more noticeable

[Ash]

Hello everyone,

I am thinking about making some modifications to my 2001 GS 500E. I have already had some close calls this spring where people just haven't seen me  Which by the way I just don't get; a motorcycle is not exactly a small object! At any rate I have been thinking about making some changes that enable me to be seen or heard. My friend suggested that I get a new loud exhaust (mine is still stock, you know the one that sounds like the average lawn mower  ) or maybe even drill out the baffles in my current exhaust. I have been thinking about a bike that I saw that had LED's that flashed when the brake light was on, and I am wondering where one gets such lights or even ones that aren't synonymous witih the brake lights and are on all the time. Although my mother thinks I should have a big bright orange flag on the back I am looking for some modifications that would be a bit less juvenile and a bit more of an attention grabber. Has anyone made any similar modifications or do you have any suggestions? Thanks and safe riding to all!

[quiktaco]

I'm pretty new to riding as well, but if you're having close calls, then maybe you need to adjust the way that YOU are driving.  You can never expect someone to see you.  Act as if they can't.  Never ride in blind spots, move in the lane to where others can see you, and if they do try to get in your lane, you are far enough away, that they won't hit you.  If someone is turning out of a street perpendicular to you, then slow down and change positions in your lane so that they can see you...even flash your high/low beams, or honk if it comes to it.

I've been riding for about 9 months now, and I've never had a close call.

Now to your mods, the brake light flashing is a great idea.  I was thinking about doing that.  I think a louder exhaust can be helpful, but some people say it does nothing for attention getting...don't know why they think that though.

Suggestions would be reflective tape.  If you ride at night, you can get reflective tape and put it in tons of inconspicuous places on the bike.  Also a louder horn might be good.  Can't think of any others right now.

[ajaxgs]

good luck with the mods , just check your states lighting laws ........on a side note people in cages don't even see trains and flashing lights at crossings  

[Jay_wolf]

Well i think the bike colour helps 

I have a wierd thing for Bright yellow bikes ,

People see a bright yellow bike .. with a bright yellow helmet , u see it .

a dark colour bike doesnt seem as visable . and ride with ur lights on all the time , it all helps 

[gsJack]

I got clipped in the rear by a kid in a S-10 pickup as I turned off a highway onto a side road on my black 97 GS in July 03 at age 70 after going 19 years and over 300,000 miles without making contact with another vehicle.  High sided off the bike and got a broken collar bone when I landed.  Prior to that I had a couple low side drops in gravel without contacting anything but the road and received only minor rash and bruises.  My 02 replacement is black too.

Defensive riding is the answer being totally alert at all time when riding.  Bright colors aren't the answer but they can't hurt.  Loud pipes don't save lives, loud pipes loose rights.  I'm totally against loud pipes.  I'd rather pass them in stealth mode, if they hear you coming they'll have time to aim.

If I can go another 19 years and another 300k miles before they get me again, that will be more than enough at my age.   

[wreckhog]

There is a guy with 650 Burgman near me that has a flagpole with a long long strip of yellow Caution tape as a flag. Tough to miss. Some guys wear neon green jackets like the ones from Olympia. You can buy modulators that flash headlights legally during the day. LED's are not especially visible in daylight. Or just ride it like you stole it. Everyone notices you then.

[surf.seppo]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=40354.0

Awesome thread on a new high-viz campaign. Has lots of useful suggestions. They don't recommend the louder exhaust (just pisses off cagers, who might be blasting music anyway), but just about anything else helps. I kind of want the helmet ears 

[ohgood]

Loud pipes don't save lives, loud pipes loose rights. 

If I can go another 19 years and another 300k miles before they get me again, that will be more than enough at my age.   

Yep, he's doing something right. Pay attention, kids. Loud pipes won't do you a damned bit of good to prevent people crashing into you. Ride like everyone is trying to kill you, and you might see the spring.

THIS IS THE MOST NOTICEABLE MOD I"VE SEEN FOR A MOTORCYCLE:

http://www.tobefast.com/customled-07-08-r1-blaster-x-c-54515-p-1-pr-4173.html
see the video: http://www.tobefast.com/07R1bastx.wmv
The video really doesn't do the mod justice. It's so bright it hurts from less than 100 feet. Maybe it's legal in your state, maybe it's not. But they sure as heck won't be able to say they didn't see it.  I've personally been behind an R1 over a mile away in the pouring rain, and still saw this taillight.

Bright clothing and a pure colored helmet seems to catch my eye more than a wild painted helmet.

The green jackets are the most visible (to me) in the rain, I use a yellow jacket, sometimes.

[Ash]

I am a very defensive driver I ride as though everyone will run me off from the road. The one mishap that I did have was when I was sitting at a stop sign and a one ton chevy was making a left turn from my right and he didn't se me. So he was going to drive into me until the last second when apparently he saw me. I wasn't in a blind spot and I had been sitting there for a couple of minutes. I wear a bright pink helmet. I just think that some people are blind!

[papiocho]

U can look like this. BUT!!! find that in this city the people(me) that look like this attract tail-gaitors  and  rear-view-gazers. happens everytime i wear it so
so i only wear it during low light rides. 

[fodder650]

Im starting to look at some alternatives on mine. Since I will be coming home after 10pm during the week. I have a jacket and gloves that are somewhat reflective. ive avoided running with the high beam although I probably should. My bike is red so its easier to spot when the light hits it.

Im not one of those who think loud pipes save lives. It just pisses people, myself included, off. Besides the person who is most likely to hit you will have the windows up. The AC blowing hard and a cell phone or bluetooth on their ear and possibly a child or two trying to get some attention. You cant make the bike loud enough for them to hear you.

Ive had one close call back in 96 on my old 80 CB650C. Back before everyone and their kid had a cell phone. Woman in a van pulled out in front of me during daylight at a light. She had a cellphone (good ole big analog one at the time) on her ear and just smiled and shrugged when she spotted me. Being new, stupid and ignoring what i learned in my MSF class. I locked the rear wheel. Got away ok. Couple weeks later husband and wife in their 50s on a goldwing got killed at the same intersection.

Although you cant control how other people drive. The better you are at situational awareness watching the tires on cars at intersections and being aware of whats going on around you. Is the safest way to ride.

[birdman]

I just started riding again after 20 years away. 
I ended up with a Yellow '99 GS and decided to keep in that same tone.  Yellow/black/white jacket and same motif on the helmet.
I ride periodically onto the Air Force Base here and you are required to have high visibility vest or jacket all the time. 

So last week a woman pulling out of the drive thru at the  bank basically looked right through me and pulled right into my lane as I was going past.  Very slow speed, but if I had not paid attention to her and looked away for a second I'd have been a speed bump and she would have just kept on going to her Canasta game with her other grey hairs. Some people just are too old or incapable, TRUST No ONE.

I avoided getting a bike for many years due to one fact, every time I went shopping for one, someone I knew either got maimed or killed.  I got no sign this time around, but I also know that there is a motorcyclist killed here at least once a month.  Usually going too fast for conditions.

If you ride conservatively, people in their cars respect that I think and give you a little more space.  You start being a jerkoff on the road and people get indignant and less wary.  I personally have adjusted how I drive my car when I notice a bike nearby.  Maybe all people should be hung out on a bike once to gain a little respect.

All things considered, anything to give you an edge is helpful. Just remember, color blind people can't see your orange vest.  Contrast is a big benefit there.  Don't blend in with things around you and keep plenty of space.

I like the reflective tape that I see around for night visibility.  Approached from the rear is where you are most vulnerable to not being seen. 

happy trails
r

[beRto]

U can look like this. BUT!!! find that in this city the people(me) that look like this attract tail-gaitors  and  rear-view-gazers. happens everytime i wear it so
so i only wear it during low light rides. 

ha ha... that's how I look when I'm riding too! I haven't had problems with tailgaters, but I do find people have more of a tendency to pass me. I don't mind though, I like to ride around the speed limits (high-vis vest or not).

[kml.krk]

Well i think the bike colour helps 
I have a wierd thing for Bright yellow bikes ,
People see a bright yellow bike .. with a bright yellow helmet , u see it .
a dark colour bike doesnt seem as visable . and ride with ur lights on all the time , it all helps 

+1 on whatever he said!!  ^^

<<<-------------

+ that's what I wear ---->>> 
AND that  ------>>>> 

PS. I probably look like a chicken on a yellow bike, but I DON'T care 
I only HOPE it helps them to see me!
cheers
KaMeL