Pointless Rant

[pzkpfw]

I've titled this "pointless rant", because I know that's what it is.


Note to riders: If the old guy in the Wagon in front of you gently slows down *, it's probably because he thinks slowing down is the Universal sign for "please pass me".

It's possible the reason he'd like you to pass him, is because your stupid HID headlights are dazzling him every time he looks in his rear view mirror. He tries to be a careful driver, and watch for things like bikes, using his mirrors and such, but dazzling him DOES NOT HELP.


(* be very clear: this is NOT about jamming brakes on or anything like that.)


End of rant.
Flaming may begin....

[rastuscat]

[pzkpfw]

Well, clearly, me.

[huff3r]

Thats what rear fog lights are for. Dazzle me, and I'll burn your retinas and make you see red!

[GTRMAN]

I've titled this "pointless rant", because I know that's what it is.


Note to riders: If the old guy in the Wagon in front of you gently slows down *, it's probably because he thinks slowing down is the Universal sign for "please pass me".

It's possible the reason he'd like you to pass him, is because your stupid HID headlights are dazzling him every time he looks in his rear view mirror. He tries to be a careful driver, and watch for things like bikes, using his mirrors and such, but dazzling him DOES NOT HELP.


(* be very clear: this is NOT about jamming brakes on or anything like that.)


End of rant.
Flaming may begin....

But you knew he was there right? So the light may be doing its job. Understand your frustration but you could have flicked your rear view mirror up and it wouldn't have been a problem..

[DR650gary]

And me. I am sick of ignorant riders with lights on full beam dazzling me from either direction.

Road courtesy works both ways and the crap argument about better visibility is just that, "crap".

[pzkpfw]

But you knew he was there right? So the light may be doing its job. Understand your frustration but you could have flicked your rear view mirror up and it wouldn't have been a problem..

I know bikes are there without the dazzling, and the dazzling itself is dangerous.

(Also, my car has automatic sensor controlled LCD based auto-dimming on the mirror (which I don't think works very well; which is I agree - my problem (thank you Mr Toyota)); I don't have the simple flick it up style of thing - so it's actually "hard" to avoid the glare.)

[Banditbandit]

As you say - a pointless rant

[James Deuce]

It's not pointless. Poorly adjusted headlights should be ticketed and HID kits for bikes in NZ are of an uncertain legal status.

I really can't stand bikers who ride around with their lights on full beam and the inference that the OP needed the idiot with the overly bright lights to point them right at him is slightly offensive as I know the OP is a considerate motorcyclist and driver and very unlikely to cause you or any other motorcyclist an issue on the road, let alone not see. In the unlikely event he did SMIDSY you he'd take responsibility for that.

So stop being so bloody patronising and start thinking about how you can match his level of "considerate motorist" behaviour.

[Gremlin]

Poorly adjusted headlights should be ticketed and HID kits for bikes in NZ are of an uncertain legal status.

Nothing uncertain. They're illegal unless a full HID reflector housing is used etc (most aren't).

That said, I have one as the stock headlamp must have come out of the 1930s for all the light it doesn't put out.

[iYRe]

the one and only thing that ACTUALLY works visibility wise is a bright headlight.. a headlight so bright that planes can use it to land, or anti aircraft guns can locate enemy and shoot them down.

I have massively bright lights on my motorbike and my bicycle and I dont give a rats ass if people in cars are offended by them. They are not illegal, or illegally adjusted, and it is MY RIGHT! to be seen, and it is NOT their right to make me less visible because its slightly upsetting to them.

If I am in my car and I see a bike of any description coming towards me with a light bright enough that I can see them from a distance... I congratulate them.
A bright light in my mirror for a few seconds or a minute is a helluva lot better than a dead cyclist in the door of my car.

Get over it.

[bogan]

One worry I have with my HID (correct housing so it is legal) is that the beam cuttoff is brutal. Daylight below, nothing above, so it might dazzle over bumps or dips etc; will have to figure it out once I install it though.

I agree with J2, although we need to be seen, dazzling other motorists to do it is pretty selfish and shortsighted; the individual might get seen, but it raises the risk of the motorist missing something/someone else.

[James Deuce]

iYRe: Bollocks. You're just applying a cyclist's mentality to motorcycles.

It is not your right to put other road users in danger, either by blinding them or distracting them. EOM.

[Str8 Jacket]

I hate blinding other road users however I have found myself having to use my high beams in the mornings (5am-ish) when riding up Hutt Road. This is solely when I see a car approaching one of the side streets and not stopping when I know that they are going to take me out so I turn them on and watch the car come to a screeching halt with half there car over the stop sign, then they go off again. Of course I have already slowed down and am ready to stop as I would rather be able to live a non disabled life...... I NEVER ride with my full beams on full time. Used to but have been converted by listening to the likes of Jim D etc etc

[skippa1]

iYRe: Bollocks. You're just applying a cyclist's mentality to motorcycles.

It is not your right to put other road users in danger, either by blinding them or distracting them. EOM.

Agreed. Blinding the people that are trying to look your way is a sure way of making sure they cant see you.