Ducati Monster Forum

CRG Mirror users - Is it me or do you notice that CRG mirrors are awful at gauging distances?  It makes objects appear a lot further than they actually are.  I notice that when I turn back to look at other rider and compare to the mirror, the disparity is just way too much.     

I use those bar-end mirrors to see if anything is behind me in adjacent lanes.  BUT I always turn around to see if the lane is clear before I change lane.  I do the same when driving, too.  Just a safety habit I picked from Driver's Ed...

Mirrors are only a piece of the puzzle. I head check as well before switching lanes as added insurance.

I have the same issue with my CRG Blindsight.  It has a really wide field of view.  I wonder if it has something to do with the convex shape of the mirror itself. 

most mirrors do that, as you can see in car mirrors where they say 'objects in mirror are closer than they appear'. Probably done that way so you have a wider view of what is around you.

I also have the CRG mirrors. I use them to keep an eye out on whats behind me, but I still peek over to make sure lanes are safe before moving

They do take some getting used to, but as previously stated, I always do a Head-check in addition.

Yep, head check is a must for sure.

In group rides, I notice that rider behind me looks very far if just go by the mirror only.  When do head-check, the rider is really right behind me.   Got to be careful.  Stock mirrors are not that bad for that (although any mirror, head-check is a must). 

I am wondering which bar end mirror is better?

It has everything to do with the shape.

yep... you get used to them.  Enough time with them and checking over your shoulder and you learn where the car is. 

Only thing that sucks is, you see a car back there... can't tell if it is a police car or not which you can with non-convex mirrors.  WOuldn't give up convex mirrors for this reason though.  They let you see WAY too much behind you.

Yep yep.  CRGs are convex - giving you a wider field of view with the trade off that there is distortion.  One effect that distortion has is tricking your brain when it comes to perceived distance vs actual distance.  Flat class mirrors give a more accurate sense of distance , but you loose on that wide angle view.

Thsoe stickers on car mirrors is mostly due to the size of a car/ your distance from the mirror.  Notice it's only on the passenger side - the furthest mirror from you.  As a result of that distance you brain thinks the objet  in the mirror is 3,4,5 feet further back than it actually is. 

Yea, not being able to distinguish what type of car ( [leo] ) it is can be a little frustrating.  Wasn't an issue with my old Rizomas.  But the CRG's (or CRG in my case) look much, much better on the bike.  Nothing like sacrificing safety for looks.  I do have a better since that something is behind me with the CRG though.  The mirror on the end of my bar has a better angle for line of sight.  With my Rizomas, I would have to adjust my arms and shoulders to get a good look.  As far as lane changes, no mirror can ever take the place of turning to look. 

still better than that view of my elbows......
and +1 to the head check.

I didn't realize how truly horrible the crg mirrors are in this regard until I broke one of the mirrors. I went to an autoglass place and they were kind enough to replace the mirror right away for me for about $5. The difference was incredible with the autoglass mirror being quite accurate while the remaining crg mirror is now virtually useless to me. I'm going to go have it replaced as well.

I think that is all personal preference.  I bought the CRGs specifically because they were convex.  Well, that, and because they look awesome on the bike.  With the stock mirrors I had a great, undistorted view of my shoulders.  With the CRGs I can see behind and to the sides of the bike.  I feel that I have much better situational awareness.  I'm not as concerned about being able to identify who, specifically is behind me. 

I was just about to order a pair of the CRG lane splitters when I came across this thread. Is there another company making   end mirrors that anyone would recommend? From reading DMF, everyone seems to have the "elbow view" with the stock mirrors.

Any suggestions other than CRG?

While not bar ends - I had these
http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Conversion/adjustable_mirror4.htm (http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Conversion/adjustable_mirror4.htm)
 mounted on my bars, inside of the masters.  You'd hardly know there were there looking at the bike.  Offered a surprisingly good and wide field of view - except I could not see directly behind me for a good distance. 

Don't let this thread put you off.  CRGs are great mirrors.  Frankly, I'm surprised to see so many complaints about their usefulness in seeing stuff behind you.    I've never had a problem using them to check the traffic behind me or even to distinguish the type of car.  They give a really good field of vision, look great and are f'n indestructible.  True, I can't read license plates plate behind or tell what color lipstick a tailgaiting driver is wearing, but I'm pretty sure I don't need that info while I'm riding. 

+2 (for the left and the right sides)

Likewise.  CRG LS's were my first mod and I think they were 100% a good decision.  I've never had an issue judging distances and the field of view is awesome.  You can see probably 120 degrees behind you if you get one for each side - not possible with a flat mirror.  I figure if a car is approaching at a good clip it's either a  [leo] or someone I wouldn't mind having out in front of me as  [leo] bait so I just slow a bit and let them by. 

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to go ahead with the CRGs

I orignally put the Nepolean bar end mirrors on my bike.  Great field of view, but ugly as sin.  They were big, and I mean BIG.  Depends on what you want I guess.  They had great adjustment and a large field of view.  Did I mention they were big and ugly.  For function, they were great.  I think Rizoma makes some really expensive bar end mirrors that might fill that gap between the compactness of the CRG's and the bulkiness of mirrors like the Nepoleans.  They look really good also. 

get the CRGs.  the so called 'distortion' is a feature, not a defect. 

Surprised to see a lack of discussion about head check here.
In the cage I've learned to set mirrors wide enough to not need to look back, unless I've lost track of traffic behind
me or recently merged - head check was so ingrained but head forward and strict use of mirrors superior imo.

Alot of bad stuff can happen in in front of you.

Coupled with the difficulty I have turning my head due to helmet, wind, armour etc, wide(r) angle mirrors
would be nice. Gotta admit the stockers suck.

Distinguishing LEO would be useful, but, in the end, not #1 priority.

You'd need a whole lot of mirror to completely eliminate the blind spot between the mirror edge (even with a convex lens) and your peripheral vision.  And that blind spot gets bigger with distance. 

There have been plenty of occassions when I've been ready to move, for example, from the right to center lane.  Your blind spot for the center lane is small, but the blind spot for the left lane is larger and who knows if a car in that lane is also about to move to the center?

If a quick over the shoulder glance would put you in danger then you are following too close already.  I do the same check in my truck.  Cause motorcycles can fit in that blind spot even more easily than cars can.

YAY!! Finally a topic I can actually HELP on!!  (everyone applaud!  I am NOT asking a question this time).

I have the CRG mirrors-  for me as well, was the SECOND mod I did (frame sliders were the first).

I always, always, always, head check.  Even when I drive a car, I do.  Yes, there is a distortion on distance but I would rather personally see a fuller field of view.

And yes, you should be watching ahead of you. I am an aggressive rider when I have no passenger but I am NEVER so close behind someone that I can't afford a quick head check.  NEVER.  Something flying off something in front of me or a quick brake slam terrifies me so I make sure I've got a good pocket around me at all times and get AHEAD of trucks and SUVS.  So far, (knock on plastic), I've never had a problem being able to get out of hairy situations because of the pocket I try to keep around me at all times.

So in conclusion, I like my CRGS but if you don't know how to check without swerving the bike, or you like to bumper hump, I wouldn't suggest.

The reason I brought this topic up was mainly because I notice in group/pack bike rides where everyone is banging out or in country twisty roads where other riders are not far off behind in the mix, it is really hard to gauge with CRG how far the biker behind you is.  (not about traffic with cars etc)
Headcheck is ofcourse a must always.  But narrow the question down to group/pack bike rides close....

Okay - it's as simple as getting aquainted with your mirrors.  If you can figure out how far behind you the car is, then the light post, bike, building, etc. should all be equally easy to judge.  Right?  If you're in a group ride and you're worried about the people behind you maybe being too close, then the easiest solution is to be last.  If you mean other groups or single bikers catching up in traffic there's no solution other than just figuring out your mirrors.  I just don't see how it's any harder to judge with convex versus flat.
I have mine adjusted in such a way that I can see the rear blinkers at the very inside of the mirror.  That might help you with some perspective.  Practice.

Group rides are a different story.  I don't put much faith in any mirror when I am riding with the guys. To much time checking out what's behind might cause you to hit someone in front.  I am refering to sport bike rides.  I have never been on a cruiser, but I would have to believe it is the same.  In the more spirited group rides, I put most of my effort into holding my lines, proper and ellaborate handsignals, and headchecks.  If done correctly hand signals and head movement make it obvious what manuver you are planning.  As far as watching the mirrors. If you are really gettin at it, chances are, it's what's in front of you that is gonna get ya.