Ducati Monster Forum

I know this has saved me from getting whacked by oncoming left turns when going through intersections. I almost use it like a headlight modulator whenever I'm in that situation. I love this feature on my monster and think a similar device should be standard on all motorcycles. Anyone else out there a big fan?

I am. 
I use it mostly for passing; to let the vehicle I am coming up behind know that I am there and will be moving around them.  I also use it to let people who are coming to or already at an intersection up ahead know that I am there and that they should not pull in to my land and cut me off. 
I will it was on my other bikes!

Are you referring to the high beam trigger or something aftermarket?

I am hesitant to use my highbeam flasher at an intersection fearing that the cager may think I'm signaling them to turn. I do use it so warn cagers about my imminent passing them.

I don't flash my high beams off and on for the reason WinSomeLoseNone gives - idiots may think I'm encouraging them to pull out and turn right in front of me.

I do pull the flasher trigger and keep the high beam on to make myself a bit more visible at iffy intersections or if it looks as if someone is creeping forward. I also cover the horn button.

Said is before, I'll say it again.


If you put yourself in a situation where someone else has to see you for you to be safe, you've already make the beast with two backsed up.

I don't know if it's that cut and dry.

Ever been cruising at the speed limit and a car is turning off of a side road onto the main road. The car sits there with the blinker on as you approach and you are unsure as to whether or not they see you and if they will jump out in your way. So you roll off or brake slightly. Even in this situation they could pull out in front of you and there is little you can do. unless at a crawl. So do you flip the high's on, flash them (with lights ...), do nothing.... slow do everything.

These little moments every day are all a little bit of chance and luck. It only takes one idiot pulling out directly in front of you to change everything.

You slow down to a speed where you could safely stop if they do pull out suddenly.

Oh shit, I'm being surrounded.

I surrender.  ;D

The name for that situation is "the road."

There are many situations that a rider can control by remaining situationally aware. There are some where that just doesn't work.

The only way you can avoid the risk of some asshole T-boning you at an intersection is never to ride past an intersection. If they pull out obliviously at the wrong time, you're not going to be able to slow down or speed up enough to avoid it.

Sure, it's best to maintain the highest possible level of control over your own destiny. There's nothing wrong with making sure drivers see you, either.

Name one.

Obviously you didn't like the one I did name.

There are others.

Bird drops out of tree onto rider at night, knocking rider off.

Moose leaps out of woods near road behind bike, clipping rear wheel.

Student pilot makes panic landing of Cessna 152 on interstate from behind motorcycle that pilot never sees. Engine of plane is off, so nothing to hear. Rider cannot physically swivel head around in order to see plane coming from above and behind.

Gang member misidentifies rider, shoots rider with high-powered sniper rifle from 6th-floor window two blocks away.

We could get increasingly ridiculous, but I maintain that there are situations of which it's impossible for a rider to be aware. In some of those situations, others might have the ability to alter the course of events if they were to see the rider.

Not everything in the universe is under individual control.

Lols

Bottom line is this. My Uncle with one leg which he lost in a MC accident puts it best.

"When you think your in control, you're not"

Truth is, riding is more risky and always will be. No matter how perfect you ride, shit happens and shit will continue to happen. You just have to accept the extra risk and do your best not to become a statistic.

I think we can all agree on this.

so RIDE SAFE!  [moto]