making 'progress' through traffic

Ish

Ish

Ish

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Joined
11 Jan 2006
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1,813
Location
West Midlands
Hi All
I did my CBT a month ago and have been riding my 1st bike, a Honda CBR 125R since then.

I’m using the bike mainly for commuting and I have a question for you more experienced riders.

How far do you go to make ‘progress’ through traffic?

Do you always cut down the middle of two lanes of traffic to get to the front?

Would you ride very slightly on the wrong side of the road to get past a
single line of stationary traffic?

What is acceptable to make ‘progress’ through traffic on a bike?

Finally, during a full bike test how much of the above are you expected to do?
 
Ish said:
Finally, during a full bike test how much of the above are you expected to do?
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you're not expected to filter on your test. My examiner was following in a car so if I'd filtered then I'd have lost him.

If the traffic is stood still and it's safe to do so then by all means filter but only if you're confident with your balance, you don't want a wobble when you have cars either side of you. Also keep your eyes open for any signs of danger such as impatient car drivers changing lanes, pedestrians walking between cars, that sort of thing. I'd also keep a brake covered just in case any of the above hazards present themselves.

If in any doubt, don't do it. There's no rule that you *have* to filter just because you're on a bike so don't feel pressured into it if you're not confident.
 
Learn to filter after your test, as and when you feel confident.

Its perfectly legal but also described as "an activity fraught with danger" so fire on... carefully!

Nothing gets the pulse going like a door opening anyway :eek:

Also keep an eye out for spiteful buggers who will try to block you out. Sad really but it does happen.
 
I have only recently, last 6 weeks or so, began to filter, as I only passed my test in February this year. Like the others say, it will come to you, you will know when. As for on your test, don't do it, I was told not to as its a timed test, the more time sitting in traffic, the less chance of making any errors while riding !
 
I don't plan on going for my test until I've had a years experience on the 125.

I have only been filtering when it's safe to do so but sometimes it will look a bit tight between the cars and I won't go for it but then a bigger bike will come straight through and I think I should have gone for that!

On other occasions when I have filtered down the middle of 2 lanes of traffic and get to the lights the cars on the left and right of me will move quickly at the green lights which leaves me a bit 'stuck' in between them.
 
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As said, firstly don't filter on your test, it's legal so I guess technically it's possible, but just don't, it's far easier and one less thing to potentially fail on :p

After your test, do it where you're confident it's fine, at first that'll be rarely, but once you're more confident you can do it a hell of a lot,

As for the other side of the road bit I do that occasionally but if I do it's on a road I know is wide enough for a long time and also I only really go just the other side of the cats-eyes. Whether that belongs in the 'filtering' or 'overtaking' bracket is a whole different question :p
 
I have a black 55 plate. The first week that I rode it, I didn't enjoy it as I found the low speed manouvering and balancing hard. I actually started thinking I had made a mistake buying a bike!

After the first week it started getting easier each time I rode the bike.

I realise I still have a lot to learn but I do enjoy riding the bike every day and I'm very happy with the bike.

I'm hoping to take my test next summer and they buy something like a ER6F as it seems like a good daily commuting bike that you can also have some fun on.
 
Ish said:
On other occasions when I have filtered down the middle of 2 lanes of traffic and get to the lights the cars on the left and right of me will move quickly at the green lights which leaves me a bit 'stuck' in between them.
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If i have got to the front, i always then pull in front of one the cars. Even when we go out riding in group we do this. No chance of being in a car sandwich then.
 
eidolon said:
If in any doubt, don't do it. There's no rule that you *have* to filter just because you're on a bike so don't feel pressured into it if you're not confident.
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Good advice.

Also beware of any side roads that cars have been let out of by the stationary traffic. As it's unlikely you'll spot them before it's too late.

If traffics moving above 20mph then I'll happily sit in line. If it's slower than that and it's safe to do so I'll filter, but I don't fly past cars, nor do I cut back in sharply in front of them. I wouldn't worry about filtering on your test, depending on the route, unless your examiner tells you to do so. Ask your instructors what's expected of you too.

I always assume that drivers haven't seen you as it's the safest option.

Expect the unexpected :cool:
 
I'd do whatever it took to be fair. Women (especially blondes i've noticed) don't like it if you nearly take the wing mirror off.... even when i've gone to the hassle of stopping. backing up and put it back as it should be.... :p:D
 
helpimcrap said:
I'd do whatever it took to be fair. Women (especially blondes i've noticed) don't like it if you nearly take the wing mirror off.... even when i've gone to the hassle of stopping. backing up and put it back as it should be.... :p:D
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Ha another biking gent, i've done that myself a couple of times, trying to portray an apologetic smile through a helmet isnt easy, the mrs says it looks like i was laughing at them!
Filtering as everyone says is something to do only when you feel confident, and don't do it on your test, remember they are looking for reasons to fail you so do as little as possible so as not to give them an excuse!
 
I filtered up past some stationary traffic yesterday, arrived at the set of red lights that had everyone waiting so nipped in at the front and pulled in to a nice space in front of a large VW flatbed. The nice chap in his flatbed was revving his engine and giving me the sideways shaft movement with his hand. His bumper was VERY close to my back wheel. I stayed calm, didn't rise to him and left him for dead as the lights turned green. Some people really don't like it when you filter!
 
Here's a question, do you filter past the Traffic Police :p I decided to filter at a snails pace until I reach the junction I was turning right at. Knowing my luck I'd probably end up falling off through the drivers window in to PC Plod's lap :eek:
 
I've filtered past plenty of Police. Congested motorways, traffic jammed carriageways, town centres, wherever. It's not illegal so why not. Never been stopped *touch wood* :D
 
BennyC said:
Here's a question, do you filter past the Traffic Police
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Of course. There is nothing wrong with going past any police car, sitting behind them is more likely to attract thier attention than going past them.
Same on motorways as well, going past them at 85mph will not interest them, sitting behind them at 70mph most certainly will.
 
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