Kawasaki VN750 Forum banner

Never fails...

3K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  rsavant 
#1 ·
Two lane road I'm going straight doing about 25mph....lady pulls out in front of me ('corse I'm on the Vulcan) then s l o w s to turn left after maybe 30 feet!!!:confused:
 
#2 · (Edited)
Since we can not control what others do on the road, and only what we do, here is a helpful video (Crash Course - The SMIDSY): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQBubilSXU

Here is an accompanying article.

Protection from other drivers (SMIDSY)

Just over one third of all motorcycle crashes are single vehicle crashes where you can only blame yourself or road conditions. But if you are in a crash with another vehicle, the chances are high that it will be the fault of the other driver. Research into motorcycle crashes shows that the other driver is at fault in up to 70% of motorcycle crashes with other vehicles (RTA, 2002).

In many of these crashes the driver will say they simply didn’t see the motorcycle until it was too late. (Sorry Mate I Didn’t See You – SMIDSY).

The situation may be getting worse. In the past, the driving landscape was made up of 95% cars and station wagons. The increasing proportion of taller vehicles has changed the landscape so it is harder to see and be seen across traffic. This is particularly a problem for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

What can you do to protect your self?

In a recent survey of NSW drivers, 55% reported having at least one experience of having seen a motorcyclist only at the last minute when they were changing lanes. This confirms our experience but what is more worrying is that only 6% of these same drivers nominated changing lanes as a time when they should watch out for motorcycles (Benton, 2002).

Other research has found that drivers who are unfamiliar with motorcycles are significantly more likely to have a crash with a motorcycle (Hurt, Ouellet & Thom, 1981, Brookes & Guppy, 1990). This means that people who do not ride, or know someone else who rides, are more likely to crash into a motorcycle.

Motorcycle awareness programs for drivers are essential, but it is also up to you to “stack the deck” in your favour.

Do what ever you can to draw their attention.

What you wear can make a difference some of the time. You need to be within the other driver’s line of vision and your clothing must stand out against the background.

In one recent NZ study, riders wearing any reflective or fluorescent clothing had a 37% lower risk than other riders. Riders wearing white helmets had a 24% lower risk than those wearing black helmets. The study was conducted in mainly urban areas of Auckland (Wells et al, 2004).

By comparison, a summary of European research into safety measures for motorcyclists concluded that florescent clothing is effective during daylight, but not against a bright background. They also found that retroflective clothing gives little improvement at night (Noordzij et al, 2001).

Day time headlights may also help but again, only if they make you stand out against the rest of the traffic. In the NZ study, riders with lights on during the day had a 27% lower risk.

Size does appear to make a difference. Small motorcycles have a smaller profile and are even less visible from the front or rear. You need all the help you can get to stand out.

  • Do not ever assume they have seen you.
  • Learn to recognise each vehicle’s blind spot and stay out of them.
  • Do not weave between lanes in moving heavy traffic.
  • Try to stay long enough in each driver’s rear vision mirror to make sure they have seen you before you move on.
  • Use your horn to draw attention if you think you haven't been seen.
  • Move within your lane to improve your chance of being seen.
  • When riding in traffic and your lane is moving freely but the lane beside you has slowed or stopped, watch out for impatient drivers suddenly moving into your lane.

Source
 
#3 ·
Went for a long ride in the country yesterday, on the return leg I was approaching an intersection where a school bus was stopped. The woman driver watched me approach, waited until I was about 100 feet away and then pulled out. I had the high beam on and was wearing a hi viz vest so I know she saw me. I flipped her the bird, she just smiled and waved. Biatch! Maybe her ex split with a biker chick or something so she hates bikes. Also saw the pinnacle of "slob hunting" but that's another story.
 
#4 ·
omg you cry too much damn

and tests have been done that show high viz gear actually doesnt work as good at night

i would have tried using a side to side movement to make the bus saw me
 
#5 ·
Cry too much? WTF? Where did you get I was riding at night? It was about 4:30 in the afternoon.
 
#6 ·
it was a joke man and i could have swore you said night time but i was wrong

close calls happen every day but for me the more i ride the less they happen because i constantly read the people around me i know when some dumb ass isnt paying attention or when some idiot is going to jump out in front of me for no apparent reason

statistics show that most accidents involving a cage and a bike is the cages fault however i disagree we should all realize that people in cages are dumb asses expecially the ones who dont know jack sheit about bikes so it is our fault if we let one of them hit us because we are not paying attention just my opinion
 
#7 ·
That's always been my battle plan ... "Remember at all times every other vehicle on the road is only there to try and kill you.."

So when they do try ....you only have yourself to blame for not anticipating it.

And yes it seems the more I ride the less actual asswipes I encounter.
 
#8 ·
I use the smidsy manuveer every time i ride.i also ride like every one is trying to killm,cause they are.but then again,i also sleep with a loaded. shotgun...
 
#9 ·
The smidsy maneuver?
 
#10 ·
Read my nice long post above. I even included a video...
 
#12 ·
When I ride I assume the paradox that, 1. I am invisible to all other road users and 2. All other road users can sense where I am and want to kill me, but will often try and leave it 'till the last moment.
 
#13 ·
Actually, I did skim over the article I just missed the "smidsy" part. Just re read it, good article. Thanks.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top