Hello,
I have stock mirrors for GS500F 2008 (they mount to the frame under the fairing). The problem I have with these mirrors is that I cannot see directly behind me or in my blind spot and they could be bigger. So, I want to buy a new set of mirrors that provide the greatest field of vision. I'm not very concerned with looks, mainly safety.
I found many favorable reviews on Napoleon bar-end mirrors because they provide great visibility to the rear...but how would I add great visibility to the blind spot (besides adding those tiny stick-on blind spot mirrors)?
I also found favorable reviews on Third Eye mirrors but they look very small to me. Apparently they are very convex allowing you to see in blind spot?
Maybe I need to have 2 sets of mirrors (4 total) in order to have maximum field of vision?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
that's an interesting question to which answer I do not know.
I know however that the only way to really make sure no one is in your blind spot is quickly glance over your shoulder.
I find the stock mirrors to be decent, but not perfect. I have them set in such a way that I have to tuck in my elbows and move my head sideways to see directly behind me. This way I can cover more blind spot.
If you do not care about looks maybe you could add bar end mirrors to your current setup. This way you would have 4 mirrors. I know it would look a little goofy, but hey, who cares! Safety first!
You would use your regular mirrors as your primary mirrors and the bar end mirrors to check what is directly behind you.
Quote from: AG5656 on October 18, 2010, 10:39:45 AM
Maybe I need to have 2 sets of mirrors (4 total) in order to have maximum field of vision?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
My 2 cents worth. . .
I use bar end mirrors on all my bikes. (sans the Harley)
IMHO the stock mirrors on most all bikes are good for checking your shoulders for dandruff, but little else.
I bought my mirrors at CycleGear because there is a store close to my house. (It frequently comes in handy!)
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=PRC_MBM12BLK_G (http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=PRC_MBM12BLK_G)
I use these goofy looking bar end mirrors on all my bikes because I need to safely operate the vehicle, not worry about how cool I look.
Here is a mediocre picture of a GS500F with bar end mirrors:
(http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2wc9e/Smoke-3_400x518.jpg)
And if you load this YouTube clip, at about 40 seconds in you can get a quick shot of a GS with bar end mirrors too. Those are about 8mm (3.25") diameter. They also make much smaller ones that look cool, cost a lot, but don't work very well. LINK>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jmzo3Dut1k (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jmzo3Dut1k)
Oh, and about the Harley not getting bar end mirrors. . .
In Harley land, risking your life while you look cool is part of the mystique. Which is exactly why my Yamaha and the Suzuki get thousands of miles per year and the Harley just sits and looks cool.
<
snicker> I just had to add that zinger. (http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2wc9e/grin42.gif)
Have fun mirror hunting.
And yeah they're goofy looking but they
will save your life many times over.
Regards,
-Ej-
+1 for bar end mirrors. Much easier to see behind you, and at least on naked bikes, they look way cooler. I use one bar end mirror on the left handlebar. I did have one on the right side, but my mirrors wrap over the grips and it got in the way a bit, and it vibrated loose (almost fell out on the highway!). One mirror is enough to see behind me. Though, realistically, at highway speeds, which is when you'll most likely be using your mirrors, there's just too much vibration to try and use your mirrors for any more than just getting a general idea for how much traffic is around you. Take the half a second to look over your shoulder and check. Or, if you're like me, you'll just go faster than everyone else so that there's no chance of someone passing into your blind spot.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220453161588&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT
I bought a set of these bar end ones and hopefully i'll be receiving it this week. I'm sure it'll work much better than my darned stock mirrors that lets me check out my arms flexing O0
@brendan :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: especially if i'm on the bay bridge in the SF bay area i'm flying like speedy mc speedy
Interesting concept: http://www.multivexmirror.net/technology.html
I also use one bar end on my left side. give lots of view of around me....plus I'm always checking my shoulders, even with my mirrors. Had the "bunny ears" when I picked up my 89, they came off fast and a I purchased ones of ebay, just like ones anacondas waiting on.
Quote from: Paulcet on October 18, 2010, 04:21:46 PM
Interesting concept: http://www.multivexmirror.net/technology.html
+1 on the multivewmirror!
+1 on the left side mirror.
Dual mirrors are nice but the left is a must have.
(http://www.cyclegear.com/images/hard_parts/sm_billet_bar-end_mirror_MD.jpg)
And $17.95 is a great price for these fifty dollar mirrors if you can get em'! Nice Ebay Link.
Off topic. . .
Paulcet, good to see you post.
I must have been missing your threads lately.
(Or you've been working a lot of hours to pay for bike bling :thumb:)
-Ej-
I used third eye mirrors from the local bicycle shop on my gs. They worked very well, much better than stock.
Quote from: redhenracing2 on October 18, 2010, 05:40:48 PM
I used third eye mirrors from the local bicycle shop on my gs. They worked very well, much better than stock.
Price???
Photo?
Just wondering.
I always use bar end mirrors. the vision is great and it cuts down on mirror vibration too. Sometimes you can get extenders for normal mirrors if you really like them. i've neverf even thought about a blind spot on a motorcycle. if i didn't have the energy to turn my head when I wanted to change lanes I'd stop riding. The only thing I use my mirror for is to make sure I dont get rearended at red lights.
Quote from: Electrojake on October 18, 2010, 05:46:11 PM
Quote from: redhenracing2 on October 18, 2010, 05:40:48 PM
I used third eye mirrors from the local bicycle shop on my gs. They worked very well, much better than stock.
Price???
Photo?
Just wondering.
I believe they were about $10, maybe $15 a piece.
You stick them in the bar end and as you tighten the screw in the end of it, the rubber gets squeezed and expands sideways locking it in place.
(http://media.rei.com/media/686043Lrg.jpg)
SW-MOTECH Mirror Wideners (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2526/210/)
I can look behind me now :woohoo:
(http://www.twistedthrottle.com/ezimagecatalogue/catalogue/variations/10042-500x600.jpg)
That cateye bicycle mirror is actually the one I've always used. Used to have two but one of the mirrors fell off when I was on the highway. Still had the whole plastic part, it was just the actual mirror piece that vibrated from the glue. They're great because I keep my bike in the basement so it's really nice to just twist it out by hand before I push my bike in through the door. No need to get out a wrench. They're also easily adjusted once I'm moving.
They're also very cheap, but probably actually cost more than the ones you can get on ebay for $18 shipped per pair. That's quite the deal.
yeah, it took me some time to search for a set that's cheap enough and a seller that is located in the US. I do not have the patience to buy one from the Chinese sellers on ebay just because it takes 2 weeks before I can use it
I would agree that cheap is good when it comes to bar end mirrors since they do have a tendency to get knocked off.
And the opposite of cheap would be the SW-Motech option. . .
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on October 18, 2010, 07:14:53 PM
SW-MOTECH Mirror Wideners (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2526/210/)
I can look behind me now :woohoo:
(http://www.twistedthrottle.com/ezimagecatalogue/catalogue/variations/10042-500x600.jpg)
Also. . .
Stevo, I have seen those extender things on BMW's before. I didn't realize SW-Motech made em' for the Suzuki GS.
So I (we) need an honest evaluation here. . .
Do they simply "help" of fully "cure" the uselessness of the stock mirror, look at your own shoulders problem?
Any input is greatly appreciated since I love big dollar gadgets on my bargain bike!
Thanks,
-Ej-
P.S. Do you just get the link, or the full assembly?
If its just the link, are they pressed on or simple nut & bolt?
Thanks.
Quote from: Electrojake on October 18, 2010, 08:46:09 PM
I would agree that cheap is good when it comes to bar end mirrors since they do have a tendency to get knocked off.
And the opposite of cheap would be the SW-Motech option. . .
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on October 18, 2010, 07:14:53 PMStuff Stevo said was in here....
Also. . .
Stevo, I have seen those extender things on BMW's before. I didn't realize SW-Motech made em' for the Suzuki GS.
So I (we) need an honest evaluation here. . .
Do they simply "help" of fully "cure" the uselessness of the stock mirror, look at your own shoulders problem?
Any input is greatly appreciated since I love big dollar gadgets on my bargain bike!
Thanks,
-Ej-
P.S. Do you just get the link, or the full assembly?
If its just the link, are they pressed on or simple nut & bolt?
Thanks.
Just the link and all hardware required. If they didn't work on my GS500F why would I have them on my GSX650F, V-Strom and Ninja too? :whisper:
I will admit they are not the cheapest solution out there.
Ninja application...
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/ninja09.jpg)
GSX650F Delrin Spacer application...
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/delrinspacer.jpg)
V-Strom SW Spacer application...
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/swspacer.jpg)
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?
Quote from: tt_four on October 18, 2010, 05:47:06 PM
I always use bar end mirrors. the vision is great and it cuts down on mirror vibration too.
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.
Quote from: tykho on October 19, 2010, 12:21:35 AM
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
http://www.reevu.com/rv.asp
Quote from: mister on October 19, 2010, 01:13:07 AM
Quote from: tykho on October 19, 2010, 12:21:35 AM
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.
Quote from: Twisted on October 19, 2010, 01:37:15 AM
Quote from: mister on October 19, 2010, 01:13:07 AM
Quote from: tykho on October 19, 2010, 12:21:35 AM
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
Quote from: tykho on October 19, 2010, 12:21:35 AM
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/
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.
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.
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-
Quote from: AG5656 on October 19, 2010, 02:21:39 PM
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. :icon_mrgreen:
Quote from: Electrojake on October 19, 2010, 03:26:57 PMdistance in mm from hole "A" to hole "B" on the GS500 extenders?
40mm, 1.57in :cheers:
Quote from: 007brendan on October 19, 2010, 01:00:53 AM
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.
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.
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.
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. (http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2wc9e/emot-cheers.jpg)
Quote from: 007brendan on October 19, 2010, 09:46:46 PM
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.
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.
Quote from: kml.krk on October 23, 2010, 11:33:06 AM
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! :thumb: