Fact is a lot of cagers don't know what WE'LL do in that situation. Yes
most think they own the intersection, many plain just don't see/look for
bikes and others are just plain ignorant to right of way or road courtesy.
The reason why I say that the drivers don't know what we'll do is that they
are "Vehicle Profiling"; they remember bad experiences with bikes and
attach them to you. For example many drivers think all/most bikers lane
split, accelerate too fast, swerve a lot, etc. They don't remember the
patient biker who sat in traffic with them for 20 minutes behind them, what
they remember is the young "SQUID" that raced to the front, splitting
lanes, (cause he could), pipe roaring past their window at MACH II. Point
is that a lot of cagers think that bikers are irresponsible riders, with
little regard for others and perhaps less for traffic laws. The Profiling
goes even further, they see a type of bike and think different things.
They see a race replica road bike and all bets are off man, you get no
respect (I've been in that boat for a long time) They see an upright rider
on a full dressed Gold Wing and they think about someone with a lot of
class and obviously more responsible. Do Gold Wings Still have the same
problem of getting cut off? Hell Yeah, you still have the people that
don't see them.
I view Dual Sport Riders differently than I do sport bike riders, I see
someone that is more Pragmatic, who knows that fun can be had below 160 MPH
(though I miss that dearly) and usually someone who has a bit more
adventurous spirit. But that doesn't make them any easier to see, just
have more (?) predictable behavior when they are seen.
I looked at a Brake Light modulator last night. I'm also thinking of
modulating one of my two accessory headlights, switchable for
intersections. You can buy handlebar mountable switches, single and double
switches as well.
Scott... glad you made it unscathed in your experience (this time) I
watched a guy who wasn't as lucky. Hit by a middle aged cager who quit
riding bikes because they were too dangerous in traffic (how's that for
Irony), I was the first responder on the scene. The biker on a Katana, was
beaten up pretty good, got a very expensive ride to the hospital... lived
because of his helmet, still had a serious head & neck injury. The cager
was in total shock and probably still sees a head doctor, no injuries though.
So the next time you are on the road, consciously think about each vehicle
you see, what kind of driver is behind the wheel, and more importantly
think of how you got that impression, I guarantee that it most likely from
a negative experience with similar vehicle. The cagers do the same to us,
and that often leads to serious doubts on the road of what to do next.
Have a safe great weekend...
LaterZ
Dash
> Eye contact means nothing. Feel like there's a "hit" out, on ya at times.
>With no jumps out there on the street (except of course, for the wandering
>critters some deal with), I guess the brain deaders make things challenging.
> I did find a street jump tho, last Friday...as this harmless looking
older
>lady (whom I was making eye contact with) waited until I was within 15ft of
>her (I was doing around posted speed of 45), then pulled out in front of me.
>I swerved left.
> The KLR is a fine jumper for thos concrete islands dividing traffic. Luck
>had it that there was no oncoming traffic upon landing.
> Is installation difficult? Where did you mount your switch?
>
> All best
>
>Scott
>A14
>Sorrento
A2 - Da' Bomb
No Longer Crashing for Beer
Will wheelie for Virgin Oil