Passing Button

[Tama's Tigre]

Ok, dumn question, but, what the hell is a "Passing Button"  :?:

[noivson]

Flash of High Beams to the preceding vehicle.
Look Out 'I'm moving on!'
See you later Allilgator

Opposite side of High/Low light switch....Left controls.

[Tama's Tigre]

Noivson,

I tried flipping it but didn't see anything happen, but now that you tell me what it is  :idea:  I know why I didn't see the highbeams flash... it's because my highbeams were already on.  I ALWAYS ride with my highbeams on.   :shock:  Be seen, or die.  :!:

Thanks  :D

[blacktiger]

Noivson,

I tried flipping it but didn't see anything happen, but now that you tell me what it is  :idea:  I know why I didn't see the highbeams flash... it's because my highbeams were already on.  I ALWAYS ride with my highbeams on.   :shock:  Be seen, or die.  :!:

Doh!  :oops:

[Tama's Tigre]

Told you tigers it was a dumn question  :oops:

[Rod]

Just hope I'm not on the same bit of road when you're coming my way.

HIGH BEAMS ALL THE TIME?

YOU GOTTA BE JOKING.......!

Rod

[Tama's Tigre]

Rod,

Maybe in London, you don't have the motorcycle fatalities we have here in the states.  The most common is someone making a left turn in front of you because "they didn't see you."  

According to the Hurt Study, (the most comprehensive motorcycle safety study to date): "The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision."

According to the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators: "Use high beams rather than low beams and consider using a modulating headlight if your state allows it."

It is common practice here, to ride with your highbeams on during the day.  Because of the ambient (day) light, on-comming highbeams are not blinding, but they do (help) make you stand out to the cages.  At night, however, I would of course, dim the highbeam to any on-comming traffic (including you, my friend, if we were sharing "the same bit of road").  

No, I'm not joking... It's a matter of survival.  Sorry if I offended your sensibilities.

Tama

PS: any one else, besides Rod, have a constructive opinion  :?:

[noivson]

Personally I don't use 'em all the time. Being noticed, as you know IS very prudent. In the US motorcyclists are not given fair share of the road. Any tips to help be seen are in your favor. Hi-Vis colors have become popular. Turn signals on (not flashing) help. Personally I'm not too reserved when out and about:
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[Rod]

I had forgotten that you see more bright sunshine in the States and high beam would be more visible. Here in the U.K we haven't seen the sun for about six months being covered by a permanent rain cloud! So low beam is good enough... My wife and I went to Florida last week just to refresh our minds as to what sun and heat are really like. A bit sticky but it was  very nice all the same!!

Rod

[Tama's Tigre]

Apology accepted   :?

[iansoady]

Although it "makes sense" intuitively that headlights make you more visible, there is substantial research to indicate that under many conditions they actually make it harder to see you. They can also look as if you're flashing your lights when the bike is going over bumps.

There are some interesting discussions here and here

[blacktiger]

There's also a difference between being seen and blinding the poor fuckers.

Oh, I forgot they're blind anyway. Silly me.

But, it's acknowledged that being dazzled makes judging speed and distance harder.

[TRKTEK]

I ride on low beam during the day, and use the passing lamp feature to draw attention at intersections when I see acager signalling a left turn.....I work that poor button so hard sometimes  :D ......seems to wake them up

[zadok_oz]

Getting back to the original question......I have never seen the pass button used yet when someone is about to overtake, even tho that is what I believe it is for. I think all road users are supposed to flash if I remember rightly. :shock:

[TigerTrax]

Here in the USA...

1. Flashing another driver is interpreted as 'road rage' and ticketable.

2. Flashing sometimes confuses other drivers because they do not know why you are flashing.

But we Tiger riders know what it's for:
GTFOOTW !

So FLASH all you want!