Cagers perception of your speed.

[cowpoos]

When you're doing 130kph out on the open road and Joe Farmer is about to pull out on front of you as a logging truck is going the other way your LOUD PIPES won't do jack-shit about make Mr Farmer aware of you existence.:slap:

you have a problem with farmers MR dog?

[scumdog]

you have a problem with farmers MR dog?

No cowpoos, just an example of how bike riders EXPECT everybody to SEE them coming (c.b. SEES ME COMING AT TIMES - BUT THIS IS A FAMILY SITE)

[cowpoos]

I have thought about this too....and funnily enough happened to ask a cop [at a rest area...he borrowed a cig off me....lol] one day on his veiw of cars pulling out in front of bikes even when they have looked right at you....

he said: its really not obvious...but its because in his view the point of refernce someone looks at a motorbike is higher than a car...ie:top of the fairing or rider....and because they are higher off the ground than a cars/trucks point of reference [grill/number plate/lights] its percived that they a further down the road...and not as close as the seem....especially true at night with the height of the light on a bike on a unlit road...

it may not be fact...but it makes alittle sence to me...

[cowpoos]

No cowpoos, just an example of how bike riders EXPECT everybody to SEE them coming (c.b. SEES ME COMING AT TIMES - BUT THIS IS A FAMILY SITE)

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[Eurodave]

In case (for some) you are being too obtuse, I presume you mean that a person riding a noisy Harley with ape-hangars and wearing black (tassled?) leathers with a black helmet and wrap-around shades would be percieved to be more of a 'danger' to the average motorist?????

I gotta say that I am WAY more concerned about being nabbed by a cop & having my wallet lightened for some trivial alleged traffic infringement than I ever am about being monstered by some Hells Angel wannabe

[Drunken Monkey]

....and because they are higher off the ground than a cars/trucks point of reference [grill/number plate/lights] its percived that they a further down the road....

That is counter-intuitive => objects of any given equal height appear to be shorter (i.e. smaller) when further away. If a motorcyclist is higher than a car, it should appear to the observer to be closer than the observer thinks.

[FROSTY:Me]

actually mr SD I thought motu was refering to the motorcyclists with red n blue lights and a white helmet

[scumdog]

From my (work) experience a vehicle approaching in a straight line towards you does not give any particular indication of speed, HOWEVER a vehicle approaching at an obtuse angle (ie. coming towards you from around a curve in the road) looks like it is going quicker than it is actually is.:slap:

[cowpoos]

That is counter-intuitive => objects of any given equal height appear to be shorter (i.e. smaller) when further away. If a motorcyclist is higher than a car, it should appear to the observer to be closer than the observer thinks.

think about it for awhile...that was exactly what I said back at the cop...

my conclusion after a few hours riding was the same as the cops...

[scumdog]

actually mr SD I thought motu was refering to the motorcyclists with red n blue lights and a white helmet

Yeah right Mr Frosty - see post #15 on this thread ya bozo! (or is it Mr 'wind-up'??)

[Lou Girardin]

When you're doing 130kph out on the open road and Joe Farmer is about to pull out on front of you as a logging truck is going the other way your LOUD PIPES won't do jack-shit about make Mr Farmer aware of you existence.:slap:

Dead bloody right. If they can't hear a bloody siren, how are they going to hear a loud can?

BTW Scummy, next time she asks for a pearl necklace, she could mean the ones from oysters.

[tracyprier]

The addition of a white fully faired touring bike ie Beemer R or K series or even a Kwaka GTR or Honda ST1100 seems to enhance said effect, esp if you wear a plain white full face helmet!!

Have to agree with you there. Ok my bike IS an ex cop bike albeit CHP but it is almost identical to the 1150RT the motorway boys here are riding plus the crash bars etc.

I must say that since I have been riding this bike almost no one has cut me up on the motorway. Not sure if it's just the size of the bike or if it gets mistaken for a cop bike.

Either way I ain't complaining

[Eurodave]

Yep, theres a guy here in CHCH that has a white Kwaka GTR 1000 & he wears a white helmet too.......even I do a double take when I see him round town!!!

[Eurodave]

Just out of interest, my Guzzi in my profile pic ,that my brother is riding ,was an ex LAPD bike!!!
I restored it to its former glory. Took me about 5 years ! BTW, I wouldnt say no to one of the CHP's old Kwaka 1000's either,they look cool & I used to own a Z1000 a long time ago

[TwoSeven]

hmmm. no-one cuts me up and I ride a red bike (although white lid). Mind you, even when I put my black lid on they still dont cut me up.

Very seldom have any problems with car traffic. Must be something with the way I ride.