[bluesock943]

I didn't want to hijack the other "Cage" thread, but something that has been an issue for me over the past year has been visibility from the driver's seat of my vehicle.

Last January I traded a 95 Honda Passport for an 06 Nissan Xterra. It's a nice vehicle, but the visibility from the driver's seat is terrible. Being that I also ride a motorcycle, I am already pretty cautious of my blind spots, but compared to the Honda, I have become overly cautious. It's not only the blind spots in the back, but the roof supports in the front on either side of the windshield seem wider and restrict the view from the front as well.

Needless to say, when on my bike, I stay as far away from Xterras as possible. I advise the same of everyone else here.

Obviously all cars have their blind spots and one should never assume anything about other drivers on the road, but I was curious what other people here thought of the visibility from their vehicles.

-Markus

 

[Bhakti-rider]

The pickup is good; the coupe is OK - I can keep situational awareness.

When I ride (which I don't do in the severly limited traction in the wet), I so far have survived by maintaining my "SA" all the time, so it doesn't matter what type of vehicles are around me as long as I know what's where.

 

[Riven]

The Colorado is fine in the rear-view, but strangely enough the A-pillars block a lot more than I'd like.

I used to drive a Miata, and they have great visibility, unless the top is up... :-D

 

[richb]

Beware also of Merc SUV's. I've never owned one but been in one, and their wing mirrors do not make up for the massive windscreen pillars and door frames and big high arse that basically limits the driver to what he can see out of his window right next to him. Also tend to be driven by morons (quickly checks "What cage" thread to see I haven't offended anyone!!), which doesn't help.

 

[Ruxton]

You're exactly right with your observation Markus. I have a 1966 Dodge Phoenix, which is an Australian assembled version of the Plymouth Fury. They are a big car. From the drivers seat I can see all four extremities of the vehicle. That car is a piece of cake to park for that reason.

I think the car makers have gone to thick pillars in order to try and get some strength due to the steep rake of modern windshields and so on.

Cheers,

Russ

 

[alfacliff]

With the top down on my alfa, visibility is nearly unlimited. with the top up, kinda up to the top manufacturer, there seems to be no standardization in size of rear windows.
cliff

 

[hkt100]

I used to have a97 corolla and it had excellent visibility and nice and quiet. dunno why i really changed - maybe tesosterone. so i bought a new hyundai tuscon in 2005. the strut on the front right side (my driving side here) blocks my forward vision. and the angle of windshield is such the rain is noisier than the corolla. strange.

 

[Normandy]

Had a dodge neon with it's fat butt in the rear view mirror and if visibility wasn't bad enough, they put a spoiler on it. Got rid of the piece of junk.

 

[Guest]

I think you guys are on to something. The trend in cages is definitely to create more of a "cage". All the side and head airbags, crumple zones and increased roof support adds up to more plastic and less glass. I think this is a dangerous trend and I don't think it's going to get any better. My '79 scout doesn't have a single blind spot in the almost 10 feet from the windshield to the lift glass. It has a light weight fiberglass top with almost no roof support so it's glass all the way around. I think safety is important, but how safe can you be when you can't see what's around you!

 

[Talishar]

The windshield (A post?) on Saturns creates a massive blind spot on left turns, I'm forever shifting seat positions to see around it on lefts.
A friend has a PT Cruiser. She wrecked once and has had several near misses doing lane changes. She said there is a huge blind spot. Beware of PT's with turnsignals on.

 

[ocguyocguy]

Some cars have worse visibility than others BUT I would suggest that most cage drivers are unaware of motorcycles around them no matter how good the visibility. When I ride I try to pretend they don't see me. I prepare for a dumb move on their part. I ride like I am invisible to the car drivers to keep myself from getting wacked...it does not matter who had the right of way if you get killed. Most drivers are looking for other cars, boxes (cages) around them and just simply do not see you on a motorcycle regardless of what vehicle they drive.
Ride safe out there. When riding a motorcycle pretend your invisible and you will avoid alot of trouble...I have had my share of accidents...