Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi all. I just bought a new bike about mid September. Got a Boulevard C50 and dressed it out like the C50T. I took the MSF course.....and passed. I still take the bike up to the local High School to practice a bit before riding on the streets. I have been lurking here for a few weeks trying to pick up some helpful tidbits of information that is probably common knowledge amongst more experienced riders. Thought I'd stop by and say Hi and throw out a tidbit I have learned recently.

When approaching an intersection where it is likely some fool will turn left in front of you if possible you can use the traffic around you as a shield from the left turner. The person turning left is more likely to see the other traffic and not turn out in front of you. Do you guys already do this?

I hear you, You unfortunatly have to ride like everyone is out to kill you

chilihed wrote:Hi all. I just bought a new bike about mid September. Got a Boulevard C50 and dressed it out like the C50T. I took the MSF course.....and passed. I still take the bike up to the local High School to practice a bit before riding on the streets. I have been lurking here for a few weeks trying to pick up some helpful tidbits of information that is probably common knowledge amongst more experienced riders. Thought I'd stop by and say Hi and throw out a tidbit I have learned recently.

When approaching an intersection where it is likely some fool will turn left in front of you if possible you can use the traffic around you as a shield from the left turner. The person turning left is more likely to see the other traffic and not turn out in front of you. Do you guys already do this?

In most cases I am out in front of the traffic so I'm actually a shield for them rather than the other way around
I think the mind set you must have is not so much that others are out to kill you, but the fact that drivers simply do not see you or realize how close or fast you may be approaching even tho they often are making eye contact with you! Car drivers are programmed to see large four wheeled vehicles, not motorcycles. This is borne out from interviews of drivers at accident scenes who say they didn't even see the bike until the very last minute.
One helpful solution which I use is to run a headlight modulator & light bar to provide more visibility to other traffic. I also run my high beam exclusively for the same reason.I don't really have any proof that these things actully work other than the fact that very few cars enter my right of way late enough to cause me to brake or slow down. In fact, in many cases I have seen drivers who could enter the road I'm on with plenty of room to spare, wait until I pass before they enter the roadway while staring at me the entire time. Nevertheless is usually cover my brakes when approaching a car or truck about to enter my space.

Welcome to the forum ¡



And to the Boulevard Owners Group (BOG).....

Welcome
+1 to what BAHACRUISER SAYS! I'm also another proud C50C owner dressed out to a C50T!!