Look dang it!

[bruiser]

Took Bruisersbaby's Spyder to the dealer today to have tri axis bars installed. After we dropped it off I wanted to take her to Ray Price Harley to get a new helmet. They had HCI 3/4 helmets on sale at a good price. Most of the trip was event free until we got in to downtown Raleigh. We were in the center of a three lane street when this woman pulled in to our lane right in front of us. I hit the brakes and the horn. I mean, come on woman, look in that little thing called a mirror. As if that wasn't bad enough, she pulled in to the far left lane cutting off another car. When I got up beside her Kris said she had that "deer in the headlights" look mouthed she was sorry.

So we're at Ray Price Harley. Really nice people there. Wish they sold Spyders. Anyway, we get the new helmet, look around a little, I drool over a new 2013 Triumph Rocket III, have a free cold drink, then we're on our way home. So we're on US 70 and I move over to the center lane for merging traffic. And guess what? Here comes a SUV from the merge lane crossing over right in front of us, just missing the front of the Spyder by mere inches. Again, on the brakes, horn, downshift, check left and jump in the left lane. I pull up beside her, yes, her, and give her the two fingers "look" signal. She mouths "sorry" and proceeds on her way.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not picking on women by no means. But this is the third time this week I've been cut off by a woman. I guess I need to stop running with the cloaking device on. Or, paint the Spyder neon green and add flashing lights.

[sddinnh]

I guess I need to stop running with the cloaking device on.

Yup - That darned cloaking device will get you every time

[Bob Denman]

Mount some .50s in the fog light nacelles...

[johnnyrocket]

Took Bruisersbaby's Spyder to the dealer today to have tri axis bars installed. After we dropped it off I wanted to take her to Ray Price Harley to get a new helmet. They had HCI 3/4 helmets on sale at a good price. Most of the trip was event free until we got in to downtown Raleigh. We were in the center of a three lane street when this woman pulled in to our lane right in front of us. I hit the brakes and the horn. I mean, come on woman, look in that little thing called a mirror. As if that wasn't bad enough, she pulled in to the far left lane cutting off another car. When I got up beside her Kris said she had that "deer in the headlights" look mouthed she was sorry.

So we're at Ray Price Harley. Really nice people there. Wish they sold Spyders. Anyway, we get the new helmet, look around a little, I drool over a new 2013 Triumph Rocket III, have a free cold drink, then we're on our way home. So we're on US 70 and I move over to the center lane for merging traffic. And guess what? Here comes a SUV from the merge lane crossing over right in front of us, just missing the front of the Spyder by mere inches. Again, on the brakes, horn, downshift, check left and jump in the left lane. I pull up beside her, yes, her, and give her the two fingers "look" signal. She mouths "sorry" and proceeds on her way.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not picking on women by no means. But this is the third time this week I've been cut off by a woman. I guess I need to stop running with the cloaking device on. Or, paint the Spyder neon green and add flashing lights.

Glad you did not get hit. I think that no matter what you do to your Spyder(or probably any other vehicle) there are just some people that do not pay attention. It is a good thing YOU were paying attention!

[Chupaca]

I have found that this is the hardest thing for drivers today to do. It needs to be taught as a main course in driving school and basic part of driving test. Most of our traffic jams, freeway pile ups, near misses and serious accidents are caused by folks that have no clue on merging. Sorry, pulling over at the same time you put your signal on just don't cut it...!!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Glad you did not get hit. I think that no matter what you do to your Spyder(or probably any other vehicle) there are just some people that do not pay attention. It is a good thing YOU were paying attention!

Check out this article. It's by a Royal Air Force fighter pilot and motorcyclist explaining why car drivers don't see motorcycles, and why we ryders don't always see things coming at us or that we are about to run into. The answer is not negligence, it's biology. Even those with good eyesight are partially blind. Not an excuse for not seeing, but it is a reason.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/90471/1211%...de%20Final.pdf

[Jim&Teresa]

We all have to get the awareness up for everyone to see motorcycles -- we are lucky that Spyders are a little easier to see, but people do these things -- just keep preaching "awareness" and defensive rydin' !!

[msj4848]

That is an awesome article! Everyone should read it!!

[jvicker]

Check out this article. It's by a Royal Air Force fighter pilot and motorcyclist explaining why car drivers don't see motorcycles, and why we ryders don't always see things coming at us or that we are about to run into. The answer is not negligence, it's biology. Even those with good eyesight are partially blind. Not an excuse for not seeing, but it is a reason.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/90471/1211%...de%20Final.pdf

Great article.

[AlEverett]

I have had similar experiences. That's why I got the bright yellow RT. I thought it would be more visible than the black, although I like the black color Spyder better. Good thing we have the best braking system out there on our bikes. I wish there was a setting so the lights would continually flash like I have seen on some bikes. Does anyone know how we can rig something up like this

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I have had similar experiences. That's why I got the bright yellow RT. I thought it would be more visible than the black, although I like the black color Spyder better. Good thing we have the best braking system out there on our bikes. I wish there was a setting so the lights would continually flash like I have seen on some bikes. Does anyone know how we can rig something up like this

You're referring to headlight modulators, right? I put one on my RT. I forgot to take pics while doing but I'll post an explanation in a day or two.

[Jim&Teresa]

Check out this article. It's by a Royal Air Force fighter pilot and motorcyclist explaining why car drivers don't see motorcycles, and why we ryders don't always see things coming at us or that we are about to run into. The answer is not negligence, it's biology. Even those with good eyesight are partially blind. Not an excuse for not seeing, but it is a reason.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/90471/1211%...de%20Final.pdf

Wow....Should teach this when you take your driving tests! Very interesting - learned alot!

[Dan McNally]

. . . It needs to be taught as a main course in driving school and basic part of driving test. . . .

. . . these idiots were TAUGHT something? I thought the majority of the drivers in the Washington DC Metro area got their licenses as prizes in cereal boxes! . . . Or, perhaps, the folks who fail driver's school are forced to move to DC!

When I first got orders to the Pentagon, many years ago, a friend from the DC area told me there are two kinds of drivers, there . . . , and people learning to be . . . and he was right.

[R30SHIRE]

That was pretty gentle giving her a 2 finger sign. I would of given her a ...........signal.

[daveinva]

. . . these idiots were TAUGHT something? I thought the majority of the drivers in the Washington DC Metro area got their licenses as prizes in cereal boxes! . . . Or, perhaps, the folks who fail driver's school are forced to move to DC! When I first got orders to the Pentagon, many years ago, a friend from the DC area told me there are two kinds of drivers, there . . . , and people learning to be . . . and he was right.

Hey... I resemble that remark!