Ran across an interesting article about why car drivers may not "see" bikes in certain situations. I have certainly been in situations where motorcycles just "appeared" out of nowhere. I found the description of how our eyes/brain work together to be very informative...
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/mo ... -the-road/
Some science around motorcycle incidents on the road
Some science around motorcycle incidents on the road
18 KTM 350 EXC-F
12 HUSQ TE511
12 HUSQ TE511
Re: Some science around motorcycle incidents on the road
Thanks for posting the great article, Scott!
Re: Some science around motorcycle incidents on the road
That's a pretty accurate article.
Since I commute to work some days & have ridden street for the last 30 years ..I will throw these out. Most are pretty commonsense.
Don't drive it like a car, because its not. You can't just drive in some spot without continually adjusting for traffic & your safety. Not for long anyways.
People drive in herds by nature. DON'T be in the herd. Even in the heaviest flowing traffic there are empty spots. Get into one.
If you find yourself driving stupid in a group of riders, don't ride in a group, or at least that one. If you have ridden in large Harley crowds or squid sport bike groups, you know exactly what I am talking about. More riders == less brains. Just like politics, group think is just dumb. Accidents will happen.
I really fear left hand turning cars. Both on the street head on and coming out of parking lots. The one thing I ALWAYS do is weave all over my lane if I don't think they see me or other cars are present everywhere. Side to side saves lives. Weaving at night is a must. I have noticed others doing it (Bob Morgan). Especially weave thru intersections with people waiting to turn left on top of you if there is no blocker car. People are hunters by nature, side motion is eat or be eaten. They will see you.
I also use a blocker car thru big intersections. I want the to be on the right of a leading car if its some big multilaned mess like Metcalf, College, Noland and 71 highway. I know its a blind spot and you need to watch it, get back but not too far, but let him take the hit from the red line runner. Your two fingers should never leave the brake anyways & always assume they are about to do something stupid right in front of you. If you get back too far from that car your an excellent target for a rapid turner going right behind that car into you before the other cars get there. So stay up but ready, or stay far away from the leader car.
Loud pipes do save lives because they piss off people and get you noticed. So does deccel backfires. But we mostly ride quiet stuff so we are invisible. So don''t wear black or dark stuff. Sell it to someone else.
On the back side, I highly recommend Skene or hyperbrites or some bright flashing rear setup. That's a must have. I always have one on my bike after getting thumped years ago & some close ones. Mine side flash at a rate to give blind spot tailgaters migraines (intentionally programmed). Probably causes epileptic seizures in little children. lol. But it works. It hurts your eyes to watch from the sides after awhile. This is better than the double tap to wake those a$##$$ up behind you.
http://www.skenedesign.com/lights/P3_Features.shtml
Two fingers on the brake. ATGATT. Always have an escape plan for people not seeing you. Drive slow and aware and avoid traffic at all costs - if you can. But most important just use some common sense and have fun and enjoy it.
Since I commute to work some days & have ridden street for the last 30 years ..I will throw these out. Most are pretty commonsense.
Don't drive it like a car, because its not. You can't just drive in some spot without continually adjusting for traffic & your safety. Not for long anyways.
People drive in herds by nature. DON'T be in the herd. Even in the heaviest flowing traffic there are empty spots. Get into one.
If you find yourself driving stupid in a group of riders, don't ride in a group, or at least that one. If you have ridden in large Harley crowds or squid sport bike groups, you know exactly what I am talking about. More riders == less brains. Just like politics, group think is just dumb. Accidents will happen.
I really fear left hand turning cars. Both on the street head on and coming out of parking lots. The one thing I ALWAYS do is weave all over my lane if I don't think they see me or other cars are present everywhere. Side to side saves lives. Weaving at night is a must. I have noticed others doing it (Bob Morgan). Especially weave thru intersections with people waiting to turn left on top of you if there is no blocker car. People are hunters by nature, side motion is eat or be eaten. They will see you.
I also use a blocker car thru big intersections. I want the to be on the right of a leading car if its some big multilaned mess like Metcalf, College, Noland and 71 highway. I know its a blind spot and you need to watch it, get back but not too far, but let him take the hit from the red line runner. Your two fingers should never leave the brake anyways & always assume they are about to do something stupid right in front of you. If you get back too far from that car your an excellent target for a rapid turner going right behind that car into you before the other cars get there. So stay up but ready, or stay far away from the leader car.
Loud pipes do save lives because they piss off people and get you noticed. So does deccel backfires. But we mostly ride quiet stuff so we are invisible. So don''t wear black or dark stuff. Sell it to someone else.
On the back side, I highly recommend Skene or hyperbrites or some bright flashing rear setup. That's a must have. I always have one on my bike after getting thumped years ago & some close ones. Mine side flash at a rate to give blind spot tailgaters migraines (intentionally programmed). Probably causes epileptic seizures in little children. lol. But it works. It hurts your eyes to watch from the sides after awhile. This is better than the double tap to wake those a$##$$ up behind you.
http://www.skenedesign.com/lights/P3_Features.shtml
Two fingers on the brake. ATGATT. Always have an escape plan for people not seeing you. Drive slow and aware and avoid traffic at all costs - if you can. But most important just use some common sense and have fun and enjoy it.
2015 Husky FE350S
2012 KTM 990
2012 KTM 990