Wiggle those bars!

Hey all, since riding season is just starting for many of us, I'd like to pass along a tip that has saved my bacon more than once. We all know many cage drivers don't see us, and will either pull right out in front of you or turn left in front of you, causing the most common m/c accidents. For years now, when I see a car pull up to an intersection that could pull out in front of me, or when someone is coming right at me and has a chance or an intention of turning left across my bows, I wiggle the handlebars pretty aggresively. This causes the bike to jink back and forth and catches the cagers eye. When people see the movement they look twice. Try it out on a deserted road. You can really make a bike wiggle pretty violently without loosing control. Works on (most) tailgators too. Please try it and then practice it at any intersection (cars or not) to get in the habit. I've been riding approx 45 years, and started doing this after my ONLY car bike accident (I was 19) where a car turned left in front of me. Knock on wood, it's never failed me yet.:biggrin:

 

hey- its a ZReX guy. i still want one so bad that i cant see straight. problem is that you hooligans have driven UP the prices for good ones.

call me stupid, but against ALL common sense, i also desire a early 90s Guzzi V-1100 sport. great looking bike, and funky as it wants to be.

PS- are you going to the upcoming ZRX hooli-fest near suches/TWO? the VFRW-SE-G2G is near the same time, and im going over to see those guys one day.

 

I don't wiggle, but I do use the high beam during the daylight hours. I'm told it's legal in all 50 states.

 

High beam... that's a great idea!

 

I used to use my high beams during the daylight hours for the same reason you do. Technically i believe it is illegal. It is here anyways. Must dim within 150 meters (150 yards) from front or back. But I don't think any LEO would bother you. Least I never did cause of the reason you do this, and the fact that bright lights on a vehicle will not blind on coming drivers in daylight hours.

BUT

I think it is North Western University in Michigan or somewhere around there did a study. This is the University that is considered the God of Traffic Collision Analysis and all the studies that go into accident investigation and re-construction. I have been told that one of their studies have determined that in fact, to drive with your high beams on in a vehicle, bike or no, actually makes you look like you are farther away that what you really are. I would like to see that study. But i have sort of made note of this during the daytime with on coming cars and tend to agree with them. I only hope what I am seeing is not suggestive.

But, since I have installed my HID's in the high beams, I have gone back to using the highs during the daytime. The wiggling of your handlebars does produce a desired effect. Just be careful though. I don't know that I am necessarily a fan of that practice. There is after market modulators you can install on your bike that will flash between high and low continuously. This modulator is illegal but in most jurisdictions, motorcycles are exempt from this restriction, for reasons of safety. They are incredibly effective. Remember the old Harlleys on coming with the loose headlights. Same effect.

 

It was my MSF instructor that suggested it and said it is legal in all 50 US. But that doesn't mean it's true.

On a similar note, there have been studies about the effectiveness of daytime running lights on cars, how they do not prevent accidents, and they take attention away from motorcycles and emergency vehicles.

 

It could very well be legal in all 50 states. Traffic laws for the most part are state or city regulations and each jurisdiction does write their laws and regulation to suit their respective needs. "Generally" speaking, traffic laws are very consistent from one jurisdiction to the other with some small differences. And of course, this may be one of those differences. I am not in any position to question your MSF instructor. His desire is to make you as safe a rider as he can so without proof to the contrary, I would accept what he said as being truthful. However when I took my course here in BC, my instructor told the class that a certain maneuver was required by law when in fact it was not. I didn't challenge him on this because what he was trying to do, was to make everyone safe, and THAT is what this thread is all about. Staying safe.

Anything we can do to make ourselves more visible should be considered, maybe not practised, but certainly considered.

And Mik...thanks for the thread. Hopefully everyone who reads this may offer their ideas on how we can be better seen. Who knows, we may learn something new, and it could come from the most experienced of us, or the most inexperienced as well

 

I do a little swerve, too, when I want to be seen. Humans are built to notice motion.

In cycling, people always talk about "Riding Big." Use the whole lane, look people in the eyes, use hand signals. I use those techniques on the motorcycle as well.

 

Little can be said that hold more of a safety factor than this statement. Good on ya 15

 

i have had numerous people look me straight in the eyes and still pull out in front of me.

 

Yeah. And I was thinking just that as I hit the send button. You can never betoo sure so always anticipate stupidity on others parts.

 

its still a good tip tho, since our eyes were locked, i could tell that they were pulling out and I have been able to avoid all of those tards *knock on wood*. I guess i could see the stupidity in their eyes?

 

Here is what the daytime running lights do. How often have you driven down a prairie road and the vehicles ahead of you disappear in the mirage? My Father (long passed away now) travelled the highways for a living in Manitoba. When he started doing this back in the 50's, he habitually turned on his headlights all the time. When I went through my basic training in the RCMP, they preached the same thing but of course I already was aware of the benefits due to my dad. When you have your headlights on, they shine through the mirage so on coming drivers can see you for miles. It took a few close calls with people passing when they could not see him, to start dong this. So what the headlights do, is make you visible, not much else in the daytime. And it does not need to be warm for a mirage to set up. They are just as bad in the -20 weather as in the +90. It is the sun.

It is a very good habit to get into

Now if you live in mountainous areas, mirages are very much non existent. But the headlights will never hurt.

 

Are you saying your regular lamps to all are also "Hi" :wave: beams?

 

No. I have replaced the two Highbeam elements with HID bulbs and have kept the lowers to use at night time. Highs and lows operate as a stocl system would

 

Not sure if eveyone knows this but all cars and motorcycles manufactured for the Canadian market for quite a number of years have been wired for the headlights to be on all of the time the vehicle is running (its the law). The stats show that a vehicle with a light(s) on is more visable and less likely to get in an accident for that reason. Only makes sense, doesn't it?

 

Has been a requirement here since I think 1989 modle year and forward. Could be 1990.

 

HID's are in the high beams only:

 

I run a high beam headlight modulator during the day. I have ridden through about 35 states on this bike and never had a problem with the cops. The manufacturer does have a disclaimer to check each states law. I once had a motorcycle cop follow me into a gas station and ask me where I got it. I get some very obnoxious looks but it tells me they see me.

 

Well F&$K the looks I say.

During the daytime, the bright light from your high beams will not blind anyone because your eyes are already accustomed to brighness from teh sun. The night time blinding is only because your pupils have dialated when accustomed to the dark surroundings.

I was going to put one of those on mine but for other reasons, I went to the HID. With the HID, they have to warm up for about 7 - 10 seconds to reach their full brilliance so I am not sure how well the modulator will work with HID's, or if the constant on and off has a detrimental effect on the HID bulbs. Anyone know...for sure....