61 replies to this topic

[Sparky]

And Sparky sorry mate but weaving coming up to a juction aint gona help you as it will only confuse the poor old duffer waiting to pull out cos he think that you are going right then he'll pull out only to find you changed direction and are going left.... and wollop you're sat on his bonnet!!!

If you get my drift

Nah, you misunderstand, JG. I only weave enough to shake the headlight around a bit and hopefully get it noticed (perhaps I should call it a wiggle ). I don't alter my road position at all. I only do it when passing side roads with other vehicles waiting to turn right across my path. There's a question on the theory test that illustrates this particular scenario and asks how to deal with it. The two 'correct' answers required are (1) Be prepared to slow down (well, duh ) and (2) Consider using your horn (!). Hmmmm....I think it would get a bit confusing if I beeped every time I approached a side road, so I'll stick to wiggling .

[stu]

JG - Riding a 'Z line' may indeed make you more visible. Some discussion here

[catsbum]

Never believe this but this morning I was given a brand new pair of hi-viz trousers.

Gonna wear them on the bike tomorrow!!

[JollyGiant]

Nah, you misunderstand, JG. I only weave enough to shake the headlight around a bit and hopefully get it noticed (perhaps I should call it a wiggle ). I don't alter my road position at all. I only do it when passing side roads with other vehicles waiting to turn right across my path. There's a question on the theory test that illustrates this particular scenario and asks how to deal with it. The two 'correct' answers required are (1) Be prepared to slow down (well, duh ) and (2) Consider using your horn (!). Hmmmm....I think it would get a bit confusing if I beeped every time I approached a side road, so I'll stick to wiggling .

Ok wiggling is fine

Ooh don't get me started on the theroy test

Me and a mate done the pratice theory test online, both parts for cars and bikes after we had a few ales and after much sillyness we both passed all of it whislt drunkish and it's been 20 yrs since I passed my bike test by wobbling round the block with some bloke looking through alleyways at me

[stormy]

I will NEVER wear a hiviz jacket, a sam browne or the like, cos that is just the start of a slippery slope, and before long, they will be compulsory.

Think I'm being paranoid?

OK, headlights, up until recently it was a free choice as to whether you chose to ride with them on. Most riders I think decided that yes, they will switch them on. Not all however. Called freedom of choice.


Now look what has happened.

Ya can't turn the damned things off even if you wanted too, cos someone managed to get a little rule through wherever that now makes all new bikes have to have their lights on all the time, so no "off" switch any more. I don't recall being asked / polled / informed that this area of choice was being removed from us, yet no-one seemed to complain at the time.

Whats next? Oh, lets see...... lets ban bikes .... keep it quiet, no-one will notice ..............

[JollyGiant]

Couldn't put it better myself

[Landy]

Ya can't turn the damned things off even if you wanted too, cos someone managed to get a little rule through wherever that now makes all new bikes have to have their lights on all the time, so no "off" switch any more.

Not strictly true Mrs Landy's 5 month old bike has an off switch for the headlight!

[catsbum]

I will NEVER wear a hiviz jacket, a sam browne or the like, cos that is just the start of a slippery slope, and before long, they will be compulsory.

Think I'm being paranoid?

OK, headlights, up until recently it was a free choice as to whether you chose to ride with them on. Most riders I think decided that yes, they will switch them on. Not all however. Called freedom of choice.
Now look what has happened.

Ya can't turn the damned things off even if you wanted too, cos someone managed to get a little rule through wherever that now makes all new bikes have to have their lights on all the time, so no "off" switch any more. I don't recall being asked / polled / informed that this area of choice was being removed from us, yet no-one seemed to complain at the time.

Whats next? Oh, lets see...... lets ban bikes .... keep it quiet, no-one will notice ..............

Buy a Mark one, you'll be fine chap

[TonyDevil]

Buy a Mark one, you'll be fine chap

not if he buys it in the states he wont

[tdm850rider]

From the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Operator's Guide (pdf ver)

HEADLIGHT
Motorcycles manufactured during
or after 1973 are required by law to
use headlights at all times. The
headlight is the best way to help
others see you. Studies show that
during the day, a motorcycle with
its light on is twice as likely to be
noticed.

The problem now is the increasing number of cars with DRL's...
A good thing considering how many drivers operate grey cars at dusk and dawn with no lights.

If they are legal in your country you may want to consider the use of a headlight modulator during the day.
Modulators are now legal in all 50 US states. (It used to be hit and miss)

[stormy]

Not strictly true Mrs Landy's 5 month old bike has an off switch for the headlight!

What bike is that on then?

Buy a Mark one, you'll be fine chap

ahem, I do have standards ya know.




ok, low they may be, but standards all the same........

Edited by stormy, 05 February 2008 - 11:26 pm.

[Landy]

It's a Hyosung Aquilia.

[TDMTAM]

I will NEVER wear a hiviz jacket, a sam browne or the like, cos that is just the start of a slippery slope, and before long, they will be compulsory.

Just to pour petrol on to the fire, I can always get some Hi Viz vest screen printed with the carpe logo

TAM. running away ducking for cover

[JollyGiant]

Just to pour petrol on to the fire, I can always get some Hi Viz vest screen printed with the carpe logo
TAM. running away ducking for cover

Run very fast and very far!!!

Then the TDM will have a real image prob... Think I better start running now

Spose I could wear one at work??

[TDMTAM]

Run very fast and very far!!!

TAM

[catsbum]

It's a Hyosung Aquilia.

Shit thats spooky

Tonight partner giving me lift to pub, orange bike chopping up traffic, go's left and gets knocked off by old git in red hyinda

thing is, i get out to help thinking,, this is not a Harley

its the bike in your pic

weird

[Landy]

Well thank god it was not Mrs Landy, I hope the rider was OK?

[stu]

I will NEVER wear a hiviz jacket, a sam browne or the like, cos that is just the start of a slippery slope, and before long, they will be compulsory.

Heard a story about an old guy who was emigrating because o' them homeysecshalls, using a similar argument - used to be a capital offence, then it was reduced to imprisonment, then de-criminalised. Next up civil partnerships were legalised. He was leaving before it became compulsory.

[ChrisG]

Ya can't turn the damned things off even if you wanted too, cos someone managed to get a little rule through wherever that now makes all new bikes have to have their lights on all the time, so no "off" switch any more.

A real pain for the people who work on sites where the gate guards not only have signs saying "SWITCH OFF HEADLIGHTS" but also carry guns I don't visit them any more though, but there are valid reasons for wanting to turn them off.

I hate this one for dipped and the other for full beam business too, I find a twin headlight is much more noticable as being a bike than a single light.

Thomas, what do you mean by a modulator?

[tdm850rider]

A real pain for the people who work on sites where the gate guards not only have signs saying "SWITCH OFF HEADLIGHTS" but also carry guns I don't visit them any more though, but there are valid reasons for wanting to turn them off.

I hate this one for dipped and the other for full beam business too, I find a twin headlight is much more noticable as being a bike than a single light.

Thomas, what do you mean by a modulator?

They make your bike do this during the day (not legal at night)




Google 'Motorcycle headlight modulator'

(edit: That was a pain... that image is in 3 parts!)