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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | We had another local boy go down this by a cager making a left turn into his path. I think that's around six so far this season. Can't believe that with mandatory headlights on, and some even modulating, that theses bikers weren't seen. And I really can't believe that there are that many inept car drivers. Really must be a physical reason. The thought that I am pondering over is, I wonder if it is a perception problem. Motorcycles have one headlight (even dual headlights appear as one), all other vehicles on the road have two, roughly 5 feet apart. Is it possible that a driver's eye acquires a form of 'muscle memory' that perceives a safe distance based on a it has 'learned' over time, causing driver action. I am beginning to believe that when people say they didn't 'see' the motorcycle, what they are really saying is that they didn't recognize that the traffic 'was' a motorcycle and not a car. Yes, it is true that if the driver was consciously paying attention the difference would be obvious, but no driver pay 100% attention 100% of the time. How many times have you left work to go home, and when you get there you have no idea how? Or maybe be on the way home and all of a sudden you find yourself looking around trying to figure out where you are? Come on, fess up.
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | Is tragic. I lost a friend/fellow rider this year to a drunk driver. Almost took his wife, too. There was nothing he could have done to avoid it.
And this summer on a trip I saw a van going down the highway run smack into the back of a huge two-trailer FedEx truck, both doing 75+mph. Broad daylight, steady traffic, good weather - If he didn't see that, there is no way he is going to see us.
That being said, one thing I do when entering a potential dangerous situation is flip on my high beams. I don't flash, as that could be interpreted as an 'OK to go'. Just flip it on in the hopes the change in circumstance catches the cagers eye, makes them reprocess the info, and reevaluate whether they should proceed.
Edited by Boots 2011-09-16 10:12 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I could discuss this a lot. One thing I have done is to drive more defensively, offensively, which way you want to put it. I don't trust the other guy at all. I was up on 301 around waldorf and bowie this past week and I feared for my life, but got through it. I'm not scared, just more aware because the drivers were very unpredictable. Also, it has a lot to do that I've not been around a metro type area for a while. While it is not necessarily actually metro, the folks drive metro because many commute into DC and B'more. Do what you need to do to help make other folks aware that you are there, but also focus on your "out" when they don't pay attention. A motorcycle safety course will be your best start. What I have found myself doing for many years, even when I wasn't riding, is to study the traffic and run the scenario through my mind of what I would do. But before I get into those really tight driving situations I'm always looking for my out and maintaining the best space I can get around me. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Always - ALWAYS have a 'Plan B' - when I am in that 'oncoming left turn' situation --- i.e. car approaching who has a street on HIS left (my right) I always assume that he may not see me and turn left in front of me. I assume this ESPECIALLY if he is NOT signalling a left turn - over my lifetime it's the guys who don't signal that 'left' - that make that left.
Always - ALWAYS assume it's going to be THAT GUY and be prepared - fingers and toes - ready to brake, zap the bike to the left - WHATEVER. ALWAYS !!!
That's just part of biking - being aware - and thinking. I am a consultant, a Systems Analyst/Programmer - and my problems can get .... HEAVY. So I relieve my brain by riding - and shifting my thinking from JOB - to ..... SURVIVAL !
Riding for me has always been a wonderful release from the problems of the/my world - exciting (wow - the guy missed me!) and relaxing (wow - I'm alive!).
Like 'varyder', I could discuss this a lot. My way has worked for me. One speeding ticket recently in 52 biking years, no accidents, no divorces, and NO problems with my VISION ! I am fortunate to be ALIVE, healthy and LOVED. And "Plan B Always" has played a big part in that.
Drive like THEY ALL WANT TO KILL YOU! And never stop thinking that ....
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Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | I dont believe its a matter of these drivers "not seeing" motorcycles. Drivers in general just aren't exercising proper driving skills and techniques. I drive a truck for a living, and get more people turning in front of me or pulling out while I'm in the truck than I ever do on the bike. Hell, once I had someone try to change lanes into me halfway along the lenght of my trailer. If a driver "can't see or didn't see" a white semi and trailer with headlights on, there is a serious problem, and it has nothing to do with visibility.
As far as a plan B or having an out, ALWAYS.
Edited by roundtwig 2011-09-17 12:56 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| In Texas we have the right turn on red law. But that means coming to a full stop and only turning if there's no oncoming traffic. I had to ride home in the rain last night and a Suburban never stopped, just made that right turn as though I wasn't there and he had the green light. I saw him coming up to the light and thought ,that idiot isn't going to stop and was on the brakes before he was in front of me. I've been riding since I was six and if I've learned nothing else I've learned to anticipate. I wonder if some people see a bike and simply don't care. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Nozzledog talked about how many people will not notice his frickin fire truck with lights and sirens blaring. I specifically look for motorcycles when I'm in the truck and it is hard to judge how fast they are really coming on. That single headlight could be a Harley going 40 or a crotch rocket going 90. There is no relative motion, just a dot. I always wait until I can tell for sure. A woman at our church was pulling into the church parking lot at 5:00 in the morning as part of a mission trip group meeting up to go to the airport for an early flight. She turned right in front of a biker (30 mph speed limit) and he t-boned her car, killing him instantly. It was still dark out and when the cops arrived, she said "I thought he was one of the street lights." |
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Tourer
Posts: 492
Indianapolis, IN | You guys are nailing it down. 1. Defensive driving..... always be ready for the "unexpected".......... see each threat and have a plan.
2.Understand that drivers are primarily thinking about getting down the road quicker, e.g. getting around the truck in front of them, making a turn quicker, dodging through heavy traffic, etc. Courtesy and exercising good driving habits is the last thing on their minds.
3. And just like the way drivers take advantage of the slow response nature of semis and service trucks and turn in front of them, they react differently to motorcycles because they perceive them as no threat. After all, "that biker won't hit me, cause if he does he's dead", is the kind of reasoning that goes on the split second someone starts to do something stupid like this.
There is no way to fix this problem in our society, we just have to be a lot better on the roads then they are. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
ROCHESTER,NY | The problem today is, the mentality of people is ME FIRST,ME FIRST, F.U. , ME FIRST!!!! It's not that they don't see us,they just want to get where they are going.And they don't care how they do it.I also drive a big rig,I have a dash cam. YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE THE THING'S A PERSON WILL DO, SO THE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THAT BIG TRUCK.At this point,I have about 30 min. of 3 to 4 second or longer clip's of idiodic thing's people have done on camera.These people include everyone from State Trooper's to Grandma. And everyone in between. PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE MY FELLOW RIDER'S!!!!! NO ONE CARE'S ANYMORE!!!!!
RIDE HARD!!!!!! LIVE FAST!!!!!!!!!! DIE FREE!!!!!!!
OR DIE OWING A MILLION BUCK'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | For parade and rally work, I plan to install four yellow LED strobe flashers on my Vision that will cover 360 degrees. I am thinking of making an option to my horn circuit so if the horn is tapped the flashers activate for 4 seconds.
These are the lights I plan to use. Two on the front and two on the back. I have checked on the local laws and if I wish I could legally run Yellow Flashers all of the time.
Next helmet I am buying will be white.
http://www.soundoffsignal.com/warnamber/surfacemnt/sm_Intersector.h...
Ride Safe
Edited by radioteacher 2011-09-17 10:12 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | BBQWIZ - 2011-09-17 8:39 AM
The problem today is, the mentality of people is ME FIRST,ME FIRST, F.U. , ME FIRST!!!! It's not that they don't see us,they just want to get where they are going.And they don't care how they do it. PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE MY FELLOW RIDER'S!!!!! NO ONE CARE'S ANYMORE!!!!!
I'm also a trucker. I can echo what these other guys are saying. They see you. They just don't give a sh!t. Look way down the road, be aware, and always have a "Plan B". Always expect the other driver to pull out in front of you and count yourself lucky when it doesn't happen.
Truck driving sucks big-time these days. It wasn't like this when I started. People used to be courteous and cognizant of others. Today, it seems like everybody only cares about themselves and to Hell with everybody else.
If you think "they are out to get you" on your bike, you're right. It's easily 10 times worse when you're driving a big-rig. I swear, some of these people TRY to get hit by a truck................
Ronnie |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | I have no argument with the defensive driving comments, it's the only way to go.
I also have no reason to disagree with the statements that many car/bike accidents have less to do with visibility then they have to do with selfish, distracted, impaired or just plain incompetent drivers, however glighto11 makes a observation that has been born out by a fair amount of research. The human brain has more difficulty processing the relative speed of a small vehicle with a single headlight coming towards it than it does larger vehicles with multiple headlights.
This fact alone is one of the primary reasons that I bought my Clearwater driving lamps. The large triangular pattern created by the fork mounted LED driving lamps and the headlight greatly improves the odds that oncoming traffic will notice me and more correctly judge my speed. Based on personal observation this has absolutely been the case. The number of drivers who have tried to kill me by pulling in front of me has dropped significantly since I installed the lamps, from an average of one per month, to a total of one since the install.
It could be coincidence , but I doubt it; and while I heartily endorse the Clearwater lamps, any driving lamps mounted in the same position would have a similar effect.
Being conspicuous improves your odds dramatically, and there are a lot of ways to be seen better. Wearing a white helmet improves your odds of not being involved in an accident (when compared to a black helmet) by a pretty impressive 24% according to a British study.
Have you ever noticed the effect a motorcycle officer has on traffic?
Its funny how motorists seem to react to these guys from 1/4 mile away, but wont see another bike riding right next to them. Drivers slow down, drop their cell phones in their laps , immediately start checking their mirrors and using their turn signals (probably for the first time all day) when they think they see a cop. I contend that most drivers cant tell the difference between a Vision, an ST1100, a BMW or an HD; the but they can and do perceive a large faring, an upright riding posture and a white helmet which are almost the exclusive province of the police these days. These are subtle visual cues that scream "POLICE - PAY ATTENTION".
I wear an old school open face white helmet with dark peak visor, dark glasses, sit upright on my bike and you would be shocked at the number of people who catch a glimpse of me in their rear views, and suddenly start driving like they cant afford another ticket.
Perhaps the best defense is indeed "riding like a pro".
Edited by Tarpits99 2011-09-17 1:27 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | I read about a study that was done regarding conspicuity. IIRC, they used three riders as a test - dark clothes and helmet, fluorescent clothes and helmet, and one with a white half helmet and black visor. By far, the safest look was the police-style helmet. Bright clothes came in second. The result was judged that it came down to what threat was posed by the bike. Bikes are not considered a threat, so people don't pay much attention to them. But if it's a cop on a bike? That's a different story, and like Tarpits indicated, they drive like they know what they're doing.
Also, it really is hard to judge the speed of a vehicle with a single light - you don't have the three-dimensional look that a vehicle with two headlights gives. That's why I have the PIAA lights on my forks, like Tarpits and his Clearwaters. Mine don't light up the road tremendously, but it gives a three-light triangle that helps drivers judge my speed. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 185
Rhode Island | You would think that the way the front of the Vision is they would have no problem gaging our speed, hell that is one big lit surface area coming at you. Maybe it is just a game of contrast, if bike is black wear white or lite colors, if bike is white wear black or dark colors. I always try to plan for the car pulling in front of me. On the slab I never ride alongside anyone unless I am right at the drivers door/window; before passing I alway get to where I can see the drivers face in their mirror then move out to the left and hit the throttle to pass quickly, left thumb on the horn. All this is why I try to limit my day in the saddle to 9hrs, after that I find myself not as alert/defensive in my driving; the problem is the Vision leaves me comfortable enough to ride 12-14hrs/day.
Ride safe, stay alert and hope that cell phones are completely banned when driving; one less distraction in life for the cagers.
Jim |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | It is very true about the white helmet making you conspicuous. Also, a headlight modulator works VERY well (still trying to get the damned thing installed; later this fall during deer season).
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Tourer
Posts: 492
Indianapolis, IN | Tarpits99 - 2011-09-17 2:26 PM........Have you ever noticed the effect a motorcycle officer has on traffic? Its funny how motorists seem to react to these guys from 1/4 mile away, but wont see another bike riding right next to them. Drivers slow down, drop their cell phones in their laps , immediately start checking their mirrors and using their turn signals (probably for the first time all day) when they think they see a cop. I contend that most drivers cant tell the difference between a Vision, an ST1100, a BMW or an HD; the but they can and do perceive a large faring, an upright riding posture and a white helmet which are almost the exclusive province of the police these days. These are subtle visual cues that scream "POLICE - PAY ATTENTION". I wear an old school open face white helmet with dark peak visor, dark glasses, sit upright on my bike and you would be shocked at the number of people who catch a glimpse of me in their rear views, and suddenly start driving like they cant afford another ticket. Perhaps the best defense is indeed "riding like a pro". I have thought very seriously about buying a motor cop helmet or even painting up a white helmet to match the style of a motor cop helmet. With the metallic blue and gold of my bike I could paint up a half helmet to match and it would probably also come across to the motoring public as a cop on the road near them. Check out the pics at this web site for motor cop safety gear: http://www.superseer.com/gallery2.asp |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Great point about the cop helmets. I have a silver EXO-100 and it does a great job of clearing out the left lane during the daytime. People see what they want to see. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I find that wearing a white helmet is a great addition to the repertoire of safety items. I'll notice another biker with a white helmet quickly and then tend to my business at hand more effectly than those distracting devices used for riders to be seen.
Edited by varyder 2011-09-18 7:14 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | Loud pipes could save your life in the 1960's and 80's but the 1990 and newer vehicles are air tight and soundproof once the door to the cage is closed you can set off a stick of dynamite and it will be unnoticed.
Add in Cell phones, Texting we are an endangered species.
I was stopped in the Chicago loop ten feet off the last cage in a line of a hundred or so. it was sunny and visibility was excellent iI am a large person riding a huge MC I heard the screram of brakes and saw a Cabbie bearing down on Deer Crusher's and my ass I had no where to go I just forced my self to relax " Your going to be hit stay calm do not tense up ".
Luck was with Deer Crusher and I that day the long skid that usually ends with a bang ended with the Ford tarus's nose very close to the ground 3 feet behind us I could tell by the drivers expression that he was relieved that he did not crush us he then cut off several other cagers and left my lane.
I am MSF trained and have many years of experience on two wheels we are targets in the traffic patterns and must drive as if they want to push us off the pavement |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
Tifton, GA | I work for GA Power Co and we have used the Smith System 5 keys to improve driving safetyfor several years. They really have helped me be a better biker too.
Aim high in steering
Get the big picture
Keep your eyes moving
Leave yourself an out
Make sure they see you
We go over these every year and our department does a evaluation drive with instructor. It has helped me on the job and on my bikes. Last year when I had my wreck I did all of this right until the guy stopped that I thought was going to run the stop sign. Did not follow through on the last one he pulled out and I missed him, but went down. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Didn't read all the posts but I am willing to bet that in many cases like this, the cager is distracted by cell phone use whether dialing, chatting, or the worst yet, texting. This must be addressed by legislative action!! Too many biker, pedestrians and cagers themselves are being injured or killed. It reminds me of the dangerous intersection that desperately needs a stop light and does not get one until someone dies. But this issue is much larger and more difficult to address as no one, and I mean bikers included, wants to give up using their cell phones while driving. It is incredibly sad that we as Americans place such little value on human life.
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Posts: 228
| I don't ride "afraid" but I do ride with the attitude that every other driver out there is actively trying to kill me. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | There is a guy that I used to occasionally ride with. He has a white Goldwing and wears a white and black helmet. On the trunk and front fairing he put the words "BE POLITE" in bold black lettering. It was always amazing to observe the surrounding traffic when he was around!
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Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | cchristo - 2011-09-18 9:47 AM
There is a guy that I used to occasionally ride with. He has a white Goldwing and wears a white and black helmet. On the trunk and front fairing he put the words "BE POLITE" in bold black lettering. It was always amazing to observe the surrounding traffic when he was around!
AWESOME!!!! DEFINITELY doing this!!!
Alexi |
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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/Research/rr0717.pdf
Basically, a study showing that a triangular pattern on a locomotive was found to be best at being recognized by bystanders and easiest to estimate arrival time. They tried a few setups, and, from what my measly brain can tell from the article, the best and most conspicous setup was a headlight up high, and two lights facing straight forwards (0 degrees) to the lower left and lower right. The headlight that modulated showed more perception than a headlight that did NOT modulate. So I aim to eventually combine this and have my modulated headlight (which I already have), and two aux LEDs mounted on the forks.
Alexi |
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Cruiser
Posts: 262
Flowery Branch Ga | As others here, I drive a truck for a living. My company uses the Smith System for defensive driving training and we retrain yearly. When I ride, I am riding with the mindset of the cars see me and are trying to hit me (use the same thought process when at work). I think two of the biggest problems with the four wheeled driver is the lack of education and the perceived lack of consequence. I.E. In the Atlanta area a "lawyer" has ads claiming that big trucks equal big checks. Call him for your big truck accident claims. Also, my 18 yo neice was told it's OK to go 10 mph over the speed limit because the police won't ticket for that by a third party drivers ed instructor. There are other factors, of course, but I feel these are the two biggest. I don't think that more laws are needed, just strict enforcement of the ones we already have.
Wayne |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | I too train yearly, company required, to drive my company truck.
I'm on the turnpikes daily between cities. Ironically, I actually "think" about my driving, the others around me, etc.
Distractions, mainly cell phones, are what I see as the major problem right now. On our 75mph turnpikes, I'm constantly passing people texting while driving with their knees and eating a burger with the other free hand. Unbelievable.
Like you said, this kind of bad habit driving is directly related to the uneducated driver. Driving seems to be the last thing on most peoples minds when operating a vehicle. |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | Thanks for all the advice. I always flash my high beams more than once at an intersection and will not do that anymore. I always try to make eye to eye contact with the driver trying to enter the highway from any direction. We all ride as safe as we can, Thank God for all the ABATE Chapters that have made our riding a safer place...
Ride hard, ride fast but above all ride safe and free...
8-ball/Wildman |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I think my truck driving experience has helped keeping me from contact with a cage. The habit if looking far ahead due to the long stopping distance of a truck equates to seeing potential hazards further in advance when on the bike.
Also the annual driver training re-enforcing always having an escape route ect. can't hurt.
Edited by cw1115 2011-09-20 7:11 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | Many States sugest that we use our high-beams during daylight hours.
I do.
I also watch the wheels of vehicles attempting to merge into cross traffic.
If they start turning, I start slowing down in a hurry.
Eye contact doesn't work because they could be looking right through you. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | cchristo - dfo tell more about the BE POLITE and the reaction he got, it can be construed both ways. I'm anxious to hear. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | pollolittle - 2011-09-21 9:00 AM
cchristo - dfo tell more about the BE POLITE and the reaction he got, it can be construed both ways. I'm anxious to hear.
The reaction was the same as when drivers suddenly realize that there is a police officer in the traffic. They would slow down, back off. After studying it a bit, they would generally go back to however they were driving, but a lot of the cagers would smile and sometimes wave as they went by.
The point is that they really picked up on the bike, realized it was there, and changed their immediate driving style. I never saw anyone get upset at it. Most people seemed to think it was kind of funny, and they probably felt a little sheepish.
Still, people blow by police bikes and cars all the time so it sure doesn't work for every driver on the road. I'm sure that there are some that get upset with it but at least they noticed the bike and reacted accordingly. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 53
Raleigh, NC | Great information to read before my first road trip to Rolling Thunder with my wife and my Vision. I am a very defensive driver in both my van and on my Vision. One thing I have learned is to not only look at the car in front of you, but look through it what's in front of them. Also, as many have said, I do my best to stay out of blind spots and pass cars quickly. I've seen so many stupid things on the road lately that I am contemplating getting a Go Pro and starting a video blog about things drivers do. Heaven knows I will always have plenty of material to work with. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I've gone to driving offensively because I agree that folks are doing stupid things. I want to keep the upper hand on them. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | As someone posted in this thread the Piaa fork lights do help with visability, not for the driver of the MC but for others seeing the MC |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | When I did intercity commuter transit work between Everett and Seattle, I discovered that a 62 foot long, 11 foot high articulated bus covered in lights and bright colors is just as invisible as I am on the bike, I NEVER am the first one into an intersection if at the front in a light to pull out, let the moron next to me go first and become the hitte, I ride like a fighter pilot, my head never stops until I'm on the slab and clear of towns or cities then my swivelling slows down but still never stops (almost got clobbered by a bald eagle taking off once, BIGBIRD!!). I pull up to a red light to one side or the other of the lane to A) stay out of the grease stripe and B) I watch the mirror until two vehicles behind me are stopped, that way if Suzie Creamcheese isn't paying attention, I've got an escape route. My insurance guy is amazed when I tell him I haven't had a ticket since Carter was President and in 47 years have never had a chargeable accident, been rear ended a few times while stopped in traffic. Diligence pays off. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | In a black Vision with a white helmet I am mistaken for a cop a lot. As soon as I switched to a white helmet I noticed a change in the drivers around me.
I have even seen vehicles coming at me reach to buckle their seat belts.
Ride Safe |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | radioteacher - 2012-05-20 7:59 PM In a black Vision with a white helmet I am mistaken for a cop a lot. As soon as I switched to a white helmet I noticed a change in the drivers around me. I have even seen vehicles coming at me reach to buckle their seat belts. Ride Safe Yeah - that's funny how the white helmet works. Goddamned assholes nearly put it in park when they see you - more dangerous to YOU than EVER. Trust me on this one - I know !!!
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Cruiser
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Land O Lakes, FL | donetracey - 2011-09-17 12:03 AM
Always - ALWAYS have a 'Plan B' - when I am in that 'oncoming left turn' situation --- i.e. car approaching who has a street on HIS left (my right) I always assume that he may not see me and turn left in front of me. I assume this ESPECIALLY if he is NOT signalling a left turn - over my lifetime it's the guys who don't signal that 'left' - that make that left.
Always - ALWAYS assume it's going to be THAT GUY and be prepared - fingers and toes - ready to brake, zap the bike to the left - WHATEVER. ALWAYS !!!
That's just part of biking - being aware - and thinking. I am a consultant, a Systems Analyst/Programmer - and my problems can get .... HEAVY. So I relieve my brain by riding - and shifting my thinking from JOB - to ..... SURVIVAL !
Riding for me has always been a wonderful release from the problems of the/my world - exciting (wow - the guy missed me!) and relaxing (wow - I'm alive!).
Like 'varyder', I could discuss this a lot. My way has worked for me. One speeding ticket recently in 52 biking years, no accidents, no divorces, and NO problems with my VISION ! I am fortunate to be ALIVE, healthy and LOVED. And "Plan B Always" has played a big part in that.
Drive like THEY ALL WANT TO KILL YOU! And never stop thinking that ....
That pretty much sums me up to a "T" as well. It's the first piece of advice I give to anyone who asks me about riding or asks about starting to ride for the first time. In this gas crunch a lot of people are considering bikes as a cheaper mode of transport for commuting. I expect to see the number of bikes on the road growing more and more over the years (gas ain't gonna get cheaper, it's like income tax, it's here to stay).
It doesn't work for every situation but if you ride like everyone is going to kill you and have a plan B (sometimes C helps too) you'll last a lot longer out there. Sometimes accidents happen and there is nothing the rider can do but many situations are avoidable if you take small precautions and think ahead you can avoid a lot.
I don't know about you guys but I always get that awful gut feeling when something starts to just look wrong, or feel wrong. It happened to me yesterday, hard to explain but imagine a long radius turn on the interstate and toward the end of it is another lane that merges in so those merging can't see those coming around the bend. There are about 4 lanes across me all the way right closest to the merging lane. As I rounded the bend my speed would have put me right between a car left and merging car right. We all had our own lanes but for a split second I went "CRAP (actually it was an expletive)" if either guy decides to swap lanes guess who the monkey in the middle is? ME! So I grabbed a handful of throttle and took the option away from anyone even thinking of sandwiching me in the middle and moved through quickly so the timing didn't put me in the middle of them. And even then I was like "whew" I didn't like that at all... Just felt all wrong like this could be bad type feeling...
A lot of people don't tend to think like that. A relatively innocuous situation that anyone in a cage would have never thought twice about until one of the other idiots does the unthinkable and decides I'm gonna change lanes right NOW and smack it's lights out and 70mph. Where as identifying and a little avoidance maneuver (little throttle, little brake) takes that scenario right out of the picture...
Just some food for thought anyway on just how much thinking I do when I'm riding and hope that helps someone else not be a casualty. Like I said NOTHING is 100% but if you can reduce your risk you might just make it till tomorrow...
Edited by PhantomX 2012-05-21 9:19 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | donetracey - 2012-05-21 12:27 AM
radioteacher - 2012-05-20 7:59 PM In a black Vision with a white helmet I am mistaken for a cop a lot. As soon as I switched to a white helmet I noticed a change in the drivers around me. I have even seen vehicles coming at me reach to buckle their seat belts. Ride Safe Yeah - that's funny how the white helmet works. Goddamned assholes nearly put it in park when they see you - more dangerous to YOU than EVER. Trust me on this one - I know !!! ?
I have been seen more and ignored less with the white helmet on my Vision. Yes, people do slow down in front of me to the speed limit. But that is OK. I should not be riding faster then then the limit anyway.
I love the space they give me at a light. It used to be that some people would love to see how close they could pull up behind me but not any more.
I need to make a video of my new lights since they are now complete. I added four amber Sound Off Signal Intersectors. http://www.soundoffinc.com/warnamber/surfacemnt/sm_Intersector.html
These are the same lights used on the front of the Victory Vision Police bikes. The Gen3 LED's are really bright. They cover over 180 degrees with each light.
I have turned them on twice in a danger spot on my way home. This is where I merge on a road that is 40 mph and the cars in front of me are doing 40....but the cars behind me are coming off a 65 mph road and are doing 65 or 70. To add to the issue...at the merge point it goes from two lanes to one lane for construction.
I have had two cars try to cut me off at the barrels that merge to one lane and slow down.
Flipping on the "Warning" amber LED strobe lights stopped their aggressive behavior. They slowed down and got in line.
Ride Safe
(MergeAreaDanger.jpg)
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | PhantomX,
I am always looking for a way out. I really like the times I am at the beginning or end of a light so I can ride in the gap between flights of cars.
Ride Safe |
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