Filtering

TripleT

TripleT

TripleT

Soldato
Joined
24 Oct 2002
Posts
9,654
Location
Manchester City Centre
Relatively new to the two wheeled world and as I commute in and out of a city in heavy traffic I'm curious as to what people's opinions are on when to and when not to.

I seem to remember reading about 20/20 "rule" which makes sense but any other tips?

I know some car drivers don't like it full stop but I just want to make sure I'm not doing any definite no-nos.

Cheers
 
If there's space available to make progress into, which neither puts your or other road users at risk, you should make progress. :)
 
aslong as its safe to do so

and your within the white centre line,or can duck unside it in time for any oncoming traffic then that's fine imo

just watch for cars that close the gap ect,and buses with folks walking through the gaps
 
If there's a space then generally you'll be fine if you're not sure you'll fit just wait until it gets moving again and a gap will appear, often times If a car sees me waiting they'll move over to let me pass I think they'd prefer that rather than me squeezing through and maybe catching one of them. Keep your speed down and just be aware of what cars are doing, look for indicators if people are leaving gaps for people to move lanes etc. If a car closes the gap just find another way through - don't get mad even though they are ******s.
 
Just be safe and do not endanger others. Try not to lose focus and drive for the situation, Not doing the last 2 contributed to my accident back in April, Oh and you don't do what that biker did in the video that is doing the rounds at the moment and realise too late that you are going too fast and are unable to slow down, slams his anchors on and fishtails between 2 lorries and then stacks it. I'd link the video but it has swearies.....
 
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Go slow and easy, don't take risks and try to keep ahead of the curve and predict what might happen up ahead.

If in doubt, Le Filtrage. :D

 
I don't bother to filter much any more. I used to years ago when I was commuting but now the bike is simply a weekend toy I don't bother about it. I used to do it (safely) like it was some god given 'OMGZ I must filter because I am on two wheels' advantage we had over tin boxes but I just can't be arsed any more unless I'm in a really long line of traffic stuck in a tailback.

Maybe I'm just getting lazy or too used to the easy life in my old age. :cool:
 
As I figured then.

When you arrive at the front of traffic where do you position yourself?

I tend to move in front of the car a bit just as being on l plates and only on a 125 they like to be annoying when setting off if I'm along side.
 
If it's safe and you can fit at the front then do that like you say, there's so many blind spots in a car unless you're on a loud bike or right next to their window they probably won't see you at the side.
 
TripleT said:
As I figured then.

When you arrive at the front of traffic where do you position yourself?

I tend to move in front of the car a bit just as being on l plates and only on a 125 they like to be annoying when setting off if I'm along side.
Click to expand...

I'm also new to this 2 wheel fun and have been doing a little bit of filtering to build up my confidence. I have generally been looking for big enough gaps to pass through and when I get to the front at some lights I position myself just in front of the car so that they can't move until I do. I find that people leave quite a bit of room in front of them before the line at traffic lights so it's no problem to squeeze in, so far anyway.

The problem I find is with the stock Hornet mirrors being a little tall which resulted in me clipping a van mirror yesterday :o just a little tap mind but enough for me to learn from.
 
Pretty much everyone in London gets to the front and plants themselves in a line across the other vehicles on the commute, so they can't do anything silly. Sometimes me/they are over the line but as long as you're not past the first set of lights no one seems to care and to be honest, half the time the cars are partly in any cycling box at the front anyway so you pretty much have to. All then watch the lights and get off promptly so there's no ranting or payback from other vehicles later on.

If I ever make a balls of it I'll draw up next to someone, as I'm usually on the outside, so they see me and keep checking on what they're doing as the traffic starts to move. I then give it a bit to nip in behind the vehicle in front of them and give the person I nipped in on a 'thank you' of some sort.
 
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I always used to filter, you soon get used to what you can and can't do. You just need to have very good awareness. And know your route very well. When cars pull out etc.

This is me messing around testing the Go Pro to my old job on the 748 one morning.

 
My normal morning commute, someone is always crashing on the M3 either at Winchester or Eastleigh so theres nearly always traffic, the beginning half on the avenue, is mirrors folded filtering it's that tight.
The motorway filtering is usually faster if its not raining and I'm feeling brave (stupid)

 
Oh my god... That Jag at 30 seconds onwards. I would have given his paint a nice clip from my titanium knuckles. Just no need to block like that.

****
 
Not sure that jag blocked on purpose, he may have looked in his mirror to the passenger side and inadvertantly blocked and not realised.
 
agnes said:
I always used to filter, you soon get used to what you can and can't do. You just need to have very good awareness. And know your route very well. When cars pull out etc.

This is me messing around testing the Go Pro to my old job on the 748 one morning.

Click to expand...

Is that you trying to show off to the internet or do you genuinely ride like that? Aggressive filtering down the middle of cars like that is what gives the rest of us a bad name and it's the reason that Jaguars try to block us.

I'd suggest having a look at the bottom left of page 2 as you clearly don't know what solid white lines are for (3:40)
 
FunkyCowie said:
Not sure that jag blocked on purpose, he may have looked in his mirror to the passenger side and inadvertantly blocked and not realised.
Click to expand...

Yea he didn't block me, I make sure I can see the drivers either through the car or their mirrors so I know what they are going to do :p
 
just re read what I wrote... I was referring to that affect you get when you look in a certain direction and head towards it with out realising... like when you see that pot hole ahead and try to avoid it but for some reason you start aiming for it unless you look to the left or right... so in this case the jag driver looks to his left and inadvertently blocks you looks back and straightens but has in effect moved over a little to the left.

Or he could just be a butthole :D
 
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I filter as it's my God given right as a motorcyclist, It is also my duty to give it some at every opportunity just as it's a dogs duty to **** up every tree.
 
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