The case for commuting by motorcycle

Despite the reputation, it's better, more practical transit than you might think.

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[huskcummerbund]

I vaguely remember a motorcycle safety instructor telling us to use high beams all the time and go ahead and blind oncoming traffic so they'll at least notice you. This was back in the pre-halogen days.

They probably also think obnoxiously loud straight pipe exhausts and "get back whips" are great for "safety". Nah... They just like being an asshole.

 

[Amateur Nerd]

I vaguely remember a motorcycle safety instructor telling us to use high beams all the time and go ahead and blind oncoming traffic so they'll at least notice you. This was back in the pre-halogen days.

Besides pissing everybody off, it also makes the "Passing" signal useless (for the times you really, really need to use it).

 

[Flipper35]

I vaguely remember a motorcycle safety instructor telling us to use high beams all the time and go ahead and blind oncoming traffic so they'll at least notice you. This was back in the pre-halogen days.

There was a range instructor LT when my friend was in the service. LT said point the weapon down, pull the trigger and then remove the mag to clear his M4. You can imagine how that went. Titles don't mean they are always right.

 

[huskcummerbund]

Besides pissing everybody off, it also makes the "Passing" signal useless (for the times you really, really need to use it).

Passing signal? Mine is a blinker and WOT.

 

[huskcummerbund]

The

There was a range instructor LT when my friend was in the service. LT said point the weapon down, pull the trigger and then remove the mag to clear his M4. You can imagine how that went. Titles don't mean they are always right.

The US military does not employ the best and the brightest. And I say that after spending 14 years in the Army.

 

[Amateur Nerd]

Passing signal? Mine is a blinker and WOT.

I'd rarely use it when passing, more to draw the attention of someone coming from the other direction.

 

[huskcummerbund]

I'd rarely use it when passing, more to draw the attention of someone coming from the other direction.

Hmm, I just only attempt to pass when I know I won't be in the oncoming lane by the time the oncoming vehicles get there. Of course, that takes some rapid mental calculus estimating relative speeds, distances, acceleration, and factoring in a healthy margin of error. I try to never count on other people paying attention. That way I am rarely surprised or disappointed.

 

[Amateur Nerd]

Hmm, I just only attempt to pass when I know I won't be in the oncoming lane by the time the oncoming vehicles get there. Of course, that takes some rapid mental calculus estimating relative speeds, distances, acceleration, and factoring in a healthy margin of error. I try to never count on other people paying attention. That way I am rarely surprised or disappointed.

Of course. I use it rather for incoming vehicles passing without noticing me (or just don't care that I'm there).

When I'm alone in my direction and there's more than one car in the opposite one* I've learned quite quickly to be alert for someone attempting a pass without noticing me. Additional fog lights do help a lot, even in broad daylight.

* well, even if it's only one car, they might encounter an unexpected obstacle and veer in my lane, but motorcycles are in a somewhat better position to slip through in such a scenario.

 

[huskcummerbund]

Of course. I use it rather for incoming vehicles passing without noticing me (or just don't care that I'm there).

When I'm alone in my direction and there's more than one car in the opposite one* I've learned quite quickly to be alert for someone attempting a pass without noticing me. Additional fog lights do help a lot, even in broad daylight.

* well, even if it's only one car, they might encounter an unexpected obstacle and veer in my lane, but motorcycles are in a somewhat better position to slip through in such a scenario.

Ah, yeah. Those guys suck. If I'm in front or alone I tend to ride on the far right to be more visible to vehicles that might be trying to pass oncoming vehicles. Doesn't always work. When it doesn't I just make sure I don't need to do anything crazy then flip them off. If they get close enough I'll try to delete their driver's side mirror.

 

[Amateur Nerd]

Ah, yeah. Those guys suck. If I'm in front or alone I tend to ride on the far right to be more visible to vehicles that might be trying to pass oncoming vehicles.

I'm pretty sure some drivers will take it as an invitation to use the space you leave open on the left side of your lane.

Doesn't always work.

It's always left side for me, except for left turns (I don't like to lean into oncoming traffic, even if I don't lean that much).

When it doesn't I just make sure I don't need to do anything crazy then flip them off.

Yeah, no much else to do...

If they get close enough I'll try to delete their driver's side mirror.

... err, that sounds very risky.

 

[huskcummerbund]

... err, that sounds very risky.

Very, but also cathartic.

 

[ScifiGeek]

FortNine just had a video about lane filtering, that reminded me of this thread since it features prominently. Near the end has a big map of the world showing where filter is [il]legal.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRXIA-BwgK0


Biker or not, F9 produces some great videos...