If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us ;) ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide. - The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you. - The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills. In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more. By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills. www.MCrider.com/Member
I drove an 18 wheeler for 8 years. People relate big trucks=slow speed. I have had several instances where someone pulled out in front of me, luckily with no accident. They relate time-distance alright when they are paying attention, but when they are not the brain seems to fill in the blank with big=slow. My mom one time told me a story about a truck driver (logging truck, they are permitted to carry overweight on certain routes) that told her that a woman looked him right in the eye and pulled out when he was right up on her on a 70mph highway. Killed her instantly and the car, and her sadly, had to be picked up by the pieces.
I always relate big truck = slow to stop, and give them all the room I can no matter if I'm on my bike or in my pickup! And didn't you just love the people who thought that space on your right hand side at a cross street was the perfect place to sit all snuggled up to you while you made that right-hand turn? I've seen a lot of close calls and frantic backing over the years. :)
As a former MSF Coach and Harley Davidson Riding Academy Instructor, we heavily emphasized lane position and making yourself visible to surrounding traffic. This video is an excellent demonstration that I'll be sharing with my HOG group. Thanks MC Rider!
I am a restart! Got back in the saddle 4 years ago. Been away for over 30 years. I am 64. It hit home on your video about returning riders and old ways! I have captured lots of info per your videos Keith. Thanks for taking us the extra mile!
Im 40 years old and a fairly new rider to the streets. I rode dirt bikes for years and the street is very different. This channel is very helpful and i am subscribed. Thank you very much for these tips. I honestly feel safer after watching your videos and i will continue to watch and learn every week.
Wow! First pass you looked like you were not moving or moving really slow. Just changing lanes really changed my perception of your motion. Thanks for the tips as always.
There's a little trick that I use, which is flashing my headlights along with weaving the left 2/3 of the lane. Also when you are approaching the car on the right don't focus your vision on the whole car. Keep an eye on the front wheel, you will see motion in the wheel before you see the whole car moving
of course, because you're not driving a big truck or car. that's the problem with idiots like this vlogger. they're constantly talking about hypotheticals not the real world.
Yes. And if you have a high bar on the back of your bike, do what my friend did, tie up a golf towel (or small cloth). The random wind motion really does catch the eye and make following easier in daylight.
today I am thankful for mc rider...who he is as a person and being gracious enuf to share his wisdom. i'm an average rider married to a wonderful rider (I call him glidey pants...and he hates that ;-) and he too has enjoyed mc's vids. also very happy to see that most of his commenting followers are respectful to him and others on here. thanks to all of you for being that way...makes for a nice community.
Me too. I'm the driver you have to be careful of. I'm retired in Florida, aging eyes, tinted glass and loss of brain function. Less reaction time too. I like the blinking lights on the bikes, especially that blinking brake light.
I love your videos and learned so much off of them, you wouldn't believe how I take your videos to heart and use them almost as if I were in school. The special effects are awesome, especially for new riders. Keep up the good work, people like you are highly needed for us bikers.
I ride a lot, feel confident and might look cocky at times but in the privacy of my loneliness, I watch all the content I find and try to learn something every day. Great job !
I think about this often, and it is probably the clearest explanation of looming and paralax I've come across, and I'm re-visiting your video four years on. I'm still sharing this information with other riders.
Great advice. I always try to ride to the left for exactly this reason. I also believe it gives me additional options of escape if the need arises. If you are riding to the right side of a lane, your only safe option, other than braking of course, is to swerve left. Whereas, if you are riding in the left portion of the lane, you can swerve left or right.
I kind of new about this but your video demo was very insightful. I never relized how much difference lane position could make. Thank you Kevin for your great videos.
Yeah, right? I never realized that you have more motion towards the background. The plus side is also that you have more space to avoid the car if it happens to pull out just a bit too much. Mike
I'm a newly retired Police Officer and new rider. I just finished my Basic Motorcycle Riders course. I'm thankful that I've found your tutorials. I haven't ridden in 45 years & at 63 years I'm having a ball. I'm taking advantage of any training I can. I did well in my Basic Course, but that was on a closed course. I'm starting off slow with riding in my neighborhood at low speed & practicing my new skills...swerving, panic stops, & tight -turns. Thanks to MCrider, I'm using all of my gear, and using proper lane positioning. I'm thankful for your experienced training from a Brother Christian.
Thanks MCRIDER, definitely will be putting the weave into practice next ride. Today has been a week since I got MC license and your videos have gone a long way to help me be a safe, diligent rider beyond what was taught in class.
At 50 i bought a bike it feels so natural to me but i am a newbie and trying to learn everything i can. Thanks for the great service you are providing educating new and more experienced riders.
Another good video! Thanks! Another trick we can use is lights. Add those running lights if you don't already have them. Have a plan of escape when entering an intersection where there are vehicles to your right, or left, cross traffic. What will I do if that vehicle pulls out in front of me? Where do I go to keep from hitting them? My oldest son said the other day that if you don't think you had a close call while out on your last ride, you probably weren't paying attention! Be safe, have a plan!
I always rode with headlights on. But now here in Europe it is compulsory for all new bikes to be fitted with those daytime running lights from the factory, which although it takes choice away from the rider is a good idea in principle
I upgraded the stock turn signals on my H-D Deuce with LEDs, which is very nice. The front turn signals turned into white DRLs that go amber when I turn on the turn signals.
Myles Bryant proper running lights are great, if not fitted I run headlight on full beam, not dipped. I saw research years ago that showed that in daylight, dipped beam hardly increased visibility while full beam did so markedly.
I have an 06 Shadow Sabre, and you can't even tell the head light is on low beam during the day time. Taking it in next week for a new rear tire, and will add LED lighting to the head lamp. It already has running lights that are LED.
New to the street riding with my dual sport. Still have 6 more weeks until my MSF class. Always did the dirt riding 25+ years ago. MC rider videos are priceless. Thank you Sir!!!
This makes sense. A lot of riders will ride closer to the right thinking if the car pulls out you can maneuver behind the car and keep going. With this technique they’ll see you and won’t move. Thanks Dennis
Thanks, Kevin! Great reminder. I knew about "waving the lantern" but did NOT know about the significance of lane position, visibility and closing rate! Bravo
I wear a solid hi-viz yellow helmet. Other riders may laugh and say: " Look at that clown, you can see him coming from a mile away .... oh wait.......".
I wasn't thrilled about buying a high viz helmet but not too many things stand out like a high viz helmet and I want to give myself as many chances as possible to be seen. helmet, lane position, etc.
Riding for years now. I've picked up some safe actions to take that helped me out being more visible to others on the road.This rider safety video presentation shows one of the actions I picked up. It works. Movement in the lane works too in situations. Draws attention. Sometimes you'll be in their blind spot and you need to move around to be noticed.
I recently traveled nearly 2000 miles from Monterrey Mexico to Baja California and road strategy and following distance made my trip much safer and enjoyable. Thank you very much Kevin for sharing your knowledge
This was a great example. I didn't realize how much more recognizable I am on my motorcycle to cross traffic by just moving to the inside lane. Great video.
Something that most people don’t take into consideration, whether you’re in a car, or wanting to be seen by the driver of the car, is that every vehicle has a solid, non transparent aspect. That is the corner post of the windshield of your car. Many times a vehicle coming at you from an angle, can be completely obscured by this. You may think, no that’s not possible, because the corner post usually isn’t very wide, but trust me, most drivers just glance to one side or another before crossing traffic, and their view of you, especially on a motorcycle, can be obscured for just the length of that glance. MCrider, maybe you can do a little demonstration of this, and maybe help prevent a collision.
A very useful advise. There are many videos and channels about how to lean more and more or how to become faster, but your videos are about an average everyday rider who wants to enjoy his motorcycle safely and arrive home in one piece. Yours is a great work Kevin, and I thank you for it. Besides I am improving my english. Greetings from Spain.
this is great help and advice. I'm a beginner on a motorcycle but an expert on a bicycle - I've been using this technique on my bicycle for decades...I'll use this on my new motorcycle too! Thanks!!
I absolutely wouldn't have believed that lane position alone would have caused that much of a relative movement difference. Thanks for proving me wrong and changing my riding style for the better. Thank you!
Excellent points. This video was just shared on a bicycle related Facebook group where we talk about the advantages of bicyclists also using lane position for visibility. We have the further disadvantage of being thought to have less right to use a full lane because we’re usually slower, but the same visual and human perceptual principles still apply. Riding at the edge makes any narrow vehicle less noticeable and less relevant to car drivers. Thanks for making this video!
I’m glad I subscribe to this channel. I recently took the BRC1 class this past week .... last range class cancelled due to snow(wi), and we just touch on lane position, but this channel goes in depth with things like this.
As always Kevin a great video to keep us safe. Lane position is very important to see and be seen. Especially at intersections. I travel the same route to work every day and one intersection has a turn lane going left and two straight through lanes. A box truck was in the turn lane so I changed to the number 3 position to see if there was a vehicle in the turn lane that would cross my lanes. I’m sure glad I do this as there are vehicles there 9 out of ten times. I hate intersections as much as gravel. I watch and rewatch your videos and share them with friends. You have to practice what you learn and always keep learning. Some instructors are better than others. Thanks for another great video to make us better and safer riders. Travel safely. See ya on the road.
Thanks for some great tips. I often flash my high beams to get the attention of the driver in the car. As I approach I’m also preparing for the “what if” moment. I often wear Glo-gloves that have a stop sign on the palm. Amazed how well it works when I hold my hand up in a “stop” motion. Keep the videos coming!
I've been changing lane position when approaching intersections for years just because I thought it might help. It's reassuring to now have proof. Love these vids.
I've been doing this technique not even aware it was one! Makes sense, but I'm also a truck driver. I feel my skills as a long hauler help keep me trained to look waaaaay up ahead for danger and my traffic awareness is sharp. Every day at work I can continuously see/predict situations before the surrounding cars are remotely aware. Stay vigilant and look ahead riders! Best safety is our own awareness.
Just wanted to throw in a thank you! I'm in the "dangerous group" of older returning riders, according to your "5 most dangerous types of riders" video, so I'm studying up on how to ride again. Thanks for all these great tips.
Excellent video. Your demonstration is perfect. I ride a dual purpose style bike. Its tall with an upright seating position. This allows me to stand straight up on the pegs. Once in a while when I find myself in a hairy situation and conditions permitting, Ill stand up and get everyones attention.
Thanks Kevin for all your videos! Had to use the skills you have taught me this week when a car pulled out in front of me. I saw them a little before they pulled out and had time to get off of the throttle. I still messed up and accidentally locked up the rear wheel but I kept calm and control of my bike. Did not go down! Thanks so very much and God Bless!!
Thank you Kevin for this great advice! I will implement this technique from now on. The method I employed prior to watching this vided is that I would flash my bikes headlight to high beam, just to catch the motorist at the inspections attention. You solution is far makes perfect sense!
Excellent. I use the “weave” any time I’m approaching a junction or traffic ahead that is waiting to turn on to my path. It really works - I often catch the driver staring as if they think something is wrong with me/the bike.
Very good demonstration, thank you. That little bit of motion as you approach a car also makes your headlight intensity appear to change - thus drawing attention to the motorcycle even more.
this technique is something he mentioned in another video and I've been using it along with going a speed that I can react quicker from if I need to stop. great channel.
After seeing this technique from the drivers seat of a car I have been using it. Could never confirm but it feels like I have less close calls out on the road. Great video!
Very good illustration of "movement" as seen by the merging driver. Never looked at my own visibility this way - Makes good sense. I'll have to incorporate this tactic. Thanks for the lesson, Kevin!
Great advice! I try to practice being aware at all times of my visibility and where I am in a lane. It makes a difference when you are behind other vehicles when you are approaching side streets too. There may be people pulling out or people turning left in front of you. If you are tucked in behind another vehicle, it will be difficult if not impossible for someone to see you. Keep Your distance and line of sight.
New subscriber been riding for years always open to learning about safer riding. Extremely useful content in your videos! Great job with the production. Very skilled videography. Impressive to say the least
Your video reminds me of all the things I already knew and have done for years but you may not realize just how important everything you have shared really is or should I say how much this information is needed with in the riding community. In the last year I have ridden with so very many people who think or pretend like they know how to ride and yet are clearly clueless about everything you just shared. Some times I feel like I am some kind of OCD NUT JOB the way I ride. So thank for your video reminding me that I do not want to be like the majority of Clueless Zombie riders out there that only think they know what they are doing as they ride locked in hugging along the far right side of the road expecting all the cars to see and respect their tiny profiles approaching or sometimes blocked behind bushes and other obstacles. All the riders that are solidly ridged and locked into how they rider rather than to be fluid, flexible and having an almost Zin Like co-existence with the world around them are doing it the hard way. Your videos just might save a few lives. So once again I say THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO.
Hi All and greetings from the UK, where I am a DVSA Grade A Driving Instructor. I am also a Police trained Advanced Driver. First off, Kevin, I Love your videos and commend you for them. I use them at work actually! (And I practice my skills on two wheels too, just as you advocate!) Something I am CONSTANTLY teaching my students is of course Bike Awareness. I ride a Harley and do NOT want anyone I have taught to drive to knock me off it! We all know about blind spots, particularly those regarding mirrors, but how many of you know about your own personal ones? Here's two little tricks that will make you more aware of them. Number 1. Here in the UK, drivers are required to read a standard licence plate from 60 feet away. Most people can do this. I then like to PROVE to them that they CANNOT read it from 15 feet away! Simply look to one side of a car, say at one of the door mirrors, then try to read the licence plate whilst focussing on the door mirror. YOU CAN'T. Just ten degrees off a line of DIRECT sight and the human animal is blind! Number 2. Look into a mirror at your own face. Focus on your eyes. Now look at your right eye, then your left eye, then your right eye, then your left eye. You will FEEL your eyes move but you will never SEE them move in the mirror. Why? Your brain SHUTS YOUR VISION DOWN for the duration of ANY head or eye movement. If it didn't, you would feel nauseous. So your brain quickly realises its your eyes you are looking at and simply shows you a "cut and pasted" picture of what you EXPECT to see. Lets transfer that to junction observations. A quick look left and right, left and right will cause the same problem as featured in my number 2 bit. The car driver's eyes will land on the EXACT SAME two places each time, which will be objects or points CLOSE to them. IF NO THREAT IS PERCEIVED, they will pull out into traffic on the "strength" of that VERY inadequate observation. I train my students to look NINETY DEGREES each way and to HOLD that observation for a good TWO SECONDS before looking the other way and doing the same. That way, your eyes get a fresh picture EACH TIME and you see what is REALLY there, NOT what you want or expect to see. Car drivers do not see motorcycles as a THREAT, since in any collision, it is the rider who will get hurt. This next statement is controversial, but I'm afraid it is true. HI VIZ WILL NOT SAVE YOU. We live in a Hi Viz world these days, it doesn't stand out any more, it blends in. The simple fact is that if you are not being looked for SPECIFICALLY, you WON'T be seen. Also, Hi Viz says a lot about you subconsciously, to a car driver. You are all about safety. You are sensible. You are passive. YOU ARE NOT A THREAT! An 18 wheeler IS A THREAT, so is a Bus, a van or even another car because ALL will hurt the waiting driver if he pulls out in front of them. A motorcycle, a pedal cycle or an electric mobilty scooter are NOT threats to the waiting driver. The "quick look" left, right, left, right also brings in the problem in my number 1 bit. Just ten degrees off a line of DIRECT SIGHT and we are blind. Looking NINETY DEGREES and HOLDING that observation stops that. Most drivers look toward the centre of the road. Therefore they do not see what is closer to the kerb. Positioning yourself as Kevin shows in this video will DEFINITELY save you! Now you know how car drivers think, I hope I have helped too! Try those observational tricks. You will be amazed! Then you will know how YOU can improve your own vision too!
Kevin, thank you for sharing this information. I figured this one out on my own, however only after I was nearly killed. I was the motorcycle ride in your diagram. I was lucky the car pulled out quickly and I was thrown into the air over the trunk into the opposing traffic lane. I suffered many broken bones and a long healing process which is still ongoing after 3 years, however I believe if I had collided with the vehicle in another location, like the driver door, I would never have even heard of MC Rider...
Hi Kevin, I liked your visibility comment very much. I've been a rider for many years but was unaware of some of the science you explained. Years ago I invented a visibility procedure when approaching a left turning car facing me. I named it the "Gunner Swerve." I intentionally, briefly, swerve to aim my headlight directly at the driver, then resume my correct line of travel. That high beam is like a ball of fire nobody can miss! Thanks, looking forward to more of your tips. Steve Golia, Haddonfield, NJ
Very helpful Kevin, thanks. Amazing how a little shift in lane position gives a big difference in comparison to a car's view of the motorcycle. I've been riding on and off since Dec 2011, and I am mindful on the road, but never thought of things like this. Cheers
Absolutely WONDERFUL and VERY helpful information!!! This is an extremely interesting concept and one that I have never heard anyone talk about in the years that I have been riding. Thank you very much for this very important safety tip! This is something that I will be using and thinking about every time I ride and at every intersection I approach from now on! I wasn't aware of your channel until today and I just subscribed. Keep up the great work and thank you again for the awesome safety tip! 🏍
Very, very well done! I definitely appreciate what you're showing us all here and plan to apply it. Your video made me wonder about another topic related to visibility that I hope you can address: whether or not to use your motorcycle's high-beam headlight during daylight hours? Thanks!
Great content, Kevin! I do believe what your demonstrating is called a 'SMIDSY' maneuver. Short for 'Sorry Man, I Didn't See You'. I believe the UK rIders call it SIAM(SMIDSY Identification & Avoidance Maneuver) I learned this maneuver 10 yrs ago in one of my advanced riding courses. Keeps me alive here in Cali.
I have used this technique for decades but not for this reason (which is great). I used it because it put more distance between me and the car as I approached and this would allow me more time to react. So to make this clear; if I approach the car in the right side of the lane the car only has to move a couple of feet to be right in my path, whereas if I'm in the left portion of the lane that distance doubles more or less and gives me more time to react and the driver more time to see me and react also... One other thing as I approach if the driver is not watching me, I watch the front wheel, you will notice that wheel start to rotate much sooner than you will notice the whole car move...
right on ! sometimes an extra fraction of a second is the difference between escaping and crashing. I also ride with my brakes "covered", which lessens the reaction time
Great video. In addition to lane position, I always ride with the brights on during the day. I read that suggestion in an Easy Riders article in the 1980's and have done so ever since. you're much easier to see and your lights last almost twice as long since you use the low beams at night. I'm still using the original bulbs on my 2005 HD Electra Glide Classic.
Excellent presentation Kevin. Clear, great visuals, no confusion. I would love to see some safety tips for Trike riders since I have recently made the switch from two to three wheels (at 76).
My motorcycle is orange. My jacket is mostly orange my helmet has some orange and my airbag vest has hi vis stripes. Even still, riding in the left part of the lane helps other drivers see us on motorcycles. Great video!
Hi. Let me thank you once more for the high quality of information and advice you provide us through your videos. Here in Brazil we're supposed to ride our bikes keeping their lights on. I think it improves our chances of being at sight for the drivers. Unfortunately, there's still a lot of inprudence and disregard for the laws. Moreover, due to the possibility of purchasing motorbikes instead of cars, thousands of people go around riding these vehicles in the most unbelievable and weird ways... (If you don't mind, can you make a short comment on my English... I really appreciate.
Awesome videos Kevin, you are saving lives! God Bless!! Motor cycles should have a feature where they can push a button to make their headlights flash in a strobe like fashion when coming up to an intersection, then they can shut it off when not needed. I think it would make them more visible.
If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us ;) ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide.
- The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you.
- The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills.
In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more.
By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills.
www.MCrider.com/Member
Some people can't see Tractor Trailer rigs or mile long trains. Always assume you are invisible.
exactly lol
As a motorcycle rider and a truck driver, truer words could not have been said!
That’s how I ride like it’s wonder woman’s jet no one can see me
I drove an 18 wheeler for 8 years. People relate big trucks=slow speed. I have had several instances where someone pulled out in front of me, luckily with no accident. They relate time-distance alright when they are paying attention, but when they are not the brain seems to fill in the blank with big=slow. My mom one time told me a story about a truck driver (logging truck, they are permitted to carry overweight on certain routes) that told her that a woman looked him right in the eye and pulled out when he was right up on her on a 70mph highway. Killed her instantly and the car, and her sadly, had to be picked up by the pieces.
I always relate big truck = slow to stop, and give them all the room I can no matter if I'm on my bike or in my pickup! And didn't you just love the people who thought that space on your right hand side at a cross street was the perfect place to sit all snuggled up to you while you made that right-hand turn? I've seen a lot of close calls and frantic backing over the years. :)
As a former MSF Coach and Harley Davidson Riding Academy Instructor, we heavily emphasized lane position and making yourself visible to surrounding traffic. This video is an excellent demonstration that I'll be sharing with my HOG group. Thanks MC Rider!
I am a restart! Got back in the saddle 4 years ago. Been away for over 30 years. I am 64. It hit home on your video about returning riders and old ways! I have captured lots of info per your videos Keith. Thanks for taking us the extra mile!
Im 40 years old and a fairly new rider to the streets. I rode dirt bikes for years and the street is very different. This channel is very helpful and i am subscribed. Thank you very much for these tips. I honestly feel safer after watching your videos and i will continue to watch and learn every week.
Same here. It's like learning to drive all over again but a lot more complicated.
Wow! First pass you looked like you were not moving or moving really slow. Just changing lanes really changed my perception of your motion. Thanks for the tips as always.
There's a little trick that I use, which is flashing my headlights along with weaving the left 2/3 of the lane. Also when you are approaching the car on the right don't focus your vision on the whole car. Keep an eye on the front wheel, you will see motion in the wheel before you see the whole car moving
yep. that's a must. been riding for 70 years, speaks for itself , still here.
nearly forgot. my train horn. they tend to wake up when i give that a blip.
I have found on a few occasions that flashing my lights can be perceived as a signal for the car to proceed. I have stopped doing this.
William Castleberry yeah. In Europe though, many drivers will read a headlamp flash as an invitation to go ahead. I'd be careful.
Dont flash your lights in Ireland it is definitely an indication to proceed
Very useful! Every rider needs to be watching this channel. Thanks!
Steven day no that is entirely untrue
I do this and they still pull out in front of me!
of course, because you're not driving a big truck or car.
that's the problem with idiots like this vlogger. they're constantly talking about hypotheticals not the real world.
Another great tip. Sometimes the back and forth motion while riding makes the annoying tail gaters back off a bit too :) Thanks Kevin.
Yes. And if you have a high bar on the back of your bike, do what my friend did, tie up a golf towel (or small cloth). The random wind motion really does catch the eye and make following easier in daylight.
Or have a hot blonde with a long ponytail sit behind you :D
Nah man, a hot blonde will distract the driver behind you, and he'll forget to brake!
Britt Ben
Thanks, I'll try that next time
today I am thankful for mc rider...who he is as a person and being gracious enuf to share his wisdom. i'm an average rider married to a wonderful rider (I call him glidey pants...and he hates that ;-) and he too has enjoyed mc's vids.
also very happy to see that most of his commenting followers are respectful to him and others on here. thanks to all of you for being that way...makes for a nice community.
I am so thankful to mc rider for these life saving tips
Me too. I'm the driver you have to be careful of. I'm retired in Florida, aging eyes, tinted glass and loss of brain function. Less reaction time too. I like the blinking lights on the bikes, especially that blinking brake light.
For sure I am a better rider after I subscribed this channel. Thanks a lot and God bless you always for been so careful on all you have said.
I love your videos and learned so much off of them, you wouldn't believe how I take your videos to heart and use them almost as if I were in school. The special effects are awesome, especially for new riders. Keep up the good work, people like you are highly needed for us bikers.
I ride a lot, feel confident and might look cocky at times but in the privacy of my loneliness, I watch all the content I find and try to learn something every day. Great job !
25 yr rider here, and still learning myself new stuff from this channel. Thanks a million, Kevin!
I think about this often, and it is probably the clearest explanation of looming and paralax I've come across, and I'm re-visiting your video four years on. I'm still sharing this information with other riders.
Great advice. I always try to ride to the left for exactly this reason. I also believe it gives me additional options of escape if the need arises. If you are riding to the right side of a lane, your only safe option, other than braking of course, is to swerve left. Whereas, if you are riding in the left portion of the lane, you can swerve left or right.
What a great video. Your channel should be required viewing for every motorcycle rider. Keep up the good work Kevin and thank you again.
I kind of new about this but your video demo was very insightful. I never relized how much difference lane position could make. Thank you Kevin for your great videos.
Yeah, right? I never realized that you have more motion towards the background. The plus side is also that you have more space to avoid the car if it happens to pull out just a bit too much. Mike
I'm a newly retired Police Officer and new rider. I just finished my Basic Motorcycle Riders course. I'm thankful that I've found your tutorials. I haven't ridden in 45 years & at 63 years I'm having a ball. I'm taking advantage of any training I can. I did well in my Basic Course, but that was on a closed course. I'm starting off slow with riding in my neighborhood at low speed & practicing my new skills...swerving, panic stops, & tight -turns. Thanks to MCrider, I'm using all of my gear, and using proper lane positioning. I'm thankful for your experienced training from a Brother Christian.
This was pretty eye opening for me. I am thankful that there are channels like this one that focus on making you a better, safer rider.
This is so great and simple! I like that it’s something I can apply TODAY, no practice or trial and error required
Thanks MCRIDER, definitely will be putting the weave into practice next ride. Today has been a week since I got MC license and your videos have gone a long way to help me be a safe, diligent rider beyond what was taught in class.
At 50 i bought a bike it feels so natural to me but i am a newbie and trying to learn everything i can. Thanks for the great service you are providing educating new and more experienced riders.
Gotta wonder...what possible reaaon could someone have to give a thumbs down??? Two thumbs up for good advice.
TheGeorgiaGent Probably a mistake or a troll
a car driver who hates bikes can give a thumbs down 😂 life is full of jerks
TheGeorgiaGent some people are just mad at the world because they Hate their Life!
7 thumbs down now. They're the guys with the wives that won't let them have a motorcycle :P
The astute riders who believe that the taller visual profile achieved from a wheelie is a better way of increasing visibility.
Why would anyone give your video a thumbs down? Your videos have made me a better, safer biker.
Another good video! Thanks! Another trick we can use is lights. Add those running lights if you don't already have them. Have a plan of escape when entering an intersection where there are vehicles to your right, or left, cross traffic. What will I do if that vehicle pulls out in front of me? Where do I go to keep from hitting them? My oldest son said the other day that if you don't think you had a close call while out on your last ride, you probably weren't paying attention! Be safe, have a plan!
Modulators on those running lights add another dimension too for greater conspicuously.
I always rode with headlights on. But now here in Europe it is compulsory for all new bikes to be fitted with those daytime running lights from the factory, which although it takes choice away from the rider is a good idea in principle
I upgraded the stock turn signals on my H-D Deuce with LEDs, which is very nice. The front turn signals turned into white DRLs that go amber when I turn on the turn signals.
Myles Bryant proper running lights are great, if not fitted I run headlight on full beam, not dipped. I saw research years ago that showed that in daylight, dipped beam hardly increased visibility while full beam did so markedly.
I have an 06 Shadow Sabre, and you can't even tell the head light is on low beam during the day time. Taking it in next week for a new rear tire, and will add LED lighting to the head lamp. It already has running lights that are LED.
I'm over 50 but only have been riding for only 8 years, but learned something new from your channel once again. Thank you for your great video.
New to the street riding with my dual sport. Still have 6 more weeks until my MSF class. Always did the dirt riding 25+ years ago. MC rider videos are priceless. Thank you Sir!!!
Excellent reminder for an old riding veteran! Thank you for all the great reminders.
This makes sense. A lot of riders will ride closer to the right thinking if the car pulls out you can maneuver behind the car and keep going. With this technique they’ll see you and won’t move. Thanks Dennis
Thank you for your lessons. We appreciate your work. You are helping keep motorcyclists alive.
Thanks, Kevin! Great reminder. I knew about "waving the lantern" but did NOT know about the significance of lane position, visibility and closing rate! Bravo
I wear a solid hi-viz yellow helmet. Other riders may laugh and say: " Look at that clown, you can see him coming from a mile away .... oh wait.......".
same!
Yes, my first gear was silver, worst color ever, blended into everything on every gray or foggy day.
Yeah, much better than black. Also, the more black/yellow edges you have, the better. The eye picks up contrast edges even better than solid hi-viz.
I wasn't thrilled about buying a high viz helmet but not too many things stand out like a high viz helmet and I want to give myself as many chances as possible to be seen. helmet, lane position, etc.
My Pops painted his entire Indian Scout school bus yellow, because folks kept pulling out in front of him.
Riding for years now. I've picked up some safe actions to take that helped me out being more visible to others on the road.This rider safety video presentation shows one of the actions I picked up. It works. Movement in the lane works too in situations. Draws attention. Sometimes you'll be in their blind spot and you need to move around to be noticed.
I recently traveled nearly 2000 miles from Monterrey Mexico to Baja California and road strategy and following distance made my trip much safer and enjoyable. Thank you very much Kevin for sharing your knowledge
This was a great example. I didn't realize how much more recognizable I am on my motorcycle to cross traffic by just moving to the inside lane. Great video.
Something that most people don’t take into consideration, whether you’re in a car, or wanting to be seen by the driver of the car, is that every vehicle has a solid, non transparent aspect. That is the corner post of the windshield of your car. Many times a vehicle coming at you from an angle, can be completely obscured by this. You may think, no that’s not possible, because the corner post usually isn’t very wide, but trust me, most drivers just glance to one side or another before crossing traffic, and their view of you, especially on a motorcycle, can be obscured for just the length of that glance. MCrider, maybe you can do a little demonstration of this, and maybe help prevent a collision.
A very useful advise. There are many videos and channels about how to lean more and more or how to become faster, but your videos are about an average everyday rider who wants to enjoy his motorcycle safely and arrive home in one piece. Yours is a great work Kevin, and I thank you for it. Besides I am improving my english. Greetings from Spain.
this is great help and advice. I'm a beginner on a motorcycle but an expert on a bicycle - I've been using this technique on my bicycle for decades...I'll use this on my new motorcycle too! Thanks!!
I absolutely wouldn't have believed that lane position alone would have caused that much of a relative movement difference. Thanks for proving me wrong and changing my riding style for the better. Thank you!
Excellent points. This video was just shared on a bicycle related Facebook group where we talk about the advantages of bicyclists also using lane position for visibility. We have the further disadvantage of being thought to have less right to use a full lane because we’re usually slower, but the same visual and human perceptual principles still apply. Riding at the edge makes any narrow vehicle less noticeable and less relevant to car drivers. Thanks for making this video!
I’m glad I subscribe to this channel. I recently took the BRC1 class this past week .... last range class cancelled due to snow(wi), and we just touch on lane position, but this channel goes in depth with things like this.
As always Kevin a great video to keep us safe. Lane position is very important to see and be seen. Especially at intersections. I travel the same route to work every day and one intersection has a turn lane going left and two straight through lanes. A box truck was in the turn lane so I changed to the number 3 position to see if there was a vehicle in the turn lane that would cross my lanes. I’m sure glad I do this as there are vehicles there 9 out of ten times. I hate intersections as much as gravel. I watch and rewatch your videos and share them with friends. You have to practice what you learn and always keep learning. Some instructors are better than others. Thanks for another great video to make us better and safer riders. Travel safely. See ya on the road.
Thanks for some great tips. I often flash my high beams to get the attention of the driver in the car. As I approach I’m also preparing for the “what if” moment. I often wear Glo-gloves that have a stop sign on the palm. Amazed how well it works when I hold my hand up in a “stop” motion. Keep the videos coming!
I've been changing lane position when approaching intersections for years just because I thought it might help. It's reassuring to now have proof. Love these vids.
I've been doing this technique not even aware it was one! Makes sense, but I'm also a truck driver. I feel my skills as a long hauler help keep me trained to look waaaaay up ahead for danger and my traffic awareness is sharp. Every day at work I can continuously see/predict situations before the surrounding cars are remotely aware. Stay vigilant and look ahead riders! Best safety is our own awareness.
Thank you, Kevin. I look forward to your videos each week.
Excellent highlighting of the little things we can do to help ourselves. Great videos.
Just wanted to throw in a thank you! I'm in the "dangerous group" of older returning riders, according to your "5 most dangerous types of riders" video, so I'm studying up on how to ride again. Thanks for all these great tips.
Excellent video. Your demonstration is perfect. I ride a dual purpose style bike. Its tall with an upright seating position. This allows me to stand straight up on the pegs. Once in a while when I find myself in a hairy situation and conditions permitting, Ill stand up and get everyones attention.
Really good points about relative increasing size and movement against a background. Two really good things to keep in mind.
Thanks Kevin for all your videos! Had to use the skills you have taught me this week when a car pulled out in front of me. I saw them a little before they pulled out and had time to get off of the throttle. I still messed up and accidentally locked up the rear wheel but I kept calm and control of my bike. Did not go down! Thanks so very much and God Bless!!
Awesome Adam! Make sure and spend some time working on emergency braking too. That should be a regular technique practiced.
Great tip. I’m always cautious when approaching an intersection , but this gives me a little edge to make myself more visible.
That's why I love checking out MCrider channel just those little tips may make the difference. thanks
Never thought about being seen better in this type of way. Very simple and effective in your video. Will use this always, thanks.
Thank you Kevin for this great advice! I will implement this technique from now on. The method I employed prior to watching this vided is that I would flash my bikes headlight to high beam, just to catch the motorist at the inspections attention. You solution is far makes perfect sense!
I've been riding for 16 years and this is invaluable information. Thank you!
Excellent. I use the “weave” any time I’m approaching a junction or traffic ahead that is waiting to turn on to my path. It really works - I often catch the driver staring as if they think something is wrong with me/the bike.
Great example of depth of field eyes recognition of movement and scale definitely away to give that motorists another chance to see you thank you
Very good demonstration, thank you. That little bit of motion as you approach a car also makes your headlight intensity appear to change - thus drawing attention to the motorcycle even more.
Amazing demonstration. I really appreciate this high quality content and instruction, especially given my return to motorcycle riding after 30 years.
this technique is something he mentioned in another video and I've been using it along with going a speed that I can react quicker from if I need to stop. great channel.
A real eye-opener! I didn't realize how hard it was to make out a bike's speed and location until just now
Excellent lesson! Thanks for all you do for motorcyclist's safety.
After seeing this technique from the drivers seat of a car I have been using it. Could never confirm but it feels like I have less close calls out on the road. Great video!
Very good illustration of "movement" as seen by the merging driver.
Never looked at my own visibility this way - Makes good sense. I'll have to incorporate this tactic.
Thanks for the lesson, Kevin!
Great advice! I try to practice being aware at all times of my visibility and where I am in a lane. It makes a difference when you are behind other vehicles when you are approaching side streets too. There may be people pulling out or people turning left in front of you. If you are tucked in behind another vehicle, it will be difficult if not impossible for someone to see you. Keep Your distance and line of sight.
New subscriber been riding for years always open to learning about safer riding. Extremely useful content in your videos! Great job with the production. Very skilled videography. Impressive to say the least
Great advice. I’ve been doing this for years and I swear it works.
Your video reminds me of all the things I already knew and have done for years but you may not realize just how important everything you have shared really is or should I say how much this information is needed with in the riding community.
In the last year I have ridden with so very many people who think or pretend like they know how to ride and yet are clearly clueless about everything you just shared. Some times I feel like I am some kind of OCD NUT JOB the way I ride. So thank for your video reminding me that I do not want to be like the majority of Clueless Zombie riders out there that only think they know what they are doing as they ride locked in hugging along the far right side of the road expecting all the cars to see and respect their tiny profiles approaching or sometimes blocked behind bushes and other obstacles. All the riders that are solidly ridged and locked into how they rider rather than to be fluid, flexible and having an almost Zin Like co-existence with the world around them are doing it the hard way. Your videos just might save a few lives. So once again I say
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO.
I thought I already knew all about this subject, but, as usual, you showed me something I didn’t know. Thank you!
! ! !
Very usefu thanks for the video
Hi All and greetings from the UK, where I am a DVSA Grade A Driving Instructor. I am also a Police trained Advanced Driver. First off, Kevin, I Love your videos and commend you for them. I use them at work actually! (And I practice my skills on two wheels too, just as you advocate!) Something I am CONSTANTLY teaching my students is of course Bike Awareness. I ride a Harley and do NOT want anyone I have taught to drive to knock me off it! We all know about blind spots, particularly those regarding mirrors, but how many of you know about your own personal ones?
Here's two little tricks that will make you more aware of them. Number 1. Here in the UK, drivers are required to read a standard licence plate from 60 feet away. Most people can do this. I then like to PROVE to them that they CANNOT read it from 15 feet away! Simply look to one side of a car, say at one of the door mirrors, then try to read the licence plate whilst focussing on the door mirror. YOU CAN'T. Just ten degrees off a line of DIRECT sight and the human animal is blind!
Number 2. Look into a mirror at your own face. Focus on your eyes. Now look at your right eye, then your left eye, then your right eye, then your left eye. You will FEEL your eyes move but you will never SEE them move in the mirror. Why? Your brain SHUTS YOUR VISION DOWN for the duration of ANY head or eye movement. If it didn't, you would feel nauseous. So your brain quickly realises its your eyes you are looking at and simply shows you a "cut and pasted" picture of what you EXPECT to see.
Lets transfer that to junction observations. A quick look left and right, left and right will cause the same problem as featured in my number 2 bit. The car driver's eyes will land on the EXACT SAME two places each time, which will be objects or points CLOSE to them. IF NO THREAT IS PERCEIVED, they will pull out into traffic on the "strength" of that VERY inadequate observation. I train my students to look NINETY DEGREES each way and to HOLD that observation for a good TWO SECONDS before looking the other way and doing the same. That way, your eyes get a fresh picture EACH TIME and you see what is REALLY there, NOT what you want or expect to see. Car drivers do not see motorcycles as a THREAT, since in any collision, it is the rider who will get hurt. This next statement is controversial, but I'm afraid it is true. HI VIZ WILL NOT SAVE YOU. We live in a Hi Viz world these days, it doesn't stand out any more, it blends in. The simple fact is that if you are not being looked for SPECIFICALLY, you WON'T be seen. Also, Hi Viz says a lot about you subconsciously, to a car driver. You are all about safety. You are sensible. You are passive. YOU ARE NOT A THREAT! An 18 wheeler IS A THREAT, so is a Bus, a van or even another car because ALL will hurt the waiting driver if he pulls out in front of them. A motorcycle, a pedal cycle or an electric mobilty scooter are NOT threats to the waiting driver.
The "quick look" left, right, left, right also brings in the problem in my number 1 bit. Just ten degrees off a line of DIRECT SIGHT and we are blind. Looking NINETY DEGREES and HOLDING that observation stops that. Most drivers look toward the centre of the road. Therefore they do not see what is closer to the kerb. Positioning yourself as Kevin shows in this video will DEFINITELY save you! Now you know how car drivers think, I hope I have helped too! Try those observational tricks. You will be amazed! Then you will know how YOU can improve your own vision too!
Thanks for the tips and demonstrating how effective they are.
Kevin, thank you for sharing this information. I figured this one out on my own, however only after I was nearly killed. I was the motorcycle ride in your diagram. I was lucky the car pulled out quickly and I was thrown into the air over the trunk into the opposing traffic lane. I suffered many broken bones and a long healing process which is still ongoing after 3 years, however I believe if I had collided with the vehicle in another location, like the driver door, I would never have even heard of MC Rider...
you're on his channel so does that mean you got back on a bike or will get back on a bike?
Nice video as usual. I use this technique all the time and with a few other techniques it means I almost never have a problem on the road.
Great video. Cagers can't see through those A-Pillars btw. Thanks!
Thank you for displaying that effect. Unbelievable how much more noticeable that helmet was just by moving over in the lane. 👍
Nice reminder - thanks Kevin! (love the graphics too, very helpful)
Hi Kevin, I liked your visibility comment very much. I've been a rider for many years but was unaware of some of the science you explained.
Years ago I invented a visibility procedure when approaching a left turning car facing me. I named it the "Gunner Swerve." I intentionally, briefly, swerve to aim my headlight directly at the driver, then resume my correct line of travel. That high beam is like a ball of fire nobody can miss!
Thanks, looking forward to more of your tips. Steve Golia, Haddonfield, NJ
Brilliant advice! I've only been riding 2 and a half years, but I have employed this technique all the time!
Very helpful Kevin, thanks. Amazing how a little shift in lane position gives a big difference in comparison to a car's view of the motorcycle. I've been riding on and off since Dec 2011, and I am mindful on the road, but never thought of things like this. Cheers
Kevin, I'm always looking for ways to be safer, live longer and ride happier. Thanks for your input. Excellent teacher with great ideas!
Absolutely WONDERFUL and VERY helpful information!!! This is an extremely interesting concept and one that I have never heard anyone talk about in the years that I have been riding. Thank you very much for this very important safety tip! This is something that I will be using and thinking about every time I ride and at every intersection I approach from now on! I wasn't aware of your channel until today and I just subscribed. Keep up the great work and thank you again for the awesome safety tip! 🏍
Great demonstration to be applied on the road! Thank you so much!
Very, very well done! I definitely appreciate what you're showing us all here and plan to apply it. Your video made me wonder about another topic related to visibility that I hope you can address: whether or not to use your motorcycle's high-beam headlight during daylight hours? Thanks!
Great content, Kevin!
I do believe what your demonstrating is called a 'SMIDSY' maneuver. Short for 'Sorry Man, I Didn't See You'. I believe the UK rIders call it SIAM(SMIDSY Identification & Avoidance Maneuver) I learned this maneuver 10 yrs ago in one of my advanced riding courses. Keeps me alive here in Cali.
I have used this technique for decades but not for this reason (which is great). I used it because it put more distance between me and the car as I approached and this would allow me more time to react. So to make this clear; if I approach the car in the right side of the lane the car only has to move a couple of feet to be right in my path, whereas if I'm in the left portion of the lane that distance doubles more or less and gives me more time to react and the driver more time to see me and react also...
One other thing as I approach if the driver is not watching me, I watch the front wheel, you will notice that wheel start to rotate much sooner than you will notice the whole car move...
look at the driver of the car also, if they are not looking at you, than, they prob dont see you.
right on ! sometimes an extra fraction of a second is the difference between escaping and crashing. I also ride with my brakes "covered", which lessens the reaction time
Bass Player yes. It gives you far more options for evasive action if needed.
Wow! I always knew about lane placement for visibility but have never seen such a good example! Awesome.
Great video. In addition to lane position, I always ride with the brights on during the day. I read that suggestion in an Easy Riders article in the 1980's and have done so ever since. you're much easier to see and your lights last almost twice as long since you use the low beams at night. I'm still using the original bulbs on my 2005 HD Electra Glide Classic.
Excellent presentation Kevin. Clear, great visuals, no confusion. I would love to see some safety tips for Trike riders since I have recently made the switch from two to three wheels (at 76).
Lane position might be the single most important factor in minimising risk for street riding. Excellent video.
My motorcycle is orange. My jacket is mostly orange my helmet has some orange and my airbag vest has hi vis stripes. Even still, riding in the left part of the lane helps other drivers see us on motorcycles. Great video!
Literally a life-saving video. Awesome, Kevin!
Hi. Let me thank you once more for the high quality of information and advice you provide us through your videos. Here in Brazil we're supposed to ride our bikes keeping their lights on. I think it improves our chances of being at sight for the drivers. Unfortunately, there's still a lot of inprudence and disregard for the laws. Moreover, due to the possibility of purchasing motorbikes instead of cars, thousands of people go around riding these vehicles in the most unbelievable and weird ways...
(If you don't mind, can you make a short comment on my English... I really appreciate.
Thanks for the continued advice, I find it very useful and it helps me become a better rider.
Absolutely superb advice, exemplification, and teaching. I must share this video with my friends!
Great tip, Kevin. Thanks for the training.
Clever tip! One thing I always do while driving my motorcycle is have the high beam flipped on during the day, way more conspicuous.
Awesome videos Kevin, you are saving lives! God Bless!! Motor cycles should have a feature where they can push a button to make their headlights flash in a strobe like fashion when coming up to an intersection, then they can shut it off when not needed. I think it would make them more visible.