swerve left or right question

[jguarnieri]

Hi all,

Harley Davidson 2003 FXSTSI, 38,000 miles

I was wondering what the best defense would be in this situation.

You're riding in the right lane of a two or 3 lane road. You see a cager siting from a side road or a plaza driveway in front of you.

You slow down and check the left lane in case you have to swerve and your rear in case you have to break.

If you decide to swerve, and you check the left and right escape paths are clear for you swerve, should you swerve left or right?

If you swerve left isn't it likely the cager will keep plugging your escape as he continues to come out into your lane. He may decide to go into the 2nd lane or 3rd lane whatever the case may be

If you swerve right the cager is most likely opening an escape path for you since he is moving forward in the first place comming into traffic, unless he brakes at the last minute

So is it better to go left or right in this case.

Thanks

[Fourcats]

You need to be looking at the DRIVER...

Slowing down just invites them out...

[jguarnieri]

Originally Posted by Fourcats

You need to be looking at the DRIVER...

Slowing down just invites them out...

I disagree, even if you think you are making eye contact with the driver he still may be in la la land and not see you. When I say slow down I mean not to a crawl but to slow down a little to be ready for a move from the cager.

Thanks

[03GLIDE_]

I would change lanes to the left if it was open. On streets like you are talking about the right lane is not the safest. I have been a truck driver for 25 years and have never been in a wreck. Expect the driver to pull out because they will sooner or later. Also look up the secondary streets as you ride. You will see the other drivers coming and you can be prepared for any stupid moves by them.

[DesertRat]

By swerving to the right, you are assuming the cage pulling out will continue across the lane. By swerving to the left, you would be assuming they would eventually see you and brake. Either could happen. The one that did it to me, years ago, pulled into my lane, saw me and stopped dead. I swerved right and eventually bailed and the bike went end over end three time in a parking lot. The cage then left as if nothing had happened. My son, when it happened to him, swerved left and the car broad-sided him. I think you just have to make a decision and stick with it and hope for the best.

[jguarnieri]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

By swerving to the right, you are assuming the cage pulling out will continue across the lane. By swerving to the left, you would be assuming they would eventually see you and brake. Either could happen. The one that did it to me, years ago, pulled into my lane, saw me and stopped dead. I swerved right and eventually bailed and the bike went end over end three time in a parking lot. The cage then left as if nothing had happened. My son, when it happened to him, swerved left and the car broad-sided him. I think you just have to make a decision and stick with it and hope for the best.

Thanks for your reply.
I am not assuming they see me at any time my point is if you swerve left and the cage keeps comming he blocks all your moves to the left. If you swerve right he is leaving that area which gives you an opening "unless he does brake" So my feeling is to go right and hope he leaves me an escape window and doesn't brake.

I just want to know what the majority of riders feel is safer, right or left?

[Jeffytune]

Originally Posted by jguarnieri

Hi all,

Harley Davidson 2003 FXSTSI, 38,000 miles

I was wondering what the best defense would be in this situation.

You're riding in the right lane of a two or 3 lane road. You see a cager siting from a side road or a plaza driveway in front of you.

You slow down and check the left lane in case you have to swerve and your rear in case you have to brake.

If you decide to swerve, and you check the left and right escape paths are clear for you swerve, should you swerve left or right?

If you swerve left isn't it likely the cager will keep plugging your escape as he continues to come out into your lane. He may decide to go into the 2nd lane or 3rd lane whatever the case may be.

If you swerve right the cager is most likely opening an escape path for you since he is moving forward in the first place coming into traffic, unless he brakes at the last minute

So is it better to go left or right in this case.

Thanks

(Fix it for you)

With everything being equal, it depends. It is best to know what is going on 360* around you, and be always thinking of escape and avoidance in your mind.
With a cager that looks like they may pull out on you, a tap on the horn can do more then trying to figure which lane to bail into.

[jguarnieri]

Originally Posted by Jeffytune

(Fix it for you)

With everything being equal, it depends. It is best to know what is going on 360* around you, and be always thinking of escape and avoidance in your mind.
With a cager that looks like they may pull out on you, a tap on the horn can do more then trying to figure which lane to bail into.

Thanks for fixing my typos I hate to use the horn but I guess that would help. I have the loudest horn Harley makes, and I forget I have it since I hate horn blowers, they call that a paradox....

[hamyoo06]

Originally Posted by Jeffytune

a tap on the horn can do more then trying to figure which lane to bail into.

Sometimes a tap on the horn or flash of the brights is an invitation to pull out, especially when traffic is heavy; they think you are being a nice guy and letting them onto the roadway.

[Fourcats]

Originally Posted by hamyoo06

Sometimes a tap on the horn or flash of the brights is an invitation to pull out, especially when traffic is heavy; they think you are being a nice guy and letting them onto the roadway.

...Yeh, he used to ride a RED bike.