I always let people pass me at night before pulling out of an intersection whenever possible just to be extra sure the person isn’t closer than I thought
My solution, don't ride at night if you can help it. I've had my street bike for 6 years and only ended up in the dark twice. And my low beams are more than adequate to see when other vehicles are around, although I always run high beams during the day. I WANT to be seen.
I rode in a kind of perpetual scanning mode assuming every "contact" along my way didn't see me, didn't care, or was about to do something really stupid. It allowed me a few close calls that could have been much, much worse. In our current era of cell phones and self-absorbtion, I think this mindset is more appropriate than ever.
CJS .... HI. Here in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, even Riders, especially delivery Riders are on their phones all the time(!!), using Maps and making calls.... there must be one or two million motorcycles on the street every day in this city, and delivery Riders everywhere All the streets are totally crowded, and people ride as though they are part of a school of fish, quite close together.. Luckily, everyone, well let me rephrase that, most people, ride very sensibly and predictably, have good spatial awareness and some good skills and that's probably the explanation for how few motorcycle accidents I see these days. Anyway happy Days brother keep the dirty side down :-)
@@grantperkins368 Lol, other than those trẻ trâu who ride like idiots, it's mostly pretty safe. Small accidents happen all the time though, and since most people don't wear proper protection, it takes a much smaller impact to seriously injure or kill someone over there.
@@user-gt4lu6ym4c that's very true, I see far too many foot injuries, know one bloke who lost some toes. Helmets are required now, but no one pays attention to the feet, sandals/thongs being "de rigueur" ... esp in the wet season floods when people don't want to damage their work shoes so swap for thongs when they get on the bike, lol. I try to warn people, but, you know ... I witness many low speed crashes, bumps, scrapes, near misses... But if I have one overwhelming impression it is the level of trust that Riders place in each other to do the right thing... That and the fact that most people do things like change lanes very slowly oh, so that everyone knows what's happening. Some of those young Bulls are really good Riders though, and it's a shame there's nowhere in a city of 10 million , to practice their skills... I'd love to see a flat clay track and training or practice course that they could cut-loose on... Then you might see some Vietnamese riders in the 250cc class MotoGP:-)
The solution for the high beam issue would just be vertically oriented pairs of lamps... That way one lamp directly on top of another would be noticeably different than any other configuration that would be seen in a vehicle.
@@IIARROWS Yeah, aside from the possibility of being mistaken for a car, high-beams are just bright as fuck. And bright as fuck is bad for my eye holes.
No, the solution is to never use high beam when a vehicle is approaching. Blinding an oncoming vehicle is a very bad idea, regardless of headlight orientation.
People that ride in the USA? that attempt at fraternity would be hidden behind my bike here. which is why we nod. It keeps both hands on the 'bars and allows for fraternity even when cornering.
The motorcycle wave, at least what I’ve seen here in Northern Ontario, Canada, is a more discrete left handed salute, below the parallel to the ground, with 2 fingers spread apart. It has little resemblance to a left turn hand signs. Love your videos and keep it up!!
I've seen the same wave riding in Manitoba and Newfoundland. It's angled so it's not a left turn, but it's also definitely not down enough to be a stop signal.
In the UK (and a few other countries) we tend to nod our heads rather than wave, since we drive on the left-hand side of the road (when sober). (If we were to wave with our left hands, the only people who would see that would be pedestrians!) Some UK motorcyclists also kick out sideways with their right feet when passing someone who gives way for them as a way of saying thank you... though some non-motorcyclists interpret that as an insult!
I nod instead of wave, when I'm busy with the clutch. Around here a foot off the pegs is generally indicating a hazard on the road to whoever is following.
That’s the problem: you have to be drunk to ride on the correct (right) side of the road. That´s one of the reasons for the proliferation of pubs...I have to move to the UK!
As a biker i know that. But i doubt most car drivers even think to pay attention to something like that. I just lift my left hand to say thanks to cars. Assuming im over taking on the right
Id' have to disagree on the polite zone. While it may have been valid in the past. Most drivers don't even know wtf their blinker is, let alone a left turn hand signal.
exactly...agree...Im surprised most vehicle drivers actually have license to begin with. The current generation of young drivers scares me, hell even most of my generation (mid 30s) scares the heck outta me....wth happened to what we learned in drivers ed??!
Yeah the hand signal thing I can see how it would mess you guys up. Those hand signals mean the same thing here. However, in Australia we just nod to the right - as in we ride on the left side of the rode so we nod to the right which would be towards the, other, oncoming rider. Polite, subtle and both hands stay on the grips!
Doesn't matter if most don't ones who do are hte ones who will panic break that is the point. Its like going "well every one speeds on this stretch of road," as you get a ticket for going 20 over. Don't really matter all you need is that one person who cares, and has a badge in that case :P
Yeah gonna have to agree with this one. If most people don’t know about motorcycle mechanics and why we do what we do in the first place. It makes sense to me they have no idea what the proper hand signal even is.
Honestly I just give a nod of respect to fellow riders I see on the road. Most if not all nod back understanding the respect shown to them and me, back. I'd agree with the op however. I almost got hit up the arse whilst giving a left hand turn signal to turn into my drive way. Most motorists don't know all the road rules let alone any hand turn signals with a motorcyclist.
Damn...I'm starting to look forward to any videos, especially motorcycle reviews even if I'm not interested in the bike because this dude is creative af
LEDs in my low beams solves the hi beam conundrum, but my Tuono has 2 bulbs for low so I always look like a car in the distance, thanks Aprilia. 😂 The proper motorcycle wave is 2 fingers (✌️) pointed down with your left hand. It shouldn't be confused with the left turn signal if done properly. Entertaining as always tho.
i was thinking about explaining the 2 wheels down symbol that a biker wave is supposed to be :P but thank you kind sir :D you did it :) and these videos are truly amazing though :P
Bikers are an observant bunch... their life depends on it. I greet other bikers by lifting the fingers of my clutch hand, without taking it off the bar. Easy, unmistakable, and doable even at full "road" lean angles without risking my stability.
I don't have motorcycles, I don't ride motorcycles and I don't intend to do either. But I love motorsport and this channel is enchanting. You manage such nuance and theatricality without saying too much or too little. I feel the subtle and paradoxical texture of meaning alongside the entertainment and levity. It is rare to encounter such brevity and breadth of meaning in one package. You should expand your artistry into other creative pursuits. Or maybe you are so passionate with motorcycles that brilliance can't help but shine through.
I've had car drivers confuse my hand signals as me waving them through a junction when I'm riding my bicycle. They truly don't have a clue about hand signals.
It shouldn't be the case cyclists have to do this, but clip on indicator lights solved this for me. Still do the signals out of muscle memory but there's also the hope they'll see both and put the two together.
@@Prich319 it only works if most know them which they unfortunately dont, i have 2 vehicles with no working signals and have long given up since people look at me as if im half as stupid as they are.
I’m American. I just drop my left hand into sight and wave with a little shake of the fingers, and that’s only when I’m on a straight stretch or otherwise not that busy/involved. I don’t wave at other cars when I’m driving, not even when it’s another driver of the same make and model as my semi-rare, kinda cool cars and trucks, so I don’t really sweat it that much. Riding safely and comfortably is FAR more important to me than silly tradition.
Wel, naturally if you’re driving in one of those “left side of the road” countries, your throttle hand is on the side of oncoming traffic, which doesn’t lend itself to removing it from the bar to acknowledge other riders. In right side countries, your left hand, which is tasked only with the clutch, turn signal and high beam duties, is free to wave. That said, the proper way to “wave” at oncoming riders is to extend your left hand below the waist, usually with sort of modified “peace” sign.
The two-headlight issue - this could especially be an issue with some motorcycles that have two headlights, trying to emulate car styling on a smaller scale. They always just looked wrong to me, not what a motorcycle is supposed to look like. Hadn't realized they're also dangerous. Whether the high beam causes this is dependent on headlight design, but in any case high beam is probably not a good idea, you want to be seen, and if the traffic is blinded they aren't seeing you as well.
@@marcush4741 Would the two lights be further apart, one on the side car? That would make sense to me, as from a width perspective a motorcycle with sidecar is more like a car than motorcycle.
For waving, two things: 1). No one, neither motorcycles nor cars, really use, understand, or grok hand signals in the US, at least in my experience 2). I wave with my left hand at a 45 degree angle down. That's not a turning hand signal and (I think) most everyone understands that as a motorcycle wave
We use hand signals in South Africa, but I must agree with the waving. You can tell the difference between greeting and signalling. No hate on the vid tho, it is absolutely amazing. Well presented.
While most people in the U.S. may not know what the signals mean it is still useful because you become even slightly more visible. Also in my case, I ride a 1980 Yamaha which has no turn signals so hands are all I have. I still do wave though but it’s usually below my bars and I give a peace sign instead of a full hand out
Love your programming and the way you make things simple. A sense of humor coupled with the ability to convey information without being boring makes you one of my favorite stops on the net.
I remember being told that seeing one headlight could indicate a car with a burnt out headlight, and not to be fooled thinking that you have the safety or space for anything else.
No, the solution is to SLIGHTLY raise your hand, or nod towards the other biker. They will see and understand immediately. No one in the UK waves an arm at full stretch! (Do you shout “yoohoo” at the same time? Perhaps that’s an American thing.
I may be 4 years late to the party but this was a phenomenally executed video theme, and perhaps the most creative youtube video I have seen in weeks. well done you just earned a like and Sub
@@prazonparajuli7346 Yeah I guess you're right. I just watched a video on the Late Night War between Leno and Conan O'Brien. It's hard not to take Conan's side on that. I was too young for all of that though... I just know Jay Leno from his car videos on youtube.
As usual, the editing and production is fantastic F9, but I'm not buying the "car drivers confuse rider wave for left turn hand signal." That's a stretch, and even if a driver did get confused, so what? If they're behind you all that happens is: you don't take a turn like they thought you would. Total non-issue. Completely agree with the final point though. Riding timidly anywhere is dangerous.
Pat W . The problem is not those behind you it’s those coming the other way or wanting to pull out. If they think you’re turning instead of going straight they may cut you off! But that actually begs the question did they actually see you in the first place? All motorcycles are invisible aren’t they?
I was driving home one night and began passing a slower car. The on-coming car was well down the road, so plenty of time. About half way through passing, the inner headlight of the on-coming car started drifting to the shoulder, but the outside headlight remained fixed. There was a motorcycle riding in front of the car and his one headlight looked like the inner headlight of the car behind him. We all ended up passing three abreast. Scared the shit out of me, as I'm sure it did the motorcyclist.
This is why you never drive a bike like a car sitting fixed in one line in your lane. You need to ride the bike moving around as much as possible without going overboard. The problem was not so much in your misjudging what you saw but in the mechanics of the human eye and how the brain processes visual information. Humans are very good at detecting movement but things that are too still can become invisible amongst moving objects or be seen as part of a whole instead of a separate item.
Love the Twighlight Zone theme! Also when waving to oncoming cyclists, I put my left hand down at 45 degrees... AND also mention in a future video a trick I use to get the attention of oncoming vehicles is to "sway" slightly back n forth in my lane. When approaching an intersection I do this to "strafe" the oncoming cars with my headlight to get their attention.... Awesome video and post editing as usual sir!!!
The science and advice on your videos is enough to keep me watching them. But the creativity and your humor is why I enjoy watching them. Thank you for your efforts.
That's basically what my stepdad taught me: Left arm down and a bit out. Whether you want to use a full open hand, two fingers, or just one (the index finger in that case) is up to each rider.
Germany is either arm pointing down or hand lifted just above the handle but not stretching out in either direction. Signals mean the same here as in the US - although just taught on towing, when you can't use indicators because they work as hazard lights. And why especially in this country you should avoid stretching a long arm upwards was well explained by Ryan in the video...
Some thoughts: 1. High/low beams on bikes for the most part used to be a single lens, just like most cars of the time. Running high beams when you wouldn't blind oncoming traffic, like day or at more distance, was the way to conspicuity. But the more common modern style of separate elements now make that option problematic, as you demonstrate. 2. Cudos to you for reminding riders of hand signals. I teach motorcycling and I'm perplexed at the large number of students who don't remember hand signals from Drivers Ed. When I wave to another rider, I put my relaxed arm down and to the side, elbow slightly bent and usually with a peace sign. I can't imagine any driver behind me mistaking that for either a left turn or stop, even if they do remember that hand signals exist.
Excellent. I would also add: 1. Also never filter/lane split with your high beam either at night or during the day. You’ll probably draw drivers’ vision because of the glare in their side mirrors causing them to steer inwards towards you slightly and narrow your gap. 2. Here in the UK the standard greeting between riders is the head nod. This leaves both hands safely on the bars (good) but comes with its own complex etiquette (nightmare). This is worth a vid post all to itself. 3. One of the many benefits of counter-steering is the progressive loading of suspension. Definitely worth a follow up video.
Love your videos! The theme was fun in this one. I have to say though that ive never once put my arm out to wave/greet like that. Generally everyone where I live does two fingers down pointing at the road. Basically saying "two wheels down/be safe"
I just watched a 2016 video before this and it is amazing both how confident Ryan has become over the intervening years and how superior the videos themselves have become in regards to quality. It's now 2020 and the videos are up there with the best tv channels! Oh, and in England, we just half twist, half nod our head as a greeting (not greatest description but you know what I mean).
Is that true? Amazing. Will do that. Frankly, I hate to take off the hand from the bar to greet 1 million riders a day - it ruins the flow and is awkward. Thanks for this simple one! Come to Germany, will throw a couple of beers and take you out for a ride in the Bavarian woods. You may opt to have the beers after riding if in doubt on the protocol.
'Cause dropping your left hand off the bar to wave wont be seen by an oncoming rider (approaching from your right) , only the roo sitting beside the road
Your best video to date. In the UK we don't wave, we nod. Unless you're on a Harley then most others ignore you... "most" not all. Glad my normal and high beam are all in one single headlight, but I rarely ride at night. Usually I'm tucked up in bed watching quality TH-cam content such as this.
1. Switch off the high beam with incoming traffic 2. Nod your head instead of waving. 3. No advice here, crashed my bike after I came off the throttle and the bike started coasting in a corner...
It isn't the coasting that contributed to the crash, it was the shift of weight from one wheel to the other at the wrong moment. It is necessary to maintain constant g loading on the rear wheel by increasing the throttle continuously through the corner.
Się Tristen - we all are just humans, and all humans are making mistakes sometimes, newstarters obviously are commiting more of them than such pr0 like you are but sooner or later something unpleasant will happen to you that will be a consequence of your mistake, if somehow you are so naive that you think it will not, it just shows how inexperienced of a biker you are. (Sorry for my English it's not my first language)
You don't really have much choice since driving on the right side of the road (THE LEFT) you'd be taking your hand off the throttle. I live in France now, and the common greeting is left hand out down low. The universal "thankyou" (which motorists here understand) is to push your left leg forwards off the peg after they let you pass (tough as I don't have a left leg). I think we should adopt the the split finger Vulcan greeting. I *know* some people ride in Mittens, just don't wave at those weirdos.
That's also the signal to riders behind you that there's crap on the road to watch out for. Just a little wave with your hand still at the on the end of the grip avoids confusion.
On the point of running high beams, it's bad to use them in oncoming traffic anyway as you can blind oncoming drivers. Just last year there was a guy on a Suzuki bike with Xenon lights going down division with high-beams. I was blind for several seconds and almost had to pull over. I can't imagine what it would have looked like on a 2 lane twisty highway... Only run your high beams when you don't have oncoming traffic so as not to blind other drivers... Also would like to mention, my Yamaha has 2 low beam lamps. I think a third of most bikes made in the last 20 years are like that.
That's the more likely problem, it's also illegal in most places to have the high beams on with oncoming traffic as they're directed high enough to get in people's eyes. Around here you have to be a couple hundred yards away in order to use them. You're better off occasionally repositioning yourself in the lane as that'll flash them the headlight, but at a low enough angle that it shouldn't get in their eyes. And give a bit of a sense of where you are.
Jeep bros, BMWs, and overzealous sport bike riders are the usual suspects. I've almost smashed into them before as they overload my eyeballs with their uber-12000 10 million lumen projector bulbs scorching my iris with the rage and fury of a thousand suns.
@@SmallSpoonBrigade I drive a smaller sedan right now. And the trucks here have lights like any normal car. So they are always in my face and it is the worst when they wont change their lights to Low beam from their highs. Rural darkness of the sole: pedestrians are dead.
each time i watch your video I'm amazed how much of time you're spending to make it. Not only filming but editing is full with details. We see them, we appreciate it a lot. This makes every single video of yours enjoyable.
I love this channel, but... 1) Some motorcycles come with 2 lights preinstalled for both low and high beams (think 2008ish Daytona 675's) so there's no way to turn off the second light. 2) Where I come from, the motorcycle wave to each other is done low - you extend your arm down and to the side at about 45 degrees. For left turns, you extend it to the side perpendicular to your body, and for right turns... well, you saw the video, you know.
We in Canada have to decide every time if we'd rather risk death or unfriendliness. We keep waving. That said, maybe we should adopt the Yankee two fingers extended towards the ground.
Most yankees dont even know there are hand signals for the road. Sadly you can pass a drivers test here without being able to do much more than breathe on your own. But yes the common greeting is the two finger 'peace' sign towards the ground. Except during an intersection or corner Ill simply nod.
Adopt the UK/Aust head nod. Easy, keeps hands on the bars, and if an unfriendly rider does not reciprocate it can look like an unrelated head movement...
gwot Agreed. Normally get a nod or something from Harley riders over here in the UK, but Honda Goldwing owners? Never. And I don’t think that is just because I’m riding a Lambretta or Vespa, they just seem to only acknowledge other Goldwings!
#1 & #2 I somewhat disagree with. Never experienced either situation, even remotely. I use a low wave when meeting another bike, there is no mistaking it is anything but a wave, also, have never seen another rider wave back with anything but a low wave. #3 I agree with wholeheartedly. By the way, I have been riding for a little over 49 years now. Great videos and great advise on your channel though, keep up the good work.
Around here (Czech Rep.) people usually gently lift the hand from the grip and do sort of "bang bang" gesture with two fingers pointed to the right or slightly upward. Thumb either lifted or hidden. Full wave would be an overkill, missmatched signal, and at speed your hand catches the drag.. Foreigners don't wave (eg. Germans). If there is danger ahead, the universal "slow down" gesture is used (palm facing towards the pavement, fingers straight and pumping the forearm up&down). Other drivers I've noticed hail each other are bus drivers and truckers (mostly when fellow countrymen pass each other on foreign road)
Best video format yet; please make more in this style. The only problem with the 'one headlight is safer' is that most people's first thought is, 'it's a car with a dips*** who didn't bother changing the burnt out light' not a motorcycle. As for the wave; yes, you're right about the hand signals. You're wrong in the sense, however, that I have never seen anyone use them. Not even bicycles. Wether by casual, or serious cyclists, or riders. I still love these videos, though. :D
I guess it's a first, but I've absolutely used the hand signals before; many times, in fact. Most notably was on my dad's FJ1100 which had a broken blinker switch, so it hardly ever actually turned them on.
When I see one light I think it is a car with a burnt headlight that some asshat won’t replace (so many of those people around here), but also recognize the possibility it could be a motorcycle. When I see the ambers I realize its a motorcycle
By the time he said the uptight zone I just had to pause and come on here and state that this video is not only a masterpiece, but a tapestry in the way that it's written. It's cheesy perfection in perfect balance and intensity. Hilarious, dude. Don't stop being you👌😌
That was fun. Never thought about the double light thing. A whole lot of bikes have that even on low beam. The problem with my single illuminated low beam headlight is that *I* can't see shit with it alone. I've never had a car pull out on me or get mad over a wave, but I can't tell you how many drivers have told me at gas stations that one of my headlights is out. Still really enjoyed the vid. Was even worth the sill commercial.
I’ve taken to waving down toward the level of the seat. Pretty much the equivalent of just dropping my left hand down to my side, instead of straight out. It’s easily noticed as a wave by any other rider, but less likely to be confused as a left turn signal by anyone behind me
That is the way the biker wave is SUPPOSED to be. It was born out of bikers not just acknowledging other riders but adopting a universal signal that by pointing your two fingers toward the pavement says "Keep two wheels down and stay safe". It is not just a wave. It is a greeting and blessing you for a good safe ride and a return home.
these videos are absolutely well done!!!! is not even funny! I know that takes a lot of time, pre production, post, editing, etc etc!!! Props to u man!!! Hands down this is an AMAZING channel
And this is why FortNine is number ONE on my favorite channels list! Never thought about that dual lamp issue. I also have a pair of LEDs mounted low...might have to at least evaluate the sight picture. And my wave is usually a hand lifted just off the left grip. Or I stand on the pegs and give a left handed salute. Or make a tip-of-the-helmet gesture. Or a genuflection in the air if I'm feeling spiritual. Thanks!!
My ZX14R has two headlights for low beams which creates many issues at night. To solve them, I added green running lights. I went from a near miss maybe twice a month to about one every two years
Reece Stanford you're right...some pioneering young chap journeyed all the way to the UK only to see the riders there performing some unknown, yet fascinating, motion with their heads. His instant thought was "fuck, I'm stealing that!". Then, upon arriving back in Straya, he instantly contacted all the television stations in the country and broadcasted this revolutionary new method of greeting country wide. Thank the Lord for the British... We would never have come up with something so complicated by ourselves ;-)
We're thieves, why do you think they sent us here...... Also with the options we have a nod isn't that hard to figure out. I prefer the " look ma no feet" wave personally
Goddammit, Hitler! You knew that wave straight ahead was the most convenient way for motorcyclists to greet one another and screwed it up on purpose, didn't you?!
Instead of leaving your high beams on flash it every 4 seconds. This will draw attention to you without annoying or blinding the drivers in the oncoming lane. This also saved my life. Once I was riding home and it got dark way earlier than I anticipated due to cloudy weather. Also the wind had picked duo and on the interstate I was fighting 50mph cross winds that randomly shifted and I could hardly ride straight. So I stopped and took some mountain roads home. They were single lane roads with no double yellow line. If 2 fat cars were to cross each other one of them would have to stop and let the other pass to do so safely. I was terrified some guy is going to run into me on a blind turn. I went super slow and flashed my head light slowly. The car drivers in these parts had some sort of code I guess where they would flash to acknowledge the other vehicle. It reassured me so much and I got home really late but I got home safe
How is a flashing light less blinding than a steady light? It's still blinding. Your eyes need a lot longer to adjust to the dark. Shine a flashlight in your eyes and see for yourself how long it takes till you are able to see normal again.
@@Jehty_ flashing your regular beams ensure your high beams are visible for only a second. This doesn't cause as big a difference and draws attention to you and then immediately darkens so that they can perceive your silhouette. Even in low visibility you're asked to do this in mountain roads
Two close-together lights far away look like one light. Also, this needed to be another hour long. I was kind of stunned when it abruptly ended. GREAT work!
I love it, I always look forward to Fortnine videos. Way up in the entertainment value. Keep innovating Ryan (and everyone else invovled in the production), keep up the good work. Give us some Bike reviews, or Gear torture reviews, we all love those
Fantastic stuff, as always, Ryan!! Lost on many riders is the idea that their side-by-side high beam lights can easily be perceived as a car in a distance. It's all the more reason that we, as riders, need to be extremely vigilant and watchful, and we need to be constantly honing our road skills and road strategy as we ride.
Let's talk about an important signal. How do you tell a guy going the other way a cop is up ahead? I was taught you tap the top of your helmet with your left hand.
Hand held up, go from fist to splayed fingers rapidly representing a flash from a radar trap. Not sure whether this is ever understood by others but I made an effort.
Whether you agree with all the points or not, this video was incredibly well made. This whole channel is a diamond in the rough that is the perplexing world of youtube. Well done RyanF9!
Funny, I actually took an MSF course with the CHP. Three mid 50's-60's instructors who had been riding for decades. They were motorcycle cops for a large amount of their time in law enforcement. They advised us to always use the high-beams to make sure other cars see you and not to worry about the legality of it, that there was no law against it. After I took the course I left my high beam always on for about a month and then stopped because I realized I was blinding people and felt like it was actually more dangerous.
theomnipresent1 there are 2 reason why having your high beam on in the day is dangerous. The high beam creates the illusion that the bike is going slower than what it really is. It also make it harder for an observer to accurately place it position on the road.
The problem with the wave with two fingers down is that cage drivers will still see that as a left turn. Fortunately here in Aussie land we do the nod of the helmet which is much easier to do. The only hand wave we do here is the palm up side to side wave to kids as we go past them at slow speeds
Has to be the best motorcycle video ever made!!! Total genius script and theme!!!!! Just wish the frequency was shorter, as we wait too long between fixes! Fantastic Ryan my friend.... (definitely an Oscar Nomination right there!😉)
Another cinematic masterpiece. Except for the hand signals. If you got blinkers you won't need hand signals, and nobody expects hand signals on any motorized vehicle built after 1950
Daniel Mores Yeah lol I have a vintage moped which doesn't have indicators and everyone stops to give way whether I use a hand signal or not, it's understandable though.
consubandon ... less ambiguous than an orange blindly thing like the blinks thing on a cager‘s cage? Maybe in the US but in the old country, NOBODY uses hand signals.
YES, absolutely. Humans did not evolve to process flashing lamps as indicative of intent. We *did* evolve to process kinesics. We are fantastically better attuned to gestures, and physical position and motion of objects, than just about anything else except for maybe touch.
pause the video press on blue numbers 00:01 unpause and then pause fast and then enter full screen, brush your hair with your hand above the phone, and voila,dandruff.
I made this mistake with grippy shoes (not my normal motorcycle boots) overhanging the sides of the floorboards on my metric cruiser. Whipping around an inclined university parking lot, dragging floorboards like normal, shoes grabbed, yanked my foot back and wedged it between the ground and the leaned bike. It hurt for a couple weeks, so now I keep my feet tucked in.
This is exactly why I started the two handed wave
😂🤣🤣🤣
😁
Are you even waving if you aren’t using both hands and both feet as well?
@@opticalecho119 Yeah do the jumping- jack.
Do the hip hi! Straighten the arm downward with a cowabunga or peace sign. It's seen yet discreet
personally when I see only one headlight my thoughts aren't "oh a motorcycle" it's "that dude needs to replace his fkn headlight"
But you know to stay the hell away from the person who hasn't changed thier broken bulb!
That's even safer (for me the biker). I wish all cagers would think like you.
I always let people pass me at night before pulling out of an intersection whenever possible just to be extra sure the person isn’t closer than I thought
Same here, although since I started riding I’ve started trying to guess which it is before I pass. I’m right maybe 7 out of 10 times.
My solution, don't ride at night if you can help it. I've had my street bike for 6 years and only ended up in the dark twice. And my low beams are more than adequate to see when other vehicles are around, although I always run high beams during the day. I WANT to be seen.
I rode in a kind of perpetual scanning mode assuming every "contact" along my way didn't see me, didn't care, or was about to do something really stupid. It allowed me a few close calls that could have been much, much worse. In our current era of cell phones and self-absorbtion, I think this mindset is more appropriate than ever.
CJS .... HI. Here in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, even Riders, especially delivery Riders are on their phones all the time(!!), using Maps and making calls.... there must be one or two million motorcycles on the street every day in this city, and delivery Riders everywhere All the streets are totally crowded, and people ride as though they are part of a school of fish, quite close together.. Luckily, everyone, well let me rephrase that, most people, ride very sensibly and predictably, have good spatial awareness and some good skills and that's probably the explanation for how few motorcycle accidents I see these days. Anyway happy Days brother keep the dirty side down :-)
@@grantperkins368 Lol, other than those trẻ trâu who ride like idiots, it's mostly pretty safe. Small accidents happen all the time though, and since most people don't wear proper protection, it takes a much smaller impact to seriously injure or kill someone over there.
@@user-gt4lu6ym4c that's very true, I see far too many foot injuries, know one bloke who lost some toes. Helmets are required now, but no one pays attention to the feet, sandals/thongs being "de rigueur" ... esp in the wet season floods when people don't want to damage their work shoes so swap for thongs when they get on the bike, lol.
I try to warn people, but, you know ...
I witness many low speed crashes, bumps, scrapes, near misses... But if I have one overwhelming impression it is the level of trust that Riders place in each other to do the right thing... That and the fact that most people do things like change lanes very slowly oh, so that everyone knows what's happening. Some of those young Bulls are really good Riders though, and it's a shame there's nowhere in a city of 10 million , to practice their skills... I'd love to see a flat clay track and training or practice course that they could cut-loose on... Then you might see some Vietnamese riders in the 250cc class MotoGP:-)
@@grantperkins368 yeah, and helmets are required but you can buy those trash 10k dong ones that are basically baseball caps
@@user-gt4lu6ym4c true! I used to have a genuine cardboard one... It eventually delaminated in the rain LOL
The solution for the high beam issue would just be vertically oriented pairs of lamps... That way one lamp directly on top of another would be noticeably different than any other configuration that would be seen in a vehicle.
Many are like that... and most have a combined light.
Also, keeping the high beam when encountering someone is both dangerous and being an asshole.
@@IIARROWS Yeah, aside from the possibility of being mistaken for a car, high-beams are just bright as fuck. And bright as fuck is bad for my eye holes.
No, the solution is to never use high beam when a vehicle is approaching. Blinding an oncoming vehicle is a very bad idea, regardless of headlight orientation.
My 2014 DL1000 low beam over high beam.
Yeah except that you're still blinding the person who is driving towards you....
Just use the lowbeam like you have some sense.
and the dad-joke my dad liked to tell when were kids was, "Oh look at those two headlights. Must be two motorcycles; let's drive between them."
XD
funny yet...worrisome and dark...
LOL
I know a case where this killed someone on a moped. 2 dim lights, must be 2 cyclists, let's give them a scare and go between them. It was a tractor.
@@AlexanderBurgers that REALLY happened in a small town in Italy, but it was a lorry not a tractor. Moreover, the guy on the bike didn’t die
Who the hell puts their hand straight out to give the motorcycle wave? It's a low 2 fingers well below the handle bars at like a 20-45 deg angle.
agreed
My thought exactly
People that ride in the USA?
that attempt at fraternity would be hidden behind my bike here.
which is why we nod.
It keeps both hands on the 'bars and allows for fraternity even when cornering.
the only thing the wave should be able to be mistaken for is Road Hazard on the Left.
I do a big ol goofy wave conveying overwhelming excitement and reinforcing the point you don't want to hang out with me ever.
The ultimate nightmare scenario... Waiving to a guy while slow corning with your high beams on
instant death
The nightmare zone
Shit, I burst out laughing and woke my parents up.
actually sounds like a part of my license test...
Underrated comment
The motorcycle wave, at least what I’ve seen here in Northern Ontario, Canada, is a more discrete left handed salute, below the parallel to the ground, with 2 fingers spread apart. It has little resemblance to a left turn hand signs. Love your videos and keep it up!!
I've seen the same wave riding in Manitoba and Newfoundland. It's angled so it's not a left turn, but it's also definitely not down enough to be a stop signal.
we use the same in Quebec
Exactly, it's always subtle, not a full handed wave.
Exactly, very different than the "turn signal" wave he did here. It's like this pretty much everywhere so not sure why he put that in the video...
Same here in B.C, very subtle with a peace sign.
Dude the amount of work you put into your videos is amazing. I hope you get millions of subscribers.
indeed!
fortnine is a big company he just works for them
Now that you said, I realized that I wasnt subscribed. Checked.
He got the best videos ever but trust me it’s like 5 people helping record and edit these videos .
@@bcbudGstatus Ryan is in charge of the youtube channel though. He's the man behind these production value.
In the UK (and a few other countries) we tend to nod our heads rather than wave, since we drive on the left-hand side of the road (when sober). (If we were to wave with our left hands, the only people who would see that would be pedestrians!)
Some UK motorcyclists also kick out sideways with their right feet when passing someone who gives way for them as a way of saying thank you... though some non-motorcyclists interpret that as an insult!
I nod instead of wave, when I'm busy with the clutch.
Around here a foot off the pegs is generally indicating a hazard on the road to whoever is following.
Move the throttle to the left side and clutch lever to the right, problem solved 😆
That’s the problem: you have to be drunk to ride on the correct (right) side of the road. That´s one of the reasons for the proliferation of pubs...I have to move to the UK!
As a biker i know that. But i doubt most car drivers even think to pay attention to something like that.
I just lift my left hand to say thanks to cars. Assuming im over taking on the right
I’ve been riding 2 years now I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone put their arm straight out it’s always the 2 fingers down or a simple nod
Id' have to disagree on the polite zone. While it may have been valid in the past. Most drivers don't even know wtf their blinker is, let alone a left turn hand signal.
exactly...agree...Im surprised most vehicle drivers actually have license to begin with. The current generation of young drivers scares me, hell even most of my generation (mid 30s) scares the heck outta me....wth happened to what we learned in drivers ed??!
Yeah the hand signal thing I can see how it would mess you guys up. Those hand signals mean the same thing here. However, in Australia we just nod to the right - as in we ride on the left side of the rode so we nod to the right which would be towards the, other, oncoming rider.
Polite, subtle and both hands stay on the grips!
Doesn't matter if most don't ones who do are hte ones who will panic break that is the point. Its like going "well every one speeds on this stretch of road," as you get a ticket for going 20 over. Don't really matter all you need is that one person who cares, and has a badge in that case :P
Yeah gonna have to agree with this one. If most people don’t know about motorcycle mechanics and why we do what we do in the first place. It makes sense to me they have no idea what the proper hand signal even is.
Honestly I just give a nod of respect to fellow riders I see on the road. Most if not all nod back understanding the respect shown to them and me, back. I'd agree with the op however. I almost got hit up the arse whilst giving a left hand turn signal to turn into my drive way. Most motorists don't know all the road rules let alone any hand turn signals with a motorcyclist.
I've recently starting riding, and I've got to say: your videos have helped a bunch! Thanks for your work.
Damn...I'm starting to look forward to any videos, especially motorcycle reviews even if I'm not interested in the bike because this dude is creative af
The quality on these videos never ceases to amaze. Keep it up!
Quality? It looked old fashioned and flickery to me
Journeyfortwo he doesen’t refer to quality as in resolution and clarity. But artistic quality. It is just very well shot and written.
@@rodrigoalmendro3118 yeah, I know, I was just making a joke
Thank you
Same in SA. Tilt our heads sideways to greet each other.
LEDs in my low beams solves the hi beam conundrum, but my Tuono has 2 bulbs for low so I always look like a car in the distance, thanks Aprilia. 😂
The proper motorcycle wave is 2 fingers (✌️) pointed down with your left hand. It shouldn't be confused with the left turn signal if done properly.
Entertaining as always tho.
i was thinking about explaining the 2 wheels down symbol that a biker wave is supposed to be :P but thank you kind sir :D you did it :) and these videos are truly amazing though :P
I just toss a shaka instead of the typical wave...or a wheelie.
Bikers are an observant bunch... their life depends on it. I greet other bikers by lifting the fingers of my clutch hand, without taking it off the bar. Easy, unmistakable, and doable even at full "road" lean angles without risking my stability.
I just hit 'em with a rolling dab
means also slowing down
I don't have motorcycles, I don't ride motorcycles and I don't intend to do either. But I love motorsport and this channel is enchanting. You manage such nuance and theatricality without saying too much or too little. I feel the subtle and paradoxical texture of meaning alongside the entertainment and levity. It is rare to encounter such brevity and breadth of meaning in one package. You should expand your artistry into other creative pursuits. Or maybe you are so passionate with motorcycles that brilliance can't help but shine through.
Get One. Learn it, ride it, take a trip. Read: Read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".
You're weird.
Also, he casually does the Hitler greeting as a corny joke.
Not a motorcycle rider, but I like learning about stuff that I would not normally encounter. I love the production quality you put into your videos.
learn to ride one you wont regret it and will be better off even if you dont ride on the regular.
Go away. You're not welcome here.
If only Harley DRIVERS had your insight.
@@salazam Not it, chief.
Join us! Come to the Dark Side!
I've had car drivers confuse my hand signals as me waving them through a junction when I'm riding my bicycle. They truly don't have a clue about hand signals.
It shouldn't be the case cyclists have to do this, but clip on indicator lights solved this for me. Still do the signals out of muscle memory but there's also the hope they'll see both and put the two together.
Drivers really should learn basic hand signals. They're handy to use when you have a dead turn signal.
@@Prich319 it only works if most know them which they unfortunately dont, i have 2 vehicles with no working signals and have long given up since people look at me as if im half as stupid as they are.
@@Prich319 they are taught in drivers ed but because they aren't used and just end up getting forgotten
That's why I just stick to a quick nod when greeting another rider, stops the smooth brains getting confused. 😅
Living in England it just seems weird to wave at other bikers.
We still acknowledge them but it's with a nod
In australia we also nod.
I’m American. I just drop my left hand into sight and wave with a little shake of the fingers, and that’s only when I’m on a straight stretch or otherwise not that busy/involved. I don’t wave at other cars when I’m driving, not even when it’s another driver of the same make and model as my semi-rare, kinda cool cars and trucks, so I don’t really sweat it that much. Riding safely and comfortably is FAR more important to me than silly tradition.
Same in Korea. Waving is for.. er.. cyclists.
Also England, and I was going to say it's the nod (or sideways head tilt thing). Or my pillion waves.
Wel, naturally if you’re driving in one of those “left side of the road” countries, your throttle hand is on the side of oncoming traffic, which doesn’t lend itself to removing it from the bar to acknowledge other riders. In right side countries, your left hand, which is tasked only with the clutch, turn signal and high beam duties, is free to wave. That said, the proper way to “wave” at oncoming riders is to extend your left hand below the waist, usually with sort of modified “peace” sign.
The two-headlight issue - this could especially be an issue with some motorcycles that have two headlights, trying to emulate car styling on a smaller scale. They always just looked wrong to me, not what a motorcycle is supposed to look like. Hadn't realized they're also dangerous. Whether the high beam causes this is dependent on headlight design, but in any case high beam is probably not a good idea, you want to be seen, and if the traffic is blinded they aren't seeing you as well.
In my state, you can only have a side car if you have two forward facing non-signal lights.
@@marcush4741 Would the two lights be further apart, one on the side car? That would make sense to me, as from a width perspective a motorcycle with sidecar is more like a car than motorcycle.
Dammit Ryan, stop lowering my expectations towards other channels.
For waving, two things:
1). No one, neither motorcycles nor cars, really use, understand, or grok hand signals in the US, at least in my experience
2). I wave with my left hand at a 45 degree angle down. That's not a turning hand signal and (I think) most everyone understands that as a motorcycle wave
Ben Yarmis Thats what I was thinking. Drivers in the US don’t even know hand signals are a thing
We use hand signals in South Africa, but I must agree with the waving. You can tell the difference between greeting and signalling. No hate on the vid tho, it is absolutely amazing. Well presented.
Well... In Europe (almost) every motorcyclist do this and no one have problem with it.
In the U.K. it's much more common for riders to nod to each other. It only seems to be older guys that wave, certainly in my experience anyway.
While most people in the U.S. may not know what the signals mean it is still useful because you become even slightly more visible. Also in my case, I ride a 1980 Yamaha which has no turn signals so hands are all I have. I still do wave though but it’s usually below my bars and I give a peace sign instead of a full hand out
The editing, the music the special effects....I forgot why I was even watching...oh I'm a biker...
The black & white parts, the soundtrack... this was one of the most creative videos I have seen in quite a while. Congrats man, awesome job.
Love your programming and the way you make things simple. A sense of humor coupled with the ability to convey information without being boring makes you one of my favorite stops on the net.
He is to bikers what Engineering Explained is to us car guys, except this guy is far less boring
I remember being told that seeing one headlight could indicate a car with a burnt out headlight, and not to be fooled thinking that you have the safety or space for anything else.
Iv always moto saluted by using left hand down at 45 degree with a two finger peace sign..
@Austin T. But I don't do 2 finger peace sign but hold my 2 stretched out fingers together
@Austin T. I don't know what boy scouts do but that's how it feels right and looks like other bikers do it like that too
Yea idk wtf this dude talking about
Same in South Africa
Brian i nod my head or lift my fingers off the grip.
2:54 I suppose the *final* solution is just to wave straight ahead....
How does this not have more replies? lol
No, the solution is to SLIGHTLY raise your hand, or nod towards the other biker. They will see and understand immediately. No one in the UK waves an arm at full stretch! (Do you shout “yoohoo” at the same time? Perhaps that’s an American thing.
@@HarleyRog WOOOOOOOOSH
we know where we going with this......the good old roman salutation
Hahahaha Deutscher hier
German XD
I may be 4 years late to the party but this was a phenomenally executed video theme, and perhaps the most creative youtube video I have seen in weeks. well done you just earned a like and Sub
Yep
Of all the TH-camrs who have done the Nazi salute on video, he is by far my favourite! Also the most wholesome.
Ye me too. 4 yrs late but I so agree. I'm already subbed but this was such a super fine production
Welcome to the community. F9 doesn't miss.
With Ryan's insane work ethic and above-average chin, he's going to be the Jay Leno of motorcycles.
Whadda ya mean GOING to be???!!!
jay leno is the jay leno of motorcycles
I would not rate Jay Leno that high. That guy is a creep
@@prazonparajuli7346 how?
@@prazonparajuli7346 Yeah I guess you're right. I just watched a video on the Late Night War between Leno and Conan O'Brien. It's hard not to take Conan's side on that. I was too young for all of that though... I just know Jay Leno from his car videos on youtube.
As usual, the editing and production is fantastic F9, but I'm not buying the "car drivers confuse rider wave for left turn hand signal." That's a stretch, and even if a driver did get confused, so what? If they're behind you all that happens is: you don't take a turn like they thought you would. Total non-issue. Completely agree with the final point though. Riding timidly anywhere is dangerous.
Pat W . The problem is not those behind you it’s those coming the other way or wanting to pull out. If they think you’re turning instead of going straight they may cut you off! But that actually begs the question did they actually see you in the first place? All motorcycles are invisible aren’t they?
I was driving home one night and began passing a slower car. The on-coming car was well down the road, so plenty of time. About half way through passing, the inner headlight of the on-coming car started drifting to the shoulder, but the outside headlight remained fixed. There was a motorcycle riding in front of the car and his one headlight looked like the inner headlight of the car behind him. We all ended up passing three abreast. Scared the shit out of me, as I'm sure it did the motorcyclist.
This is why you never drive a bike like a car sitting fixed in one line in your lane. You need to ride the bike moving around as much as possible without going overboard.
The problem was not so much in your misjudging what you saw but in the mechanics of the human eye and how the brain processes visual information. Humans are very good at detecting movement but things that are too still can become invisible amongst moving objects or be seen as part of a whole instead of a separate item.
Pat W that's right because most don't see you anyway.
If its out of nowhere and at high speeds an inattentive driver would probably brake hard
Love the Twighlight Zone theme! Also when waving to oncoming cyclists, I put my left hand down at 45 degrees... AND also mention in a future video a trick I use to get the attention of oncoming vehicles is to "sway" slightly back n forth in my lane. When approaching an intersection I do this to "strafe" the oncoming cars with my headlight to get their attention.... Awesome video and post editing as usual sir!!!
The science and advice on your videos is enough to keep me watching them. But the creativity and your humor is why I enjoy watching them. Thank you for your efforts.
"I suppose the solution is just to wave straight ahead, ohhhh nope that looks bad" I died 🤣 🤣 🤣
The looks coming back y’all!! 🙋🏼♂️
I just drop my hand low and give a piece sign.
@@InarusLynx same. That's what Yammie taught me.
Greeting is two fingers, arm pointing down...has been since I've been riding which goes back to 1969.
Might be true in the USA. Not true in the UK. Usually a short arm wave or a simple nod suffices.
That's basically what my stepdad taught me: Left arm down and a bit out. Whether you want to use a full open hand, two fingers, or just one (the index finger in that case) is up to each rider.
@@avulonanderson2372 Yeah someone told me showing 2 fingers in the UK is basically the same as flipping the bird. Or worse.
Germany is either arm pointing down or hand lifted just above the handle but not stretching out in either direction. Signals mean the same here as in the US - although just taught on towing, when you can't use indicators because they work as hazard lights. And why especially in this country you should avoid stretching a long arm upwards was well explained by Ryan in the video...
In Australia everyone just nods. Having both hands on the controls is a big benefit
the editing and whole idea behind this to use Twilight Zone led to a remarkable tribute
Some thoughts:
1. High/low beams on bikes for the most part used to be a single lens, just like most cars of the time. Running high beams when you wouldn't blind oncoming traffic, like day or at more distance, was the way to conspicuity. But the more common modern style of separate elements now make that option problematic, as you demonstrate.
2. Cudos to you for reminding riders of hand signals. I teach motorcycling and I'm perplexed at the large number of students who don't remember hand signals from Drivers Ed. When I wave to another rider, I put my relaxed arm down and to the side, elbow slightly bent and usually with a peace sign. I can't imagine any driver behind me mistaking that for either a left turn or stop, even if they do remember that hand signals exist.
Your videos keep getting better and better. This stuff has turned from "funny and informative" to fricking "work of art".
I enjoyed this video way more than should be allowed. Goddamn Ryan, you rock man
yeah, the quality and script kicks ass
Damn good video.
Amazing!
I find myself smiling all the way through it. Very well done and great concepts guys!!
Serious Q: is he a youtuber or a bike rider ?
Excellent. I would also add:
1. Also never filter/lane split with your high beam either at night or during the day. You’ll probably draw drivers’ vision because of the glare in their side mirrors causing them to steer inwards towards you slightly and narrow your gap.
2. Here in the UK the standard greeting between riders is the head nod. This leaves both hands safely on the bars (good) but comes with its own complex etiquette (nightmare). This is worth a vid post all to itself.
3. One of the many benefits of counter-steering is the progressive loading of suspension. Definitely worth a follow up video.
Love your videos! The theme was fun in this one. I have to say though that ive never once put my arm out to wave/greet like that. Generally everyone where I live does two fingers down pointing at the road. Basically saying "two wheels down/be safe"
I just watched a 2016 video before this and it is amazing both how confident Ryan has become over the intervening years and how superior the videos themselves have become in regards to quality. It's now 2020 and the videos are up there with the best tv channels! Oh, and in England, we just half twist, half nod our head as a greeting (not greatest description but you know what I mean).
In Australia we nod to our fellow riders
Russell Impey aye, up the nod
Is that true? Amazing. Will do that. Frankly, I hate to take off the hand from the bar to greet 1 million riders a day - it ruins the flow and is awkward. Thanks for this simple one! Come to Germany, will throw a couple of beers and take you out for a ride in the Bavarian woods. You may opt to have the beers after riding if in doubt on the protocol.
Because u drive on wrong side of road :-)
'Cause dropping your left hand off the bar to wave wont be seen by an oncoming rider (approaching from your right) , only the roo sitting beside the road
Cause you have to let off the throttle to wave, Americans drive on the wrong side
The twilight zone thing passes the vibe check, I love it.
Your best video to date. In the UK we don't wave, we nod. Unless you're on a Harley then most others ignore you... "most" not all. Glad my normal and high beam are all in one single headlight, but I rarely ride at night. Usually I'm tucked up in bed watching quality TH-cam content such as this.
The same in Australia, a nod is so much easier and safer
That was really cool editing with the twilight zone, I appreciated that! And those 360 shots of the bike cornering were amazing, great video!
1. Switch off the high beam with incoming traffic
2. Nod your head instead of waving.
3. No advice here, crashed my bike after I came off the throttle and the bike started coasting in a corner...
Sir Tristen - i assume you were born as a PR0 right ?
Pretty sure everyone has backed off the throttle when they should not have - noob or not
It isn't the coasting that contributed to the crash, it was the shift of weight from one wheel to the other at the wrong moment. It is necessary to maintain constant g loading on the rear wheel by increasing the throttle continuously through the corner.
Się Tristen - we all are just humans, and all humans are making mistakes sometimes, newstarters obviously are commiting more of them than such pr0 like you are but sooner or later something unpleasant will happen to you that will be a consequence of your mistake, if somehow you are so naive that you think it will not, it just shows how inexperienced of a biker you are. (Sorry for my English it's not my first language)
AJHD Yeah on a quiet road this works. But on a busy one its a big hassle.
In the uk we dont wave we nod. I save the "hand signals" for cars🖕
The nod is the way forward
Yip, or if I'm bored I might salute
The nod is the most advanced way of greeting a fellow rider, its quick and you keep your hands on the handlebar. Perfection.
You don't really have much choice since driving on the right side of the road (THE LEFT) you'd be taking your hand off the throttle.
I live in France now, and the common greeting is left hand out down low. The universal "thankyou" (which motorists here understand) is to push your left leg forwards off the peg after they let you pass (tough as I don't have a left leg).
I think we should adopt the the split finger Vulcan greeting. I *know* some people ride in Mittens, just don't wave at those weirdos.
docthebiker You ride with no left leg? That’s pretty impressive. I love when people don’t let things hold them back.
I've only ever held my arm down at an angle to signal 'hey' to fellow riders.
this is the only greeting I have ever used or seen.
Yep
That's also the signal to riders behind you that there's crap on the road to watch out for. Just a little wave with your hand still at the on the end of the grip avoids confusion.
On the point of running high beams, it's bad to use them in oncoming traffic anyway as you can blind oncoming drivers. Just last year there was a guy on a Suzuki bike with Xenon lights going down division with high-beams. I was blind for several seconds and almost had to pull over. I can't imagine what it would have looked like on a 2 lane twisty highway... Only run your high beams when you don't have oncoming traffic so as not to blind other drivers...
Also would like to mention, my Yamaha has 2 low beam lamps. I think a third of most bikes made in the last 20 years are like that.
That's the more likely problem, it's also illegal in most places to have the high beams on with oncoming traffic as they're directed high enough to get in people's eyes. Around here you have to be a couple hundred yards away in order to use them.
You're better off occasionally repositioning yourself in the lane as that'll flash them the headlight, but at a low enough angle that it shouldn't get in their eyes. And give a bit of a sense of where you are.
I thought its like that everywhere, who tf uses high beams with traffic
Jeep bros, BMWs, and overzealous sport bike riders are the usual suspects. I've almost smashed into them before as they overload my eyeballs with their uber-12000 10 million lumen projector bulbs scorching my iris with the rage and fury of a thousand suns.
Division? Do you live in PNW?
@@SmallSpoonBrigade I drive a smaller sedan right now. And the trucks here have lights like any normal car. So they are always in my face and it is the worst when they wont change their lights to Low beam from their highs. Rural darkness of the sole: pedestrians are dead.
each time i watch your video I'm amazed how much of time you're spending to make it. Not only filming but editing is full with details. We see them, we appreciate it a lot. This makes every single video of yours enjoyable.
UK riders give the nod- that's your problem solved right there 👍
Upwards nod or downwards nod?
A nod means "i just came from your moms house". Doesn't everyone know this? ;-)
Got my first nod on my 5th ride today lmao
@@oliviersavard8676 Sideways - imagine you're doing an exaggerated wink.
@@thetwohundred5213 Yeah man that's me too!👍
I love this channel, but...
1) Some motorcycles come with 2 lights preinstalled for both low and high beams (think 2008ish Daytona 675's) so there's no way to turn off the second light.
2) Where I come from, the motorcycle wave to each other is done low - you extend your arm down and to the side at about 45 degrees. For left turns, you extend it to the side perpendicular to your body, and for right turns... well, you saw the video, you know.
We in Canada have to decide every time if we'd rather risk death or unfriendliness. We keep waving.
That said, maybe we should adopt the Yankee two fingers extended towards the ground.
Most yankees dont even know there are hand signals for the road. Sadly you can pass a drivers test here without being able to do much more than breathe on your own. But yes the common greeting is the two finger 'peace' sign towards the ground. Except during an intersection or corner Ill simply nod.
Adopt the UK/Aust head nod. Easy, keeps hands on the bars, and if an unfriendly rider does not reciprocate it can look like an unrelated head movement...
brian glendenning unfriendly rider? You mean Harley riders, yeah?
I ride a sport bike, interesting enough, the big stereotypical Harleys always wave back, it's the dinky little cruisers that never wave
gwot Agreed. Normally get a nod or something from Harley riders over here in the UK, but Honda Goldwing owners? Never.
And I don’t think that is just because I’m riding a Lambretta or Vespa, they just seem to only acknowledge other Goldwings!
#1 & #2 I somewhat disagree with. Never experienced either situation, even remotely. I use a low wave when meeting another bike, there is no mistaking it is anything but a wave, also, have never seen another rider wave back with anything but a low wave. #3 I agree with wholeheartedly. By the way, I have been riding for a little over 49 years now. Great videos and great advise on your channel though, keep up the good work.
How do you beat the entertainment factor combined with learning something on Ryan’s videos. Too good!
Haven't done any of these in 40+ years of riding. The main rule, Always assume nobody see's you, because most of the time they dont.
I always tell new riders that: everything is trying to kill you when you hope on a motorcycle; including the bike and your instincts.
Around here (Czech Rep.) people usually gently lift the hand from the grip and do sort of "bang bang" gesture with two fingers pointed to the right or slightly upward. Thumb either lifted or hidden. Full wave would be an overkill, missmatched signal, and at speed your hand catches the drag.. Foreigners don't wave (eg. Germans). If there is danger ahead, the universal "slow down" gesture is used (palm facing towards the pavement, fingers straight and pumping the forearm up&down). Other drivers I've noticed hail each other are bus drivers and truckers (mostly when fellow countrymen pass each other on foreign road)
Stanislav Valach "danger" Yeah you mean the super dangerous speed trap down the road hahah
Best video format yet; please make more in this style.
The only problem with the 'one headlight is safer' is that most people's first thought is, 'it's a car with a dips*** who didn't bother changing the burnt out light' not a motorcycle.
As for the wave; yes, you're right about the hand signals. You're wrong in the sense, however, that I have never seen anyone use them. Not even bicycles. Wether by casual, or serious cyclists, or riders.
I still love these videos, though. :D
I guess it's a first, but I've absolutely used the hand signals before; many times, in fact. Most notably was on my dad's FJ1100 which had a broken blinker switch, so it hardly ever actually turned them on.
When I see one light I think it is a car with a burnt headlight that some asshat won’t replace (so many of those people around here), but also recognize the possibility it could be a motorcycle. When I see the ambers I realize its a motorcycle
Nah that is just you bra. I see one light I go "motorcycle," then I see its a car with one headlight and go "some is getting a fucking ticket soon."
By the time he said the uptight zone I just had to pause and come on here and state that this video is not only a masterpiece, but a tapestry in the way that it's written. It's cheesy perfection in perfect balance and intensity. Hilarious, dude. Don't stop being you👌😌
That was fun. Never thought about the double light thing. A whole lot of bikes have that even on low beam.
The problem with my single illuminated low beam headlight is that *I* can't see shit with it alone. I've never had a car pull out on me or get mad over a wave, but I can't tell you how many drivers have told me at gas stations that one of my headlights is out.
Still really enjoyed the vid. Was even worth the sill commercial.
The production and the execution of this video was amazing
Amazing? Come on.
Awesome production quality, both inspiring and informative videos!
The production on these videos is stellar
Welcome to... _The Scary Door_
Futurama!!!
ahahh a man of culture. i was thinking the exact same thing
Great video Ryan and F9 guys - loved that.....great production and valid messages too!
I have never commented anything on TH-cam and I’ve been using it for years. But this video is GREAT!
Liked and subscribed. Keep up the good work!
I’ve taken to waving down toward the level of the seat. Pretty much the equivalent of just dropping my left hand down to my side, instead of straight out. It’s easily noticed as a wave by any other rider, but less likely to be confused as a left turn signal by anyone behind me
That is the way the biker wave is SUPPOSED to be. It was born out of bikers not just acknowledging other riders but adopting a universal signal that by pointing your two fingers toward the pavement says "Keep two wheels down and stay safe". It is not just a wave. It is a greeting and blessing you for a good safe ride and a return home.
99.9% of car drivers these days don't even know what hand signals are. Hell, half of them don't even use their turn signals!
these videos are absolutely well done!!!! is not even funny! I know that takes a lot of time, pre production, post, editing, etc etc!!!
Props to u man!!! Hands down this is an AMAZING channel
And this is why FortNine is number ONE on my favorite channels list!
Never thought about that dual lamp issue. I also have a pair of LEDs mounted low...might have to at least evaluate the sight picture. And my wave is usually a hand lifted just off the left grip. Or I stand on the pegs and give a left handed salute. Or make a tip-of-the-helmet gesture. Or a genuflection in the air if I'm feeling spiritual. Thanks!!
My ZX14R has two headlights for low beams which creates many issues at night. To solve them, I added green running lights. I went from a near miss maybe twice a month to about one every two years
In Australia we just give a nod to our fellow riders.
Terry Smith yous stole than from the uk riders 😂
Reece Stanford you're right...some pioneering young chap journeyed all the way to the UK only to see the riders there performing some unknown, yet fascinating, motion with their heads.
His instant thought was "fuck, I'm stealing that!".
Then, upon arriving back in Straya, he instantly contacted all the television stations in the country and broadcasted this revolutionary new method of greeting country wide.
Thank the Lord for the British... We would never have come up with something so complicated by ourselves ;-)
Terry Smith wouldn’t surprise me. You stole our flag to put in yours 😂
Reece Stanford you mean we bedazzled your boring old union jack with stars and shit. Don't be jelly we one upped your flag haha
We're thieves, why do you think they sent us here......
Also with the options we have a nod isn't that hard to figure out.
I prefer the " look ma no feet" wave personally
Goddammit, Hitler!
You knew that wave straight ahead was the most convenient way for motorcyclists to greet one another and screwed it up on purpose, didn't you?!
Tbf the roman salute is with the right hand.
Noticed the conveniently placed caption?
You can still do it with the left hand.
You guys are just so good! Please keep up these great videos!
Loved the “Twi-Light Zone” play.
Instead of leaving your high beams on flash it every 4 seconds. This will draw attention to you without annoying or blinding the drivers in the oncoming lane. This also saved my life. Once I was riding home and it got dark way earlier than I anticipated due to cloudy weather. Also the wind had picked duo and on the interstate I was fighting 50mph cross winds that randomly shifted and I could hardly ride straight. So I stopped and took some mountain roads home. They were single lane roads with no double yellow line. If 2 fat cars were to cross each other one of them would have to stop and let the other pass to do so safely. I was terrified some guy is going to run into me on a blind turn. I went super slow and flashed my head light slowly. The car drivers in these parts had some sort of code I guess where they would flash to acknowledge the other vehicle. It reassured me so much and I got home really late but I got home safe
50mph CROSS winds? Jesus Christ that sound like a nightmare
How is a flashing light less blinding than a steady light?
It's still blinding. Your eyes need a lot longer to adjust to the dark. Shine a flashlight in your eyes and see for yourself how long it takes till you are able to see normal again.
@@Jehty_ flashing your regular beams ensure your high beams are visible for only a second. This doesn't cause as big a difference and draws attention to you and then immediately darkens so that they can perceive your silhouette. Even in low visibility you're asked to do this in mountain roads
@@SKCodesForFun flashing a light only for a short time also blinds people. Just try it out for yourself.
@@Jehty_ only when you're up close. That's not what I'm talking about here
I must say, your videos are so enjoyable. Such high quality production. Sincerely, thank you for posting
For the second problem, I see most people extend their left hand straight and down. This is not a hand signal so it wouldn't cause a panic brake
Arm straight and down in the U.S. means slow down or proceed with caution which is the message we are sending to those who are behind us.
Two close-together lights far away look like one light.
Also, this needed to be another hour long. I was kind of stunned when it abruptly ended. GREAT work!
I love it, I always look forward to Fortnine videos. Way up in the entertainment value. Keep innovating Ryan (and everyone else invovled in the production), keep up the good work. Give us some Bike reviews, or Gear torture reviews, we all love those
Haha, classic. Keep up the great work guys!
I so love the many styles of your videos, keep it up. Makes the subjects much more interesting
Fantastic stuff, as always, Ryan!! Lost on many riders is the idea that their side-by-side high beam lights can easily be perceived as a car in a distance. It's all the more reason that we, as riders, need to be extremely vigilant and watchful, and we need to be constantly honing our road skills and road strategy as we ride.
2:30 Most bikers around where I live and drive just lift their hand while having the bottom still touching the handle
Yeah but if you have a barkbusters its not visible.
Let's talk about an important signal. How do you tell a guy going the other way a cop is up ahead?
I was taught you tap the top of your helmet with your left hand.
Thank you this is crucial information for every riders's safety
around here , we raise our left hand above our head and twirl it around to imitate police red lights
In the UK sometimes people just gesture with their left hand to slow down to say there is a speed trap or police with a speed gun hiding out.
Dave C. You do the wanker hand gesture.
Hand held up, go from fist to splayed fingers rapidly representing a flash from a radar trap. Not sure whether this is ever understood by others but I made an effort.
Whether you agree with all the points or not, this video was incredibly well made. This whole channel is a diamond in the rough that is the perplexing world of youtube. Well done RyanF9!
In new Zealand we just raise our index finger and nod to acknowledge our fellow motorcyclists. No loss of control, and you're cool
Keep the vids coming, love the regular uploads😎
So many ride around on full beam blinding everyone thinking it's safer. A very good heads up particularly for the twin headlight folk.
Exactly. Better to have the option to "flash" the high beam to get / guarantee attention. Even works in daytime.
Yeah what could be safer than blinding people while pissing them off?
Funny, I actually took an MSF course with the CHP. Three mid 50's-60's instructors who had been riding for decades. They were motorcycle cops for a large amount of their time in law enforcement. They advised us to always use the high-beams to make sure other cars see you and not to worry about the legality of it, that there was no law against it. After I took the course I left my high beam always on for about a month and then stopped because I realized I was blinding people and felt like it was actually more dangerous.
C-Los Run your high beam during the day when it isn't a problem. At night use your low beam when there's oncoming traffic.
theomnipresent1 there are 2 reason why having your high beam on in the day is dangerous. The high beam creates the illusion that the bike is going slower than what it really is. It also make it harder for an observer to accurately place it position on the road.
The quality of FortNine videos are so much better than those of RevZilla.
The prices are better, as well.
That's because Revzilla are a bunch of ass-kissers
I haven't watched Motorcyclist Magazine (thanks for the tip) yet but watch the other 2 religiously.
The problem with the wave with two fingers down is that cage drivers will still see that as a left turn. Fortunately here in Aussie land we do the nod of the helmet which is much easier to do.
The only hand wave we do here is the palm up side to side wave to kids as we go past them at slow speeds
Consistent uploads are good for the channel
Atticus Finley with this kind of quality I imagine consistency is difficult
Has to be the best motorcycle video ever made!!!
Total genius script and theme!!!!!
Just wish the frequency was shorter, as we wait too long between fixes!
Fantastic Ryan my friend.... (definitely an Oscar Nomination right there!😉)
Another cinematic masterpiece.
Except for the hand signals. If you got blinkers you won't need hand signals, and nobody expects hand signals on any motorized vehicle built after 1950
Daniel Mores Yeah lol I have a vintage moped which doesn't have indicators and everyone stops to give way whether I use a hand signal or not, it's understandable though.
Expecting cage drivers to be observant and thoughtful might be asking too much.
Hand signals added to blinkers, always. Hand signaling is far less ambiguous than blinkers. Ambiguity is bad, Egon.
consubandon ... less ambiguous than an orange blindly thing like the blinks thing on a cager‘s cage?
Maybe in the US but in the old country, NOBODY uses hand signals.
YES, absolutely. Humans did not evolve to process flashing lamps as indicative of intent. We *did* evolve to process kinesics. We are fantastically better attuned to gestures, and physical position and motion of objects, than just about anything else except for maybe touch.
Love the Hitchcock vibe, brother. Beautiful quality
Thanks Canada!
andryxa1 P no thank you
If you don’t get it it’s a joke about how kind they are
pause the video press on blue numbers 00:01 unpause and then pause fast and then enter full screen, brush your hair with your hand above the phone, and voila,dandruff.
4:08 You should be more careful with the way you position your feet
Definitely
Silviu P, I think it may be the “ Fisheye lens” making that foot position look more dangerous. But, still good advice to be careful.
The feet Nazi
it's really seems like a funny design on sports bikes where the toes will be pointed down.
I made this mistake with grippy shoes (not my normal motorcycle boots) overhanging the sides of the floorboards on my metric cruiser. Whipping around an inclined university parking lot, dragging floorboards like normal, shoes grabbed, yanked my foot back and wedged it between the ground and the leaned bike. It hurt for a couple weeks, so now I keep my feet tucked in.
This is why the down low piece sign is the actual wave, and not an arm indication nobody uses.
2:55 oh dear lol