Author Topic: For those running with out turn indicators...  (Read 7295 times)

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Offline Borkunit

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For those running with out turn indicators...
« on: July 26, 2006, 02:20:54 PM »
Is it ever problematic for you?  My bike currently has no indicators, so I use hand signals whenever possible but there are times when it is just not feasible.  My biggest concern is cars behind me not realizing I am slowing for a turn and getting rear ended especially at night.  I would like to leave them off, but I wonder if it is a legitimate hazards to run without. 

Also, what's the legality of not having signals?  Obviously I can use hand signals during daylight hours, but I seem to remember something about hand sigs not being allowed at night.

Thanks,
Zak

Offline StevieMac

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2006, 02:25:43 PM »
Legality depends on where you live.  It varies state to state etc.   Some places you can run without signals if the bike was built prior to a specified year. 

Safety wise I'd say anything that compromises the ability of other motorists to see you or to see your intention to turn increases your risk.  Not saying I wouldn't run without them (if we could here) but I would say it does increase your risk.
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Offline JSGAuto

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2006, 03:22:03 PM »
I run without signales. 
In NJ the year that is the cut off is 1972. 

I figure cars don't see them anyway.  I just use hand signales, and give myself plenty of extra room, and "Outs" just in case. 

Jim
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Offline merc2dogs

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2006, 03:36:22 PM »

 I just recently put signals on my bike, never had any issues with it, now that I have them, I keep forgetting to turn them off though!.

 Whenever I slow down for whatever reason I always tap my rear brake a couple times, have the switch set up fairly tight, and some play in the pedal so I can hit the brake light without actualy hitting the brake, just need to set it to a comfortable limit.
  Much better than hoping a moron with a cell phone will notice they're getting closer to you.

ken

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2006, 03:38:37 PM »
I wonder if today's drivers even know what the hand signals are/mean.  :-\ I share the opinion that anything that improves your safety odds is worth doing. My 750 pre-dates the manditory headlight on design, but I run with it on just the same.
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Offline cbjunkie

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2006, 04:34:48 PM »
Quote
Whenever I slow down for whatever reason I always tap my rear brake a couple times, have the switch set up fairly tight, and some play in the pedal so I can hit the brake light without actualy hitting the brake, just need to set it to a comfortable limit.

me too...and, since having my head-on collision last October I've taken to thumbing the headlight two or three times if i see a Left-Turner coming towards me...maybe that'll help  ???
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Offline angeldeville

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2006, 04:37:08 PM »
I tend to use a certain "hand signal" in conjuction with my turn indicators
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madbunny

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2006, 11:03:05 PM »
hell, with the amount of driving-with-cell-phone-firmly-planted-to-ear drivers today i'd say it's a big risk just sitting in a turn lane if you're smaller than box van.
that said, i run without signals and i keep a close eye on my six when i'm stopped.
left turns at four way stops seem to be the biggest hassle as i haven't figured out how to telekinetically hold down that durned clutch while i signal.

Offline mrbreeze

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2006, 11:54:52 PM »
This post is bring up a load of good points. Safety wise.....Get the signals working. Bob....you have to be right about people probably not knowing what hand sigs mean!!!!!!!That,I can believe!!Different states probably do have different laws about signals and all but I think the general rule would be ...If the vehicle came with the equipment in question(from the factory),then the said equipment should be present and functionable.A good example........my 750K5 has an on-off switch for the headlight.I currently have my right hand control chiken-#$%* wired up so that my light comes on with the ignition.When I get off of my ass(this winter....project #17....I promise!!!!),I will put it back stock(with polished control housing..................I PROMISE!!!!)...............Anyways....my point is.....If I get caught running down the road on my bike....with no headlight on.....during the day.....in the state of California.....they can't give me a ticket because my bike's a 75 model and it came with an on-off switch.Now tell me how many law enforcment officers are going to know that?They will pull me over and give me #$%* until I explain it to them.I do believe it is safer to run the headlight and front-rear turn sigs. plus it keeps young uninformed cops off of your ass!!! BE SAFE OUT THERE!!!!!
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ElCheapo

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2006, 08:41:35 AM »
I wonder if today's drivers even know what the hand signals are/mean.  :-\ I share the opinion that anything that improves your safety odds is worth doing. My 750 pre-dates the manditory headlight on design, but I run with it on just the same.

I am with you on this as the signals on the K5 have not worked all season. I hate having to do hand signals  >:(. Sometimes I wonder if they even know what the hell I am doing. Afterall it apears that parking is nolonger a requirement to pass the test (both my wife and daughters park like crap), wonder if they cut out the hand signal use too?

madbunny

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2006, 08:45:52 AM »
I wonder if today's drivers even know what the hand signals are/mean.  :-\ I share the opinion that anything that improves your safety odds is worth doing. My 750 pre-dates the manditory headlight on design, but I run with it on just the same.

I am with you on this as the signals on the K5 have not worked all season. I hate having to do hand signals  >:(. Sometimes I wonder if they even know what the hell I am doing. Afterall it apears that parking is nolonger a requirement to pass the test (both my wife and daughters park like crap), wonder if they cut out the hand signal use too?

in ohio hand signals are stil on the m/c test but i haven't the foggiest about the 4 wheeler test.
i think most folks get the general idea for a left turn, i have serious doubts about right turns. looks too much like you're being sworn in.
and signalling a stop?
forget it.
the police report will simply read:
"last thing he did before i ran him over was flash some weird gang sign..."

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2006, 09:17:47 AM »
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the police report will simply read:
"last thing he did before i ran him over was flash some weird gang sign..."

 ;D
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Offline Klark Kent

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2006, 09:48:10 AM »
I like the idea of rears only.  I would like none at all if it were all about looks, but you have to be noticed to be looked at so for visability's sake I installed the rear indicators on my bike, which came with all detached.  The way I am imagining it is that people behind me should know the most information possible and I should do all i can to make them aware of me- because its not always easy to watch my own ass... but people in front of me i just have to assume do not see me, but I can see them because they are in front of me.  I am not relying on them knowing anything to avoid a collision, that is my job.  I think not wearing all black would be a better way to get noticed than turn signals.  Tiny orange lights (with BULBS not LEDS!!!! THE HORROR) do nt say HELLO WORLD HERE I AM, like a dayglow jacket and helmet would.  both look goofy.

Am I on a totally wrong track with my prioritization of the rears over the fronts?  I am new to this so i defer to the more wise, and even some of the less wise who have been riding a while. ;)

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madbunny

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #13 on: July 27, 2006, 10:15:36 AM »
i think the problem has more to do with the way the human brain interprets optical information.
one tailight is very hard for stereo-optical creatures like us to vector.
with only one point of reference we don't track motorcycles very well.
with a pair of tailights or headlights we can judge speed and direction by the relationship of the two points converging/diverging and changing realtive shapes on the horizontal plane.
there's a reason most traffic signals are vertical rather than horizontal.
if you're color blind you can tell by position quite easily whether the light is "green" or "red".
we read motion in the vertical plane very easy even if it's only a single point.
sorry charlie, we're just hard wired to not "see" motorcycles.


madbunny

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #15 on: July 27, 2006, 10:47:44 AM »
Quote
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Offline ProTeal55

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #16 on: July 27, 2006, 10:48:05 AM »
Currently I have no signals on my CB, but will be adding rear ones over the winter.
No matter how many hand signals you use, or how many times you flash your brake lights, some drivers jst dont get it / care/ etc..
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #17 on: July 27, 2006, 11:11:30 AM »


          Basically, I'm saying what most of you are saying. Fact is, a percentage of those driving cars (trucks or whatever), do not see us and anything we can do to change that could save our lives. Some of those people have the mistaken idea that a bike can stop on a dime and that the cars have a priority over the bikes while on the road. It becomes a challenge sometimes to put lights and turnsignals on a bike and not "Clutter Up" the look that you're trying to achieve. Personally, I don't care for most of the stock signal lights and will attempt to come up with some suitable replacements.   You could put big sequence type signals, like on the old Mercury Cougars, and somebody in a car would still run into you. But, we need to do what we can to protect ourselves and our bikes      My Thoughts.   

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Offline ProTeal55

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #18 on: July 27, 2006, 11:52:11 AM »
If someone is looking for a small & bright turn signal idea, I would look into what I have on my scoot.
They are just some small chrome bullet style lights. The smallest one's I have seen that still use a 1157 style bulb (which is dual fillament). The things are brighter then hell, due to the entire bulb being insde the lens, for great light disperation (spelling?). I have had people say they can clearly see them when I am way ahead of them...


I currently have them wired as both running and stoplights, but I plan to get a trailer wiring "box" so I can make them blink as well...
You can find them in the Drag Specialties catalogue.
« Last Edit: July 27, 2006, 11:55:17 AM by ProTeal55 »
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #19 on: July 27, 2006, 12:14:29 PM »


          Looks like some pretty bright attention getting lights. I like the idea of running lights too. But, did ya have to show em' twice? ??? Ha!Ha!Ha! Seriously, I may get some for the sidecar rig. At times. I'll be carrying James (the "Special Needs" youngman that I work with) and I sure want to be as safe as possible with him on board. Later on,  Bill
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Offline Borkunit

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #20 on: July 27, 2006, 02:26:45 PM »
I like those lights.  I have pondered rigging some sort of supplimental running lights on the back.  I feel invisible at night with only one tail light.  I am going to install my factory blinkers for now, but I'll need to figure out another solution pretty quick.. these things are ooogly.

-Zak

Offline Ernie

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #21 on: July 27, 2006, 03:10:46 PM »
i think any lights you can get would be better than none,anything to draw attension to yourself while riding would be a good thing nowadays with these people driving arround on cell phones reading maps and putting on make up. its more dangerous nowdays and some people just dont give a danm about bikers.......or anything for that matter
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Offline nickjtc

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For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #22 on: July 27, 2006, 04:38:39 PM »
So how are you supposed to signal left while stopped at a left turn and also keep the bike in first gear with the clutch pulled in............?

Actually I know the answer, since my Norton has no turn signals, but it is a real problem!!!

I see a lot of the squid crowd around here  have put miniscule aftermarket turnsignals on their rockets which are therefore virtually invisible during daylight; hand signals would almost be better.
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Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #23 on: July 27, 2006, 09:28:09 PM »
I use turn signals AND hand signals. I don't think a lot of car folks know what the signals mean, but I figure they'll watch some whack job having a seizure- just to see if I crash or something.
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Offline Steve F

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Re: For those running with out turn indicators...
« Reply #24 on: July 27, 2006, 10:27:45 PM »
I thought that all NEW motorcycles sold in the US now were required to have signals.  But I'm wondering how these guys like Jesse James and OCC sell bikes without 'em.  Is that something the owner has to deal with once he takes delivery?  I can't imagine Jesse puting turn signals on any of his bikes.  ::)