Moped v Motorcycle

**McJim** · 22nd November 2008, 12:52

I had a bastard pull out in front of me at 7:30am when I was on the way to work on my AD50. Problem is that I'm used to Brembo brakes and Marzocchi USD forks which can pull me up from 50kph pretty quickly and safely.

On the Scooter the front wheel locked, the suspension bottomed out and the chinese plastic tyre let go on the wet road dumping me on the tarmac to slide to a stop on my arse.

People HEAR me on the Ducati. They don't pull out in front of me but on the Scooter I really am invisible.

**MIXONE** · 22nd November 2008, 13:05

I agree with you mcjim.People HEAR you so no doubt at all the LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES.

**McJim** · 22nd November 2008, 13:07

Originally Posted by MIXONE

I agree with you mcjim.People HEAR you so no doubt at all the LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES.

D'you mean like this one?

:

**MIXONE** · 22nd November 2008, 13:25

Fark that's so loud it cracked the concrete!!
I bet it sounds good when you give it the berries.

**Forest** · 22nd November 2008, 13:30

A scientist in the UK did a study where they fitted bikes with electronics that measured the distance that passing motorists gave them on the road.

More details here and here.

One of the interesting results from the research was a set of measurements that showed that passing motorists gave cyclists less road clearance when they were wearing bicycle helmets, and more clearance when the cyclists were wearing female wigs.

The implication being that motorists react to the appearance of cyclists and make safety judgments based on their appearance.

Perhaps the same thing is happening when you ride your motorbike? I would suggest that motorists around you are seeing you as being more experienced than a moped rider, and are reducing their safety tolerances.

**slofox** · 22nd November 2008, 13:31

Originally Posted by McJim

.....but on the Scooter I really am invisible.

That's what happens when you ride a wind up bike......

**slofox** · 22nd November 2008, 13:33

Originally Posted by Forest

A scientist in the UK did a study where they fitted bikes with electronics that measured the distance that passing motorists gave them on the road.

More details here and here.

One of the interesting results from the research was a set of measurements that showed that passing motorists gave cyclists less road clearance when they were wearing bicycle helmets, and more clearance when the cyclists were wearing female wigs.

The implication being that motorists react to the appearance of cyclists and make safety judgments based on their appearance.

Perhaps the same thing is happening when you ride your motorbike? I would suggest that motorists around you are seeing you as being more experienced than a moped rider, and are reducing their safety tolerances.

I nominate Forest for this week's "Master of the Arcane" award....on the strength of this post and the stuff he put up on road surfaces earlier.....seconder please?

**Artifice** · 22nd November 2008, 15:17

i've never in my life heard a bike come up behind me loud pipes or not, whether in the cage or on the bike. however i've had the bejeezus scared out of me when a bike with open pipes has passed me too closely. the only place i could see loud pipes being a bonus is if a cage is pulling out of a side road on a blind corner, just maybe they'll have the window down and the sterio off. honestly i think you'r better off wearing a wig and day glo helmet. a pastel coloured race suit with some fancy serif and maybe a bit of padding in front would certainly make you more noticable than a loud pipe.

**MIXONE** · 22nd November 2008, 15:26

Have to disagree.Whilst riding the Summit Road in Chchur one day I had a stupid german tourist step out in front of me because she didn't see or hear me.One slip on later and I see people ahead looking around for the source of the noise.That's just one example of many over the 40 odd years I've been riding.

**kermit63** · 22nd November 2008, 15:33

I ride both my Daytona 675 and my wife's Aprilia 250 scooter.

675 sports bike - sports riding position, full face helmet, power to scare me s**tless, so I'm a very safe and sensible rider and sit in the line of traffic unless it's stopped and there's plenty of room between the lanes.

250 scooter - sitting upright + open face helmet = loads better visibility and time to see things happen. Also, I find the power more manageable round town and I am one of those hoons chopping in and out of lanes, charging up to the front of the queue etc, etc. No one is more surprised by this jeckyll and hyde transformation than me - it is fun though.

Either way, I've never noticed people being "out to get me". When I go out cycling however, it's a completely different story. Then I feel exposed and got at.

**Fatt Max** · 22nd November 2008, 15:45

Blimey, some great observations and comments you guys.

Thanks for taking the time to write on this one, appreciate as always the wise words.

Behaviour, attitude and appearance seem to be the things to work with.

Right then, it's beer O'clock, go the Kiwis in the league.....

**dpex** · 22nd November 2008, 16:45

Don't know what all the fuss is about. A 250cc is just a SLIGHTLY BIGGER scooter.

**Pogo2** · 22nd November 2008, 18:40

Originally Posted by renegade master

Ive never noticed this "cars are tying to kill me" thing. Sure there have been some stupid drivers doing stupid things - but no more than when i am in a car or walking or push biking it.

The best tool is "situational awareness". Just because a bike with "fit in there" doesn't mean its a good place to put it. I'm sure some riders look ahead as far as the beam on their headlight and don't spend alot of time searching for trouble.

Lack of indication and lane changes seem to be the most common offence I see.