Tips to help avoid being pulled out on by other vehicles.

[dodsi]

Something things I got tought.

To you older more experianced riders I am not aiming this at you, its more aimed at younger less experianced riders such as myself.


When you see a car at a junction that is wanting to pull out on you, these are methods that I use to help them make sure they see me.

Firstly I allways have my dipped beam headlight on. Secondly watch the cars wheels as the wheels begin to move before the car appears to move off this way you know when the vehicle is moving much easier.

Also look at the driver of the other vehicle, Stare at them as often they will look back at you and then they have seen you.

Another good idea (illustrated) is to move about in the road a bit as it draws attention to yourself as they then see a moving object and look more carefully to see a bike. also if they do start to pull out, you are further accross the road so you have more room away from them if they decide its a good idea to pull into it.

Dont be afraid to tap your horn if they begin to move away as this often makes them panic and slam on their brakes and realise that you are there.

Allways adjust your speed accordingly when you see people at junctions so you have time to react.

On motorways/duel carrigeways, near slip roads check them to look for oncoming vehicles and if there is, get into the outside lanes as then they can safely pull onto that lane and not into you.

NEVER flash your lights in annoyance at someone pulling out on you as they will see this to be a sign to carry on doing so.

Stay safe guys.

[mchaggis]

Dipped headlights and being close to the centre line are the two I most commonly use, and most important imo. That and being paranoid about them, covering the brakes and envisaging what you could do if they do pull out.
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[Davo]

It depends on the circumstances.

If i'm in town i'll use a gear lower than normal, emits a lot more engine noise. (Could use a race can instead there)

Keep the brakes covered etc..

[Fire_Eyes]

I use the flasher everynow and then, sometimes if you're going fast and the car can't make out your speed they might want to make that turn... the flasher is just to scare them and telling them that you are going fast.
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Kawasaki ZZR 400 | K5 GSX-R 600

[Shaun]

Thats a very stupid idea, they could misinterpret that as "go on buddy, I'm letting you out" and you would go into the side of them!

[natv4]

Mchaggis: Spot on. Same here.

Fire_Eyes: I'm with Shaun here. Regardless of highway code, it is universally accepted (in the UK) that flashing headlights are a, go ahead. This would not be sensible.

In Italy, however, it is accepted that this means "I'm coming through!". So you would be fine there.
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[G]

Note that full (dipped or not) beam headlights can cause problems with distance perception. I believe TC has mentioned that it has been used against people if they had the choice and used them in the day time. Get a bike to ride towards you with it's head light on and not and it should be fairly apparant... especially if it's a tallish bike and you're sitting lowish as you would in a car.
Also makes it harder for them to see your face and make eye contact etc.

I always use sidelights in the day time, these days.

[Bendy]

Suss your escape plan.

You should get to the point where this is entirely subconscious, but will mean you've assessed what is around about the car and have an idea of the path of least destruction - slamming the brakes on in a straight line isn't always it, maybe you could dive up the road they're coming out of. Also be aware of what's coming towards you and what's behind you - it may not be clear enough to change lane in the well-mannered, lots of space sense, but there might be room for a swerve and squeezing in next to a little car. If it's an 18 wheeler in your 4 o'clock, you need to know.

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

[JonB]

Whilst overtaking it is actually a GOOD idea to flash your lights as that is what they are there for. To warn other motorists of your presence, if you get a car driver dumb enough to pull out on you than that is just unfortunate.
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[veeeffarr]

I'm not expert, I don't even ride, but if you have dipped lights on and you go over a bump in the road as you pull up to a junction your lights bouncing could appear like they are flashing another driver through as well!

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

[binge]

The whole speedbump thing, ^. If the other driver had any common sense at all, they would see the lights flash, look, see the speedbump and then realise that was what the flashing was...


I thaught I was going to get splatered yesterday. I was on my way to work and a car was driving towards me, On the wrong side of the road. He wasnt overtaking, He was just driving down the wrong side of the road...
What a Wombat!
I had to plhysically get on the pathment to let him by. He was an old man too...

<|Ben|>

[goony]

just be paranoid and expect them to pull out and so be prepared to stop or evade

[MattShill]

There was a thing about this in Bike last month, it said that the best tactic is to move to one side as shown here, or move slightly left and right. This makes your outline move against what's happening in the background and so the driver notices you. Apparently it's not a good idea to drive in a straight line because all that happens is your outline gets slightly bigger and the driver's brain doesn't register you as a moving object. That is until you're really close and by then it's too late.

[stinkwheel]

Safest thing is to just assume they are going to pull out and ride accordingly. Even making eye contact with the driver doesn't stop them in many cases although it is a start.

Looking at the wheels of the car for movement can let you spot a "creeper" who is ready to jump out in front of you because he thinks he can make it into the gap, other people who have actually stopped properly at the junction are less likely to try this.
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[G]

[m99dws]

[instigator]

You're forgetting, fire_eyes lives in a different country where it may be the "norm" to flash lights to alert someone of your presence.

Here, it is very much so for "on you go, I'll let you in" or so it seems.

Just don't assume anything is all I say.

[m99dws]

[instigator]

[TheShaggyDA]

Keep an eye on their brake lights - if they go off, they're coming out.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Zoffo]

When passing a left hand junction you should be near the white line anyway. ive yourself as much time and space as possible.
personally I don't ride with the headlight on unless it's dark. That way I can flash it on and draw some attension if I think someones not seen me.

[woo]

Drive an 18 wheeler truck and i guarantee you that the driver of the other vehicle will never ever ever ever pull out in front of you again!

[Method]

i just assume that all car drivers are idiots and should be treated accordingly... obviously when im off the bike im a bit more polite

but like bendy said you should be looking for your escape subconciously... ive been doing that now since ive been on the 500, and certainly has saved my purty little rear end many a time
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