First trip on the motorway

[GeorgeB.]

I'm going picking my friend up from Uni later, and the quickest way to get there/back is on the motorway.

Any tips? What should I be wary of?
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Current: '99 Fazer 600 | '99 Range Rover P38 4.6 HSE
Previous: Keeway TX125 | CBF 125 | CB400SF Project Big One
CBT 04/12/12 | Theory 03/12/13 | MOD 1 06/01/14 | MOD 2 13/01/14

[P.addy]

Winds with lorries, open areas and strong winds, blind pricks and lack of indicators.

If this is on the CB400SF, I hope you have a screen

[BravoCharlie]

just take it easy. remember you're supposed to stay in the inside lane unless overtaking.

the wind can be a bitch if you try a shoulder check or are alongside lorries, can be a pest on higher areas (motorway bridges etc). keep an eye for speed changes, mines changes from 60 to 50 to 70 around here.

give a good check coming on from the slip road and be at a good enough speed to do so.

also watch out for people engine braking without use of their brake pedal, happened to me a few times where they don't use the brakes to slow, therefore no brake light!

other than that, just ride as normal. you'll be fine
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Current: Kawasaki ZL600 Eliminator
Past: Suzuki GZ125, Kawasaki GT550, Kawasaki GPX600R, Honda vrx400,Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Suzuki SV650 K5
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

[twistedlemon]

[Andy_Pagin]

Motorways can be tedious, long straight, boring roads. So be mindful of losing concentration from the sheer monotony of the ride.
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Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[GeorgeB.]

Ha, no screen yet makes it even more interesting

Thankfully it's only about 10 mins of motorway, so not too bad. Will try and stay away from lorries

I'm guessing it's probably not the best time to find out just how quick the CB can go? (obviously only 70, occifer)
____________________
Current: '99 Fazer 600 | '99 Range Rover P38 4.6 HSE
Previous: Keeway TX125 | CBF 125 | CB400SF Project Big One
CBT 04/12/12 | Theory 03/12/13 | MOD 1 06/01/14 | MOD 2 13/01/14

[twistedlemon]

[stinkwheel]

[Clutchy]

It will be the day you find out how good or bad your crash helmet is.


Motorways are no different to 2/3 lane A roads, don't be scared of the word ''motorway''.

You'll be fine.
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Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!

[doggone]

The worst thing to watch for is cars leaving it too late for an exit and cutting across as if you are invisible.
Beware of moving into a lane at the same moment someone wants it from the other side.

If it slows to a crawl, it's protocol to filter mainly between 2 and 3 assuming there are three lanes.

[Nobby the Bastard]

Get it up to about 90. Keep it there until you get to your destination/services.

Repeat ad finitum.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[janner_10]

Invest in a pair of those in earplugs = makes a huge difference on the motor - as said - its very very boring - motorways are not really any fun on a bike.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[twistedlemon]

[recman]

My motorway tip would be to try to slipstream a Zafira travelling at the NSL if you can.
I did this on my very first motorway ride on a 125, only managed to do it for about 8 miles but it was an awesome feeling.
Actually, don't do it.

[barrkel]

[Ste]

[-Matt-]

Keep your distance is the main one id say. On a long straight road with boredem and nothing to occupy you particularly its easy to forget how fast youre going and how much distance you need to stop. Never know when someone will unexpectedly get cut up and slam the brakes on.

Generally i find motorways very stress free and easy riding. Wind can be a pain on the bike, especially in bad weather but its tollerable. The main 'danger' IMO is slip roads. Stay aware of people potentially swerving from the middle lane as they suddenly realise theyre about to miss their junction. And the same goes for people feeding onto the motorway - check you have space to move out a lane or slow down if its congested to let them squeeze out. Some will plough out regardless, especially if youre a little bike they arent looking for properly in their mirror.

[doggone]

If it happens to be foggy it's one very dangerous place to be as to some extent it's unsafe going slower than other traffic with your weedy single tail light.
Really best avoided if anyway possible.
If things slow down in fog I try to get out of being last in a line ASAP.

[Conzar]

Wheelie the whole length of the slip road
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Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

[Northern Monkey]

If you're only going 10 miles, just treat it like a dual carrageway, but be aware that it's not unusual for people to drive at 90+ mph, so make sure you're sure there is no-one coming up behind you before you pull into the next lane

[GeorgeB.]

I did it

The journey there was wful, it was snowing/hailing/sleeting and the roads/traffic were fecking awful. Got there, stood with my hands on my zorst for 2 mins and then went in the McDonalds accross from his uni and got a big tasty

Way back was fun though, sky had stopped pissing and traffic had cleared, so got a bit of a wriggle on and decided that I infact do need a screen on my bike

But yeah, cheers for the advice everyone
____________________
Current: '99 Fazer 600 | '99 Range Rover P38 4.6 HSE
Previous: Keeway TX125 | CBF 125 | CB400SF Project Big One
CBT 04/12/12 | Theory 03/12/13 | MOD 1 06/01/14 | MOD 2 13/01/14

[map]

[Ribenapigeon]

Don't get caught out after a long dull straight with your speed creeping up then suddenly having to take a turn and going wide. Concentrate and watch out for F'urs undertaking you as you pass lorries. There is alway some twit in an audi thinks its a laugh to try and squeeze between you and the rear of a lorry.

[flumpy7]

[c-m]