MC Crash

[sandeejs]

Sad But True

If they can't spot a fully lit up 18 wheeler what chance do we stand?

I was parking in the lot for my grocery store, in my cage. A guy comes up, has to walk around a car that is (for some odd reason) sitting and blocking him in. He backs right out of his spot, never looking or remembering that there is a car behind him.
AND....
I'm riding down my street, stop at a stop sign and see a young couple waking down the sidewalk. A lady comes out of her house, gets in her car and backs up without looking. The only reason she didn't hit the kids was that I screamed so loud that side of the city looked up. The kids then jumped out of the way.

They drive among us, folks. Be careful out there.

~Sandee~

 

[Dan McNally]

I lost a good friend in July of 2012 in a very similar situation. He was on his bike and a driver turned left, into a driveway, directly in front of him. He t-boned her car and died of brain injury on the way to the hospital. The very next day, in the same Maryland county, another motorcyclist was killed, exactly the same way.

You have to assume every cage is being operated by a moron, out to kill you.

 

[RussRT]

This is why I went to Spyder from a two wheel cruiser. I installed several Custom Dynamic lights on my Spyder.
Thoughts and prayers for this young man!!

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Owner of a 2016 RTL and interested in installing a modulator unit on it, missed your posted instructions and would appreciate a PM on the subject and thanks for any information
Joseph

I just now posted instructions here: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...ator-for-LED-headlights&p=1115428#post1115428

 

[BamaJohn]

Headlight modulators are a useful tool, Just don't get too complacent with it. Most cages have no idea why your headlight "seems" to be flashing. I had a man pulling a boat pull out in front of me-Thinking I was giving the "Go-ahead signal". Fortunately, We were only going about 30 or 35 mph and was able to stop in time.

Also, remember that truckers use the flashing headlights as a "pull-over-it's-safe" signal.
jb

 

[wyliec]

Also, remember that truckers use the flashing headlights as a "pull-over-it's-safe" signal.
jb

I haven't seen a trucker do that in years.

 

[Bob Denman]

There's no doubt that the Spyder offers us a slight advantage over conventional motorcycles, when riding amongst the "Cows"...

I feel that they only react to what they think might hurt them in an accident...
We are just large enough to give them some concern...

But NOT enough to think that you're safe!

 

[MisterP]

Someone mentioned having eye contact with another driver who was waiting to pull out of a side street. I was taught years ago that there is no way to be sure you have eye contact with or the attention of any other driver. They may be looking in your direction, but not at you. Watch the front wheel of their vehicle. If it starts to move, start to slow and be prepared to evade. They never saw you. This technique has saved me more than once.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Watch the front wheels, and keep your thumb on a horn button that's got a Stebel backing it up...

 

[lou49]

Perhaps I should have said SOME LED's will upset the Nanny. Refer to a YT by Shawn Smoak who was talking about the subject. All the LED's advertised on SL are compatible that I am aware of. Those purchased at a auto parts store may create problems.

Prayers for the rider and his family!
As far as the l e d's, Don't they all come from China?

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

LED ISSUES

Perhaps I should have said SOME LED's will upset the Nanny. Refer to a YT by Shawn Smoak who was talking about the subject. All the LED's advertised on SL are compatible that I am aware of. Those purchased at a auto parts store may create problems.

LED's are no different than any other light......Except in rare cases all LED's have a positive and negative wire or connection.....and as long as you wire correctly they will work and not cause issues with any other things in/on the wire harness/loom. I have dozens of LED's on my RT and they are ALL - DIY from China and I have had no issues because of them........Mike :bbq:

 

[Desert Spyder]

LED's are no different than any other light......Except in rare cases all LED's have a positive and negative wire or connection.....and as long as you wire correctly they will work and not cause issues with any other things in/on the wire harness/loom. I have dozens of LED's on my RT and they are ALL - DIY from China and I have had no issues because of them........Mike :bbq:

Well, I dont know what to tell you about the LEDs. I'm no guru in that area or in any other area for that matter. Irregardless, this thread is about protection and safety on the road. It cannot be emphasized enough.

No no new news on the riders condition. Last I heard he has many surgeries in store for him which they will do only one at a time to avoid further shock. It was reported in today's paper that the rider was speeding contrary to witnesses statements.

i would like to read more testimonies on how your lighting work has saved your life and a picture too if you don't mind. One picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[ingramwc]

I sure hope the rider recovers OK!!!! Prayers go out for him. Could have been a distracted driver!!
Since I have had my Spyder no one has pulled out on me! 2013 ST-S Circuit Yellow. Aside from the yellow I feel the marker LED's on the front fenders and keep headlights set at Bright all the time do help. However I still do not take it for granted that cagers see me, I remain vigilant, I trust no one!!!:spyder:

 

[Dave & Karen]

Always Focused!

:shocked: Prayers for the rider... ray:ray:
This is why you can NEVER drop your guard...

One of the things that I have found as a Spyder owner (first bike), for only a few months now, is that I am constantly focusing on everything.....what is ahead, what could potentially be on the road, what is the road condition, what's happening behind me, in front of me, beside me; what's going on at the intersection, who is paying attention, who looks like they aren't paying attention, who may be texting or on a cell phone, etc. I stay my distance from the car in front of me and while stopped at lights. I also try to wear vivid colors or a fluorescent vest over my jacket. I didn't realize how intense I have to be focused. I'm sure it will just become nature over time. Karen

The other day, my husband was riding and was at a red light. The light turned green and two cars in front of him went straight and he lagged back just a bit....just enough to let a car come careening through the intersection from the right side through an extremely red light. :yikes: Geesh, two cars had already gone through in front of him on the green. It's a good thing he's not a speedster or he may not be here today. He is always watching people, especially for those on cell phones or looking at their cell phones. Even if you look catch eye with another driver, they may not see you.

 

[bruiser]

Unfortunately no amount of lighting is going to prevent someone from turning in front of you. The "left turn" accident is the most common motorcycle/vehicle crash. Where a 4 wheeled (or more) vehicle makes a left turn in front of a motorcycle. Additional lighting may help. As does retroreflective or high vis riding gear. IMHO the best protection is defensive driving. You eyes should be constantly scanning ahead, side and the rear view mirrors. Remember that a helmet restricts peripheral vision. And so do the doors, posts and tinted windows of a cage. And making eye contact with the driver doesn't always work.

And it's not just two vs four either. Just a few weeks ago I was in my pickup going to a meeting. Approaching an intersection, right lane is a straight/left turn, left lane is left turn only. I moved to the left lane. Suddenly, a Ford F250 Super Duty that was in the right lane turned left right in front of me. I stood on the brakes and skidded to a halt just inches from the driver door. He kept going and I followed him into a convenience store parking lot. My wife told me to calm down as I got out of my truck to confront the "kid" who was driving the F250. I asked what he thought he was doing. "Did you not see me?" His reply was "well, my boss told me to turn left, and I did. I had my turn signal on". "Yes, I said". But you were in the right lane and made an illegal left turn across another lane of traffic". By the way, his boss bailed. He wouldn't even stay for the "confrontation". And the guys in the back seat didn't have anything to say either.

All that to say "situational awareness" kept me from T boning that truck.

 

[Bob Denman]

One of the things that I have found as a Spyder owner (first bike), for only a few months now, is that I am constantly focusing on everything.....what is ahead, what could potentially be on the road, what is the road condition, what's happening behind me, in front of me, beside me; what's going on at the intersection, who is paying attention, who looks like they aren't paying attention, who may be texting or on a cell phone, etc. I stay my distance from the car in front of me and while stopped at lights. I also try to wear vivid colors or a fluorescent vest over my jacket. I didn't realize how intense I have to be focused. I'm sure it will just become nature over time. Karen

:congrats: You're learning how to observe what is going on around you, and improve your "Situational Awareness"! :clap:

IMHO the best protection is defensive driving. You eyes should be constantly scanning ahead, side and the rear view mirrors. Remember that a helmet restricts peripheral vision. And so do the doors, posts and tinted windows of a cage. And making eye contact with the driver doesn't always work.

:agree: Well said!! :2thumbs:

 

[Desert Spyder]

Where's Phil Burk at. His bike is lit up like the 4th of July.

 

[ruralgirl]

I never trust anyone's turn signal until I see them actually slowing down and turning. Years ago, my brother-in-law pulled onto a street because the oncoming car had its turn signal on as if to turn off and be out of the way. Trouble was, the guy wasn't turning. He broad-sided my BIL's car on the passenger side where his wife was sitting with their baby on her lap. Killed them both.

My closest calls, and there've been many, have been due to today's danged cell phones (I don't have one, so I can legitimately rant). It's as if I'm invisible - in my F250, no less. A couple years ago, a cop stopped me for not wearing my seatbelt (a totally unconstitutional law if there ever was one), and while we talked, a half dozen cars went by (rural road), and EVERY SINGLE DRIVER WAS ON HIS/HER CELL PHONE. He could stop me, but not them. There's something wrong with that picture.

 

[missouriboy]

I haven't seen a trucker do that in years.

)In reference to flashing a passing truck...)

That was the practice on 2-lane roads, where the hazard for a head-on was great with one truck passing another. It said, "OK, you're clear, you can cut in now."

Trucks favor 4-lanes and Interstates now, where there's no urgency to return to the right lane, so I bet younger drivers don't even know about it.

 

[rwc]

I see them do it on I-35 all the time