owning the road or being dominant.

[yungatart]

Good information in here guys-this is why I log in to KB-to learn! Thanks folks!

[JWALKER]

i dont agree about the not having the light on, when on the open road.
some of the newer sport bikes, you cant turn the light off, and besides personally, i would rather have all the visability i can have.
i have bright coloured bike and gear and it also is loud, but, there is no way i would ride without the light on

[*sic]

yea good info frosty.

but as JWALKER just said, the lights thing is a different thing to me also, i cant handle not having my lights on, feel like i gotta make sure all see me... me vs car panels = not the win...

[In The Breeze]

Rural people are different to townies, flashing lights attract their attention. Don't you notice when drivers flash you to warn for Police ahead?
This includes animals birds etc, it is more affective than the horn or anything else at a distance.
I turn my light on as soon as I enter urban space because there is not enough time to flash and townies are more used to identifying bikes by their light.
Different strokes for different folk! Cheers John.

I do live very rural OldRider but still ride with my lights on so people can see me coming. If there's a car coming that needs warning of something ahead I either use hand signals or simply flick to low beam and flash them . Shhhhhhh,a scarey thought I know.
My bike also doesn't give me the option of turning my lights off but even if it did I wouldn't.I think it comes down to personal preferances

[Gremlin]

I always drive the cage with the lights on (which people have given me a fair lot of flak about)

Sorry, but I disagree with this. You are welcome to ride with the lights on from sun down to sun rise, obviously (I wish all cars would), but in the middle of the day I wish cars wouldn't.

You are more noticable when the lights are on, which is awesome for motorbikes. Every little bit counts, but if everyone did this, we wouldn't stand out anymore, would we??

[Quartida]

Fair call, but it also makes it safer for me.
I never saw it as a matter of standing out because everyone didn't, but more as a matter of being seen from further away. I've noticed, driving SH1 Auck-Wellington, it makes such a significant difference when cars have their lights on - they're just so much easier to spot from a distance.

I admit if everyone did it, it might not be so effective from a 'surprise' point of view (and it would be harder to pick out bikes from the crowd), but it does have other advantages.

Just my theory!

[Pathos]

Its weird, I never rode on the left side when I started out, always headed for the center line. It just felt like the natural thing to do.... don't know why others have problems with it :spudwhat:

[Posh Tourer :P]

Fair call, but it also makes it safer for me.
I never saw it as a matter of standing out because everyone didn't, but more as a matter of being seen from further away. I've noticed, driving SH1 Auck-Wellington, it makes such a significant difference when cars have their lights on - they're just so much easier to spot from a distance.

True, and it is also easier to judge the distance of a car on a long straight, if they have their headlights on... Switch on on long straights!!

[Leong]

Fair call, but it also makes it safer for me.
I never saw it as a matter of standing out because everyone didn't, but more as a matter of being seen from further away. I've noticed, driving SH1 Auck-Wellington, it makes such a significant difference when cars have their lights on - they're just so much easier to spot from a distance.

I admit if everyone did it, it might not be so effective from a 'surprise' point of view (and it would be harder to pick out bikes from the crowd), but it does have other advantages.

Just my theory!

Don't know if Gremlin was distinguishing between in town and open road. I tend to drive (the cage) with lights on on the open road esp if going faster ... much safer for EVERYONE especially when opposing traffic is overtaking.

There's usually less traffic on the open road, so you'd stand out on the bike anyways... just my 2c..

[Motu]

Don't care one way or the other about lights on,fluro vests or any other visability aids - my biggest worry about people who do it is they also switch on in their mind...''ah,now the cars can see me!'' NO,it doesn't automaticly make you safe....ride with your lights on....as if they weren't on.

[SPman]

I normally try to ride with a fairly aggressive body posture on the bike and all facilities firing - trying to radiate a subtle hint of - "dont fuck with me!" .Road position - be aware of how the traffic around you is acting and modify your position accordingly....if you get a pestering prick trying to run over you, make obvious firm lane changes to establish that - THIS IS MY BIT OF ROAD SPACE. NOW FUCK OFF!
Only time I seem to have people pull out on me is when Ive been relaxed, or not concentrating fully on the traffic.

[Cookie]

Don't care one way or the other about lights on,fluro vests or any other visability aids - my biggest worry about people who do it is they also switch on in their mind...''ah,now the cars can see me!'' NO,it doesn't automaticly make you safe....ride with your lights on....as if they weren't on.

Dead right Motu.

My second day out on my current bike (which has the head light on automatically) a dizzy mum pulled out in front of me outside a supermarket FFS! She saw me when she finally decided to glance back in my direction and then parked herself halfway across both lanes.

I have had one other close call (idiot doing a right turn in front of me at traffic lights when I was going straight through).

Both times headlight on. Both times, a larger vehicle 10 or 15 metres in front of me. Both times I think the drivers brains "registered" the larger vehicle in front of me and then they simply stopped looking for anything else and pulled out.

Other newbies - if this has not happened to you yet, it is only a matter of time. Take care.

I am now thinking about maybe getting two extra riding lights, but for some idiots, I could have a flashing light on my helmet and a fluro tiger suit on and I am sure it would not make a difference - strap a Kenworth truck cab on the front now maybe that would help...

[Gremlin]

Don't know if Gremlin was distinguishing between in town and open road.

no, not really distinguishing between town and country at all. Then again, I haven't bothered getting a car/car license yet, so I guess I am just slightly biased

I never saw it as a matter of standing out because everyone didn't, but more as a matter of being seen from further away. I've noticed, driving SH1 Auck-Wellington, it makes such a significant difference when cars have their lights on - they're just so much easier to spot from a distance.

umm.... read again... that is actually all about standing out, just from someone elses eyes

Obviously, this is a free country, people are welcome to do as they wish. Me being motorcycle biased, I don't want cars using headlights in the day

[kro]

Good post dude, I agree, you should command your place on the road, you are a motorist, and have every right to be on the road, entirely within your lane, and not swept off to the side of the road, like a dead possum.

I see scooters riding in the gutter a lot, and it bugs me, especially if they are in a 50k area. Take your place on the road, and don't let those arrogant car drivers f#$k with you.

[Ixion]

I know of two cases where scooter/small bike riders were killed because of riding in the left gutter. DON'T DO IT , ANYONE. And if y'see someone doing it, tell 'em not to. Even a moped is entitled to it's place on the road.

As for visibility : I (sometimes) ride an enormous all white BMW RT. With a full fluoro jacket. And headlights AND running lights on. And a white helmet. I'm fairly sure I can easily be seen from the moon, with the naked eye. And still imbeciles tell me "Aww , sorry mate, diddn see ya ".