Good deed for today

[gavbriggs]

This morning on the way to work I saw a BMW office manager type self important M5 car behind a 'L' plated 125 with what can only be described as a chunky rider.

The 125 was traveling at the speed limit but a little close to the kurb for my liking. At the cross road up ahead I pulled around the BMW as I could see him itching to come by the 125. The 125 had no indicators on but again was a little to the left so possibly suggesting a left turn.

The BMW driver seem to Give up on passing the 125 as I'd pulled around, probably felt he couldn't intimidate a 1200 cc machine????

Had a little word with the rider, told him why I'd pulled round. Hopefully he will take note and adjust his road position!!!

Was this wise or will he just think I'm a tit. He was polite and engaged me in the short conversation.

[Dazbo666]

Had some similar advice from a more experienced rider when I was in my 125 days.
I was glad of the help and advice... Really made my day to be "accepted" into the biking world.
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[dydey90]

I've done two CBT's and one of the main things that sticks with me from the first one is "always maintain a dominant road position, or you will get bullied by anything bigger than you".

The second one didn't mention this at all. It was the best piece of advice I got for riding a 125.
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This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[Monkeypony]

What would have been the problem if the BMW had overtaken the bike?
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[pinkyfloyd]

[Rogerborg]

[gavbriggs]

[Rogerborg]

Well said, I completely agree.

Problem is the amount of eternaLearners tooling around on peds and 125s with no intention of ever passing a test, who do rather piss in the punchbowl for the genuine noobs.

From the security of my A category, I can rather see the point in the old rule that if you didn't pass within 2 years then you lost your provisionaL entitlement for a year.

Indeed, I might even give a sort of ambiguous hand gesture to the suggestion that unaccompanied provisionaL riding makes a mockery of the licensing system, particularly now that 17 and 18 year olds can't get on anything bigger than a 125.

CBT ride for 2 years theory tests.

Bit mad, that.

Not that moving the theory earlier would help much, since the Highway Code has nothing to say about lane positioning for two wheeled vehicles anyway.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[i.p.phrealy]

Rog, had the old rules been in place I was 4 days from a years loss of entitlement when I did my test.
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it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

[Rogerborg]

As was I.

I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have put it off so long if the consequences had been a year off the bike, rather than the formality of 2nd CBT.

At least under the pre-2013 system, everyone 17+ had an incentive to pass ASAP, even if only on a 125. Now much of that has been removed and it's almost expected that folk will just try and muddle through until they're 19. Poor bloody show.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[andym]

A friend of mine got a 125 ped and I've followed him from London to Milton Keynes (I was in a van behind him) and the amount of times I pulled up beside him at roundabouts to tell him to stay in the middle of the lane, but his excuse was he couldn't help it.... the other traffic intimidated him.

Incidentally the same person came off his ped twice in the same month, both times he tried to blame it on the cars, but after seeing where the accidents happened and his road positioning at the time, it was definitely his fault

When I had my first 50cc ped it was unrestricted so was good for 40mph (indicated) on flat roads, it was only if I was feeling generous I would move over to let cars or lorries past... and I actually got the odd thankyou wave

[map]

Going through York one time came across a training school run shepherding a couple of learners, as they do.

Tagged along behind last learner making sure not cut up by following cars. The cars then seemed reluctant to get past a lardy tourer.

Anyhow, got thumbs up from instructor when they went right and I went straight on.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?