Tragic

A guy riding a motorcycle on our road cut loose in some gravel and fell off his bike then got ran over by a couple cars....
They had him covered up with a tarp. makes me think twice about fixing my bike up.

 

A few blocks from my house, a guy passed 2 Semi's between them (illegally)- - in the rain and lost it. His bike went under one, and he went under the other.

A couple days ago a SUV blatantly pulled out in front of me. She had no clue. I saw it coming.

These things happen- - but you have to decide that it will never happen to you. Ride aware and defensively.

 

Agreed. You have to decide to ride and decide that you are going to be as vigilant as possible. A few days ago on the way to work a lady in an SUV came right over on me as I was passing her rear quarter on the left. I was paying attention, saw her start to come over, was able to brake and lay on the horn properly. She still came over, but I was able to avoid the accident. If you are riding on gravel, you have to slow down and be more careful. You certainly shouldn't be passing in between semis in the rain. You can greatly lessen the risk if you ride with some common sense and responsibility.

 

when riding the trike I had rented in vegas... a man was stopped next to me at a light. We made eye contact. I got out in front of him and then he passed... most of the way. The car in front of him obviously wasn't going fast enough and so I had to stop in a hurry and let him over. He saw me not only once but twice and still tried to run me over.

 

Lets face it, we all have horror stories about not being seen, or being ignored when we are seen, whatever the case may be, its up to us riders to stay alert and vigilant to avoid these near death experiences. I was told once that there are two kinds of biker. Those that have been in accidents and those that will be in accidents. I have had two bikes slide out from under me, but I refuse to let other peoples stupidity keep me from something I love.

 

I don't really like the bright yellow color of my bike personally, but I think that brite paintjob might save my life someday. On my first bike which was red I had people pulling out in front of me constantly. Since I have had a yellow bike it has not happend yet. Sometimes you have to sacrifice your own personal likes for something that is safe.

 

You could have your bike the color you like & wear a high viz jacket.

 

i try to ride as though i'm invisible. if i believe that no one can see me, i'm not surprised when they don't.

 

Pretty much my philosophy

 

Agreed with skeeter 100%.

 

I like riding with my high beam on all the time. At least when people flash their lights at me I know they see me. I want to install a HID head light conversion this winter.
A really loud air horn helps in those passing situations just a small blast lets people know hey I'm comming around you.

 

last thursday a guy ran a red light and turned in front of me. he didn't even look my direction, not even when i laid on the horn. he must have thought it was ok to run the red cuz it was a fresh red....

 

friday i had a kid in a wrangler texting and ran a stop sign, luckily it's my street so i was down to about 5 mph or so. The next day i was in the wife's minivan and had a guy on a new Hd softail hit my van cause he ran his red light, he clipped the front bumper with his saddle bag and kept on going. some people need to retake their drivers test to see if the "still" pass.

 

people will always pass because they dont want to fail. after the test is over, it's right back to complacency and not paying attention.

it goes the same for 2 and 4 wheels. when I ride to work and back home, my head is on a swivel. always looking in the mirror and watching other cars. when I was younger, the healing time was much quicker and didnt hurt as much. now that I am older, scratches and road rash heals just a bit slower

 

When I got my bike last fall, people were telling me how good the Basic Motorcycle rider Course is that is offered in Wisconsin.
I took it this spring, and am really glad I did.
I really think everyone should have to take this course... even if they don't
ride a motorcycle.
The course not only teaches good riding and defensive skills, but also
makes you a better automobile driver.
I find myself looking ahead more, and double checking intersections,
and especially looking out for bikes when Im in my car or pickup.

 

I have had my M endorsement for 8 years now, I'm going to take the course when I get my bike all together. Specially with all the folks getting in accidents. Makes me want to be a more alert rider.

 

I also take the "invisible man" approach. I assume they dont see me, never did see me, still don't see me, and can't figure out who's blowing that dippy little meep-meep horn. Too band we aren't allowed to keep a container of soft paintballs on the handlebars that we could throw at people like that to be a signal to other bike riders to "watch out especially for THAT one!"......or at least so that three days later when the owner sees a paintball spot can realize "gee, wonder when/where/how/who/what bike did I not see?".

End of rant.

Dave

 

a friend keeps spark plugs in his jacket pockets when he rides.

 

A few years back, we lost 4 riders on 2 bikes on one of our highways up here. A minivan made an illegal left turn to use an off ramp on the highway which has a 100km/hr speed limit. Both bikes slammed into the passenger side of the vehicle killing the 4 riders plus the 2 occupants in the van. In 2002, I installed a headlight modulator (Comagination), and since then, I've never had anyone cut me off. I've had countless people tell me the flashing headlight is distracting and annoying...must mean they see me right? A $60 addition taking 5 minutes to install is a huge safety feature IMHO. And for those who say the modulator eats up bulbs, this is the same bulb I've had since installing the modulator in 2002. I wish insurance companies would see how this device can save lives and offer discounts.

 

Never heard of those modulators before Bill mentioned he used those. Even though it didn't work for him this one time, it's probably a good idea anyway. Nothing is totally foolproof.

 

So true...I know how useful it's been for me but I still ride like I was invisible...the only defensive thing to do.

 

All great advice here!

I replaced my exhaust with a MAC 4-into-2 system and it was a little louder than stock, so other drivers might hear me.

I installed a Sebel air horn so other drivers might hear me.

I like the modulating headlamp idea and will be buying them for all three of my bikes, so other drivers might see me.

Finally, I totally agree with the notion that we are invisible and must ride thinking that.

Cover the brakes at stale greens, try to cross intersections with a car, and always look at the tail lights of the car in front of the car in front of you.

By the time the cager reacts in front of you, it might be too late. Observing what the driver in front of him is doing, has served me well.

I have been riding for for 33 years, been down only twice.

I still love riding!

 

I had an old man pull out in front of me from a stop sign just this morning. Luckily i knew he was going to show his lack of vision, and was already on the brakes.

Still pisses me off that people don't bother to look.

Really sad part, there was a big truck goin opposite my direction on the one lane highway. He had JUST gotten past the intersection when the old man pulled out to go across the intersection. I could of been a transport and he wouldn't have seen me smashing into his side.

I've been finding myself grabbing for brakes well in advance of traffic entry points a lot more the last week.

Man was killed just a couple km's from where i live last night because a woman blew a stop sign and plowed right into a bike.

Is it just me, or is it getting a bit worse out there lately?

 

It isnt just you , it is getting worse, add texting, cell phones and it has gotten worse for sure.
I have thought twice about fixing up my bike to ride in the last few weeks, its even worse than when I first started riding on the street only about 8 years ago.

 

Back when I had my '50 Chevy, my grandfather gave me the air horns off a firetruck he had been on when it was decommissioned. Those things, would scare the $h1t out of anyone within a block radius. I always wanted to mount them on the bike, but it is problematic as they are almost 2 feed long. (I scavenged them before I sold the car)

I have been looking into something along these lines for another bike, but an XJ would be tight...

TrainHornKits


Long story short, I love my horns. I use them every chance I get. To say "Hi", or "Hey, I'm over here" or even the occasional "how You doin' miss"...

I also treat everyone I come across as someone who is out to get me. And avoid freeways like the plague. The other one that has got me out of a tight spot, is when you are stopped at a light, behind a car, I always point the bike at the ditch, in first gear and keep the clutch in. That way, when some texting frat' boy in an Escalade tries to squish me between his tank and a honda civic, I can go grass-trackin'.

 

First, re: distracted drivers, make sure you check out http://BlackNailBrigade.com My right thumb nail is black. A LOT of people now know why.

Second,: It does seem to be getting worse out there.

Third: Day-glow and horns HELP - close calls went down drastically when I got my Phantom - but they always make a better fool. To quote the cop who wrote up the woman who pulled in front of me in May, "You were wearing that [points to day-glow Olympia Phantom full suit] and that [points to Axis Yellow Shoei helmet] and your headlight is functional? And she STILL 'Didn't see you?' [shakes head]" Ayup.

My advice to riders is, "90% of them don't see you, 5% don't care, and the other 5% ARE out to get you."

That all said, a rider can still be his/her own worst enemy by getting into dumb/bad situations. It's easy to blame the other guy, but bottom line (as any pilot knows), all responsibility for safe operation begins and ends with the Pilot In Command.

Let's be careful out there.

 

I am a pilot just got my PPL and you are darn right!

 

CONGRATS! I got mine in '04, but sadly haven't been up in over a year. Fatherhood + crappy economy + motorcycles are way cheaper = grounded.

 

All of this great advice/thoughts with a question and one exception.

Question: Can someone share more about the headlight modulation and/or other ways to increase frontal visibility?

Exception: I strongly disagree with the value of the loud pipes as a protective measure. The person in that $40,000 SUV is NOT going to hear your pipes as the vehicle is too well insulated from noise and probably has the stereo playing - unless they are on the cell phone, in which case the only way they'll notice you is if you are so loud they can't hear the person on the phone. Nor is that guy driving the dump truck going to hear you. Those who will hear you? Other bikers and the people defenseless to your noise pollution walking on the streets, playing in their yards, or even in their houses with a regular window closed.

Get in your car, turn on the air conditioning, turn on the stereo to a "decent" volume to hear over the air cond, and tell me just how much you hear going on around. I have trouble hearing the EMS sirens in my wife's Pacifica, let alone the muffler on some bike. Unless the driver has the music off, no phone calls, and the windows open, your pipes are *NO* protection, particularly since most of the hazards we have to deal with are encased in steel and glass and the distance apart decreasing so rapidly that the sound wouldn't have time to penetrate awareness even if it did penetrate into the vehicle. It is simply something to offend all the rest of the world around you and to get people to stare at the idiot who is proclaiming "look at me ... I got a motorcycle ... aint I just soooooo cool!"

 

VERY well-spoken and accurate.... Thank you!

 

I could be wrong on this, but I think I remember from the MSF course that most accidents on motorcycles happen within 5 miles from home, at 35 miles an hour or less (this might have even been fatal accidents). While the consequences of an accident are worse or almost certain at high speed, the likelihood of "getting" into an accident with a cager has a lot to do with speed differential between you and traffic. And on any road lined with parking lots, there are many more "opportunities" for cagers to cross your direction of travel. If everyone is going about the same speed and about the same direction, there is more can do to stay out of blind spots and be visible (you still have to worry about road conditions, which have a high speed differential). When every person leaving a parking lot or turning into one (or street, driveway, u-turn, etc) doesn't see you, there is a lot less you can do to keep from crossing their path.

 

The headlight modulator is only legal on motorcycles (not cars) in Canada and the US. It plugs into your headlight plug and then you plug it into the bulb connection. Depending on which wires you connect, the modulator will only be active on either your high or low beam switch. Mine is attached to the high beam switch position. There is a light detector which shuts off the modulator when light levels fall below a set amount (dusk, tunnels, dark areas). It modulates from high to low beam 4 times per second. As I said in a previous posting, it does not reduce your headlight bulb life. Hope this info helps. Stay safe out there.

 

Phil, can you point us to the one you are using?

I use the freeways when I need to get somewhere fast. When time doesn't matter, on the bike, I will take the road with the least amount of traffic to where I am going.

When riding on the freeways, as quickly as possible, I get into the far left lane and go the flow of traffic. Being in this lane, I only have to worry about vehicles coming at me from the right and I always have an emergency lane or shoulder to go into if I must. I make absolutely certain that I am not in anything that might vaguely resemble the "blind spot" of the car in front of me. If I am next to someone, I move forward enough so that they can see me. If I can't make eye contact, I will beep the horn so I know that they *KNOW* I am there. If I cannot position myself so that I am in the normal range of peripheral vision or can't make eye contact, I fall back so that there is enough room that if they suddenly swerve over, my front wheel is clear of them.

Even though all drivers are supposed to be vigilant at all times, it is your responsibilty (and your life) to make certain that the people around you know you are there and where you are at all times.

Most people don't remember (at least not in Ohio) that when passing a vehicle on a non-freeway, it is required that the passer make the passee aware by honking their horn when passing.

 

I bought the one made by Comagination...here's the link.
http://www.comagination.com/default.htm

 

Ditto on the pipes.

Loud pipes save lives?? Loud pipes make people want to shoot you!!!

LOL

 

honestly, those are some slightly offensive comments about loud pipes. i myself like the sound and feel of loud pipes, whether it be cage or bike. it is a passion for some, including myself, to 'feel' the bike and it also doesn't hurt to be heard, even if just within a few yards earshot. i NEVER intend to cause someone a headache and have never thought of it that way. on the other hand, I also believe that we need to make every effort possible to be noticed, whether or not we irritate or annoy someone along the way. as many others have said, at least they recogonized if they're annoyed. We're all here to help one another out, not cause a great divide with arguments. Last Monday afternoon, around 530 PM, I was exiting the interstate and making a left turn at the traffic light, when I had a car in the lane beside me come slightly into my lane. I was in mid turn, so I couldn't go anywhere but for the curb. High sided over the handlebars, landed on my chest and neck, and busted up my knees. Luckily, I had borrowed a full face helmet from my father-in-law, so I managed to only cut my cheek up, road rash on my knee, and a sore back and neck for a week. picked it back up with broken blinkers, cracked engine fins, busted #4 plug cap, and scraped some of my engine covers and rode another several miles home. I have a 11 month old little girl and a wife of which we've only been married 1 yr and a half so I have been seriously counting my blessings.

 

The fact of the matter is, you could be dressed like a clown who made themselves up in the goo of glow (lightning) bugs, wearing a hi-visibility jacket that blinks through every color of the spectrum (for those color restricted individuals) with a bright spinning airport light mounted above your ride, and pipes that sound like a sonic boom.

Some Ahole will still fail to see you. It only takes one.

Everyone is right in suggesting that we ride as if no one sees us. Because most of the time... they don't.

 

Hi Raven! I see we are almost neighbors... I am up near Statesville. We should hook up for a ride sometime!

I don't dislike all loud pipes. My XJ650 has a 4-1 pipe with a fairly loud baffle in it. I like the sound. At the same time, it's not loud enough to get the neighbors pissed off at me when I leave for work at 6AM. I don't believe that "loud pipes save lives"... you will be ignored by cagers regardless.

I'm glad to hear you weren't hurt too badly by the inattentive cager... You definitely have to be proactive and watch out for others.

I am serious about getting together for a ride.. Gimme a yell and we can do it.

 

For me, that last part is the crux ... "even if just within a few yards of earshot" ... When I refer to loud pipes being offensive, I am referring to the folks who have their bikes (or cars) so loud, that 20 yards a way, you cannot continue to have a conversation until the bike has gone by ... There are federal regulations regarding permitted noise levels, and I would like ot see those enforced. Those who violate those requirements should be ticketed with a requirement to have the bike "repaired" within 30 days or have their registration revoked.

To me it is the same thing as with smoking, you want to do it to yourself, that is fine, but the moment your excessive noise or cigarette smoke are forced upon me, you have gone too far. You have every right to be as noisy as you want, until or unless your noise negatively impacts the rights of others.

 

Raven, the example you gave about being run off the road strengthens the argument AGAINST loud pipes save lives. If the bike you were riding at the time of your incident had loud pipes they didn't help. I'm very glad you're OK but I HATE loud pipes.

How V-Twin riders get away with running straight pipes is beyond my comprehension. If your car made any where near that much noise you would be ticketed for sure! I wish the law would be applied equally in this case.

Loren

 

I was on the fence on the "loud pipes save lives" argument, but within the last several years I am mostly against the loudest pipes. TUMBLEWEED, you make a good argument, and I agree mostly with you, but I also agree that as CNCGUY says, a certain unique rap to a bike is o.k. and often times pretty cool! It's the really obnoxious V-twin straight pipes that I also take offense to. They are just too loud, and don't serve any purpose but to annoy and to give the rider that "look at me, aren't I a bad*ss" feeling. I honestly think the modo should be changed to "loud pipes make people hate motorcycles more!"
I was told by an ex-girlfriend's father something that has stuck with me for years. He was no longer a rider, but still had an avid interest in motorcycles and was very knowledgable. He said "ride like everything else is out to kill you". And I think that is good advice. If it's a tree, a car in front of you, next to you, behind you, a curb, a fire hydrant, because really, given the proper circumstances, anything can kill you on a motorcycle. Point being that our own vigilance is the most WE can do to protect ourselves. This can include brightly colored gear and/or bike, riding defensively and being aware of your surroundings, not taking unnecessary chances, etc. Even simple things like when approaching an intersection where a vehicle travelling in the same direction as me is turning left and I am continuing straight, I move over to the right side of my lane in case there is a car heading in the opposite direction turning left and may not see me approaching behind the car turning left in my direction, rather than hugging the left side of the lane and darting out from behind the turning car. I always know, even in my car, exactly how many cars are around me, where they are, what kind of cars they are. I especially pay close attention to other people's driving habits and steer clear and pay attention to more aggressive drivers, ex. people who are lanehopping through traffic, tailgating, etc. There are always unforseen circumstances and even with the best of vigilance accidents can happen, but like I said I believe it's the most we can do.

 

Loud pipes don't save lives - attentive driving saves lives.

To DianCecht's point when I was 21 I was hit from behind by a guy driving a 78 Cadillac (tank) while sitting on my Honda CB400 at a red light. The cops told me later, when I woke up, that he must have been travelling around 40 miles per hour and never once hit the brakes. It was pretty evident he didn't even try to stop since he hit me so hard that he snapped my rear aluminum mag wheel in half. He didn't see me - right.... Luckily the fact that I didnt' see it coming and didn't tense up along with a lot of good luck I was able to walk away with only a sprained back. Yes I was lucky, but these are the facts that you need to deal with when driving a motorcycle - know your bike, your own abilities, see everything, understand that you are invisible and be ready to react at any moment. Don't depend on anything else but your own senses to keep you alive.

I recently put on Mac 4-2 pipes on my XJ which were definitely louder than stock. The sound is nice and YES each time I rev the engine my testosterone levels begin to rise - ARRRRRHHH ARRRRHHH ARRRRHHH, but a bit loud for my liking. When I ride the bike out on the the road and amongst other vehicles I'm concerned of the affect my loud pipes have on the other drivers around me, possibly even causing one to swerve in my direction when startled as I open the throttle up......

 

For the record, I do not have loud pipes on my bike. I do believe that there is an extreme to loud pipes also. I AM NOT trying to continue a debate on the subject, just voicing my personal preferences and opinions. I also have been brought up involved in drag racing, so therefore, I am partial sounding a little louder than normal. I like rumble but not to the point that I cna't see out of my mirrors because of the vibration.

CNCGuy-
We'll have to get together sometime and ride, just avoid 77 and 85, lol. Getting ready to re-paint my XJ, and my wife's uncle who is the best motorcycle mechanic/custom builder around here, is helping me get her tuned right. I've gotta find new blinkers, and bolts for my gauges/headlight too. but yeah, man, i'll pm you my number and one day soon we'll ride out.

 

I was cited for excessive noise for having my radio too loud in my truck. I pulled over into a parking lot and as the nice officer of the peace was writing my ticket, a Harley screams by with open pipes. Set off 2 or 3 car alarms. I asked said police officer if he was going to give the rider a ticket. His response," Nope. Loud pipes saves lives." And continued writing my ticket. So loud pipes may not save lives, but they do save excessive noise fines in my town.
It isn't neccessarily the cagers who aren't paying attention that scare me. It's the cagers who are paying too much attention. To everything but the road. Texting while eating a Big Mac and steering with their knee. Or reading the morning paper. Putting on eyeliner. Doing the things that should never be done while piloting a 2,500 pound projectile missle at 75 MPH. Whether on a bike or in a cage, I get as far away from those people as possible. Staying alert to the people around you is the key. You only need a second or two of seeing most idiots to realize they don't belong behind the wheel.

 

I agree. I read a story that someone posted a link to about the Black Nail Polish Movement, and I was at a loss for words. Anyone who hasn't read or heard about it needs to.

 

I have to ammend this, I was in a wreck Sat. night. woman in front of me stopped suddenly and I swerved to avoid and was hit from behind, got a broken nose and several facial fractures but I walked away and will continue to ride

 

If it isn't too late ... appeal the ticket in court on the grounds of unequal application/enfocement of the law. One of the basic underlying principles of our country's Constitution and laws is that all are subject to the law. The office cannot ticket you for your noise level and then not ticket someone else, particularly if they are even louder than you ... That is illegal and, I am pretty sure, unConstitutional ... as in I believe there are actual cases which have been put before the Supreme Court and had such a ruling. You could also ask if he had a decible meter when citing you and require the number be written on the ticket ...

Your radio was that loud? Heck, I have seen cars with stereos so loud that my car was vibrating from the noise with a cop sitting right there who did nothing at all ... You must be in a real peaceful area.

 

Tumbleweed, This was a few years ago. Paid the ticket and went on about my biz. My car audio has the potential to be really loud. Key being "potential". I never ride with it too loud and never with the windows down. I know the "cool factor" of having the windows down so others can hear you. I prefer the cool factor of " I can afford a nice sound system and air conditioning in my vehicle" Plus I paid the money for my stuff. Not someone else, so why do I want them listening to it? I guess the cop just didn't like Guns N Roses as much as I did.

This country has a constitution....for now.

 

headlight modulation:

Bill whined about his 81 850 midnight special he sold... to me ;-) It had a head light modulator ( I called it a strobe light it used to irk him not being techy) I found it to be really effective when riding. I would (and still do) combine it with moving the bike within my lane to "hoefully" increase my visi

 

8O headlight modulation :
Speaking To "Loud Pipes": The VMax has the "potential" to be noticed with the super trapps. I tuned it for performance not so much sound. So, it is not whisper quiet and will rumble when the wrist is getting a workout. The pipes are not a "safety" feature and I try to keep the volume to a minimum out of respect for others. the headlight modulator is another story.

Bill had one on his 81 850 midnight special I bought from him. I called it a strobe light (it would irk him not to be techy) and I found it to work well. I continued the theory with every bike since. I always flash back and forth between Hi & Lo beams while moving the bike within my lane to give me the best chance of being seen when presented by possible traffic entering, slowing and when passing. It works because shortly after moving to Florida I was pulled over because of a report of a motorcycle flashing its lights and then racing past people on the main road. When asked by the local officer if that was me I gladly fessed up and explained that I wanted to be seen. As far as the speeding, I never went more than 2-3 mph over the 60 mph posted speed limit (honestly this is true) and I was sorry if that appeared to be "racing" past the older drivers who were only doing 45-50. And yes the kerker was loud and the light flashing was probably annoying but they knew I was their.

Bill and I had this conversation just last month and both believed you had to ride like no one saw you and I added they all want to get you!

The driver who "got" Bill was not out to get anyone and infact when I viewed the site and morning lighting it is hard to see. What I viewed with 30 plus years of riding was an accident, plain and simple. The driver is devestated as are we and our prayers are with her. I gues the lesson is as Bill said, "we know and accept the risks, we ride responsibly and enjoy our lives." on a personal note: It was then that he would say"get right with GOD Dave" I know Bill was and now is, I am and I pray you are too. :