not sure if post in rite place but here u go - ? how not to be INVISIBLE

[Zapf]

Reading a few of the post and reading on the net, quite a few people get hurt because car drives don't see the biker. Has anyone ideas that will help in them noticing us?

I am thinking of mounting 2 x 55w driving lights in additional to the standard head light + using some super bright hella LED lamps for stoplight and indicators.

Has anyone done that ? comments?

If u are thinking I am mad... perhaps.... I can be over the top at time.

[Mr Skid]

There is lotsa stuff you can do to make yourself more visible, like brightly coloured clothes, reflective vests, brightly coloured or light coloured helmets etc.

However there will still be those on the road that can't see anything smaller than a car, and those who will see you but not care, so as well as the high visibility stuff, I'd be sure to do some reading on defensive riding technique and practice quick stops etc.

Back to your question though, I think any extra load from LED's would be neglible but I'd wonder how your rectifier would handle the extra load from driving lights?

I'm not particuarly clued up on bike electrics yet, but I'm sure there will be someone here who will have a better idea of these things than me..

[Motu]

Stay invisable,and ride like that.I never think...'good,he's seen me,so I'm safe' fatal thinking.

[greenhorn]

Stay invisable,and ride like that.I never think...'good,he's seen me,so I'm safe' fatal thinking.

But surely its better to drive like your invisible AND do what you can to improve your chances of being seen?

[Motu]

But surely its better to drive like your invisible AND do what you can to improve your chances of being seen?

You do EVERYTHING you can to stay alive,but hey,it's your life,do with it what you will.

[James Deuce]

Just been reading a study about bikers using reflective vests, and it appears that it it is a bad idea. It makes you more visible, but your average car driver expects a to see a vest on a pedestrian, road worker, or police person and so underestimates the speed of the motorcyclist wearing a vest dramatically.

As Motu said, always remember that you are to all intents and purposes invisible no matter how many precautions you take. Ride accordingly.

[Eddieb]

I am thinking of mounting 2 x 55w driving lights in additional to the standard head light + using some super bright hella LED lamps for stoplight and indicators.

I believe there is some law/rule/whatever that states on a motorcycle you are only allowed to mount 1 extra non standard fitment front light. I'm not sure if it applies to just spotlights used only on high beam or all driving lights.

I've thought about those sets that light up your indicators when they aren't being used, the orange lights must stand out more than a white headlight.

[Posh Tourer :P]

position yourself on the right part of the lane, ride with a headlight on, toot everytime someone cuts you off, hopefully eventually we'll educate drivers to look out for bikes :crazy:

[aff-man]

Yip the bright yellow shark helmet helps but it's not only about being seen. Aftermarket pipe man, you can hear me coming 1 km away let along next to your car.

[Motu]

[QUOTE=Zapf]I am thinking of mounting 2 x 55w driving lights in additional to the standard head light + using some super bright hella LED lamps for stoplight and indicators.[QUOTE]

I believe there is some law/rule/whatever that states on a motorcycle you are only allowed to mount 1 extra non standard fitment front light. I'm not sure if it applies to just spotlights used only on high beam or all driving lights.

I've thought about those sets that light up your indicators when they aren't being used, the orange lights must stand out more than a white headlight.

You can have two extra lamps on a bike,the rules are a bit complicated,but basicly driving lamps can only be opperated on high beam,fog and daytime running lamps at anytime independant of headlamps.

opps didn't reread first post - I've got two driving lamps on my XLV750,but can only use them on high beam.Led tail lamps could be a good idea,but have to stay steadily illuminated.LED indicators will be hard to set up,they need a resistor to get the flash rate right,but some flasher units seem to cope.

[Paul in NZ]

Reading a few of the post and reading on the net, quite a few people get hurt because car drives don't see the biker. Has anyone ideas that will help in them noticing us?

I am thinking of mounting 2 x 55w driving lights in additional to the standard head light + using some super bright hella LED lamps for stoplight and indicators.

Has anyone done that ? comments?

If u are thinking I am mad... perhaps.... I can be over the top at time.

No.. Don't worry, you are barking mad...

I think 2 x 55W lights would reduce your chance of having an accident because your bikes electrical system would struggle to keep up with the demand and you would soon be walking...

First off... make sure what you have is working to full effect...

Second, look into a thing called a headlight modulator. It pulses the headlight and during daylight really stands out..

Third, get a big white fairing with dayglow strips and ask people to be POLITE by writing it in capital letters all over the bike. If you wear the proper clothing, you will then have NO trouble being noticed...

Funny that....

[Zapf]

You can have two extra lamps on a bike,the rules are a bit complicated,but basicly driving lamps can only be opperated on high beam,fog and daytime running lamps at anytime independant of headlamps.

opps didn't reread first post - I've got two driving lamps on my XLV750,but can only use them on high beam.Led tail lamps could be a good idea,but have to stay steadily illuminated.LED indicators will be hard to set up,they need a resistor to get the flash rate right,but some flasher units seem to cope.

ERmm...yes I think u are on the ball here. It'll be interesting to find out what is defined as day time running lamps. E.g Hella Comet FF 100's

tkns for tip re resistor. :)

[scumdog]

[QUOTE=Zapf]Reading a few of the post and reading on the net, quite a few people get hurt because car drives don't see the biker. Has anyone ideas that will help in them noticing us?

I am thinking of mounting 2 x 55w driving lights in additional to the standard head light + using some super bright hella LED lamps for stoplight and indicators.

Has anyone done that ? comments?

If u are thinking I am mad... perhaps.... I can be over the top at time."

Go for some form of extra lighting, I use two of those really bright lights such as boys use on there lowered Subarus etc, they are the same thing as shops/bars etc use, about 50mm in diameter and a spread of about 35 degrees,try your local accessory shop for a kit.
No use for lighting up the road at night but during the day the really stand out, saved me a couple of times I'm sure.
Another tip: when braking or stopped squeeze your brake lever rythmically, the on-off flashing of you brake light stands out a lot more than just a steady red light. :) :ride:

[750Y]

You can buy a modulator unit which causes your front light/s to flicker during the day but they go back to normal at night. i'd like one of those to go with my 'extra light' bulbs. do what you can to stand out AS WELL as all the stuff you can to stay safe.
every bit helps i reckon.

[Cajun]

People in cars don't see trucks 5 times the size of them in brought red/ even ones in bright pink, i mean if they can't see that they not gonna see a bike no matter what you wear, have on, i mean i have a yellow bike with yellow leathers, so i am seen pretty good on the road,

[dhunt]

I think the best thing to improve your visibility is to mount some red & blue flashing lights on the front. People will be able to see you a mile away and as an added bonus will slow down and try and avoid you at all costs :)

David

[spudchucka]

People in cars don't see trucks 5 times the size of them in brought red/ even ones in bright pink,
They often seem to miss seeing trains at level crossings too. F**ks me how you can miss one of those.

[Cajun]

very true that spud, no matter what you do some people arn't gonna see you. one reason i moded my pipe to make it little louder, so if they can't see me they might hear me

[vifferman]

very true that spud, no matter what you do some people arn't gonna see you. one reason i moded my pipe to make it little louder, so if they can't see me they might hear meAnd you have this modded pipe mounted on a flexible swivel, with a remote-controlled servo so you can aim the sound where it's most effective?

[Cajun]

no i don't but thats also why i have air horns dc:<

[Paul in NZ]

They often seem to miss seeing trains at level crossings too. F**ks me how you can miss one of those.

Not quite true Spud ol' son... Generally speaking, missing seeing a train at a level crossing F**ks them... Not you...

;-)

Paul N

[Motu]

So of course now they are trying to remove level crossings because they kill people - naughty level crossings...I'm sure Thomas could say a thing or two abowt level crossing.

[Kickaha]

They often seem to miss seeing trains at level crossings too. F**ks me how you can miss one of those.

And each time they miss seeing a train and get dealt to by it,it makes the road a safer place, if they can't see a train they won't see a bike.

[scumdog]

They often seem to miss seeing trains at level crossings too. F**ks me how you can miss one of those.

You said it S.C.! I think I mentioned it earlier but the last one I went to two weeks ago the guy had seen the level-crossing lights, looked to his right (direction train was coming from), then his left and yet the first inkling that a train was near was when his 4X4 was spinning round on the far side of the crossing!! Loco hit his rear mounted spare tyre and ripped it off, it was that close! :crazy:

[Zapf]

[QUOTE=Zapf]Reading a few of the post and reading on the net, quite a few people get hurt because car drives don't see the biker. Has anyone ideas that will help in them noticing us?

I am thinking of mounting 2 x 55w driving lights in additional to the standard head light + using some super bright hella LED lamps for stoplight and indicators.

Has anyone done that ? comments?

If u are thinking I am mad... perhaps.... I can be over the top at time."

Go for some form of extra lighting, I use two of those really bright lights such as boys use on there lowered Subarus etc, they are the same thing as shops/bars etc use, about 50mm in diameter and a spread of about 35 degrees,try your local accessory shop for a kit.
No use for lighting up the road at night but during the day the really stand out, saved me a couple of times I'm sure.
Another tip: when braking or stopped squeeze your brake lever rythmically, the on-off flashing of you brake light stands out a lot more than just a steady red light. :) :ride:

what did your WOF ppl say about those spot lights? Causing reading the Motorcycle WOF manual says that you are only allowed 1 spot lamps. Or did they class it as day time running lamps?

[bgd]

They often seem to miss seeing trains at level crossings too. F**ks me how you can miss one of those.

Have read about this. Something to do with the way the human brain works. Train coming towards us doesn't appear to be moving relative to it's surroundings so the brain doesn't register it as a threat hence we don't see it, despite it's size and despite the bright light.

Over here plod are on white bikes, wear white helmets, dayglow yellow jackets, have a flashing blue light and a 150 watt siren and still buggers don't see them. Little hope for the rest of us so as already mentioned assume cages can't see you and ride accordingly.