mine :rolleyes:

Gotta say it really looks crap compared to the old 250 dash. :barf:

I have to agree with you. I have nothing against the current 2008 model...(call me a fence sitter) ....but the GV250 is a "classic" cruiser by name and the digital display is just a bit too "modern" :FELIX:

I definately agree with you on that one Errol, and there is no tacho with the digital dash either. If its going to be a classic style bike then it has to have a classic style dash. :moto: