Commuter Rants & Obs'

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by gazzatheyid, Aug 23, 2019.

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  1. gazzatheyid

    gazzatheyid Senior Member

    Dec 22, 2016
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    Shropshire
    #1 gazzatheyid, Aug 23, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2019
    Hey guys,

    So it's been 3 weeks since I bought a Thundercat for my commute (protecting the new Triple!) and it's been an experience!

    I've learnt more over this short period more than my 2 years of short and occasional journey on my old Striple. My thoughts (I know most are a common occurrence just looking for opinions):

    1: Observing other riders on the motorway has picked me up good (and maybe bad!) habits. On the nightmare car park that is the M6, undertaking and tight filtering from bikers is obviously common at varying speeds. For me filtering between lorries or those oversized tin can 4x4 monstrosities (usually with driver taking a call, phone to ear) can be scary at times!

    2. F**cking idiots in the BMW/Audi category flicking between lanes with no indication are the bikers enemy (its always them isn't it and they are up my backside when I'm doing 64 on a 60 advisory). I try to educate these numpties by papping at them and pointing at the indicator as I go past with mainly confused looks from said w*nker!!

    3. On the glorious M54 (no speed cameras) everyone loves to sit in the second lane and block the traffic when there is miles of free lane in the first one. Other riders seem to combat this by undertaking/filtering at high speed.

    4. When there is plenty of glorious space to accelerate in to in lane 2 on the M54 there is an oblivious driver (usually a woman and this is a factual observation!) doing 5 mph above the limit in the slow lane without a care in the world with no idea a motorcycle is behind them trying to get past!

    It's certainly an eventful commute between the motorways with different aspects to motorcycle motorway riding.

    Oh and the once I did take the new Triple the s*hit mirrors got a whack as they are far to high and stick out badly (come on Triumph, a 9k bike with p*ss poor mirrors and levers!). I won't be taking her on a commute out again, but that was the point of the Thundercat I suppose.
     
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  2. freck

    freck Elite Member

    May 4, 2017
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    Preston, Lancs, UK
    Have you never driven on motorways before?
    This is all just normal behaviour from all the idiots on the road isn’t it? And not indicating isn’t just reserved for BMW and Audi drivers, it seems to have infected all makes of car. :confused:
     
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  3. gazzatheyid

    gazzatheyid Senior Member

    Dec 22, 2016
    271
    113
    Shropshire
    A limited amount in all honesty and usually pay no attention when the Mrs drives! I know this is generally normal was just looking for some thoughts on my observations.

    The BMW and Audi drivers are definitely the biggest tankers though.

    I think the most annoying thing is lorries overtaking lorries at 0.2mph faster. Depending on my mood at silly time in the morning I may give these some stick when I eventually go past!

    Commuting and thinking someone has cost you time to get to work has affected my outlook (I never used to get angry on a ride!) which I know isn't good but I still enjoy the journey.
     
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  4. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
    7,194
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    Mate, from someone who does a lot of mileage on motorways etc on both bike and in car, it’s not a challenge ok I know there’s people out there that do more than me, I know where you’re coming from and from a bike point of view a chill pill is the best thing for self preservation.
     
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  5. gazzatheyid

    gazzatheyid Senior Member

    Dec 22, 2016
    271
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    Shropshire
    Definitely I've chilled recently after a couple of talks from people around me. Trying to beat the best time was a stupid death wish.

    It's not horrendous every day, just venting my occasional frustrations and like I say I enjoy it. I'm not a morning person and that doesn't help at times haha

    I was just looking for the consensus really on others motorway habits.
     
  6. freck

    freck Elite Member

    May 4, 2017
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    You’ve got to have a bit of sympathy for the lorry drivers, they’re physically restricted on speed so can’t overtake at anything other than the tiny bit of difference.
    If they back off a bit because of a slightly slower lorry then they’d never get anywhere, and it takes an age to get back that bit of lost momentum.
     
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  7. freck

    freck Elite Member

    May 4, 2017
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    And don’t get suckered into the habit of undertaking.
    It seems to have become much more prevalent these days with more morons on the road. It is just asking for trouble, especially on a bike where you’re more vulnerable.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. gazzatheyid

    gazzatheyid Senior Member

    Dec 22, 2016
    271
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    They are the sole cause of slow traffic on the M54 at times. The gain they get seems practically zero and serves to delay every motorist behind them.

    Aren't they restricted to the first lane?
     
  9. gazzatheyid

    gazzatheyid Senior Member

    Dec 22, 2016
    271
    113
    Shropshire
    Is a regular occurrence from the bikers who pass me. I have on rare occasions out of frustration (see oblivious female example above) though.

    Biking is obviously an ever developing skill to master and I'm not there yet.
     
  10. capt

    capt Elite Member

    May 8, 2016
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    Undertaking is *'Permitted'* and totally legal in All States and Territories in Australia !! And it cause's very few problems ! As everyone KNOWS it will occur WE check a!! Three mirrors before a lane change ! Nearly everyone indicates , although some seem to think it's OK to do it As You Change Lane !

    This has the effect of "All Lanes Used" so a two lane highway in Australia would probably carry more through traffic more quickly than a three lane in the UK ???

    I've seen cars/trucks/motorcycles pass at very high speeds in the left lane , when traffic gets stuck in the right lane due to breakdown's . Australian driver's don't filter very well though and don't even mention merging at on and of ramp's :( :)

    Capt
     
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  11. gazzatheyid

    gazzatheyid Senior Member

    Dec 22, 2016
    271
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    Shropshire
    This is why I love Australia! The drive through off licenses sold it to me before taking in to account the people and weather!

    On the lorry issue, an actual EU law that makes sense (I know!) apparently restricts there speed or lane to ensure the flow of traffic.
     
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  12. capt

    capt Elite Member

    May 8, 2016
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    There are freeway lane restrictions for semi/road trains in Australia too , mostly in the Cities and outer suburbs
     
  13. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2015
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    No they can use all except the outside lane so two lanes on a three lane motorway and three lanes on a four lane stretch etc. If you think it’s bad on the M54 try using the M1 or any other four plus lane motorway. I fuckin hate motorways since they put in the fourth lane cos lane discipline was bad before but it’s absolutely non existent now and because there is no hard shoulder (big fuckin mistake) you don’t see any police patrols cos they’ve nowhere to stop folk who can’t drive properly.
     
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  14. freck

    freck Elite Member

    May 4, 2017
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    I was taught that you should indicate anytime that your move may affect another driver, so changing lane on a motorway for example, where another car may be coming up on you from behind warrants indicating.
    Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t anticipate what’s going on around them and they pull out, often without indicating making others slow down or have to change lanes.
     
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  15. Notso

    Notso Senior Member

    Dec 17, 2018
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    Yep, I am a regular on the motorway. Have seen and agree with all except the the bit about someone doing the speed limit needing to get out of your way so you can speed, seems a little dual standard to me!

    Time pressure is a killer, I hate riding with it and try not to think about it whilst moving, but it isn't easy, especially on a commute, or going to meet someone.

    Came out of the cafe after a ride at the weekend and there was a fella on a BMW RnineT up the backside of a car with an older lady driving, he was swearing at her. Not sure what she did to him, but it was just after a junction, so maybe she pulled out on him. Seemed like a way to ruin a good ride out to me, the numpties don't really get to me but the aggressive 'me first' lot that you mention, do get me going now and then. To me numpties are making a mistake, but the 'me first' lot knowingly put you at risk so they can get ahead.
     
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  16. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    Oct 3, 2018
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    Two miles an hour slower clearly means they will only be two miles further away than they would have been after an hour ;);)
    I learnt many years ago that the extra speed I was traveling at to get to my destination only really afforded me an extra ten minutes or so over a long journey :cool::cool:
    Don't get me wrong I still "make progress" but the speed/risk vs time saved is not necessarily worth it and actually the productivity lost by the hold up of lines of traffic behind two lorries using 5 miles of road to overtake each other far exceeds the gains of the one truck maintaining that extra two miles an hour :rolleyes::rolleyes:
     
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  17. freck

    freck Elite Member

    May 4, 2017
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    Yes, but if your livelihood depends on getting cargo to destinations on time or a certain number of loads per week then the cumulative effect of all those extra ten minutes may mean the difference between a business’s survival or failure
     
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  18. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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  19. SpeedTwin1200

    SpeedTwin1200 Senior Member

    Jul 21, 2019
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    Hampshire
    That link didn't work for me, try this...

    https://publications.europa.eu/en/p...54790/language-en/format-PDF/source-103250434

    I think it's the same document.
    Anyway I think that there are not nearly enough "no overtaking" signs for lorries. They have them abroad for good reason.



    Quite often now I use cruise control in my van (which doesn't have the radar!) and it creates a new challenge to overtaking but highlights the variable levels of concentration/inability to maintain a constant speed by others, especially in average speed limited sections of road and 50mph limits.

    So gaining on a vehicle whilst on cruise means that you might only pass them at +1mph, but your'e still making progress. The trick that the lorry drivers don't care about because of their size, is to overtake without getting in the way or changing the speed of anyone behind you.

    no-overtaking-by-lorries-traffic-sign-sign.png
     
  20. SpeedTwin1200

    SpeedTwin1200 Senior Member

    Jul 21, 2019
    261
    113
    Hampshire
    A couple of responses to Gazza's experiences;

    There is a difference between filtering and overtaking (and undertaking). When does filtering become overtaking? Car drivers often have a different view to us. Rule 88 says "Additionally, when filtering in slow-moving traffic, take care and keep your speed low."

    It also says "Position yourself so that drivers in front can see you in their mirrors." I've certainly noticed as a car driver that you are much more likely to notice movement or a headlight in your offside mirror as it is well within your peripheral vision. You don't need to move your head or eyes to see that mirror whereas you do need to move to see the nearside mirror as it's on the edge of peripheral.

    So I bear that in mind and don't expect anyone to notice me coming up the inside of them. They don't want any surprises and we don't either! No one reacts well.

    I always visualise the consequences of getting pushed by a car or wobbling into the side of an HGV so I give them a wide berth.

    There is no such thing as tailgating in my world, just some numpty that doesn't understand the difference between queueing, following the car in front at their maximum speed and finishing an overtake. If the car in the way sees a bike "tailgating" to signal his/her intentions to pass, they willfully ignore this tactic as they know the bike can / will undertake.

    So I've made an effort to stop doing this on a bike, especially as there are so many "brake-testers" around these days. You can ususlly spot the lane-hoggers ahead so I plan my move without getting too close to vent my frustration/exasperation.

    In a car or on the bike, I have also started to ask myself two questions; "can I overtake?" followed by "should I overtake?" I know I can, but there have been plenty of times that being patient has paid off.

    https://www.bikerandbike.co.uk/filtering-motorbike-whats-law/

    Some good advice here too;

    https://www.bikerandbike.co.uk/filtering-best-practice/

    Mind how you go!
     
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