This works!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
How do you wave a handle bar? Mine's on pretty tight.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 525
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
I think another good solution is to hold cagers accountable. If you are in a car and cause an accident that involves a motorcycle it should be a felony. Someone pulled out in front of me and almost killed me. They got a $250 ticket for failing to yield to traffic. BS!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 9
From: North Carolina
10- roger, never flash your lights except to let someone know they are ok to proceed.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 806
Likes: 1
From: Carquinez Straights - Northern CA
There is a good Youtube video that demonstrates how a slight swerve or handlebar wiggle is beneficial to getting the attention of drivers.
All vehicles appear smaller at a distance and become visually larger as they approach closer. Since a motorcycle is small to begin with, it will appear small for a longer period of time as it approaches a driver waiting to pull out before getting larger in view. It's not necessarily true that the driver doesn't see us, it's that they think they have time to pull out, misjudging the distance and rate of approach.
We need to be aware of this phenomenon and anticipate with defensive maneuvers when possible.
As stated above, Watch the front tire for movement. You will see it move before the vehicle.
All vehicles appear smaller at a distance and become visually larger as they approach closer. Since a motorcycle is small to begin with, it will appear small for a longer period of time as it approaches a driver waiting to pull out before getting larger in view. It's not necessarily true that the driver doesn't see us, it's that they think they have time to pull out, misjudging the distance and rate of approach.
We need to be aware of this phenomenon and anticipate with defensive maneuvers when possible.
As stated above, Watch the front tire for movement. You will see it move before the vehicle.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 752
Likes: 23
From: Acton, CA
Like others here, I also weave a little when approaching intersections, and have found it helps.
I remember reading somewhere a while back that passing lamps are a HUGE plus if you're trying to be noticed - especially if they and your headlights form a triangle. The triangle light formation is the shape most easily noticed. Single headlights are not very good for getting noticed.
Aside from just being more visible because of more lights in the three-light formation, it also has something to do with people being able to better distinguish your speed and distance as the space/distance between the three lights changes as you travel closer to them... whereas with one light, there is no noticeable difference in distance, it is just one light hovering in front of them somewhere and harder to for them to tell if the light is moving.
We have to make ourselves stand out somehow, with more lights, a slight swerve, and other ways. Cagers are used to looking for a particular shape when looking for traffic, they are looking for a car shape, something with two headlights, and a long horizontal shape coming at them. When their mind sees something (a bike) that doesn't fit the description of what they are looking for, it's almost like they think, "no car coming... so it's safe to go", so we need to make them think twice about what they are looking at when we're approaching, with a swerve, wave, sound, something.
I remember reading somewhere a while back that passing lamps are a HUGE plus if you're trying to be noticed - especially if they and your headlights form a triangle. The triangle light formation is the shape most easily noticed. Single headlights are not very good for getting noticed.
Aside from just being more visible because of more lights in the three-light formation, it also has something to do with people being able to better distinguish your speed and distance as the space/distance between the three lights changes as you travel closer to them... whereas with one light, there is no noticeable difference in distance, it is just one light hovering in front of them somewhere and harder to for them to tell if the light is moving.
We have to make ourselves stand out somehow, with more lights, a slight swerve, and other ways. Cagers are used to looking for a particular shape when looking for traffic, they are looking for a car shape, something with two headlights, and a long horizontal shape coming at them. When their mind sees something (a bike) that doesn't fit the description of what they are looking for, it's almost like they think, "no car coming... so it's safe to go", so we need to make them think twice about what they are looking at when we're approaching, with a swerve, wave, sound, something.
Last edited by caberto; Jul 6, 2012 at 01:58 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
Drive defensively...like they're going to pull out in front of you - then you're "always" ready. Some old people (1) are hard of hearing (2) have poor sight & (3) drive like crap. All the horns, loud pipes & lights in the world won't help you there...
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 752
Likes: 23
From: Acton, CA
Yes, above all, must ride defensively and smartly. Extra lights, motions etc... all help, but most importantly is how we ride to help prevent "accidents."
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
Finally! Yessir! Nothing can ever replace driving defensively.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
YES - THIS! I trust NO cager and looking & waving at 'em isn't my idea of defensive riding. (no offense to OP) I just always assume that I'm invisible. Better that than assuming/hoping people can see me.