Forum

[Frank]

Only fit a camera if you are 100% sure of your own riding perfection. In the event of an accident the police are quite at liberty to seize any footage and would be more than willing to convict you based on your own evidence. The camera may not lie but it can distort the perspective and not give an overall picture.

[Adam]

I have to agree that I wouldn’t want my family to be watching a recording of the tail lights of the car that killed me disappearing into the distance while I was being prepared for my final journey. Perhaps a dummy camera on your helmet and the inscription CAMERA IN USE on the back of your hi-vis jacket would give a better degree of safety. Some of the horse riders round here in rural Dorset have hi-vis vests with a bit of Battenberg strip and the word POLITE on the back, that seems to work…………………………………………………………

I came back to motorcycling in 1997 after a break of nearly thirty years having ridden a Bantam, Excelsior Talisman Twin and Honda 90 for just a few years in my youth. Fortunately I had never passed a test back in the day, yes, fortunately, so it was necessary for me to take CBT to ride the bike I lusted after. I found an hour of CBT and a couple of hours on the road with an experienced instructor invaluable in teaching me how a motorcycle fits into the modern road systems and traffic……………………………………………………………..

I like to ride by some simple, self imposed rules. Ride defensively. Always wear a hi-vis JACKET not just a vest so that you can back up your flashing direction signals with a hand signal with a better chance of being seen, particularly in poor light. Ride defensively. Always ride with headlight on. Ride defensively. No matter how much Richard Head in his little box annoys you, let it go. Ride defensively. If you can’t let it go, steel toe cap boots can inflict quite a bit of damage on Richard’s Audi. Ride defensively. Don’t ride in the gutter, you have nowhere to go when Richard attempts to overtakes and there ain’t room so to do, ride well out to the right of your lane so Richard can’t ride you up the kerb. Ride defensively. Treat every other road user as if they are out to kill you. Ride defensively ………………………………………………………………..

There’s some ‘entertaining’ helmet cam stuff here… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjhviuWBhXs ………………………………………… Adam

[Scalyback]

Although I always try to ride defensively, and give way to the other jerk's antics, very occasionally, I get caught out and need to take action fast.



I have a high viz vest (not a jacket yet), But I don't use my headlight anymore. (always used to)



It seems not only from statistics, but from real people (From a motorcycle instructor in the link below), That what was a good defensive device (headlamp) is now more likely to cause an accident than prevent it.




Daytime headlamps for motorcycles.



Anyway, yesterday was not a visibility issue, she obviously had no idea about the vulnerabilities of motorcycle and cycle riders, and just accelerated to beat me to the gap. As I mentioned its about 1 in 5 (20%) uphill so as I was the nearer and coming uphill i (maybe naively) expected to pass the obstruction whilst the downhill car would slow a little if needed.





Anyway the incident has passed, mental note to just slow and give way unless the approaching vehicle is visibly slowing.

[Michael]

I have to say, that article is a little light on evidence isn't it?? That being said, I often switch my headlight off when I am riding over known bumpy roads with lots of side junctions as I have had people tell me that I had flashed them before, when I hadn't. Also, I am very careful when I switch it on... never when another vehicle could think it a flash. I still think headlight on makes a difference, maybe not in broad daylight, but certainly when I do most of my riding first thing and at dinner time...




Incidentally, I was chatting with a newbie biker the other day and was rather worried by his statement 'I bought the fastest 125 I could get...' followed by something about 'I won't hurt anyone else, unlike a car would do in an accident'... someone doesn't quite get it, do they??? Is this a case for a brain test as well as a driving test?!

[Presto]

I don’t like talking too much on this subject, but my main attitude when I’m riding is not to have headlamps etc on so I can be seen, but to make sure I CAN SEE what’s going on – roads, hazards, idiots, etc.

I never ceased to be amazed how riders (generally of very fast bikes) go around with their headlights on full beam and then ride like lunatics, as if the lights gave them some short of impregnable shield.

[Scalyback]

Teenagers on 125's?



ever since Lawrence of Arabia, who loved hurtling through the countryside on a series of brough superiors, at the highest speeds possible, there have been those who seek an adrenalin rush through speed on their bikes.



It goes one of two ways, either they eventually slow down and become responsible, or they continue to risk both their's and other's lives.



T.E. Lawrence tore over a bridge and came face to face with two boys on bicycles. he tried to avoid, failed and died. What is not widely known is that he hit the boys and they died too.



Point is that riding a motorcycle responsibly is still hazardous when other vehicles are about. Adding to that with inexperience and excessive speed, and your chances of surviving go way into the red.



I did my advanced course some years ago, and am thankful for what I learnt. Still does not stop the other party doing something stupid, but does teach you to look well ahead, plan ahead, and to expect that if a driver can do something unexpected, be ready for it to happen. This won't prevent an incident, but if you have visualized it coming, then you have more time to react.





I guess this thread is not too palatable, and maybe we should draw to a close soon. I just hope that the knowledge shared here may help others.

Just be careful out there, and may the force be with you.

[Exile]

Here in sunny Denmark, it's compulsory to have your headlights on at all times, cars, bikes, everything. Does it make a difference? I think not. I still experience careless car drivers trying to remove me from the traffic. I tend to be defensive on the road but if someone really acts like jerk, I tend to react to them also. I've kicked a few cars after catching them at the next light and am not shy about dishing out the verbal abuse if needed.

Strangely, the lorry drivers here seem to be very aware of us. Knocking on wood now, but I've never had an incident involving a lorry.. here. I did have one in my youth in England. I'm luckily still here. Big truck overtaking on a long left-hand bend, his rear wheel set getting closer as he passed, squeezing me into the ditch over the KERB stones. (Why do they put kerb stones on open roads (A303)? Bloody silly if you ask me.)

Evidence after the fact maybe, but a camera won't give you any protection from the eejit in the other vehicle or the pain he/she can cause you to suffer.

My 2p worth...

[Scalyback]

Correct, it won't stop an accident, but might get them caught if they did a hit and run.



My main reason is for nice vids of rides and landmarks, I hope that is all I ever get to film!

[Thack]

OK, we can lose the morbid stuff, but really this thread is about helmet cams. Anybody recommend one?

[simon]

A GoPro is the most oft referred brand. It is a movie camera that comes with a helmet mounting kit.