How fast do you go around roundabouts?

[EazyDuz]

Since i came off on one i seem to be bricking it whenever i approach one now. I tend to go around at 10-15 mph max, normally 12mph though.
Same with mini roundabouts, am i right that if you ride on the white circle in the middle you will fail the test, even if you ride slightly on it?

Was turning right on one earlier and i made sure not to touch the white, which made the turn itself really tight, must have been going maybe 8mph, it was labouring in 2nd...

Thanks
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[anthony_r6]

Depends how big it is. There is one near me I like because the road curves into it and I can learn right over and all the way round before leaning out of the roundabout too. I loved it, until they put a traffic light on it. But I did know that one well. In general I'm usually prepared to stop before entering the roundabout, so I slow down to a crawl before I know it's clear.
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[Benson_JV]

As above, it depends entirely on the roundabout, the view leading up to the roundabout, etc.
Some like the one at the bottom of the road ajacent to mine I have to go at about 3mph (or just ride over it like I do most days) and others like some I used to use on my commute to stratford I took at about 30-40mph.
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[Teflon-Mike]

If you KNOW how fast you are going around a roundabout, you are'nt looking where you should be! Your watching the speedo, not the traffic coming at you from all directions!

SOD the speedo, Duz....... stop thinking start RIDING!!!!!!
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[kingley]

I agree with Teflon-Mike. Having said that though I can roughly guess my speed most of the time (not always though). Of course these apply only when I can see an immediate entrance onto a roundabout and don't have to stop like I usually do at the entrance to one.

It all depends on the size of the roundabout and it's location.
If it's a proper size roundabout in a built up area (30 or 40 mph zone) then I'll do between 20-30 mph.
If it's on a 50 mph zone then I'll do around 30 mph (maybe just under or just over 30 mph).
If it's a mini roundabout in a residential area, then I'll do around 15-20 mph.
If it's a really tight turn on a mini roundabout then I'll do maybe 10-15 mph. Sometimes maybe even as slow as 5 - 8 mph.

Yes, if you ride on the roundabout marker (white circle) you will fail. Roundabouts are to go around. Not over.
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[Slacker24seve...]

If you've not got your knee down you're not going quick enough!

But seriously, I think about in terms of what gear I'm in. First for only the smallest of mini roundabouts then second or third depending on what size is. As Mikipedia says, sod the actual speedo reading and go with what feels right
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[kingley]

[J.M.]

There's a roundabout near me (the M69 roudabout) which is in a 60 zone. I don't usually look at the speedometer, this roundabout is one of the safest places for me to get past those 40 drivers, so I usually do!
(yes I know that roundabouts are usually pretty dangerous to overtake on, but this one's alright so long as you judge the traffic/speed correctly: https://g.co/maps/fqxkq)
That roundabout is usually taken at (an indicated) 60-65mph but I come out of it at an indicated 50/55.

My next roundabout is this one https://g.co/maps/nbtnm. It's a built up area with a maximum speed limit of 30. Usually I have to stop to wait for a gap so speed isn't an issue, but if it's clear I can usually straight-line it, so that's what I do.

After that there's a mini roundabout just here https://g.co/maps/kr3dx, and it's really tight. If I'm avoiding the white blob (which I almost always do) I can only take it at about 5-10 mph.

And finally I've got this one, and I'm really not a very big fan of it: https://g.co/maps/a8wmt
It's often rather busy.. well always rather busy.. I've never encountered a time where I've been able to go "too fast" for it.

In the end it all depends on the roundabout and a speed that both you and your bike can handle.

Edit: I was scared about roundabouts too after my first off (I told you about it) well, the off was like here https://g.co/maps/k2cq2 just by the lamppost (seriously, I think I deserve a medal for managing to crash there...). Was really worried about going to college after that because there's literally no way of me getting there without using a roundabout! So I was kinda forced to get my confidence back. If there's something I can say though it's get on one as SOON as possible. The longer that you leave it the more worried you'll get about it, but as soon as you take it again you'll go "hang on.. what was all the fuss about?!"
Drop us an inbox sometime if you fancy going on a ride like you thought about (now that the bike's pretty much done?)
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[trikeschick]

Have no idea, I tend to keep my eyes ahead as there is always someone going faster than me ( happens in the car too) or in the wrong lane. You can overthink something, just chill and go with the flow...
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[Alex A]

As fast as possible without cutting anyone up.

Roundabouts often make excellent corners and chicanes.

I suppose that's pretty useless, but I can answer your question about mini roundabouts. Unlike 'proper' roundabouts, you should approach on the left side of your entry lane for a right turn (be sure to indicate). That way, you can take it as a simple right turn rather than having to move back out and around to avoid going across the 'island' (in a kind of reverse question mark shape).

Should allow you to go faster too if that helps..

[Paulington]

I suppose the best answer I can give is as fast as the traffic is flowing if you are riding with other vehicles around you, if not, the answer would be as fast as you feel comfortable with.

As above, the only time you should really be looking at your speedometer is occasionally >>GLANCING<< at it to make sure you are doing the right speed, and when I say glancing I mean glancing, for a split second, just enough to see your speed. You should not be glaring at it for any period of time whilst the motorcycle is in motion, that causes accidents for obvious reasions.

I am unsure if it has changed in the two years since I did my test, but yes, unless it is COMPLETELY UNAVOIDABLE, you should NOT ride on the white paint that defines the centre of the roundabout. For example, there is a double mini-roundabout close to where I live and due to its layout and where cars park off the double mini-roundabout etc you occasionally have to ride over the white centre to give the cars parked on the side of the road enough space to open their doors without taking you off.

I did the above on my test and the examiner commended me on it, said he sees a lot of people ride within inches of car doors to not touch the white centre when it is a lot safer and much better riding to reverse it for your own safety.

However, in the rain/nasty weather you won't catch me anywhere near the white paint in the centre as it often catches all the road grime on it and in the wet becomes a deathtrap as they often have zero grip, same with tarmac banding.

In short, go as fast as you are comfortable with and the confidence you require will come, it just takes time, then, when it does come, you will be carving up roundabouts/roundabout surfing to scrape your knee until the cows come home. .

Cheers! !
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[GrantT]

[Dazbo666]

As already mentioned, if you are looking at your speedo on the approach, or on the roundabout, you are not looking where you need to be.
I honestly couldn't say with much accuracy how fast I go on a roundabout. It all depends on the size of the roundabout, the type and condition of the road, and the amount of traffic you're having to deal with.
I'd suggest that if in doubt or in an unfamiliar area, approach relatively slowly (being prepared to stop if necessary). You can adjust your speed as your riding experience and/or road knowledge increases.

One of my own favourites is a large, open roundabout that just happens to be on one of my routes to/from work. I tend to go that way when I finish a night shift, cos it's dead quiet at 7am, so I can "practice" some roundabout surfing...
(unfortunately for me, resulting in a shredded tyre like this Maxxis and £89 later, it was swapped to this Dunlop Qualifier over the weekend)
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[pinkyfloyd]

Depends on the roundabout. I have been going around this beastie at around 60 though recently.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=50.837377,-1.072905&spn=0.002707,0.004823&t=h&z=18&vpsrc=6
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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.

[McFlufferson]

Mini ones? During test? Don't touch them, don't go too fast to feel majorly uncomfortable, but don't go so slow your balance is affected.

Mini ones after test? Pft. Just go over them.

Big ones, during or after test, concentrate on the tanks rolling around everywhere more than your speed or lean angle. You may have to force yourself in to this habbit at first, but after a while it'll become just that - habbit. If you're concentrating as you should be on the other traffic then you won't be going too fast anyway.
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