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<b>CHECK, MATE! </b>All bikers know the evils that lurk behind them in ‘tin boxes’. The RiderScan mirror can reduce those risks big time! <i>Image: RiderScan</i>
As soon as you sit astride a motorcycle and join other road users your chances of being involved in a collision multiply sevenfold over fellow motorists in a car (or bakkie, lorry or truck).
Incidentally, should a motorcyclist hit an Armco-type crash barrier, he/she is 15 times more likely to die than someone in a car. A friend, an experienced motorcyclist who, held Springbok colours for motocross, was killed on the Midlands Meander in KZN some years ago when he clipped a barrier.
These figures haven’t been thumb-sucked from the ether – they are statistics recorded by the UK’s Institute of Advanced Motoring Trust, the organisation that sets the theory questions for the South African K53 driving test.
DEFENSIVE RIDING
How many times do you hear of a motorcyclist in a collision being told by the car driver (assuming he even bothered to stop): “Sorry, I didn’t see you.” So what can the everyday scooter rider/motorcyclist do about it?
Most of the bikers I know insist they ride ultra-defensively in this great motorcycling country of ours. Trouble is, there’s limitations: scanning for spatial awareness is good but every bike I’ve ridden over the past 50 years has had definite limitations.
Now there’s RiderScan, a parabolic mirror (not a new idea – they’ve been available in cars for 50 years) that mounts on a motorcycle or scooter (usually on the rider’s side of the windshield, see picture) to give a 180° view of every obstacle behind, alongside and approaching from either side.
It has three vertical planes that eliminate blind spots, even when the bike/scooter is leaning.
AND THE PRICE...
Whether you’re a scooter okie – or lass – a commuter on a small bike or one on a bike enduro or tourer it’s fair to say this mirror could save your life.
The RiderScan motorcycle blind spot mirror is imported from the UK and costs less than R1000. Contact tony@riderscan.co.za or take a look at their extensive website.
The standard kit comes with 3M two-sided pads but handlebar and headlight brackets are among the optional fitting kits.
Incidentally, should a motorcyclist hit an Armco-type crash barrier, he/she is 15 times more likely to die than someone in a car. A friend, an experienced motorcyclist who, held Springbok colours for motocross, was killed on the Midlands Meander in KZN some years ago when he clipped a barrier.
These figures haven’t been thumb-sucked from the ether – they are statistics recorded by the UK’s Institute of Advanced Motoring Trust, the organisation that sets the theory questions for the South African K53 driving test.
DEFENSIVE RIDING
How many times do you hear of a motorcyclist in a collision being told by the car driver (assuming he even bothered to stop): “Sorry, I didn’t see you.” So what can the everyday scooter rider/motorcyclist do about it?
Most of the bikers I know insist they ride ultra-defensively in this great motorcycling country of ours. Trouble is, there’s limitations: scanning for spatial awareness is good but every bike I’ve ridden over the past 50 years has had definite limitations.
Now there’s RiderScan, a parabolic mirror (not a new idea – they’ve been available in cars for 50 years) that mounts on a motorcycle or scooter (usually on the rider’s side of the windshield, see picture) to give a 180° view of every obstacle behind, alongside and approaching from either side.
It has three vertical planes that eliminate blind spots, even when the bike/scooter is leaning.
AND THE PRICE...
Whether you’re a scooter okie – or lass – a commuter on a small bike or one on a bike enduro or tourer it’s fair to say this mirror could save your life.
The RiderScan motorcycle blind spot mirror is imported from the UK and costs less than R1000. Contact tony@riderscan.co.za or take a look at their extensive website.
The standard kit comes with 3M two-sided pads but handlebar and headlight brackets are among the optional fitting kits.
