Why don't bikers say thank you?
Discussion
I know it doesn't apply to everyone, but it does for the vast majority of bikers.
When I see a bike filtering up behind me I will do my damndest to move out of the way, even if it is to move to the far right when in lane 3 of the motorway (when traffic in lane 2 prevents changing lanes). I'm an ex biker and know what it's like to be stuck behind some twat who wont let you past.
So why is it that 80% (minimum) of bikers don't say thank you? I'm not saying they do anything dangerous, just a not of the head or a lift of the fingers as a sign of common curtousy. Or , as the French do, stick out a foot. One method out of the three will be right (and safe)for all situations.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a rant, I am just shocked at the amount of bikers who don't appreciate it when you go out of your way to help them.
Martin.
When I see a bike filtering up behind me I will do my damndest to move out of the way, even if it is to move to the far right when in lane 3 of the motorway (when traffic in lane 2 prevents changing lanes). I'm an ex biker and know what it's like to be stuck behind some twat who wont let you past.
So why is it that 80% (minimum) of bikers don't say thank you? I'm not saying they do anything dangerous, just a not of the head or a lift of the fingers as a sign of common curtousy. Or , as the French do, stick out a foot. One method out of the three will be right (and safe)for all situations.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a rant, I am just shocked at the amount of bikers who don't appreciate it when you go out of your way to help them.
Martin.
Have mercy!
What most non bikers don't realise is that we often have our hands full, especially when engaged in tricky manoevres such as filtering. Right hand - throttle and front brake. Left hand - clutch. Both hands - steering. Left foot - gearbox. Right foot - brake.
I'm often in the position where I'd really like to say thanks, but just don't have the required number of appendages!
Oops, just read again that you are an ex biker. Didn't mean to sound patronising, but most non bikers don't realise the amount of physical input required to ride. Apparently riding a bike demands use of six times more motor neurons than driving a car. Which proves that bikers are far more intelligent than car drivers!
>> Edited by Mon Ami Mate on Friday 10th December 10:28
What most non bikers don't realise is that we often have our hands full, especially when engaged in tricky manoevres such as filtering. Right hand - throttle and front brake. Left hand - clutch. Both hands - steering. Left foot - gearbox. Right foot - brake.
I'm often in the position where I'd really like to say thanks, but just don't have the required number of appendages!
Oops, just read again that you are an ex biker. Didn't mean to sound patronising, but most non bikers don't realise the amount of physical input required to ride. Apparently riding a bike demands use of six times more motor neurons than driving a car. Which proves that bikers are far more intelligent than car drivers!
>> Edited by Mon Ami Mate on Friday 10th December 10:28
Oh yes we do.
Why only last week when I passed a Noble
I gave him a corteous nod.
I would say the only time you won't get a thank you is when a biker completes a long filter overtake when you would have your hand up tha whole way, or when it's dangerous to relinquish control of the bars.
Filtering at speed takes an awful lot of concentration these days
Why only last week when I passed a Noble
I gave him a corteous nod. I would say the only time you won't get a thank you is when a biker completes a long filter overtake when you would have your hand up tha whole way, or when it's dangerous to relinquish control of the bars.
Filtering at speed takes an awful lot of concentration these days
There seems to be a new breed of biker out there these days. The un-courteous bikers that you speak of could be the same as those that do not perform the ceremonial biker NOD. Maybe there are a lot of people whom have just got into biking who need to be educated with the correct biking etiquette. This would include stopping at a greasy burger van for a tea and bacon butty (fag optional) after a grin inducing hoon around some of Britains most scenic sections of fine blacktop.
I do the same... usually I will knod, or if the car driver has been especially nice, I will give him / her a wave.
People dont realise how hard it is to filter / pass cars on the white lines, as previously mentioned... you try opening yoru car windows at 80mph and taking your hands off the wheel. Multiply that by a factor of 10, and try and go through a tight gap.
ex-bikers or bikers that have to take the car for whatever reason are the best. you can spot them a mile off. they see you comming, they donot hinder progress, and generally are the better drivers.
as has been previously said.. you cannot appreciate the problems with riding a bike in traffic until you have actually done it.
>> Edited by jvaughan on Friday 10th December 13:04
People dont realise how hard it is to filter / pass cars on the white lines, as previously mentioned... you try opening yoru car windows at 80mph and taking your hands off the wheel. Multiply that by a factor of 10, and try and go through a tight gap.
ex-bikers or bikers that have to take the car for whatever reason are the best. you can spot them a mile off. they see you comming, they donot hinder progress, and generally are the better drivers.
as has been previously said.. you cannot appreciate the problems with riding a bike in traffic until you have actually done it.
>> Edited by jvaughan on Friday 10th December 13:04
I always try to say thanks, but yesterday afternoon, whilst saying thanks to a Mundano driver, the tit 2 lanes over decided his white tranny was going to carve up everyone.
In my last moment panic i just got hand back on bars to get out of the way.
The nodding thing is terrible in the south now. But oop north, they are ace.
In my last moment panic i just got hand back on bars to get out of the way.
The nodding thing is terrible in the south now. But oop north, they are ace.
veetwin said:
There seems to be a new breed of biker out there these days. The un-courteous bikers that you speak of could be the same as those that do not perform the ceremonial biker NOD. Maybe there are a lot of people whom have just got into biking who need to be educated with the correct biking etiquette. This would include stopping at a greasy burger van for a tea and bacon butty (fag optional) after a grin inducing hoon around some of Britains most scenic sections of fine blacktop.
A man after my own heart.
If I can nod my head while doing a 70mph wheelie between lanes 2 & 3 (*) I don't see what is so hard about doing it while being sensible. Maybe if I waited untill they were right up my 4rse before moving over I would get more waves, but I prefer to be out the way in plenty of time.
*(I don't ride like that any more)
Martin.
As a biker myself, I try to acknowledge courtesy, especially if the driver has obviously moved over.
As a nod in the other direction, when in the car, when I see a bike coming up behind, I'll move over (not into the gutter, which throws piles of debris up), and flash the left indicator once, to let them know I've seen them. Especially if I'm in the Griff, because a lot of bikers hang behind for a bit to listen to the engine.
As a nod in the other direction, when in the car, when I see a bike coming up behind, I'll move over (not into the gutter, which throws piles of debris up), and flash the left indicator once, to let them know I've seen them. Especially if I'm in the Griff, because a lot of bikers hang behind for a bit to listen to the engine.
I usually raise my left hand/nod if,someone moves over for me.Although some times you cant always,if there's lots going on & you need to concentrate.I don't
like it though when your following a car,& they try to prompt an overtake.
If I don't think it's safe to get past safely.I will stay put thank you!I am quite capable of making my own decisions.It's just when they pull over in a dodgy place,when their's no chance of getting past safely,& then they start getting all arsey,cos you didn't get past!
Although some times you cant always,if there's lots going on & you need to concentrate.I don't like it though when your following a car,& they try to prompt an overtake.
If I don't think it's safe to get past safely.I will stay put thank you!I am quite capable of making my own decisions.It's just when they pull over in a dodgy place,when their's no chance of getting past safely,& then they start getting all arsey,cos you didn't get past!If possible I will either raise my left hand that's hovering over the clutch lever or tilt my head to the left as I pass.......consider it a mandatory gesture if atall possible.
I've even been known to slow down & let drivers out of side roads ya know, especially if I know it's a tricky junction to get out of in the car
I've even been known to slow down & let drivers out of side roads ya know, especially if I know it's a tricky junction to get out of in the car
A point I've made on many occasion is that just because we're bikers it's unrealistic of us to assume that the proportion of bikers that are tossers is probably the same proportion that afflicts the rest of the population.
One weird effect I've noticed is that some drivers having seen you a way off (as I've seen their eyes in the mirror) seem to leave it until the last minute to move out of the way and then do it in a highly exagerated fashion and give you a cheery wave so that are fully aware that they like bikers and move out of the way for them... the fact that you've had to slow down because they move out of the way at the last minute seems to have escaped them... or is that my paranoia
Mark
One weird effect I've noticed is that some drivers having seen you a way off (as I've seen their eyes in the mirror) seem to leave it until the last minute to move out of the way and then do it in a highly exagerated fashion and give you a cheery wave so that are fully aware that they like bikers and move out of the way for them... the fact that you've had to slow down because they move out of the way at the last minute seems to have escaped them... or is that my paranoia
Mark
I always do unless Im traveling at speed.
Have you ever stuck your hand out of a car window at 70mph? now imagine taking you hand off the grip of a motorbike
now read the read of the thread sorry It snot always possible but Yes I mainly stick a foot out now as you wouldnt want me moving my hand during slow speed manovers
>> Edited by pesty on Saturday 11th December 11:16
Have you ever stuck your hand out of a car window at 70mph? now imagine taking you hand off the grip of a motorbike
now read the read of the thread sorry
It snot always possible but Yes I mainly stick a foot out now as you wouldnt want me moving my hand during slow speed manovers >> Edited by pesty on Saturday 11th December 11:16
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff