Embarrassing, but I'll survive, and could've been much worse

[Aquila]

So, today was my second day riding into work.
Still feeling pretty nervous about it, but no incidents really...
...other than the fact that I was gently riding along with traffic, and contemplating filtering to the front of the signaled roundabout, and while hesitating (didn't want to knock off any mirrors), I see a kid on a scooter whiz past me between the lanes to the front, which was followed by a big touring bike...
OK, so I guess there was enough room for me to go through after all...

But hey, this is still early days for me, and there'll be plenty of opportunities for filtering in the future once I have more low speed confidence!

[J.M.]

There's no pressure on filtering, it's not needed and it's not something you have to do. So most importantly, there's no rush.

Don't start filtering until you feel confident in your riding abilities. I was riding for perhaps a month before I started filtering regularly. And there's still times where I wont do it because it's just not worth it.

And as for the moped, if he did really "whizz" past you then he's being stupid. Keep your speed down whilst filtering, cars don't always look for you before doing u-turns in the road (as I've found out by experience! )
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[pinkyfloyd]

Your playing it safe. Very commendable.

I still only filter when I'm sure I can get down safely. I've also been sitting in traffic and seen bikes filter past. Personally I judged it too close for comfort for me but they did have the same views so went ahead. Their prerogative.

As you get to know the width of your bike your filtering will improve.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[allotriophagy]

You definitely did the right thing. I don't filter unless I am absolutely sure it will go without a hitch. It's not worth the stress! Saying that, when I manage to make really good progress in rubbish traffic...it's a great feeling.

[snikks]

Yeah don't be ashamed of sitting in traffic with other bikes whizzing past you, there's no shame in it. It's just a case of making a judgement of your own skill level, what you feel comfortable with, and how safe it'd be.

Personally I only usually filter on dual carriageways where the traffic is going to be going the same way, and only if the traffic is a major hold up. If it's just a queue for the lights or something I'll happily sit in it and just take the few seconds extra waiting.
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- CBT: 02/01/11 Theory: 26/04/11 Mod 1: 19/05/11 Mod 2: 19/08/11
- 2007 Honda XL125V Varadero (Sold), 1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer (Sold), 2001 CBR600F

[hedgehugger]

Like they said, no pressure.
4years of riding and I catch myself sat in traffic thinking, oh yeah I can filter

[trikeschick]

I haven't filtered yet but am quite happy with that. I did my first overtake the other day and that was on the motorway! Better to be safe than sorry. Our day will come
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"Light travels faster than the speed of sound, which is why some people appear bright until they speak"

[Adamski91]

Remember the first time I filtered properly between two lanes of traffic.
Massive delays and near stationary traffic due to the Brynglas Tunnels explosion. I was bobbing up and down the lanes filtering for hours, managed to get a bit of experience under my belt.

Either way, every couple of minutes I'd hear a loud rumble, I'd check behind and there'd be an R1 or Ninja or some nice loud sport bike behind me wanting to get through. Would have to pull over and he'd shoot off at 30mph or more where I was chugging along on my little CG at about 10-15mph.

Still fun, and the experience will come as I ride.
Long ride down to London soon, yikes.
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Honda CG125 -> Suzuki GSF Bandit 600 S

[Sload]

Not filtered yet. If I'm honest it doesn't feel natural to me at all. Been driving for several years now and I automatically assume position in traffic

[CaNsA]

Filtering is a skill that will just "happen" one day.

Its like a shit.... If you force it you will end up with piles.

[swampy]

Filtering is a judgement call, and therefore people will feel more confident when they've accrued enough experience to make that judgement.

Personally I fucking love filtering, its what bikes are for IMHO, but like anything, you need to feel happy getting over the first step...

To the noobs, have you tried going out with someone who's a bit more experienced ? Sometimes its a bit easier to gain confidence whilst following someone else (you need to trust them not to be a dick though).
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"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." Hunter S Thompson
"Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death..." Hunter S Thompson

[blurredman]

It's when to filter and when not to. When not to is when there is no point. And then, if there is a point, can you do it safely?

I only ever filter to the front of the lights if I am sure there is enough time to do it in a safe manour. And I don't bother to filter at all if I am only up to 5 cars back and know I will make it through.


One of my last filters was more of a tacticle move. Accross the junction there was a lorry unloading taking half the road. I knew that the car infront of me would be waiting behind it. So I went ahead of him at the lights and sure enough I got past the lorry on the other side of the junction just before traffic came in the oposit direction meaning no one could move.

Good call
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 51k.

[Tsopo]

I tend to filter at random. Even on familiar routes I might not try it at places I've done it before. Especially my route to work. At lights for example, I can usually tell if they're going to turn green, so if I know they are I don't bother filtering. I'm not in any rush to get to work.

As a matter of fact, today on my way to work this happened. Stopped at lights close to where I live and I knew they were about to turn green so just sat in traffic. A learner scooter came up behind me and waited, although I could tell he wanted to filter to the front (no idea why he didn't, there was room). As soon as the lights changed he started filtering through moving traffic (illegal no?). Hell, even if it's not illegal I don't do it, seems too dangerous.

I actually wanted to catch up with him to tell him his L-plate needed replacing (looked like it had spent a few cycles in a washing machine and was in pieces) but I couldn't catch up

[anthony_r6]

I have not filtered yet (bar an odd one or two times where I KNOW It's been possible,) and I've been riding since Feb, and have passed my tests. It's not been a problem except one time when there was a line pretty much along the whole main road I was on, and rather than cut the line, I just waited. I've never seen my bike's temp gauge move so far along. I'm just not confident at judging it, I need to get lessons or go out with someone who can teach me a little something about filtering.
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Ted : "Maybe he's agoraphobic."
Dougal : "Jack scared of fighting? I don't think so, Ted."

[Alex_B]

I'm new to this as well.

I was trundling down the road (familiar road btw) and I know there will be a huge line of traffic in the left lane but the right hand lane is a right turn only. It's a busy, busy junction.

So, right hand lane clear, left hand lane blocked. I remember I'm on a bike and not in the car so I do what I've always wanted to do. I ride down the right hand lane, all the way to the front and 'cut' in at the front of the lights, to turn left.

I see bikers do it everyday and it never bothers me but I couldn't help feeling a bit guilty but also VERY SMUG

Not 'filtering' as such but still frekin great
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My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[95Theses]

For those wanting more practice why not wait until next time a bike (preferably same size or bigger than you) filters past at what looks like a reasonable speed, and then follow them for a bit.

It will give you the confidence that there is space and has the added benefit that cars tend to move over a bit for the first one giving you an even bigger gap. Plus if you are behind the guy in front then you don't need to worry about holding anyone up behind you.

[Aquila]

Great tips guys.

I'll keep them in mind, and slowly build it up.

[Rogerborg]

Yup, ride your own ride, make your own decisions. Keep a note of all the times you see a biker nob something up, and whenever you're tempted to trust someone else's judgement remind yourself that this could be that one time in a hundred when they've got it badly wrong.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[The Artist]

I don't tend to filter at roundabouts because I am stealing someone else place and the cagers can get angry. I filter at traffic lights though.

[J4mes]

same here, no filtering on approach to roundabouts as its where I find people are most likely to switch lanes with little or no notice either because they want a different exit or because the traffic is moving 2mph quicker in the other lane. Also, people struggle to follow lanes on a roundabout and often cut right across. I've had so many near misses in the car/van that I just don't bother on the bike

[LordShaftesbu...]

I remember before I passed my test I filtered along a huge line of traffic, right through a zebra crossing. There was somone on it at the time although I couldn't see them due to the traffic - I flew past them with my right handlebar almost brushing them. I realised straight afterwards that if I'd hit them I could have gone to jail so I backed off a bit after that.

[J.M.]

[Ericck]

[Angel Girl]

I've had my licence a week now ... and I'm still nervous just being on the road on the bike .... I can't even think about filtering yet!

It will come in time, and when I get out with my OH he's in his element filtering so I'll get some practice there, IF I feel ready, and not a second sooner.
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Rides Honda CB500S aka "The Orange Peril"

[andy_uk]

I've plucked up the courage to filter a couple of times recently due to there being a lot of standing traffic (roadworks etc) but one thing I'm unsure of is :
When the slow moving/stationary cars are positioned nearer to the centre of the road, is it legal for me to cross the (dotted) white line ( also 'ghost islands') in order to get past?
I was going to do this when I saw a police car also stuck in the traffic and decided against it...

On a similar note... on my way back to work this aft, I saw another guy on a 125 obviously wanting to filter but rather unsure. Until 2 pushbikes went flying past him... I was just about to give him a nod to say "go for it" when he stalled it bless him
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Aprilia Classic 125, GS500E, ER5-A1, ER5-C4, ER6 & an XJ6 project frame...