Flashing cars to let them out....A good idea??
Discussion
If I can (and in the mood) I'll tend to flash a car if it's indicating to pull out in front of me, letting him out (flash motor or fit bird 
. However, I've noticed that a lot of them turn off the indicators and move back over when they see me do this, obviously thinking that I'm giving them a warning. I never intend it to be this way.
Anyone else ride this way?
. However, I've noticed that a lot of them turn off the indicators and move back over when they see me do this, obviously thinking that I'm giving them a warning. I never intend it to be this way. Anyone else ride this way?
chilli said:
If I can (and in the mood) I'll tend to flash a car if it's indicating to pull out in front of me, letting him out (flash motor or fit bird . However, I've noticed that a lot of them turn off the indicators and move back over when they see me do this, obviously thinking that I'm giving them a warning. I never intend it to be this way.
Anyone else ride this way?
. However, I've noticed that a lot of them turn off the indicators and move back over when they see me do this, obviously thinking that I'm giving them a warning. I never intend it to be this way. Anyone else ride this way?
Cagers (
) aren't used to bikes letting them out - I very rarely do this on the bike, however in the car I am mr courtesy 
Given that a flash of headlight means "I am here" according to the Highway Code, I would suggest that it's a very ambiguous sign to make.
Certainly my reaction in a car would likely be "right, this chap doesn't know what he's doing, so I'll just sit here and wait while he gets out of the way!"
Certainly my reaction in a car would likely be "right, this chap doesn't know what he's doing, so I'll just sit here and wait while he gets out of the way!"
When I started riding again a few months ago I noticed that flashing cars across seemed to have that effect, mentioned it to a few friends and they couldn't work out why they would happily move across if flashed by a car, but run away when a bike does it.
Just accepted it and no longer flash anyone unless their being an idiot.
Just accepted it and no longer flash anyone unless their being an idiot.
garyhun said:
Flashing says "look out I am here". I NEVER flash a car to let them out as there is just too much chance of confusion and something going wrong.
Chilli... is this maybe why you've found it difficult to stay upright? Too much flashing
Chilli... is this maybe why you've found it difficult to stay upright? Too much flashing
Aahhhh, it all makes sense now!!
Right, that's it....No more flashing!
Must admit I would never flash a car at a junction, don't want to confuse them more than what they already are! I always treat the position of a car wanting to pull out as one of those dodgey moments and keep my witts about me, eyes and ears n all that. 
Keeping eye contact with the driver at this point has helped me from pranging into the side of a blint driver for the past 26 years of riding.
Never tried to bunny hop over the top of one that pulls out though, hum, couldn't have done it on my old GPZ1100 but maybe on the ZRX!!!............
Keeping eye contact with the driver at this point has helped me from pranging into the side of a blint driver for the past 26 years of riding.
Never tried to bunny hop over the top of one that pulls out though, hum, couldn't have done it on my old GPZ1100 but maybe on the ZRX!!!............
chilli said:
garyhun said:
Flashing says "look out I am here". I NEVER flash a car to let them out as there is just too much chance of confusion and something going wrong.
Chilli... is this maybe why you've found it difficult to stay upright? Too much flashing
Chilli... is this maybe why you've found it difficult to stay upright? Too much flashing
Aahhhh, it all makes sense now!!
Right, that's it....No more flashing!
Assuming you ride with lights on during the day or perma lights most 2003 bikes onwards?
I certainly do, you find that bike lights can appear to flash drivers out as the front suspension does its work particularly on our non-smooth potholes roads in the UK. Car drivers have been known to misinterpret this as an indication to go and pull out in front of you!
Consequently I would never ever therefore use my lights to flash out a car driver!
To be honest i get really fed up waiting for super-helpful drivers who drive along, then slap the anchors on and flash a car waiting to pull out when there is only one car or bike (me) behind them. If they had been more aware of the traffic flow behind them, simply driving past would have been far quicker, allowed the waiting car to pull out faster and more safely without confusion - and would have maintained the "rules of the road".
Why people insist on switching the priorities at a junction is beyond me (i think mostly they are desperate for some wave of recognition). If the traffic is moving at a walking pace or stationary or there is a red light ahead so you need to stop then fine let them out - but stopping a good flow of traffic just buggs the hell out of me!!!!
As for flashing people on the bike i never do it as watching mates on similar bikes in my mirror it looks like they are flashing their head-lamp most of the time when just riding along the lumpy roads.
Why people insist on switching the priorities at a junction is beyond me (i think mostly they are desperate for some wave of recognition). If the traffic is moving at a walking pace or stationary or there is a red light ahead so you need to stop then fine let them out - but stopping a good flow of traffic just buggs the hell out of me!!!!
As for flashing people on the bike i never do it as watching mates on similar bikes in my mirror it looks like they are flashing their head-lamp most of the time when just riding along the lumpy roads.
sjtscott said:
chilli said:
garyhun said:
Flashing says "look out I am here". I NEVER flash a car to let them out as there is just too much chance of confusion and something going wrong.
Chilli... is this maybe why you've found it difficult to stay upright? Too much flashing
Chilli... is this maybe why you've found it difficult to stay upright? Too much flashing
Aahhhh, it all makes sense now!!
Right, that's it....No more flashing!
Assuming you ride with lights on during the day or perma lights most 2003 bikes onwards?
I certainly do, you find that bike lights can appear to flash drivers out as the front suspension does its work particularly on our non-smooth potholes roads in the UK. Car drivers have been known to misinterpret this as an indication to go and pull out in front of you!
Consequently I would never ever therefore use my lights to flash out a car driver!
Yep, light always on, but have two lights on the R6.
I've been told that my light flickers a lot just riding down the road so never flash people but assume they'll pull out anyway!!!!
If I do let someone out I usually try to wave them out to avoid any confusion...at least that's the theory.driver stays put and waves back with a confused smile
If I do let someone out I usually try to wave them out to avoid any confusion...at least that's the theory.driver stays put and waves back with a confused smile
Car driver here! I don't like bikes flashing me - it's difficult to tell what's suspension movement and what's a deliberate flash to be honest. Given that the consequences of a car/bike misunderstanding/interface are probably going to be painful for one party I tend to sit there - no doubt looking like a ditherer - until the guys intentions are a lot more obvious. Might be a bit of a wind up if you're trying to let me out but at least you'll still be in one piece.
Ps. Just ordered a new bike - returning after a long absence - so hoping to enjoy, and survive, a long hot summer!
Ps. Just ordered a new bike - returning after a long absence - so hoping to enjoy, and survive, a long hot summer!
agree with that. Although I pretty sure I've never been flashed deliberately by a biker.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff