Filtering

[geek]

Are you suggesting then that the horn (as with headlight flashing) has no meaningful purpose other than aggression?

hmmm....

the horn is almost pointless. riding around London you'll know that if a pedestrian jumps out, horning them is often counter-productive as they'll then freeze / panic / change direction, causing a worse incident.

i think the only times i use the horn is on stupid car drivers who block the lane when crossing a T junction (turning right across the traffic). very popular in town when busy. and stupid people who change lanes at the lights, for no reason and without looking. i think both of those count as aggression.....

and its rare that you find anyone that recalls the Highway Code version of what it means to flash your lights. the 'Code and common driving courtesy are opposite to each other.

 

[Droopy Dick]

One of the hardest things to get students to start doing in advanced riding courses is to make use of the audible warning device. There are no horns any more, it seems.

They have value in urban settings, but even more in rural settings at very tight acute bends. Of course, you still need to slow down. There's no guarantee that the guy in the land Rover coming the other way can hear you over the noise of his diesel, or the chav in his 207 over his bass boom.

But a decent 'parp' might just save you from running right into something.

Of course, it might just startle the horse that's round the bend which will come flying round into you.

 

[brassmonkey001]

The only time a horn is of any real use is if you're at a junction and the dick in front has stuck his van in reverse and is coming towards you.
By the time I think I should have a toot on my horn, I'm already braking anyway, which I'd rather be doing than sounding the horn. I prefer to be in control of my own destiny, not hoping someone might hear my distress and act appropriately (or not).

 

[cookie]

The only time a horn is of any real use is if you're at a junction and the dick in front has stuck his van in reverse and is coming towards you.
By the time I think I should have a toot on my horn, I'm already braking anyway, which I'd rather be doing than sounding the horn. I prefer to be in control of my own destiny, not hoping someone might hear my distress and act appropriately (or not).

i quite agree.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

I've found the Stebel Magnum very useful on the Motorway. Not when filtering, but when overtaking, and the fool on the inside just edges out towards me. The cars visually twitch when they sharpy change their intended manouvre.

After having been followed by another GS with the Hella DEs turned on, I've realised how valuable they are in alerting traffic to my presence. The light pattern is so odd that it attracts attention. Several of my workmates have commented on this as I approach them when filtering on the Motorway.

It is easier filtering on the GS, than on my Yamaha Divvy, I put this down to the lights................Although when the traffic has actually stopped, I'd rather filter on the Divvy.

Droopy, one place where it is guaranteed to get a blow of the hornaugie) is the narrow hump back bridge on Allington Lane. I'm sure you must be familiar with it, West End to Fairoak road. Kiss of death not to, applies to both bike & car. Strangely my partner who is an IAM has to be told by me to do this, even then she only gives it the shortest touch. Many people are reluctant to use it. ( just re read this, far too many double entendres)

 

[gopher]

Thanks to all

Thanks to all who replied. It's given me some things to think about. Especially the use of the horn and main beam when filtering (I tend never to use main beam when filtering and occasionally use the horn but only when someone IS going to come into my path). I think, for me anyway, not 'auto filtering' (instead I try to evaluate each opportunity on its own merits) has helped to keep me up so far.

Cheers again

 

[wilbjr21]

I'm afraid that I'm against the use of Main Beam. You cannot estimate the speed of a bike if it is blinding you. It irritates me, so it will irritate others who may hinder as a reaction - does happen. Dipped beam is much better.

 

[robf650]

Hazard Light

Has anyone considered the use of hazard lights when filtering?

It is recommended in some European countries.

 

[Surrey_gareth]

I just ride like everyone is going to kill me, mainly because a lot of them try, but all of them are more than capable of doing so without realising!

The fee of bike vs car Sh!t me up as I was lucky to not have mashed my leg up once, although I was at walking pace!

I commute from Surrey to Leicester Sq where I work, and on a daily basis I'm avoiding problems just watching body language, driving language, angle stopped at, looking at front wheel and kind of car etc... works for me!

I found with my (ex) wife on the back, she felt much better when I pointed out what some idiot was going to do, hanging back and watching them do it.

The most important thing I believe is not to be complacent. Always admit there is more to learn and you've never "seen it all"

Gareth.

 

[bowser]

filtering

Heres my but.

Filtering in this country is grey area, but some basic facts.

1. It is considered a ''risk activity'' so regardless of fault in an accident you WILL have to accept a proportion of the responsibility.

2. You can filter at low speed, but it traffic is moving at much more than walking pace then the boys in blue will probably consider it without due care and attention. Filtering at 50+ when traffic is doing 30+ on the motorway on a Friday afternoon, is a definate no no, now we have all done it, I have but you have to accept that in an accident you will be found responsible and if Traffic spot you the you will get a ticket for it.

3. Driving with your lights on is NOT always a saftey measure. The mind attempts to judge speed by using the rate that an object will get biger, and with motorcycles it is the outline of the vehicle and rider. Now put a damn great bright light in the middle of the outline, YES you see the object more easily, however the light breaks up the outline and makes it much more difficult to jidge the speed of the object.
So while you are more likley to be seen it doesent actualy make you less likley to be pulled out on. Not my opinion but research done by I think Sussex University, about 10 years ago.

So choice is yours. Personaly I think load pipes save lives ;-)

 

[cookie]

2. You can filter at low speed, but it traffic is moving at much more than walking pace then the boys in blue will probably consider it without due care and attention. Filtering at 50+ when traffic is doing 30+ on the motorway on a Friday afternoon, is a definate no no, now we have all done it, I have but you have to accept that in an accident you will be found responsible and if Traffic spot you the you will get a ticket for it.

police don't seem to care IME.

 

[bowser]

filtering

IMHO Speaking as a copper with 20 years experiance, I would agree I couldnt give a damn, and I know that most of the time certainly in major urban areas, there is lots else to worry about. However there are some areas of the country, and some of the motorways where the 'job' are very jobsworth, and unfortunatley every force has its Pain in the arse traffic cop who wants to ticket everything that moves, and never heard of of the words polite/reasonable or discression.

 

[cookie]

IMHO Speaking as a copper with 20 years experiance, I would agree I couldnt give a damn, and I know that most of the time certainly in major urban areas, there is lots else to worry about. However there are some areas of the country, and some of the motorways where the 'job' are very jobsworth, and unfortunatley every force has its Pain in the arse traffic cop who wants to ticket everything that moves, and never heard of of the words polite/reasonable or discression.

a fair warning.

 

[Boxerboy55]

Yep! They're all out to kill us.

I just ride like everyone is going to kill me, mainly because a lot of them try, but all of them are more than capable of doing so without realising!
Gareth.

My view too. Time and a place for everything. Be it full throttle or brakes. Try driving / riding outside sleepy-hollow, a.k.a. UK, and you soon know what use of lights and horns is all about.

They're intended to give audio / visual warning of your presence. Absolutely vital, when drivers and pedestrians are TOTALLY oblivious to you.

I find it strange that there are peeps who do not / will not use the horn under any circumstances. It's just one of many useful features on our vehicles.

(try asking an IAM instructor about Cruise Control - LOL )

 

[Droopy Dick]

(try asking an IAM instructor about Cruise Control - LOL )

The IAM doesn't have 'instructors'. They have 'Observers'.

Indeed they make a strong point about not giving instruction to Associates and that all you should do is 'suggest they consider' a certain course of action.

This is all to avoid any liability in the event things go pear-shaped.

But I reckon it'd take a 1st year Law student to convince a Court that 'observing and making suggestions' if instructing with another name.