Dual carriageway tips?

For this sunday, i have planned a ride for myself that lasts about 1 hour 15 mins. It involves a dual carriageway and a single A road. (the A12 and A414).
I passed my CBT in january, and since then i have had nearly 10 hours of additional training for my own benefit. I have owned my CG for just over a week, and i have built up my confidence on it quite rapidly, although i didn't feel confident enough to attempt any faster roads last week - i now feel i am ready for it.
Today my dad took my out in the car and shown me the route i am going to take on sunday, just so i can see what the roads are like, and how it feels to be on a dual carriageway (even though it was in a car). My dad has given me one or two tips for driving on dual carriageways, but he has no experience riding motorbikes, so i thought it was best to come here and ask for any additional advice on the riding, and lane discipline of these roads so that i can be as safe as possible.

Thanks for any advice.

Dual carriageways aren't really that different to single carriageways except you go faster and be prepared for people who want to go even faster coming up your backside.

Mirror/shoulder, indicate, mirror/shoulder, move when changing lanes. Keep your speed up and that's about it.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Magnum

lane discipline of these roads so that i can be as safe as possible.

Keep the left hand side lane unless you are overtaking. Keep your wits about you and make sure you do you obs, life saver's etc. Also keep looking forward and keep planning ahead, keep an escape route in mind at all times, especially if the traffic backs up and gets heavy. Watch for twits changing lanes without looking on you, especially if you decide to filter.

same as anyother road mate....ride safely, keep an eye in your mirrors so u know whats going on around you and Always do ur lifesavers before changing lanes

Dual Carrageway tips.

6th gear
Long observation
hard twist on right hand
Hang on until your junction


In seriousness, depends on the road. I generally stick in the middle of my lane, or if its the kinda road where you can filter, i sit on the line.

Ride so you cna see the car drivers eyes off his mirrors. If you can see him, he SHOULD see you.

Ride with headlights on. Make it 2nd nature, turn them on when you get on the bike.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Daimo

If you can see him, he SHOULD see you.

But dont assume that he has....

Control your lane, Sit central, too far either side and you'll get some plonker coming up te inside or outside of you. Other than that, remember things happen quicker at speed, leave good distances and observation, observation, observation.

DCs tend to be windy so expect to be blown about a bit. At first it feels like you're being blown across the road and can be unnerving. Maintain a relaxed grip - don't stiffen up - and grip the tank with your knees. Some find that it helps to lean slightly into the wind. I read another tip on here, to stick the windward knee out, but I've never tried it.

Have fun!!!

[Mej]

remeber your Life savers and mirrors, cant stress that enough, saved my bacon the other day where i was indicating to go over started to cross and the numpty behind me decided he wanted to overtake so i had to swing back.

You should be fine its just another road at the end of the day and there are no cars coming towards you, like Ed said though they can get a bit windy, i used to ride my 125 on DC all the time.

[jamesterror]

Originally Posted by Kilted Ginger

Control your lane, Sit central, too far either side and you'll get some plonker coming up te inside or outside of you. Other than that, remember things happen quicker at speed, leave good distances and observation, observation, observation.

Tis what I do.

My first time on a dual carriage I was keeping up with speed, just felt I had to know what was round me, make sure you leave plenty of space to the vehicle in front, as my presumption is you'd be in the left lane. Just don't do anything silly and stick what you feel comfortable with.

As with the 125 I've rode, I just hog my lane and sit plonk in the middle where I feel comfortable.