I'm thinking of using the motorway for the first time, on my bike, and could do with some advice please
Anything to make the trip safer & smoother plus anything to watch out for?
Thanks
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I'm thinking of using the motorway for the first time, on my bike, and could do with some advice please
Anything to make the trip safer & smoother plus anything to watch out for?
Thanks
I found the motorway sooooooooooooooooo boring I almost fell asleep on it...If you're concerned you could maybe start by going from one junction to another to get used to it. Sit on the slow lane if you need to. And don't worry too much about it, riding there is easier than thhrough town.
keep checking your mirrors, you need to pay attention to whats happening behind you more so on the motorway.
just relax and enjoy the bordom. ::)
You need to be a bit more aware of other traffic keep a watch out for drivers changing lane without checking or indicating you could get lost in a blind spot.
Also give yourself a little bit more room everything happens a bit quicker on the motorway due to the higher speeds. Finally relax
all of the above really......also when changing lanes i tend to be a little more brisk with the throttle....as i can be hard to judge the speed of a car coming from behind.
dont make sharp lane changes make them smooth shoulder checks and more shoulder checks......then make your move.
when exiting on to slip road double check for cars cutting lanes up as they panic because there about to miss there junction (seen cars lock there brakes up and cross lanes smoking tyres just to make that junction.)
if you come to a round about at end of slip road be prepared for people in wrong lanes.
oh and watch your speed ;D the boredom can take over.
Avoid the motorways if possible, far too boring
A good game to play is shut your eyes and count, see if you can get above 24, that's my record.
Ride in the middle of your lane, remember that the cars both ahead and behind are not looking for a motorcycle so take a look over your shoulder and indicate before changing lanes. Be visible, wear a hi-viz.
Keep plenty of space to the car in front, and relax. It's dull, but will get you there. Best plac to practice is between 15 and 16 on the M4. Nice short run between junctions.
Riding between 18 and 19's reasonably short too. Plus you get to ride on all of the nice roads around Bath =)Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon_W
I commute pretty frequently between Melksham and Bristol on the motorway, but my advice is the same as above; shoulder checks are absolute life savers on the motorway! Especially if the guy who was just behind you decides to try his luck and go for a cheeky overtake as you're indicating to change lane.
Stay alert and keep watching all around - as others have said it can be so boring on a motorway.Quote:
Originally Posted by porkies
When you get bored/tired its easy to mis-judge speed, your own and others, and stopping distances.
I'm also careful to make sure I know whats going on behind especially when slowing down and if a line of traffic slows/stops. A rear end shunt wouldnt be fun on two wheels.
Also make sure you keep a look out for, and can see any rubbish/pot holes - not fun at motorway speeds.
I'd aim for a first motorway run when the traffic is a bit quieter.
You'll be fine Dan.
Lots of good advice already, but mainly just do lots of checks before you make a move, give yourself more space, and aim to just keep up with the traffic for your first few runs - chill out in the slow lane 8-)
suprised nobdy else seems to have mentioned this, but you will find it very windy. Due to all the traffic pushing the air in both directions. Depending on what bike you have you will obviously feel it more/less than others.
I usually try and get it over with ASAP and stick my head down under the screen lol. As others have said, mirrorrrrss... I adjust mine slightly if going on motorway so they provide better coverage for swapping lanes rather than just general riding.
Btw dont turn around completely at speed, you will get pushed by the wind and wobble, done this myself.. scary!!
I'd definitely advise against hanging around in the slow lane Dan! That's where the trucks predominantly live, the carriageway surface is often distorted into shallow ruts, it's the dirtiest lane with oil deposits and tyre debris, and you want to keep yourself as far away from trucks as you can - they're unpredictable (especially the foreign ones), the drivers' visibility of other road users is compromised (ditto foreign ones) and you really don't want to get amongst them if at all possible. Keep your speed to at least 70 and keep an eye on one truck following close behind another, it could easily pull out for the famous three-mile overtake and might not see you (or indicate) before doing so. Stay sharp to stay alive...Quote:
Originally Posted by lunalupi
...and watch out for these:
http://www.profimedia.com/photo/poli...0008726696.jpg
Give yourself plenty of time and room to move over into the first overtaking lane when anticipating traffic that is merging from the left onto the motorway. Things have a habit of happening very fast at junctions when you have been sat on a long stretch at a constant speed. Don't undertake either unless you really want to end up in A&E. I would leave filtering to when you have a bit more experience but if you do do it, not at 70mph!
The motorway is the safest place you can be (other than at home in the garden sunbathing!).
All the traffic is going the same way, at give or take the same speed, and you can only enter in 1 direction (not the band!).
By law, you have to stick to the slow lane unless overtaking, and you can be pulled for middle lane hogging, even though as Scotty says, it's the dirtiest lane usually. Even so, you're going in a straight line so shouldn't have any probs.
If you are in heavy traffic and filtering, THE SAFEST PLACE TO FILTER IS BETWEEN THE MIDDLE AND FAST LANES!!!! Just keep an eye on your mirrors, remember lifesavers, and watch thehead of the driver of the car in front to see where he's looking, and therefore likely to go. Also, it's a good way to spot undercovers, as they quite often still wear uniform in unmarked cars...
[quote author=Squashed_Fly link=1332796573/15#15 date=1332860626]THE SAFEST PLACE TO FILTER IS BETWEEN THE MIDDLE AND FAST LANES!!!! quote]
Great fun on the m25 isnt it ;)
Arghhh we don't have a slow and fast lane on our motorways its lanes 1, 2 and 3...sorry but it drives me mad that...feeling better already :)
Another thing to be aware of is the indent in lane one from the lorries etc., it can catch you out a bit. Its really bad between Chippenham and Swindon.
Thanks for advice everyone and [smiley=thumbsup.gif] cheers Jon, Scotty and Snowy some good points that have really made me think
I hate middle lane hoggers >:(
Watch out for silly sods who open their passenger doors in standing traffic, oh how i laughed.
I think just about everything was covered here. I sit in the middle of the lane if the lane is clear ahead of me, but sit to one side of my lane slightly if I'm following traffic. It's to keep myself visible in their door mirrors, but mainly so I've got an escape route, should everyone suddenly throw on the anchors in front. It can be particularly windy in places, especially when dealing with large vehicles. One thing not mentioned, is to keep double checking your speed when you leave the motorway. After a prolonged period of high speed riding, 30mph feels like walking pace. :o
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch9128
And drivers opening their door when parked up !!!
:-/ :-X :-/ :-X :-/ :-X
Totally agree Nikki. The speed limit on all three lanes is 70mph, so which is the slow lane? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Nikki
the hard shoulder :D :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Mark_Able
Totally agree Nikki. The speed limit on all three lanes is 70mph, so which is the slow lane? :D[/quote]
All wrong, the bike lane is lane 2.5, it's quite narrow, so easier taken at speed.
Dan, if you want me to tag along with you, I'm more than happy to. We could do West Swindon to the next junction, see how it goes. I can go behind or in front. There really is nothing to it. I'm not here tomorrow, but should be back Suunday eve.
Theres a few of us (me included) that havent 'done' the motorway. Ive done a couple of slip roads onto dual carriageways which are pretty much the same (well the getting 'on' bit is anyway)
We are hoping to do a bit of practice before the Wales trip though....with a few of the more experienced riders as a bit of support.
:) :) :) :) :)
I'm pretty comfortable on motorways now, I'm happy to help out too - ride in front or behind, whichever people need. :)
Thanks M need to get bike fully sorted before go anywhere near the motorwayQuote:
Originally Posted by Morticia
i'd be happy to ride with you or anyone really give me a shout.
maybe we could do a ride out for those that need a little confidence boost on motorways
:) :)
any time you want a co pilot would be happy to assist,have done plenty motorway riding and am very confident in my own performance,just have to be more aware than usual due to possible higher speeds and the idiots who pull out without indicating...lane one tracks are for the trucks to follow so the drivers can have a sandwich/drink/text without fear of losing their way :) :) :o...
thanks for offers guys, would appreciate the help between a couple of junctions, maybe a motorway ride in a group would make us feel safe as the cars would keep clear of group of bikes?
Only been riding a year but regularly commute to Cardiff on M4 (saves £6 on the bridge!). I agree with all previous advice and would add the following: if windy, you can get sudden 'gusts' by slip roads and other exposed areas; it is very noisy so ear plugs are a must; when wet, watch out for the metal expansion plates if going over the bridge to Wales - they get slippy.
How about for next weeks H&C meet, we organise a motorway run for all the guys that aren't confident on the motorway. That way it is a short stint and can be quite helpful for you guys, I will be riding from Oxford to the H&C next week because of work.
What do you think?
Is a good idea. What you thinking, going between Bath and Chippenham???
Was thinking Swindon to Chippenham, but I suppose that could be arranged too.
I do a lot of motorway riding to work, mostly to central London I tend to stick to lane 3, and hammer it past the cars. I was coming back from Ascot the other week, at a very brisk pace - very brisk indeed. I noticed a bike hammering it up behind me, so I went into lane 2 and slowed a little... to my surprise it was a police biker he must have been doing 140+ and stuck his thumb up and sped off. :o
stunts unlimited, that happened to me also when I was driving a van. lol motorways just eat ya tires so take the scenic route, avoid them at all costs!