Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Visibility & Safety

Leave plenty of room in front when stopped in traffic or at lights and watch mirror. When stuck in slow moving traffic on motorways I always use lane 1 and leave enough space in front so I can dive onto hard shoulder if necessary.

Good advice Keith. My advanced instructor taught me to always think where I would go, if things went wrong.

Probably the best and simplest solution. I believe recumbent bicycles have these - as did the unlamented Sinclair C5. For those who don't remember, or don't know of, the C5 here it is, complete with vital flagpole.

+1

My dear old Dad's advice to me when I was nobbut a lad and learning to drive.

I prefer to drive out in the middle of nowhere with no traffic, but I do take it into populated areas. I second the posts about escape route planning. Couple of other suggestions off the top of my head:

Pick a lane position where you are more visible. On 2 lane roads where someone might be turning left through my lane of traffic I sit closer to the center lines so that they don't see an opening and try to quickly zip through it. I also back up more lengths than normal. Not enough to encourage them to jump through the distance, but enough that I can be seen from farther away. That is just one example, but think a lot about lane position and visibility.

Take extra care on right hand turns from a stop sign or right on red. I've been tapped many times in a normal car where it does no damage in this scenario, but would severely damage the M3W. If someone is in front of me, I never look away, assuming that they are pulling through the corner while I check traffic. I look at their car, they may think they are going to pull away and then change there mind and stop hard. Next I slowly creep up to a line where I will be able to see, then stop and wait for my time. You don't really want to stop and go and stop again. The person behind you might assume you have gone and be looking at traffic and rear end you.

Another one is a left turn yield at a light on 2 lanes(one in particular trouble spot near me that I'm thinking of). Pull into the center of the intersection and cars whip around me, opening up the car behind them to hit me. Stop at the line and they might not expect it and hit me. I reduce speed slowly, and frequently turn right and then find somewhere safe to turn around. I'm never in a hurry to get to a destination when driving this car.

But like others said, watch all around and have escape routes planned.

Lights on and white or vibrant colored helmet. I also stay on the shoulder side of the road as this car can fit places others dare not follow...

I'm not sure, but I believe that in TX M3W's are considered motorcycles, as they only have three wheels...

I ride motorcycles and I too try to stay as visible as I can be. On my main bike, an '09 Harley CVO Road Glide, I have installed a headlight modulator which takes the headlights and varies the voltage from 100% down to around 50% and then back, repeating continuously. I have a photo cell that I mounted under the front of the fairing so when it gets dusk out, the photo cell turns the modulator off. This is the law.

Also the law is that these headlight modulators, on motorcycles, is 50 state legal.

I've had cars in the fast lane pull over thinking I was a cop... They work great.

Then on the rear I have a Backoff Module. This modulates the brake light or third brake light in a series of repeating flashing patterns. On mine I hit the brakes and the brake light comes on for a few seconds and then it flashes four times and then repeats with a long and then repeated flashes. This is constant as long as I keep the brakes applied.

They are both very noticeable to the drivers around me. But being stuck at a light in front of another stopped car and that car being rear ended and subsequently you getting nailed.

Click Here For Modulators

I also agree with getting a light of some sort up higher into the line of sight of the car behind you. I believe that a third brake light could be nicely mounted between the two roll bar hoops. A modulator on this would also be my choice.

I've also installed LED headlights and taillights on a couple of my motorcycles and they do a LOT to get attention. In the day time I always ride with my high beam on. I get a few flashes, but at least they see me.

Good luck and I hope you have more time to enjoy your M3W again.

I like this idea. My town have recently installed stop signs surrounded by blinking led lights. No accidents since installed. They really get your attention.

TomS

I think you have just described the Australian M3W's high level rear stop light Dan. Part #U340032, mounted on pedestal #T400037.

The common to all models 2014 on wiring loom includes a socket dedicated to feed this light.

I vote for LED's across or following the curve of the roll hoops. I think there are quite a number of options available now, especially through aftermarket motorcycle suppliers.

I did that using a conventional light back in the 80's on a sissy bar on the back of a motorcycle. I bet you can find something reasonable in form and cost.

Guys, thanks so much for the great advice. Sounds like I need to seriously explore alternative lighting options in the back, as suggested by Dan and others, I particularly like the modulator and LED combos.

As a new motorcycle-world driver, it can't hurt to keep refining my instincts, as well.

Gabriel