Safety riding methods

I'm new bee here and I was going to ask this question here cause I'm looking at this "03 SW for sale from this owner. His swing has 22,000+ miles on it, and I was thinking maybe his scooter has too much miles on it. When I saw this topic this man's swing has 296,000 miles, I just said: wow! I thought this swing I'm wanting to buy has too much miles on it. Now I got clear idea how these swings could last a long time if properly taken care of.

I'm a new rider too, I had my endorsement since last March "12 and I bought a kawasaki vulcan 1500. I feel like I'm getting sick doing all the clutching and shifting. I feel I don't really want to operate a motorcycle, all I want to do is twist ang go without using clutch and shifter.

By the way I use these preventive measures for my safety. I put a "white flashing bicycle light" on top of my helmet and I put blinking bicycle red lights on my engine guard left and right for good visibility. Also, as a precautions I always "honk ahead of time" to those vehicles waiting in the "only" middle lane waiting to make a left turn in front of me and to those vehicle waiting to make a right turn at intersections as I'm approaching them. I also, flip my high and low beam switch up and down to attract the drivers attention ahead of distance. If Rex had known and used these simple safety habits, he could have saved himself from accident. I also wear yellow helmets and neon green vest and chaps over a white pants for good visibility

Wow! Sounds like you being overly careful, but if that is what makes you feel safe and happy, than good for you.

johnd wrote:

Wow! Sounds like you being overly careful, but if that is what makes you feel safe and happy, than good for you.

Thanks!, when someday accidents happen, I don't want to blame drivers telling me: I'm sorry I didn't see you(that always the reason they tell motorcyclists). I better be careful than being sorry it's my life at stake. Being on two wheels it's already dangerous enough, then you have to watch for the cager's. My wife rides with me all the time too, so I want to save our butts.

In my experience, flipping the high beam means you are giving the other the driver the signal to go ahead. Is that what you intend when you "flip my high and low beam switch up and down"?
Steve

I've been riding in heavy traffic for almost 6 years now everyday and learned something thats saved my numerous times. If the driver who could turn left in front of you, or pull out of a parking lot in front of you doesn't make eye contact long before you reach them then I blow the horn until they look at me. I'd rather irritate cages behind me slowing down than hit some butt wipe turning left or running a yellow light to save 3 seconds. Use your horn, I do several times on every trip. It's amazing how many people start to pull out and then look, seriously????

The lack of respect people have for each other and themselves for that matter on the roads now days is disturbing.

I agree flashing the lights to get people's attention is bad news since they will think your saying go. The horn has been the way to go for me. Also - if I can't see an intersection ahead very well I'll blow the horn for 8 to 10 seconds so they know somethings coming as well.

speedygonzales wrote:

I'm a new rider too, I had my endorsement since last March "12 and I bought a kawasaki vulcan 1500. I feel like I'm getting sick doing all the clutching and shifting. I feel I don't really want to operate a motorcycle, all I want to do is twist ang go without using clutch and shifter.

Also, as a precautions I always "honk ahead of time" to those vehicles waiting in the "only" middle lane waiting to make a left turn in front of me and to those vehicle waiting to make a right turn at intersections as I'm approaching them.

The horn has saved my butt so many times now. I always feel better after they make eye contact with me. I also have an 2010 Aprilia Mana 850 sport / touring bike which is fully automatic. I will never get rid of the Silverwing though for touring - comfort can't be beat.

sharker wrote:

In my experience, flipping the high beam means you are giving the other the driver the signal to go ahead. Is that what you intend when you "flip my high and low beam switch up and down"?
Steve

Different people see this signal as either you are letting them go or wanting them to be aware that you are coming. There are instances when I'm riding on a 50-55mph hiway, and there are intersections along the way and there are vehicles wanting to make turns on your lane, this is where it get's scary. You have no clue if the waiting vehicle is going to stop and wait for you or turn to your lane suddenly.

As soon as I flip my hi and low beam ahead of time they usually wait. Now this is the way I look and anticipate these waiting vehicles. Once I use the flip hi/low beam switch, as I approach the waiting vehicle " I am focusing at their "front wheel" while approaching to pass them. "Focus" at their "front" wheel "if it's turning a little". Once I see their front wheel starts to turn I give them a long horn until they hear and wait for me (of course my 2 brakes are ready and ready to swerve). I read from people here saying pay attention if they are making eye contact.

The reason I don't pay attention if the drivers are making eye contact or not, because some vehicles have tinted glasses and you cannot tell if they are looking at the oncoming traffic or at you. Also, "you cannot read the driver's mind what their intentions is "if they are going to wait or make a sudden turn in front of you. By focusing at their "front wheel" you can tell if that waiting vehicle is going to cut in front of you or wait. I use this technique whenever I drive my motorcycle and my 4 wheel vehicles. It works and it saved me many times from colliding to waiting vehicles.

Once you see that front wheel start turning "even just a slight movement" honk them right away "without hesitations". You are trying to save your life not theirs. Remember if they get angry tell them you are just trying to warn them so they won't cut or collide on to you.

Besides I will ask them if "my Horn Physically Hurt or Damaged their ego". They have no case or reasons for you to get angry.

Cagers lives are in no way in danger against motorcyclists, they are in cage they are protected by four metal walls and you as a motorcyclist have no protections at all. The only protections you have as a motorcyclist is to warn them ahead of time and be seen or heard not to cut you off infront. I use these three all the time: lights, sound and bright clothing could save your lives. Drive safe out there and keep looking.

I believe the reasons that drivers are cutting motorcyclists so close is, cause many cager's don't look long enough at motorcycles,(too small for them to notice) but horn sound could get the drivers attention than bright lights. If drivers cut motorcyclist there are 2 reasons, either they didn't look at your or noticed you.

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Cagers lives are in no way in danger against motorcyclists, they are in cage they are protected by four metal walls and you as a motorcyclist have no protections at all. [/quote]

Have you ever seen a motorcycle's back wheel sticking out of a car They can just keep believing those doors will save them and pull out in front of you....


People need to realize that your sheet metal door isn't going to stop a motorcycle or scooter going 60mph from driving right into our car and lap. Sure you'll likely kill the cyclist but if they get your door your likely toasted to.

I just wish people could slow the heck down and look twice.

acworthpatrick wrote:

Cagers lives are in no way in danger against motorcyclists, they are in cage they are protected by four metal walls and you as a motorcyclist have no protections at all. [/quote]

Have you ever seen a motorcycle's back wheel sticking out of a car They can just keep believing those doors will save them and pull out in front of you....


People need to realize that your sheet metal door isn't going to stop a motorcycle or scooter going 60mph from driving right into our car and lap. Sure you'll likely kill the cyclist but if they get your door your likely toasted to.

I just wish people could slow the heck down and look twice. [/quote]

ok now I see it's happening, it's wrong assesment, this is probably part of the drivers fault.

I don't have any any idea what is the road condition here it's hard to tell. In this case probably the road is highway or freeway and there is probably an interscetion. Probably the motorcyclist was riding on highway or freeway lane here. Probably the small car was trying to get on this hiway.

Probable cause of accident, the car waiting probably miscalculated the fast on coming motorcycle. Motorcycle probably going 60mph+. The car driver should have waited longer time till motorycycle passed by (caused their lives for being IMPATIENT to save few seconds to cross). Probably the car driver cut the motoryclist so close that car driver didn't give enough distance to cut on the road to the oncoming mc.

The end result MC cut thru the small vehicle right thru the middle.

The position of the car probably it was making a right turn, because the angle of the car is pointing to the right. Probably this is somewhere in Europe where the left lane is going strait and right lane s going the opposite way as opposed to u.s roads.

If MC sounded it's horn ahead of time to warn the waiting car probably the car waited a little longer. I think the MC had the right of way here, but it should warn the turning car ahead of it's way.

Bit of bad taste guys considering the post started with a fellow Wing rider crashing and injuring himself.

I guess the point for me is not who's at fault in the above scenario but to remind people that being in a car doesn't mean your invincible, but people sure seem to feel that way when they dart out.

Sorry Waspie - certainly not the way it was intended.

acworthpatrick wrote:

I guess the point for me is not who's at fault in the above scenario but to remind people that being in a car doesn't mean your invincible, but people sure seem to feel that way when they dart out.

Sorry Waspie - certainly not the way it was intended.

Don't have any problem with the content. Just the fact it piggy backed the news of a fellow riders accident.

A separate thread would have been perhaps more apt.

Gotcha - point taken. I don't know how to move it now though?

acworthpatrick wrote:

Gotcha - point taken. I don't know how to move it now though?

It's an admin function. We mortals simply type - they do all the work!!!!!

I've traveled allot in the USA and I just can't seem to place what state anytown USA is in. Am I ignorant or just stupid ?

Being the cynical old git I am, I think this guy is winding you all up.

Meldrew wrote:

Being the cynical old git I am, I think this guy is winding you all up.

It has that feel doesn't it!

That was my first thought after reading his first post. I felt he was just pulling our chain to see the reaction he would get.