My husband and I have a disagreement. My overactive imagination sees a moose jumping in front of the motorcycle and we can't stop before hitting them both. I say we should leave even more space for a motorcycle than for a car.....because a motorcycle offers less protection for its driver and there is a tendency to drive even closer to a motorcycle because it is smaller and appears more distant than it actually is. My husband tells me not to worry and points to other vehicles' driving distances, which are even less than ours. Moose really do jump out in front of vehicles here.
2006-07-10 01:50:07 · 15 answers · asked by Dorcas 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
I ride a motorcycle so I can tell you. Leave more room. Even thought the bike can generally break faster, because it is smaller the driver in the back of them doesn't see them as much of a threat and don't react to breaking as fast. Also, people get rear ended in their cars all the time, I have been twice, but if you rear end a bike, you can absolutely kill someone. I also have wittnessed bikes crash into deer jumping in front of the road so a moose would probably also do the trick.
2006-07-10 02:00:31 · answer #1 · answered by c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should leave at least as much distance, if not more. The reason is that most drivers are not as used to reacting to the smaller brake lights and different appearance of motorcycles, which can slow their reaction time in a braking situation. Also, many bikes have VERY good brakes, and because of their lighter weight, stop in shorter distances that heavier cars.
So give the bikes lots of room, and you will be less likely to run them down!
Don't know about mooses, though. Their not much of a problem in Georgia.
2006-07-10 04:07:02 · answer #2 · answered by Grendle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is an interesting question.
We teach new motorcycle riders to follow at least 2 seconds behind the car in front of them under ideal conditions; more if not ideal.
Yet, for new auto student drivers we teach a 3 second following distance. Most drivers in my state of Massachusetts drive way too close.
As far as a moose is concerned, the bike rider should just scrunch down and just ride under the moose's belly...(only kidding).
2006-07-10 03:34:48 · answer #3 · answered by Larry B 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As an avid motorcycle rider - I'd say you're right. And for the exact reason that you stated. Cars should give motorcycles more room, if not for safety then at least for courtesy. Motorcycles do offer less protection than cars, so I always appreciate it when people give me a little more room to work with. Especially if I were having to dodge moose.
2006-07-10 01:55:53 · answer #4 · answered by Lokii 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two seconds applies to everyone even though a good motorcycle can stop much faster than a car and you will rear end them. You have to expect the rider has some knowledge that they're taking more risks than a driver by and to be more alert as a result. They should know that stopping well short puts them in danger from behind, and should notice you're there so that other manouvers are more appropriate.
2006-07-10 02:32:13 · answer #5 · answered by Sonny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should allow more space when following behind a motorcycle, than a car. Motorcycles braking systems are much more efficient than cars, and can't stop in a shorter distance. If you're following too close, you will end up hitting the bike.
Besides the differences in braking efficiency, motorcycles can turn and maneuver much more quickly, so a little extra following distance is also desirable for this reason. Just to give yourself that little bit of extra space. Motorcyclists aren't always predictable either, in fact, sometimes they are downright quirky in their maneuverings, allowances have to be made.
2006-07-10 02:26:31 · answer #6 · answered by redrover20043 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A motorcycle weighs less than a car and can stop much faster. On an expressway, leave the same distance as you would for a car. On a road that will have traffic lights and/or stop signs, leave a little more space.
2006-07-10 01:58:36 · answer #7 · answered by Sebring Sage 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should maintain the same legal distance. Remember, if a moose does jump in front of the motorcycle, the motorcyclist is probably going to go flying over the handlebars, way on up ahead of the bike anyway.
2006-07-10 01:54:19 · answer #8 · answered by bmwdriver11 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Leave more room between yourself and the bike. Two reasons, off the top of my head:
1)If they have an accident in front of you and you don't stop, unlike that fender bender you'd get with a car, you could end up with a squashed biker under your car (possibly me...)
2) Motorcycle brakes (particularly modern Japanese and european stuff) are a lot more efficient than your car's brakes, so you could end up running into them if they slap on the anchors...
2006-07-10 08:03:41 · answer #9 · answered by Doctor Death 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Always use the 2 second rule. No matter what speed traffic is going, stay at least 2 seconds behind a vehicle, thats the rule bikes use & has kept me alive riding bikes for 40 years!!
2006-07-10 04:18:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋