And today's commuting highlight is...

[CAPP0]

sjtscott said:

CAPP0 said:

Erm.....

Have to say, not something I would do, I'm not a suicidal pizza delivery jockey. You're lucky this didn't happen.

I quite often hang back I really don't want to get f**ked mid way.. If I'm going for the gap its cos its the only way to make any progress with solid queued traffic which just isn't moving.
On the video he did that way too bloody fast.. idiotic riding, sorry its a LOL moment clearly someone without a clue, thats lack of forward observation and misjudging traffic conditions. Also that road isn't London.. its got a ton of space and the traffic is clearly moving even if slowly - requires a differing more intelligent approach to the one the rider demonstrated.

I wish I had a video to show you guys the kinda situations you get put in on busy central london roads but then I'm not a gopro video w**ker LOL

Edited by sjtscott on Monday 5th February 16:34

I completely get that, I just put the vid up to show what happens when there's not enough gap between two large vehicles. I ride in London too so I know what it's like, but my point was, I'm never going to put myself between two moving HGVs where there's an inch to spare either side (or probably even with quite a lot more) because they've only got to twitch the steering wheel slightly and you're under the back wheels.

Coolhands was lucky that didn't slam his front brake on and catapult him forwards.

[kiethton]

CAPP0 said:

I completely get that, I just put the vid up to show what happens when there's not enough gap between two large vehicles. I ride in London too so I know what it's like, but my point was, I'm never going to put myself between two moving HGVs where there's an inch to spare either side (or probably even with quite a lot more) because they've only got to twitch the steering wheel slightly and you're under the back wheels.

Coolhands was lucky that didn't slam his front brake on and catapult him forwards.

This, I'll filter some tight gaps but never between HGV's, especially when they're moving, only exceptions being when they're stationary, there is a clear exit visible in front and you could fit a R1200 through the gap

[sjtscott]

CAPP0 said:

sjtscott said:

CAPP0 said:

Erm.....

Have to say, not something I would do, I'm not a suicidal pizza delivery jockey. You're lucky this didn't happen.

I quite often hang back I really don't want to get f**ked mid way.. If I'm going for the gap its cos its the only way to make any progress with solid queued traffic which just isn't moving.
On the video he did that way too bloody fast.. idiotic riding, sorry its a LOL moment clearly someone without a clue, thats lack of forward observation and misjudging traffic conditions. Also that road isn't London.. its got a ton of space and the traffic is clearly moving even if slowly - requires a differing more intelligent approach to the one the rider demonstrated.

I wish I had a video to show you guys the kinda situations you get put in on busy central london roads but then I'm not a gopro video w**ker LOL

Edited by sjtscott on Monday 5th February 16:34

I completely get that, I just put the vid up to show what happens when there's not enough gap between two large vehicles. I ride in London too so I know what it's like, but my point was, I'm never going to put myself between two moving HGVs where there's an inch to spare either side (or probably even with quite a lot more) because they've only got to twitch the steering wheel slightly and you're under the back wheels.

Coolhands was lucky that didn't slam his front brake on and catapult him forwards.

Agree 100% Moving HGVs with an inch to spare no chance as I said about hanging back. Stationary with a clear exit sure.. the brown trouser moment is when one or both then start moving when you're midway through - have had that before. The other alternative on the highway heading into town from the East is to basically go full illegal and offside every traffic island and traffic light island playing chicken with two lanes of oncoming traffic but which does have gaps in the traffic which I see some idiots (generally scooters) do every day.. which is actually safer.. I think we know but which gets the book thrown at you?

[sjtscott]

kiethton said:

This, I'll filter some tight gaps but never between HGV's, especially when they're moving, only exceptions being when they're stationary, there is a clear exit visible in front and you could fit a R1200 through the gap

Your CBR6 (having owned the same model) will fit through tighter gaps than my speed triple due to its clip ons and fairing/mirrors mounted on it they are actually a great commuter bike - my blackbird was great too just a bit wider than the CBR6. Straight bars with mirrors are the widest part of my Speed Triple. I've had the R&G bar ends/sliders literally virtually touching either side of stuff before with no other choice but try due to gridlocked stationary traffic. Generally its only like this in the evening cos some idiot messed up at the blackwall tunnel again and gridlocked the whole area east of tower bridge.

[kiethton]

sjtscott said:

kiethton said:

This, I'll filter some tight gaps but never between HGV's, especially when they're moving, only exceptions being when they're stationary, there is a clear exit visible in front and you could fit a R1200 through the gap

Your CBR6 (having owned the same model) will fit through tighter gaps than my speed triple due to its clip ons and fairing/mirrors mounted on it they are actually a great commuter bike - my blackbird was great too just a bit wider than the CBR6. Straight bars with mirrors are the widest part of my Speed Triple. I've had the R&G bar ends/sliders literally virtually touching either side of stuff before with no other choice but try due to gridlocked stationary traffic. Generally its only like this in the evening cos some idiot messed up at the blackwall tunnel again and gridlocked the whole area east of tower bridge.

Yeah, notice little difference in the gaps I can get through vs. my old CBR125, considering an upgrade to a '07/08 model next year to beat the emissions guff

[bitcrusher]

sjtscott said:

I wish I had a video to show you guys the kinda situations you get put in on busy central london roads but then I'm not a gopro video w**ker LOL

I first started riding with a camera after several years riding in London. If somebody knocks you off and you can't work through injury it's going to make sure you get recompensed so much faster...

[supercommuter]

Such a good ride into London today. Despite the traffic and getting stuck behind a motorcycle cop who was filtering. I noticed he was checking for people on their phone who were lane drifting. Only a matter of minutes before he catches someone and pulls them onto the hard shoulder.

I hate to take pleasure in other peoples misery, but I did laugh. I despise lane drifters.

In fairness to the copper there were other people on their phones that he ignored because they weren't lane drifting.

They should get a few out there every morning. For a few hourse

1. Would add a huge amount of revenue
2. There would be less traffic as people
3. Less accidents

[rat840771]

It is amazing how many people do use their phones whilst driving, the other week it was pissing down and there was this young women lane drifting at 70 on her phone...scary

The AT is so high it is easy to spot the culprits with their phones in their laps

[sjtscott]

supercommuter said:

Such a good ride into London today. Despite the traffic and getting stuck behind a motorcycle cop who was filtering. I noticed he was checking for people on their phone who were lane drifting. Only a matter of minutes before he catches someone and pulls them onto the hard shoulder.

I hate to take pleasure in other peoples misery, but I did laugh. I despise lane drifters.

In fairness to the copper there were other people on their phones that he ignored because they weren't lane drifting.

They should get a few out there every morning. For a few hourse

1. Would add a huge amount of revenue
2. There would be less traffic as people
3. Less accidents

This is good and for me a correct use of police time to improve road safety. They just need to send a few bike cops through the limehouse link every morning in peak time traffic.. spotting the zombies using them at the wheel in the slow moving queue. Setup a nice pull in area after the tunnel heading west on the highway and ticket them. While they're at it any vehicles that ping off the ANPR can be stopped and sorted out too, they can pay for insurance and tax like the rest of us too.

[sjtscott]

rat840771 said:

It is amazing how many people do use their phones whilst driving, the other week it was pissing down and there was this young women lane drifting at 70 on her phone...scary

The AT is so high it is easy to spot the culprits with their phones in their laps

You don't just need a AT to spot people using their phones almost any bike will do. I could lose count on a standard commute into central london everyday its that rife.

[CoolHands]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yeah I think it broke so quickly that it effectively jabbed the brake on momentarily then broke. So it didn’t actually cause a problem (somehow, it’s hard to actually know what happened - almost the first I knew if it was hearing the brake lever tinkle on the ground behind me). It just jolted then broke.

The traffic was barely moving it was on the north circ Hanger Lane (not the actual gyratory) just as you head to Ealing. 2 lanes moving the same direction. I had got over confident as the bike is so narrow. This has rest me back to sensibleness.

I really would like to get a scooter again - it’s safer / less racey than a motorbike.

[wjb]

Looks like I'm on the train again today, two days in a row.

After my slide down the icy road last month, I don't ride in minus temps anymore!!

They do say failure is the best teacher

[CAPP0]

I'm consigned to the effin sardine can again today. We've got a full coverage of snow again this morning, only an inch or so but I don't fancy having to pick up the RT whist standing on a slippery surface. Unfortunately I have client meetings so I can't have a snow day.

[kiethton]

No snow for me thankfully, think I'm a little too central, bloody cold however!

[bgunn]

Same, NW London to E1, and effing cold it was too.

I think I need to get some heated gloves...

[Tall_Paul]

Train commute for me too this morning, a decent covering in Maidstone, only a couple of cm but enough for me to look out the window and say "hell no". Made the right choice as it started snowing heavily when I left to walk to the station.

Snow is pretty much the only thing that stops me using the bike, unless it's something stupid like -5 or below but that never happens down here.

Edited by Tall_Paul on Wednesday 7th February 12:40

[sjtscott]

bgunn said:

Same, NW London to E1, and effing cold it was too.

I think I need to get some heated gloves...

You do and you won't look back once you do.. Gerbing XR12 (long cuff) or XRS12 (short cuff) I have the latter I'd highly recommend. On my second winter with them.

[Tall_Paul]

sjtscott said:

bgunn said:

Same, NW London to E1, and effing cold it was too.

I think I need to get some heated gloves...

You do and you won't look back once you do.. Gerbing XR12 (long cuff) or XRS12 (short cuff) I have the latter I'd highly recommend. On my second winter with them.

This.

I have the long cuff XR12 ones and they're brilliant. Sub zero? Not a problem. Hands stay nice and warm. I'm never going back to heated grips.

[bgunn]

Tall_Paul said:

sjtscott said:

bgunn said:

Same, NW London to E1, and effing cold it was too.

I think I need to get some heated gloves...

You do and you won't look back once you do.. Gerbing XR12 (long cuff) or XRS12 (short cuff) I have the latter I'd highly recommend. On my second winter with them.

This.

I have the long cuff XR12 ones and they're brilliant. Sub zero? Not a problem. Hands stay nice and warm. I'm never going back to heated grips.

Funny you should say that, I got some XR12s on order this afternoon. I’m tired of cold fingers!

Edited by bgunn on Wednesday 7th February 21:42

[GM182]

bgunn said:

Tall_Paul said:

sjtscott said:

bgunn said:

Same, NW London to E1, and effing cold it was too.

I think I need to get some heated gloves...

You do and you won't look back once you do.. Gerbing XR12 (long cuff) or XRS12 (short cuff) I have the latter I'd highly recommend. On my second winter with them.

This.

I have the long cuff XR12 ones and they're brilliant. Sub zero? Not a problem. Hands stay nice and warm. I'm never going back to heated grips.

Funny you should say that, I got some XR12s on order this afternoon. I’m tired of cold fingers!

Edited by bgunn on Wednesday 7th February 21:42

Think I'm going to take a look at these...new scooter this past week (Xmax300) and no muffs or heated grips and my fingers are really starting to get numb after 10 miles. Thinking of getting back on the GS just for the grips tomorrow!