Today's lesson = MIRRORS

[ManDownUnder]

They're not farken painted on
They're an essential piece of kit on your bike for a reason
Adjust the farken things them so you can see what's behind you
Check the farken things regularly

This message inspired 24ZKK of the NW motorway... who ever you may be...

[Grub]

{Grub waits expectantly}

[Taz]

Jeez bro...... sorry

[ManDownUnder]

Serious post this time - alluded to in my previous post, check 'em when you can and please be considerate to anyone behind you as well as in front.

There's a lot of danger found in someone else on a bike sitting behind you waiting to pass...

Consider this - they're being considerate by not just shouldering their way though. They could - it's easy. The question and concern in their mnibnd is probably that it's:
1) Dangerous
2) Rude
3) Unclear how long you've been riding so they're not sure you're going to handle it ok if the do need to blip on past

Return the favour
Be considerate, at the next sensible opportunity, pull out of their way, and signal them past. I personally use my hand and just wave them through.

There are always going to be people that spit or travel faster than you. It's not an affront to your manhood, it's simply a difference of opinion on how fast they can safey spilt/ride.

My advice - DON'T take the moral high ground and decide for them. Frustrate any motorist long enough and they'll do something potentially dangerous if needs be to get past. If they get hurt doing so - that was their choice.... but if YOU get hurt in the process you have to shoulder a part of that yourself.

Mirrors - use the farken things!

[Trudes]

I had someone pass me in my lane on the motorway yesterday, I was doing about 120, he was way behind me then next minute I don't see him in my mirrors any more because he is right beside me. I saw him and moved over a bit as I was riding alongside a car in a passing maneuver, then realised he was trying to stop a boyracer from trying to squeeze in between him, me and the other rider with us... interesting stuff. Just remember if you fly up on someone and travel too close, they may not actually see you in their mirrors any more. (Yes it was my hubby, still......)

[Swoop]

Yup.
MDU, there does seem to be an increase of blind-bikers on the NW recently...
The weather is improving and so we are seeing the seasonal riders appearing from their hibernation...

[Lissa]

Was doing a left turn yesterday at an intersection, a bike came up right beside me on my right and turned left right in front of me. Never saw him in my mirrors as he must have been right beside me for a while, and only just noticed him as he turned in front of me. Think its a bit rude and irresponsible actually, he could have waited until I turned before passing me. I have no problem with letting people pass me, and I always pull out of peoples way so they can pass, but only on straights, not on friggin corners.

[Hitcher]

On some bikes I've ridden the mirrors have been purely decorative. Either rear view has been totally obscured by my waif-like carcass, or they have vibrated to buggery and back, reducing any rearward view to an incoherent blur. Kawasakis are good at the former, and Suzukis the latter.

[slimjim]

gee's what's behind is whats there ... fucked if i pay much attention .. to be honest, rather turn the head and check, otherwise would need a wider set of bars or a longer set of mirror shafts i like looking at my shoulders .. i see the bug's hitting

nope .. i really do pay more attention to where's i'm going rather than where's i've been ..

[Taz]

I have 2 street bikes. One's German and the mirrors work. One's Italian and the mirrors are ornaments.

[Murray]

I thought the mirrors on Harley's were so the riders could look at themselves and see how cool they are??????

[buellbabe]

The Buell mirrors are good but I am about to replace them with some sexy wee Aprilia ones that will probably be FARKIN useless...I am a bit concerned but will just deal with it cos I always check over my shoulder anyway! Mindyou if they are too pathetically useless then I'll sigh and put the lollypops back on...

Some peeps only have a right hand mirror on their bikes...how does THAT work on a 3 lane highway... I guess they must be vigilant at looking over their shoulders eh?

[yungatart]

Use them for looking in, you mean? What a novel idea!
Umm, where do I hang my handbag now tho?

[dpex]

Mr Yamaha, when he designed the 600 said, 'Glasshopper, the lefrection of your behind is as impotent as the view ahead, unress you rook. And so, glasshopper, on this machine I will give you a proper view,'

And so he did. In my mirrors, which get my attention every 60 seconds or so, I can see all but about 3M directly behind me.

However, sometimes during the moment of overtaking excitement, I fail to look in the mirror till I'm into the overtake. Then I look, Then I remember I didn't look. Then I image some serious speedster on a bike which wasn't logged onto my rear mental pic just a minute ago, but who arrived at a gazillion miles and hour, making his bike have sex with mine.

Gawd, but I have so much to learn! :--(((

Are we all wearing black arm-bands on Saturday, to show our respect for a biker committing himself to the the living death of marriage?

[James Deuce]

Yes, "arm" bands are a good idea. I know where I'm wearing mine.

Poor bloke.