Keeping balance while filtering

[Feral Kid]

Hello, I recently passed my motorbike driving licence and bought a bike.
I have a question; what’s is the best way to keep the balance when filtering between cars in traffic, especially when ridding with a passenger on? My problem is when I have to go between cars at low speed and I have to frequently slow down to fit between still cars on both lanes and move off again.

What is the best way to go very slowly with a passenger without using legs to support?
Do I use throttle with rear brake and only left foot to support? Do I use clutch?
Or in this case is it better to use just clutch and throttle without rear brake to be able to use both legs to support?

[doggone]

It would be better to master this when you aren't squeezing between traffic?
With a pillion smaller bikes are lighter at the front and if they can't sit still you are going to struggle.

Trick is to look a head and adjust your speed more in advance so you minimise almost stopping, at walking pace and above you should normally be able to keep it very stable with practice provided your bike is in good condition e.g. decent tyres and steering head bearings not worn.

[mentalboy]

Speed up, when particularly narrow squeeze your eyes tightly shut, breathe in and hope for the best - give apologetic wave when you clip wing mirrors and F.O. sharpish.

Best to build up gradually to that kind of handiwork though, I always tell my pillions to jab me in the ribs if they aren't comfy with any aspect of my riding, it's the usually the only time I get jabbed (barring the ex-wife who also took umbrage at my idea of 'fun cornering')

Just do what you are happy with, it's not a competition, experience will help.
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[mkjackary]

IMO Don't. Practice filtering alone, and only then when you feel comfortable add a pillion into the equation.

[NJD]

[Kentol750]

Everything helps, left foot hovering, right foot covers brake, clutch and throttle work in harmony. Oh, and doing all this well, before you risk someone else's health would be a very good plan. Your pillion won't thank you for passing 3 cars when they have a broken elbow!
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Some bikes.

[Derivative]

Realistically I'm not sure filtering with pillions is ever going to be comfortable.

Filtering properly is a deliberate decision to increase your risk of injury or death in order to get somewhere a bit faster and/or have a bit more fun.

You haven't posted the bike you're using, but a 125 is a nightmare with pillion because it basically halves the power to weight ratio of the bike and the brakes aren't up to it either.

I would only filter with a passenger if they are completely on board with it, and even then it's a stretch. Imagine that they get car doored or whatever and you don't.

[mentalboy]

[Kentol750]

Op hasn't been asked for pic with custard tin, op seems to be hunting for right opinion.
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Some bikes.

[Derivative]

[carpe_diem]

My two penn'orth regarding filtering is that it's not strictly speaking necessary, but if I'm in very slow or stationary traffic I'm adding to the hold up if I'm not taking advantage of a nice path down the middle of the cars that I could move through. If I sit in a space that a car could occupy, I'm making the tailback longer.

Just my opinion, though.
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Currently riding: Suzuki EN125 | Previous rides: Vespa 125PX, Yamaha SR125

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

If you aren't happy filtering through a tight gap, then don't.

Generally I don't use the clutch/rear brake thing through gaps between cars. I can either get through it, or if I think I can't, I'll stop at their mirrors and put my feet down.

I do use the clutch, and rear brake at lights or similar where I don't want to put my feet down.
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[andyscooter]

[stinkwheel]

Remember the slow riding exercises you did on part 1 of your test?

Do that.
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[Rogerborg]

The question is "how", not "why".

Lots of revs, control it with the clutch, drag the rear brake, and most of all: do or do not do. Stop when you mean to stop, go when you mean to go, rather than dabbing and paddling and trying to inch forwards.
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[bigdom86]

just keep the revs up and drag the clutch, tbh filtering at slow speed is all about clutch control. my whole commute is one big filter through london.

also i dont get the notion of bikers who dont filter, what is the point in having a bike if you dont use it to its full potential to make progress? filtering isnt necessarily dangerous as long as you plan it ahead and dont just go in blind

[linuxyeti]

.. for me, top of the list has to be confidence, if you're not confident riding, then DON'T filter. Start off filtering to the front of traffic light queues, and progress from there.

Other than that, your obs need to be very very good, as does your spidey 6th sense!!, And that's not just to be on the lookout for cars, trucks etc, but beware of other bikers who are also filtering, and get right up your arse !!. This usually happens, when you're in front doing the hard work of 'parting the waves' and another filters behind you gets impatient, because you're not filtering as quickly as they are. In this situation, I usually let them pass, and laugh as they suddenly slow down, because they now have to 'part the waves' , which in turn makes my filtering all that much easier

As for riding, predominently clutch control, and back brake as and when required, I also like to flip up the face of my helmet as well.

As others have said, don't filter with a pillion, until you have become experienced at filtering yourself.
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[6r4h4m]

[mentalboy]

[BTTD]

[Rogerborg]

[doggone]

And pedestrians walking through *stationary* traffic

[Nobby the Bastard]

I just ride slowly...
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[Feral Kid]

Thank you for advice. The bike is FZS600. To be more precise; my question is about filtering traffics like on a Westway towards Paddington\Marylebone, where you have congestion for miles with cars standing still on two lanes, often busses and trucks on each side, without clear opposite direction lane to use.
For me so far the best way to keep the balance is using only the throttle and rear break, without the clutch. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is because you are getting good grip when more power is being engaged to the back wheel, but thanks to the rear brake you are not going fast.

But I've noticed few irritating problems with it:
When I have to stop i.e when getting to the narrow point, then it's quite difficult to do it without annoyingly revving engine, because you need to disengage the clutch (so the engine don't stall). But when you close the throttle and you have been using rear brake, then it will suddenly stop and jerk, especially with a passenger sitting behind.
Also just before you stop moving you really want to use your legs for support, but your right leg is using rear brake.
Shall I be using front brake instead (which I heard that it shouldn't used at slow speed) or learn to use only left foot for support?
Shall I be using clutch together with throttle and rear brake? So far I've been trying not to, because when disengaging clutch when already opening throttle and slowing down with rear brake, the engine is revving high.

[Derivative]