PSA - Hand signals are a really dumb idea (GASP!)

[butcher bergs]

Example of why using the bright yellow flashing indicators that come with your bike might be a bit safer than pointing in a general direction of the space you intend to occupy:

When you are wearing your brown Carhartt jacket and merging onto the highway during the AM commute, and just as the sun is cresting the tops of the trees, your hand signal will be all but camouflaged until the last second when the sun hits you just right as the passing motorists begin to realize what the hell it is you are doing because they finally decided to look up from their texting and newspaper reading.

Fellow motorcyclists, please tell your Harley friends to knock this hand signal shit off. Thankfully we are not reading about 4 cars and a motorcycle getting wrapped up this morning on 93S.

[NPDCPA]

Stop trampling on the Harley lifestyle, yo.

[tls25rs]

I understand your point and don't entirely disagree with it however if the inattentive driver can't see a riders arm making an acceptable (the accepted hand signals for left right and stop not just random pointing) signal what makes you think that they would notice a small blinking light coming from the same relative location?

I stopped using my directionals and started using hand signals when on the bike a long time ago. Mostly because I won't leave my hand up in the air in the right or left turn hand signal for miles and miles after I take the turn. My directional on the other hand I have a really bad habit of leaving on for a long time.

Regardless of our bantering, glad to hear there was not an accident caused by inattentive drivers and sun blindness.

[BMMCBR]

I understand your point and don't entirely disagree with it however if the inattentive driver can't see a riders arm making an acceptable (the accepted hand signals for left right and stop not just random pointing) signal what makes you think that they would notice a small blinking light coming from the same relative location?

I was pretty much thinking the same thing. That being said, I generally only use my directionals. If I do use hand signals, its usually because I feel that I need to give those behind me extra warning on top of my directionals.

[mzdagrl]

If I use hand signals, I do it in conjunction with my blinker. Then, when I bring my hand back down, I turn my blinker off. It is a reminder to myself, plus two visual cues for those around me that I am turning. That said, I rarely use hand signals in my area - that is generally reserved for places with more traffic, or group rides.

[Tokyo Drift]

I was pretty much thinking the same thing. That being said, I generally only use my directionals. If I do use hand signals, its usually because I feel that I need to give those behind me extra warning on top of my directionals.

I have started hand signaling in conjunction with the directional. I want to alert someone following, likely too close, in everyway possible. I have little faith that their attention is dedicated to operating their vehicle.

[butcher bergs]

I am surprised to see, with so many safety-conscious riders here, the willingness to remove a hand from the controls while in traffic.

[Tokyo Drift]

It's a risk vs reward scenario. I'd rather leave one hand for the speed/steering controls, then being rear-ended with little, if any, control of where the bike is headed.

[nhbubba]

I had a fuse blow on the 'strom twice earlier this season. Took out all of my lights and instruments. Once I was convinced the bike would not restart if I stopped to replace the fuse, so I kept going to get home and used hand signals.

What a pain in the ass! Taking your hand off the controls to signal AND shifting AND steering is kinda dicey. And I was constantly wondering if anyone had seen my signal anyway.. especially the brake signal.

Not that anyone pays attention to signals (lit or hand) around here anyway.

[Chippertheripper]

I am surprised to see, with so many safety-conscious riders here, the willingness to remove a hand from the controls while in traffic.

Because I'm a fucking badass. Like anyone was gonna question that...over the noise of my loud pipes.

[Karate.Snoopy]

I tend to use both, but am constantly surprised by the utter lack of knowledge of the hand signals. Yesterday I had my left hand up (directional too) for a right turn I was going to make, and a big ass truck in the opposing lane blew a horn thinking I wanted to high five him.
I have made the mistake of leaving my directionals on, more than a few times. My biggest fear is people misinterpreting the hand signals and doing something retarded.

[Pittenger5]

My biggest fear is people misinterpreting the hand signals and doing something retarded.

[Garandman]

Stop trampling on the Harley lifestyle, yo.

Haterz gotta hate.
When is it my turn?

[Imbeek]

I think automatic turn signal cancellation is one of the most legitimate safety features that can be on a streetbike...

[NPDCPA]

I think automatic turn signal cancellation is one of the most legitimate safety features that can be on a streetbike...

Easier said than done, Senior.

[RandyO]

hand signals came about before cars had blinkers, your still suppose to use hand signals when driving a car if your blinkers don't work

do not they still teach that in drivers ed

[BMMCBR]

hand signals came about before cars had blinkers, your still suppose to use hand signals when driving a car if your blinkers don't work

do not they still teach that in drivers ed

They did 10 years ago when I took it. Probably not anymore.

[Imbeek]

The only hand signal I see very often from a car is more like a finger signal

[Rosco61]

Easier said than done, Senior.

Harley's have had it for some time now. I love it on the Glide.
Makes me forget on the Multi somewhat.

[e30addict]

hand signals came about before cars had blinkers, your still suppose to use hand signals when driving a car if your blinkers don't work

do not they still teach that in drivers ed

They haven't taught people anything useful in drivers ed for years.

They actually tell people to keep their hands near the bottom the wheel and shuffle steer. Supposedly their reasoning is to limit damage when the airbag goes off.

Why not teach them to avoid the crash in the first place?

[nhbubba]

IIRC my mother's 'wing had it in the 80's.

You can teach yourself to do anything. Not all bike have such gadgetry. Learning to cancel your own blinker is worthwhile.

[golden chicken]

I am surprised to see, with so many safety-conscious riders here, the willingness to remove a hand from the controls while in traffic.

What controls do you use with your left hand? Clutch, turn signal, horn, hi/low switch. What controls do you need when you're slowing and about to turn? Brakes, steering, throttle. I don't see the problem. If you've gotta stop, then duh, stop making a hand signal and pull the clutch. If you've gotta go or steer (or both), then go or steer.

[nhbubba]

Hmm.. clutch maybe?

[Garrett]

Stop trampling on the Harley lifestyle, yo.

Lol.


I don't mind hand signals but when you just point to the ground for half a second, it makes you look like a fucking clam.

[butcher bergs]

What controls do you use with your left hand?

I dunno....the remaining 50% of the handlebar that steers the bike?