roadcraft

Apropos of the "Safe" thread...

Was in a taxi the other day. Heading along a 2 lane each way road
with the left lane tending to have parked cars along it so we were in
the right lane.

Coming up on the left was a side street with 2 cars moving, and obviously
intending to turn left into the street I was on. A bit ahead of the
side street was a parked car.

So I think OK, here comes car #1, he will come out, and immediately
change lanes to get past the parked car, plenty of room, no problem.

here comes #2, and there's not enough time for #2 to pull out in front
of us.

Now at this point I was thinking "must slow down or stop because that
car will pull out into me otherwise".

Which was the motorcyclist talking. The taxi driver kept on going,
serene in the knowledge that the other car wouldn't barge into him.

OK, it was a taxi so the driver is going to be a bit more likely to
take right of way, but it really showed me the difference between the
motorcyclist and the car driver. I naturally assumed that I wouldn't
be seen or that the car would barge in front of me, so I was expecting
the car I was in to slow down. Expecting to be 2nd class.

Because I'm a motorcyclist, if I don't they will hit me and blame me.

I'm a motorcyclist, I have to assume I'm invisible and that even if
they see me they'll assume I will give way or assume I'm not worth
bothering about.

Gives me the shits, because every time I do give way I cement that
mindset, but every time I give way I save myself the good chance of a
visit to the hospital.

Sigh.

Zebee

 

Heh heh, I bet a portable flashing blue light might improve their vision
(even if it is illegal). makes ya wonder if it wouldnt be an idea for bikes
to have one (say yellow) as a means of cutting down on the road toll.

 

The headlight modulator gets attention.
Illegal though. Alternative is to get a white bike.

justAL

 

My son has recently purchased a bike and "roadcraft" is a very difficult
skill to pass on - so far, so good and he seems to be learning very quickly
but, as they say [who are "they"?], it's not if you'll fall off, it's when
you'll fall off. I can only hope it relatively minor. I've enroled him in
a Stay Upright course but they don't come to Adelaide until May.....

I'm sure this sort of mental approach also makes motorcyclists better
drivers.

Cheers

Rob

 

Legal in ACT and VIC sir.
It's in the Road Safety(Vehicles) Regulations 1999, Section 77(3).
"A motorcycle may be fitted with a headlight modulation system that...."
And for the record, almost daily I see the results of people spotting my
white bike with the "flashing" headlight.
Oh, and in heavy rain I wear my old flouro yellow jacket (ex St John - all
badges off).
Home made LED tail light insert helps at night - they seem to keep their
distance when it lights up with a touch of the brakes.
Looking forward to making the GSPD just as visible.
RexT.

 

If Mohammed won't come to the mountain...

...what's stopping you from taking a few days off, booking a course in
Melbourne, and making a leisurely 4-5 day return trip of it?
(Time and resources permitting of course)

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

Even taxi drivers would notice a T-Rex coming towards them.

Theo

 

Guess the search for a name for the R100 is over.
Thanks Theo.

 

I stand corrected.
I think I'll wire one up as soon as I get the bike back!

Cheers Rex!

justAL

 

I carry a laminated copy of the section for that day when I get the "Blues &
Twos" for having a flashing headlight (most politely, of course).

You should also be prepared for cars pulling over to let you through
(I give them a Thank You wave and smile each time).

Of course you also get people who are dying to tell you that your
magneto/generator/alternator is on the blink, but a quick "thank you, bikes
are allowed to" works.

I can't sing the praises of that little device loud enough,
you will notice the second glances everywhere you go, other bikes, drivers
and even pedestrians.

Every bit helps when it comes to safety, I guess.
RexT,
Back up the Hume on Sunday.

 

Bugger! It is too! How come we never noticed!

http://tinyurl.com/yogu7q page 289.

(3) A motor cycle may be equipped with a headlight modulation
system that—
(a) varies the brightness of its high-beam headlight or
low-beam headlight, but not both, at a rate of at least
200 and at most 280 flashes a minute; and
(b) is designed to operate only in the daytime.

Cheers
Goaty
--
_--_|\ John Lamp - in beautiful downtown Highton
/ \ IRC: DoD#:1906 Ulysses#:10185 Vulcan Nomad
\_.--._/ http://www.gorider.cjb.net/ Phone: 0409 512 254
v mailto: Fax: 03 5227 2151

Hear no Evo, See no Evo, Fear no Evo

 

Do you carry a measuring device to measure the modulation to show that
your specific light modulator is compliant to the act? Don't you know
that it is not necessary to provide an immediate defence?

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

Eh?? They've been discussed in aus.moto a number of times over the
years. I can only actually remember seeing one bike in my life with a
modulator fitted.. and that would have been in the early 1990s. Can't
say I think much of them. As with the other discussion about dayglo
vests, I think if you find that other road users don't see you often
enough that you want to do something about it, getting a jacket or
flashing headlight to deal with that is like putting a band aid on your
finger to fix a broken leg.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

No, daft but not that daft.

Don't you know

True, but why have to go to some country magistrate when not required ?
All I need to do is gently point out that they are permitted - the average
copper
has never seemed to have heard of them - at least in Weston where I work.

 

Hi GB.

You're right, t'would upset the constabule, if handled wrong.
I think my approach would be very soft and most polite...

www.mcas.com.au $60

RexT
R80, R100gspd

 

If that's what I said, then you would be right, however that's not what
I said. I never said they were no good, so you look like the silly
monkey, again.

You obviously missed the point entirely.
Hint: Your finger isn't cut.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

You don't have to go to a magistrate either. Postman Pat delivers.

How often do you actually get stopped by the police because you have a
modulator fitted ?

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

Ah, (the education continues) so that's what happens...

Never, but just like carrying a First Aid kit and Tyre repair stuff,
I'm convinced that it will happen one day <G>

 

Point taken. Since my post the silly bugger has been pinged for BAC of
0.086 <sigh> So it may be irrelevant for the next 6 months....

Rob
--------------------
Moto Guzzi Norge (red) <--- had to put that in, picked up the new bike
yesterday!

 

WOOHOO!!!! New Bike ever!!!!

Congrats.