Riding Tip
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,513
Likes: 116
From: OKC
actually, yes i do, i drive a 6-speed and i'm not going to sit there holding down the clutch! i dont think your going to see a threat coming from behind a car thats already stopped behind you.
lets be honest, when your sitting at a stoplight, how many of us actually just sit there and stare into our mirror watching behind us the whole time.........
lets be honest, when your sitting at a stoplight, how many of us actually just sit there and stare into our mirror watching behind us the whole time.........
linear thinking in a multidimensional environment......
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 74
Likes: 3
From: Louisville, KY
I don't -stare- into the mirror, but I do a near-constant scan from the mirror to right to straight ahead to left and back to the mirror. Also, I'm to the left of my lane, in 1st gear and lined up to launch alongside the car in front of me, with at least one bike length between us. Inattentive asshats speeding up from the rear will likely veer to the right when they wake up, hence, I'm probably launching to the left. When you're actually paying attention to your surroundings, you can avoid a helluva lot of "accidents" that will get the folks with their heads in the clouds.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 275
From: Milton, Delaware
I always try to keep myself in the mirror of the vehicle ahead of me. If I can see the drivers eyes, then I can also know if he/she is looking at me. I rarely stop in the middle of the lane, too much debris there. I've always kept it in gear, constantly scan my mirrors. Once there's 4-5 cars behind me I tend to relax a bit but keep scanning my mirrors.
I ride with a guy who always puts it in neutral at stop lights. I can't tell you how many times he's almost been hit from behind because it takes him a couple of seconds to react to the green light, pull the clutch, click it into gear, and accelerate away. The impatient drivers behind him have to nail the brakes to keep from rear ending him.
I also stop at least one car length back.
BTW: the Ride Like A Pro course teaches you to leave it in gear.
I ride with a guy who always puts it in neutral at stop lights. I can't tell you how many times he's almost been hit from behind because it takes him a couple of seconds to react to the green light, pull the clutch, click it into gear, and accelerate away. The impatient drivers behind him have to nail the brakes to keep from rear ending him.
I also stop at least one car length back.
BTW: the Ride Like A Pro course teaches you to leave it in gear.
Last edited by Deucedog; Jul 10, 2013 at 11:33 AM.
Depends on what lane I am in. If four lane road (two lanes each way) and in left lane I will stop on the rights side and left if in the right lane. Don't want to leave room for a car to try and get by. At least that is what my Dad taught me in the 60s when I first started riding. Man I wish he was still here to ride with.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 0
From: LaPlace, Louisiana
For me it depends on the intersection. Since I've heard all the horror stories around here of people getting rear ended while stopped at a light I usually pick a spot where I can get out of the way if the car behind me isn't stopping; so usually to the right or left depending on if I have a spot to go. The other thing I do is always keep my bike in gear at the intersection.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tully_mars
General Harley Davidson Chat
14
Aug 24, 2009 08:07 PM
