Convex Mirrors or Objects in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear

[HarveyCreek]

Has anyone have tried convex mirror(s) on their bike?

I'm fed up with the stock mirrors constantly going out of adjustment when I take the bike cover on and off (hey, got it keep it shiny). And heaven forbid if you try to adjust them while driving as it takes two hands and one holding a wrench to keep adjustment bolts tight. So I'm in the market for some after market mirrors. I'm currently leaning towards the Kuryakyn Magnum Plus mirrors, and saw that they have a convex glass version, and was thinking of doing what I have on my car with the right one being convex, and the left one flat glass.

[clockdaddy]

I have the 2" convex applied onto my regular mirrors and use both all the time.
I've driven vans for around 30 years and got used to using the convex mirrors to see in blind spots. It was just natural for me to put them on my bike, I've never regretted it. There have been several occassions when a car has moved into my blind area and the mirrors have saved me possible serious injury.

I wouldn't ride without 'em!

CD

[Uesque]

When I got my HD, it was the first bike I ever had with flat mirrors, which I thought I was going to like, and I did, mostly. I've since switched to convex, and I really like how much more of the road I see. I actually didn't switch because of the shape of the glass, the mirrors that came with the bike were the Live to Ride Ride to Live eagle design, and I wanted something simpler.

I'd say to go with convex on both sides, the only reason I can see to have flat mirrors is that it's easier to back up a truck or car, and you really don't have that problem on a bike.

[LowRiderGhost]

Mornin' HarveyCreek,

I honestly don't know a 'Convex' mirror from one that plays the Star Spangled Banner to tell the truth! :rolleyes: All I know is what surely seems to work for me, so perhaps might work for others (regardless of bike brand)?! :) Of all the bikes and assorted mirrors I’ve tried out, the ones that win hands down for me are the simple designed square-style (approximately 3 x 4 inches) that were used on most of the AMF years Harleys, either in the 5” or 7” stalk length versions (depending on your style handlebars).

With more then a few aftermarket versions available, you surely do NOT need a Harley to make use of these, and my current Victory in fact now has a set installed. So what’s the deal?! The mirrors are simple, not too costly to get and dog-gone it do the job of actually seeing what kind of morons are coming up from behind you at high-speed! Even the latest style H-D mirrors may look stylish but quite frankly are junk (can’t see diddly in em’!).

LRG http://www.iw.net/~praxsis/cruiser.gif

[Santo Rugger]

It seems to me that it'd be better to use either both flat or both convex mirrors. The reason the left is flat and right is convex in a car is because the right mirror is much farther away, so things are viewed at a much more obtuse angle. In order to encapsulate the area next to the car and get as much into the blind spot as possible; they can't use a flat mirror. If you're going to go to curved mirrors, you might as well do it on both sides, since they're at the same angle on a bike.

[HarveyCreek]

Thanks for the responses!
Right now I'm leaning towards getting both in the convex form. Until recently in the automobile world, if I wasn't driving my pickup, I mostly drove a classic mid 60's car that only had one mirror on the driver's side, and considered two mirrors a luxury. Heck, way back when I was 16, my first bike was a Honda CB160 that I got from my older brother that he'd dropped a few times while putting it up on the center stand. It only had one of the mirrors with glass until I could afford replacing the broken one.

[Dennis in NH]

I added convex mirrors (about 2" in diameter) to the section closest to center on each mirror. These help me overcome blind spots. The part closest to the center is the smallest area and the part that shows the least amount of view anyway.

I added the same convex mirrors to my cars -- again, to help overcome blind spots.

Dennis

[mattsmithe]

I could never get used to the convex mirrors. I hated them in cars and I dislike them on my bike, but I use them. Why, because it is more important to me to see the nut roaring around me before it is too late. I use one convex, on my left side, and flats on both sides. I do not use the convex that much, but if I want to know if anyone is in my bllnd spot, the flats are worthless.