Brights ON, Brights OFF?

[screwedandtattooed]

Originally Posted by kingnba6

thats a bad story man. glad you came out of it safe! damn drivers and their "important" phone calls.

thanks man, you know, even seeing that happen right in front of her my wife still wants to learn to ride.

[kingnba6]

Originally Posted by screwedandtattooed

thanks man, you know, even seeing that happen right in front of her my wife still wants to learn to ride.

shes a brave trooper. hopefully you teach her and ride together into the sunset.

[screwedandtattooed]

that's the plan but first things first a motorcycle safety course.

[Ghost]

On my last bike, 900 Custom, I installed a light bar after having numerous people pull out in front of me much too closely. After the install, people still pulled out in front of me, but at a greater distance. Therefore by my own observations I feel that extra lights help. I'll take every extra foot of space I can get! I did not use my high beams during the day.

My new ride is waiting for Santa to bring some lights that I will be mounting on my lowers. After that a light bar will be installed after I save up the cash. One of my friends has that setup on his Harley and he's very noticeable in my mirrors!

As a truck driver I have learned that you can't expect people to do the right thing. All I can hope for, is that I get those valuable seconds that allow me to take corrective action and avoid a collision.

[crazyj]

When a driver ignores objects that are directly in his or her path, it's called attentional blindness. That's why he or she will say "where'd you come from?" or "I didn't see him" even though you were right there with your lights for some time. Distractions like cell phones, or even adjusting the radio, make it worse. I always try to keep a 50 foot safety bubble around me (isn't always possible, of course, but we have to try) and project the angles of intersection (read: collision) if some yahoo starts to drift. Naturally, I've had some close calls, too, like the fool who looks right at you and then jumps the stop sign anyway. You can also anticipate the troublemakers if you see the hand up to the ear (they are either holding a cell phone, or their idiot brains in their skull). Lights do help (I recently converted my headlight to LCD, and I notice a definite improvement in getting the attention of other drivers). If I have to, I let them know I'm there with a blast of my air horn, which makes them some jump (and hopefully wet themselves, too). Stay safe.

[willie1961]

On the Freeeway and no oncoming traffic I ride low beam, Two lane or in rural areas it's high beam.

[DoubleTap]

Originally Posted by george james

Dim during the day as my light bar is functional only w/low beam....state law. As appropriate after dark (hi or low).

+1 Here

But how do you have them pointed. My hit the road center at about 30 feet.

[Grumbler]

Speaking for myself, haven't used my high beams during daylight hours at all
since I first purchased my '01 1500 Classic FI back in April 2002. Don't even
have extra lights. Using high beams, additional lights, modulators or whatever
safety accessories are out there are not a substitute for defensive riding skills.

Am well aware of increasing the visability factor, and the only item that I've
added that fits that category is my 19" gradiant black Memphis Fats 'shield.

BTW, I've a friend here who, while texting one night, managed to crash into
the back of a police car that had pulled over a motorist for speeding. Those
flashing blue and red lights didn't make any difference. Distracted drivers
are not paying attention, period.

[R-man]

I ride with brights. I am amazed when I ride with a group and watch for the bikes behind me, how much easier it is to see folks with their brights on.... sometimes the guys with dims are kind of hard to see if they are back there a ways.

[like to ride]

Brights on