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I would encourage everyone who rides to wear protective gear.However, what's more important to me is mine and your personal freedoms. I'd rather have the freedom to make that choice rather than having the government tell me they'll make it for me.

This article is copied from the above link I had posted..

Riding at Dawn
It is very important when riding at dawn to be very aware of unexpected sun glare. I'm writing this training article on a real life experience that recently happened to me in hopes that it will help to alert my fellow motor officers.

Last month (October 2005) at around 7:30 in the morning, I was headed to work traffic enforcement at a local school. The weather conditions on that day were clear and sunny. Morning traffic is always slow on the Interstate. I was traveling with speeds fluctuating from 25 to 35 MPH.

The sun was extremely bright and because I was traveling from west to east the occasional glare was blinding even though I was wearing sunglasses. As I crested the top of a bridge the unexpected happened. The sun suddenly blinded me at the same time a Ford Explorer came to an abrupt stop in front of me. Because the unexpected sun glare temporarily blinded I never saw the brake lights or the vehicles ahead of me slowing to a stop until it was too late.

Instinctively I tried to apply what I had learned through training and squeezed the front brake firmly like an orange and pressed my rear brake firm but still maintaining rolling friction. I was unable to stop in time and violently struck the rear of the Ford Explorer. My motorcycle was totaled and I was taken to the ER. I have learned since the accident that I will have surgery on my left shoulder because I tore the labrum around my shoulder when it dislocated when I went over the handlebars. I also have some bone chips in my shoulder that need to be removed.

I know the first thing that comes to mind is that I was following too close. I have replayed this collision over and over in my mind and I still feel like I maintained a good following distance under the normal roadway conditions for that Interstate.

In trying to think if anything else could have been done, it happened so quickly I did not have time to counter steer to the left or right. Plus, there was no room anyway to go to the right because of cars and no room to the left because of a concrete retaining wall. I did not have time to attempt a control lay down, so I applied the brakes.

What I would like to pass onto my fellow motor officers is that you must be aware of bright sunlight not only in the morning, but at dusk too. Even with sunglasses on, the sun glare can affect you suddenly and without warning. I probably should have created a greater following distance as I began to drive towards the top of the bridge and took into consideration the possible effect of the sunlight.

I've been riding for 15 years, and even though I know about the dangers we face each day I never thought that the bright sun could be a potential hazard. Remember on a bright sunny morning, when everything is going great; your boots are shined, your uniform is pressed, you're getting a smile from the blonde in the convertible and you're thinking, "I can't believe they actually pay me to do this" don't loose track of your surroundings. Keep your mind in the game and remember you need to be alert. Always scan ahead of you and work your way back. Look for all potential hazards and check your side mirrors. This should be a constant habit looking out in front and scanning your way back and don't forget about the sun.

Stay safe and ride safe.

Sergeant Rob Grimsley
Motor Instructor
Charleston County Sheriff's Office

Thanks for all the suggestions....

Since posting this, I've done my own "research"...via You Tube and came up with this product....

www.super-visor.com/


This guy.....actually suggest a strip of black tape on top of your visor as a method.

I do a lot of driving in the dark. I leave my home at about 445am.

I use a Gmax modular helmet that has flashing led red light on the back
I use reflective tape on back of my Givi case
Armored Jacket
Gloves
Leather high top boots

I went to my weekly Bible study last Thursday evening. I pulled up on my Burgman and I got a response from one guy who said and I quote..."If it had been a Harley, I'd been impressed." I then asked him what he rode and he said, he used to ride a Harley but, his wife made him give riding up years ago when he was involved in two incidents back to back. I said..that's not "cool"

Then at the end of the night, another guy approached me as I was getting ready to pull away, he thought my scoot was really cool. Then the next day two women complimented the bike as I was filling my tank up.

Moral of the story...some guys like things BIG, especially here in Texas. For whatever reason they think BIG is cool. BIG pick-up trucks are very common. It's a macho thing imo.....some guys must be motivated by some sort of psychological insecurity they possess. They have to prove to everyone bigger is better.

Personally, I love all the storage room the Burgman possess.On guy on You Tube had his Burgman 400 clocked at 170 KM.....that's 106 mph to you an me. I'll never need to go that fast, but it's nice to know it can. I also think the Burgman is safer to ride. No downshifting in case of the need for a sudden stop. Yea, sometimes I have to deal with the "cool factor"...but, hey. at 54, "coolness" is not a priority anymore. I'm riding, and the Harley guy with the wife....well he hasn't been riding in years.

I park in a lot provided for employees....The bike is under constant surveillance by a guard who processes a AR-15, a shotgun and a 357 magnum........I work at a prison. ;-)