Is there something different about this bike that makes it less visible???

LiquidLAN

LiquidLAN

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I collected mine from NOG on Saturday having previously test ridden one without issue

managed to get a few miles in on Sunday, but found I had a lot more near incidents than I ever normally get on a ride. One was probably my fault for being a bit too progressive through traffic, but I had a number of other occasions of people looking and then pulling out on me... this included one car and one back from adjacent exits on a car-park.

I've had a silver and a grey GSA previously, both no-one seemed to miss. My gear is all the same, so it's just the bike that's changed.

Maybe everyone is half asleep, but I'm wondering if there is something about the bike that make it look like I'm flashing to let these people out of the exits/junctions.



That or maybe I was just half asleep...
 
Not just you . I had 2 cagers try to kill me yesterday , a twat in a ragtop merc pulling out at a junction even tho he was looking straight at me. 2nd one was an oap who decided to turn right on a 2 lane roundabout after entering the roundabout using the l/hand lane:blast:blast
 
the OAP stuff I'm as used to as you get, it's that first one. Pretty sure all the pull outs I had, people actually did look at me and then nudged forward

you always get this kind of thing from time to time, but it seemed to happen a whole lot more yesterday

curious.
 
LiquidLAN said:
I collected mine from NOG on Saturday having previously test ridden one without issue

managed to get a few miles in on Sunday, but found I had a lot more near incidents than I ever normally get on a ride. One was probably my fault for being a bit too progressive through traffic, but I had a number of other occasions of people looking and then pulling out on me... this included one car and one back from adjacent exits on a car-park.

I've had a silver and a grey GSA previously, both no-one seemed to miss. My gear is all the same, so it's just the bike that's changed.

Maybe everyone is half asleep, but I'm wondering if there is something about the bike that make it look like I'm flashing to let these people out of the exits/junctions.



That or maybe I was just half asleep...
Click to expand...

It seems even the wild life can't see them either I've hit 5 birds and a Rabbit all in two weeks and 1000 miles I've only hit a couple before in all of my 34 years riding

Terry
 
It's the hodgepodge of geometrical plastic mouldings that constitute the front of the bike, work like camouflage.

Rip it all off and get a custom made alloy tank and rad shield fairing they'll see you from a mile away.
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and still pull out in front of you :D
 
It's the DRL, other drivers just don't seem to see it. I noticed this straight away when I got the GS LC last year. I gave up on just the DRL on auto, and I just changed the settings so the headlight is on all the time.
 
Totally agree about the drl. Was on the m6 today bright sunshine about 4.30 pm. Passed a gsa and looking in my rear view mirrors the drl was barely noticeable. Nowhere near as bright or eyecatching as a dipped beam. Quite surprised so made a mental note when home to set my lights to drl with mainbeam. Have been riding with drl only but definately no more.
 
Interesting, but that might make sense as I was riding on "Auto", I wasn't sure if it was appearing to flash hence people looking and pulling out, but I wonder if its a combination of the colour and the low light making the bike less noticeable.

Never really had the issue with previous GSA or other bikes really, I'm sure there is a programmable setting when I get around to RTFM :)
 
If I were a gambling man, I'd bet it was less to do with a sudden increase in myopic car drivers, than with you losing concentration and awareness of your surroundings, whilst you rode about in a world of wonder at your new awesome steed.
 
New bike syndrome. Your spending too much time checking yourself out in shop windows.:D
 
tony23 said:
Not just you . I had 2 cagers try to kill me yesterday , a twat in a ragtop merc pulling out at a junction even tho he was looking straight at me. 2nd one was an oap who decided to turn right on a 2 lane roundabout after entering the roundabout using the l/hand lane:blast:blast
Click to expand...

Cagers, how quaint :)

I guess you never drive a car ?
 
Wapping said:
If I were a gambling man, I'd bet it was less to do with a sudden increase in myopic car drivers, than with you losing concentration and awareness of your surroundings, whilst you rode about in a world of wonder at your new awesome steed.
Click to expand...

Totally agree

I would ride without any headlight on, if BMW hadn't pandered to EU directives in 2004

If I ride one of my bikes with the lights turned off then I never have a problem with people pulling out on me

Riding with lights on, makes you invisible as the car driver is confused by the myriad of other vehicles on today's roads, all with their lights on
 
madmartin said:
Can drl be selected with low/main beam.. both on at same time?
Click to expand...

Yep. :) Disable the 'DRL Auto' setting. Now watch the instruments as you press the DRL button:
- With the green DRL light on, the dipped beam is off and the DRL at full brightness.
- With the green DRL light off, the dipped beam is active and the DRL at half-brightness.

The high beams can be flashed or turned on in both modes.
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
Riding with lights on, makes you invisible as the car driver is confused by the myriad of other vehicles on today's roads, all with their lights on
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I disagree. There's no evidence to suggest that people become 'desensitized' to a myriad of lights. Anything at all that makes you more visible gives you an advantage.

However, there's plenty to suggest that most car drivers are dull-witted, selfish sheep who don't SEE bikes for one reason: they aren't LOOKING for them. :thumb
 
i believe there is research that suggests vehicles with lights on are harder to judge for speed and distance though.
 
Nick V said:
I disagree. There's no evidence to suggest that people become 'desensitized' to a myriad of lights. Anything at all that makes you more visible gives you an advantage.

However, there's plenty to suggest that most car drivers are dull-witted, selfish sheep who don't SEE bikes for one reason: they aren't LOOKING for them. :thumb
Click to expand...

I disagree

Lights off is the future:thumby:
 
Nick V said:
I disagree. There's no evidence to suggest that people become 'desensitized' to a myriad of lights. Anything at all that makes you more visible gives you an advantage.

However, there's plenty to suggest that most car drivers are dull-witted, selfish sheep who don't SEE bikes for one reason: they aren't LOOKING for them. :thumb
Click to expand...

Whilst there is plenty of evidence about car drivers, there is overwhelming (which I accurately estimate to be plenty more than plenty) that there are lots of dull witted bikers about. Most of them will blame everyone but themselves for their mishaps, probably right up to the point of death. The pool is seemingly inexhaustible, which is great news for bike sales.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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