Hear no evil, see no evil?

[Smifffy]

When I'm in the cage I got the sounds on full noise. I can't hear shit. I can't hear shit at the best of times. When I'm on the bike I can't hear shit. When the old folks do their license, they test their eyesight, not their hearing.

[bosslady]

Simple question really.

On a motorcycle, is it better to be seen or heard by other road users in the first instance?

Can’t be both, it’s either one or the other that ‘first’ alerts other road users as to your whereabouts on the road.
For me, it is being seen. As a driver, I notice/see a bike in the rear vision mirror way before I hear it. It also applies to forward vision.

Seen.

I blast the music in my car, I never hear a bike go by until it's too late.

[Oblivion]

Seen.

If you hear a noise, you only get a rough indication of how far away it is and the approximate direction. Its not good enough to establish a solid idea of where the thing actually is.

[Smifffy]

When I'm in the cage I got the sounds on full noise. I can't hear shit. I can't hear shit at the best of times. When I'm on the bike I can't hear shit. When the old folks do their license, they test their eyesight, not their hearing.

All that said, I do actually look out for you fuckers when I'm in the cage.

Was in some cunt's blind spot today on the bike then got shitty cos he didn't see me. My bad. Always learning eh.

Then again, bastard shoulda knewed I was there, cos I gave way to him just a minute before. Oh well.

[iYRe]

Does it not then also render invalid the argument for using full beam?

yes, therefore use full beam, loud pipes and an air raid siren

[nerrrd]

Seen.

On a side note, seen a couple of ads recently for motorcycle gear with rear facing static/flashing red led lights on them - macna jacket and a zeus helmet, wonder if that'll catch on?

A siren would be good, though - much prefer it when emergency vehicles have their sirens going rather than just the flashing lights, gives you that little bit of extra time to get organised.

[Smifffy]

Seen. Recently rebooted my hi-vis vest accordingly, old one was losing some of its vis.

On a side note, seen a couple of ads recently for motorcycle gear with rear facing static/flashing red led lights on them - macna jacket and a zeus helmet, wonder if that'll catch on?

A siren would be good, though - much prefer it when emergency vehicles have their sirens going rather than just the flashing lights, gives you that little bit of extra time to get organised.

Yeah. kinda have to agree there. If a siren goes off, and cuts through the blasting sounds, then I'm all like "Whoa WTF was that? Oh. There it is.."

[Maha]

Seen. Recently rebooted my hi-vis vest accordingly, old one was losing some of its vis.

On a side note, seen a couple of ads recently for motorcycle gear with rear facing static/flashing red led lights on them - macna jacket and a zeus helmet, wonder if that'll catch on?

A siren would be good, though - much prefer it when emergency vehicles have their sirens going rather than just the flashing lights, gives you that little bit of extra time to get organised.

I was sitting at some lights last night by Shore City and noticed a push bike that had it's frame lit up in bright green, and wheels I think but it was the frame that made it a stand out.

[avgas]

If its big and black definitely see first. I pay no attention to Hi-Viz anymore - most road cones wear it.

[Ulsterkiwi]

when I started riding (not so very long ago) I got two bits of advice from relis who are riders.

Ride like noone can see you.

Ride like everyone is trying to kill you.

Yes we are visually driven, its why we have both eyes at the front of our head and we dont have big tall, independently movable ears. We are predators anatomically. Which is why the second bit of advice is sound.
Being biased to visual stimuli is why turn indicators flash, flashing grabs our attention. 3 seconds of indication before a manoevre is a good rule when you understand human physiology but 3 or even 30 seconds of indication doesnt mean squat if it cannot be seen.

[bluninja]

Seen is best. But if they aren't looking my way then a quick toot on the horn. If they hear it then they would "normally" turn in the direction of the sound and may see me. If they don't, then they may be deaf, have their sound up loud, or not give a toss about anyone else on the road. Either way it helps me with my planning and decision making.

[Maha]

Not a Hi-Viz means safety thread...just let it go.

What brought the question to mind was, how good my bike sounds with the stock pipe, which lead to ''What the general consensus would be over sight V sound of a bike'' so far it's a resounding swing towards being SEEN.

[scumdog]

when I started riding (not so very long ago) I got two bits of advice from relis who are riders.

Ride like noone can see you.

Ride like everyone is trying to kill you.

.

My style completely - and add: "Ride like the 'other person' won't do what they are MEANT to do"!

(i.e. not stop at stop sign etc)

Oh, and seen before heard in order of priority...

[Paulo]

heh, I had a women suddenly change lanes on me last night, no indicating no head check, Was all good as I tend to expect this sort of thing in Wellington, I did give her door a little kick at the lights to get her attention, She rolled down the window and we had a polite chat about looking before changing lanes and suggesting perhaps she might like to try using her indicator, I was very polite as halfway through our chat I realised I'd put a bloody big dent in her door, I almost felt a little guilty.

[kiwi cowboy]

heh, I had a women suddenly change lanes on me last night, no indicating no head check, Was all good as I tend to expect this sort of thing in Wellington, I did give her door a little kick at the lights to get her attention, She rolled down the window and we had a polite chat about looking before changing lanes and suggesting perhaps she might like to try using her indicator, I was very polite as halfway through our chat I realised I'd put a bloody big dent in her door, I almost felt a little guilty.

So who do I say you are for my insurance forms and can you supply your insurance details please so we can sort this dent out