GSA Filtering

[Stevie73]

I filter when I have to, but I hate doing it. I find it really stressful, but preferable to sitting in a line of stationary traffic. I ride with panniers on most of the time, and if there's a gap that looks a bit tight, a few blips on the throttle with the clutch in alerts the driver and they normally move over. I do have a loud pipe with the baffle out though...

 

[Paul Wakefield]

No need for high beam I find.

A wave of thanks works wonders - people in front start moving over for you (this is during rush hour when the drivers tend to be better). Never ceased to surprise me how many are actually using their mirrors.

Not really a problem with the panniers; they feel wider psychologically mainly because they are out of sight but, as above, if the mirrors go through, the panniers probably will. IIRC they are only 10mm wider so no difference in the real world.

I can get computer and files in the top box as well as some other bits and pieces; obviously depends on how big your computer is but might be worth trying.

 

[Slowdown]

I filter at my own pace and keep a good eye out for bikes behind in the mirrors - I just move out of their way and they zoom past.

Fog/driving lights and a HID low beam definately get you noticed.

 

[GSmonkey]

Definately all in the head. My scoot that I use daily for commuting is 10 times less work whislt filtering, but you can be 90% as effective on the GSA c/w Ali panniers. Oncomming drivers do have that WTF moment when they see you coming through!

 

[andyclift]

GS with Varios, GS with ali Zegas and now GSA with ali panniers. Yes, if the bars go through so will the rest.

I do have an issue though with closing gaps. I never filter between moving vehicles. As noted on other posts I would have to second guess other drivers who have a habit of wandering in the lane and changing lane without checking mirrors or indicating. Although most drivers are pretty good about giving as much space as possible (if only to protect their own paintwork) but there is always the arshole who decides that if he/she can't move, neither are you so tries to shut the gap.

I always keep my spot lights on but NEVER main beam. It doesn't help and it's anto-social. NEVER use hazard lights. Legally on very dodgy ground and other drivers don' know what your intentions are but may only register one side and assume you are turning. Years ago I worked in saudi Arabia and all drivers turned their hazards on in sandstorms. Added little or nothing to visibility but effectively meant that no vehicles indicated turning any more which was bloody dangerous.

Incidentally. I pretty well work on the principle that if I can get it in the car, I can get it on the bike so the bike is pretty loaded sometimes.

 

[tallthinhack]

filtering

Just go for it - but the hazard lights definitely help if the traffic is heavy.

I'm on a GSA1150 and find it easier to filter than on other bikes because you can see down the road and the bike's mirrors tend to pass over most car mirrors. And there's the bonus - as on the Marylebone Road last week near Euston - that if a police car comes up behind with blues and twos on you can easily bounce on to the pavement and bounce back down when it's gone past!

If there is a trick make sure you are going at a speed that will allow you to either to stop in time if a numpty pulls over, or at least to have a slo-mo spill. If the traffic is stopped I'll pootle through at 10 - 15mph - if the traffic is moving at 30 I'll do 40 -

Helps to watch what drivers are doing though - you soon spot the twats who are texting as they drink their mega coffee cups and who are least likely to spot you. Ditto it's refreshing to see just how many drivers see you coming and will make an effort to give you room.

Don't tuck in behind a DR through the West End in the rush hour and try to keep up - it'll all end in tears.

 

[autogs]

hazard lamps when filtering

surleymore of a hazard(yes i know)than help confusing everyoneven more

 

[Brian ROSEN]

"....I never filter between moving vehicles. As noted on other posts I would have to second guess other drivers who have a habit of wandering in the lane and changing lane without checking mirrors or indicating....." It is difficult to lay down hard and fast rules but at rush hour on the autoroutes the traffic is often moving, but slowly and it is pretty obvious that most drivers expect you to come through; I don't think hazard warning lights are a good ides, nor high beam. Both tend to give the impression that you feel you have a right to come through and may irritate some drivers - who are all pretty fed up already.
It is something of an acquired skill but you cannot compete with the local school kids on their mopeds who treat a traffic jam as a slalom course and have NO FEAR! (or imagination)

 

['Nuffsaid]

I do the reverse commute to Chippenham - so I can sympathise. However as all before me have mentioned, the GSA is as competent as most bikes at filtering - The only vehicles that are a problem are vans or anything with high level mirrors. Out of choice I will never take the car -

A bad day on the bike is infinitely better than a good day in the car .... IMHO

 

[DLBass]

As has been said, if the bars go through so do the boxes. Low beam with spots (all HID's on mine thanks Les) parts the traffic nicely. Always say thanks for a deliberate pull over, and get good at watching and reading the drivers head movements. This is a tip I picked up as a courier in the big smoke in the 80's, and it gives you a really good idea of what's coming next. Hence I'm much more cautious when it comes to panel vans, I can't see the driver so the risk factor is way up the scale.

I beat a couple of scooter hooligans down the Edgware road last week on the GSA, took no risks (unlike them) and just read the traffic better.

Just my 2p's worth. Keep it shiney side up

david

 

[Owen Snell]

I mainly use my GS on weekday work runs - London, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle etc. and keep the varios on to stash the bike gear so I can go into meetings smartly dressed.

It won't do the job of a scooter in the city, but is 90% of the way there even with the boxes on. Most drivers will give you space when filtering, but always watch carefully for the brain dead or the small minority who hate bikers getting ahead and close up the gaps.

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

If it helps your confidence just keep reminding yourself that the side panels and wing mirrors of modern cars are going to come off second best in any contact with your panniers and a dented pannier is easier to replace than a door panel. So its the car drivers who need to worry about you not the other way round.

Keep looking well ahead and if you start getting so slow that you feel a weave coming on then stop until the way ahead opens up.

 

[RadioActive]

I rarely commute into central London with panniers because it's more difficult to squeeze into the parking spaces when I arrive but they do seem to go through gaps that the bars will. The topbox looks sh1t but it's practical. My biggest problem is the bike mirror/white van mirror interface which is not generally a problem for sports bike riders. I'm not a riding god mind you

 

[Skipssong]

Thanks All

Some really useful experience and advice - very much appreciated.

You've talked me into it!!

Mike

 

[Dave Cr]

Only go for it if you can see an escape route to aim for. If the gap isn't there, stay safe and wait a while. Don't let others push you into doing something you are not comfortable with. Filtering is always a personal judgement( and a 'grey area' in police and advanced riding practices)

 

[t'other dave]

Just breathe in as you go through the gap always works

 

[Brian ROSEN]

".......beat a couple of scooter hooligans down the Edgware road last week on the GSA, took no risks (unlike them) and just read the traffic better.".....NO, don't get involved; Let them destroy themselves without your help!

 

[wknight]

As everyone has said, a lot of it is in your head but here are a few tips worth considering.

Why not start by removing the panniers and get use to filtering without worrying about them. I regularly go into London and often use a large duffel bag strapped to the passenger seat instead.

When filtering, go at a speed at which you feel able to stop if an idiot suddenly changes direction. But if you ride down the middle and look far ahead you can often get an idea of those cars likely to move.

Finally don't get pressurized by the filtering idiots. Just move over when you get a chance and let them pass. My view is that I would much rather be a minute or too later than be side swiped by white van man. I have had the odd one wave their fist because I won't go through but its often the big van mirrors that stop me or the gap being really very tight when a simple jolt could send you into car.

Just relax, practise the skill and soon you will wonder why you ever thought it was a problem.

 

[tunnie]

i must say it was the complete opposite for me coming to the GS, i had a Yam MT-03 before, which was tiny in comparison. I feel so confident in the GS i started filtering, i never filtered in the Yam! Something about being on a feking big comfy bike, nice and high.

Its odd, just pulling into the drive full of cars, i think nothing of swinging in and parking up, i get off, look back and think, damn! i got the bike through that gap? Off the bike looking at it, i would have said no, thats too tight.

As others said, if you fit the handle bars through, jobs a gooden!

 

[EggChaser]

Sometimes when I filter, and am near the front of a stationary queue, if I have to stop I swing slightly across in front of the corner of the cage so that they can't possibly try and get along side me once the queue moves - has the advantage that the driver will definitely have seen me too. However I have to remember not to do this with the GS Varios on as I will probably clip the wing

Haven't clipped a wing yet - although got really close on a brand new Scoobie Impreza with the very wide R1100S panniers once

As others have said though - as long as the bars fit through and you maintain your line the back end will usually go through too. just watch for the wing mirror heights or in the summer the odd child's arm out of an open window. I bet the only child I have ever seen do that in front of GS will never do it again - I was on the pillion at the time so got a really good look at the fear factor showing on his face.