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2006 Dear VTwin Mama, When I first got my Softail Deluxe, everyone kept telling me to put louder pipes on it. I thought too, that I would be intimidated by the noise, but found out very early that I want and need louder pipes. The exhaust that comes on the '06 models is way too quiet. When I ride behind my BF, I can't hear my bike at all. Loud pipes also allow you to hear the RPMs and without even thinking about it, you know what gear you're in. Next week is new pipes week, and I can't wait! Anonymous Dear Anon, Thursday, May 18 Dear VTwin Mama, As a newbie, I'm VERY concerned about being visible. When I ride to work (it's a 40 mile trip in heavy traffic that I don't do every day) I leave before the sun comes up. I'm pretty easy to spot, I'm wearing a tan Harley mesh jacket with armor, with an orange safety vest over it. It looks fine in the dark, but a bit geeky when the sun comes up. I'm thinking about purchasing this Harley one, so that I can look good and be visible. I guess the point I'm making is you should not sacrifice safety and visibility to look good. I'm an older newbie (44) with the joy of having a 3 year old son. As I say to my friends, "I'm too old and my child it too young not to take all the precautions I need to, especially till I've got a lot more miles under my wheels." Peace on the road, Jojo Dear Jojo, However, the sad fact is that you can have the most outrageous bike paint job, wear the most glow in the day/night clothing, have the loudest pipes and horn available, and scream at the top of your lungs, and there still will be some people who won't see/hear you. Still, every rider knows that these types of things do
often help catch a driver's attention, and that's why it's worthwhile
reviewing your gear/bike set-up. Thanks for sharing that you choose geeky
over being "cool" . . . you are not alone!
Mama Tuesday, October 24 Dear VTwin Mama, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6J5gR1_NFk&NR Dear Jojo, Hi
VTwin Mama, Dear
Gloria, One site noted a resurgence in interest for these biker or "getaway" whips as a tool to heighten our presence on the road (catches a cagers eye) but having been around the Myrtle Beach rallies for the last three rounds, didn't see any on bikes. I can see their value but given that it's possible for the whip to be misconstrued by a 1% gang, I'd be cautious in considering it as an attention grabber. My choice is loud horns, loud pipes, and gear that makes us more visible. Although lane splitting (riding between cars) is legal in California, it really needs to be carefully thought out as it's highly dangerous. According to the California Highway Patrol site, "Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner." The main use of lane splitting is at very low speeds in a gridlock situation, where vehicles creep forward. Here, it is especially hard on a rider who has to clutch in and out, so you slowly move between vehicles at 10mph so you don't have to keep clutching. However, lots of cagers see it as an unfair "right" and if they are in a road-rage mood, could purposely try to harm you (stick and arm out, open their door even a bit, etc.). Proceed with caution! Mama Tuesday, December 12 For Gloria who was wondering what biker whips were all about: I have asked different old time bikers about these leather whips and have been told they were used if a cager (car driver ) was giving them grief . . . to hit the car with, especially windows or mirrors. Apparently the old style leather whips actually had a metal ball bearing in the end which could cause extensive damage to a vehicle or person. Nowadays a lot of riders simply like the long fringe hanging down. I don't like the negative connotation of it and would not want anything that long flapping around my face. Dorathy Biddinger (note from Mama: aha! I had heard from old time bikers that they use to carry little ball bearings which can be pitched at a car windshield, but never about that concept on the end of braided fringe. Live and learn! Yes, I'd say for use "average" riders, the better tactic for handling car drivers with no apparent regard for our safety is to get out of the way as quickly as possible or make noise in the hopes that they snap out of their cell phone oblivion.) Dear
VTM, I've been riding my Yamaha 650 Custom for about a year (6500 miles) now and after a few near misses, I've been considering getting a headlight modulator. After researching them, it seems like they would help to avoid a lot of those collisions that occur when motorists turn in front of you.. ('cause it's all about being seen). Does anyone out there have any experience or opinions to share? Thanks, and Ride Safe everyone.. Debbie in Salinas, CA Dear
Debbie, Wednesday, January 3 For Debbie who is considering a modulating headlight for visibility to other vehicles: I too am concerned about cars pulling out in front of me. I had not yet considered the headlight modulator but I ride with my high beam lights on during the day and flicker them from low to high when approaching a car that could pull out in front of me. Unfortunately, this trick doesn't work as well when you are driving in heavy traffic. Jody (note from Mama: yes, highbeam mode during the daytime is perfectly acceptable and a flicker action, like a horn beeping or a throttle goose to roar pipes, are ways to announce one's presence. What I like about the modulator is that you're not concentrating on a hand action if you think there is potential trouble, the headlight is already doing something. However, the ability of drivers to not see us is a constant source of amazement no matter what you do . . . so never count on any one thing on the bike or your riding gear to be the attention grabber . . . it's always about defensive riding with the hopes that visibility items will assist.) Thursday, January 4 More for Debbie who is considering a modulating headlight for visibility: Regarding the problem of cars turning in front of you: if I see a possibility of that happening, I now start to weave back and forth in my lane. In a British study it was determined that a majority of these accidents could possibly have been avoided with this simple action because it makes the bike and rider seem bigger. I think a lot of times drivers see a motorcycle, but just dismiss it. Katie (note from Mama: thanks for reminding us of this simple technique and noting the study. Hee hee, maybe all bikes could be outfitted with a transmitter and all cars with a receiver that beeps or flashes a bright light on the dashboard when a motorcycle is in their vicinity! Would they dismiss that as well?!?!?!) Monday, January 15 Even more for Debbie who is considering a modulating headlight for visibility: I too ride (and LOVE) a 650 VStar. I never, never ride
without the high beam on during the day. The Yamaha lights are just not bright
enough unless they are on high. Stay safe! Tuesday, January 16 Even more for Debbie who is considering a modulating headlight for visibility: Here is what I have done to increase my headlight visibility. It was very quick, easy and cheap to do. I replaced the stock bulb with a Kuryakyn 55/60 watt H-4 (Premium Blue) which is equal to 100 watt clear. I also added the Kuryakyn Rainbow Strobe. This is a little assembly that fits over the bulb and creates a colorful pattern, but does not interfere with the bulb brightness. According to the site I bought mine from, there may be some sort of local regulations against these, but I have had not had any problems with mine. Total cost was about $40 and took not even 20 minutes to complete. I have received lots of comments from other riders about how bright my headlight looks. I have also noticed that when I pull up behind a car, the headlight seems to get their attention, as I always get a glance in their rearview. Additionally, I always make sure that all the bug goo is cleaned off my headlight and that the glass is crystal clear. Shakti AeroRider (note from Mama: awesome! For an overall idea of what Kuryakyn offers, hop onto the site and choose your bike section and then lighting.) Thursday, February 15 For Anonymous who commented on liking loud exhaust pipes: This is written from the point of view of both a rider, and someone that lives about a block from a classic American Boulevard (Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR). We have semis, buses and the occasional drag race starting out at a nearby intersection; none of these come close to the dB generated by open exhaust motorcycles. The safety of fellow motorcyclists is important to me, but I have to ask the question Is the small amount of increased safety you get worth waking up or disturbing everyone within 100 yards of your path? I have 20+ years riding experience and the only realistic situation I can think of where load pipes will save someones live is when you are riding in a driver's blind spot; your load pipes will probably prevent them from moving into your lane. My question is, what are you doing in their blind spot long enough for to allow them to do this? Loud pipes at intersections do not offer any help, the driver is in a cage, your pipes are pointing away from them, and you are moving toward them they cant hear your pipes anyway. Good defensive riding techniques will prevent most accidents. Headlight modulators will probably get you noticed much faster and will generally only annoy one person at a time. Regarding the need to hear what gear you are in is interesting. I ride a BMW which likely has a little less vibration then the Softail Deluxe I have never had much difficulty feeling my RPMs through the grips & crotch. This rant is probably pointless, but at least its out there. All the best, J. (note from Mama: no viewpoint is pointless! Honest dialog opens up our brains and gives us all a chance to consider a different angle to an aspect of our riding experience. On my last bike I had straight pipes and when I thought a cager might pull out into traffic in front of me, I roared the throttle . . . despite the noise being behind me, it did turn the head of that driver. I consider loud pipes another "tool" in the arsenal of defensive riding. Now I ride a quiet BMW and pay stricter attention to cage wheel rotation . . . I can see if the cage is antsy to merge into traffic or sitting solid at the stop. There is more and more chatter from communities and the affect of loud motorcycles. My personal view is that if you have them, use them judiciously . . . showing off by roaring loud pipes just for the heck of it is a bit childish.) Wednesday, April 4 More for Gloria who was wondering what biker whips were all about: Biker whips without metal bearings or rods at the end serve to add visibility more than anything else nowadays as opposed to the thwacking of cars historically by certain clubs. Today, these are commonly braided around a nylon core to prevent flapping or slapping riders as they tend to fan out in the wind "at speed" and often attract attention. Additionally these whips are designed to show club affiliation and enhance the look of many custom bike colors. Not everything about these should be viewed negatively. Anonymous (note from Mama: thank you for sharing how this accessory is being viewed in a positive light and what it can add to the riding experience!) |
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