A Street Riding Tip That May Save Your Bacon

[Kurt138]

If you are riding on the street one thing you always have to be on the lookout for is an inattentive car driver in the oncoming lane pulling a left hand turn right in front of you. I think sometimes car drivers just have a brain fade and only check for an oncoming car or truck, and an oncoming motorcycle just doesn’t register. This has happened to me before as well as thousands of other motorcyclists.

Notably it happened to the fine actor Treat Williams two weeks ago, RIP.

However, most motorcycles come equipped with an effective gadget to combat zombie drivers. It is the passing switch on your left handlebar cluster. When it’s clicked it flashes your high beams momentarily. I use it whenever I am see a driver ready to pull out in front of me. When I use it I often see the drivers head perk up or some other reaction when they get flashed. So far I haven’t had any “you’re #1” hand signals, but even if I had I wouldn’t stop using it, ha.

I attached a picture of the passing switch on my KLR – I think this is the universal location. It’s easy to cover the switch with your index finger while riding.

Rides: KLR650, KX250

[Kurt138]

Well, I posted this on advrider and the inmates said flashing your headlight might signal the driver to go ahead and cut across in front of you. It seems like only a special breed of idiotic driver would do that, but they’re probably out there.

To help visibility it is instead recommended to weave your bike if you can safely do it.

Also, prepare to ghost ride if someone pulls out in front of you and there is no room to brake or turn.

Rides: KLR650, KX250

[Eric Larsen]

Good advice. My bike does not have that feature, so I just swerve back and forth in my lane to make myself more visible. Thanks for posting.

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