User yer - bleep - indicators!

Even when overtaking...

Its not bloody hard, and when im doing the same travelling the opposite way down a huge gapped chevroned road, and you pop out from behined a car and nearly hit me from the front, I will get up and beat you with whatever debris is left and is solid

Even the car drivers can see you use them (and generally move over a bit to help you, even though its not usually needed), so take a tip, going to overtake, indicate. Really not that difficult to do and makes you far more noticable to all parties (bar ignorent other bikers on a race home who don't look).

i do use them

[appollo1]

me too i always use mine.

I use them if there are people close enough to benefit from them, its just lazy and dangerous not to.

[Spiderman]

Originally Posted by Daimo

, so take a tip, going to overtake, indicate.

And back in the real world.... on my recent bike safe course the cop advised me not to do this.

1. Do you really think the vehicle in front is watching you closely enough to notice it?
2. The risk of leaving it on by mistake and the ensuing fool pulling out on you cos he thinks you are turning far outweighs the benefit of the indication to overtake.
3. Dont indicate to move back in either he advised for the same reason as no.2 above.

I was very surprised to hear this as i kinda pride myself on using my 'cators all the time, sets a good example to other road users imho but he was adamant its a pointless thing to do. OK in built up areas where its vital but on country roads, single lanes and dual carriageways he said its just a waste of time.

Real world riding he called it.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Spiderman

Real world riding he called it.

+1

In the car unless you're watching your RVM constantly by the time you glance back to check on the bike and see the indicator he'll have already overtaken you

Check for other traffic overtaking you and get past as quick as possible, bonus points if you get the front wheel up...

Originally Posted by Spiderman

And back in the real world.... on my recent bike safe course the cop advised me not to do this.

1. Do you really think the vehicle in front is watching you closely enough to notice it?
2. The risk of leaving it on by mistake and the ensuing fool pulling out on you cos he thinks you are turning far outweighs the benefit of the indication to overtake.
3. Dont indicate to move back in either he advised for the same reason as no.2 above.

I was very surprised to hear this as i kinda pride myself on using my 'cators all the time, sets a good example to other road users imho but he was adamant its a pointless thing to do. OK in built up areas where its vital but on country roads, single lanes and dual carriageways he said its just a waste of time.

Real world riding he called it.

I agree with the ending there.. In a perfect world, yes. but in the real world... I agree with a copper, thats an odd feeling!

How you can't see a bright flashing dial on your dash confuses me if your paying full attention.


And if the driver notices the headlight coming up behined them, and sees the indicator, they have more notice.

It also makes you more visable to on-coming traffic.


I'd agree moreso in the summer, but it is nighttime now, indicators are VASTLY more visable at night.

I feel the police officer is wrong in this instance...

Still your life, you choose...

I do use mine for overtaking. Reckon if a vehicle does sideswipe me, at least the following witnesses will verify I was. However, I'm always acutely aware of how easy it is to leave them on, especially if you're "on it a bit" and how that makes you susceptible to vehicles pulling out on you.

However, it must be said, I do occasionally pull out and overtake if an opportunity unexpectedly presents itself, and I don't have precious milliseconds to flick them on.

If i'm overtaking on the m/way or duel carraigeway, I'll use them to pull out, then cancel them. After that I don't use them to pull back in.

Was taught this habit by an ex-traffic officer turned HGV driving instructor. If I used them to pull back in he had a walking stick to beat my wrist with

No matter what I'm driving - truck, car, van or bike. You only need to use the indy's at roundabouts, junctions, and when overtaking another vehicle to let them know you're coming out and past them. No requirement for pulling back in. I don't know why they teach learner car drivers they have to use constant indy's all the time, even when changing lanes on empty roads..... or is it just me picked up the old skool driving techniques??