Why I got a helmet cam and use it all the time.

[The Mad King Pepe']

Finally found the time to upload some more videos, so here goes:







Ride safe and keep your eyes open.

[bikepilot]

I like the camera, a member on another forum caught a crash that way (cager's fault).

I've never had issues with the reversible lane really and def no issues splitting - that's safer than not splitting if done correctly imho (I've ridden in CA a lot), but def don't do it if you don't feel comfortable with it.

SP, search for a DR650SE - you'll have more luck (suzuki hasn't invented a DRZ650 yet).

Last week a lady in some girly SUV decided to go from an I395 entry ramp (the one just south of the pentagon on the southbound side), across 3 lanes and into my lane without checking traffic at all.  Honking and highbeams didn't catch her attention so I gave her window a good smack and that got her attention (I had room to get out of the way if that hadn't worked, but I figured it might be an educational experience for her ).

Overall I've found CA drivers  (esp. SoCal) to the best for moto-awareness, its a pleasure riding there.  Boston is surprisingly ok too.  The DC metro area is the worst I've seen in the states by a significant margin - not only do drivers pay less attention, they are also slow and rude (I've ridden pretty much everywhere in the states except for AK, HI and WA state).  In boston they are sort of rude, but pay attention and GTFO.  In DC they dwaddle about clogging up the works.  I love riding in Mexico too 'cause you can just twist and go - I think its against their religion to give a moto a ticket (in baja) 

[dennisd]

Unless the signs are really noticeable, the reversible lanes might have thrown me if say I had just flown in and rented a car.  That's the first time I've seen that.  Usually a solid yellow double line means it's the dividing line between traffic flow and no passing.  Different states, different laws.

Also, I like the way you check out the cop at the end of the vid "idiots".

[The Mad King Pepe']

Overall I've found CA drivers  (esp. SoCal) to the best for moto-awareness, its a pleasure riding there.

I think this comes from bikes being more common on the streets (and lanesharing too) than in other states. It often surprises people when I tell them that I feel safer riding in Italy despite what looks like chaotic diving there. I think it comes from the awareness that your son/father/grandfather (really!) is out there riding and you should watch for riders the same way you want drivers to watch for your family members.

Unless the signs are really noticeable, the reversible lanes might have thrown me if say I had just flown in and rented a car.  That's the first time I've seen that.  Usually a solid yellow double line means it's the dividing line between traffic flow and no passing.  Different states, different laws.

Those weren't reversible lanes in the Mini video. That is a two lane road at all times and (as far as I know) drivers must always stay on the right of a solid double yellow. The only point where you cross over to the 'other' lane is near the end, but some people are just lazy and don't care.

Also, I like the way you check out the cop at the end of the vid "idiots".

I was wondering if they had noticed and didn't care or if they were just curious as to what is a radioactive ballon doing on a black slug... 

[Scusi]

What camera do you use?

[zenjim]

You can't see it on cam, but she was really trying her best to apologize. Good point about the horn, been thinking of a Stebel (Nautilus) or something similar. That and putting on the old cored-out loud-as-hell mufflers.
Another thing that shocked me about this video was that the driver clamed that somehow it was the biker's fault... WTF?!? You just pulled a 180, and it's her fault!?!

Here's another video where things could have gone either way if the rider had not had a camera. "He must have lost control, proabaly going too fast!"

I split lanes every day at the busiest time of day on the busiest part of one of America's busiest highways. IMHO that dude was splitting too fast. That minivan was wrong. But I'd rather be alive/ uninjured than in the right and picking up pieces of my bike/ body. Now get off my lawn you damn kids!

Thanks for the post. I've been thinking about doing what you are doing and I think you're post is the final push in that direction. I've been involved in accidents where people say the most miraculous things and without witnesses it's he said she said.

I've also been contemplating the bright green jacket but my cool gene will not give up the black leather.

Thanks

[The Mad King Pepe']

What camera do you use?

Contour HD 1080P

I bought it on eBay for about $170 almost-new-in-box. I chose it over the GoPro because I didn't like to have something silly looking sitting on my helmet. The only advantage to the GoPro would have been the waterproof casing it often comes with. The contour by itself is water resistant, so I open it up and dry it every time it gets wet.

Thanks for the post. I've been thinking about doing what you are doing and I think you're post is the final push in that direction. I've been involved in accidents where people say the most miraculous things and without witnesses it's he said she said.

I've also been contemplating the bright green jacket but my cool gene will not give up the black leather.

Thanks

Glad to help!

Regarding jackets, if you stick with leather make sure it has some reflective material to help make you more visible. As for the radioactive color: it helps, but only if people are looking.

[thought]

Regarding jackets, if you stick with leather make sure it has some reflective material to help make you more visible. As for the radioactive color: it helps, but only if people are looking.

plus, as a side benefit, if you're on a bmw, wearing hi viz, and in europe, everyone thinks you're a police officer so are ultra courteous. haha

[He Man]

in america, you have ride a harley, with short sleeves, raybans  and boots that go up to your knees.

[lazylightnin717]

I can tell you now that had I never seen that 2nd video with reversible lanes, I would never have known about that. Sure as shit I would be the idiot driving in that lane

[scduc]

Don't take this the wrong way, but alot of these videos are why I tend to ride on the offense. I make it a habit to either give them room or get ahead of them. If you allow cars to get into a position in which they don't see/don't care about bikes, they will more than likely do something stupid.

[ducrider45]

I can tell you now that had I never seen that 2nd video with reversible lanes, I would never have known about that. Sure as shit I would be the idiot driving in that lane

The road signs are clear. There are traffic lights as well. The lights show a big square red X in them if you are going the wrong way. My guess is that the people doing wrong in the video are locals trying to get away with using that lane. I see it all the time. The cops generally drive that lane at the time it turns over as well. They clear it for the change of flow.

[zLoki]

This tread convinced me.  Picked up a ContourRoam for about $200.  Video is great, audio is a bit low but image is clear and steady.

[The Mad King Pepe']

This tread convinced me.  Picked up a ContourRoam for about $200.  Video is great, audio is a bit low but image is clear and steady.

I should write to Contour / GoPro / whoever to get a sponsorship!

[He Man]

cameras should be built into bikes and should have the video erased through the dash.

But i agree about the comment on riding a certain way to stay alive.

Sometimes its fun riding like a hooligan, but if u ride like that all the time, chances are you will be bit hard one day. like the last video, you could of been very aggressive and taken that  lane, im sure you have the power to be that quick. the problem becomes some people commit to a very bad act....

namely they cut into your lane and if you are there they get very scared and end up BOLTING into your lane and if you chose to be aggressive you jsut got side swiped. if you were less hot headed you would of slowed down to let them figure out what they want to do and then kick their window afterwords.