Riding in a Cagers blindspot

[Indiana_Jones]

I just pretend that Ray Charles is everywhere, behind the wheel, crossing the road, chasing a ball :sly:

-Indy

[pete376403]

Latest "Two Wheels" (with MV Ago on cover) notes that "Volvo have launched "BLIS" - BLind spot Identifiaction System as an option. Used two digital cameras, and computer software to recognise presence of another vehicle or bike in the drivers blind spot. Will add $1200 to the cost of the car" TW also notes that drivers could simply adjust the mirrors and turn their heads... see also http://www.mynrma.com.au/blis.asp

[Holy Roller]

Even with ones headlight on full and the driver being aware that you are there is no comfort as drivers tend to cut corners on windy hilly roads. I followed a cage up one side of the Rotoma's and when a passing place came up the cage driver just cut the corner as I was passing him forcing me into the loose stuff on the righthand side of the road Later he mentioned that he had seen me behind him and indicate to pass but as was his habit to cut that paticular corner he forgot that I was there until my horn woke him up to the fact that I was beside him.
One needs to treat every other road user as if they are out to get ya.

[F5 Dave]

The reason they see you but ‘don’t see you’ is you don’t present much of a threat.

If you were a truck they would SEE you. If you were a Hells Angel back in the 70s they would SEE you. If you were a Traffic Cop on a Bike they would SEE you.

[Hooks]

The reason they see you but ‘don’t see you’ is you don’t present much of a threat.

If you were a truck they would SEE you. If you were a Hells Angel back in the 70s they would SEE you. If you were a Traffic Cop on a Bike they would SEE you.

EEEggggzacary !!.... what we need to do is start a nationwide campaign that states that if they move over we will retaliate .... the look out for bikes campaign never did much ... so lets try a more pro-active one !!

[MSTRS:Me]

I'm buying shares in the replacement mirror & panelbeating industries. Retirement here I come

[SlashWylde]

There's a couple of elements to this:

First, all humans suffer from selective awareness. We all have a subconcious prioritised list of things we expect to see and watch out for. Motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians just aren't up there. This is why a cager can look straight at you then calmly change lanes into the space you are occupying. Their eyes have seen you but the information has been rejected by the brain because it wasn't a priority on the list - assuming it was there at all. A good example of this is bikers and cyclists who get hit in bus lanes, they weren't on the mental list 'cause the cagers were looking for big buses (which can hurt them) not bikes which are 'just a nuisance' - assuming they were looking for anything at all.

Second, try this sometime you are out on a ride with your wife/GF/buddy: Find a nice empty stretch of carpark, stop the bike and straddle it engine off. Get wife/GF/buddy to step to your left by about 2 meters then walk away behind you in a straight line parallel to your wheel track whilst you look in your mirror. Get them to drop a marker on the ground when they dissapear from your mirror. Continue on till they reappear in mirror - drop another marker. Repeat on RHS of bike.

Next, turn around and prepare to be amazed at the amount of space occupied by that rectangle marked out on the ground.

Just shows how important those inclined head-flicks are to check the ole blind spot.

[thehollowmen]

The reason they see you but ‘don’t see you’ is you don’t present much of a threat.

If you were a truck they would SEE you. If you were a Hells Angel back in the 70s they would SEE you. If you were a Traffic Cop on a Bike they would SEE you.

Maybe we should import some C90's airsoft guns and strap them to our chests as we ride ....?

Also the stainless BBs might be useful to take out windows...

(disclaimer, I'm just taking the shit here)

[Clockwork]

I used to read a UK biker site where they were continually bitching about the enforcement of strict noise regulations and how they felt the after-market exhausts made them safer. For the last twelve months I've been riding a 1000cc twin with Two Brothers after-market pipes.... I commute into Wellington daily and can say I can't recall ever being cut up by anyone.......... there may be a connection.

[FROSTY:Me]

well all good feedback-sounded really good -Untill some fuckwit pulled a U turn right in front of me today. I had eye contact with the guy. I had headlight on and i was doing the speed limit. Still he just pulled his uey
I found out just how fast my reactions can be and just how good XJ900 brakes can be when they have to be.
Sure sure its just another car V bike story-- But My front wheel ended up buried in his passenger door -Damged nasty dent that. -No bamage to the bike but He's up for a decent panelbeating bill.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Always ride as if a car driver has no vision whatsoever. Then you won't be surprised when it does run you over.

Does being unsurprised help significantly?

[Monsterbishi]

Gotta say, as far as Blindspots go, the huge ears that my YZF has for wingmirrors give a full field of view...

And I think there should be a law change requiring all bikes to have at least semi-loud exhausts for safety reasons!

[dhunt]

I don't have any blind spots on my bike, the whole thing is a bit of a blind spot behind me, Only time I can really see well behind me is mid corner, so I have to turn my head to really see anything. Stupid aftermarket mirrors that look better than orginals.

[Mongoose]

I used to read a UK biker site where they were continually bitching about the enforcement of strict noise regulations and how they felt the after-market exhausts made them safer. For the last twelve months I've been riding a 1000cc twin with Two Brothers after-market pipes.... I commute into Wellington daily and can say I can't recall ever being cut up by anyone.......... there may be a connection.

Unless your zorst is meggy loud it would make no difference, the noise is behind you and not heard by a cage driver, specially with the windows up and the CD playing.

[James Deuce]

Does being unsurprised help significantly?

Once more you have earned your epithet, O Most Observant one.

Actually it does. I find I break fewer bones when I relax, instead of tensing up. If I take the impact in a "Meh" state of mind I usually bounce better.