No one wants to be surprised when riding. Your job is to constantly scan traffic ahead, be aware of the vehicles beside you and the threats coming from behind. Your safety is contingent upon your ability to analyze traffic patterns. Staying out of blind spots is one important ways to minimize the surprise of a vehicle moving over on you.
Blind spots are generally defined as areas not visible in your mirrors. Good riding or driving practice will tell you to constantly scan your mirrors so that nothing coming up from behind surprises you. When you need to change lanes or deviate from your current path a shoulder check will confirm that nothing has snuck up beside you into a blind spot.
There are essentially two types of blind spots, yours and the other vehicles. Blind spots are dangerous places to be.
As a rider you need to be conscious of other drivers blind spot. Accelerate out of the danger zone or gradually decelerate being careful not to close the acceptable gap to a vehicle following you.
Many of the new cars have blind spot detection. If you glance at their side mirrors and see a red or yellow icon, you are probably riding in their blind spot.
Motorcycles also have blind spots. It is just as important for a motorcycle rider to do a right and left shoulder check before changing lanes or deviating from your current path. If you have been scanning traffic and using your mirrors, the process will be quick and easy.
For your motorcycle set-up make sure your mirrors are adjusted properly. If you only get a view of the bugs splattered on your elbow, readjust your mirrors or consider changing mirrors or adding mirrors extenders. The little stick-on convex mirrors can help as well.
