And today's commuting highlight is...
Discussion
Bailey93 said:
Ignition barrel was frozen again this morning, I sprayed wd40 down the hole and put Vaseline on the key (oo er) and gave it a lot of in and out action, but obviously It hasn't worked.
What else can I do bar pouring warm water on it.
(Carefully) heat the key up on the gas stove, don't get it too hot or you'll melt the plastic. Doesn't need to be very hot anyway, then put it back in and wait 10s.What else can I do bar pouring warm water on it.
Well it's lowlights, and irritations, for me today.
I'm not enjoying my new commute at all (office move, not a new job). Every which way I go, it's stop-start, constantly picking your way in & out, and yes, the cyclists are really difficult to share the road with. I know this is a divisive subject, but they seem in the main to take a "don't care for any rules of the road, and I'm certainly not going to check what's coming/what's behind me or around me before I move/get in the way, because I have the moral high ground" approach.
New route = new riders to "admire", of course. Today's included Mr Hornet, with an ear-bleedingly noisy can which he wanted to everyone to sample approximately every 100 yards, meaning clutch in and pin it. His riding technique seemed to be, ride as fast as fk in every gap, but don't plan ahead, then get stuck, whilst the more observant bikes pass you (again). Rinse & repeat.
Then there was the guy on the Harley (48/Sportster sort of thing) who, twice, followed other riders, and where there was an obvious route/gap, he just gassed it hard past them as they went for the gap, then stood it on it's nose (such as you can on a tractor) causing the other biker to have to take evasive action. Not big, not clever, we're all trying to survive the commute, matey.
I need to wfh more.
I'm not enjoying my new commute at all (office move, not a new job). Every which way I go, it's stop-start, constantly picking your way in & out, and yes, the cyclists are really difficult to share the road with. I know this is a divisive subject, but they seem in the main to take a "don't care for any rules of the road, and I'm certainly not going to check what's coming/what's behind me or around me before I move/get in the way, because I have the moral high ground" approach.
New route = new riders to "admire", of course. Today's included Mr Hornet, with an ear-bleedingly noisy can which he wanted to everyone to sample approximately every 100 yards, meaning clutch in and pin it. His riding technique seemed to be, ride as fast as fk in every gap, but don't plan ahead, then get stuck, whilst the more observant bikes pass you (again). Rinse & repeat.
Then there was the guy on the Harley (48/Sportster sort of thing) who, twice, followed other riders, and where there was an obvious route/gap, he just gassed it hard past them as they went for the gap, then stood it on it's nose (such as you can on a tractor) causing the other biker to have to take evasive action. Not big, not clever, we're all trying to survive the commute, matey.
I need to wfh more.
supercommuter said:
CAPP0 said:
Then there was the guy on the Harley (48/Sportster sort of thing) who, twice, followed other riders, and where there was an obvious route/gap, he just gassed it hard past them as they went for the gap, then stood it on it's nose (such as you can on a tractor) causing the other biker to have to take evasive action. Not big, not clever, we're all trying to survive the commute, matey.
I need to wfh more.
I had this morning, a bloke on a dragstar, gunning it with his slashcut pipes to out pace my 48bhp wheezy twin only to sit blocking huge gaps for other bikers. Luckily I found another gap and left him.I need to wfh more.
fergus said:
CAPP0 said:
Thing is, this twonk wasn't so much outgunning, as diving around people who were already committed to a gap. Saw him do it twice. Not good.
First rule of commuting club: never go for a gap when someone riding like a tw@ is highly likely to do the same thingYesterday evening's highlight was mildly amusing. Parked in the Minories car park, and if you know it, it has metal railings to separate off the bike parking. There are gaps to get in and out and they are big enough to get most quads through. But not big enough for a Z1000SX.....matey boy took two bites at lining his bike up, and then folded in his mirrors to get through, before flipping them out again once he had managed to squeeze through the 4ft gap. I loled.
Not quite sure how he's going to manage to filter, perhaps he's one of those who just sits in the traffic.
Not quite sure how he's going to manage to filter, perhaps he's one of those who just sits in the traffic.
ColonelLingus said:
CAPP0 said:
Yesterday evening's highlight was mildly amusing. Parked in the Minories car park, and if you know it, it has metal railings to separate off the bike parking. There are gaps to get in and out and they are big enough to get most quads through. But not big enough for a Z1000SX.....matey boy took two bites at lining his bike up, and then folded in his mirrors to get through, before flipping them out again once he had managed to squeeze through the 4ft gap. I loled.
Not quite sure how he's going to manage to filter, perhaps he's one of those who just sits in the traffic.
I also park at minories, what bike do you have? Mine is a bright loud tuono Not quite sure how he's going to manage to filter, perhaps he's one of those who just sits in the traffic.
I'm now on the Ark Royal, aka R1200RT, I *think* I'm the only one in there currently.kiethton said:
The return of the blinding drizzle.....
Yuck
Yep. last night and this morning. Proper PITAYuck
Biker 1 said:
My 'waterproof' boots turn out to be far from it
Snap. I now officially need some new ones.And on top of that, got into the car park this morning, went for my top box key (which contains my chain and my work bag with work clothes in it) only to find that I had somehow failed to pick it up. For reasons far too long and boring to even think about typing out, but relating to where my laptop was and my plans for next Monday & Tuesday, turning round and going home was not an option, so I am now sat in the office in a motley medley of un-matching clothes.
I am not having a good day!
Edited by CAPP0 on Friday 10th February 11:20
Obviously I didn't want to say anything earlier, but my commuting highlight today was walking back to the car park and the bike was still here. Because, as above, I forgot the top box key this morning and the chain travels in the top box. And the key to the emergency disklok which lives under the seat is on the same bunch as the top box key. And I couldn't turn round and go home again because that would have buggered up the first few days of next week.
Rode home in the "snow". And relax, it's Friday
Rode home in the "snow". And relax, it's Friday
kiethton said:
Jazoli said:
kiethton said:
Managed to leave for work a little late this morning, thankfully just about managed to get in on time and without incident, was nice feeling some grip too!....
However I managed to leave my wallet at home, the bike flicked onto the reserve tank shortly after leaving the house and I have no lunch with me, going to try and borrow £20 from a friendly PH'er in the office to see me in Tesco's sandwiches and the bike with enough fuel to actually get me home
No android pay or apple pay on your mobile?However I managed to leave my wallet at home, the bike flicked onto the reserve tank shortly after leaving the house and I have no lunch with me, going to try and borrow £20 from a friendly PH'er in the office to see me in Tesco's sandwiches and the bike with enough fuel to actually get me home
One for this evening I think
kiethton said:
left home as the reserve tank kicked in....all good until the Old Kent road when it starts running rather rough and eventually conks out, manage to get it re-started whilst still rolling and make the 0.2 miles to the Tesco to fill up, can only assume the fuel filter needs to be changed...and a rear indicator has fallen off :/
The list to make the bike decent/non-antisocial/dependable keeps growing, seems like the previous owner (a mate of mine, barring 9 months and 300 miles with somebody else in the interim) has bodged a few things/its getting some all weather use (was a garage queen before):
Headlight adjustment screw to be re-located in the adjuster (currently illuminating rear view mirrors and tree canopies)
Cam Chain tensioner (have the parts, not the time)
Oil and filter (same)
Front indicator (lens fallen off, have the replacement)
Rear indicator (now fallen off, need to buy another/fix)
Exhaust blowing and end can fallen off (poss need to weld & put the now dented end can back on)
Brake pads starting to wear low but still fine
Fuel filter
The list to make the bike decent/non-antisocial/dependable keeps growing, seems like the previous owner (a mate of mine, barring 9 months and 300 miles with somebody else in the interim) has bodged a few things/its getting some all weather use (was a garage queen before):
Headlight adjustment screw to be re-located in the adjuster (currently illuminating rear view mirrors and tree canopies)
Cam Chain tensioner (have the parts, not the time)
Oil and filter (same)
Front indicator (lens fallen off, have the replacement)
Rear indicator (now fallen off, need to buy another/fix)
Exhaust blowing and end can fallen off (poss need to weld & put the now dented end can back on)
Brake pads starting to wear low but still fine
Fuel filter
This is not going well for you, is it!Is yours silver (and red?) - I sat beside one at the lights just past New Cross where you split right onto the OKR this morning. I did think the bike seemed to be hiding in the gutter in a rather subdued fashion! Me on an R1200RT and I think there was a ZX10 alongside me?
kiethton said:
No mine is black with some fetching Orange rim tape (something else which should really get some of my attention), although the exhaust is still attached here....
Typically leave Beckenham at about 06:15, come via Catford/Lewisham and get to Moorgate for ~06:50
Ah right, def not you - besides, I'm still in bed at 0615! I'm in Moorgate today, usually at Tower Bridge.
Typically leave Beckenham at about 06:15, come via Catford/Lewisham and get to Moorgate for ~06:50
They say there's a first time for everything. Today was the first time in 20 years, on & off, of commuting into London that I got knocked off.
Lee High Road, by the Vauxhall garage, car in front of me indicates to turn left, I go round the car to continue along Lee High Rd, woman in Golf assumes that since the car she can see is turning, she can pull out to turn right, despite the presence of a 1200RT piloted by a 6'4 rider in a full hi-viz vest and a fluoro Arai.
Was only about 15-20 mph. I hit the front corner of her car which in turn knocked me over onto the RH side, so the bike is damaged on both sides, although not that badly. Mostly cosmetic/crash bars/head protectors, although one of the headers has an egg-sized dent in it. Rode it in, it did seem to be backfiring on overrun, not sure if that’s related.
I’m 99% OK except for, ironically, there is a gap between the top of my boot and the bottom of my knee armour, and I’ve had a whack there, which is pretty sore but not too big.
Plenty of other bikers stopped to help, and a woman on a bike behind me gave me her card as a witness.
Got up and rode the rest of the way to work, trying to work out what I could/should have done differently. Not gone around the car, I guess, although don’t we all do that several hundred times a day when commuting? She did seem to come out of nowhere. Not sure how that one goes on insurance.
Ah well! At least I didn’t crash head-on into the police car on blues & twos the previous night who was coming flat out at me on the wrong side of the dual carriageway in Deptford by the DLR!
Lee High Road, by the Vauxhall garage, car in front of me indicates to turn left, I go round the car to continue along Lee High Rd, woman in Golf assumes that since the car she can see is turning, she can pull out to turn right, despite the presence of a 1200RT piloted by a 6'4 rider in a full hi-viz vest and a fluoro Arai.
Was only about 15-20 mph. I hit the front corner of her car which in turn knocked me over onto the RH side, so the bike is damaged on both sides, although not that badly. Mostly cosmetic/crash bars/head protectors, although one of the headers has an egg-sized dent in it. Rode it in, it did seem to be backfiring on overrun, not sure if that’s related.
I’m 99% OK except for, ironically, there is a gap between the top of my boot and the bottom of my knee armour, and I’ve had a whack there, which is pretty sore but not too big.
Plenty of other bikers stopped to help, and a woman on a bike behind me gave me her card as a witness.
Got up and rode the rest of the way to work, trying to work out what I could/should have done differently. Not gone around the car, I guess, although don’t we all do that several hundred times a day when commuting? She did seem to come out of nowhere. Not sure how that one goes on insurance.
Ah well! At least I didn’t crash head-on into the police car on blues & twos the previous night who was coming flat out at me on the wrong side of the dual carriageway in Deptford by the DLR!
I think she initially admitted blame (bit blurred in my mind tbh) but she backtracked on that and was trying to get me to admit to at least partial liability, which I didn't and wouldn't do. Be interesting to see what the witness p.o.v was, although since she stopped and handed me her business card immediately I'm guessing she was "on my side" so to speak.
I'm genuinely not clear, I'm beating myself up a bit because although she was the one to pull out on me, I do think I should have seen her earlier. I guess she was looking the other way to make sure there was nothing coming from her left.
The speed of 15-20mph was pre-impact, I got on the brakes heavily so it was probably not much more than walking pace by the time I went over.
I'm genuinely not clear, I'm beating myself up a bit because although she was the one to pull out on me, I do think I should have seen her earlier. I guess she was looking the other way to make sure there was nothing coming from her left.
The speed of 15-20mph was pre-impact, I got on the brakes heavily so it was probably not much more than walking pace by the time I went over.
SMar said:
Myles Peraua said:
I'm genuinely not clear, I'm beating myself up a bit because although she was the one to pull out on me, I do think I should have seen her earlier. I guess she was looking the other way to make sure there was nothing coming from her left.
From your description you said you went round the car and you saw it late. If you couldn't see her, she couldn't see you. It may not be your fault but you need to ride more defensively and put yourself in a position where they can see you in these types of situations. Today's "highlight" was commuting in on a 66-plate Bandit 1250, which the insurance company kindly left with me when they carted the RT off for assessment/repair. All I can say is, you can certainly see where your extra money goes on the BM!
Ref last week's incident, the 3rd party's insurance company (not a claims management company, the ins co themselves) have so far sent me two recorded delivery letters, 2 texts, and called me, imploring me to let them settle the claim direct. Which I have done before with a car claim where the 3rd party was unquestionably to blame, and may have done again if my own insurance co hadn't already taken it on and collected the bike. Does seem to suggest an admission of liability, but time will tell.
The guy who collected my bike reckons they might write it off! For a 15mph topple. He said that obv they will price all the parts new from BMW, and if it comes to more than a third of the value, they'll want out. I thought the percentage was a lot higher than that, but this guy collects and delivers bikes back all day every day so he must have some idea of what goes on. He had two other bikes in his van which he was returning to the owners as write offs, and although they were old/cheapish, I couldn't actually see any damage on them at all. If they do write it off, I'll be back with a new thread about what to do ref buying it back or not, and the PCP on it.
This guy said they have 18 vans a day going into Greater London, seven days a week, and they pick up 4 accident-damaged bikes each, each run. That makes 500 bikes a week by my maths. Maybe some exaggeration on is part but that's still a lot of bikes going over.
Ref last week's incident, the 3rd party's insurance company (not a claims management company, the ins co themselves) have so far sent me two recorded delivery letters, 2 texts, and called me, imploring me to let them settle the claim direct. Which I have done before with a car claim where the 3rd party was unquestionably to blame, and may have done again if my own insurance co hadn't already taken it on and collected the bike. Does seem to suggest an admission of liability, but time will tell.
The guy who collected my bike reckons they might write it off! For a 15mph topple. He said that obv they will price all the parts new from BMW, and if it comes to more than a third of the value, they'll want out. I thought the percentage was a lot higher than that, but this guy collects and delivers bikes back all day every day so he must have some idea of what goes on. He had two other bikes in his van which he was returning to the owners as write offs, and although they were old/cheapish, I couldn't actually see any damage on them at all. If they do write it off, I'll be back with a new thread about what to do ref buying it back or not, and the PCP on it.
This guy said they have 18 vans a day going into Greater London, seven days a week, and they pick up 4 accident-damaged bikes each, each run. That makes 500 bikes a week by my maths. Maybe some exaggeration on is part but that's still a lot of bikes going over.
Angrybiker said:
Myles Peraua said:
Today's "highlight" was commuting in on a 66-plate Bandit 1250, which the insurance company kindly left with me when they carted the RT off for assessment/repair. All I can say is, you can certainly see where your extra money goes on the BM!
Ref last week's incident, the 3rd party's insurance company (not a claims management company, the ins co themselves) have so far sent me two recorded delivery letters, 2 texts, and called me, imploring me to let them settle the claim direct. Which I have done before with a car claim where the 3rd party was unquestionably to blame, and may have done again if my own insurance co hadn't already taken it on and collected the bike. Does seem to suggest an admission of liability, but time will tell.
The guy who collected my bike reckons they might write it off! For a 15mph topple. He said that obv they will price all the parts new from BMW, and if it comes to more than a third of the value, they'll want out. I thought the percentage was a lot higher than that, but this guy collects and delivers bikes back all day every day so he must have some idea of what goes on. He had two other bikes in his van which he was returning to the owners as write offs, and although they were old/cheapish, I couldn't actually see any damage on them at all. If they do write it off, I'll be back with a new thread about what to do ref buying it back or not, and the PCP on it.
This guy said they have 18 vans a day going into Greater London, seven days a week, and they pick up 4 accident-damaged bikes each, each run. That makes 500 bikes a week by my maths. Maybe some exaggeration on is part but that's still a lot of bikes going over.
Well that looks like good news. I don't understand what the benefit to you would be, to settle direct. Not to say there isn't one, I just don't get what it could be. You still have to report the incident to your insurance and it still goes on that ineffable shared database, which isn't shared by you, on which they test your knowledge for your next insurance quote. You'll also still get the same 'negotiation' on what market value is for your bike and they'll agree a figure and then give you £300 less than that... So why settle direct?Ref last week's incident, the 3rd party's insurance company (not a claims management company, the ins co themselves) have so far sent me two recorded delivery letters, 2 texts, and called me, imploring me to let them settle the claim direct. Which I have done before with a car claim where the 3rd party was unquestionably to blame, and may have done again if my own insurance co hadn't already taken it on and collected the bike. Does seem to suggest an admission of liability, but time will tell.
The guy who collected my bike reckons they might write it off! For a 15mph topple. He said that obv they will price all the parts new from BMW, and if it comes to more than a third of the value, they'll want out. I thought the percentage was a lot higher than that, but this guy collects and delivers bikes back all day every day so he must have some idea of what goes on. He had two other bikes in his van which he was returning to the owners as write offs, and although they were old/cheapish, I couldn't actually see any damage on them at all. If they do write it off, I'll be back with a new thread about what to do ref buying it back or not, and the PCP on it.
This guy said they have 18 vans a day going into Greater London, seven days a week, and they pick up 4 accident-damaged bikes each, each run. That makes 500 bikes a week by my maths. Maybe some exaggeration on is part but that's still a lot of bikes going over.
Of course you do still have to declare it, but in my case it took a whole world of faff away.
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