Sodding car drivers .. :(

MementoMori · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Karma :

Today, I got my Aprilia RS50. My MotorHispania was stolen but that's a long story, so after ages, we finally got it sorted.
Anyway, yeah, I spent this morning starting and stopping and finding gears, and... less than half an hour ago, I went out on to the roads with my dad behind me on his bike, going up and down this long straight. Thumbs Up

As I was turning into the street where I live, I was well busy concentrating on changing down and braking and indicating and I looked in my mirrors and there was this sodding great car up my arse, who then pulled out as I was making the turn and went flying past me.
Surprised

That was the first time I'd been out on the roads for myself on a geared bike and already I'm scared to go back out. Crying or Very sad

That man scared me half to death. How am I supposed to learn in confidence if there are a'holes like him about? Neutral

:: sigh :: sorry, I just needed to share that with some people who know what I'm on about Rolling Eyes

I haven't been on here for ages, starting college and all Confused

so erm.. hope you're all doing good Thumbs Up

Thanks,
Steph.
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Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

All you can do is ride it off. Learn to do gears, indicating, clutch etc without thinking about it. This will give you more time to be looking in your mirrors and around you to give you a chance to avoid the likes of the above driver.

iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Karma :

It might be worth you going to a quiet car park and learning gears and stuff there, then you won't have inpatient car drivers there, or a quiet industrial estate on a sunday is also good Smile

.

My advice is just get you and your bike out on the road and ride ride ride, thus building up your confidence and your skills, it also might be worth taking a few lessons with a qualified motorcycle instructor.

Bagpuss · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 06 Jul 2004 Karma :

To a certain extent its just another one of those things you need to learn to deal with. Don't let it get you flustered and probably the best thing to do if its a real problem is indicate to pull over and gradually slow down to let the car past stopping if necessary.

It is probably the L plates (if you've got them) - I often find cars right up on my back tire for no obvious reason other than they are idiots and I have L plates so obviously I will be really slow - not.

Good luck with the bike, geared bikes are much better Smile

mr jamez · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Karma :

You should have checked you're mirrors before indicating anyway ? Wink

This happens all the time, when I am in my car people do it to me, you just get used to it after a while.

MementoMori · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Karma :

... I did look in my mirrors before indicating.. no really! Rolling Eyes

.... but I wasn't expecting him to be THAT close Crying or Very sad

Ah well, thanks for all your advice. Tomorrow if the weather's alright, I'll go out again and get more confident with it. And yeh, I might go back to the place where I did my test.... the instructor did say he'd help me on the gears... very under the table though, which was nice of him. Typical biker Cool

Why not.
I'd heard about all the car drivers and whatnot's attitude towards L plates, but I didn't think it'd happen on my first run! Oh how niave.
Thanks for all your help again Thumbs Up

Steph
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Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Don't let car drivers like that put you off....

Trust me, they get close whether you've been riding for years or not. There will always be one driver who is in such a hurry (or are so stupid) that they cannot possibly use their brakes to allow you to turn safely. Rolling Eyes

You are lucky to have a father who will go out with you. Let him ride behind you and 'guard' you. All you need is confidence. If you were out riding, you have the skill. So keep at it! Very Happy

Better luck next time Thumbs Up

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dannie_10 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 15 Aug 2004 Karma :

hey maybe a little older but in the same boat (learning to ride due to daughter wanting ped next year and wanting to be out there with her when she starts).... and being a car driver for many years never really realise what pratts other drivers can be towards learners ...so i sympathise with you .... and would just like to say keep going dont let them wear you down .... good luck ... safe riding Wink

m99dws · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Karma :

Good car drivers are ones with experience in more than just cars. Once you have ridden a bike, driven a 38 tonne artic or pushed a white van to its limits on the A1, you begin to appreciate how other vehicles work and manourve.

Not all car drivers are morons, not all bike riders are saints. There are good and bad in both worlds.