Motorcycle riding weather, be careful

[Patton]

I was talking to my wife this morning about all the motorcycle wrecks I worked in my days as a cop and how this pretty weather brings them out. About two hours later I am on I-75 and roll right up on one. The scene was secure and I could tell by the people on the scene that someone with more medical knowledge than me knew the rider was deceased so I saved myself the agony of those reoccurring nightmares and continued down the road. This one looked so innocent, no vehicle damage, no indication anyone did anything wrong. The rider looked like he did a bad lane change and got clipped.
I worked a bad one a year ago where a rider hit a horse running across the road, I still think about that terrible scene daily. Everyone be careful.

[Randall53]

You are so right.  The news said earlier that the motorcycle was rear ended by the car, no sure about any details.  Motorcycles certainly are everywhere today.

[billyscott]

There were two motorcycle VS car accidents in Murfreesboro today. I think both MC riders were flown to Vandy. 

Bad! Be careful out there. 

[Motasyco]

Went for a short ride today and made it home safely.  Thanks for the reminder.

[Guest ArmyVeteran37214]

The warm weather reminds me that I need to go renew the plate on my motorcycle asap.

[Randall53]

I have a 2007 Goldwing with 14,000 miles on it.  Seems like I never get to ride much anymore.  Been thinking of selling it or trading it for a nice 5th wheel.

[runco]

I love motorcycle riding tremendously, and I was always a very defensive driver.  However, too many almost accidents that was not my fault convinced me riding motorcycles is very dangerous, and for me, the risk and reward just was not worth it, or least while I am the bread winner for my family and that I have small children.  When my boys are able to make it on thier own, and my wife is financially secure with out me, I will return to riding. 

[Guest nra37922]

I used to ride a lot when younger then I moved to FL.  Motorcycles and FL Drivers are a deadly proposition to put it mildly.  Love Bugs and motorcycle riders both end up on the hoods of cars.

[Patton]

That is the thing, a lot of these the rider could have done nothing to prevent it. I have seen a horse and a deer cause a motorcycle wreck, completely unavoidable. We had one guy loose control on pavement that had algae from too much water runoff one time.
I can only think of two motorcycle wrecks I have been to where speed or stupidity were a factor.

[RichardR]

I've been riding since 77, I am very surprised that I have survived this long, although I am half-crippled I still really enjoy riding, I try to avoid a lot of city riding &/or interstate riding though, seems like everyone is out to kill you while riding through a populated/congested area.

[frankmako]

been riding for many mango seasons.  started in 72.  allways had some type of bike except the years i was overseas.  it is getting harder to rides these days.  everybody is on the cell phone when they drive.  too many cars on the road with unskill drivers.  it is starting to be a big crap shoot when you ride. 

[Earl33]

I made the comment yesterday to my Lt., that it's that time of year to work motorcycle wrecks.. I have been in one myself, and have worked many..  Please,Please be careful.. 

[Just2Honor]

frankmako is correct.   Riding does mean you need to be a more defensive driver.    It would help us if four wheel drivers would pay attention and be aware that there is someone on the road besides themselves.   Left turners in front of me and cars at intersections with no light scare me, especially when I see they are on the phone..      As the slogan goes, "Motorcycles are dying to be seen"

[jgradyc]

I'd like to add a headlight modulator on my bike that flickers my headlight. You almost never see bikes with these in Tennessee. Where can I get it done?  I might just do it myself with a kit.

 

When I took a motorcycle safety course in 1971, one thing stuck in my mind. The instructor said, "Pretend you are invisible."  It's good advice.

Edited March 17, 2013 by jgradyc

[Patton]

I'd like to add a headlight modulator on my bike that flickers my headlight. You almost never see bikes with these in Tennessee. Where can I get it done? I might just do it myself with a kit.

.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-402(b)(1).
Subsection (d) of the statute addresses lights displayed by emergency or other authorized vehicles. Subdivision (1) provides:
No vehicle operated in this state shall be equipped with any flashing red or white light or any combination of red or white lights which displays to the front of such vehicle except school buses, a passenger motor vehicle operated by a rural mail carrier of the United States postal service while performing the duties of a rural mail carrier, authorized law enforcement vehicles only when used in combination with a flashing blue light, and emergency vehicles used in firefighting, including ambulances, emergency vehicles used in firefighting which are owned or operated by the division of forestry, firefighting vehicles, rescue vehicles, privately owned vehicles of regular or volunteer firefighters certified in § 55-9-201(c), or other emergency vehicles used in firefighting owned, operated, or subsidized by the governing body of any county or municipality

[Jesse]

Death is why I wont buy a bike. I have to much to live for than to enjoy a sesonal joy ride.

I been hitting trails on mountain bikes. Much safer and good for your health.

[jgradyc]

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-402( B)(1).
Subsection (d) of the statute addresses lights displayed by emergency or other authorized vehicles. Subdivision (1) provides:
No vehicle operated in this state shall be equipped with any flashing red or white light or any combination of red or white lights which displays to the front of such vehicle except school buses, a passenger motor vehicle operated by a rural mail carrier of the United States postal service while performing the duties of a rural mail carrier, authorized law enforcement vehicles only when used in combination with a flashing blue light, and emergency vehicles used in firefighting, including ambulances, emergency vehicles used in firefighting which are owned or operated by the division of forestry, firefighting vehicles, rescue vehicles, privately owned vehicles of regular or volunteer firefighters certified in § 55-9-201(c), or other emergency vehicles used in firefighting owned, operated, or subsidized by the governing body of any county or municipality

 

There's a difference between modulation and flashing. Here's the applicable law.

 

This Federal law supersedes all state laws and makes motorcycle headlight modulators legal in all 50 states.  FMVSS 108 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) (49 CFR Part 571.108 S7.9.4) allows motorcycle headlight modulation systems all 50 states provided they comply with the standards set forth in this section.  

Title 49 USC 30103 (b1) (US Codes) prohibits any state from forbidding a system that conforms to FMVSS 108 (see copy below).  Here is a web page with all of Part 571 and all of the subsections; they've now broken it up by section to make it easier to read.  The Legal Information Institute at Cornell University also has a nice website where you can read the various sections of the entire Title 49 USC.

Code of Federal Regulations
Title 49, Volume 5, Parts 400 to 999
Revised as of October 1, 2000
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 49CFR571.108] [Page 236-307]

TITLE 49 TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER V NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION  PART 571 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

Subpart B--Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
Sec. 571.108 Standard No. 108;

Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

S7.9.4 Motorcycle headlamp modulation system.

S7.9.4.1 A headlamp on a motorcycle may be wired to modulate either the upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser intensity, provided that:

(a) The rate of modulation shall be 240 <plus-minus> 40 cycles per minute.

( B) The headlamp shall be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70 percent of each cycle.

(c) The lowest intensity at any test point shall be not less than 17 percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.

(d) The modulator switch shall be wired in the power lead of the beam filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.

(e) Means shall be provided so that both the lower beam and upper beam remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.

(f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation shall cease whenever the level of light emitted by a tungsten filament light operating at 3000 deg. Kelvin is either less than 270 lux (25 foot-candles) of direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than 60 lux (5.6 foot-candles) of reflected light for downward pointing sensors. The light is measured by a silicon cell type light meter that is located at the sensor and pointing in the same direction as the sensor. A Kodak Gray Card (Kodak R-27) is placed at ground level to simulate the road surface in testing downward pointing sensors.

(g) When tested in accordance with the test profile shown in Figure 9, the voltage drop across the modulator when the lamp is on at all test conditions for 12 volt systems and 6 volt systems shall not be greater than .45 volt. The modulator shall meet all the provisions of the standard after completion of the test profile shown in Figure 9.

(h) Means shall be provided so that both the lower and upper beam function at design voltage when the headlamp control switch is in either the lower or upper beam position when the modulator is off.

S7.9.4.2(a) Each motorcycle headlamp modulator not intended as original equipment, or its container, shall be labeled with the maximum wattage, and the minimum wattage appropriate for its use. Additionally, each such modulator shall comply with S7.9.4.1 (a) through (g) when connected to a headlamp of the maximum rated power and a headlamp of the minimum rated power, and shall provide means so that the modulated beam functions at design voltage when the modulator is off.

( B) Instructions, with a diagram, shall be provided for mounting the light sensor including location on the motorcycle, distance above the road surface, and orientation with respect to the light.
 

Edited March 17, 2013 by jgradyc

[Patton]

Gotcha, thanks for the info.

[Sam1]

Death is why I wont buy a bike. I have to much to live for than to enjoy a sesonal joy ride.

I been hitting trails on mountain bikes. Much safer and good for your health.

 

 

Don't be fooled into thinking one sport is safer than another, we're always just one decision away from having the worst day of our lives.