Night commuting observations: non reflective backpacks and high beams

sanjuro

sanjuro

Rider
I used the cage yesterday, and I noticed 2 things.

There was one rider whose taillight was woefully inadequate, and while he had a nice Aerostich suit, the main reflective strip was covered by his non reflective backpack. It looked like a black spot on the road.

Also another rider passed me during a high speed lane split with his high beams on. My side mirror can’t be adjusted to diminish rear lights, so it was blinding when I got a full blast of light.
 
lam@barf

lam@barf

cage killer
I have a hard time understanding the backpack thing. I'll strap a bag to the bike but not my body. In the spirit of "dress for the off, not the ride" I don't want to land on a bag full of my work tools (about 30 to 50 lbs). Why would I subject my spine/ribcage to that? Or have it land on me if I came down face-first?

Bags go on the bike, not my body. Besides, I paid a lot for that strip across my back!

.
 
Whammy

Whammy

Veteran of Road Racing
So did Whammy... :teeth very impressed so far and the prototypes look really good.
Not too small not too big.

I don't do bookface, so I cant see what you shared in the link.
 
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sckego

sckego

doesn't like crashing
lam@barf said:
I have a hard time understanding the backpack thing. I'll strap a bag to the bike but not my body. In the spirit of "dress for the off, not the ride" I don't want to land on a bag full of my work tools (about 30 to 50 lbs). Why would I subject my spine/ribcage to that? Or have it land on me if I came down face-first?

Bags go on the bike, not my body. Besides, I paid a lot for that strip across my back!

.
Click to expand...

I think there's a big difference between your case and strapping a 2-lb laptop to your back, which is what most people with backpacks will tend to have.
 
J

Junkie

gone for now
I agree that reflectivity is a good idea. It's simple to put put some reflective tape on the back of your helmet.

I hope that helmet mounted brake lights become more common too.
 
Krooklyn

Krooklyn

Usual Suspect
Junkie said:
I agree that reflectivity is a good idea. It's simple to put put some reflective tape on the back of your helmet.

I hope that helmet mounted brake lights become more common too.
Click to expand...

My helmet being from France (Shark) comes with some reflective tape that's for the sides and back just for this reason. In France the tape has to be installed and is not a bad idea. It doesn't look bad and I would put some on my next helmet. Every little bit helps in the winter.
 
Krooklyn

Krooklyn

Usual Suspect
lam@barf said:
I have a hard time understanding the backpack thing. I'll strap a bag to the bike but not my body. In the spirit of "dress for the off, not the ride" I don't want to land on a bag full of my work tools (about 30 to 50 lbs). Why would I subject my spine/ribcage to that? Or have it land on me if I came down face-first?

Bags go on the bike, not my body. Besides, I paid a lot for that strip across my back!

.
Click to expand...

There are many backpacks that also serve as back protectors. I have a Boblbee and it's a CE-Level 2 back protector. I agree that most backpacks are not ideal in a crash situation, but the Boblbee is one of the few exceptions.
 
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Aware

Aware

Well-known member
Whammy said:
So did Whammy... :teeth very impressed so far and the prototypes look really good.
Not too small not too big.

I don't do bookface, so I cant see what you shared in the link.
Click to expand...

try this
 

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Whammy

Whammy

Veteran of Road Racing
Thanks for sharing that Steve.
I too had similar experiences.
Weight was not even noticeable, I tried to make it go off with turning of the head at various speeds.
No buffeting at freeways speeds, it was like it wasn't there.
The buzzer went off when it was supposed to under engine and actual braking.
I know it was there only to give the rider some idea when its working but, this light just did what its advertised to do.
I totally dig the three different flashing light modes, (this will be great at night) ,and battery saver.
When I sat at red lights I was collapsing my forks to make it go off.

There were some people along side of me who actually gave me thumbs up too.
This can only mean one thing... they see the light.
Cant wait for the delivery.:thumbup
 
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Aware

Aware

Well-known member
Whammy I was particularly impressed when the guys pointed out that the head light came on before the bike's brake light. So it sensed the deceleration as soon as I dropped the throttle to grab the brake. This gives following drivers a few 10th of a second forewarning of the rider slowing down.

The fact that it also lights up on engine braking will be particularly valuable. As we all know, many bikes have quite significant engine braking. In the video interview that the guys made with me, I pointed out that my personal habit is to touch the rear or front brake specifically to turn on the brake light to let whoever is behind me know I am slowing, even though I am not braking. I don't know how many other riders do that, but it would be good not to have to ;-)

We did have quite a lot of discussion about the display modes. I'll leave that out until they show the video. It was interesting how my perception differed from Henry's. Then he changed his mind after following me ...
 
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K

kurth83

Well-known member
Been running the low-tech version (requires wiring) for years, mounted brake and turns to the top case. It gets me a light triangle, no recharging needed.

I can see that for the wiring challenged brake-free would be a much easier way to get some decent improvement in night visibility.

I wish moto manufacturers were required to provide a standard plug for add-on brake/turn/running lights. I think it would enable a natural market for commuters.

Imagine givi cases with optional brake/running/turns, with no hacking the electronics to get them to work. And no more hacking to get the switchable hot lead for the clearwaters (or whatever brand) front lights. Would be nice for a high-beam signal in the package too since many aftermarket accessories use that signal.

For high-wattage you would probably still need a direct battery connection, but with such a plug, no more mods to the bikes wiring would be needed, such a simple thing with potentially large benefits.

If any of this sounds even remotely possible for a moto advocacy possibility in CA, sign me up.
 
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Whammy

Whammy

Veteran of Road Racing
Aware said:
Whammy I was particularly impressed when the guys pointed out that the head light came on before the bike's brake light. So it sensed the deceleration as soon as I dropped the throttle to grab the brake. This gives following drivers a few 10th of a second forewarning of the rider slowing down.

The fact that it also lights up on engine braking will be particularly valuable. As we all know, many bikes have quite significant engine braking. In the video interview that the guys made with me, I pointed out that my personal habit is to touch the rear or front brake specifically to turn on the brake light to let whoever is behind me know I am slowing, even though I am not braking. I don't know how many other riders do that, but it would be good not to have to ;-)

We did have quite a lot of discussion about the display modes. I'll leave that out until they show the video. It was interesting how my perception differed from Henry's. Then he changed his mind after following me ...
Click to expand...

Exactly... and any advantage this gives us is better than no advantage.
 
Whammy

Whammy

Veteran of Road Racing
How is this thing going to hurt me or anyone else who gets one?
What about these people who put go pro cameras on their chin?
Or me who has a Sena 10C on the side of my helmet.

You do what's safe for you, and I'll put a nice small lightweight light on the back of my helmet because I want to. fair?
 
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