The Biker

[stormi]

Found here: http://www.fireblades.org/forums/general-discussion/60136-biker.html

THE *BIKER*

I saw you, hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.
But, you didn't see me, put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you, pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.
But, you didn't see me, playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you, change your mind about going into the restaurant.
But, you didn't see me, attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you, roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by.
But, you didn't see me, riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you, frown at me when I smiled at your children.
But, you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you, stare at my long hair.
But, you didn't see me, and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you, roll your eyes at our leather jackets and gloves.
But, you didn't see me, and my brothers donate our old ones to those that had none.

I saw you, look in fright at my tattoos.
But, you didn't see me, cry as my children were born and have their name written over and in my heart.

I saw you, change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.
But, you didn't see me, going home to be with my family.

I saw you, complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.
But, you didn't see me, when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you, yelling at your kids in the car.
But, you didn't see me, pat my child's hands, knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you, reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.
But, you didn't see me, squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you, race down the road in the rain.
But, you didn't see me, get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you, run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.
But, you didn't see me, trying to turn right.

I saw you, cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
But, you didn't see me, leave the road.

I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass.

But, you didn't see me. I wasn't there.

I saw you, go home to your family.

But, you didn't see me.

Because, I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family.

But, you didn't see me.

Ride safe out there guys.  The A**holes are everywhere.

[speedwaymaniac]

Nice message, a little long winded but certainly gets the point across!
I agree ride safe all, as we can't rely on other road users being so safe. 

[interfuse]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBNyuf533Go

[CWO4GUNNER]

With all respect I think when it comes to Harley Davidson bike riders I think although being seen might be an issue with them as it is with the rest of us Banditos, it certainly isn't an issue for them not being heard. If there are any group of bike riders that announce their  distant approach, arrival and presents, it is the hog engine with glass pack open pipes farting out that familiar tune. As much as I hate to admit it, I think when it comes to the Harley uncorked V-twin rider, they have least likely motorcycle to be hit by a cage because the cage did not know it was there. In fact someone needs to do a study of how many Harley's are hit deliberatly
   Unfortunatly for the rest of us, new Japaneses bikes are getting quieter every year. In fact I'm surprised that magazines haven't dubbed the B1250 as the quietest new motorcycle of the millennium. So for me being seen is not an issue because if I can get them to hear me first, then they will look in my direction, as we all can attest to sitting in our cages when we hear the load roar of a big bike with 4in 1 race pipes coming up from behined us, we always follow up by looking. As far as I am concerned as a bike rider in traffic, in order to be seen, I must first be noticed and the easiest way to be noticed by everyone is with in your face exhaust sound waves. 
 

[Barbarian]

Too bad those in your face sound waves only hit after you've passed a cage...

[Red01]

Not as true with the basser tones of a V-twin. Bass is omnidirectional and you can hear a loud one coming or going from any direction. In fact, they can be hard to ID which direction they're coming from.

Higher pitched tones, like those from an in-line 4, are much more directional and easier to ID direction, but if the pipe is pointed away from you, it is less likely to be heard.

Regardless of whether loud pipes save lives or not, there are be ways to ride safely than counting on that to save your hide.

[stormi]

Agreed,... and with time,. I've noticed that I can pick out the drivers that are the biggest risk to me.  Of course from time to time,.. one or two drivers exceed my expectations of idiocy, but by carefully watching, you can often pick out the ones to avoid. 

Of course,... sometimes you can misjudge the other way, and end up with pics of your tail end because they actually stopped behind you when you didn't think they would.   

[CWO4GUNNER]

Well the discussion was about use of the senses for a cage to detect a motorcyclist with regards to safety. I just wanted sound to gets its due. Understand that personally I would like nothing more then to ride my B1250 silent as it is so soothing to do so and I encourage my dirt bike forum members to think silent with spark arrestors so that more off road ride areas are not closed. But in the case of commuter traffic to which I have been exposed (Ontario to Long Beach everyday for 7 years), I know the benefit of sound. All the other issues of rider safety techniques are without question necessary and should be practiced. Like 2 fingers over the front brake lever and toggling you high/low beams through every intersection.
    Incidentally I noticed that Suzuki included a yellow high/low bean, easy trigger finger toggle switch beside the large thumb toggle switch which is harder to operate quickly.