Weaving at Left Turners (or other)?

[bkh2]

So my mom told me today that while she was waiting for a left turn, she saw an oncoming motorcycle do a little bit of a weave as he approached the intersection. She reasoned that the motorcyclist did this to grab the attention of the left turner (which, in this case, was my mom). That is, because the headlight was not moving in a linear path, it may help 'snap' the driver out of a potential daydream.

What do you guys think about this? (Obviously not crazy weaving, but just a little flick to make the headlight dance a bit.)

[Gorilla25]

maybe rider swerved around an object on the road.

[bkh2]

Let's suppose that his intent was to shake his headlight in an attempt to alert the turner. In your opinion, is that a good practice to adopt? I'm thinking I might try doing that from now on, unless you guys see something wrong that I don't currently see. As of now, I just move to the right side of my lane to maximize my distance so I have more time to react (and possibly to open more escape options).

[Gorilla25]

in my opinion, dont do it. do exactly as you should when approaching/riding through an intersection. the only time i flick my bike like that is to swerve around something im about to run into.(pot hole, stupid cagers not paying attention, etc...)

[dfox]

Say you do, and the car decides to go... Now you're off balance and can't react. Stay straight and attentive.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by bkh2

.....What do you guys think about this? (Obviously not crazy weaving, but just a little flick to make the headlight dance a bit.)

I don't think, I do know that it is an excellent practice.

I do it everyday and everyday it works for me.

Check this thread:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=97999

[Numbersix]

"Weaving" no ... but a bar shake or flick yes.

Our eyes pick up lateral motion easily; something moving straight at us doesn't register (just ask any kid beaned by a pop fly ball).

[lux]

Originally Posted by Motofool

I don't think, I do know that it is an excellent practice.

I do it everyday and everyday it works for me.

Check this thread:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=97999

I do it, too.

For more general riding tips, I like Capt. Crash: http://www.howzitdonecrash.com/Home_Page.html

Originally Posted by Motofool

I don't think, I do know that it is an excellent practice.

I do it everyday and everyday it works for me.

Check this thread:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=97999

Yes very important way to make sure people notice you! The SMIDSY! Been doing it for a couple years now, very light weave (rocking of bike might be better wording) flick of the handle bars, you dont want to look like you're weaving all over the place that will confuse the cagers even more, just make sure they notice you! I probably picked it up off this website originally!

[Bermuda]

Yeah, a little shake or weave to grab the attention of opposing traffic is an established techinque. I'll do it when approaching a busy intersection, or can see a driver preparing for a left hand turn ahead. I've also had drivers abrubtly stop imediately following my little shake, and I'd like to think that it's help catch their attention.

[DevinWolfe]

Originally Posted by Bermuda

Yeah, a little shake or weave to grab the attention of opposing traffic is an established techinque. I'll do it when approaching a busy intersection, or can see a driver preparing for a left hand turn ahead. I've also had drivers abrubtly stop imediately following my little shake, and I'd like to think that it's help catch their attention.

I have had this exact same experience and have yet to have someone commit to a turn following my movement on the Ninja. I did not do this on my cruiser and had 2 people cut across almost directly in front of me.

[ally99]

I do it all the time...an easy swerve from one end of the lane to the other to make myself more visible. ANYTHING to become more visible. Just be ready for them to pull out in front of you anyway and you'll be just fine!

[Boomstick1491]

The dude in question employed the SMIDSY Avoidance Maneuver, which I use all the time to avoid being destroyed by moronic DC (and NoVA/MD) drivers. It seems to work, but I always wonder if the driver thinks I am losing control when I do it. Of course, if they do think that, they may be less inclined to drive in front of me for fear of causing me to wreck. And then again, they'd probably delight in seeing me eat sh*t and then drive off as if nothing happened.

[alex.s]

i do it every day

[Whiskey]

I weave from about the centre of my lane to the right edge (we drive on the left here) & back a couple of times to make myself easier to see, cover the horn too.

Think I saw this on here before, skip to 5:00 to see the move
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQBubilSXU

[Boomstick1491]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

I weave from about the centre of my lane to the right edge (we drive on the left here) & back a couple of times to make myself easier to see, cover the horn too.

Think I saw this on here before, skip to 5:00 to see the move
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQBubilSXU

Dude, you're so 11 seconds ago. See my post two above you. Duuuuuuuh!

And for that, I'll have some Jameson.

[Boom King]

I also use this maneuver for cagers waiting to turn right on a red into my lane.

[EsrTek]

I weave all the time whenever I want to make sure people see me...so far works awesome

[Firehorse]

Taught that in both my courses. Do it all the time when there a sitting car at a light going in any direction. Just enough to make them think, "What's that?"

[bkh2]

I was never taught that in my MSF, so this strategy was new to me. Quick story: So I was riding today and a car wanted to make a right turn from a side street to go the same direction as me. I rocked my bike a little and I saw him slam his brakes as the tip of his nose came into the lane.

TLDR: This tactic definitely works and I will be adopting it from now on.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by bkh2

........I rocked my bike a little and I saw him slam his brakes as the tip of his nose came into the lane.

Yes, that has happened to me as well;.....................however, after seeing you, the driver still can make a dangerous decision.

A lady did exactly that this morning: I saw her approaching the intersection, I rocked the bike, she slammed her brakes and looked at my eyes, she waited a couple of seconds................ and still she pulled way too close in front of me.

There are way many troubled drivers out there, plus the ones unable to make an intelligent reasoning or calculation: we may not drop the guard.

My conclusions about this:

1) The trick works for drivers who try to see an approaching motorcycle.

2) Approaching any intersection should be done with maximum alertness and peripheral vision, as slow as possible, selecting at least one way to escape (transmission in proper gear) and ready for emergency braking.

3) Coordinate the rocking so that at the most critical moment (closest to the car and too short distance to effectively stop) the bike is pointing towards the selected escape trajectory (for me, that is the rear of the potentially offending car, because I want to go into the space left behind by the car rather than into the path of the car).

[cbinker]

When i see someone wanting to turn across my path:
1. freeze hand on throttle.
2. fingers on brakes if not already there.
3. I move to the lane position closest to them.
4. when i am closer, I move to the lane position furthest away from them
5. after i cross them, i accelerate to the position closest to them.

so it may appear to be a "swerving motion".

[250rr]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Yes, that has happened to me as well;.....................however, after seeing you, the driver still can make a dangerous decision.

A lady did exactly that this morning: I saw her approaching the intersection, I rocked the bike, she slammed her brakes and looked at my eyes, she waited a couple of seconds................ and still she pulled way too close in front of me.

There are way many troubled drivers out there, plus the ones unable to make an intelligent reasoning or calculation: we may not drop the guard.

My conclusions about this:

1) The trick works for drivers who try to see an approaching motorcycle.

2) Approaching any intersection should be done with maximum alertness and peripheral vision, as slow as possible, selecting at least one way to escape (transmission in proper gear) and ready for emergency braking.

3) Coordinate the rocking so that at the most critical moment (closest to the car and too short distance to effectively stop) the bike is pointing towards the selected escape trajectory (for me, that is the rear of the potentially offending car, because I want to go into the space left behind by the car rather than into the path of the car).

This seems very logical. Thanks!

[250rr]

320 miles of experience! I began swerving or rocking or whatever about 100 miles ago. Been doing it on every ride since. Plan on continuing.

[EsrTek]

Well the timing on that was odd... right after my earlier post I heard a skidding outside, then a crunch. Ran out to find a downed Harley, which just had a person come from the side street and turn right in front of him.
He was OK, bike was scratched up but nothing major... Asked him if he heard of SMIDSY and used the moment to bring him inside show him the videos got him something to drink and patched up the minor rash he had on forearm.
I think he will be using the manuever from now on too

[JeffM]

All the time.

I also slow at intersections, wear a tennis ball yellow vest with a mostly white helmet.

Yep, the left turners scare me.

Jeff

[Whiskey]

Cover the horn approaching junctions (intersections) too.

Originally Posted by Boomstick1491

Dude, you're so 11 seconds ago. See my post two above you. Duuuuuuuh!

And for that, I'll have some Jameson.

It's on the middle shelf, beside the Bushmills, feel free to pour it yourself... I'll have a Midleton (from the top shelf) while you're at it

[Boomstick1491]

Originally Posted by EsrTek

Well the timing on that was odd... right after my earlier post I heard a skidding outside, then a crunch. Ran out to find a downed Harley, which just had a person come from the side street and turn right in front of him.
He was OK, bike was scratched up but nothing major... Asked him if he heard of SMIDSY and used the moment to bring him inside show him the videos got him something to drink and patched up the minor rash he had on forearm.
I think he will be using the manuever from now on too

You brought him inside and patched him up? Did you kiss his wounds too? You did, didn't you? You old sailor you!

I'm just teasing, you won the humanitarian merit badge for your kindness. My wife didn't even patch up my knee when I ate sh*t after a cab cut me off and I tried to crack the pavement with my patella. Bottom line, you're very nice.

[EsrTek]

LOL - well I provided him what he need to patch himself

[Boomstick1491]

Originally Posted by EsrTek

LOL - well I provided him what he need to patch himself

Word of your good deed has spread throughout the Harley community, so now they recognize guys on sport bikes as fellow riders and they will acknowledge us when we wave to them. So, thanks Eric for allowing us to feel like we are not being snubbed every time we are polite and give a wave to one of those dbags.

[jboyd12]

My boyfriend weaves on the road randomly for no apparent reason... i think he just enjoys it lol but not a bad idea to get attention. just gotta get a loud exhaust so they'll hear you coming

[Miles_Prower]

unfortunately many people can't hear well. the guy next to me on the way to work had his windows up and music on so loud that i could hear the lyrics like i was wearing headphones.

As far as weaving goes, I do it all the time, not only so they see the headlight but some areas there are a lot of poles/signs that block views if driving straight. I found that if I weave, I can get back into view. They suggested using that method at my MSF course too.

[dfox]

Originally Posted by dfox

Say you do, and the car decides to go... Now you're off balance and can't react. Stay straight and attentive.

I have to take this back.

i've been paying attention, and I do it and didn't even realize it. it's just part of making yourself seen and not blending into the background.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by Gorilla25

in my opinion, dont do it. do exactly as you should when approaching/riding through an intersection. the only time i flick my bike like that is to swerve around something im about to run into.(pot hole, stupid cagers not paying attention, etc...)

Your opinion is wrong

the lateral movement gives the cager a sense of motion that helps them see you, your eyes detect motion, a bike bearing stragiht down on you appears motionless until it's almost on top of you.

weaving the bike doesn't affect your stability nearly as much as some twat in a cage pulling out & T-boning you.

[Jinx250]

Originally Posted by Motofool

1) The trick works for drivers who try to see an approaching motorcycle.

I have to disagree in the aspect that this makes people who are oblivious see you. The ones trying to see us don't need the extra help. I've lost count of how many people have jammed their brakes instead of turning into my path because of this nifty little maneuver.