Beepers and flashers
Discussion
I think if you’re getting it frequently then you have to look at whether you might be doing something to provoke it.
I have been riding for over thirty-five years and filter a great deal, on both motorways and in town, and I can honestly say that I can’t recall ever being flashed or beeped while filtering.
This is not intended to criticise or be argumentative - just to get you to consider what you might be doing that would cause this.
Have you got your high beams on for example? Some motorcyclists do this as they feel it makes them more visible and therefore safer, but it does tend to wind up car drivers who get a blast of light via their mirrors. Are you lit up like a Christmas tree with all those auxiliary lights? Have you got a truly obnoxious exhaust and are booming past while revving to warn drivers when there is no need to do so?
There might be the odd, rare driver annoyed simply because they are envious but it would not happen frequently for no good reason.
I have been riding for over thirty-five years and filter a great deal, on both motorways and in town, and I can honestly say that I can’t recall ever being flashed or beeped while filtering.
This is not intended to criticise or be argumentative - just to get you to consider what you might be doing that would cause this.
Have you got your high beams on for example? Some motorcyclists do this as they feel it makes them more visible and therefore safer, but it does tend to wind up car drivers who get a blast of light via their mirrors. Are you lit up like a Christmas tree with all those auxiliary lights? Have you got a truly obnoxious exhaust and are booming past while revving to warn drivers when there is no need to do so?
There might be the odd, rare driver annoyed simply because they are envious but it would not happen frequently for no good reason.
FazerBoy said:
I think if you’re getting it frequently then you have to look at whether you might be doing something to provoke it.
I have been riding for over thirty-five years and filter a great deal, on both motorways and in town, and I can honestly say that I can’t recall ever being flashed or beeped while filtering.
This is not intended to criticise or be argumentative - just to get you to consider what you might be doing that would cause this.
Have you got your high beams on for example? Some motorcyclists do this as they feel it makes them more visible and therefore safer, but it does tend to wind up car drivers who get a blast of light via their mirrors. Are you lit up like a Christmas tree with all those auxiliary lights? Have you got a truly obnoxious exhaust and are booming past while revving to warn drivers when there is no need to do so?
There might be the odd, rare driver annoyed simply because they are envious but it would not happen frequently for no good reason.
Dipped beam, Standard lights and pipe. I have been riding for over thirty-five years and filter a great deal, on both motorways and in town, and I can honestly say that I can’t recall ever being flashed or beeped while filtering.
This is not intended to criticise or be argumentative - just to get you to consider what you might be doing that would cause this.
Have you got your high beams on for example? Some motorcyclists do this as they feel it makes them more visible and therefore safer, but it does tend to wind up car drivers who get a blast of light via their mirrors. Are you lit up like a Christmas tree with all those auxiliary lights? Have you got a truly obnoxious exhaust and are booming past while revving to warn drivers when there is no need to do so?
There might be the odd, rare driver annoyed simply because they are envious but it would not happen frequently for no good reason.
The particular culprit this morning, in his 10 year old 1 series hatch, first came to my attention (as being potentially awkward) as I slid past him in L2 as he was in L3. Already closer than the recommended gap to the van in front, he decided that a good reaction to a more vulnerable road user making progress would be to close the gap to approximately one car length, presumably to prevent me from slotting in in front of him. Motorway traffic being what it is L2 began to move quicker than L3 and I pulled into L3 ahead of the van. Van driver was unfussed. Mr 1 series was flashing and beeping as if he'd just been told he'd won the lottery. As I pulled off onto the Aston Expressway slip, he came past again, beeping his horn and waving his arms about...I'm sure he appreciated my cheery wave!
Fair points above, but refer to my initial question. What do you think they hope to achieve?
Pothole said:
Dipped beam, Standard lights and pipe.
The particular culprit this morning, in his 10 year old 1 series hatch, first came to my attention (as being potentially awkward) as I slid past him in L2 as he was in L3. Already closer than the recommended gap to the van in front, he decided that a good reaction to a more vulnerable road user making progress would be to close the gap to approximately one car length, presumably to prevent me from slotting in in front of him. Motorway traffic being what it is L2 began to move quicker than L3 and I pulled into L3 ahead of the van. Van driver was unfussed. Mr 1 series was flashing and beeping as if he'd just been told he'd won the lottery. As I pulled off onto the Aston Expressway slip, he came past again, beeping his horn and waving his arms about...I'm sure he appreciated my cheery wave!
Fair points above, but refer to my initial question. What do you think they hope to achieve?
Yeah, I guess there are always a few idiots about and you happened to come across a couple! The particular culprit this morning, in his 10 year old 1 series hatch, first came to my attention (as being potentially awkward) as I slid past him in L2 as he was in L3. Already closer than the recommended gap to the van in front, he decided that a good reaction to a more vulnerable road user making progress would be to close the gap to approximately one car length, presumably to prevent me from slotting in in front of him. Motorway traffic being what it is L2 began to move quicker than L3 and I pulled into L3 ahead of the van. Van driver was unfussed. Mr 1 series was flashing and beeping as if he'd just been told he'd won the lottery. As I pulled off onto the Aston Expressway slip, he came past again, beeping his horn and waving his arms about...I'm sure he appreciated my cheery wave!
Fair points above, but refer to my initial question. What do you think they hope to achieve?

Pothole said:
Dipped beam, Standard lights and pipe.
...
Fair points above, but refer to my initial question. What do you think they hope to achieve?
Tbh I think they might be worried that you're riding a motorcycle whilst smoking a pipe! Although thinking about it, then those parps would mean "damn you look cool!" ...
Fair points above, but refer to my initial question. What do you think they hope to achieve?

I might start smoking a pipe just to make this a reality!

FazerBoy said:
I think if you’re getting it frequently then you have to look at whether you might be doing something to provoke it.
I have been riding for over thirty-five years and filter a great deal, on both motorways and in town, and I can honestly say that I can’t recall ever being flashed or beeped while filtering.
Agree with this. But also think that sometimes it just happens. Tends to happen to me more in the car.... e.g. safe, legal, relaxed overtake without even exceeding the speed limit...... headlight flash. What does it all mean?I have been riding for over thirty-five years and filter a great deal, on both motorways and in town, and I can honestly say that I can’t recall ever being flashed or beeped while filtering.
GriffoDP said:
Pothole said:
Dipped beam, Standard lights and pipe.
...
Fair points above, but refer to my initial question. What do you think they hope to achieve?
Tbh I think they might be worried that you're riding a motorcycle whilst smoking a pipe! Although thinking about it, then those parps would mean "damn you look cool!" ...
Fair points above, but refer to my initial question. What do you think they hope to achieve?

I might start smoking a pipe just to make this a reality!

FazerBoy said:
Have you got your high beams on for example? Some motorcyclists do this as they feel it makes them more visible and therefore safer, but it does tend to wind up car drivers who get a blast of light via their mirrors. Are you lit up like a Christmas tree with all those auxiliary lights? Have you got a truly obnoxious exhaust and are booming past while revving to warn drivers when there is no need to do so?
There might be the odd, rare driver annoyed simply because they are envious but it would not happen frequently for no good reason.
Interesting to read this. I’m not a regular in here but I’m thinking of ending my 7 year biking hiatus. There might be the odd, rare driver annoyed simply because they are envious but it would not happen frequently for no good reason.
The two recent phenomenons that really wind me up when I’m in the car are bikers with their main beam on during the day and those BMWs with mega bright LED spots at riders knee level.
Bike headlights are already bright as they’re right inline with a car drivers eye level. I got blinded by some tit the other day as he came towards me while I waited to pull out at a T junction.
The young’un at work passed his bike test and came riding in with his main beam on. I told him it was stupid and he’d be dazzling drivers but he said his instructers told him to do it to be seen.
Surely that’s not right!? When I passed in 2000 we got told to use dipped beam if we liked but not main. That’s just selfish, t
tty behaviour on behalf of the biker. Oh and those LED spots on the BMWs are far too bright. It seems manufacturers can do what they want with lighting on new stuff these days.
Back on topic, it does sound like the OP is causing some sort of upset. At the same time I know there are a lot of slow drivers who want everyone to drive as slow as them.
Living semi-rurally on some good biker roads I’d often pass dawdling car drivers doing 40mph in a 60 zone and they get on their main beams etc. Just self-righteous twisty gits.
If you want to do 40 that’s ok but don’t whinge about folk doing the limit and making a perfectly safe, legal pass.

Hi John. Excellent. 
Don’t do it this summer. I’ve moved.
Currently renting in Pont whilst waiting to move to Ulgham.
Fancying a 90’s/noughties bike for fun and commuting. It’s been 7 years since I sold the R1. Don’t want anything mint as I’ll just start being a fanny with it.
Hope you’re well in these crazy times anyway.

Don’t do it this summer. I’ve moved.

Currently renting in Pont whilst waiting to move to Ulgham.
Fancying a 90’s/noughties bike for fun and commuting. It’s been 7 years since I sold the R1. Don’t want anything mint as I’ll just start being a fanny with it.

Hope you’re well in these crazy times anyway.
marky911 said:
Hi John. Excellent. 
Don’t do it this summer. I’ve moved.
Currently renting in Pont whilst waiting to move to Ulgham.
Fancying a 90’s/noughties bike for fun and commuting. It’s been 7 years since I sold the R1. Don’t want anything mint as I’ll just start being a fanny with it.
Hope you’re well in these crazy times anyway.
Hi Mark.
Don’t do it this summer. I’ve moved.

Currently renting in Pont whilst waiting to move to Ulgham.
Fancying a 90’s/noughties bike for fun and commuting. It’s been 7 years since I sold the R1. Don’t want anything mint as I’ll just start being a fanny with it.

Hope you’re well in these crazy times anyway.
I'm doing fine, be good to see you back on a bike especially if its an R1.
Oh, you'll be pleased to know I pass though Ulgham every day on my way to work.
As a predominantly car driver -with a full bike licence, used to ride then scared myself silly once too often - my take on this would be as follows:
Those that do this are bell ends, nothing more, nothing less. You've called into question their manhood by daring to pass them, they are probably frothing at the mouth and screaming whilst recording you on their dash cam. Then, when they get to their destination, all stressed and with blood pressure approaching dangerous levels, they will upload the footage to their youtube channel, which takes up so little bandwidth they might as well not bother, in the hope that their video describing how dangerous your progress is and how they are going to pull you up and show you the error of your ways, will make them an overnight sensation.
Best to just ignore them, at some point they will have an aneurysm whilst behind the wheel.
For me personally, i'm more interested in what you might be riding and wistfully thinking "do you know what, i quite fancy another bike" before coming back down to reality
Those that do this are bell ends, nothing more, nothing less. You've called into question their manhood by daring to pass them, they are probably frothing at the mouth and screaming whilst recording you on their dash cam. Then, when they get to their destination, all stressed and with blood pressure approaching dangerous levels, they will upload the footage to their youtube channel, which takes up so little bandwidth they might as well not bother, in the hope that their video describing how dangerous your progress is and how they are going to pull you up and show you the error of your ways, will make them an overnight sensation.
Best to just ignore them, at some point they will have an aneurysm whilst behind the wheel.
For me personally, i'm more interested in what you might be riding and wistfully thinking "do you know what, i quite fancy another bike" before coming back down to reality

FazerBoy said:
I think if you’re getting it frequently then you have to look at whether you might be doing something to provoke it.
I have been riding for over thirty-five years and filter a great deal, on both motorways and in town, and I can honestly say that I can’t recall ever being flashed or beeped while filtering.
This is not intended to criticise or be argumentative - just to get you to consider what you might be doing that would cause this.
Have you got your high beams on for example? Some motorcyclists do this as they feel it makes them more visible and therefore safer, but it does tend to wind up car drivers who get a blast of light via their mirrors. Are you lit up like a Christmas tree with all those auxiliary lights? Have you got a truly obnoxious exhaust and are booming past while revving to warn drivers when there is no need to do so?
There might be the odd, rare driver annoyed simply because they are envious but it would not happen frequently for no good reason.
I'm with you here. I've spent 14 years riding bikes, filtering frequently (london riding). Never been beeped at or flashed with headlights. Some guys I see filter quite fast, take risks and they get sounded at / flashed at and probably rightly so - it can startle. I have been riding for over thirty-five years and filter a great deal, on both motorways and in town, and I can honestly say that I can’t recall ever being flashed or beeped while filtering.
This is not intended to criticise or be argumentative - just to get you to consider what you might be doing that would cause this.
Have you got your high beams on for example? Some motorcyclists do this as they feel it makes them more visible and therefore safer, but it does tend to wind up car drivers who get a blast of light via their mirrors. Are you lit up like a Christmas tree with all those auxiliary lights? Have you got a truly obnoxious exhaust and are booming past while revving to warn drivers when there is no need to do so?
There might be the odd, rare driver annoyed simply because they are envious but it would not happen frequently for no good reason.
Also, your line about riding with high beams on; this really f
ks me off. It doesnt make one more visible; the high beams dazzle and you cant work out if the bike is close or far away, plus it completly blocks out anything else so you cant effectively use your mirrors. I've had people behind me with their high beams in while Ive been filtering, I've had to move aside as I cant tell if they are tailgating me or whatever. Really selfish.
slopes said:
As a predominantly car driver -with a full bike licence, used to ride then scared myself silly once too often - my take on this would be as follows:
Those that do this are bell ends, nothing more, nothing less. You've called into question their manhood by daring to pass them, they are probably frothing at the mouth and screaming whilst recording you on their dash cam. Then, when they get to their destination, all stressed and with blood pressure approaching dangerous levels, they will upload the footage to their youtube channel, which takes up so little bandwidth they might as well not bother, in the hope that their video describing how dangerous your progress is and how they are going to pull you up and show you the error of your ways, will make them an overnight sensation.
Best to just ignore them, at some point they will have an aneurysm whilst behind the wheel.
For me personally, i'm more interested in what you might be riding and wistfully thinking "do you know what, i quite fancy another bike" before coming back down to reality
I'm looking forward to seeing myself on youtube!! Get a V7, they're great fun!Those that do this are bell ends, nothing more, nothing less. You've called into question their manhood by daring to pass them, they are probably frothing at the mouth and screaming whilst recording you on their dash cam. Then, when they get to their destination, all stressed and with blood pressure approaching dangerous levels, they will upload the footage to their youtube channel, which takes up so little bandwidth they might as well not bother, in the hope that their video describing how dangerous your progress is and how they are going to pull you up and show you the error of your ways, will make them an overnight sensation.
Best to just ignore them, at some point they will have an aneurysm whilst behind the wheel.
For me personally, i'm more interested in what you might be riding and wistfully thinking "do you know what, i quite fancy another bike" before coming back down to reality

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you couldn't make it up. Pegswood, Longhirst, Ulgham then Felton. I only usually take the bike in during summer and that's on a Monday for burger night at the Vale café after work.