[Lucifer]

You have to totally aware of whats going on around you when driving even more when you're riding a motorsickle. Even with hands free devices, its not the hands that is the problem its being wrapped up in a conversation and your mind is on that, not driving/riding.
Let the call go to VM then pull over at the next place its safe to stop and call back. It would be better to arrive a few minutes late than not at all. IMO.

[chucktx]

i cant imagine anyone wanting one of these dangerous contraptions on a bike.........

[skull2007]

Originally Posted by chucktx

sorry, you are not going to like my suggestion. throw it away. it is dangerous enough staying alive while rideing with out the distractions of telephones, gps's, and anything else you have to concentrate on to hear. if having a telephone conversation is that important while rideing....sell the bike and walk. to many people have turned the autos into an office and are killing folks because of it. now they are starting the same on a bike. when will people wake up. riding a bike is dangerous enough without the distractions of multi tasking. ride your bike to get away from the everyday humdruims and let your anxietys drift to the side of the road and you ride by. i do carry a phone when i ride....but it is in the saddle bag. when i am stopped i will use it, but only when the bike is on the stand!!!! this is my opinion and i know it will ruffle a few feathers.....but i never was one to hold my mind!!

could not agree more, too much crap on bikes, the less the better

[Panthera]

I always think it is amazing that people cannot do without cell phones, and 10 years ago few people had them. I also get amazed at people who absolutly have to answer every phone call, no matter what they are doing at the time, driving, using the toilet, whatever.

I use mine, as it is a handy tool, but it is just that, a tool. If I am busy, they can leave a message or call back number. If I don't feel like answering, I don't.

I fly a lot for work, and as a result I usually get business class upgrades when I fly in the States. It amazes me the number of business people that have to be on the phone all the time, micro-managing everything. I am glad they do not allow cell phones during the flight, as otherwise you would have a plane full of people talking loudly into the phones, and air travel is enough of a pain without that.

That is one of the reasons I like riding, no phone calls, no needless yakking, just me and the bike, cruising down the road.......

[Lucifer]

Originally Posted by Panthera

I always think it is amazing that people cannot do without cell phones, and 10 years ago few people had them. I also get amazed at people who absolutly have to answer every phone call, no matter what they are doing at the time, driving, using the toilet, whatever.

I use mine, as it is a handy tool, but it is just that, a tool. If I am busy, they can leave a message or call back number. If I don't feel like answering, I don't.

I fly a lot for work, and as a result I usually get business class upgrades when I fly in the States. It amazes me the number of business people that have to be on the phone all the time, micro-managing everything. I am glad they do not allow cell phones during the flight, as otherwise you would have a plane full of people talking loudly into the phones, and air travel is enough of a pain without that.

That is one of the reasons I like riding, no phone calls, no needless yakking, just me and the bike, cruising down the road.......

Exactly,they are a useful too,to be left in the glove box or saddlebag until needed. I have a cell phone and it sure did help when I broke down in the middle of nowhere on a roadtrip, didn't help me get the bike going again but a couple of calls and I got directions where to go when I did get it running.

[FLHTbiker]

Unfortunately there are those people that like me own there own business. Mine is a home inspection business and my cell phone is a very important tool. I don't use it for business when driving and especially so when riding. I will return calls while on the road as often as I can and yes it is a dang nuisance but it how I get jobs. If I don't answer a call it could mean a $500.00 to $2000.00 dollar loss in business. I'm a home inspector and that you might say is my life line to my business. I've booked jobs while on the road during vacation, in Vegas, at airports however I don't carry in the bathroom with me and on the road so far it's not rang while in the restroom. there has been times where I will put it on silent but still check it. For me like I said its my lifeline for my business otherwise I'd thrown the damn thing in the river.

[Panthera]

FLHT, you are right, it is a necessary evil sometimes, and also a downward spiral. Years ago before the cell phone, people could call your business, leave a message, and you could return the call later. Now, people expect to reach anyone, anywhere, and do not have patience to leave a message and wait for a return, they want to talk now.

[FLHTbiker]

Yep, people want it and expect it now. Just like their driving habits on the road. So many drivers are in to big of a hurry and its like don't get in my way or NO you can't change lanes that's my spot so I'll speed up and cut you off. Makes it real dangerous when riding a motorcycle in heavy traffic, which I avoid as much as possible.
If I had to wait to get back to my land phone to check messages the potential home inspection client would have already booked the inspection with another inspector.

[FlynDutchman]

Originally Posted by Panthera

That is one of the reasons I like riding, no phone calls, no needless yakking, just me and the bike, cruising down the road.......

Im with ya on that one man. I lose all distractions. My phone wallet, keys, pager all go in the bags when I'm riding. I can't tell ya how many times I look at the driver in front of me or to the side & see them on a phone or eating, or smoking, or driving with their foot hangin out the window. Its almost getting to the point where Id rather have a drunk driver in front of me, at least the only thing he is really TRYING to do is drive !!

[Lucifer]

Originally Posted by FlynDutchman

Im with ya on that one man. I lose all distractions. My phone wallet, keys, pager all go in the bags when I'm riding. I can't tell ya how many times I look at the driver in front of me or to the side & see them on a phone or eating, or smoking, or driving with their foot hangin out the window. Its almost getting to the point where Id rather have a drunk driver in front of me, at least the only thing he is really TRYING to do is drive !!

Sad but true, if you see a defensive driver on the road nowadays he's prolly DUI.

What you said FLHT is bang on....and in the "instant " world we live in now you would loose business, but a minute or 2 to pull over and return the call should be quick enuf for potential customers, with the aggressiveness and inattentionon on the roads today is even more of a reason not to be distracted with a phone call.

[FLHTbiker]

Originally Posted by Lucifer

Sad but true, if you see a defensive driver on the road nowadays he's prolly DUI.

What you said FLHT is bang on....and in the "instant " world we live in now you would loose business, but a minute or 2 to pull over and return the call should be quick enuf for potential customers, with the aggressiveness and inattentionon on the roads today is even more of a reason not to be distracted with a phone call.

Lucifer, that is exactly what I do is pull over and get the info and so far everyone has not had a problem with that. However if they had to wait for me to get back to my office, retrieve their call then call them back, then that they won't wait for. Shoot, I have people call me up and ask if I can come right over and do the inspection when I'm already doing an inspection and don't understand when I say I'm doing an inspection right now. They are usually given 7 business days to have their inspection completed and many times wait until the last minute. If their Realtor calls its usually much easier as they call right away and understand about the need to return a call.
It's really become a strange world we live in today.

[SK]

I was riding over to my doctor this morning and had to dodge some lady going close to 80 in a 60 with a cell phone glued to her ear..not paying attention to me, that's for sure. I just got back riding to Sacramento, CA via the back of the Sierra's (riding different routes back from the one went over on). One thing I liked about riding around Sacramento for a change is the lack of cell phones stuck to ears of drivers since the law went into effect a couple of months ago. I really noticed the difference. You can't use a cell phone driving unless it's hands-free, and you can't use a cell phone period if you're a driver under 18. With that said, I'm still looking at possibly going bluetooth helmet setup for the open road.

[hotroadking]

I don't see the difference in a bluetooth headset glued to your ear and a phone held to your ear.

What is the big difference in safety when the conversation, which is the distracting point, is still being held.

It's like outlawing soap in a shower to keep you from slipping on the wet floor....

Plus at least with a phone being held up I know who to avoid.

Yesterday driving back from Daytona, guy pulls in front of me to "get in front" you know the move... Then proceeds to drive 5 mph under the limit, weaving slightly doesn't care who is now backed up (10 cars behind him no passing area) I can see he's on the phone, as his hand is up to the ear.

[FLHTbiker]

So with all this talk about hands-free or cell phones then should we ban people who hold conversations with others in a vehicle. What's the difference? I see men and women having intense conversations going on while driving with hand movements and looking at the person they are talking to. You don't think that is not just as dangerous....ever watch the driver to see how much time they really don't have their eyes on the road. Should we ban kids in vehicles that distract the driver, we know they do all of the time. I was coming back from the Oregon coast a couple of weeks ago and was directly behind this guy that also had 2 passengers in the car with him. I noticed that he kept looking down all the time and then would constantly be looking at the people in the car with him as they had a pretty good conversation going on. Several times as cars slowed to a stop he had to slam on his brakes at the last second to keep from rear ending the vehicle in front of him. I could have passed him but decided to stay put as it was safer being behind him versus being in front of him. We all have to really be in guard all of the time with no matter what is going on in other vehicles.

[hotroadking]

That was kind of my point......

It's the ninny behind the wheel as much as the task at hand.

[SK]

Originally Posted by FLHTbiker

So with all this talk about hands-free or cell phones then should we ban people who hold conversations with others in a vehicle. What's the difference?

I've asked that myself for several years. There's literally a million ways to be distracted, these are just a few.

Originally Posted by FLHTbiker

I could have passed him but decided to stay put as it was safer being behind him versus being in front of him.

Exactly, done that more 'n I can count. Though I love it when you come up behind a big rig and the cager's a little stuck. If you can pass em both, then just leave the cager in the dust.

[Lucifer]

[quote=hotroadking;45651]I don't see the difference in a bluetooth headset glued to your ear and a phone held to your ear.

What is the big difference in safety when the conversation, which is the distracting point, is still being held.

I don't see the difference either.

It would be nice if we could ban stupidity on the roads, it sure would make a lot of room on them then and a little safer, but that ain't gonna happen.
We've all been in situations where some yoyo is yakking away and nearly caused an accident whether on a phone or to other people in the car,but I think adding the use of hands free devices is just adding more thing to make it more dangerous to be out there.

[hotroadking]

I can see where the hands free dialing would be helpful, I have the earpiece and have used it, better than holding a phone and it keeps both hands available, you know you need that extra hand to hold the double express half calf half soy mocha frappa latte

[SK]

Originally Posted by hotroadking

...you know you need that extra hand to hold the double express half calf half soy mocha frappa latte

While doing her makeup with the other hand while blasting 80 down the freeway because they're late for work.

[chucktx]

well the worst distraction i have had while driving......was some drunk chick "servicing me"...............

so yes, distractions come in all forms..............just one more reason to be super carefull when ya out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stay safe!!!!!!!!