Riding dual carriage ways

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I've been riding for about five days now on my bike, a few outings and back and forward from work. I'm going to visit my folks this weekend, this will involve riding over the forth road bridge and a lot of dual carriage ways, I'm looking forward to going fast.

What should I look out for and is this too soon to attempt doing a longer journey?

[Hex]

Just be careful, and make sure you do a shoulder check before changing lanes (either moving out into the outside lane, or pulling back to the inside lane).
Try not to fixate on the car infront, look ahead and spot any thing they may need to brake for, as after all if they are going to slow down, it means your either going to want to overtake them or slow down as well.

apart from that I have no real advice, normal rules apply, think like no one has seen you, any junctions that come up watch to make sure anyone pulling out of them is aware your there and don't get too close to the vehicle in front.
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The BCF's very own Party boy! Though he's getting old and feeling it!
Monkey hanger, Born and bred
My little photo portfolio

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Thanks for the advice, it'll be great to get over fourty, been trapped in the city since I got the bike. Also i'll need to make sure I don't miss my exit as the dual carriage way turns into motorway on the other side of the forth road bridge!

lovely red ducati 998 just went past, one day...

[ProXimaCore]

Hey you must live nearby to me. I've been over the forth road bridge a few times on the bike. One thing you really have to watch out for is the wind. If it says reduced speed limit, then go the reduced speed limit. Especially on a really light 125. As Hex said, shoulder checks before moving lane.
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Honda NSR125R -> Suzuki GSXR400R GK76a -> Kawasaki ZX636 B1H -> Honda CBR400RR NC29 -> Nothing

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Yup really light 125, except when i'm dropping it, hopefully don't end up in the forth. Go Go gadget wings.

[Kickstart]

Hi

As above, but when changing lanes on a 3 lane section watch out for people changing lane into the bit of road you are heading for (eg, you going from the left lane to the middle lane, while someone else is moving from the right lane to the middle lane).

Take it easy, maintain a decent gap to the vehicle in front.

Most important, keep left. The other lanes are for overtaking, and unless you are overtaking at that time then keep out of them.

All the best

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

[Noggin]

Oh, if you're like me, and ride a 125 (me an NSR) and you're looking forward to riding fast, remember to still do all of your checks etc. and to focus on what your doing, if you're going to look at the speedo, don't glare at it thinking "yay, I going fast" because then you're not looking where you should be going, and will end up in the middle reservation, like I almost did when I got my NSR over 70, although it was dark, and my lights seem to be rubbish!



Craig G(Noggin)
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Current bike: kawasaki zx12r 2002
Track bike: yamaha r6 1998
Old Bike: honda NSR 125 1998

[priller]

As everybody else said, check before you change lanes but dont spend too long looking behind otherwise your likley to go into the back of a slower car.

[mr.z]

I did some fairly serious milage on my CG125, 50mph was about all you'd get on an incline, downhill a little more....
If your planing long journeys consider going REALLY early in the morning like 4/5am that way its light(ish) and you will have allot less traffic to deal with/get over taken by, did this when i went up to leads festival and it was allot easyer (if damn cold).

As far as rideing, like said before observation will make all the difference! give your self plenty of time to stop keep back from whats in front (look in the highway code for braking distances and they can be alarming) also if your further back you can see ALLOT more of whats in front! NEVER change lanes too late if your going the wrong way its a sure way to get dead, if it means going 10 miles the wrong way don't matter,

Have a look in my sig for a site full of tips all VERY useful (if a bit long!)
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

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I had a great time at home, roads are so much emptier, much more intresting in the east neuk of Fife. Riding on the daul carriage way was fine, though did have remind myself to stop looking at the speedo, "Wahey im going now" moments. The most dodgy bits have been in Edinburgh, really need to work on my slow control.

[carvell]

[ProXimaCore]

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I travelled over at ten on Friday night, so the roads going were pretty clear, came back today so again pretty clear roads. The best riding was in the East Neuk in Fife, brilliant roads, really bendy, kept my speed down though, some of them looked pretty murderous, and they were full of people going to the thrash at Crail Airfield on Sunday.

[mazza]

Changing lanes! can be a bit scary at first. When I first went on a dual carriage way on a bike during a lesson, I thought that it was madness to go at that speed (50mph). I've got used to it now though and the biggest factor in developing your confidence is (as someone already mentioned) is to try and predict the pattern of behaviour of the traffic.

If you're in the slow lane (which is where I'm normally riding a cruiser), just watch your speed and distance from the vehicle in front. If overtaking, and staying there, watchout for people ahead about to overtake. They may not have seen you!!

Anyway, practice on slow speed, right life savers will become second nature very quickly.