Convex Mirror Field of View?

Does the SWing have convex mirrors on both sides, right side, or no sides! My SWing mirror has a nominal size of 5.25x3.25; however, there is a mirror that is 6.25x4.25 - but it is not convex (i.e., flat glass)[Here is a link for cruiser mirrors - 4.25 x 6.25 inches. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALL-Suzuki-LS-650-Savage-S40-Boulevard-Chrome-BIG-MIRRORS-left-right-/271017844596?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f19ec1f74&vxp=mtr]. Just wondering if this is a better option than my stock SWing OEM mirror? What is your favorite mirror that gives you the best field of view? Thanks.

My mirrors are flat.
On previous, similarly-equipped maxis I stuck little convex mirrors on the corners.
I haven't found rear vision a problem with the stock mirrors, though - except for the usual 'they don't stick out far enough' one and I cured that with extenders.

Yesterday I went to 4 MC dealers to look at mirrors - maybe 8-10 brands in total. All the new bikes, according to the dealers, seem to have convex mirrors (at least on one side) - and they have been that way for some time. Only HDs actually have text on the mirror that objects appear closer than they are - none of the others have text. Most mirrors are not that much wider than the SWing mirror; however, the bigger cruisers/tourers have mirrors around 6inches wide (SWing is 5.25 in wide) - with the Goldwing being the only truly big mirror at nearly 7 inches wide (plus a lot higher - but I am mostly interested in width if it provides a bigger field of view).

Next I looked at 2 SWings (2003 and 2008) using a straight edge of cardboard - clearly all of the mirrors (left/right) are convex - and the convexity is close to both Goldwing GL1500 mirrors. I have 3 car - two of which have right hand mirrors that are more convex than the SWing and one of which is about the same convexity of a SWing.

A bigger flat mirror may not have a field of view any bigger than my SWing mirrors - it may even have less field of view.

Like most on this forum - I have/like my mirror extenders - but still wish to have more field of view. I don't like those little convex things that stick to your mirror - they are mighty small resulting in my taking too much time to focus on what I am seeing AND they take away valuable viewing from my main mirror (both time and space).

There seem to be two big hazards that I face where mirrors can clearly help. The first is when vehicles are travelling on my right (in same direction on freeway) and pulling into my lane (they just don't see me) - they can be ahead of me, alongside of me, or behind me and accelerating. The second is 'quick' stops (e.g., quick light change, vehicle turning left into my lane) with someone close behind. While mirrors are not the only way to avoid the foregoing hazards - they certainly help.

Maybe I just need to install a 2nd set of mirrors to increase my field of view as I don't think that a single set of mirrors is going to meet my needs.

Something like this;

Outrageous!

My VW Caddy has flat mirrors with a convex strip on the outer edge.
I shall do a search and see if I can find something similar for bikes.

I Googled 'blindspot mirrors' and looked at 'Images' - this caught my eye:

http://richardsolo.com/richardsolodrivingmirror.aspx

You need to scroll down until you see the picture of the extra mirror clamped on the mirror-stem.

MikeO wrote:

I Googled 'blindspot mirrors' and looked at 'Images' - this caught my eye:

http://richardsolo.com/richardsolodrivingmirror.aspx

Thanks Mike - Guess I need something like the RichardsonSolo. Whatever I get, I will add to this thread.

My 2007 Silverwing did not come with the standard recommended
warning printed on the mirrors :

"Caution objects will suddenly appear very far away as you accelerate"

I guess there just wasn't enough space

surlybiker58 wrote:

My 2007 Silverwing did not come with the standard recommended
warning printed on the mirrors :

"Caution objects will suddenly appear very far away as you accelerate"

I guess there just wasn't enough space

:lol!:

MikeO wrote:

this caught my eye:

http://richardsolo.com/richardsolodrivingmirror.aspx

You need to scroll down until you see the picture of the extra mirror clamped on the mirror-stem.

Which is close to the Saeng mirrors ( http://www.saeng.com/category.php?category=61 )

Better field of view is simple head check! Old CB750 mirrors work very well on SilverWing and arms are longer---Dennis Kirk good source.

john grinsel wrote:

Better field of view is simple head check!

A couple of questions

1) How long is your head check in seconds (and fractional seconds if you know)

2) How much distance did your simple head check cover

3) How many lanes did your your simple head check cover?

honda_silver wrote:

john grinsel wrote:

Better field of view is simple head check!

A couple of questions

1) How long is your head check in seconds (and fractional seconds if you know)

2) How much distance did your simple head check cover

3) How many lanes did your your simple head check cover?

I don't hink that any of the answers to those questions negate the effectiveness of the simple head check.

John is absolutely correct in calling it a better field of view. I was taught (as a lad) in drivers education to use the head check even in the car. This was reinforced in the MSF Basic and Advanced Riders Courses for bikes.

The head check will give far more info than any mirror. The field of view of the human eye (especially if you add periperal vision) exceeds that of any mirror that will be useable on a bike. If you use the head check you'll realize that it is far more effective than mirrors alone.