Is big better?

[varminter]

I took the 250 Katana for a run around yesterday, just to prevent moss build up, and I was wondering if other road users see smaller bikes less well than bigger ones (yes, I know it seems obvious, ...but...) Some numbnuts towing a trailer decided to coast out in front of me on Te Ngae road, well, stop just means slow a bit don't it. I bloody sure he wouldn't have done it in front of the Strom. Big bike, two lamps, but who knows. Makes me feel a tiny bit safer.

[mattian]

I used to think it never made much of a difference when I rode my 250. I thought they treated all bikes the same, but, I've gotta say, since I graduated to my full and got myself a 650, I find I have much less trouble with drivers attitudes towards me. Now, I would also like to think that, as I have gained more experience, I've also learnt to anticipate all kinds of things that may have got me amped up when I was still learning on my nifty 250. So, I could be just mellowing out alot more.

[CookMySock]

since I graduated to my full and got myself a 650, I find I have much less trouble with drivers attitudes towards me.

Oh yeah. Try puttin a REAL LOUD pipe on it, and watch the same happen again. They get the FUCK out of your way real quick.

[perhaps] I've also learnt to anticipate all kinds of things that may have got me amped up when I was still learning on my nifty 250. So, I could be just mellowing out alot more.

Nah, its just you have a bigger metaphorical cock now, so you have less to prove.

edit: it's interesting going back to a 250 for wee turn.. it feels more fun and light hearted. Somehow, simpler.

Steve

[caseye]

The car driver who hits you and then says " I didn
't see you" actually means. "I saw you but decided you were not enough of a threat to consider and continued on MY Way"
Yes the size of your bike helps them make a different decision.
Yes having your headlight on makes you More Visible.
But only to those who want to see you and react accordingly.
I have a suggestion for you.
Go get your 650, add panniers to it, a screen and at least a bikini fairing.
Paint the thing WHITE.
Problem solved, a WHITE BIKE = Traffic/Police.
They always see them and acknowledge the THREAT By BEHAVING AS THEY DAMND WELL SHOULD ANYWAY!
I've seen Traffic guys bin their own bikes but not yet in over 30 years of riding have I seen a Traffic/Police bike involved in the CLASSIC "I didn't see you" accident.

[Ixion]

I got a big white BMW. With panniers screen white helmet and hi vis vest.

Doesn't work, they still do they same fuckwittery. The only thing it does work for, they make way a lot better when I'm lane splitting.

Snakes don't have SMIDSY accidents because they ride defensively. (Assuming they don't , I wouldn't bet on it myself

[caseye]

I got a big white BMW. With panniers screen white helmet and hi vis vest.

Doesn't work, they still do they same fuckwittery. The only thing it does work for, they make way a lot better when I'm lane splitting.

Snakes don't have SMIDSY accidents because they ride defensively. (Assuming they don't , I wouldn't bet on it myself

Ya can't be holding yer tongue right then! LOL, though you have actual evidence to the contrary and I'm not about to dispute it
I 'd be interested one day to find out how many MOT?Police bikes have been involved in "I didn't see you" accidents.
I firmly believe that proportionally the figures will be way down on normal.

[YellowDog]

IMO - Huge bikes get noticed because they are huge.

The same goes for loud bikes.

But I believe that it is our own individual riding styles that have the largest influence.

The Fuckwitt with the trailer may well have given the same disrespect to a Police motorcycle. The law of averages says that you won't meet him everyday.

[crash harry]

I think there's a large degree of how you ride that affects whether people see you or not. I base that on my experience of having had people not see me a lot more when I was a learner - I think my road attitude was more timid than it is now. If you're on a different bike than your usual ride, perhaps your road presence is less commanding than usual? Particularly if the bike is smaller you may be unconciously riding with less than your usual bearing?

That's only a theory though. Perhaps Mr. Trailer would have pulled out in front of a train - people do sometimes...

[CookMySock]

I got a big white BMW. With panniers screen white helmet and hi vis vest. Doesn't work, they still do they same fuckwittery.

Thats because you have "poofter" metaphorically written across the front of your helmet.

What you need is a black helmet and black visor and a red or black bike with a really noisy exhaust, then suddenly you have "asshole" written across your helmet. Instead respect afforded - end of problem.

Steve

[Ocean1]

I think there's a large degree of how you ride that affects whether people see you or not.

They say "own your piece of road", as far as I'm concerned that extends quite some distance. Any vehicle threatening to turn onto my road at an intersection gets "the look". It's surprising how many choose to look my way and "see me" at exactly that point.

[CookMySock]

Any vehicle threatening to turn onto my road at an intersection gets "the look". It's surprising how many choose to look my way and "see me" at exactly that point.

I dunno about that, but humans like many other species, have an inbuilt mechanism that tells them if some heavy fast-moving object has a trajectory that implies said heavy object will shortly occupy their personal space, and I find giving them the eye combined with a swerve that puts them right in my crosshairs really makes them think twice.

I also would like cagers to know, nay, believe, that should they pull out in front of me and force me to hit them, I will be aiming riiiiiiiite for their drivers' door panel, or failing that, the door of their lovely passenger. They should believe this very strongly, because it is true.

It's very very important not to pull out in front of motorcyclists travelling at speed. Why? Because you if you do you are going to die.

Steve

[caseye]

I dunno about that, but humans like many other species, have an inbuilt mechanism that tells them if some heavy fast-moving object has a trajectory that implies said heavy object will shortly occupy their personal space, and I find giving them the eye combined with a swerve that puts them right in my crosshairs really makes them think twice.

I also would like cagers to know, nay, believe, that should they pull out in front of me and force me to hit them, I will be aiming riiiiiiiite for their drivers' door panel, or failing that, the door of their lovely passenger. They should believe this very strongly, because it is true.

It's very very important not to pull out in front of motorcyclists travelling at speed. Why? Because you if you do you are going to die.

Steve

LOL! I find myself agreeing totally with this one DB, well said.

[enigma51]

Yes it is

[YellowDog]

LOL! I find myself agreeing totally with this one DB, well said.

"He's a licenced motorcycle instructor, I agree with dangerousbastard, no point in repeating what he said."

[enigma51]

I dunno about that, but humans like many other species, have an inbuilt mechanism that tells them if some heavy fast-moving object has a trajectory that implies said heavy object will shortly occupy their personal space, and I find giving them the eye combined with a swerve that puts them right in my crosshairs really makes them think twice.

I also would like cagers to know, nay, believe, that should they pull out in front of me and force me to hit them, I will be aiming riiiiiiiite for their drivers' door panel, or failing that, the door of their lovely passenger. They should believe this very strongly, because it is true.

It's very very important not to pull out in front of motorcyclists travelling at speed. Why? Because you if you do you are going to die.

Steve

The only person that will be dying is you you dumb fuck. They are in a car your on a bike if you go head first into a door you die end of story.

Stop giving advice clearly your a retard.