You might yawn but...

**dpex** · 13th January 2010, 20:04

I had a very interesting experience last night. Tooling along a long straight. No other traffic except a cager stopped. He was operational but stopped. I got within 50M when he pulled into a uey.

Given I was just bumbling along at about 120Ks the stoppie was not an issue. So I rolled right a bit and stopped with my headlights right in his face.....A face, which at that stage was clearly ashen from realising he'd nearly caused a pile-up.

His excuse for his actions was actually quite understandable and worth noting here.

Team Zimmer has twin headlights which are separated by a bit of plastic.

This guy said, 'Honestly, mate. I looked in my mirror. Saw your lights. Assumed is was a car way back down the straight, so thought it was safe to turn.'

I thought about that and realised he was right. My twin headlights could easily be mistaken for a far-away vehicle.

So there's something to consider about perceptions and staying alive.

**YellowDog** · 13th January 2010, 20:16

It's a good point and does explain why cars pull out of junctions at night in front of bikes.

I've always said the very same thing. And that's why I only have one dipped beam.

Certainly worth thinking about.

**blossomsowner** · 13th January 2010, 20:17

good observation
many years ago i knew of a guy who had a serious accident because of the exact same issue.........the car that pulled out thought he was another car.......a long way off. didn't help that he was travelling at speed. Was messy...

**Virago** · 13th January 2010, 20:20

120 to 0 in less than 50m? Pretty impressive - well done.

**Okey Dokey** · 13th January 2010, 20:24

Wow, food for thought on the headlight issue.

Impressive stopping by you!

**Jantar** · 13th January 2010, 20:24

One of the reasons I'm against cars having headlights on in daylight when its compulsory for motorbikes.

**Ixion** · 13th January 2010, 20:26

Wobble. Weave from side to side in the lane. Right wheel track, left wheel track, centre, rinse lather repeat. Make those lights move around.

**Okey Dokey** · 13th January 2010, 20:30

Good points, ixion & jantar.

**sAsLEX** · 13th January 2010, 20:34

Originally Posted by Ixion

Wobble. Weave from side to side in the lane. Right wheel track, left wheel track, centre, rinse lather repeat. Make those lights move around.

And always steer towards the driver, you will get bigger faster and register as a threat in their primevial brains so they will notice you if they think you are going to kill them

**dpex** · 14th January 2010, 19:54

Originally Posted by Virago

120 to 0 in less than 50m? Pretty impressive - well done.

No, that's not a big deal.

I don't wish to appear arrogant here, for that is not my intention, but racing and track-days tend to teach way higher ratios for stopping distances.

Like at Puke I'm still doing 200 at the 100M marker and shitting myself feeling the back wheel floating.

But the really hot boys and girls are well over 50Kph to my best. Better braking, more courage, you name it. And the likes of Stroud, Clea, Shirrifs, et al, are on the front wheel through the corner!

I guess it's all a mater of practice, really. Lots of it is good for you. Little of it exposes you.

And so many of us refuse to go out there and practice.

My two bits.

But the lights thing. That intrigued me. I can clearly see how a cager...in fact a biker, could make such a simple mistake.

**p.dath** · 14th January 2010, 20:54

Originally Posted by dpex

Team Zimmer has twin headlights which are separated by a bit of plastic.

This guy said, 'Honestly, mate. I looked in my mirror. Saw your lights. Assumed is was a car way back down the straight, so thought it was safe to turn.'

I'm glad you two had a civil chat afterwards. That was a valuable chat. I'll definatey take that into consideration buying my next bike (luckily have a single headlight already).

**p.dath** · 14th January 2010, 20:58

Found this interesting snippit from "Vehicular accident investigation and reconstruction".
http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=Y...hts%22&f=false

Jump to the headlights section. Seems one headlight isn't really any better either (or rather, also has associated risks).

EDIT: The bit on braking below it is a crock of shit though. And this from a guide on accident investigation!
EDIT EDIT: The section under "Size of vehicles" notes that since introduction of compulsory headlight use that accident rates have not changed. The book appears to be US based.

**DarkLord** · 15th January 2010, 06:19

I have the answer -

Get a bike with a stacked headlight.... such as a Hyosung

**sinfull** · 15th January 2010, 06:28

Fucking flashing red and blues and a siren !
Or even perhaps a reallisation that the prick is likely to do a u turn in front of you !

Had a couple of mates taken out by the same woman doing a uturn in a 4x4, just around the apex of a blind sweeper on Xmas eve ! Made the boxing day ride to wangas a bit of an anti !