Advice needed for newbie on filtering

[catbells]

I had always been nervous on two wheels despite getting my CBT. But I have recently passed the light motorcycle test on my scooter which improved my confidence a lot. I now have the courage to brave the national speed limit roads and all sorts of roundabouts which I previously avoided, opting for simpler but longer routes. Now these roads are irrelevant since my job change to the city centre, I am again wrestling with nerves on my two wheels. I sit and wait obediently behind traffic queues every morning for 15 -20 minutes whilst all the motorbikes and scooters whizz past me. I am too nervous to do the same. Where do I go when I get to the front? What if there's no room, do I past the white line and stick myself in front of a car? What do I do if there's oncoming traffic, especially a big truck of bus? Am I suppose to cut in and how do I thank people when they let me through? Is there a manual of sorts on how to filter?

[rotax81]

if you don't feel safe then don't do it although doing it in the right place will gain you confidence.
in time you will learn to read the dangers. i always go for eye contact in their mirrors and if they are not looking be careful.
some will try to stop you by closing the gap, just be patient with the numpties and all will be ok.
mind the law with crossing a solid white line.

failing all that, wait for a careful biker to come along and follow him/her, it's safer that way.
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ZX636C6F road. ZX636C1H track. ZX7R redundant. ZX0.5R minimoto as ornament.
Audi A4 Avant 1.9TDi and VW Transporter 2.5TDi 888 Special (no mot and tax lol)

[JockyT]

There have been a couple of quite recent posts on filtering so try a search and you should find plenty of advice.

I took a while to start filtering and it's all down to how you feel on the bike. At some point you just think "this should be okay" and away you go.

I haven't reached "filtering to the front of the queue" yet - probably still worried about stalling when the light go green. When I can't remember the last time I stalled, I might feel ready for the final filtering challenge!

JT
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Current Bikes:
YBR125 - low running cost commuter
XJ600s - a bit dull but cheap and reliable first big bike

[Wise1]

It takes confidence but as ratax81 says, wait until another biker does it then follow, you dont need to go right up front, find a space further donw and pull back in until your confidence grows.

When I get to the front I tend to make eye contact with the car in the lane I intend to go into if there is no space in front, i.e. he is on or over the line.

Where possible I use the smallest space to at least turn in slightly to the lane I want and use a good reearward observation looking right at the driver as a clear indication I am going in front of him/her and into that lane.
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Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[Jebus]

first time i went out on my bike properly to work got to back of a long line of cars, sat there for a few mins and watched a couple other bikes pass and though sod this and just went for it. was good
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2nd time around CBT: 8/9/11
125 Varadero

[Rufus]

when you first start filtering just do it in a safe situation. like on a road with 2 with flow lanes. that way both lanes will be stationary so you won't have to worry about on-coming traffic, just be careful for people crossing between traffic. go up the lane, pull in where a car has left a slightly bigger than normal gap and it should be clear to them that you'll be going in front of them. when you gain confidence go to the front of the queue (though perhaps not on a 125 as they're not the quickest things and you may end up slowing down the car traffic.)

in short, you know your limits. don't exceed them! you'll come to a situation where you'll think 'hell i can filter here' and go for it. as you gain confidence more and more of these situations arise.

i started filtering on my way to work which cut down a potentially 30 minute journey to 10 minutes. after doing that a few times i did it a bit in town and learned when it's okay to filter and when it's not such a good idea. you'll pick it up the more you do it, just be careful and read the road!
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CG125 > ZX6r > GSX600F > CB250n + ZX7R+ Bandit 1200

[Rowey]

Take a deep breath and sing your favorite song as loud as you can, and go for it. Follow another biker and watch what he does, might give you some confidence having a 'comrade'.
____________________
ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[blindside666]

I agree with the above posts, you will know when its right.
If you don't feel up to it don't do it. Remember you are perfectly safe and within your rights to sit in that queue, it isn't the law to filter although other bikes may be doing it.

Don't always follow bikers, be cautious. I've seen some go past me where its not safe and get into difficulty up ahead as car drivers will not let them in, and they cannot filter further due to a crossing or something in road. However! The majority, 99.9% of other bikers are safe and get on alright, so if they are going nice and slow and taking it careful I'd usualy be behind them (if I somehow get stuck in traffic queues or aren't filtering myself).

One good tip is do a really exagerated left lifesaver as you pull in, this quite CLEARLY shows your intentions to the car driver. Then like some said above, theres eye contact in the mirrors.

Another is that sometimes when filtering I will right indicate (if I'm going over the broken white line slightly) then indicate left when I pull back in. No excuses for car drivers not knowing what you will do then.

Once you get the hang of it, its brilliant, great feeling going past everybody sitting in their tin cans whilst you breeze on by and make what seems like amazing progress in your journey.
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Current Bike: Lifan GY125
CBT: 15th June 2008
A2 Passed: 16th October 2008

[The Disapproving Brit]

Don't rush it. I've only been riding a few weeks, and there's only a select few situations where I'll filter. I only filter at 5-10mph faster than the traffic flow, even less if there's a junction coming up that tin can man's blocking my view of. When I come to islands, I'll rejoin traffic to get past rather than trying to squeeze past, same if some numpty tries to block me. When someone pulls in for me, I usually either give them a nod if I see them make eye contact in their mirrors, or a thumbs up after I pass.

Approaching roundabouts, I normally rejoin traffic shortly before the traffic splits into lanes, and live with waiting the last few cars. Traffic lights, I lane split on a dual carriageway if there's a clear run to the front, safe in the knowledge that my acceleration is almost certainly better than the guy next to me, even on my heavy 125. Single carriageways I make a call for each situation.

Other bikers behind may want to filter faster than you're comfortable with. If you see them getting close, try and pull in somewhere safe and let them through. Don't push yourself beyond your comfort zone out of a sense of camaraderie for your fellow biker - they can wait just like the other traffic, then come on here and swear about you afterwards.

When you do filter, remember: cars don't expect you to be there, and your own visibility is compromised by the big lumps of metal to your left. Assume you're invisible, and that people are going to pull out in front of you. It will happen. Watch the brakes lights a few cars ahead - if the car you're coming up to is slowing, but the ones in front of it aren't, he may be letting someone out. That someone could be a pedestrian, so don't assume a lack of junction means you're clear to go faster.
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[Fnatic]

It probably took me 20 hours of riding to be confident at filtering. It does take time.

[rotax81]

just one other thing i forgot to mention.

if you are on a slow bike, take into account that once you have filtered to the front you may be holding everyone up when you get going again.
there is nothing worse than me sitting in a queue in my van for 10 minutes then some farty bike filters past and holds me up for the next 5 miles.
that really annoys people, me included
____________________
ZX636C6F road. ZX636C1H track. ZX7R redundant. ZX0.5R minimoto as ornament.
Audi A4 Avant 1.9TDi and VW Transporter 2.5TDi 888 Special (no mot and tax lol)

[Pickle]

Do a Dr Pepper - what's the worst that could happen?

Like, if you decide to filter when you are not sure it's safe you could get hit by that oncoming truck and killed... as opposed to having a longer journey and feeling like a bit of a numpty sat there while all the other bikes zoom past you!

Thing is, I don't want any more points on my license - so I ain't gonna speed, and I ain't gonna ride in bus lanes just cos everyone else does it. And I also don't want to die, so as a relatively new biker I will only filter when I feel comfy to do so. Yeah, I feel stupid sometimes, and old, but that's ok.

Be warned when following other bikes filtering though - just cos they can fit through the gap doesn't mean you can...

[catbells]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I guess I'll sit, wait and observe for the time being. I'm on a 125 scooter which does accelerate very well but I always let whatever alongside me go first (except for buses).

For two mornings running, there's always a big bike or some other scooter who will come up from behind me, sit alongside me in the queue for a minute or two and then move off again. Am I suppose to acknowledge them, or am I being invited to follow them? I'm just very shy and usually avoid eye contact with strangers unless it is necessary.

Just one more off topic thing, white transit van drivers are malicious and mean.

[blindside666]

I suspect they are probably pulling in because there is a nice comfortable gap or waiting for some traffic to pass. Then thinkin oh f**k this to waiting and filtering on again to another gap.

If they do though, jump on the throttle and follow them down - if you feel up to it, following bikers is the much easier option, or wait til you see one coming up in your mirrors and follow him when he goes by - I used to do that when I was unsure.
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Current Bike: Lifan GY125
CBT: 15th June 2008
A2 Passed: 16th October 2008

[rotax81]

[Mac_Black]

Hhhhhhhmmmmhahahmmmmmmmm...

I'd say if you want to filter then just aim for the back of a vehicle your're approaching then you'll subconsciously guide yourself through

[iooi]

[catbells]

Thanks iooi. Very concise and exactly what I wanted to know.



About the white van drivers, they would do anything to get in front, barging into my lane, cutting me up and nearly pushing me off the road.

[iooi]

[muzz]

Try this link....
https://www.motorcycle-training.f2s.com/filtering.html

[bikerchick82]

I only have one thing to add to all the good advice above....

Be 100% confident in your manoeuvres.....Once you commit then follow it through, don't be bullied into giving up and don't let anyone shake the mindset that you have