The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Vegasrandall on September 29, 2011, 11:07:19 PM

Title: Shadow riding
Post by: Vegasrandall on September 29, 2011, 11:07:19 PM

Someone warned me about shadow riding and being a experienced rider I said what?  It refers to riding with the sun at your back,shining in oncoming motorists eyes and blinding them.
If you can see your bike shadow in front of you,the sun is in their eyes and they will turn in front of you and kill you.
Have a nice day.

Title: Re: Shadow riding
Post by: Barry on September 30, 2011, 04:03:44 AM

Thanks for that randall

It's a very good point. I've been riding into the sun myself on the way to work in the mornings and there is always the tendency to press on regardless even though you can't really see too much and I'm looking for big things like cars.

I often ride along being very observant about all the possible hazards and thinking this is becoming 2nd nature now but I must keep it up and not relax. It makes me wonder how I survived as a teenager because I sure didn't do any of this back then... on the other hand I did ride into the side of Taxi once which was doing a U turn on a busy main road. Graceful somersault over the bonnet and nothing broken except the forks on my Ducati single. Don't ever have an accident with a taxi as they are all professional drivers and utterly incapable of being at fault !

Title: Re: Shadow riding
Post by: clonmore1 on September 30, 2011, 03:57:34 PM

Where I live, this is a real problem, we have a lot of sharp short hills with the crest above the skyline, so coming up the hill at this time of year and the sun is full in your eyes.

Many times, bikes have been coming the other way and it is difficult to see them. Accident stats show that many accidents occur within 10 mins of leaving home, people fiddling with radio's, makeup, on phones etc.

I can't understand why so many people drive with misted windscreens >:(

What is true is that you need to be aware of the environment and the dangers...

Title: Re: Shadow riding
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 30, 2011, 06:58:00 PM

Quote

I can't understand why so many people drive with misted windscreens

I bought a squeegee to keep in my car for mornings when the humidity is really high.  I wipe down all four side windows and the back window if it is covered.

Title: Re: Shadow riding
Post by: Bob_Roller on September 30, 2011, 07:16:00 PM

Low sun angle can be a killer while riding/driving, you won't even see what  hit you !!!!