Maximizing Visibility?

[newbert]

With texting and other distractions becoming more and more common, it's increasingly important to make ourselves as visible as possible to others on the road. As a new rider myself, this is pretty high on my list of concerns.

I thought that it might be a good idea to list the various ways and farkles that you use to maximize your visibility.

Any thoughts? --- and stay safe out there!

[SpyderAnn01]

Wear a high visibility jacket or vest, then add lights and more lights.

[Bob Denman]

:agree:...
And then: sharpen up your defensive riding skills! nojoke

[SteveLaoyster]

:agree:with the above.
High beams all the time (except at night with on coming traffic), fog lights on if you have em & having a white spyder helps too.nojoke

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

:agree:...
And then: sharpen up your defensive riding skills! nojoke
:agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree:: agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree: ..............AND :agree::agree::agree::agree::agree: ......you can have your Spyder lit up like a Christmas tree .... in lots of colors ..... and have them blinking ( where legal ) ..... However if the Driver of the other vehicle has their head up there A** ....it won't matter :yikes::yikes::yikes: ...... Do you have any idea how many civilian veh's hit Fire trucks that have Everything on including sirens and Klaxon's ..............it's a scary number .....I'm not saying don't light up your Spyder - I'm saying DON'T rely on it to save you .... Mike :thumbup:

[Trailboss]

:agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree:: agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree: ..............AND :agree::agree::agree::agree::agree: ......you can have your Spyder lit up like a Christmas tree .... in lots of colors ..... and have them blinking ( where legal ) ..... However if the Driver of the other vehicle has their head up there A** ....it won't matter :yikes::yikes::yikes: ...... Do you have any idea how many civilian veh's hit Fire trucks that have Everything on including sirens and Klaxon's ..............it's a scary number .....I'm not saying don't light up your Spyder - I'm saying DON'T rely on it to save you .... Mike :thumbup:

In Houston a few years ago, a man JOGGED into the side of a moving train.

[SteveLaoyster]

NEVER....ever drive in someone's blind spot. Stay where cagers can see you!!!

[ARtraveler]

Drive totally naked. I guarantee they wont miss seeing you. :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

But, the suggestions about high viz. clothing, and lots of lights will probably work even better. :yes:

[BoilerAnimal]

Drive totally naked. I guarantee they wont miss seeing you. :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:


Back in '97 I rode RAGBRAI (http://ragbrai.com/about/ragbrai-history-1990s/) and in the overnight town of Bloomfield a male bicyclist decided he would ride his bicycle through the downtown festivities. He quickly caught the attention of most everyone there, especially the cops! The only problem was the fact that he was only wearing his helmet and cycling shoes!

Needless to say, he was quickly surrounded and was SLAMMED to the pavement, wrapped in a blanket and escorted by about a half dozen cops to a cop car. They didn't take the time to frisk him.........he definitely wasn't concealed carrying! Though rumor has it that he was armed with a pea shooter.:roflblack:

[Sarge707]

Always, Leave yourself an Escape Route! If your on a Highway with Concrete (Jersey) Barriers Next to the passing lane-Stay in the right Lane where you have a shoulder to use OR you could get Crushed between a Truck/Car and the Concrete Barrier.:yikes:

[Devious56]

:agree:...
And then: sharpen up your defensive riding skills! nojoke

I have to agree with Bob, your skill level is more important than any clothing or lighting you can buy. If an idiot driver will drive into the side of a train, they will certainly drive over you on a motorcycle.

David

[Explorer]

Wear a white helmet. Let the "cool" riders ware the mat black coal scuttles.
Roger

[Ramg66]

:agree: High beams during the day, and all the lights you can afford

[Chupaca]

Good suggestions above....I trust no one to do the right, legal or logical thing..:lecturef_smilie:and plan ahead leaving a way out wherever and whenever possible. I also confront no one for there bone headed move.....:ohyea:works for me...

[Navydad]

You can dress like a circus clown and add all the flashing lights you want, but that idiot who runs into a school bus or semi truck is not going to see you. Yes, dress in hi-viz gear and use extra lighting, but don't bet your life on it. The more you ride, the more you will pick up on little things that will keep you out of an accident. That car sitting at the curb with the front wheels turned to the street, is it getting ready to come out? Does he see me? That gal that's doing a slow roll at the intersection, is she going to stop or take off into my path? Watching for hazards seems like a daunting task and at first it may be, but you will get good at it as you gain experience. I know this sounds silly, but many of us who have been riding for a lot of years swear by and pay attention to that "gut" feeling or sixth sense that we seem to have developed over the years. Ride, enjoy, watch, and learn.

[asp125]

Fine tune that "Spidey :ani29: Sense". We're riding a yellow Spyder, wearing hi-viz.. and still, I encounter idiots on their phones or not checking their mirrors or blind spots etc. After a while you develop a sense of awareness that something could go bad in an instant; and learn to not put yourself in a vulnerable position or situation.

Danger signs like when passing large trucks or buses, riding near high schools, seeing a carload of teenage kids, soccer mom eating and keeping an eye on the kids, anywhere near a mall during the holidays. etc.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Being visible is a vital part of riding safely. But, believe it or not 40 to 70% of accidents are caused by the rider, not by others running into you. A review a few years ago of statistics in Idaho showed that 71% of fatalities were due to rider error. Over 80% had not had motorcycle rider training. Other national statistics show 60%+ of fatalities involved another vehicle and 40% were single vehicle crashes. In any case, if you have an accident while riding your Spyder there is a VERY high likelihood it was your fault, not the other guy's.

So, in addition to making yourself visible you must do your part to protect yourself by taking a reputable motorcycle training course. The Spyder is inherently safer than a two-wheeler, but it won't guarantee your safety.

Here's and article about using lights to make yourself more visible. http://idahostar.org/_blog/News_Room/post/do-you-see-the-light

[newbert]

Being visible is a vital part of riding safely. But, believe it or not 40 to 70% of accidents are caused by the rider, not by others running into you. A review a few years ago of statistics in Idaho showed that 71% of fatalities were due to rider error. Over 80% had not had motorcycle rider training. Other national statistics show 60%+ of fatalities involved another vehicle and 40% were single vehicle crashes. In any case, if you have an accident while riding your Spyder there is a VERY high likelihood it was your fault, not the other guy's.

So, in addition to making yourself visible you must do your part to protect yourself by taking a reputable motorcycle training course. The Spyder is inherently safer than a two-wheeler, but it won't guarantee your safety.

Here's and article about using lights to make yourself more visible. http://idahostar.org/_blog/News_Room/post/do-you-see-the-light

Thanks for all of the responses, guys! And thanks for the above link. Lots of good info in the responses.

I'll be a new Spyder owner later today (Yippee!), but have little 2-wheel riding experience. (The last time I rode a 2-wheeler was in the early 70's...). So, in some ways, I'm starting from scratch.

Would a motorcycle training course (NOT geared specifically for Spyders) be helpful/useful for me? What specific helpful skills would I be taught in such a course?

Or are there Spyder-specific safety/training courses available?

Thanks!

[Peter Aawen]

ANY Motorcycle riding course will be beneficial, especially one that concentrates on Defensive Riding & Safety; altho a Spyder specific course might be of more direct help - but I can't help with any info on if there are any or not.... :dontknow:

[Arion]

Back in '97 I rode RAGBRAI (http://ragbrai.com/about/ragbrai-history-1990s/) and in the overnight town of Bloomfield a male bicyclist decided he would ride his bicycle through the downtown festivities. He quickly caught the attention of most everyone there, especially the cops! The only problem was the fact that he was only wearing his helmet and cycling shoes!

Needless to say, he was quickly surrounded and was SLAMMED to the pavement, wrapped in a blanket and escorted by about a half dozen cops to a cop car. They didn't take the time to frisk him.........he definitely wasn't concealed carrying! Though rumor has it that he was armed with a pea shooter.:roflblack:

:clap::clap:Ah, the ole emperor's new clothes trick (on wheels). Never fails, it seems.

[quasi]

Thanks for all of the responses, guys! And thanks for the above link. Lots of good info in the responses.

I'll be a new Spyder owner later today (Yippee!), but have little 2-wheel riding experience. (The last time I rode a 2-wheeler was in the early 70's...). So, in some ways, I'm starting from scratch.

Would a motorcycle training course (NOT geared specifically for Spyders) be helpful/useful for me? What specific helpful skills would I be taught in such a course?

Or are there Spyder-specific safety/training courses available?

Thanks!

You learn and practice evasive maneuvering and the rest of it is common sense and a piece of cake. you see a vehicle at an intersection, watch the front wheel, not the driver, and be prepared. passing a big rig, open it up and get around it as fast as possible.

[2Paw]

When I first started riding back in the mid fifties, my Dad told me that when I got on the bike to assume 2 things, number one was you are never in complete control, and number two was everybody on the road is out to get you. These two things have served me well over the years.

[UtahPete]

I'll be a new Spyder owner later today (Yippee!), but have little 2-wheel riding experience. (The last time I rode a 2-wheeler was in the early 70's...). So, in some ways, I'm starting from scratch. Would a motorcycle training course (NOT geared specifically for Spyders) be helpful/useful for me? What specific helpful skills would I be taught in such a course? Or are there Spyder-specific safety/training courses available?

The MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) courses are the ones offered around the country and they're pretty good except they are geared mostly toward the skills and knowledge needed for a 2-wheeler. They have developed a 3-wheeler program but it's not available everywhere (you'll have to check locally). But, it's not the only source of motorcycle skills training. Some community colleges have a program (they do in Utah) and if you're lucky that can include 3-wheeler specific training.

The good news is that many of the skills needed to control a 2-wheeler (emergency braking, riding through curves, slow-speed maneuvering) are pretty much irrelevant to the Spyder owner because the dynamics are so very different. The advanced rider courses offered in places have an extensive classroom phase that covers situational awareness and defensive driving techniques that are good for you to know regardless of what motorcycle you are riding.

You might want to google 'motorcycle defensive riding courses' or other such and see what comes up for you. https://www.google.com/search?q=motorcycle+riding+courses+upstate+new+yor k&oq=motorcycle+riding+courses+upstate+new+york&aqs=chrome..69i57.11760j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Hope that helps point you in the right direction.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Would a motorcycle training course (NOT geared specifically for Spyders) be helpful/useful for me? What specific helpful skills would I be taught in such a course?

Or are there Spyder-specific safety/training courses available?

Thanks!
The advanced rider course and the trike rider course offered by Goldwing Road Riders Assoc. mesh with each other. The ARC teaches you about general riding skills like where to watch, how to avoid blind spots, when & how to brake, maneuvering, etc. In other words, you get a good understanding of how you on a m/c fit into the overall traffic situation you'll be riding in. The TRC then teaches how a trike differs from a two wheeler with an emphasis on maneuvering, braking, sudden turns, etc. It's been mentioned here that some m/c safety courses or instructors will allow three wheels into the regular course even though the two wheel techniques don't all apply. Then there are really advanced training courses where the emphasis is on emergency maneuvers, how to handle a lay down situation, etc. That is beyond what most riders, especially Spyder riders, need to know.

When I took the Idaho STAR rider course about 10 years ago the instructor mentioned about a group of older riders who took the course every year just to refresh their skills and awareness of how to ride safely. You really can't over learn all the ins and outs about m/c riding.

[easysuper]

Back in '97 I rode RAGBRAI (http://ragbrai.com/about/ragbrai-history-1990s/) and in the overnight town of Bloomfield a male bicyclist decided he would ride his bicycle through the downtown festivities. He quickly caught the attention of most everyone there, especially the cops! The only problem was the fact that he was only wearing his helmet and cycling shoes!

Needless to say, he was quickly surrounded and was SLAMMED to the pavement, wrapped in a blanket and escorted by about a half dozen cops to a cop car. They didn't take the time to frisk him.........he definitely wasn't concealed carrying! Though rumor has it that he was armed with a pea shooter.:roflblack:

You should have been in Portland OR last week where 100's were riding naked !

[ARtraveler]

Good suggestions above....I trust no one to do the right, legal or logical thing..:lecturef_smilie:and plan ahead leaving a way out wherever and whenever possible. I also confront no one for there bone headed move.....:ohyea:works for me...

:agree: Always drive like "they" are out to get you, or going to do something stupid...they are always lurking...and sometimes deliver as anticipated. :yes:

[SL Ken]

I was told by a guy on a two wheeler: you are invisible, ride accordingly.

[Fat Baxter]

As far as wearing high-viz clothing goes:

When I was in the Air Force, they were absolutely anal about wearing at least a high-viz vest, preferably one of the bright fluorescent colors. But a few years ago, I noticed the military bikers were riding onto base wearing just their cammies -- no high-viz clothing at all. So I asked one of the unit motorcycle safety monitors about that. I would think in cammies, you'd be even less visible.

He said someone had recently conducted a study that found that high-viz clothing didn't really reduce the odds of an accident -- cagers really aren't looking out for the bikers. So the Air Force stopped mandating bright clothing. I don't know about the other Services. I figure the study must have been compelling, to get the hidebound Air Force bureaucracy to change its mind.

If you've read all the previous comments -- drive defensively and assume they don't see you, because they don't. When they scan for traffic, they're looking for something about the size of another car. Motorcycles aren't on their radar.

Some high-viz gear likely helps, given that not all cage drivers are totally asleep at the wheel.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I was told by a guy on a two wheeler: you are invisible, ride accordingly.
He was more correct than he probably had any idea he was. Here are a couple of quotes from an article written by a British RAF pilot who is also a biker. He discusses how we see what we see and how the brain processes that info. When someone who has just pulled out in front of a m/c says, "I didn't see him!" he very likely is telling the truth. Not seeing a m/c is a very real physiological phenomenon.


This makes perfect sense, just like trying to take a picture without holding the camera still, the image would be blurred. So, our clever brain overcomes this by moving our eyes (really fast, remember) in a series of jumps (called saccades) with very short pauses (called fixations), and it is only during the pauses that an image is processed.


It is entirely possible for our eyes to ‘jump over’ an oncoming vehicle during one of the saccades. The smaller (and specifically, the narrower) the vehicle, the greater the chance that it could fall within a saccade. You are not being inattentive, you are physically incapable of seeing anything during a saccade.

Here is a link to the article. It is very interesting reading, and very enlightening. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/90471/1211%20Road%20Survival%20Guide%20Final.pdf
Here is the Idaho STAR article about it. http://idahostar.org/_blog/News_Room/post/raf-pilot-lesson

[BoilerAnimal]

Many jobsites that I work are "hi-viz", meaning if your shirt or coat isn't fluorescent green or orange, you'll have to wear a hi-viz vest or you don't work. It does make it a lot easier to be seen but if your mind isn't focused on the task at hand, you can be overlooked.

Last week my wife and I were riding to Quincy. As we were going through a small town at about 22 MPH in a 25 MPH zone a delivery truck pulled out in front of us to cross the road about 30 yards in front of us. I slowed quickly as the driver sped across the road but didn't need to lock the brakes or anything drastic. The point is the driver looked right at us before pulling out into the intersection. My wife and I both wear hi-vis green jackets, white helmets, and our headlights are always on bright during the day.

Just remember there are a lot of stupid people out there! Just don't let any of them find you!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The point is the driver looked right at us before pulling out into the intersection. My wife and I both wear hi-vis green jackets, white helmets, and our headlights are always on bright during the day.

Just remember there are a lot of stupid people out there! Just don't let any of them find you!
The scary part is that, as the RAF pilot writes, just because a car driver doesn't see you does not in any way mean they are stupid. They are just being human. But there are a lot of stupid drivers out there, I'll grant you that.

Our brains focus on motion, not stationary objects. That's why I have a headlight modulator.

[UtahPete]

Our brains focus on motion, not stationary objects. That's why I have a headlight modulator.

I have a headlight modulator on my VStar for that reason, but even that isn't enough sometimes. I've had soccer moms (distracted) pull out right in front of both me on my VStar and Jane on her Spyder - only a blast from my horn got her attention.

Having said that, does anyone have a modulator on their LED headlights?

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Having said that, does anyone have a modulator on their LED headlights?
I do. It's a Kisan modulator, https://kisantech.com/mag/pathblazer/p115w-h3.html, made for LED headlights. I have it wired into the high beam power lead as it powers the headlights in both high and low beam mode. I don't have time to look for and post my wiring diagram right now, but will try to do it later next week when I'm back home after the 4th.

[UtahPete]

I do. It's a Kisan modulator, https://kisantech.com/mag/pathblazer/p115w-h3.html, made for LED headlights. I have it wired into the high beam power lead as it powers the headlights in both high and low beam mode. I don't have time to look for and post my wiring diagram right now, but will try to do it later next week when I'm back home after the 4th.

That's helpful. Thanks a lot