Aaarrrggghhh!!!

[nomadtom69]

There are some people who just do not pay attention a few years ago I was driving a Jeep the was raised and it sat hood about chin high (used to do some mudd bogging) a kid turn into a gas station infront of me the only thing that saved him (bumper at windsheild level) I turned the jeep sidways (lucky road was wet) and slid into a field to miss him when I came out of the field throwing rooster tails of mud and sliding to a stop beside him he still did not have a clue. That was one time I was glad I could not tell if he was over 18 or I might have done something stuipd myself.

[dyetube]

His insurance guy called me and said as soon as he heard his insured say "I never saw him" that was all he needed to know it wasn't my fault. I guess what really pissed me off was, when he hit me he still didn't stop. He actually kept going and pushed me a couple of feet before he stopped.

As motorcyclists, we have a responsibility to pay as much attention to everything going on around us as possible. It's ironic because I was even talking with a co-worker earlier in the day about the fact that in most motorcycle accidents, the fault lies with the motorcyclist because if they had been riding properly, there is always something they can do (find an out, use the 2 second rule, etc...) to avoid the accident. Now I don't think this is always true obviously (given the situation here). There are times when there is just nothing you can do. I ride every day (my bike is my only transportation) which means I'm in rush hour traffic every morning and evening on my bike and really have to be alert because Dallas drivers are the WORST, so I am a little biased.

[Sin City Stan]

Glad your OK and no hassles with the insurance company.

[markclark57]

I don't have a light modulator, but I highly recomend some additional lighting. I put on Chuckstr's Customs light bar set after the accident. The difference in visability is very notable even in the Arizon sunshine.

http://www.chucksterscustoms.com/Products

BTW Joe "Chuckster" has never asked me to promote his stuff. I bought it, I like it, I tell people.

[old curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by markclark57

I highly recommend some additional lighting. I put on Chuckstr's Customs light bar

I've got to agree with Mark on this one. The two things we don't have that cagers don't even need to think about is stability and visibility. Stability is up to you but as for me, I want to look something like a freight train from the front. That's why all my bikes have had (and will have) lightbars. And since I really can't stand the way the OEM lightbar throws the running lights so far to the outside, it'll be a Chuckster's for me too...

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by old curmudgeon

I've got to agree with Mark on this one. The two things we don't have that cagers don't even need to think about is stability and visibility. Stability is up to you but as for me, I want to look something like a freight train from the front. That's why all my bikes have had (and will have) lightbars. And since I really can't stand the way the OEM lightbar throws the running lights so far to the outside, it'll be a Chuckster's for me too...

Just my opinion but I think farther out is more visible. Also, chucks lights are not adjustable left and right just up and down.
He does make nice mounts but I don't care for the light housings.
He is very easy to deal with and his customer service is second to none.

[markclark57]

One of Chuckster's bulbs burned out on my set so I replaced both with 100watters. Patricia doesn't like to lead at night anymore. ;)

[cnc]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Just my opinion but I think farther out is more visible. Also, chucks lights are not adjustable left and right just up and down.
He does make nice mounts but I don't care for the light housings.
He is very easy to deal with and his customer service is second to none.

I've got to agree there, the wider apart the better. I was thinking of putting some lights on my highway bars as well, because at a distance my headlight and aux lights appear as one bright light.

[wheelie]

When you ride a mototcycle you not only have to drive the bike you have to drive all the cars and trucks around you.
We use the Smith System to train truck drivers at work. I found this on the web, the Smith System geared to motorcycles.
http://www.gwrramachapterf.org/gw_im...ith_system.pdf

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by wheelie

When you ride a mototcycle you not only have to drive the bike you have to drive all the cars and trucks around you.
We use the Smith System to train truck drivers at work. I found this on the web, the Smith System geared to motorcycles.
http://www.gwrramachapterf.org/gw_im...ith_system.pdf

Thanks thats good advise.

[kenb]

I suppose suggesting wearing a fluorescent orange safety vest would be against cool biker rules. I bet there are stories of accidents of bikes lit up like xmas trees being turned into.

I would have called the police BEFORE exchanging ins. info.

[old curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Just my opinion but I think farther out is more visible.

This is a trade off between visibility and aesthetics for me. I really don't like the look of the outboard running lights

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Also, chucks lights are not adjustable left and right just up and down.

Don't know but if necessary this might be rectified with some thin shims? I don't have the lights yet so I can't be sure. Besides, there are still 3 seperate layers of ice in my alley so it'll be a while before I get the bike out

Originally Posted by cnc

... at a distance my headlight and aux lights appear as one bright light.

One w-i-d-e bright light. That's the "freight train" look I'm talking about.

[cnc]

Originally Posted by old curmudgeon

One w-i-d-e bright light. That's the "freight train" look I'm talking about.

Drivers it seems are conditioned to see two lights coming at them as in a car or truck, one light even if it is a a bit wide does not register in the brain as quick. The government here did an ad campaign on motorcycle awareness and the catch phrase was "just what do you think that single light is coming toward you, a guy with a flash light"

[markclark57]

Originally Posted by wheelie

When you ride a mototcycle you not only have to drive the bike you have to drive all the cars and trucks around you.
We use the Smith System to train truck drivers at work. I found this on the web, the Smith System geared to motorcycles.
http://www.gwrramachapterf.org/gw_im...ith_system.pdf

Forgot one . . . Always assume that a vehicle that doesn't slow down coming up to an intersection won't. They either don't see the light, don't see you, don't see the intersection, or they are comatose behind the wheel. If you get in front of them "because you have the right of way" you're dead.

[markclark57]

I'm not sure if wider is better. I do know that the 100w bulbs and Chuckster's light bars on my Nomad light up the road ahead like a baseball field. They are adjusted even with the low beam, but still more intense than the high beam. I think if they were higher or wider that I would be interfering with oncoming traffic. Safety isn't safe if you harm other people to get it.