Interesting article

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/street_savvy/122_1010_watch_your_back/index.html

R

I've been hit from behind before. I was stopped in traffic on my 1986 Honda 450 Rebel, an 85 year old man driving a 76 Chevy Nova hit me while I was stopped. Went helmet first into the back of the Van that I was stopped behind. He said he saw me but it took him too long to get his foot off the gas and onto the brakes. Luckily my injuries were not too bad, the bike was totaled though.

Lessons I learned that day:

1. Flash your brake lights while coming to a stop and keep flashing them while stopped. Engine braking does not light up your tail light, so the car behind you probably won't realize you're even stopping. People notice flashing lights quicker than they see steady lights.

2. Never put the bike into neutral at a stop unless you're sure the next three cars behind you are stopped.

3. Never stop directly behind another vehicle. Stop at least 10 feet behind it and look in your mirrors. If the car behind you is not stopping you have the ability (you're in first gear remember) to quickly go around the vehicle in front of you and get out of the way -either between lanes or onto the shoulder or even onto someone's lawn if you have to.

4. Seeing as how I hit the back of that van face first, I'm glad I was wearing a full face helmet and I will never wear anything less.

-Sloppy

My 90 year old father would still be driving if I hadn't reported him years ago. He was blowing red lights and four way stops. Thinks he's a better than average driver even though he's always been an aggressive, rather than a defensive driver.

If you're looking in the rear view mirror and the oncoming driver has white hair, you can't see their head above the headrest, they are doing 20 mph below the speed limit, and are lane splitting in a Cadillac DeVille, get out of there fast!

Excellent reminder, thanks Ron. I can't believe that meth-head mowed down 10 bikers before hitting the breaks. What the hell is in that stuff!?

At this point I don't think Armmagedon could keep that dude off a bike. A 10 month coma then losing 4 friends in a crash he was involved in? What a trooper man...

Excellent reminder, thanks Ron.

At this point I don't think Armmagedon could keep that dude off a bike. A 10 month coma then losing 4 friends in a crash he was involved in? What a trooper man...

^X2. I'm with you Mike...10 months in a coma and I'd probably hang up my helmet.
I remember reading about that accident about a year ago...in fact I think someone on here posted a link about it. Since then I keep one eye on the rear view mirrors when stopped. Scary.

I remember a suggestion that someone made, to stop at a light with your bike pointing to an escape route between rows of cars. Keep one mirror aligned so you can monitor any traffic approaching from the rear. And ALWAYS keep the bike in first gear while waiting at a light. The time it takes to shift into gear, to make an escape, could cost you your life.

Now that I think about it, I sometimes have to kick into neutral at a stop to rest my hand. Just means I'll have to get the levers with the adjustable tensions. I have no problem looking it up but I don't have internet in my new place yet (I'm at work right now). Anyone have a link they can shoot me?

I remember a suggestion that someone made, to stop at a light with your bike pointing to an escape route between rows of cars. Keep one mirror aligned so you can monitor any traffic approaching from the rear. And ALWAYS keep the bike in first gear while waiting at a light. The time it takes to shift into gear, to make an escape, could cost you your life.

I always do this and it has saved me a few times from distracted drivers. I wait until there are several cars stopped behind me before I kick into neutral.