keep a look out

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

isn't that why horns are fitted?

In theory, yes, but it's commonly misunderstood. Parp the horn at someone and they will notice you but either get annoyed or randomly do sommat unpredictable and daft in order to "get out of the way". The trick is being noticed while doing your "normal" thing, eg you might be riding in a lower gear than normal to make more noise, or doing more throttle blips, but the driver doesn't know that and just innocently notices that you are there. Job done.

I think the main point is that I have L plates at the mo, he should have approached with caution. How was he not to know I had only been on the road a week and skittery as hell, could have been very nasty. He was purely just being a n0b or can't stand Learner riders.

I don't think tooting your horn behind someone to make them move out the way (which is basically what you're after) is good road practice whatsoever. It would pi55 me off. If I see a bike coming up behind me I move over to the left regardless of whether they want to go in front. I give them the option so they know not to harass me, I know how frustrating it can be to ride behind L plates but come on, weren't we all at that stage once in out biking careers? Grrrrrr I wasn't even riding slowly, same speed as everyone else - 50mph - if I'd had the power I might have overtaken but I didn't aaaaaargh it just peed me off! /rant.....

May have been Ophic in disguiseas he seems to think it is in order to do this sort of thing as it is "Normal riding practice"---------What you are complaining about initially


Just my reasoning but to rev -blib-the throttle you have to have the clutch in or you would shooting forward and your right hand is manipulating the throttle

Horn--move thumb but still have both hands available for clutch,brake or throttle whether you may need to brake or accelerate out of trouble. Tooting a horn only means one thing--I AM HERE--it is not an instruction for you to do anything but make you aware of the other vehicles presence.

Each to his own.

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

May have been Ophic in disguiseas he seems to think it is in order to do this sort of thing as it is "Normal riding practice"---------What you are complaining about initially


Just my reasoning but to rev -blib-the throttle you have to have the clutch in or you would shooting forward and your right hand is manipulating the throttle

Horn--move thumb but still have both hands available for clutch,brake or throttle whether you may need to brake or accelerate out of trouble. Tooting a horn only means one thing--I AM HERE--it is not an instruction for you to do anything but make you aware of the other vehicles presence.

Each to his own.

Aye true enough, but then I don't think revving or tooting is a good way of grabbing another rider's attention. Another rider, especially a Learner, is more likely to be spooked and lose balance. If you don't think the rider has seen you then you should maybe hold back and just wait till you have a good opportunity to overtake.

If you want a car to be more aware then fair enough, a cage driver is in a bubble and probably has music on or another passenger to distract them form what's behind them. Or it could have the adverse effect and provoke them into an aggressive action, bad for all involved. Yeah they might let you go but they could be annoyed for the rest of their ride which could have worse consequences.

[gruntygiggles]

I've revved once to get someone to realise my presence, but only because I was right next to the car, their music was blaring and they didn't notice the horn. I was stuck. Got into my position, but they were in the wrong lane and came up the left side to tuck into my lane. I was sat between cars and they had no idea I was there, but had moved in such a way that whe traffic moved, the back end of their car would have hit me and I had nowhere to go. So yes, I pulled in the clutch and gave a decent rev. Nothing, so I gave a very decent rev and the shock on the drivers face said it all. He didn't have a clue I was there on a bright green bike. All sorted.

Maria, it is dispicable the way you get treated when riding on L plates. As soon as I took mine off the CG, the intimidating behaviour stopped. Best action IMO is to concentrate on your riding and what you're doing and when people do things like that and pi$$ you off, do as you did and let it go immediately. Getting angry can make your concentration drop. I store it and wait til I get off the bike...the nearest person to me then gets a, "did you see what that ******* **** ********" just did?"...lol

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

Aye true enough, but then I don't think revving or tooting is a good way of grabbing another rider's attention. Another rider, especially a Learner, is more likely to be spooked and lose balance. If you don't think the rider has seen you then you should maybe hold back and just wait till you have a good opportunity to overtake.

If you want a car to be more aware then fair enough, a cage driver is in a bubble and probably has music on or another passenger to distract them form what's behind them. Or it could have the adverse effect and provoke them into an aggressive action, bad for all involved. Yeah they might let you go but they could be annoyed for the rest of their ride which could have worse consequences.

On the road, as in your situation, I would say that yes, using the horn or revs is not ideal. All you can do is hold your position in the road and allow others to do what they do. Don't ever feel intimidated to the point that you move over to far to let people past...that puts you in a dangerous position as a learner as people can try and push past in a gap that isn't really there. Hold your position and if people want to pass, they can sort themselves out.

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

Maria, it is dispicable the way you get treated when riding on L plates. As soon as I took mine off the CG, the intimidating behaviour stopped. Best action IMO is to concentrate on your riding and what you're doing and when people do things like that and pi$$ you off, do as you did and let it go immediately. Getting angry can make your concentration drop. I store it and wait til I get off the bike...the nearest person to me then gets a, "did you see what that ******* **** ********" just did?"...lol

Exactly GG. I'm lucky in that I've not had too many bad experiences while riding about on L plates, people move for me when I filter and all's been good on that front. A number of people have gone to pull out on me on numerous occasions but as soon as I see them I move out so they can see me and they let me go past, I try and thank em if they're looking. I don't ride with attitude which I think helps loads. But as you say, it doesn't help to keep boiling over when something like this happens, just get on with the job in hand and let off steam when you're off the bike.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

I think the main point is that I have L plates at the mo, he should have approached with caution. How was he not to know I had only been on the road a week and skittery as hell, could have been very nasty. He was purely just being a n0b or can't stand Learner riders.

You'll have to excuse him MYC, as he was riding once of those HD machines. (sorry I can't write it in full)

When you ride one, its a big 'Hey look at ME' statement, aren't I cool.

Completely the opposite in fact, given by the number I saw wearing those dodgy leather cowboy hats or similar at the Copdock Bike show, no you're not

What HD stands for is Huge ******** or Humungous Dunderhead or what ever config of HD fits, its certainly NOT Highly Desirable

Highway Code Section 112 & 214 applies to the use of a horn but no place does it give me any indication as to why somebody is reving an engine.
Lets not be blinkered in this,we are looking at it from a bikers perspective and to a car or lorry driver you may be in a false neutral for all they know but it does not mean anything in accordance with the rules of the road.
I am agreed that it is bad practice to intimidate a learner,or any driver,rider, by whatever means but all these things are a part of the learning curve as is awareness by yourself as to what is infront,beside and behind,but not nice to have done to you. In conclusion do unto others as you would have them do unto you