Various questions you might be able to help with...

[Le Chien]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to get your opinions on a number of things..

1. I tend to ride with dipped lights on all the time. I see other riders who seem to have the full beam on (might just be brighter lights) - what do others do? Also thinking of getting those ultra high vis blue lights for the bike - any thoughts?

2. Is there any etiquette to filtering in traffic? I always worry that I might be holding up other bikers so tend to keep looking to check when I probably should be concentrating more on those dangerous car drivers. any advice would help...

3. I have bought proper motorbike trousers (pads etc) but find them uncomfortable. I noticed that ski trousers are quite similar and more comfy. Any one use these for biking?

4. Lastly - does anyone listen to music whilst riding. Sounds like a risky thing to do but I dont tend to hear much anyway (cars etc).. Your opinions would be useful for all of these.

[Trip]

1. Different schools of thought on this people say its harder for others to judge distance with a single headlight during the day.

3. Try wearing them round the house. Should "break them in"

4. Yeah i do both earphones in, can still hear emergency services but blocks out wind noise. Is great for long boring journeys.

Sorry about 2 cant help with that.
____________________
Bike: Yamaha XJ600N Mileage: 28500 Miles Rider Mileage: Many Miles
CBT: PASSED Theory: PASSED Test: PASSED
Past-CG125 Present - Yamaha XJ600N Future - WHO KNOWS?

[Le Chien]

Hi, Thanks for the quick reply. Just for clarification: would you suggest using the full beam at all times? When driving the car. I have seen bikes with the full beam and although it gets in your eyes for a second, you certainly notice them....

[Trip]

Personally i ride with sidelights on until the light starts to wane then go dipped. I dont appreciate full beam in my eyes so dont force it on other people.

However its about what makes you feel safe and if you feel better riding full beam then do it because at the end of the day if your not comfortable then your not going to enjoy yourself.

Does that answer your question?
____________________
Bike: Yamaha XJ600N Mileage: 28500 Miles Rider Mileage: Many Miles
CBT: PASSED Theory: PASSED Test: PASSED
Past-CG125 Present - Yamaha XJ600N Future - WHO KNOWS?

[Kickstart]

Hi

Full high beam is a pain for everyone else, and you had best help that the car coming towards you had not just been dazzled by someone using high beam. Legally headlights must be white or yellow.

Just keep an eye open for people coming up and let them past.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Le Chien]

Thanks guys. As I suspected, dipped lights are best. I know how annoying full beam lights are so won't be subjecting other people to that.

Ride safe. Cheers.

[Zimbo]

There is a lot of research that suggests that a it's next to impossible to judge the distance and closing speed of a bike with it's lights on full beam, so apart from being annoying and committing a traffic offense, you're actually more likely to have cars pull out on you as they may think you're further away and travelling more slowly than you actually are.

2. filtering - most bikers won't worry too much and will just overtake you when it's safe, however London bikers tend to get more worked up by being held up by slower bikes, so if in London perhaps let other bikes past.

3 - ski trousers - unlikely to offer much protection against tarmac abrasion or impact, personally I wouldn't. Perhaps try a diferent brand of bike trousers?

4 - music - I wouldn't, but then I don't commute on the bike. I do know bikers who do listen to music whilst riding, so up to you I suppose!

[Le Chien]

Thanks guys - I think we're overwhelmingly in favour of dipped lights as opposed to full beam so I'm sticking with that.

The info on ski pants is useful too. I was going to try that but will go for 'proper' trousers instead.

Have the feeling that apart from possible not being able to hear things around me, it might distract me so I'm going to steer clear of music too.

Thanks again - your prompt answers/opinions have set me right on a couple of things...much appreciated.

[alone]

To address the filtering question a little more.
If you notice a bike coming up fast, it's polite to find a safe gap, indicate, and move over for them. Sometimes even waving them past. For me, this goes for any time a rider is progressing faster than I am.

It's all too easy to get caught up in trying to keep up with them after you've let them past,, just let them go, you'll get tunnel vision and be totally locked on their movement and completely miss that person about to open their door when the bike infront of you has gone past them.
You'll soon get faster at filtering, more so if it's part of your daily commute!

[colin1]

for comfort, a larger size of textile armoured trousers is a good idea

ski trousers are good for warmth but offer no protection whatsoever

but you could always wear them over textile armoured trousers when its really cold
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Louise]

1. I ride with full lights on everytime im out on the bike

2. Im new to filtering, I go with the flow. If I find cars are quiet close together I find a safe gap and wait.

3. I have just got Dianese textiles. Now, they are just too big for me. But, are comfy. So I use them on long rides.

4. I use one ear phone which is still good enough for short/long journeys.

Today I ran out of power on the Ipod and did 50 miles without music. Got pretty boring [/quote]

[Victor-Charlie]

Do you mean high beam headlight during the day , because at night that would be bad, if someone fails to dip their headlights, I put mine back on and they're xenons and really bright.

I'm seriously considering some hi vis tape on my mirrors, because every little helps in the quest to be seen.

[TheDonUK]

1. Dipped in most riding conditions, in heavy traffic filtering i use mainbeam now, as you move between mirrors you "buzz" the cars up front with the light, i dont mind if they are annoyed, as long as they have seen me...

2. In london or anywhere try and let someone faster than yourself get past, all you have to do is move over a couple of inches, and maintain a straight course... if they want past let them do the work...

3. Try Draggin Jeans or Hood Jeans, They are made of knitted or woven kevlar, i am sitting in a pair of draggin jeans now, very comfortable and tough...

4. Yes I listen to music sometimes, on dual carriage ways and motorways wind noise stops you hearing anything anyway, just take it easier in cities/towns if you have music on...

[froggeh]

For the trousers, why not get leathers, mine are way comfortable, and wear dome ski/snowboard pants over the top in the cold - I would but mine are fucked from my last trip to Chamonix

[Zimbo]

[Le Chien]

What do you think to the xenon lights that some people use (I'm assuming that I can change my lights to these).

I have found that these tend to catch your eye without dazzling (even on dipped)... Any thoughts anyone?

[Louise]

Sorry, cant find the word im looking for
But, you have 'dip beam' 'normal beam for nights' and 'full beam' for when your on country lanes with no other people ect ect.
I use normal beam, Like the cars. I wouldnt use full beam as I know its not nice having a bright light in yer face.

[Kickstart]

Hi

You have side lights, then dip beam and main beam.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Jebus]

full beam annoys cages, i admit that i have it on at night i do flick it off if i can but not always, keep it dipped when day and on comeing cars at night. music i do listen to now, it feels so boring on my 80 mile a day commute so it keeps my mind from drifting away and thinking about ladies.
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2nd time around CBT: 8/9/11
125 Varadero

[Le Chien]

Ha ha. Don't think about ladies - too distracting while riding!!!

No-one has said anything about xenon lights...

[Victor-Charlie]

I'm not an expert but I don't think that it's jsut a case of changing bulbs, when I ordered my car they were an expensive option.....