"Driving with wheels off the roadway"

   / "Driving with wheels off the roadway" #41  
One thing that grinds me is motorcycles driving with brights on during the daytime. They don't seem to realize those (some) bike lights are very bright and distracting to oncoming drivers, me.

Makes you notice them, didn't it?
 
   / "Driving with wheels off the roadway" #42  
One thing that grinds me is motorcycles driving with brights on during the daytime. They don't seem to realize those (some) bike lights are very bright and distracting to oncoming drivers, me.




People driving with their high beams on at night is even worse.
 
   / "Driving with wheels off the roadway" #43  
One fact here on motorcycle lighting. My 2018 BMW R1200GSA is LED lighting in all areas. I have checked it out - both day and night. Even on low beam the LED lights are EXCEEDINGLY bright.

AND - don't flame me for this, but - I'd much rather you see me because my lighting is very bright, than not see me and run over me.

As we all know - motorcycles are more or less invisible to a whole lot of the motoring public.

Even with my very bright LED lights, on low beam - I've still had folks look me right in the eyes and turn right into my oncoming path.

And anybody who rides has experienced this at one time or another. The brain is wired for auto sized objects - not motorcycle sized objects.
 
   / "Driving with wheels off the roadway" #44  
I can't count the times when riding a motor cycle or bicycle, of that driver looking right at me and continuing on, into my path.
 
   / "Driving with wheels off the roadway" #45  
I've seen people do that while I was driving vans and buses...sometimes the "something is there" just does not register, regardless of vehicle size.

All the more reason to have some protective structure and a more favorable mass ratio...
 
   / "Driving with wheels off the roadway" #46  
All the more reason to have some protective structure and a more favorable mass ratio...

Yep, that is the key.
 
   / "Driving with wheels off the roadway" #47  
If mass were the key - I'd never get out of my Ford F-650. When I ride - and I try to ride at least 4X weekly - I simply assume that I'm not visible, nobody can see me - and ride accordingly.
 
   / "Driving with wheels off the roadway" #48  
I simply assume that I'm not visible, nobody can see me - and ride accordingly.

Wise words. I can see why you are still (around, and able to be) riding. In all respects, it requires a totally different mindset to being "caged"....... that's part of why I ride.......

Takes discipline to do that, each and every ride. The alternative outcomes are well covered already.....

As a contrast, recently I was listening to a talk radio show about cave-diving. :)thumbsup: on the Thailand rescue, and a somber moment to reflect on the ex-Seal who perished). Riding street bikes is a walk in the park, compared to the risks involved in recreational cave-diving.

One man's hobby is another man's lunacy....

Rgds, D.
 
   / "Driving with wheels off the roadway" #49  
There are other things that have kept me going on my motorcycle. I DO NOT ride in or into big towns. Sprague, Washtucna, St John, Endicott, Starbuck, Dusty, Davenport, Reardan, Wilbur - all OK. Spokane, Seattle and the like - not only no, but NEVER. All my trips are planned out ahead of time - a route around a big city is simply a matter of the right roads.

Fifty-five + years - no accidents. KNOCK ON WOOD.
 

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