One thing to remember is to try and make yourself visible as much as possible from behind, and I am talking about lighting. I was rear-ended by a car while I was going 15 mph andhe was going over 50+, sending me flying 20ft and into the hospital for 4 days with broken back. Even though my 2008 Nighster (10 days old) had both lights in the back lit, if they were brighter it might have or not made a difference, but at least the effort would have been made. My next one will have the brighter lights and maybe there won't be a next time. You all ride safe.
You add good points and also great reminders of better lighting. I have ridden over 90,000 miles and at the time that I was rear-ended I had just position myself behind the car in front of me in freeway traffic (left rear wheel well) and the knucklehead that hit me was text messaging. My next bike, a Fat Bob will definately have those LED lights and driving lights too. You all ride safe out there.
LED's have become a great way to make your bike more visible. Companies such as Hyperlights make an array of LED's that flash when you apply the brakes making you very visible when slowing, but they are not on when just riding.
Whenever you stop at an intersection, never assume the driver behind you is going to stop. Always leave your bike in gear, and scan your mirrors to see is someone is coming up too fast.
Placing yourself in a position to have an "escape route" if necessary such as between cars stopped ahead of you. Being aware of what is behind you at a stop is almost as important as what is in front of you.
You are both right about lighting up your bike. it seems the trend is to scale down the blinkers and tail light housings, to make the bike look more custom and sleek. However if you ride enough, you will have the experience of someone stopping short behind you at an intersection. I usually try to stop at yellow lights, but the car behind usually assumes your going to blow right through it. The new LED lamps and after market fixtures can save your life big time. Even riding in a large group it helps if the bike in front of you has visible lighting. My 2005 Ducati has a weak tail/stop light and I'm always concerned about someone taking me out at a stop light. When it comes to lighting Less is not More...
Yes, lighting is very important, the first thing I did when I got my new bike in Sept was add driving lights, and that is only just the beginning. Remember riding is a mental game too, one second of slippage and it could be all over no matter how many lights you have. Unfortuneatly I've had it happen, hard lesson and long time healing process. Pic is of the Yamaha I totaled. It now resembles a bobber!
