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Message started by Kirk on 08/10/08 at 18:44:15

Title: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Kirk on 08/10/08 at 18:44:15

I know there is another post on here where someone said that they were tired of getting stuck at red lights. I followed there suggestion and I am here to testify that it worked. The person suggested attaching a magnet to the bottom of your bike and that was just what I did. But it was no ordinary magnet oh no I used the same one that is used for supermagnetizing our oil filters that is purchased through magnet mans website. It works wonderfully! I simply plopped it to the bottom of my frame right beside the right foot peg and yes it is still there. Those magnets grip are as strong as a whino holding onto a fifth of gin. ;D Just thought I would pass on some info for fellow newbies such as myself that are still learning the beautiful art of motorcycling. Be well and ride safe everyone.

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Jay on 08/10/08 at 18:53:10

Thanks Kirk. That's good info to know. Some of the lights here take forever to get through with the little bit of metal I've got on the street.

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Rustbucket on 08/10/08 at 21:00:20

Thanks for the heads up..

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Paladin. on 08/10/08 at 21:03:58

There are lines in the pavement where they buried the wire. I generally stop within the square/circle about 9 inches in from the left edge. Haven't had any problems tripping lights.

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Oldfeller on 08/11/08 at 03:20:55

Why mess around -- stick a big 'un down right on the sensor line and watch the light change quick-like. Most lights will trip just riding down the line with the foot up, but for stubborn ones slap it in neutral and put the footpeg down.

http://photos.gunloads.com/images/Oldfeller/hammerfar.jpg

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by flcruzr on 08/11/08 at 09:13:27

Good to know, I've been getting stuck on two stop lights, one going to work and one going home. Thanks!

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by vhfkid on 08/11/08 at 11:05:17

Ya'll are lucky! We have new video camera operated lights in East Texas. They appear to not function with the size of the savage, even with the brights on at night.

Some cities systems work better than others, and I happen to be in one of poorer performing cities. Thanks local traffic dept. :P

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Paladin. on 08/11/08 at 12:45:45

5E404E43414C280 wrote:

....I happen to be in one of poorer performing cities. Thanks local traffic dept. :P

I would thank them also.

Texas Code:

Quote:

§ 544.007. TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNALS IN GENERAL.
(a) A traffic-control signal displaying different colored lights or
colored lighted arrows successively or in combination may display
only green, yellow, or red and applies to operators of vehicles as
provided by this section

Contrawise, if the signal does NOT display different coloerd lights etc. then section 544 does *not* apply and you can legally blaze on thru those intersections that do not recognize your presence. (altho' to be safe, you might consider stopping or at least slowing to the point where you could stop in lieu of being clobbered by a Mack truck.)

Quote:

§ 544.0075. CERTAIN TRAFFIC-ACTUATED ELECTRIC
TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNALS. (a) This section applies only to a
traffic-actuated electric traffic-control signal that consists of
a traffic-control signal for which the intervals vary according to
the demands of vehicular traffic as registered by a detector and
that is installed and operating at an intersection.
(b) In addition to any other type of vehicle the presence of
which the detector for the traffic-actuated electric
traffic-control signal may register, the detector for a
traffic-actuated electric traffic-control device to which this
section applies must be capable of registering the presence of a
motorcycle.

If the signal does not recognize your presence then it is an illegal signal -- if you do get a ticket you can sue the city for having an illegal traffic control device for the purpose of generating revenue. Should be worth a few thousand. Any sleazebag lawyer will take that on a contingency basis.

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by sluggo on 08/11/08 at 14:07:01

washingto law allows for civil disobiedence.

ie. just going when clear

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Eddy Thomas on 08/11/08 at 17:34:45

The Old feller used amagnet but what kind and wear did he get it ???

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by slowfaller on 08/11/08 at 23:55:13

The most popular store to get a magnet for this seems to be Radioshack. A rare earth magnet.

I had to run a light today going to work. ;D Waited two cycles though, tried flashing my brights (it was 12:15am) and even stopped and started my bike.

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by sluggo on 08/12/08 at 03:22:28

322D2E3627202D2D2433410 wrote:

and no do hickey, or widget will work... provef fact. it's al jus countertop impulse buy stuff. dont bohrerh. just rrun them

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/12/08 at 05:10:13

Kay and I had a little tiff, bordering on a snit, about this. I say the light is there to prevent accidents. When it quits working correctly, I fall back on the tried-and-true eyeballs and experienced judgement. Wait for a break and then run the thing. She says, ummm, otherwise.

I showed her where to stop to get the best results, but am still working on getting her to follow me through a red light. Fortunately, it doesn't happen often enough to break up our marriage. I wonder if I could sue the city for wrongful estrangement if that happens?

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Kirk on 08/12/08 at 05:51:12

Eddy Thomas, Here is the link where I bought the super magnet from.

Where to buy the magnet
http://www.supermagnetman.net/product_info.php?products_id=414

If you click on this link from oldfeller2
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=RubberSideDown;action=display;num=1175727064
You will see an actual picture and description of the magnet. I am about to order another one along with a couple square magnets these magnets are really really strong.

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by ALfromN.H. on 08/12/08 at 05:55:03

There is a particular light on my way home from work that will never change for me. So, one day I was approaching the light and decided to take a side trip through the gas station/convenience store parking lot to avoid the light. A police officer saw me do this and gave me a ticket for cutting through a parking lot to avoid a light. I explained to him that the light won't work for me on this bike and he told me that all lights work on a timer. At this point i knew there was no point in arguing with this guy so I went to court to fight the ticket and lost. The judge told me that I have to wait till the light changes no matter how long it takes. I paid the ticket and ran a red light at the end of their parking lot. Made me feel a little better.
AL

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by eanon on 08/12/08 at 14:47:57

Seems like this would be a good thing to nail down... If I can legally run that red light, then my life would be much happier/easier/faster (take your pick). Paladin had some good info, but AL got a ticket, and the judge backed it up. Anyone here a lawyer? Or have a friend who is? My Dad rides with the Peace Keepers MC out of Dallas. Mostly cops. I think I will give him a call.....

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by eanon on 08/12/08 at 15:01:22

According to the VP of the Peace Keepers MC (AKA - Capitan of the Motorcycle Division, Dallas Police Department) , "The ONLY time it is legal to run a red light is if you are in immediate danger and running the light will remove you from this danger, or, if you are an emergency response vehicle in route to an emergency. Just because a machine malfunctions doesn't justify you braking the law." That was a quote, by the way. Think I stick to magnets! ;D

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by verslagen1 on 08/12/08 at 15:04:59

Memo to self... stay out of dallas.

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/13/08 at 04:05:04

A local light will not acknowledge me in the Left turn lane. The other lanes cycle thru red to green a couple of times & I just check traffic & roll. Sometimes I just go straight, turn left at the next opportunity & ride thru a real neat neighborhood, with curvy streets & a small lake.
If I am just out riding, I turn right on red & keep rolling.Sometimes, when out running errands, I do the same thing, sure, it takes longer, but So What!?

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/13/08 at 04:29:53

You know, we should all identify a light in our town that won't respond for a bike. Then at a certain time on a certain day, plan to be there with no other priorities. Just pull up to the light and sit there, waiting. All of us, each in their own town. After about fifty cars have waited behind us, and we show no intention of either running the light or moving out of the way of traffic, someone will call a cop. What better way to illustrate the malfunction than your own parade of irate cagers for the cop to see?

It wouldn't work on a Sunday morning. Needs to be after work on a thursday or friday, when people are tired and cranky and primed to call the police. When the cops get there and see the problem, make sure to tell them it's part of an organized event worldwide (including participants in Canuckistan, Italy, the Netherlands, did I miss anyone?). Some alert reporter stuck on the police beat will catch that reference on the log or report, and come knocking on your door with questions. Then you just tell him how often you have to either modify your route or break the law in order to get to the drug store to buy liver medicine for your poor dying aunt, Sadie. Public sympathy will mount. People will march in public places. Councilmen will cower beneath their desks in terror. The national guard will be called out to restore peace in the streets. It will be a major victory for motorcyclists everywhere.

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Kirk on 08/13/08 at 06:27:21

;D roflmao now that is funny Sandy that may just work.

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by Jack_650 on 08/13/08 at 07:33:07

Here in MN we have a little law that say bikers can go through a red light if it fails to change for you within a reasonable timeframe. You know it's true 'cause they told us so in motorcycle safety class.

Jack

Title: Re: Tired of getting stuck at stop lights
Post by T Mack 1 on 08/13/08 at 10:25:20

577C7E76422B282D1D0 wrote:

Hmmmm .... Maybe I should have taken that offer my company gave to transfer to our Mendota Heights office.

Hmmmmm cold.... snow .... I guess not....