people turning left in front of you

[tortus]

So just now I had my second incident of someone turning left in front of me this summer.

the story
I came upon an intersection that was green in my direction. One car going the other way waiting to turn left (oh I'm sure many reading know this situation well )

I approach and look at her, try and read what she's doing. Decide it's ok, and continue to go through the intersection at about 25-30mph. Only then does she decide to turn.

I slam on my front brake, pull my clutch in, and just look to her left. She had traveled far enough I saw a little gap behind her, and so I aimed for it, tried to not look at her. I think she gunned it, because somehow we did not hit.

I pulled over into a parking lot, turned off the bike, walked around a bit, then went home. My planned hour long ride was a brisk 5 minutes, but it sure was an exciting ride!

the question
What else should I be doing? Two people turning in front of me so soon doesn't seem right. Like my friend just said, go through intersections slower, noted. Other than that, I think I've got the whole arsenal: place hand over front brake while in congested areas, keep scanning all cars, look for signs of what they are doing. Use the traffic signal in the opposite direction and the crosswalk signals to get an idea of how fresh the green light is, watch for people running red lights, keep your priority on problem cars (like left turners), etc etc.

[jstark47]

How visible are you? What color is your bike, your clothing, your helmet? High beams on? Dual or single headlight on your bike? Any supplemental lighting, e.g. light bar, moto lights, etc?

Just an idea, have a friend ride your bike towards you on a parking lot from several hundred yards out -- evaluate what you look like to drivers when you're approaching, see if any visibility enhancements are possible.

A related example: after following me for 1,500 miles through the last 5 days, my wife told me the turn signals on my V-strom are really hard to see. I will be looking into that real soon...

[tortus]

Those are all good ideas. I think I'll try that visibility test.

My bike is a blue SV650S (as in my avatar), which I would think in these regards is a lot like a v-strom. It's completely stock at this point.

I have a leather jacket with reflective sections on it, and a white helmet. Not exactly screaming to be noticed but not bad either.

I don't ride with my brights on, maybe I should do that too.

[Flipper]

tortus,

Good job in dodging that bullet.
It sounds like you did everything right, especially not target fixating and looking for an escape route.

I'm a new rider also and am always on red alert when riding through an intersection with a potential left turner.

I agree with jstark47 about reevaluating your visability.
That could only help.

Flipper

[Ninja Geoff]

Maybe a headlight modulator? And a brake light one too, might as well cover both ends. Those may just be the next mods I get for the ninja.

[Shorts]

Glad you escaped alright. Definitely do as jstark mentions by evaluating your visibility. I think the Hi beam is another option to try.

When I installed my windshield, I also repositioned my headlight to point a little further up, so that the bright of the beam is seen instead of just "a headlight". I noticed the difference between my light and DHs as we pull up and see the reflection on a car in front of us. (Of course, the ST2 have been knows to have 'bleh' headlights.)

And like you're doing, always expect that someone will go in front of you.

[Loonette]

The only thing I would question is... what is meant by "going slower" through the intersection? If you're on a 45 MPH road, but you slow down to 25 or 30 MPH to go through the intersection, a not-so-bright car driver may take that as an invitation for them to take their turn ahead of you. Same thing might be interpreted by "flashing lights" while approaching an intersection. Car drivers have no way of knowing for sure what message is being given by these types of signals.

It sounds like you handled the situation very well. Being ready to swerve and/or brake hard is about all you can do sometimes. Not knowing how other drivers will behave is just one of the risks of being on two wheels. Check out your visibility issues as suggested, stay on your toes, and hope that those were your only two run-ins of the season.

Cheers,
Loonette

[Flesher]

I am not saying this to be a jerk, but is there any way you have an issue cancelling your turn signals?

I had a car turn in front of me as I slowed at an intersection because he was creeping forward, then I slowed some more cause he was moving and suddenly he went. I was pissed, but then I noticed I hadn't cancelled my signal from having recently turned on that road.

I also have to give some cagers props, some of them wait even when I do intend to turn to make sure I really am turning before they go. So they are not all blind or horrible, but best to treat them as if they are. I also always extend the same courtesy to other bikes when I am in a car.

[tortus]

I am not saying this to be a jerk, but is there any way you have an issue cancelling your turn signals?

I'm very good about my signals and very OCDishly check to make sure they are off every 5 minutes. This intersection was a T intersection to boot, even if I had a blinker on she still couldn't have justified right of way.

That is a good point though, leaving blinkers on can mean more than just looking like a dumba$$

I think I'll start using my high beams, can't hurt. And I think I remember people on this forum talking about doing a little zigzag as you approach an intersection to try and catch people's attention.

[Flesher]

Yup, I always turn my hi-beam on during the day, come to think of it maybe that's why some cagers wait for me to turn even when I have my signal on -- I've probably blinded them --