Mirrors that provide greatest field of vision

[mister]

There's this helmet made now, I don't remember the name of the manufacturer, but it has mirrors built into the top of it with a mirror at the top of the visor that shows what's directly behind you, I thought that was a really cool idea. Maybe someone else knows what I'm talking about and has the link?

Yep. I've seen it. The Window at the back takes in the light and, through a series of prisms, brings the image to your top right inside the visor. Sort of like a permanent review mirror. Sorry, cannot recall the link.

As for mirrors... I try to set mine up so as a car leaves the mirror's field of view, I see it in my peripheral vision. My right mirror shows a lot of the lane next to me and my left more behind me. As I also constantly check them, you cannot sneak up on me and I know what's around me at all times. I don't just zone out and look straight ahead while riding. I try to watch everything.

Michael

[007brendan]

http://www.reevu.com/rv.asp

[Twisted]

There's this helmet made now, I don't remember the name of the manufacturer, but it has mirrors built into the top of it with a mirror at the top of the visor that shows what's directly behind you, I thought that was a really cool idea. Maybe someone else knows what I'm talking about and has the link?

Yep. I've seen it. The Window at the back takes in the light and, through a series of prisms, brings the image to your top right inside the visor. Sort of like a permanent review mirror. Sorry, cannot recall the link.

As for mirrors... I try to set mine up so as a car leaves the mirror's field of view, I see it in my peripheral vision. My right mirror shows a lot of the lane next to me and my left more behind me. As I also constantly check them, you cannot sneak up on me and I know what's around me at all times. I don't just zone out and look straight ahead while riding. I try to watch everything.

Michael

Yes one of the things my riding instructor drilled into us on the course was "Shoulder check, shoulder check, shoulder check!" Even when you dont need to. The more you move on your bike the more visible you make yourself especially in double lanes.

[mister]

There's this helmet made now, I don't remember the name of the manufacturer, but it has mirrors built into the top of it with a mirror at the top of the visor that shows what's directly behind you, I thought that was a really cool idea. Maybe someone else knows what I'm talking about and has the link?

Yep. I've seen it. The Window at the back takes in the light and, through a series of prisms, brings the image to your top right inside the visor. Sort of like a permanent review mirror. Sorry, cannot recall the link.

As for mirrors... I try to set mine up so as a car leaves the mirror's field of view, I see it in my peripheral vision. My right mirror shows a lot of the lane next to me and my left more behind me. As I also constantly check them, you cannot sneak up on me and I know what's around me at all times. I don't just zone out and look straight ahead while riding. I try to watch everything.

Michael

Yes one of the things my riding instructor drilled into us on the course was "Shoulder check, shoulder check, shoulder check!" Even when you dont need to. The more you move on your bike the more visible you make yourself especially in double lanes.

And if makes the other drivers think.... what's he going to do... then good, they are noticing you.

Michael

[Paulcet]

There's this helmet made now, I don't remember the name of the manufacturer, but it has mirrors built into the top of it with a mirror at the top of the visor that shows what's directly behind you, I thought that was a really cool idea. Maybe someone else knows what I'm talking about and has the link?

http://www.reevu.com/

[zirconx]

I've always used the little stick-on blind spot mirrors on all my bikes.  I like the small rectangular ones but they are hard to find.  I don't like the big round ones, they take up too much of my mirror space.

I always use these mirrors for changing lanes, I never shoulder check.  Too much can happen out in front of you while you head is turned.  Maybe if I rode where there is no traffic in front of me I would feel better about shoulder checking.

[AG5656]

Thanks guys. Your responses were very helpful.  Electrojake, the video gave me all kinds of ideas for future modifications. Your bike is awesome!

I think I'm going to buy a set of the Third Eye bar-end circular mirrors and then extend the front mirrors to be taller (with some thick washers/bushings and longer screws).  Hopefully I can get the bar-end mirrors to see the blind spots and the front mirrors to see behind me.  The problem I have with shoulder checking is that there could be an accident right in front of me in the 1/2 second my head is turned away. Also, my neck gets very sore after riding, probably because I'm a beginner, and that really prevents my ability to turn my head.

As far as looks, I found in Chicago the uglier my bike is the less likely it is to get stolen or hijacked.  Everything is naked and ghetto rigged.  Helps me sleep at night.

[Electrojake]

Covering several items here. . .
1.) I've been fortunate, I have no vibration issues related to the 4 mirrors on my GS500F. Also, the bar ends need to be weighted to reduce normal vibration on the bike. Removing the factory weights to put on mirrors can create vibration issues, (just my 2 cents worth on that).

2.) Thank you Stevo for the data on the extenders. I figure it'll be about $75.00 delivered to my door. Any more and I may have to hold back for now. (Feeding the wife and kids always interferes with my toy money) 
But I have to ask you for one more favor. Could you please tell me the distance in mm from hole "A" to hole "B" on the GS500 extenders? I'd like to mock-up a set out of some scrap stock to get a feel for em' before I spend the $$ on the SW-Motech set.

Thanks much!
-Ej-

[Electrojake]

Hopefully I can get the bar-end mirrors to see the blind spots and the front mirrors to see behind me. 
The problem I have with shoulder checking is that there could be an accident right in front of me in the 1/2 second my head is turned away.
Also, my neck gets very sore after riding, probably because I'm a beginner, and that really prevents my ability to turn my head.

As far as looks, I found in Chicago the uglier my bike is the less likely it is to get stolen or hijacked.  Everything is naked and ghetto rigged.  Helps me sleep at night.

Sorry this is so off topic but I had to. . .
AG5656, If it's uncomfortable, don't do it.
Please hear me bro: If your brain is telling you shoulder checks are a recipe for disaster, Listen to your brain, Its trying to keep you alive! Simply stay out of heavy multi-lane traffic situations.
As time goes by the things that shake you now (like say shoulder checks) will become second nature. Your skills will all fall into place over the next year or two.

Its not about risking your life, its about realizing your smart enough to recognize uncomfortable situations that for now should be avoided.
Chicago traffic is serious stuff and your in it!

And as for the sore neck. . .
Yeah, that's kinda' odd but but you'll figure it out and adjust yourself and the bike as you begin to become one with the bike.
And if that doesn't happen, come here to the Forum and get some free advice, or better yet, The Buddha can sell you a fix.

[Suzuki Stevo]

distance in mm from hole "A" to hole "B" on the GS500 extenders?

40mm, 1.57in 

[Electrojake]

40mm, 1.57in 

Gracias.

[tt_four]

I feel like mirror vibration got worse for me when I switched to bar ends.  Though, I switched from stock handlebar to clipons at about the same time, so it could just be that clipons vibrate more.

Yeah that's a whole different issue. Clip ons vibrate so much worse than the normal handlebars that it's ridiculous. The normal top triples have a rubber bushing between them that helps to damp a lot of the vibrations. When you put clamp clipons straight to the fork tubes those vibrations are going straight into the bars. I had clipons on my bike but my hands would be numb after 20 minutes of riding so it wasn't even worth it.

As far as you guys who aren't shoulder checking because you're worried about what could happen in front of you in half a second, you're obviously tailing behind cars way too close. It shouldn't take you any longer to turn your head than it does to actually take a good look in your mirror and figure out where everyone's reflection would put them. My aunt told me that she doesn't turn her head to look when she drives her giant SUV either because it scares her. Maybe you two should be sharing a road. No trying to be a jerk, but seriously that's a disaster waiting to happen.

[tykho]

The two times I actually thought about switching lanes without shoulder checking, and checked anyway, I was very glad I decided to take that second to look over and see the guy in my blind spot. The thought never crosses my mind anymore.

[007brendan]

Another thing that mirrors won't show you, that shoulder checking will, is someone two lanes over about to switch lanes into your blind spot.

[Electrojake]

Assuming that AG5656 if following his thread, the point is. . .
Until shoulder checks become more comfortable for you, (and they certainly will), avoid the multi lane high traffic conditions that require them.

As the members here state, they are indeed an important part of traffic survival skills.
The check itself will become comfortable and an instinctive part of your routine.
Until that happens, if you feel like you are  risking your life by looking away from the task at hand, you probably are.
Listen to your brain. It wants you to survive. Avoid putting yourself in situations that you are not ready to juggle yet.

Come back to this thread in 24 months and you'll say "gee, I can hardly remember my early days when I "didn't" instinctively do shoulder checks.
Trust me kid, I'm a career noob.

[kml.krk]

Another thing that mirrors won't show you, that shoulder checking will, is someone two lanes over about to switch lanes into your blind spot.

+1 .

had that situation happen to me couple of days ago: I checked my mirror and was all clear so I almost started changing lanes, decided to double check and it paid off!!
The guy was right there, two lanes over to my right changing lane from right to middle when I was changing from left to middle.

Just take it easy if you just started riding. When I first started I avoided highways like crazy. My first trip on a highway was about 1 year after I got my bike. I just stayed on local roads for as long as I could.

[tt_four]

Not to encourage speeding either, but if you're really not comfortable turning your head to check and still need to be on multi-lane roads, try accelerating before you change lanes. Pass someone and then move over so you know exactly where the car would be without actually having to look. I don't ride as fast as I used to, but when I was 21 years old I found merging onto the highway incredibly easy because I would just pick up my speed on the on-ramp to 90mph and instead of merging I could just pick a spot ahead of my and pull right into it.

[Electrojake]

Just take it easy if you just started riding.
When I first started I avoided highways like crazy.
My first trip on a highway was about 1 year after I got my bike.
I just stayed on local roads for as long as I could.

Bingo!