Keep your eyes open

[Rickster]

Wow, other drivers sure arn't expecting to see bikes out on the road yet this year. It got up to 40* here in St Paul yesterday so I just had to take the Strom out for a little spin. I only did about 10 miles, and in that short distance, I had 2 cars start to pull out in-front of me before they realized I was a close motorcycle, and not a distant car.
The highways arn't bad, but the side streets are a mess, lots of sand at all the intersections. We need some rain. I expect it will take me a bit longer than usual to start feeling confident this year, getting rear-ended last fall is still playing on my mind. Still, it felt good to go for a little putt.

[inspiron]

It will take a few weeks (months) before the asleep-at-the-wheel cagers realize that we are out there. You need to ride like you are invisible - because for the most part, you ARE!

[viper94bite]

good to see your getting back out there! I've been riding on and off all winter very mild overall just really cold sometimes. The sand is EVERYWHERE some places you could probably turn into a beach it seems. lol.
We might get some rain this wkend to wash some of it away though.

[inspiron]

What, "getting back out there"?

Today was the meterological start of Spring. I was shoveling about 6 inches of fresh "spring" off the driveway this morning

[blackie1491]

Rather you than me.

Now they are talking 50km winds. And rain......

[Shea]

Yeah, we are supposed to get about 6-8 inches of spring here too.

That said, not only do cagers not realize that you are close, but even if they do see you, a smaller object doing the same speed appears to be moving slower when coming at you. So, they think they have enough space to pull out, when really they don't. This is why speeding in most areas is just a death wish. They can't even judge a motorcycle doing 40mph, how do you think they can judge 80mph?

[Rockhead]

It’s been strange over here; IV put on about 100 miles this week and haven’t had one person pull a foolish move.

[blackie1491]

Last Friday, I had 2 streets in a row, where left handers pulled out to make their turn late. Both times I had to brake. I just have to bite the cost and install a lightbar. Maybe I should borrow a lightbar from Smurf.

[Shea]

I thought about installing one of those 138db horns and when I come to an intersection, just nail the horn and give everyone a heart attack.

[Rocken]

You all need to move to Ca.
I have been riding all winter.

The wife and I were on the road today she was in the leed spot when a 4 whealer came out of a fast food place and almost took her out. She did not have time to even hit the horn she just grabed a hand full of brake. I was all over the horn but it is so wimpy. I like the idea of the 138db horn.....

[CManT1914]

I had just merged onto the highway tonight and was passing a slow truck who was in the left lane. He just decides he wants in mine and moves over as I'm just getting up to his back tires. Now I know he saw me, because he moved into the left lane to let me on. But then he nearly wipes me out by moving back over! I lay on the horn and hit the brakes. Then I swerve around on the left and gun past him. He honks at me then like it's my fault. WTF? Idiot.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by CManT1914

I had just merged onto the highway tonight and was passing a slow truck who was in the left lane. He just decides he wants in mine and moves over as I'm just getting up to his back tires. Now I know he saw me, because he moved into the left lane to let me on. But then he nearly wipes me out by moving back over! I lay on the horn and hit the brakes. Then I swerve around on the left and gun past him. He honks at me then like it's my fault. WTF? Idiot.

Bikes can accelerate much faster than a car. You wind up being in places that other drivers don't expect you to be. In some places it's not legal to pass on the right, he may have been just trying to be ploite, and get over so you could pass him safely. If you lose your temper in these situations, I'm not saying you did, but if you do, it will eventually catch up with you.

[dragbar]

After being in the 20's last week, it hit 70 degree's here in SE Missouri today. Was about 68 yesterday and both days bikes galore out and about. Nice to see other bikes besides me on the road as I'm about the only nut save 1 or 2 that ride in the 20's around here..lol

[inspiron]

Originally Posted by Night_Wolf

My bike hasn't been out since January 13th

My GSX hasn't left the garage since early November ... and as it looks right now, it won't leave the garage before mid March. The temperature is still below freezing, and we are getting snow and rain for at least another week.

[GSX1100FL]

In the '70s yesterday, rode the bike Mon-Tues-Wed, I did not have anyone do anything that caused me to worry while riding.

Definitely was the shot in the arm I needed

[RampageRider]

I really like that passing signal flash with the main headlight. When ever I seen a cage ahead at a intersection or something, I flash the lights at them and most times they will wave back. Not fool proof by any means, but it can help be seen.

[CManT1914]

Originally Posted by RampageRider

I really like that passing signal flash with the main headlight. When ever I seen a cage ahead at a intersection or something, I flash the lights at them and most times they will wave back. Not fool proof by any means, but it can help be seen.

You mean you flash your high beams? The only problem with that is they might think you're flashing them to go ahead, and they might pull out in front of you. At least that's what my MSF instructor said.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by CManT1914

You mean you flash your high beams? The only problem with that is they might think you're flashing them to go ahead, and they might pull out in front of you. At least that's what my MSF instructor said.

The newer Suzuki's have a small red lever on the front side of the left handlebar control to flash the lights. You can reach it with the tip of your index finger, so that you don't have to unwrap your hand from the grip, and use your thumb to toggle the light switch. I use it a lot in turns at night, that way if a car comes from the other direction, I don't have to change my hand pressure on the bars to reduce my light. I don't think it switches from hi to low beam, but puts both beams on together.

[MagnumForce]

Man, I was lucky to be able to ride all winter. Normally, winters are bad enough around here to put the bikes in storage. I was out for all of the afternoon yesterday with the temps at 79°F. This would be the first day of this year I wore my mesh jacket. A lot of other riders are out and about too, but it ticks me off that many of these knuckleheads do not have helmets on, much less any other riding gear.

[CManT1914]

Originally Posted by Rickster

The newer Suzuki's have a small red lever on the front side of the left handlebar control to flash the lights. You can reach it with the tip of your index finger, so that you don't have to unwrap your hand from the grip, and use your thumb to toggle the light switch. I use it a lot in turns at night, that way if a car comes from the other direction, I don't have to change my hand pressure on the bars to reduce my light. I don't think it switches from hi to low beam, but puts both beams on together.

Oh okay, I know what switch you're talking about now. I forgot the newer ones had this button. I still wouldn't recommend this for cars pulling out from intersections, they might think you're telling them to go ahead and pull out (in front of you).