Can someoene please tell me...
Discussion
are more and more bikers putting their headlights on full beam whilst in traffic or is it just the position and elevation of their lights - or possibly imported bikes with non-standard lamps - I am constantly blinded by bikers' lights in my rear view mirrors - it's dangerous. I know bikers tend to feel aggrieved that they never get seen at night but if they are making it obvious by doing this they're doing something just as dangerous as car drivers not seeing them.
>>> Edited by sadoksevoli on Wednesday 6th November 16:23
>>> Edited by sadoksevoli on Wednesday 6th November 16:23
Cheers - but...
surely I would notice a varying of the intensity of the beam - which I recall I don't - it's just there - glaring in my mirrors blinding me (and I tried flipping my interior rear-view mirror to reduce the dazzle - and it was obvious then that the light was considerably brighter than the others). Also if it is just normal dipped surely there's something that need sot be doen as they're not dipped enough. Still
surely I would notice a varying of the intensity of the beam - which I recall I don't - it's just there - glaring in my mirrors blinding me (and I tried flipping my interior rear-view mirror to reduce the dazzle - and it was obvious then that the light was considerably brighter than the others). Also if it is just normal dipped surely there's something that need sot be doen as they're not dipped enough. Still
You'll probably find that it's a combination of the height of the headlights and also that bikes lights will appear to flash when the bike goes over bumps/accelerates/decelerates. I personally find that they are no worse than the new gas release xenon lights that new BMW's have, so it could be just more advanced lighting than 'most' cars.
I do know what you mean as I experience the same when I'm driving. However, as a motorcylist I can safely say that I would rather make people jump with the brightness of my headlights than have them doing the normal and pull out in front of me with no notice !
Cheers
Paul
I do know what you mean as I experience the same when I'm driving. However, as a motorcylist I can safely say that I would rather make people jump with the brightness of my headlights than have them doing the normal and pull out in front of me with no notice !
Cheers
Paul
OK - on the BMW front I agree entirely - BMW knows that many drivers of its cars are obnoxious road hogs (amongst other makes of course) so it's gone the whole hog and given them that extra edge when driving up one's backside at night.
>> Edited by sadoksevoli on Wednesday 6th November 16:55
>> Edited by sadoksevoli on Wednesday 6th November 16:55
as they are so bright I always see 'em glinting in me mirrors. I 'spose I could slow down and let him over take once in a while tho!! 
I'm afraid it is full beams, I always ride with mine on unless its on the lanes and I'll dip them for oncoming traffic.
Going back to your first comment of its dangerous & it blinds me etc ets
As far as I can see, for a biker that is job done - you know we are there & also from a distance away!!!
I'd happily swap my life and safety for 10 seconds of car driver frustration.
Sorry if that p*sses some drivers off...
Going back to your first comment of its dangerous & it blinds me etc ets
As far as I can see, for a biker that is job done - you know we are there & also from a distance away!!!
I'd happily swap my life and safety for 10 seconds of car driver frustration.
Sorry if that p*sses some drivers off...
sadoksevoli said: Yeah yeah yeah - gee such a bunch of honest bikers - so next time i am blinded by one i'll make sure to veer in his or her direction just as i let them pass - you bikers make such wonderful victims!!!!
OK - I'm scared now, a car driver is going to try to kill me - like that hasn't happened before...
sadoksevoli said: Yeah yeah yeah - gee such a bunch of honest bikers - so next time i am blinded by one i'll make sure to veer in his or her direction just as i let them pass - you bikers make such wonderful victims!!!!
smiley aside, for a meesly sum of ££, why dont you do a CBT? take a saturday out and have a go?
a) you might like biking, the more of us the merrier.
b) you may get to see how shit scary it is to have the thought," oh my god, that car hasnt seen me, Im going to die" every day, every 3 minutes. its quite an adrenaline rush.
Point taken and it was a very tongue-in-cheek post - I do recognise the perils on the roads of motorcycling - there is a grave somewhere in Sussex of a brother I never knew who died due to head injuries sustained in a bike crash. If it's also any consolation I have been a keen cyclist in London and know what such vulnerability means. I must say though that one must to a certain extent accept that a cyclist/biker has a small visible cross-section (that's the joy of being able to squeeze past stationary traffic) and this will always mean drivers will not spot you in their mirrors or even in direct LOS - fact of life however tragic. BUT I still feel that if bikers think that full beams in drivers' eyes are the answer then it makes a bad situation worse - what if, blinded by these lights, a driver fails to notice a hazard ahead and kills a pedestrian or such like - does that justify the full beams?
More than one side to an argument as always.
More than one side to an argument as always.
sadoksevoli said: Point taken and it was a very tongue-in-cheek post - I do recognise the perils on the roads of motorcycling - there is a grave somewhere in Sussex of a brother I never knew who died due to head injuries sustained in a bike crash. If it's also any consolation I have been a keen cyclist in London and know what such vulnerability means. I must say though that one must to a certain extent accept that a cyclist/biker has a small visible cross-section (that's the joy of being able to squeeze past stationary traffic) and this will always mean drivers will not spot you in their mirrors or even in direct LOS - fact of life however tragic. BUT I still feel that if bikers think that full beams in drivers' eyes are the answer then it makes a bad situation worse - what if, blinded by these lights, a driver fails to notice a hazard ahead and kills a pedestrian or such like - does that justify the full beams?
More than one side to an argument as always.
The answer is clearly that pedestrians should also use full beam headlights...
...or keep the hell out of the road.
Seriously, it's not that bad, I have a car too and am also subject to bright lights.
A solution would be to include the CBT as part of the driving test. I know since I have been on a bike I have become a better driver - much more alert and always do lifesavers / blind spot checks when changing lanes or making turns.
I really do think that it would help
A solution would be to include the CBT as part of the driving test. I know since I have been on a bike I have become a better driver - much more alert and always do lifesavers / blind spot checks when changing lanes or making turns.
I really do think that it would help
NewGuy said: Seriously, it's not that bad, I have a car too and am also subject to bright lights.
A solution would be to include the CBT as part of the driving test. I know since I have been on a bike I have become a better driver - much more alert and always do lifesavers / blind spot checks when changing lanes or making turns.
I really do think that it would help
You are absolutely right - and the government could make money out of the extra training, more jobs for instructors, etc.
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