Anyone else flashing high beams on a motorcycle to give way?

[Adame]

Since I’m a car driving motorcyclist too, I often try to high beam cars on a motorcycle like I would do in a car, signalling I’m giving them way (mostly at evening/ low light). Say they wanna turn right and I flash them from a distance many times.

Anyone else doing that? What are your thoughts? I found it to be 50/50, many car drivers are confused as they didn’t know a motorcycle can do that (ha ha), neither they have seen one doing it (I super rarely see that too).

For me it’s easy to do as I trained my left thumb to be always on horn/ controls

[jeffyjeff]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Too much potential for confusion with disastrous consequences. If you’ve got right of way then use it, with caution. That way everyone knows where they stand.

[The Artist]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3nUAAOSwEUBfvbhm/s-l400.jpg

Some bikes have a flash button also.

[doggone]

The Highway code suggests 'correct' use is to let people know you are there - which does come into play.

There's at least one more or less blind corner here where if you flash lights oncoming drivers can see it reflected in parked cars or windows.
In practice it nearly always means 'I'm pausing to let you go come through' especially one or two flashes rather than several flashes.

You don't only rely on it you are also noting vehicle position and 'body language' it is rare for things to be misunderstood but beware of third parties who might not be able to see what's about to happen.

[Easy-X]

[MCN]

It's a Dick Move to use your lights as a signal that you're 'giving way' to another road user.

It interpreted differently in different parts of the world.
In West Africa (and parts of S. East Grimsby) it means, 'Hey everyone, heads up, I'm coming through.'

Follow the Highway code and don't do 'clever things.

A nice thing to do is to stop and wave a pedestrian on to cross the road. They may think that you have made sure it's safe for them to cross and not pay full attention to traffic, and miss that motorbike or bus coming the other way.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Weisse Schlange]

Yup, never do it.

It's shit driving and gets used by shit drivers who need a huge empty junction to turn into so they let folk out rather than drive round them.

Or even worse, stop to give way to someone on a huge main road , holding up traffic behind them.

Did I mention it's shit driving ?.
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Hing Oan

[BigTim]

No

Did try being nice but it just leads to confusion.

You end up with situation where they go stop go stop because they unsure, then you have to brake, then car behind you not paying attention almost rear ends you!

We're kings of the road, ride like you own it, (but constant checks on approach to make sure they've seen you and be ready for anything!)
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MZ S50B, Suzuki GP100, Honda CBF1000, Honda Blackbird (I like my Blackbird)

[Evil Hans]

Agreed. It was a long time ago, but my driving instructor told me not to do it.
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Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red.

[Polo]

I give a sideways 'after you' nod type gesture thing. I never flash.

[Ayrton]

I do it occasionally in the car if I'm in slow busy traffic or something like that, but the couple of times I've tried it on the bike drivers don't see it and things can then get a bit sketchy. I'm also a bit worried that I might flip my headlights to the off position too and not notice since my bike has a slider type switch.

Also I think if your stuck at a junction then you should just wait for a gap. There is a really annoying 40mph hill here that's a fucking crawl in the morning because there is a junction at the top where everyone stops to let people out.

[Nobby the Bastard]

I never give way unless required to by the Highway Code anyway....
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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."
Sprint ST 1050

[stinkwheel]

Stick to normal rights of way. Stop trying to tell other drivers what to do.

It boils my piss when people do that. It's confusing and a sure way to cause an accident.

They do it all the time round here, "flash you out" of a side road they want to turn into when they were the only vehicle coming purely so they can cut the corner. Then get pissy when you don't go (because they have right of way).

My area has had a lot of "flash for cash" incidents over recent years where someone "flashes you out" of a junction then deliberately crashes into you and puts in a huge insurance claim for whiplash. You don't have a leg to stand on in that situation because they had right of way and the highway code is unambiguious about the meaning of a flashed headlamp.

The one place where I "let someone out" is if I am in snarled up traffic and someone is trying to pull out onto a hopelessly gridlocked main road. If someone doesn't cede them right of way, they'd grow old and die there. In that instance I will stop to leave them a space, make eye contact and give them an "after you" type hand gesture to make my meaning clear. There is no need for a headlamp flash.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Britabroad]

Constantly flashing headlights are allowed over here (USA) & not only are they fkin aggravating but they are totally confusing for all other road users.
I usually flash drivers from behind to tell them l'm there & they need to move over (in 2/4 lane situations) because they will sit in the outside lane "just because they can!"

[kolu]

I fucking hate drivers flashing their lights in my face after dusk. Makes me half blind almost every fucking time. And I especially love it when the stupid fucking cunts do that as a "thank you" when I let someone go by my position/speed (stopping so they can pass). Like they can't just wave hand or whatever. It should be made illegal and punished.

[Britabroad]

[steve the grease]

I used to drive for a living - I use 2 or 3 quick flashes* ' Please pull out and complete your overtaking manouver- I am aware of your presence'. One long continuous flash " Oh you Knut, what are you playing at ' probably with the horn as well.

* 2 quick peeps of the horn to say thanks when the other person has pulled in on a single track road to let you pass. - yes there are lots in the rural area where I live.
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All the above is my personal opinion, you can see my lips move, but I'm talking out of my arse.
I've been riding, and fixing , bikes for 50 years, in that time the more I learn, the less I am absolutely sure of.....