Roundabout, control, indicating & trying not to get squa

[Andy Rider]

So I've been struggling with roundabout confidence and living in Milton Keynes I get a lot of practice (chances to scare the hell out of myself)!

I googled it and found a post that said keep the rev's up and use the clutch/ back brake for speed control. Been trying that and it does seem to help as I'm less jolty not using the throttle. But I have little girly hands! and find it hard to use the clutch and the indicator switch at the same time, especially while keeping an eye on all the cars etc around me trying to squash me...

So any top tips, please?

[davebike]

Leave the clutch out of it unless you coming to a Stop
engine revving in the middle of its range
try to keep it smooth
Use your indicators !
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[DrSnoosnoo]

Do you have a licence? If so, you should have sorted the clutch and brake control out to be second nature? If not; you need to get out to a quiet place and practice those techniques before you start needing to concentrate on hazards
____________________
I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[RedPanda]

What gear are you using? If you're always in first then it'll be more jolt-y.
____________________
CBF125 (2013) -> CBR600F (2001) -> 'Ninja' 300 (2014)

[Rogerborg]

[rubyhorse2]

it still amazes how many people have no clue how to use roundabouts (not aimed at OP, just general road users).

My main biking advice is to dominate the road, make car drivers and other road users know your there and arent taking any shit.

See so many people ride too defensively and poorly positioned, this just makes car drivers more likely to use space they shouldnt be using.

For roundabouts, just keep observant and in control, know your exits and plan your entry and exit so you can be as smooth as possible, including any lane changes and signals. But as above, dont be pushed around, be confident and smooth.

[UncleFester]

You have to have ridden / driven in MK to understand how people there approach roundabouts and it's never with care and almost always in the wrong lane with no or incorrect signalling.

Get your observations ( shoulder and mirror checks) sorted, approach with care but not too much caution and get all your braking done / gears / signalling on before you get to the 'line'.

You can cancel the signal after you've dealt with the roundabout.

Smooth is key.
____________________
2017 Z1000SX

[Matt B]

[DrSnoosnoo]

My most recent observation of poor roundabout use;

Last night
NSL road
2 lane entry on to the roundabout for us
5 exits, including coming right around and returning on ourselves.

(Surprisingly) A Volvo estate thing thought that using the roundabout at approx. 10 mph in the inside lane, with no indication, was the best way to arrive at the 4th exit.
____________________
I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[Rogerborg]

[rubyhorse2]

true, but i have seen bikers being utterly molested on roads, being edged into the kerb simply because they ride like frightened little rabbits and most car drivers will simply see more of a space and think they can use it.

[shdaxner]

Surely whether you have only done your CBT or whether you have your full licence the whole slipping the clutch whilst using your back brake to control the speed thing should be common practice as it is necessary to have to do this on both CBT and Mod 1.

Could it be possible that you are depressing the clutch too early (under confident driver seem to do this alot going round corners and such) and having to release it alot causing the rough ride?
____________________
Bikes - 65' Keeway RKV 125 (sold), 55' Kawasaki ZX6R C1H

[Andy Rider]

[DrSnoosnoo]

[Rogerborg]

[Andy Rider]

[B5234FT]

It's one of the things I've found most difficult about going from cars to bikes, trusting the tyres and knowing how much margin you have, when the consequences of finding the limit are so much greater.

Normal large roundabouts you can countersteer round are fine, and slow speed stuff in carparks and so on is fine, but mini roundabouts are the devil because everything happens so close together and its too slow and yet not slow enough.

[UncleFester]

The issue with MK is often diesel or debris out of your line of sight on a large roundabout so there's a good line ( Ha ) between going too slow and getting in the way and going too fast that you can't avoid issues.

Realistically you should know where your indicator switch is, when you don't have to look for it, it's much easier and that comes with practice.

Good observation prior to the roundabout means you can be smoother as you're already preparing for the turn.

Speed / progress come after smoothness and that only comes with practice.

If you want to practice on quieter roundabouts, go off over to Tattenhoe / Westcroft on an evening about 7pm or later. Lots of roundabouts, won't be maniac busy.

If you're an early bird ... the A422 gives you a good run of dual carriage way and open roundabouts with good road surface to practice on too.
____________________
2017 Z1000SX

[Pete.]

[Pete.]

[Val]

[Andy Rider]

See attached photo. This is a typical roundabout.

I'm red sticking to my lane going straight on but you will potentially have other vehicles using the roundabout in a blue or even yellow fashion hence my right shoulder check to make sure no one is yellowing up my ass. But you also have to worry about those green folk who are still half a sleep and not seen you! There's just danger coming from everywhere.

[B5234FT]

If you're anything like me, you're looking around far too much.

My instructor pointed out that your left lifesaver for the green folk needs to be early enough that you can actually do something about it, and therefore theres no point looking further around than just left of your mirror. I also got scolded for checking again, as it as too late to be useful and distracting when I should have been looking at other things.

Provided you're staying in your lane, the blue folks arent a concern (unless they change their mind and become yellows), nor are yellows who are keeping to their lane, so the remaining risk is a yellow exiting into your lane, which will occur after the greens in which case yeah, I'd be checking to the right too, but again, a glance at 45 degrees, not craning my neck right round.

Theres a lot you can do in terms of thinking where you are against the adjacent lane, if you're defensively in your lane, and keeping pace with the inside lane such that youre not sitting in someones blind spot you're less likely to be missed in a last minute "shit I need to go straight on" manouevre.

That said, I'm still green and if anyone more experienced disagrees with the above I'd be keen to hear about it!

[Matt B]

I always do a quick look on the left shoulder to check the green line. That's the only one you really need to worry about. They tend to start creeping out at you or just don't bother stopping because they hit a roundabout at 70 and didn't slow enough. If the yellow line is beside me at the exit then they won't be for long, just accelerate away.

Get set up before the roundabout, get your observations done and check what is near or on it and what will be there when you are. Check the right mirror on approach to see what will be going round with you on that yellow line (normally a chav in a Civic Type aRse). Then just smooth and steady, quick left shoulder check, left indicator, exit, disappear.

If it's clear I will straightline or straighten out every roundabout I cross in MK.
____________________
stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Pete.]