If you want a real driving 'experience' you should try riding a motorbike! You'll become acutely aware of things that drivers cosseted in their tin boxes don't even realise are a danger to bikers: diesel, mud, grit and cow sh*t on the road, wet leaves and manhole covers, drivers with no concept of what the indicators are for, middle lane morons, drivers on the phone, the waft of cannabis from the doobie that driver in front of you is smoking... Biking will increase your hazard awareness and improve your roadcraft and driving skills no end, and you'll get one heck of a rush!
I have had bikes for years, and agree with your whole statement.
Bikes dont have all these gadgets, some have ABS some have traction control, or a steering damper, but thats about it. Love em to bits, because the bike relies on me to keep it on the blackstuff!
------------- Never look down at anybody....
.....unless to offer a hand, to help them up
Quote: Originally posted by cbreddie on 20/9/2012
I have had bikes for years, and agree with your whole statement.
Bikes dont have all these gadgets, some have ABS some have traction control, or a steering damper, but thats about it. Love em to bits, because the bike relies on me to keep it on the blackstuff!
Ah, now your OP makes much more sense! I should have realised 'CBR Eddie'!
Quote: Originally posted by TheFishesThree on 20/9/2012
If you want a real driving 'experience' you should try riding a motorbike! You'll become acutely aware of things that drivers cosseted in their tin boxes don't even realise are a danger to bikers: diesel, mud, grit and cow sh*t on the road, wet leaves and manhole covers, drivers with no concept of what the indicators are for, middle lane morons, drivers on the phone, the waft of cannabis from the doobie that driver in front of you is smoking... Biking will increase your hazard awareness and improve your roadcraft and driving skills no end, and you'll get one heck of a rush!
Absolutely spot on,i ride a scooter to work as well as use a car.The amount of numpties texting,phoning or generally crap at driving is incredible.
Im finding a lot of terrible school run mums a serious problem round here.They drive too fast,never let you go even if you clearly have right of way and are always on the flipping phone.
Just looking for a cheap enough helmet cam to capture their antics in case of an incident.
I ride defensively anyway but at risk of being knocked off most days.Its only because i take it easy and have over 25 years driving/roadcraft experience that i make it home most days.
Ive even had people deliberately try to knock me off for reasons unknown.Ive come to the conclusion car drivers seriously get the hump if a bike goes past whilst stuck in traffic.
As a car driver ive never felt like that when on the road but then im not one to get roadrage unless someone has seriously endangered my or my families life.
Im not allowed another bike :( got me last one totalled by a prat who "didnt see me" in good light, no blinding sun, and I was wearing a bright orange and yellow high vis jacket, yeah, ok...
I'd only just convinced the wife to let me get another after a few years off.
Quote: Originally posted by timtheenchanter on 20/9/2012
got me last one totalled by a prat who "didnt see me" in good light, no blinding sun, and I was wearing a bright orange and yellow high vis jacket, yeah, ok...
Mr F was driving his lovely big red double decker London bus through Picadilly Circus one day a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. Matey boy drove at speed into the side of said bus and when he got out what do you think were the first immortal words out of his mouth?
quote...
Absolutely spot on,i ride a scooter to work as well as use a car.The amount of numpties texting,phoning or generally crap at driving is incredible.
Im finding a lot of terrible school run mums a serious problem round here.They drive too fast,never let you go even if you clearly have right of way and are always on the flipping phone.
Just looking for a cheap enough helmet cam to capture their antics in case of an incident.
I made a bracket to fit an old mobile phone, it fitted behind the screen of my cbr600, it was able to film for upto 45mins at a time. I think it was a nokia of some sort. the footage wasnt the best, but it gave a general overview of what was happening infront of me on my way home. Just make sure it doesnt cover your speedo or it may cause you problems if unless you stick rigidly to speed limits (which of course EVERYONE does "officer")
------------- Never look down at anybody....
.....unless to offer a hand, to help them up
To you bikers, off on a tangent from the modern car subject i know but have any of you done the police 'ride safe' courses? Thoroughly recommended if you haven't. None of us are too good to keep learning and those boys and girls will teach you a thing or two! Cheap as chips, if not free with some forces (like ours) plus it gives us a certain amount of moral high ground over those that decry us as yobbos but who have never been on a bike or done any further driver training since they passed their test in the 60's!
I agree with the bikers ove rthe last few posts, only been riding for 5 years myself and it does make you more aware of what is going on around you and what is on the roads, diesel, etc ... and that was after nearly 30 years driving when I passed my bike test.
As for drivers "not seeing you" I only had one do that and tried to pull out into my lane while I was alongside overtaking ...... the replacment horn I had fitted to the bike does make a rather loud noise. ...... and that was riding a big white bike with blue and yellow stripes on and HiViz jacket....
...... there again our local Police riders tell you that even when they are running blues and twos they still get people pulling out in front of them.
3Fishes, those Ride days are good, I went on one just over a year after passing my DAS test and enjoyed it so good I did a refresher each year since around the March/ April time to make sure I was keeping my riding up to scratch.
Anyways, I have just had yet another modern courtesy car, This has no bells and whistles, no real gadgets, it had electric windows, and a light on the dash for drivers seatbelt. Now I have to admit that I have always thought of these cars as a joke, but having driven one it is like going back in time and driving a classic mini, but with good brakes and a stereo. sadly I have had to give it back but I really did have some fun for the short time I had it...
The car..... I cant believe I am going to say this....
..... A Peugeot 107!!
Loads of fun, but I wouldnt want to go to the other end of the country in one.
------------- Never look down at anybody....
.....unless to offer a hand, to help them up
The worst move I ever made was to sell my BMW 600 bubble car and get a mini van for the camping, way back in 1969.
Sliding windows, front door, 55 mpg, 60 mph, 4 seater, 4 wheeler.
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: modern cars??
