Traffic light consensus

[mschor]

What do y’all do at traffic lights? I ride to & from work every day & sometimes I hit every light. I’ve taken to shutting off the engine when I know I’ll be waiting a couple minutes. I got a lot of warnings about being sure to have a fan on the engine when tuning, etc but sitting at an average traffic light sometimes takes as long, and one after another. Those of you that ride in traffic, what do you do?

[madmax-im]

There are some really awful traffic lights here..you can sit for several mins...I have the habit of shutting off the bike..and I do the same in the cage... my rule of thumb is if your idling more than 1 min..shut it off...YMMV

[Radioguylogs]

Ready to Move

I leave it running in first gear, in case a car or truck driver makes a mistake and I need to get out of the way quickly.

[3Phase]

I leave it running in first gear, in case a car or truck driver makes a mistake and I need to get out of the way quickly.

This.

Keep good oil in the engine, watch your mirrors and don't worry about traffic lights. I've had to run for my life more than a few times to keep from getting turned into an accordion-shaped hood ornament or flattened like a pancake.

[IanDMacDonald]

What Mike said. I always presume every car coming behind me will hit me.

[bikerphil]

First gear with clutch in at every light, no matter how long or how hot it is. These motors won't suffer any damage running a little hot. You know your motor is cooking when the clutch won't disengage any more. BTDT.

[Bergman16]

I think this way even in the car. Learned behavior/consistency. More than once I’ve pulled forward and right when the car coming up seems aggressive. Wife just shakes her head like I’m nuts.

Also muttering “watch that guy up there go ahead and pull out like we’re not even here.”

What Mike said. I always presume every car coming behind me will hit me.

[IanDMacDonald]

I think this way even in the car. Learned behavior/consistency. More than once I’ve pulled forward and right when the car coming up seems aggressive. Wife just shakes her head like I’m nuts.

Also muttering “watch that guy up there go ahead and pull out like we’re not even here.”

Nope, ur not nuts. My girlfriend just had a young 16-year old girl hit her from behind, smashing her into the pickup truck in-front on her (of course it had a tow hitch with ball on it). The girl was texting her boss, telling him she'd be late, and did not see the cars stopped in-front of her. She was on her way to Starbucks first . . .

[Jerry]

National new story the other day...in Colorado, at least, deaths due to distracted driving is up 60% over the last 4 years. Pedestrians crossing roads and motorcyclists at intersections were specifically mentioned. Riding is getting more dangerous, not less as drivers have more distractions in the car. Cell phone use (texting in particular) is a big factor.

At lights I also keep the bike in gear and my eyes on my mirrors as well as traffic turning. Foot on the brake to keep that rear light lit. Most accidents happen at intersections - you all know this - and it is no place to not be on your most intense caution level.

If I feel a bit more comfortable, cars in front and back, all stopped, I might slip the bike into neutral until the light changes but that is a rare(!) happening. Still keep the brake light on.

Summer is construction season and there is always that driver who wants to pass you up then cuts you off before the road narrows down to one lane. Have seen this too many times to count.

Just be extra careful, OK?

[mschor]

Great advice, I appreciate it, will stay in 1st always

[DiverRay]

Also, when you are in line, keep to one side so you can drive between the cars as the idiot is flying up behind you. Let the cars take the impact!

[justme1100]

Wisconsin Law (346.37(1)(c)4. Proceeding thru a Red Light

346.37(1)(c)4.

4. Notwithstanding subd. 1., a motorcycle, moped, motor bicycle, or bicycle facing a red signal at an intersection may, after stopping as required under subd. 1. for not less than 45 seconds, proceed cautiously through the intersection before the signal turns green if no other vehicles are present at the intersection to actuate the signal and the operator of the motorcycle, moped, motor bicycle, or bicycle reasonably believes the signal is vehicle actuated. The operator of a motorcycle, moped, motor bicycle, or bicycle proceeding through a red signal under this subdivision shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicular traffic, pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device proceeding through a green signal at the intersection or lawfully within a crosswalk or using the intersection.

[Radioguylogs]

justme:

It's funny you should post this.

There is one place I ride 2-3 time a week where I make a left-hand turn at a stop light. The only legitimate way to turn left is when the green arrow is lighted. The left turn arrow is triggered by a magnetic loop not interested in my aluminum engine nor awakened by my motorcycle's steel frame.

If nobody comes in the opposing left turn lane after one cycle though all the lights, I'm forced to run the red light.

[madmax-im]

justme:

It's funny you should post this.

There is one place I ride 2-3 time a week where I make a left-hand turn at a stop light. The only legitimate way to turn left is when the green arrow is lighted. The left turn arrow is triggered by a magnetic loop not interested in my aluminum engine nor awakened by my motorcycle's steel frame.

If nobody comes in the opposing left turn lane after one cycle though all the lights, I'm forced to run the red light.

I do that frequently here...traffic lights that dont sense you're presence and never change until a car comes along...well that could be all day on some of these roads...LOL so i just treat them as Stop signs and proceed with caution..YMMV

[skids]

I do that frequently here...traffic lights that dont sense you're presence and never change until a car comes along...well that could be all day on some of these roads...LOL so i just treat them as Stop signs and proceed with caution..YMMV

Look left - no cops, look right - no cops, look straight - no cops, Rear view - no-cops: just go.