My Closest Call EVER on a Motorcycle - How I Saved It.

Have you had many close calls on a motorcycle? This is probably my closest call on a bike and how I saved it from a crash using Road Skills and Road Strategy.
**BECOME A MEMBER** GET INSTANT ACCESS TO THE FORUMS AND FIELD GUIDE
www.MCrider.com/support
SUBSCRIBE
www.MCrider.com/subscribe
WATCH EVERY MCRIDER VIDEO EVER RELEASED
www.MCrider.com/watch
SIGN UP FOR THE WEEKLY MCRIDER NEWSLETTER
www.MCrider.com/email
MCRIDER MERCHANDISE
t-shirts: www.teespring.com/stores/mcrider
Hats: www.MCrider.com/hat
MCrider Reflective Decals: www.MCrider.com/decal
LET CONNECT
/ mcriderskills
/ mcriderskills
LEARN MORE about Kevin and MCrider, hear my story and how this thing called MCrider started
www.MCrider.com/eye
SHOP ONLINE with these links and a portion of the sale will support MCrider
www.MCrider.com/amazon
www.MCrider.com/revzilla
I will see you on the road,
Kevin at MCrider
----------------
MCrider Decals produced by www.stickercutting.com/
Order custom decals for your business or organization

[@MCrider]

Become a Member! www.MCrider.com/Member I want to make a correction in this video at around 7:20 I said I "pushed on the right handgrip" to bring the bike out of the lean. I misspoke and should have said left handgrip...sorry about that. I want to correct it here so I don't potentially mislead anyone.

[@Mark-eu4di]

Great video! Ty for clarifying as I was half asleep drinking my coffee saying right??? I thought I was missing something so I rewound it lol…

[@Mark-eu4di]

Kevin, you just reminded me of a similar situation, I was a new rider riding a big bike (2000 Yamaha royal classic) with my wife on the back, it was night time and I was coming around a bend doing around 30 mph following a police officer and as I straightened out the bike the officer pulled off the road to the right and stopped, no signals or anything, I was like hmmmmm then all of a sudden he made an immediate U turn in front of us, needless to say, I stopped a foot from his drivers door and he rolled down his window and said “I’m so sorry, I saw you behind me but got a call and forget you were there.” Thank God for riding school! I can’t stress that enough to everyone reading this!

[@Mythtrekker610]

Sorry to bother you, but I have just gotten a message about winning a competition in your char for this video. So has A LOT of other people. It just looks like you have had your account hacked and cloned for the other youtube account. Sorry to bother your Sunday, God bless and keep riding.

[@mikebarron5805]

@@Mark-eu4di Don't feel bad, I must have been pouring coffee in my other eye because I slept right thru it.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mikebarron5805]

@@Mythtrekker610 Me to! 🤔

[@flippy6553]

Everytime I hear "I had to lay er down brother" I roll my eyes. I will adopt your more diplomatic "causing your own crash to avoid another, doesn't make sense" next time I hear it ✌🏻

[@genethomas4405]

I'm also a retired MSF instructor and always asked my students which sounded safer. "Using maximum controlled braking and possibly hitting something at a very slow speed, or sliding down the road in a shower of sparks while wearing through your riding gear or worse, pealing off your skin on the pavement."

[@thetowndrunk988]

Just like a good pilot will continue flying the airplane all the way till it crashes, so too should a motorcycle rider stay on the bike and ride it till the bitter end. Coming off is never smart

[@ryanmalone2681]

It’s my experience most riders get their license and then never seek information or training to improve their skills. That’s why every day Moto Madness, BikerZ, DBL, etc. have more crash video compilations.

[@shadowflight762]

maximum controlled braking, possible sliding at the last moment slowly, you can still control a little till it stops. My question is how do you control the bike at highway speed if your front tire blows.

[@thetowndrunk988]

@@shadowflight762 don’t grab the brakes, pull the clutch, don’t fight the bars much, and otherwise just let her slow on her own, and pray for dear life. Bout all you can do

[@Paul-fe6ux]

Come to Devon, England. If you want corners, every road is going around a corner , loads of fun . Carpark practice will not save you here , 😁

[@SeaPro360]

I gain more respect for you every video. Not your road strategy or skills, but your humble character.

[@JeanRoi]

And that's why you don't speed around corners. Especially blind ones. Well done sir!

[@tldonnelly3228]

Skills Training, Practice, Common Sense, Humility becomes Muscle Memory!

[@johnbyrne5322]

The best piece of advice I have got from MC rider which has prevented significant incidents is , " don't over ride your brakes and skill ". Another suggestion, if possible , is to find a gravel road and regularly ride it . You will soon learn familiarity breeds contempt and every ride is different , especially after heavy rain.

[@STho205]

Every other day. I live on a corkscrew in every direction just 40 miles from Tail. A stopped farm Semi or UPS truck around a truly blind corner is super fun. U turns for city people lost in the woods. Blind driveways and crossroads. Love that the SUV driver kept nudging it back and forth to avoid letting her tires touch dirt. Truly defines a suburban off road vehicle Sport Utility. Closest most of those cosplay tanks ever get to offroad is backing over a flower bed coming out of the heated garage

[@Earthneedsado-over177]

Cosplay tanks!😄 I'm stealing that.

[@davem7492]

I feel that trapped feeling when I'm sitting behind a car at a red-light in intersections where I know a lot of crashes occur. I try to position the bike towards an escape route and keep an eye in the mirror.

[@Hugo-py2ce]

Try and move to the front if you can, it's the best way to avoid that.

[@TRaider66]

I’ve been more worried about that myself lately after seeing countless totaled bikes on copper from rear end damage.

[@Earthneedsado-over177]

Yes, you always have to keep an eye on those rear view mirrors sitting at a red light. Although I will kick it in neutral and give my left hand a rest once everybody has settled in especially at one of those 10 minute long lights you could take a nap at.😴

[@vaportrail226]

What Hugo said. Filter to the front; it's a lot safer there.

[@kenwittlief255]

Give yourself 15 to 20 feet behind the car in front of you stop behind the driver with your bike pointing to the space to the left of his vehicle, so you can slip the clutch and go around him you not only have to keep your eye on the rear view mirror, you also have to be ready to go around him the instant you see his backup lights come on. (YES - people DO stop and then decided to back up!) That why you need 15 to 20 feet. Dont bother blowing your horn, they wont see you no matter where you stop. If a large truck stops behind you, then you are more secure sitting there. If no one is behind you, you are a sitting duck.

[@alexjames2039]

This corner is down the street from my in-laws house and visibility is extremely limited. I’m glad you were able to get stopped!

[@davemiller1007]

Love all the videos, but ones like this are the tip of the spear. Biggest takeaway for me is knowing how far ahead is line of sight capability and adjusting speed and awareness accordingly. It also translates to driving my car, and I try to pass along this kind of heads up driving to my kids, even though they are driving cars. Awesome information!!!!

[@Mark-eu4di]

Lol this is exactly me Dave, I’m on my kids 24/7 as they both ride as well.

[@michaelshearer3559]

Just thinking of all the times I might have taken that going 50mph on a sunny calm day. Things can happen so quickly. Thanks!

[@lynnsample4549]

"The intelligence of her decision" I don't think I could have ever said it this way. 🤣 Good video! Thanks!!

[@Earthneedsado-over177]

He is diplomatic, no? Wonder what words he was muttering in his helmet? I would be spitting on my visor; Mother******!!

[@DavidSmith-br4vt]

Thanks Kevin for sharing hope you have a great weekend.

[@justanotherviewer52]

Thanks Kevin. I had a similar situation on a blind right hand corner of a narrow two lane blacktop. I came through the apex of the turn at about 50KPH (30MPH). There it was. A big assed green Combine filling the entire roadway and over the shoulders. Road strategies and skill set sure make a difference.

[@zachohmie1262]

I had a similar thing happen to me in Texas. A combine traveling the opposite direction was blocking both lanes on a blind right hand curve. I ended up having to go off the road, and the shoulder, into the ditch after scrubbing as much speed off as I could. Admittedly, I was going faster than I should have been. I still don't know how I was able to keep the bike upright the whole time but I was able to go into the ditch and back up into the road after the combine passed without stopping. It scared the crap out of me.

[@billlyl3725]

I appreciate these videos and the MCRider forums so much. A new rider this year, recent MSF basic class graduate, I have had a lot to learn from Kevin. Keep learning, keep riding!

[@T.C..]

Thanks again Kevin. I look forward to life saving tips on Friday mornings

[@robertdaley1194]

Glad you are still here .Thanks for sharing.❤

[@josephvlcek8216]

Great to hear a first hand experience where practice created cooked in skills and strategy to keep you safe. Thanks for sharing!

[@prestonshort6324]

Appreciate the break down of all the situational elements using the overlays incorporated on the POV video. Well done Kevin

[@gelfyd1]

Always be prepared and you will be much safer! Thanks Kevin!

[@hebrewboy3126]

Mc rider thank you for sharing your real life situation to keep us on our game. And letting us remember to not get complacent.

[@ibnewton8951]

*Kevin

[@kellanhills1972]

Thank you for videos like this. They are so helpful for us riders.

[@DansTech307]

Hi Kevin - This is my 1st visit to your channel and I learnt so much. I am not and never have been a motorcyclist but I believe that I can apply many of the principles, that you describe so well here, when driving my car. One of the key points for me was your approach speed to the corner, riding at the speed appropriate for how far ahead that you could see. I have been driving for 53 years now and adopt a defensive driving style, always expecting the unexpected ! Great presentation, all the best from me in the UK - Terry

[@michaelhoward142]

That high-res slo-mo video looked very nice and was quite helpful in showing what you were talking about.

[@MidLifeStyleTwins]

Safe riding out there. Thanks for sharing.

[@GaryHorn]

Very helpful to hear your real-life example. Thanks!

[@hcderksen]

That’s what experience and thinking can do for you. Good story.

[@marysrevenge2397]

Really good situation for me to be aware of as a new rider, really appreciate your detailed explanation and really good job man. Didn’t even consider this, i will now.

[@dickjohnson7845]

The more you ride, you will be amazed and horrified at the things you see.

[@Lavaman3682]

a good review of why lane position going into a corner is so important...love your videos.

[@DavidDaverso]

I found good value in this format of explaining your riding strategy

[@helloitsdawn]

I notice the subtle adjustments you make to improve your videos and appreciate them (over the shoulder camera angle, clearer pause points, more coordinated gear, blurred background, markers, etc.). The fly bit was typical MCR humor. Good post. Thank you for the helpful analysis.

[@kevinfoley8105]

Great ending to a great video Kevin! Thanks for your wisdom and your humor.

[@MCrider]

Thanks for watching

[@malachy9400]

I'm so glad you weren't hurt in that incident Kevin because who knows how many accidents have been avoided by people who have availed of your no nonsense advice on motorcycle riding and road strategy. Thank you from Ireland.

[@karllued]

If someone had come up behind you, you could have bragged to your buddies, "I had to lay it down".

[@wallyr.7854]

May God bless you Kevin and always keep you safe, as always thank you for your words of wisdom.

[@Vjekoslav-vf3hr]

Amen

[@kevinferry126]

A useful break-down on the strategy that was used. Thank you for the video/story.

[@Paulifornia]

Nice save. Always scary when you're surprised in a blind corner. Glad you didn't "lay her down" haha. Love the videos!

[@BikingAdventuresandRoutesNI]

Glad everything turned out well, shared to my group as good life saving tips

[@fransjoe]

Just had my first real close call. Thanks to your training videos, I managed to keep myself upright and in control when I was crowded off the road by a group of "bikers" and into a leaf covered shoulder. Clutch control practice in the parking lots helped me regain traction after my rear tire slipped and skid sideways.

[@markwhatley9955]

Idiots are everywhere. This is a great lesson on how to avoid them.

[@darranchandler8090]

Dude! I personally love your ingenuity. All what you said somehow comes naturally when One is navigating a motorcycle around “thoughtless” drivers.

[@dickjohnson7845]

Great video, thank you, Kevin! I always tell the young guys who think they can ride on the street just like they do on the track that this approach will eventually catch up with them. The track is a controlled environment, turn two will be the same on every lap, along with every other turn. There won't be a car suddenly pulling out of nowhere, a child on a bicycle, a fallen tree limb, etc, etc. The road can be different every minute of everyday. Add the complacency which creeps in on our typically ridden routes and you'll be in real trouble. Everyday is a new day on the road, so treat it as such and ride within your limits.

[@jlg3315]

that is a GREAT example and explanation. Thank you MC!!

[@rinks50]

Great lesson. Thank you for sharing your experience to help us learn

[@hellbilly6532]

Great subject, keep up the good work

[@NooBiker]

Good systematic riding plan and motorcycle control. Practice makes perfect.

[@aceflyer32]

Another great video Kevin. This only reaffirms my reasoning for riding slower through blind curves than many of my riding friends. While I understand wanting to enjoy a good road, I was never comfortable riding that fast through curves where I couldn't see what's on the other side. I like your terminology about stopping within the limits that you can see clearly down the road. Words to "live" by!

[@jbean530]

Good idea. On a lot of the blind twisties around here, the 4x4’s love to tailgate me I choose to live as I slow down, but I wonder what people do or expect me to do.

[@jamesrindley6215]

Totally agree, I used to ride with faster riders and felt spooked by the speeds they were going and felt maybe they have some skills I don't have. Then over time some of them had big crashes and even stopped riding altogether. If it feels too fast then it probably is. Nobody ever came back from a ride saying "I'm really glad I rode too fast and crashed today".

[@karthikvishnu040]

Thanks a lot for sharing such crucial information 🙂. This will help new riders like myself.

[@andreimihalik2180]

Straightening the bike and having the room to do it before braking…. golden!!! Good one here MCRider.

[@KiwiMoto72]

well presented, and thank you for your dedication to teaching folks. I am a very experienced rider and spend a lot of time on the track too. I alway ride VERY conservatively on the street. The track is the place to push the hardest. A controlled environment.....And progressive braking is so important! Before ABS was a thing, this was the only way to brake. We are so lucky now...

[@bigbad253]

Thank you - this is a very good expansion on what my dad told me when I was learning to ride "Don't go so fast you can't stop beyond what you can see". Dad's other gem for riding and driving was "It doesn't matter if you had right of way if you are dead.....ALWAYS look."

[@wesrobinson7366]

I've loved watching your videos as it makes me feel I can be the same rider as I am a driver. I've never owned a motorcycle but have raced mountain bikes where slow speed is everything, balance is key. My partner is worried as she feels motorcycles are not safe and I have to keep reminding her almost all accidents are avoidable. I know that will never make her feel better but what I have learned about being a fireman is, your brain slowing down is the best safety device you have. Your training got you stopped not your experience. While I am still debating getting a motorcycle I know I would be training once a week in the summer, much like the once a month training I do with our ladder truck (seeing that thing in the cones would blow your mind). Your videos give me peace of mind that I can be a safe rider and still enjoy the road. Thank you

[@jeffreymielcarek5890]

Instantly recognized that you must be, or have been, a MSF instructor. Can’t overrate how useful my instruction was during my week long class. I had a couple of excellent instructors, and I’m a much safer rider for it. “Learn to ride your motorcycle.” I still use every trip I take as a learning exercise, always trying to anticipate the safest course of action should there be an obstacle. It’s possible to to enjoy your ride, while still trying to sharpen your skills. Great instructional example. Learning is always easier when tied to a specific example. Thanks!

[@11begood31]

Great learning video for rookies and good video for old timers like me always like this stuff no matter how long I've been riding, winter, big old 99 Vilkyrie Interstate been sitting but let it warm up some then back to my morning rides and prepare for something with more miles

[@timnevitt2993]

good job, i also have ran into same problems before, it all comes with experience from riding for 40 yrs

[@claudtalkz2194]

I had a similar incident while riding on a Sunday morning in Brooklyn. A woman who was parked suddenly -pedal to the metal, into a u-turn --and all the safety videos, MSF training, emergency breaking practicing drills at the IKEA parking lot just clicked. I stopped, like and inch from her window. We both pulled over, she had a granny and a young boy in the car with her, they looked like they were headed to church, she was very apologetic. Cat had my tongue, I told her, we're all okay, you go on ahead. They left and I just started sobbing in some weird post-adrenalin release. I remember how it echoed under the Brooklyn Queens Expressway overpass... Yeah, I'm a gal. But I have been there, and without those skills, you're looking at a real bad Sunday. This channel is always part and parcel of my daily commitment to becoming a better rider. Thanks, Kevin.

[@kilroy7627]

Love that little stretch of road! A great view on the way to good BBQ. I haven't taken it in a while or since becoming a rider but it'd be hard to stay engaged and ready for danger thinking about the great view about to open up around that bend!

[@murraehaynes3182]

Great reminder👍🏼

[@BlueAlgon]

Excellent point, great lesson.

[@ericmilligan3]

Thank you Kevin, I have just read your correction. Yes, push on the left. Phew! I thought I was going crazy. Great video btw.

[@leftoverporkchop9972]

Just finished up MSF. Granted, it's basic rider course, but this was EXACTLY what we focused alot of our time on. How to brake in a corner and different strategies and techniques to handle these situations. As i was watching the video my first thought was that you had the time and room to get out of the lean and brake to a stop without as much worry about oncoming traffic since the car was in the way, but then you of course mentioned being trapped there with no escape route until the suv was moved. Thanks for the great video and i always love it when what i see on you tube is reinforced in my classes and vice versa.

[@ellisstewart8905]

Excellent example & guidance!!

[@PVTHighspeed]

This is good stuff! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@MCrider]

Thanks!

[@davidtruong9367]

Great video and insight. Your videos are always helpful and easy to digest and process without all the fluff and garbage from other Texas based KZbin Moto clowns.

[@coreyyancey9272]

Great stuff!! Thank you sir!

[@Grunt49]

Good info!Thank you sir!

[@larryisreal8150]

Great talk coach!

[@PappaJs]

Nice Super Tenere' and great advice!

[@tpv59]

WELL DONE Kev.

[@davidfalgout7304]

Good stuff! Most excellent!

[@raymadani270]

Good bless you, chief.

[@bboykiddblack]

You should do more accident/crash analysis videos. Talk through what the rider could and should have done differently if applicable so we know what to expect on the street and what do to do

[@kenwittlief255]

you learn more by watching someone ride correctly, than you do watching someone crash and then trying to explain what they did wrong

[@bboykiddblack]

@@kenwittlief255 idk how true that is and even if it is true there is still much to be learned from an accident video so it doesnt hurt to learn from both

[@davidherringgo]

Hey MC rider , you've got some serious riding skills to stop such a heavy bike , to pull that maneuver off , well done ! I think I'm gonna have to start watching your channel and and learning some more skills , I and I hope she learned something from her poor driving .

[@robertdelisle3663]

Wow, people really don't think of anyone else when they drive! I'm glad you're ok.

[@snoopiain]

I really like your videos and your calm, sensible advice. I’m an ex-U.K. police officer. 30 years service. I did a lot of driver training during that time but I always learn something new from your videos. Thank you.

[@stevemoore9951]

Greetings from the pprc great video as usual.🇨🇱

[@daveedds]

Great information Kevin. I live in the mountains of East Tennessee where tight curves and rapidly changing altitudes are the rule and not the exception. I am very close to The Cherohala Skyway and Tail of the Dragon. Daily I see cyclists with little experience on these types of roads riding beyond their abilities. On these roads you must assume everyone will be crossing the centerline on curves. Too often I see riders near the centerline. Too often someone is killed doing that.

[@1wesleydb]

I love the mountains but, people underestimate roads while overestimating skills. On a mountain road even the straighaway can have lean angle like that corckscrew on the track. Love East Tennessee btw

[@bigwhisky4676]

Wow that same exact thing happened to me in the kern Canyon on a blind curve, I did the same maneuver that you did to get out of it, i’m glad I started watching the videos a long time ago before this happened.

[@fortunaterunt6834]

This is the perfect example of pretty much everything related to road skill. Next time I'm asked why I do lot practice, I'm showing them this video. 5-10 seconds in your life can either change everything, or it can merely be a story to share when you get home.

[@jimh2061]

Well done!

[@SMKreitzer1968]

Thanks Kevin!

[@meisterslam]

Just found your videos. Watched a bunch and have learned so much. I also just subscribed. It’s Jan 27 ‘23. I rode back in my 20’s. I’m 60 now. I’m almost certain I’ll be riding again this spring. We’ll see how it goes with my refresher classes in a few weeks. Question regarding this video and the situation you were in as I was in a similar one ‘back in the day’. Some of the newer motorcycles have anti lock brakes and if I follow through with this I suspect I’ll buy one with ABS. How would ABS have changed your reaction to the SUV k turning in front of you? Would ABS have enabled you to just full-on brake as hard as you could without worrying about sliding out as you mentioned? May seem like a silly question but that was what I was thinking after watching this video. Thanks very much for all of your content.

[@boomdawg56]

Great video, I have a friend who has rear ended 3 cars on roads like that in Texas, and of course, his response is always, "there wasn't anything I could do." I find myself running out of stopping room in corners most frequently when switching bikes, I will ride my SV650 for a while or an XR650 and then switch to a heavier bike and scare the bejesus out of myself when I realize I am going too fast for a corner.

[@shepherdwarrior777]

Good advice 👍👍

[@enlightenedidiot9552]

Excellent video. I don't listen to many, as I have more riding/racing experience than most. But you offer better insight. Unless you are a pro racer, it's always a good idea to trust that your motorcycle's limits are beyond your own. I've gone from a YZ80 and a 500 Interceptor to Open class street and dirt bikes. Novice road racing and Vet A off road racing. Always excellent motorcycles, and they are always better than me. Thanks for the video...

[@robertjackson1407]

Thank you 😊

[@chrish4130]

MotoAmerica races at Laguna Seca now. Practice and situational awareness. Life savers!!!

[@creeksman]

Thanks for the video. After avoiding hitting the SUV, a u-turn to quickly exit this hazardous situation would be a good teaching point.

[@powamoto]

Great title bro 👌

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

Moto America still race’s at Laguna Seca sport bikes and king of the bagger races. Fun stuff.

[@user-ce5lq5yr4i]

Excellent !!!!

[@njb2cool]

Right on dude

[@Blami777]

Glad you are ok.

[@rq38hq55]

Absolutely!

[@SomeRandomdude857]

Love the helmet!

[@tarabreitling7024]

Thank you

[@metcruza5536]

Good vid and info man. Reckon you were also sensible enough not to be going like the clappers around that bend.

[@tommeyer6033]

cool. Well done, sir. These situations are why I've chosen to ride the much lighter DR650 dual sport. Shorter stopping distance, ease of exit onto rough terrain, taller rider position for better line of sight, (can see and be seen over cars, etc) and the narrower bike provides more exit routes with more ground clearance.

[@kenwittlief255]

you dont have a shorter stopping distance on a dual sport bike - the pseudo knobby 'street tires' have less grab on pavement than proper street tires. Stopping distance is not a function of bike weight. The heavier a bike is, the more traction it has when braking, so all other things being equal stopping distance washes out the same.

[@ahmedabbas3998]

Excellent!.

[@MCrider]

Many thanks!