What is the best way to be noticed by cagers?

**Winston001** · 18th January 2009, 01:40

Can't help but notice the continuing theme about cars causing bike accidents. Certainly it happens. Naturally we don't like coming off second to a car, being penalised by ACC, and ignored by some of the public.

So what is the answer? My understanding is that high visibility vests aren't effective, headlights only slightly better, so there must be other options.

I can't quite grasp the normal motorists problem because I always notice bikes, but thinking about it, don't always see cyclists even in plain view. Hmmm my bad.

The only thing I can think of is one or two low-wattage pulsing lights, positioned at the end of handlebars or higher.

Somehow we need a motorcycle and rider to impinge on the car driver's conciousness. Telling each other that cagers should drive more carefully is a waste of breath. If wishes were horses we'd all be kings.......

**PirateJafa** · 18th January 2009, 02:15

~~Burn~~ Ram them.

**samgab** · 18th January 2009, 05:10

Ride nekk'd...

**jrandom** · 18th January 2009, 05:26

Falling off the bike seems to get their attention.

**The Stranger:Me** · 18th January 2009, 06:19

A white BMW and white helmet works - or a black harley, black leathers and a patch. Either one is just as effective.

Ever ridden with Ixion, he has the white option, cars fair fucken leap out of his way.

**SixPackBack** · 18th January 2009, 06:40

Assume you are invisible and every one wants to kill you-adjust your riding to suit this mind set...........do not get sucked in by the little old lady pulling out from kahikatea flats road who looks you straight in the eye then pulls out.
If all else fails the following image may help.

**Mystic13** · 18th January 2009, 07:15

At night run a led kit. They all see you.

The reason most don't see you is that they can't comprehend your blistering speed and acceleration. They're only used to car level performance.

Cage's will often comment that they didn't see us or we came out of nowhere. And we did for them. They don't see bikes often enough to be able to judge the speeds we travel at. Heck i've even been surprised by bikes zooming past that I didn't even see in my mirrors.

Flashing lights won't fix that but looking like a cop seems ton help dramatically as someone mentioned above. I've seen it with another rider where cars slow, and move aside. I prefer graphic helmets and coloured bikes so that'll never happen for me.

**Blackbird** · 18th January 2009, 07:40

I have 100W H7 Xenon bulbs on main and dip. The blue-white light REALLY makes car drivers take notice in daylight. From the time I first fitted them 4 years ago, it was obvious that drivers saw me much earlier. Coming up behind vehicles, they are pretty keen to move to the left and let me past because of the light in their mirrors. IMHO, it's the best safety move I've made.

**bikerboy011** · 18th January 2009, 07:57

Perhaps a louder exhaust than stock.

**SARGE** · 18th January 2009, 08:04

Originally Posted by Winston001

Can't help but notice the continuing theme about cars causing bike accidents. ....

i picked up a headlight modulator from the States.. that, combined with the exhaust note on the FJ gets me noticed quite well..not running one on the ace yet..

surprised the modulators are illegal here in NZ.. damn shame ..works well

rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 though..

**Bren** · 18th January 2009, 08:21

Originally Posted by SARGE

i picked up a headlight modulator from the States.. that, combined with the exhaust note on the FJ gets me noticed quite well..not running one on the ace yet..

surprised the modulators are illegal here in NZ.. damn shame ..works well

rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 though..

scuse me for being naive (read dumb cunt), but what do these modulators do?

**NUTBAR** · 18th January 2009, 08:23

Originally Posted by Mystic13

At night run a led kit. They all see you.

The reason most don't see you is that they can't comprehend your blistering speed and acceleration. They're only used to car level performance.

Cage's will often comment that they didn't see us or we came out of nowhere. And we did for them. They don't see bikes often enough to be able to judge the speeds we travel at. Heck i've even been surprised by bikes zooming past that I didn't even see in my mirrors.

one problem with that theory, when im traveling at 50km in a 50km area eg town area they still pull out in front of me? so whats there excuse then? im rideing a bike almost as wide as a car & two bright headlights, and yet still have people pull out?

**SARGE** · 18th January 2009, 08:26

Originally Posted by Bren

scuse me for being naive (read dumb cunt), but what do these modulators do?

they "flash" the lights 240 times a minuter ( dont actually cut power to them .. just modulate between hi and low beam)

ive run mine in traffic for 3 years and havnt replaced a bulb yet.. i am running a homemade relay to boot output too.. have had people refuse to ride in front of me without sunblock on their neck..

the reason( claimed) that they are not legal here is because someone *might* think you are an emergency vehicle

thats good though . right?

funny that they are DOT approved in North America.. i assume that the emergency vehicles use the same flash rate there

( any Ambos tell me how many times per minute yours flash?)

**Bren** · 18th January 2009, 08:26

Originally Posted by NUTBAR

one problem with that theory, when im traveling at 50km in a 50km area eg town area they still pull out in front of me? so whats there excuse then? im rideing a bike almost as wide as a car & two bright headlights, and yet still have people pull out?

that just comes down to the fact that they are bigger than you, and feel since they are bigger they have the right of way....Happens in cars too when you get those frikkin Remuera Taxis....Solution, Get your self a TANK!

**oldrider** · 18th January 2009, 08:32

Originally Posted by Winston001

Can't help but notice the continuing theme about cars causing bike accidents. Certainly it happens. Naturally we don't like coming off second to a car, being penalised by ACC, and ignored by some of the public.

So what is the answer? My understanding is that high visibility vests aren't effective, headlights only slightly better, so there must be other options.

I can't quite grasp the normal motorists problem because I always notice bikes, but thinking about it, don't always see cyclists even in plain view. Hmmm my bad.

The only thing I can think of is one or two low-wattage pulsing lights, positioned at the end of handlebars or higher.

Somehow we need a motorcycle and rider to impinge on the car driver's conciousness. Telling each other that cagers should drive more carefully is a waste of breath. If wishes were horses we'd all be kings.......

What is more important is that "we" see "them" and avoid "them"! (individual responsibility)

If we ride our own ride in a defensive manner, treat all other road users with respect, then we may "earn" some respect in return.

Motorcycles are a solitary device that appeals to the individualist within us, so why do so many clog up the roads by riding in large groups?

95% of my riding is on my own or with my pillion, any more than one or two other riders takes me right out of my comfort zone.

I ride a bike to be on my own, doing my own thing, going my own way!

I do like to meet up and socialise with other other riders though, it's theraputic medicine for me.

Personally I find most of the other traffic, on the open road anyway, treat motorcyclists with respect and move over to let you through.

Often you feel obliged to pass, just because they try to hard to let you through!

Another one of those Christian quotes springs to mind: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you"

My grandma would be proud, I did listen afterall.

John.