Giving us a bad name?

[ArtyLady]

...................

[RobH13]

not at all, I'm a new rider and was gently plodding along a road at 30 and was over taken by a Merc. Like you say, just pointless, but my view on it, it's there license, so sod them.

Rob.

[Alpinestarhero]

No. My dad slows down in villages, not quite to the speed limit always but certainly within 5 mph. I follow his example, because its the sensible thing to do.

[Nick_69]

not at all, I'm a new rider and was gently plodding along a road at 30 and was over taken by a Merc. Like you say, just pointless, but my view on it, it's there license, so sod them.

Rob.

Thats what i think it there license they can do what they like

[mike_avfc]

30 and 40 limits in towns should always be stuck to... simple as that ! I'm the first to admit i can sometimes be errrr..... enthusiastic, but in a build up area there is no excuse.

[SuzukiNess]

i never blast past traffic ... even tho i know its a great road coming up ahead and i dont wanna be stuck behind a slower moving vehicle












:---)

[Bri w]

I'm a "failed" pedestrian, and i was on the pavement.

Round town its got to be the limit.

But i might admit to pushing it a bit when i'm out in the country.

[shonadoll]

Absolutely I stick to the 30 limit, I always think how angry I'd be if it were my child playing in the area and some knob decided to overtake at 40.

[DarrenSV650S]

When did we have a good name?

[Dave20046]

Am I the only biker who sticks to 30 (or less if appropriate) through towns and villages? After seeing my new grandson :D I went for a lovely ride on my own today - nice rural A and B roads. Nice and quiet and I only had to overtake a handful of sunday car drivers.

When I reached one town I slowed to the 30 limit and several bikers caught up with me. They proceeded blast past me and quite a long stream of cars all plodding steadily along at 30 as we entered the town - just so pointless - fair enough if the traffic is crawling slowly so you filter - but it was moving along at 30!

This isn't the first time this has happened and I doubt it'll be the last. Is it so uncool to do the speed limit through towns and villages? or am I just an old fogey? :rolleyes:
No I do the same (occasionally slip over if it feels safe), 40s I try to stick to too - 50s round here are usually NSL's for retards so those signs are often ignored.

[sinbad]

Any non-NSL I stick to within 15%ish indicated speed. It's just impolite to thunder through someone's town........ and there's no fun to be had so I'd rather not worry about my license.

The worst culprits are the ones that do 45mph max on the NSL "because it's safest" and then maintain that through a 30 limit!

[ArtyLady]

Thats what i think it there license they can do what they like

It's their licence but it might be your family member they mow down as they blast through with no reaction time to stop!


i never blast past traffic ... even tho i know its a great road coming up ahead and i dont wanna be stuck behind a slower moving vehicle


:---)

The best time to overtake is coming out of a 30 or 40 into an NSL (circumstances permitting of course!)

Absolutely I stick to the 30 limit, I always think how angry I'd be if it were my child playing in the area and some knob decided to overtake at 40.

Agreed and same here

When did we have a good name?

Good point!

No I do the same (occasionally slip over if it feels safe), 40s I try to stick to too - 50s round here are usually NSL's for retards so those signs are often ignored.

The 50s are just ridiculous perfectly safe roads at NSL before - what's changed?

....

The worst culprits are the ones that do 45mph max on the NSL "because it's safest" and then maintain that through a 30 limit!

They drive me nuts!! and the worrying thing is this seems to be the majority of car drivers! I don't think they know limits exist!

[7755matt]

I went for a run out today.

I always try to stick to 30s and 40s, but i was following cars through said limits, using them as a spee indicator, not a single car went trhough at 30 or 40. In one village i had a queue of cars behind me as I stuck to 30. Not sure what happened to them after that lovely NSL Sign?

[ThEGr33k]

I stick to 30's as well. Get many cars up my ****... well until we get to the national area. :D

[Tim in Belgium]

I go no more than 50 through towns and villages.

[ThEGr33k]

I go no more than 50 through towns and villages.

KPH? :rolleyes:

[Tim in Belgium]

Damn you got me!

[ArtyLady]

KPH? :rolleyes:

I sussed it too :lol:

[-Ralph-]

33/34 mph, pointy speedo over reads by 10%

[Ed]

I'm the black sheep of the family then. No I don't always ride at 30 or 40, 'just because it says so'. So many of these limits are completely pointless, I don't see why I should ride at 30 simply because some old boy at the council who didn't even have a bike licence decided it should be a 30 in 1969 and now the village school has closed and the post office too, everyone's moved out and well you get the picture.

I once admitted on here to overtaking too in 30s, didn't half get a flaming:rolleyes:

Well I don't care.

[Biker Biggles]

I'm the black sheep of the family then. No I don't always ride at 30 or 40, 'just because it says so'. So many of these limits are completely pointless, I don't see why I should ride at 30 simply because some old boy at the council who didn't even have a bike licence decided it should be a 30 in 1969 and now the village school has closed and the post office too, everyone's moved out and well you get the picture.

I once admitted on here to overtaking too in 30s, didn't half get a flaming:rolleyes:

Well I don't care.
I agree.Also,how many people actually drive at 30 around London?I dont,and nor do most drivers.We all slow down for the cameras and then speed up again.

[merlin427]

I'm the black sheep of the family then. No I don't always ride at 30 or 40, 'just because it says so'. So many of these limits are completely pointless, I don't see why I should ride at 30 simply because some old boy at the council who didn't even have a bike licence decided it should be a 30 in 1969 and now the village school has closed and the post office too, everyone's moved out and well you get the picture.

I once admitted on here to overtaking too in 30s, didn't half get a flaming:rolleyes:

Well I don't care.

What does setting speed limits have to do with having a bike licence? And why do you think you are better qualified?

I agree some 30 limits are ridiculous but the OP did indicate 30 limits in built up areas which many think it is not sensible to exceed obviously not in your opinion but do try not to bleat about it if you get caught. I don't see any problem with overtaking in 30 zones (I don't think it is an offence either) as long as you don't go above 30 when doing so.

[ArtyLady]

I'm the black sheep of the family then. No I don't always ride at 30 or 40, 'just because it says so'. So many of these limits are completely pointless, I don't see why I should ride at 30 simply because some old boy at the council who didn't even have a bike licence decided it should be a 30 in 1969 and now the village school has closed and the post office too, everyone's moved out and well you get the picture.

....
Well I don't care.

You've got a good point there....some places the limits are just uncessary I agree....

[Ed]

Merlin, the point is that so many of these limits are out of date, either because a perceived hazard has disappeared (like the school has closed) or the hazard has been engineered out of existence.

If I get clobered with the poor observation tax, no I can assure you I won't be on here bleating about it.

As re relevance of a bike licence, nope none. I meant driver's licence generally.

Do you never exceed 30 in a 30? All the time? Yes? I don't believe you.

[-Ralph-]

I once admitted on here to overtaking too in 30s, didn't half get a flaming:rolleyes:

I'll overtake in 30's if there is no danger and it gets me a past a car that I think is going to do 45mph for 10 miles through the next NSL. Often a quick blat past in a 30 is less dangerous than doing it in the NSL.

I agree.Also,how many people actually drive at 30 around London?I dont,and nor do most drivers.We all slow down for the cameras and then speed up again.

I do 30 round London, but I'm not particularly used to London and keeping the speed down gives me more time to deal with what's suicidal pedestrians/cyclists/black cabs/nutter drivers are about to do around me.

as long as you don't go above 30 when doing so.

I don't have an issue with a quick blat up to 40 mph to get past something so long as it's a safe place to do so and you come back down to 30 afterwards.

You've got a good point there....some places the limits are just uncessary I agree....

Agreed, but I'm paranoid about a copper pointing a speed gun at me in 30's so I tend to stick to them regardless. If I get the kind of extended daft 30mph limit Ed describes, I may let the speed creep up and keep one finger covering the brake for camera vans or speed traps, but certainly never more than an indicated 40 (36mph).

[Biker Biggles]

I think I detect the flame thrower being primed and lit.:D
Ed's point and mine is essentially lets have a bit of honesty.I'd guess that 80-90% of drivers exceed the 30 and 40 limits in and around London at some time or other.I'm not saying they(we)go mad and burn up the tarmac at silly speeds,but over the posted limit?Yes.

[OldBoy]

When did we have a good name?
I don't think we ever did have a good name since I got my licence in the early 60's.
It was probable worse then with the ton up boys and mods an rockers:(

[-Ralph-]

Do you never exceed 30 in a 30? I don't believe you

I do ;)

[-Ralph-]

I'd guess that 80-90% of drivers exceed the 30 and 40 limits in and around London at some time or other

And I'd be in that 80-90% in the car, but not on the bike, but if I rode in London more than a few times a year that may not be the case. This thread makes my thoughts on London clear http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=136715

[ArtyLady]

I don't think we ever did have a good name since I got my licence in the early 60's.
It was probable worse then with the ton up boys and mods an rockers:(

I think you're right and it wasn't much better through the 70's and 80's!

[-Ralph-]

I don't think we ever did have a good name since I got my licence in the early 60's.
It was probable worse then with the ton up boys and mods an rockers:(

I think you're right and it wasn't much better through the 70's and 80's!

Somebody call the fire brigade, one of these two just bought out a birthday cake ;) :mrgreen:

[ArtyLady]

Somebody call the fire brigade, one of these two just bought out a birthday cake ;) :mrgreen:

Well I'd never fit all the candles on mine that's for sure! :mrgreen:

[ThEGr33k]

If I get clobered with the poor observation tax, no I can assure you I won't be on here bleating about it.



Ha ha, I like this.

As for some of the 30's I agree they shouldnt be... but I figure incase im not being observant then ill take it easy, also how often are 30 roads worth going faster on, I mean from a fun front? Most of them are as dull as they come so you gain very little.

[Bri w]

Somebody call the fire brigade, one of these two just bought out a birthday cake ;) :mrgreen:

eeeee, by 'eck lad. Those were the days eh?

I remember all those noisey FS1E's. Helemts? What do you want an helmet for - no helmet law. And now we've got more armour on than Sir Lancelot.

And my license is on parchment too.

[ArtyLady]

eeeee, by 'eck lad. Those were the days eh?

I remember all those noisey FS1E's. Helemts? What do you want an helmet for - no helmet law. And now we've got more armour on than Sir Lancelot.

And my license is on parchment too.

:lol: and if you did have one it was open face!

Hang on to your parchment - my other half is - just in case they lost your entitlement somewhere! :rolleyes: ;)

[Caddy2000]

i think that some bikers attitudes to other road users give us a bad name. I know that on the last 4 jaunts on my bike it's been other bikers, all on race rep 1000, that have nearly killed me - not car drivers. Also bike will always have a stigma attached.

[Viney]

Am I the only biker who sticks to 30 (or less if appropriate) through towns and villages? After seeing my new grandson :D I went for a lovely ride on my own today - nice rural A and B roads. Nice and quiet and I only had to overtake a handful of sunday car drivers.

When I reached one town I slowed to the 30 limit and several bikers caught up with me. They proceeded blast past me and quite a long stream of cars all plodding steadily along at 30 as we entered the town - just so pointless - fair enough if the traffic is crawling slowly so you filter - but it was moving along at 30!

This isn't the first time this has happened and I doubt it'll be the last. Is it so uncool to do the speed limit through towns and villages? or am I just an old fogey? :rolleyes:Other than in london, i try to stick to around 30 (that measn up to about 35ish) when riding through towns, especially on known biking routes. In london however, anything goes!

[timwilky]

I tend to stick to the 30s,40s etc. But have to agree with Ed that often the limit is inappropriate for the road. I currently hold 1 SP30 for a road that was reduced from 40 to 30 3 days before I got nicked and a scamera van parked at the bottom of a hill on a blind bend.

Might have another after this weekend when I got enthusiastic on an NSL road in North Yorkshire. Damm police know everyone is frustrated with 10 miles of queuing, So where do they park their unmarked grey golf with the hair dryer. yup on the first stretch of two lane where you can actually safely proceed. wouldn't they be better policing the 30s,40s. No because everyone crawls there and there is no revenue to be earned.

[Springbokki]

33/34 mph, pointy speedo over reads by 10%

Really??

[-Ralph-]

eeeee, by 'eck lad. Those were the days eh?

I remember all those noisey FS1E's. Helemts? What do you want an helmet for - no helmet law. And now we've got more armour on than Sir Lancelot.

And my license is on parchment too.

:lol: and if you did have one it was open face!

Hang on to your parchment - my other half is - just in case they lost your entitlement somewhere! :rolleyes: ;)

I remember Fuzz1E's, no armour, and parchment, but no helmets is before my time. What year did helmets become law then?

So where do they park their unmarked grey golf with the hair dryer. yup on the first stretch of two lane where you can actually safely proceed. wouldn't they be better policing the 30s,40s. No because everyone crawls there and there is no revenue to be earned.

I'm so tempted when I see this to stop and say "WTF are you doing here?" If this is a safety camera, then there's 10 miles of country road with blind junctions, 120mph closing speeds, and lots of people trying to overtake lorries, but you stick the camera on a straight dual carriageway with a central reservation and no junctions. If it's really about road safety not making money, stick the damn cameras where the road is less safe! ARRRGGHHHH!

Really??

Yup, I shouldn't speak for them all really, but mine is, and lots of other pointy riders say the same.

[sunshine]

Ha ha, I like this.

As for some of the 30's I agree they shouldnt be... but I figure incase im not being observant then ill take it easy, also how often are 30 roads worth going faster on, I mean from a fun front? Most of them are as dull as they come so you gain very little.

The road that has a couple of 30 limits, is the bridgnorth road from wolverhampton i dont think i have ever seen a bike not stuck in traffic go 30 through them, i know i normally go about 40 which i feel is safe. there only quiet villages and lets face it there used to bikes going 50+ through there.

[keith_d]

I suspect that the decline of the NSL roads and expansion of 40 limits around any kind of settlement could be ascribed to either (or both) of these possibilities...

a) The government has promised to reduce road casualities. They can't be ar$ed to make the roads safer, so they're reducing speed limits to the point where a modern car can absorb any collisions without serious injury to the occupants.

b) The government hates people driving. They've tried to price us off the road by raising fuel tax, vehicle excise duty and speeding fines (watching where you're going tax). That didn't work so they've decided to reduce speed limits anywhere we might actually enjoy driving. Eventually it will all be so dull that only people who really need to will drive anywhere.

[tonyk]

When did we have a good name?
around my area there is a down hill country lane going past a horse riding school, every time i use it if i see any riders on the road i kill the engine and ride past, i always get a big thank you, funny but as i get @100 yards past, i start my engine, then the know why i turned it off.

Scorpion extreme with no baffles is fXXXing loud.:riding:

[Ed]

Scorpion extreme with no baffles is fXXXing loud.:riding:

...bet Ogden is your best mate:smt082

[ethariel]

Other than in london, i try to stick to around 30 (that measn up to about 35ish) when riding through towns, especially on known biking routes. In london however, anything goes!


Absolutley agree with Viney, those of us whom live in 'London', not out in the sticks (anything outside the M25), live in the real world, imho, living in London means 2 things.

1- Drive a car and get stuck with an average speed of around 8mph or

2- Ride a bike.

If you want to do 30 or less everywhere in town, why on earth loose the luxury, warmth, dryness and safety of a car and ride a bike sitting in a queue of somr hundred thousand others sitting nose to tail every morning, would drive me insane!

[-Ralph-]

Absolutley agree with Viney, those of us whom live in 'London', not out in the sticks (anything outside the M25), live in the real world, imho, living in London means 2 things.

1- Drive a car and get stuck with an average speed of around 8mph or

2- Ride a bike.

If you want to do 30 or less everywhere in town, why on earth loose the luxury, warmth, dryness and safety of a car and ride a bike sitting in a queue of somr hundred thousand others sitting nose to tail every morning, would drive me insane!

Ha, ha, 7 million Londoners :notworthy: live in the real world, the other 53 million of us in the UK live in a fantasy world :smt095 in the sticks :smt042. That's the best bit of local ignorance and narrow mindedness I've ever heard :smt042.

I still take the bike into London 'cos 30mph is still a damn sight quicker than 8 mph.

[sarah]

Ha, ha, 7 million Londoners :notworthy: live in the real world, the other 53 million of us in the UK live in a fantasy world :smt095 in the sticks :smt042. That's the best bit of local ignorance and narrow mindedness I've ever heard :smt042.



a surprisingly common mindset

[Viney]

I dont see us as living in the real world and i woudl rather ride out in the sticks for my daily commute thats for sure. I like riding in london. It hones the 6th sense quite nicely thank you, handy when you want to avoid that tractor, or combine harvester ;)

[Ceri JC]

I determine my speed primarily based on what I consider safe to do, then knock around 5mph off to give me some extra space for comfort. Some places/times this means I'm doing 15mph through a 30, others it's nearer 60. Some 30 limits are wildly inappropriate. I really hate it when they put them on sections of road that should be 50/60 (particularly villages on a-roads, far beyond the last house) as you get "boy who cried wolf" syndrome and people start driving through the whole thing at 40-45.

Blindly obeying speed limits (especially driving at the limit automatically) is a dangerous game. There's downhill, adverse camber, decreasing radius bend, where oncoming cars regularly cross the centre line that I know of. A rally car with a competitive racer at the controls couldn't take it at the posted 40mph limit unless it crossed the centre line, never mind your average motorcyclist.

[Scoobs]

33/34 mph, pointy speedo over reads by 10%

Really??

I think mine must over read by 120%. It's the only logical explanation for the big numbers I see from time to time. ;)

Anyhow, 30s are generally 30 and 40s are 40 to 45ish. Won't say I stick to them rigidly as like Ed, there are times etc etc.

[merlin427]

Ha, ha, 7 million Londoners :notworthy: live in the real world, the other 53 million of us in the UK live in a fantasy world :smt095 in the sticks :smt042. That's the best bit of local ignorance and narrow mindedness I've ever heard :smt042.

I still take the bike into London 'cos 30mph is still a damn sight quicker than 8 mph.

Yeah, it's no wonder they don't go anywhere fast as they're stock too far up their own 'London centric' backsides.

It's so bad up here in the sticks only having the open roads of Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire to play on. It's so bad sometimes I can go out for a whole morning and not see another vehicle. I don't know how I manage sometimes.

[ArtyLady]

.... i dont think i have ever seen a bike not stuck in traffic go 30 through them, i know i normally go about 40 which i feel is safe.

there only quiet villages and lets face it there used to bikes going 50+ through there.

You see I think this is where you are not getting the point - if you are going through a town or village there are houses, side roads, driveways, people, all sorts of hazzards. The 30 limit (or often less) will give you time assess the hazzards and react to them so you don't get knocked off/run someone down and then fall off. Surely that has got to be a better option for us as bikers (being so vunerable) and the pedestrians etc? You might feel that 40 is safe but in fact you are reducing your reaction time.

Yes they are used to it but they don't necessarily like it - they probably dread the weekends their peace shattered and they probably keep their kids indoors!) and if bikers insist on keep doing it they risk causing more animosity towards bikers. I've had fists shook at me when I have ridden through villages AT 30! all because of idiots roaring through much faster and upsettings the locals.

[-Ralph-]

Sticking to limits in towns and villages is more important than it is any big city. In London, unless you're near a school in morning or afternoon, you'll hit another vehicle or another adult if it all goes wrong. Unfortunately for kids in London "playing in the street" means chasing aliens down an imaginary road on the playstation.

I've had fists shook at me when I have ridden through villages AT 30! all because of idiots roaring through much faster and upsettings the locals.

Have you got a loud can?

[jamesterror]

The road that has a couple of 30 limits, is the bridgnorth road from wolverhampton i dont think i have ever seen a bike not stuck in traffic go 30 through them, i know i normally go about 40 which i feel is safe. there only quiet villages and lets face it there used to bikes going 50+ through there.

Thats when you get old people with nothing to do using a speed gun and recieving warning letters from the police and possible 3 points and fine for speeding. I was gonna put the ":toss:" symbol, but its 20/30/40 through villages for a reason even though you may argue in some places an open road is in place & is safe to do NSL on, there could still be people walking about.

[ArtyLady]

.....

Have you got a loud can?

Scorpion with the baffle out but it's not that loud.

It has happened to me a couple of times when I've been out with a bunch of "racers" who have left me behind through the villages (well left me behind full stop!) because I refuse to do 60s and 70s through a village - so I've been trundling along bringing up the rear long after theyve zipped through screaming the nuts of their IL4s, and got the flack from the locals! needless to say I don't ride with those people anymore :rolleyes: :mad: and now it doesn't happen

.....you may argue in some places an open road is in place & is safe to do NSL on, there could still be people walking about.

Absolutely - I treat every corner as if there may be something or someone lurking around it

[hovis]

i like this thread it is funny

[sv-robo]

If i go through a 30 zone at 60 on the back wheel..........does that then become a 30?:wink:

[sunshine]

my mate thinks 90 on the back wheel is fine so if i go half the speed so if the police wanna chase anyone its going to be him!

[ArtyLady]

i like this thread it is funny

It was meant to be serious! :rolleyes: :p :lol:

[sinbad]

If i go through a 30 zone at 60 on the back wheel..........does that then become a 30?:wink:

Depends if you're up at such an angle that the number plate cannot be read by the speed-camera you're whizzing past.

[FlyinCustard]

I bearly use my speedo, jus fit in with traffic and do wot feels safe.

Glance at it every now and again, when approaching a speed camera etc.

[Ed]

i like this thread it is funny

You wouldn't have done a few weeks back just, bread boy;)

[Magnum]

I dont look at my speedo unless im passing a speed camera or im on a test, or driving lesson because its distracting to be always looking at the speedo. (i realised this when i first started driving lessons and got a grilling for creeping up to 32mph in a 30, and i had to keep looking down to make sure it was at a constant 29)

I ride to the conditions of the road, and the speed cameras. There are smaller dual carriageways around me that are actually 30mph limits. You work that out...
If im passing a school or a busy pedestrian area with lots of crossing, im always more cautious and stick to 30. Other than that, i do as i wish.

[AndyW]

Absolutely - I treat every corner as if there may be something or someone lurking around it

Just because you can safely do a specific corner at X, doesn't mean that corner is always safe to do at X.
Nearly killed myself on an IAM rideout thanks to a blind corner. Twisty road got about 50 yards behind person in front, doing limit (50), he disappears round bends. Go round corner, road covered in gravel, _very_ nearly lowsided into hedge. Scared the fluff out of me.

If I can't see the road on the other side of the corner, I ain't going fast round it.
The number of times I've gone down a country road to find the muckspreader has been out that morning and liberally deposisted a coating onto the roads, making bends very tricky.

[Jdubya]

Scorpion with the baffle out but it's not that loud.

...

Absolutely - I treat every corner as if there may be something or someone lurking around it

+1 Artylady. I think we had this conversation a little while ago didn't we?

i like this thread it is funny

Would that be why on the AR so many people totally ignored the 30 limits through some of the villages we go through nearly every week then?