Pay attention while driving

[BlueWater]

I’m thinking you ride a BMW? Nice bikes!

Forum Boss: I like BMWs, but my main ride is a 20-year-old Honda ST1100. This was actually the last 2-wheeled machine for which Soichiro Honda (company founder) was the actual project director. Consequently there are very, very few faults. Engine is very easy to work on (6.3 gallon gas tank is UNDER seat -- what looks like a tank is a fiberglass cover), the mirror placement is ideal. Longitudinal V4 is extremely smooth.


View attachment 1291184

This ST1100 design first came out in 1990! If Honda simply updated this 31-year-old design with a better, adjustable windscreen, fuel injection, and Navigation, this would still be better than any other middle-weight touring bike sold today. Honda did produce the later ST1300 with FI and adjustable windscreen, but otherwise it is not as good as the ST1100 in my opinion. Riding position and handling are better on the older, lighter ST1100.

^ Probably my favorite motorcycle of all time. That original Honda ST1100.

Never did get one because it's several inches too tall for me. And being a heavier bike ... well, best not to tempt the gravity gods. But, amazing handling for something so large, nice and smooth (almost flickable, of the larger bikes), and easy controls to get used to. Loved it, whenever my buddy offered up a ride.

Did a Yamaha Virago instead, the under-powered 750. But it was a great relaxing ride, that one. A dog up the nearby mountains, when carrying the least load, but otherwise pretty nice.

Back when most people on the roads were actually tolerant of other drivers. Back when George Carlin was still waxing eloquent about "those" types of drivers.

Those were the days ...

 

[snert]

I live near the Wexford/Cranberry PA area. More millionaires than I can shake a stick at. Seems the guys all drive Mercedes, Jags, Bentleys. The trophy wives, the ones with the plastic parts and gold plated toenails, all of em driving Escalades, Mariners, Land Rovers, boxy Mercedes G machines. And they all have a phone stuck to the side of their face. They have dents and scrapes all over the rocker panels, lower bumpers, scuffed tires and wheels. In winter it is hilarious to see a 125K SUV with bald tires. They buy the biggest fastest and stupidest vehicle they can find and drive it like its a mini Cooper. I see them hit dividers, curbs, poles, guardrails and off course, rear ending other cars cause they go so damn fast but can't stop cause they are looking at the phone and TV, not driving.

6000 pounds driven by the mental equivalent of a Dachsund yapping on a cell phone. Lord have mercy.

 

[Intheshop]

Snert,20 something years ago I built a pnuematic/hydraulic 3 axis wheel straightening machine to use on M/C wheels.... works great.

Also,over the last few years have straightened 3 of the wheels on the wife's hotrod Subaru's(admittedly,very low aspect tires).It isn't the process or time it took fixing her wheels.............. what always pi$$ed me off was, she "can't remember" WTF she hit?

 

[PRR1957]

In the Metro Detroit area and the northern parts, the biggest menace on the roads are the city cops, sheriffs, and State police who drive at insane speeds to respond to a minor fender bender.

Oh yeah, also the idiots with a cellphone to right ear which somehow causes a paralysis inhibiting the head from turning to look to the right while driving.

Side view mirrors. We don’t need no stinking side view mirrors.

 

[rjtfroggy]

If all of you want to experience driving (excluding big rig drivers) try driving a fire truck or engine to or from a emergency call. This vehicle turns most others into nascar drivers, they try to beat you where ever you are going. Pull to the right-forget it, slow down yea right.
I rode or drove one for 21 years and I don't think I could count how many times I came close to getting hit either stepping off or driving. 37 thousand lbs. does not stop easily.
I was also a Harley rider and to be honest I usually felt safer on my bike than I did driving the fire engine, and only by the grace of God I never had an accident.
Retired now, drive much slower, no hurry to get anywhere, no more driving in lousy weather unless I choose too, life is much better.

 

[KMart]

I live near the Wexford/Cranberry PA area. More millionaires than I can shake a stick at. Seems the guys all drive Mercedes, Jags, Bentleys. The trophy wives, the ones with the plastic parts and gold plated toenails, all of em driving Escalades, Mariners, Land Rovers, boxy Mercedes G machines. And they all have a phone stuck to the side of their face. They have dents and scrapes all over the rocker panels, lower bumpers, scuffed tires and wheels. In winter it is hilarious to see a 125K SUV with bald tires. They buy the biggest fastest and stupidest vehicle they can find and drive it like its a mini Cooper. I see them hit dividers, curbs, poles, guardrails and off course, rear ending other cars cause they go so damn fast but can't stop cause they are looking at the phone and TV, not driving.

6000 pounds driven by the mental equivalent of a Dachsund yapping on a cell phone. Lord have mercy.

BUT
they most likely had drivers training
have a valid ID
have a drivers license
have insurance
and don't bail out of their vehicle trying to hide from the police when they have an accident.

 

[KMart]

We could remove 70% of the drivers that are on the road simply by taking automatic transmissions out of autos and installing standard transmissions.

 

[Adam in WI]

Only 70 percent?

 

[KMart]

Only 70 percent?

That is a safe guess. Anything over that would be a bonus.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Oh to have a 3 speed pick up again

 

[Rick H.]

Some of you have the right ideas and some not so much. Many times when a cop responds to a crash they have no idea what the circumstances really are at the scene. The usual call goes something like this," Unit 42 respond to a 10-50 (vehicle crash) at location, injuries unknown. So the officer has no real idea what he/she is responding to. Could be a simple property damage crash or there could be bodies laying all over the street. If it's a bad crash or near fatal one and it's your wife or mother is involved how would you want them to respond, slow or fast? From what I have seen in my area the law enforcement response to situations is the least of our problems. Lest not we forget that many drivers don't know, or forget, how they should react to the approach of an emergency vehicle which really complicates matters.

To Hi-Vis or not to Hi-Vis, that is the question. I don't care for Hi-Vis clothing and never have. The thrill and effect has gone out of it for the most part. When Hi-Vis clothing came out it was great. People weren't used to seeing it and they noticed it. Now several years later Hi-Vis has become innocuous and just blends in with everything else. For those that think Hi-Vis clothing on a motorcycle really works try this. Put your Hi-Vis gear on and park your bike with the headlight engaged about 500' away from an observer. Stay on the bike and ask the observer what they see. If it's a bike with a windshield and fairing they aren't going to see much when the bike is facing them. Now put the bike in motion at say 50 or 60 mph and see what happens. Hi-Vis clothing does work to some extent from the side, or rear, but by that time the danger of having someone pull out on a motorcycle rider is long gone. Remember too that Hi-Vis gear gets dirty fast and really should be replaced often to stay effective. Never rely on Hi-Vis gear to keep you out of Harm's Way. Unfortunately Hi-Vis material is far too common today as every construction worker, public safety officer and parking lot attendant is wearing it, yet people swear by it. I'll never understand this false belief.

Besides all the hoopla about poor drivers and cell phones and such urban areas have the bigger problem of stolen vehicles and car thieves. In my area alone something 30 to 50 cars per day are stolen and stolen easily and quickly. Some are stolen for residual market purposes, but many are stolen for kicks and joy rides. The last group are the most dangerous because they don't give a da** about anything. They think it's great fun to drive as fast as they can and rush red lights playing a game of Chicken as we used to call it. The city is contemplating installing red light cameras as a way to stop such nonsense, but that is only going to add to the problem. If some idiot is driving a stolen car what does he care about a red light camera? He won't get the ticket, the car owner will get it. So now the stolen car owner will have the added trouble of getting the tickets dismissed. Clueless bureaucrats. Wrong cure at the wrong time. This problem didn't just magically appear, it has been coming for a long time. The police have done their job, but the courts have not, nor have those that make laws and punishment. They continually look for easy outs to reduce the court work load, or convince wrong doers that their illegal activity isn't appropriate by giving them a slap on the wrist, or no slap at all. Justice delayed is justice denied and doesn't correct the problem. How many times does a cop have to give someone a ticket before the realization should hit that this isn't working? Usually when that realization hits home it is after someone is killed. If these bad guys were shooting a firearm randomly down the street they would be dealt with harshly (maybe) and quickly, but because they are simply stealing cars and pushing a 3,000 pound cannon ball down the street it's no big deal right?

Remember too that Covid and the social call for change has almost completely changed the face of law enforcement today. It's is so much easier to stay out of trouble as a cop if you just handle your calls, no more no less. Don't go out looking for traffic violators or you may find out just how much support your department or employer gives you. It's much easier to fire a cop than it is to deal with a law suit or worse. So can you blame the individual officer for wanting to maintain a low profile? Simply put, stay off the radar screen and keep your job. In the current social climate to do otherwise is professional suicide. If you doubt my words all you have to do is look at the limitations many cities and municipalities are placing on their LEO's. They don't want them stopping traffic law violators for "minor" infractions, yet they don't completely define just what a minor infraction is. Is speeding a minor infraction? Is running a red light or stop sign a minor infraction? What about driving one of 30 to 50 stolen cars per day? Is that a minor infraction? And God Forbid the person the cop decides to stop decides to run, now what? What if the reason for the stop was a red light violation that may or may not be a minor infraction as defined by the municipality? Do you see where this is going??

We as a society have created this mess and there isn't any easy solutions. You can blame the police or cell phones or what ever you want, but until there are some clear guidelines on how we handle those that ignore our laws we are urinating in the wind. There is an old saying that you reap what you sow. We have long ignored what has been a train heading towards us and it has arrived like it or not. This last year or so has really been the perfect storm and it's only going to get worse for many reasons.

Rick H.

 

[snert]

BUT
they most likely had drivers training
have a valid ID
have a drivers license
have insurance
and don't bail out of their vehicle trying to hide from the police when they have an accident.

yup!

 

[Forum Boss]

Quote: Now several years later Hi-Vis has become innocuous and just blends in with everything else.

Forum Boss: Not true at all. I have witnessed the difference in how cars see me, particularly in their mirrors. In California at least, my home state, where lane-splitting is legal, Hi-Viz makes a huge difference day in and day out (and I ride 3-4 days a week).

With Hi-Viz , cars maintain distance better, allow lane-splitting WAY WAY more conscientiously, cross-over into my lane way, way less.

Oh, and I have had people at stop signs actually roll down their windows, give a "thumbs up" and say "That bright jacket really helped me notice you."

Quote: Remember too that Hi-Vis gear gets dirty fast and really should be replaced often to stay effective.

Not necessarily. Here is me in my 7-year-old Olympia Hi-Viz Jacket.
To keep it clean, I simply rinse it off with soap in the shower.
This is a cellphone photo. No photoshop.
The yellow is converting ultraviolet into visible light and that's one reason it is so bright.



Quote: Never rely on Hi-Vis gear to keep you out of Harm's Way. Unfortunately Hi-Vis material is far too common today as every construction worker, public safety officer and parking lot attendant is wearing it, yet people swear by it. I'll never understand this false belief.

It is NOT a false belief at all. I swear by it because when I wore black I had two near crashes from people jamming over into my lane without signaling (or looking in their mirrors) -- all within a four-mile stretch on a single ride! Other drivers do definitely notice me more with bright gear.

It certainly is not a panacea (other drivers can still ignore you) , but everything I have seen in 46 years (and 200,000+ miles) of riding says Hi-Viz jackets and helmets help you get noticed.

You only have one life. The motorcyclist is not protected in a 3000-lb vehicle shell like a car/truck driver. Even a small car-to-bike contact can result in a fall, crash, and serious injury or death. If you can reduce that risk by even a small margin, by using bright clothes, you should do so.

Oh as just one more data point, minutes ago I was driving my car up the street on which I live. From a full block away I saw ONE guy working in a residential garage, wearing a bright yellow Hi-Viz coat. When I was maybe 40-45 yards away, then I realized there were TWO workers, standing side by side. The other guy was wearing a blue-grey sweatshirt and dark grey pants. The difference in visibility was VERY significant, particularly since there was not bright sunlight in the garage.

 

[snert]

Chevrolet came out in the 1990s with a great paint for cars. I call it "eastern pavement". They called it silver or metallic grey. Whole cars get absorbed in the background of pavement. Excellent camo for a moving 4000 pound car.

 

[joshb]

Be safe out there, people. I hate posting this, but it may help save someone by reminding them to pay extra attention on the roads. On November 18, 2012, my son and his wife were killed by an 18 wheeler. I have never found out who was at fault. It doesn’t really matter in my mind. I just tell everybody to look twice and be careful. Please.

 

[Forum Boss]

One other point to consider -- ALL humans loose night vision ability as they get into their senior years. By this time some reach 70 it is like they are wearing dark glasses, compared to a 20-year-old. Additionally, reaction time is longer, and peripheral vision gets worse. But the darkening at night is a BIG deal.

SEE: https://www.idrivesafely.com/defensive-driving/trending/senior-drivers-need-more-light-drive-safely

Problems with Aging Eyes​

As we age, our pupils decrease in size and don't dilate as dramatically in darker conditions, making it more difficult to see clearly at night. By about age 60, the human eye requires three times more light to see than at age 20. This normal decline in vision makes driving at dusk and in dark conditions more challenging for seniors. For some drivers, the effect could be as severe as wearing sunglasses while driving at night.

The cornea also clouds as the eye ages, scattering light and making older drivers sensitive to glare. This makes things like reflective road signs, the glare of streetlights on wet pavement, or headlights of oncoming vehicles harder to manage. [Many older people also develop cataracts with noticeable bad effects at night.]

Drivers over 60 should have a Vehicle with the best headlights available. I rate HID high beam and low beam #1 followed by an array of LEDs. LEDs are generally cheaper to replace.

Honda Accord LEDs


You can help your existing Halogen headlights by a bulb upgrade and by cleaning/polishing the lens covers. That cleaning can make a BIG difference.

 

[snert]

Be safe out there, people. I hate posting this, but it may help save someone by reminding them to pay extra attention on the roads. On November 18, 2012, my son and his wife were killed by an 18 wheeler. I have never found out who was at fault. It doesn’t really matter in my mind. I just tell everybody to look twice and be careful. Please.

Josh,

I did not know this. Brother, I have a whole new deeper appreciation for you right now. May God bring you a deeper peace in this season.
Parker

 

[jimmymac]

A couple of the posts have been insightful. Bitching about distracted drivers then answering that with aggressive driving on your own part solves nothing. Round and round we go.