PDA

View Full Version : The Unwritten Rules of Riding



Zed
26th November 2005, 09:10
Inspired by comments & questions on another thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=424089&postcount=37), I thought it appropriate to start this new thread concerning the rules of the road that are 'unwritten' to hopefully better our biker awareness and skills...

Unwritten rules are those things you learn through experience and are usually common sense appraoches to potential hazards that aren't necessarily written down in the road code, 'common courtesy' being a major one that many motorists in NZ don't seem to have learned!



There is an unwritten law to travel at 95kph on the open road, up until passing lanes where the acceptable speed limit is 150kph. (slightly exaggerated of course)

A large percent of drivers don't know the basic road rules. Just look at any intersection where the traffic lights have failed. Give way to the right rule is overridden by the "Give way to bigger vehicles" law.


Please feel free to add any rules that you consider 'unwritten' for the rest of the KB populous to benefit from. :sherlock:

MSTRS
26th November 2005, 09:19
The breaking of cage wing mirrors is a valuable teaching tool for blind drivers.

sAsLEX
26th November 2005, 10:53
a house has a gargre in which to prak ones sprot bike

Karma
26th November 2005, 11:29
A wave or gentle nod is an acceptable greeting to a fellow motorcyclist when on the road. It's a brotherhood people.

Eurodave
26th November 2005, 12:10
What is the internationaly accepted signal for "cop ahead" on a motorcycle. Obviously in a cage they flash there headlights.
I have tried the extend one finger up and whirl your hand around up in the air to simulate a rotating police light. Either the other guy things I'm insane or he gets the picture. Thoughts??


Why not just flash your headlite?

Zapf
26th November 2005, 12:14
What is the internationaly accepted signal for "cop ahead" on a motorcycle. Obviously in a cage they flash there headlights.
I have tried the extend one finger up and whirl your hand around up in the air to simulate a rotating police light. Either the other guy things I'm insane or he gets the picture. Thoughts??

I think that is 1 of a few accepted methods... another one I have seen is knocking ones helmet with fist....

Zapf
26th November 2005, 12:16
The breaking of cage wing mirrors is a valuable teaching tool for blind drivers.

make sure you have a glove with hard armor.... wing mirrors are not soft by any means :)

or your can always run your titanium armored glove along the paint.... :bash:

Zapf
26th November 2005, 12:18
- While in traffic... always allow yourself an escape route

- Take the initiative and be aggressively defensive

FROSTY
26th November 2005, 12:21
ereyone and everything is dead set keen to KILL you
ride with that in mind and you'll live a long time

Firefight
26th November 2005, 12:32
membership of "Fight Club" is most defiantly sort after, however few have been granted the privilege to join this exclusive brotherhood.


F/F

Highlander
26th November 2005, 12:33
ereyone and everything is dead set keen to KILL you
ride with that in mind and you'll live a long time


Echoes of my old man teaching me to drive. Almost a word for word quote if my memory stretches back 20 odd years.

sunhuntin
26th November 2005, 12:34
white and green paint on the road is slippery when wet....always assume that means so is every other color on the road.

never ride faster than your angel can fly

Hitcher
26th November 2005, 12:55
What is the internationaly accepted signal for "cop ahead" on a motorcycle. Obviously in a cage they flash there headlights.
I have tried the extend one finger up and whirl your hand around up in the air to simulate a rotating police light. Either the other guy things I'm insane or he gets the picture. Thoughts??
I'm with the whirly finger thang...

noyz
26th November 2005, 12:56
A small “thank you” wave as you pass a cage who
Has made an effort to move over and let you go helps to
Reinforce good cage behaviour.

SixPackBack
26th November 2005, 13:06
Suggesting fellow riders are dangerous road companions without first hand experience is libellous, don't do it Zed!

Ixion
26th November 2005, 13:13
:Playnice: chasps. I don't see any post from Mr Zed in this thread that makes such a suggestion.

SixPackBack
26th November 2005, 13:20
.....................................

Zapf
26th November 2005, 13:55
better safe than sorry.... or did he hurt your feelings?

SPman
26th November 2005, 14:27
When a rider comes up quickly behind you - assume he wants to pass and carry on his way!
Let him through at the first opportunity - if he wants to stay with you, he will.
Dont assume its an entreaty to race or generally be a dork!

FROSTY
26th November 2005, 14:44
or if you're a cager--asssume he's some raving lunatic and do your best to run him off the road. Hmmm

SARGE
26th November 2005, 14:50
make sure you have a glove with hard armor.... wing mirrors are not soft by any means :)

or your can always run your titanium armored glove along the paint.... :bash:



HEEEEYYYYYYYYYY!!!..

i claim intellectual property rights on that one!!!





stay on the inside of corners in the rain. trucks spill fuel on the outside and by the time you see the rainbow, its too late...

FROSTY
26th November 2005, 14:56
Karma's a funny thing. Ya never know when its gonna bite ya in the ass.

SARGE
26th November 2005, 15:01
Karma's a funny thing. Ya never know when its gonna bite ya in the ass.


no worries here .. i always help old ladies at pack n save by getting the old lady food off the high shelves

Karma
26th November 2005, 15:54
no worries here .. i always help old ladies at pack n save by getting the old lady food off the high shelves


Same here...

I've lost count of the number of times I'll notice a couple of old ladies talking to each other and pointing at me... then one'll come over "excuse me dear, could you please pass me down that last remaining eccles cake with a sell by date of 1967".

cowpoos
26th November 2005, 21:20
think about how and where you park your bike....they don't have reverse gears!!!!

inlinefour
27th November 2005, 08:34
Allways be prepared to stop for a fallen biker or broken motorcycle. Should you decide not to, you just might have the same thing occur to yourself.:whistle:

Unit
27th November 2005, 09:07
What is the internationaly accepted signal for "cop ahead" on a motorcycle. Obviously in a cage they flash there headlights.
I have tried the extend one finger up and whirl your hand around up in the air to simulate a rotating police light. Either the other guy things I'm insane or he gets the picture. Thoughts??
I need to keep both hands on the bars, I smile alot though!!! I noticed the Japs took the guess work out of riding with the headlight on now I have the TL, which cant be turned off at all, key in, ignition on, headlight is automatically on, that I like.:yes:

FzerozeroT
28th November 2005, 06:37
no matter what you ride or when you ride there is always someone faster than you, and they're probably just about to carve up your inside on a 150! moral of the story, worry about where you're going not who is coming up behind you - a one second glance in the rear view mirror at 120kph is gonna take 33 metres.

Cookie
28th November 2005, 07:29
ereyone and everything is dead set keen to KILL you
ride with that in mind and you'll live a long time



Echoes of my old man teaching me to drive. Almost a word for word quote if my memory stretches back 20 odd years.

Yep - pretty much exactly what my old man told me. In my mind I multiply that by 10 when on a bike.

MSTRS
28th November 2005, 08:52
no worries here .. i always help old ladies at pack n save by getting the old lady food off the high shelves
Well done....cos that frees me up to assist the younger ones in short skirts (by holding the ladder for them):blip:

XP@
28th November 2005, 09:13
no matter what you ride or when you ride there is always someone faster than you, and they're probably just about to carve up your inside on a 150! moral of the story, worry about where you're going not who is coming up behind you - a one second glance in the rear view mirror at 120kph is gonna take 33 metres.
And if you are the faster one, assume they havent seen you.
ESPECIALLY if you are filtering, the other biker is already concentrating 200% on the front.

2much
28th November 2005, 10:25
Know your limits, and when on the road never ride above 90% of it....
You never know when you're gonna need to use that 10% reserve.

DingDong
28th November 2005, 11:14
When riding behind me (or anyone) stay staggered _- I hate guys who stick right up ya arse , stay in mirror view and try not to run up my butt.

Waylander
28th November 2005, 11:26
When a rider comes up quickly behind you - assume he wants to pass and carry on his way!
Let him through at the first opportunity - if he wants to stay with you, he will.
Dont assume its an entreaty to race or generally be a dork!
Do not try to move over for a faster rider in a corner. If they are faster than you then they know what they are doing and can go around. Not holding to your line will probably make things harder for them and you anyway.

RiderInBlack
28th November 2005, 16:43
Assume that everyone on the road with you is a complete Idiot about to do some really stupid. Don't forget to count the one on the bike with you (and if you have a pillion multiply that by 2).

If you're passing a "cage" on the right, expect it to indicate late and turn in front of you (they never look back when they turn). Have learnt that one myself the hard way.

Macktheknife
28th November 2005, 17:47
If the cage in front is indicating left into a side street, beware the bloke who is coming out of same side street, this hurts lots!
Never assume any driver will do what they are indicating
It's not paranoia, they really are trying to kill you!

DogBreath
28th November 2005, 22:37
ereyone and everything is dead set keen to KILL you
ride with that in mind and you'll live a long time
Have to agree...
Rule 1: everything on the road is out to kill you.
Rule 2: there is no rule 2.

SixPackBack
29th November 2005, 06:58
Bikes are invisible...true! *must be the paint*

Swoop
29th November 2005, 07:07
Bikes are invisible...true! *must be the paint*

Except to cops...:doh:

Fryin Finn
29th November 2005, 07:54
Obey the speed limit. Speed up for corners:shake:
Don't follow me into corners I can break hard, lean far and accelerate hard

MSTRS
29th November 2005, 07:54
If the cage in front is indicating left into a side street, beware the bloke who is coming out of same side street, this hurts lots!
Never assume any driver will do what they are indicating
It's not paranoia, they really are trying to kill you!
And if any other reaction is not possible....speed up to ensure their demise too

mstriumph
29th November 2005, 17:15
don't allow yourself to be 'boxed' in traffic

texmo
29th November 2005, 17:46
When riding behind me (or anyone) stay staggered _- I hate guys who stick right up ya arse , stay in mirror view and try not to run up my butt.
Have to agree I noticed on the weekend a few people didnt stagger and a few that did sat out and to the left/right just enough to be in my total blind spot, a quick turn of the head located them but thats dangerous as the person in front of you waits just untill you turn your head before breaking hard. I must say though on a whole bikers are much safer riders than the gerneral scooter population by a long shot...

MisterD
30th November 2005, 08:20
I must say though on a whole bikers are much safer riders than the gerneral scooter population by a long shot...

You little creep!

My rule: Always know where the next petrol station is before you drive past one with less than a full tank...

texmo
30th November 2005, 09:34
Well you went on that anniversary ride didnt you I fucking feared for my life going around corners have 3 people over take you at once....

MisterD
30th November 2005, 11:22
Well you went on that anniversary ride didnt you I fucking feared for my life going around corners have 3 people over take you at once....

Yeah, but being as I'm running in the Lambretta at the mo', I was waaayyy at the back....anyway which Magneto has binned the most in the last year....:nono:

texmo
30th November 2005, 11:26
I have binned 3 times on the road, maby 4 I forget....
crashed 21 times on 2-3 hours on the track, I dont think I learnt anything apart from on the 21th time that snapping your heatset on a scooter takes ages to fix...

MisterD
30th November 2005, 11:55
I dont think I learnt anything apart from on the 21th time that snapping your heatset on a scooter takes ages to fix...

Judging by your buying and selling recently, you have also learnt that if you want to go fast your engine shouldn't be hanging on one side of your rear wheel!

Waylander
30th November 2005, 11:58
Scooter talk, how interesting...:zzzz:

froggyfrenchman
30th November 2005, 12:04
Always stop whenever you see another bike on the side of road, eg broken down or lost. We are supposed to be a brotherhood!

Karma
30th November 2005, 12:06
Always stop whenever you see another bike on the side of road, eg broken down or lost. We are supposed to be a brotherhood!

I hear that... I've stopped for others a couple of times... even if there's nothing you can do to help, it still feels better to know there are others watching out for us.

texmo
30th November 2005, 12:12
Judging by your buying and selling recently, you have also learnt that if you want to go fast your engine shouldn't be hanging on one side of your rear wheel!
8" wheels dont help either, but scooter are a lot more fun around town...

ManDownUnder
30th November 2005, 12:13
Pulling up behind cars - check where the exhaust is and sit on the other side (avoid being gassed)

Always ride leaving yourself somewhere to go if the worst happens. This usually means riding in the RH wheeltrack unless you are in the fast lane.

texmo
30th November 2005, 12:23
Pulling up behind cars - check where the exhaust is and sit on the other side (avoid being gassed)

Always ride leaving yourself somewhere to go if the worst happens. This usually means riding in the RH wheeltrack unless you are in the fast lane.
I just sit so that I can see their eyes in their review mirror even though they cant see me....

MisterD
30th November 2005, 13:28
Scooter talk, how interesting...:zzzz:

Park your bike on the pavement outside a cafe and see what reaction you get :2thumbsup

MisterD
30th November 2005, 13:30
Always ride leaving yourself somewhere to go if the worst happens. This usually means riding in the RH wheeltrack unless you are in the fast lane.

Always follow a wheel track, anything that will cause you a puncture is already stuck in a cage's tyre....

Waylander
30th November 2005, 13:31
Park your bike on the pavement outside a cafe and see what reaction you get :2thumbsup
I don't go to "cafes". Bars on the other hand are a different matter

MisterD
30th November 2005, 13:33
I don't go to "cafes". Bars on the other hand are a different matter

And another rule: If you're going to drink and drive, park around the corner...

texmo
30th November 2005, 13:41
I don't go to "cafes". Bars on the other hand are a different matter
thirsty dog on a thursday night at around 9ish?

maddog007
30th November 2005, 18:32
Quote:
Originally Posted by sixpackback
Bikes are invisible...true! *must be the paint*



Except to cops...:doh:


Nah those cops on bikes seem to be damn near invisible aswell.:Police:

maddog007
30th November 2005, 18:53
Originally Posted by MisterD
Park your bike on the pavement outside a cafe and see what reaction you get



I don't go to "cafes". Bars on the other hand are a different matter

I think theres a definition of the real differance between scooters & bikes in there somewhere.:bash:

RiderInBlack
30th November 2005, 20:19
Park your bike on the pavement outside a cafe and see what reaction you get :2thumbsup"Roxanne" parks the pavement all the time, especial outside Video-Ez in Whangarei. All I've had from that is "gee mister that's a nice bike", "gee mister that's a big bike", or "How fast does it go". SO you point was?:Pokey:

maddog007
30th November 2005, 20:41
"Roxanne" parks the pavement all the time, especial outside Video-Ez in Whangarei. All I've had from that is "gee mister that's a nice bike", "gee mister that's a big bike", or "How fast does it go". SO you point was?:Pokey:

Not the bloody pavement, im was pointing out the location differance.:doh:

RiderInBlack
30th November 2005, 21:14
Not the bloody pavement, im was pointing out the location differance.:doh:Well I was at Vidie-Ez to pick-up some straight porn and an action flick. Does that help???:devil2:

Zed
30th November 2005, 21:42
"Roxanne" parks the pavement all the time, especial outside Video-Ez in Whangarei. All I've had from that is "gee mister that's a nice bike", "gee mister that's a big bike", or "How fast does it go". SO you point was?:Pokey: Yeah I had a flock of kids around mine the other day outside a shop with their father supervising, I said "small bike eh!" to which 3 or 4 of them cried "NO, BIG bike!!". Then Dad added his knowledge and told the kids (6) that I must ride long distances cos I own a Corbin seat! :spudbn:

Anyway, whats all this got to do with unwritten rulz of the road then? There are so many out there and I havn't had many good responses to the original question, more PD in this here thread than informative rules!


Unwritten Rule #510 -
*Judge* other vehicles on the road by their brake lights, they are fitted for the purpose of making you aware that the driver/rider is applying the brakes and slowing down! This rule doesn't apply when the vehicle you are following has broken or faulty b/lights, so make sure you identify such vehicles and keep your distance or pass them as soon as possible.Now come on peeps, what are some more U/R's for us to learn from? :hitcher:

texmo
30th November 2005, 22:15
if your on a bike<600 and you see a cop grab a fist full of brakes if your on a bike>600 and ou see a cop grab a fist full of gas?

Zed
30th November 2005, 22:20
if your on a bike<600 and you see a cop grab a fist full of brakes if your on a bike>600 and ou see a cop grab a fist full of gas?Just for the record viewers, not all of us on KB agree with this rule, especially the last half! :nono: Maybe if you're on a >600 bike, speeding over the loss-of-licence threshold, no wof or rego, and a warrant out for your arrest...grab a fist full of gas, but one would hope there aren't any KBers in that position regularly!

texmo
30th November 2005, 22:37
nah only winja? meh you can do a runner on an rg150e if your say TS?

Highlander
3rd December 2005, 08:12
Maybe if you're on a >600 bike, speeding over the loss-of-licence threshold, no wof or rego, and a warrant out for your arrest...grab a fist full of gas, but one would hope there aren't any KBers in that position regularly!


If you weren't in this category and you grabbed a handfull of throttle you might find you soon are! :eyepoke:


If the co pilot isn't happy the driver wont be for long.

El Dopa
3rd December 2005, 14:46
Now come on peeps, what are some more U/R's for us to learn from?

Wherever you ride to, no matter how far away it is, or how remote, you'll find that the bad drivers have followed you.

riffer
3rd December 2005, 19:41
No matter how well you ride, there is always someone faster, smoother or more precise than you.

There is no such thing as the perfect corner. But don't let that stop you looking for it.

skelstar
3rd December 2005, 19:51
When riding down a road behind a (completely pointless urban) 4x4 I move around behind it making sure that the cars on the side streets see me behind it.

Mattyc
4th December 2005, 10:24
generally if following in traffic, if you can't see a cage or a trucks mirror, they can't see you.

if you have a small penis you will need a big capacity euro bike.:bleh: :bleh:

big sprot bikes dont like crossing grassy sections to well.

(sprotbikes)if you have to pull off the road into a gravelled area, make sure you do all of your braking on the road whack off all your speed, and dont lock your front when you transition onto the gravel.

keep this term in your head "Surrounded by fuckwits". that will keep you safe.

madboy
4th December 2005, 13:03
Maybe if you're on a >600 bike, speeding over the loss-of-licence threshold, no wof or rego, and a warrant out for your arrest...grab a fist full of gas, but one would hope there aren't any KBers in that position regularly!Well I do register it occasionally...

You forgot the two down changes... no need to make any pursuit longer than it needs to be.

madmal64
4th December 2005, 14:12
If your riding with a small group of people and someone in the group is new, either to the group or to riding with a bunch, stick together. Make sure the new member of the group is not left behind at the rear all by themselves.
Sure their pace might not be a quick as the rest of you but I feel the idea is to get where your going pretty much as a group.

Ixion
4th December 2005, 15:05
Corner moles. All corners, but especially those with nasty steep cliffs beside them are inhabited by invisble tunnelling daemons called corner moles. Once you have trundled into the corner , checked it out for bumps potholes gravel etc, and found it to be a perfectly good well surfaced corner, the corner moles will tunnel out until they are directly in your cornering path, and push the road surface up to create bumps cunningly designed to put any bike off line. Then once you are over them (or off!) they pull the bumps down again. The likelihood of encountering corner moles, and the vicious of their operations is directly proportional to the speed you are going at.

bigbadwolf
6th December 2005, 16:42
so the general summary of the unwritten rules are:

1. cage drivers hate you
2. cops hate you
3. the road hates you
4. your bike hates you
5. don't be an idiot
6. don't be an arsehole

done!!!

:ar15: :scooter:

Eurodave
6th December 2005, 16:45
Yep youve got it in one, just remember , try to enjoy yourself!!!

Zed
6th December 2005, 21:10
so the general summary of the unwritten rules are:

1. cage drivers hate you
2. cops hate you
3. the road hates you
4. your bike hates you
5. don't be an idiot
6. don't be an arsehole

done!!!

:ar15: :scooter:Lol, no they are YOUR unwritten rules...so much hatred. :spudgrr:

robnz
6th December 2005, 21:26
either have a kit to do small repair on your bike yourself or make sure somebody when riding in group has a repair kit. breaking down in the countryside can be a bitch.

texmo
6th December 2005, 21:46
either have a kit to do small repair on your bike yourself or make sure somebody when riding in group has a repair kit. breaking down in the countryside can be a bitch.
join the AA $69 right now, saving in towing costs for when you get a flat/break down/crash...

Highlander
6th December 2005, 21:54
join the AA $69 right now, saving in towing costs for when you get a flat/break down/crash...

Have heard the AA are happy to take your money but not interested in showing up to help bikes in trouble. Have you tried their call out service for a bike?

RiderInBlack
6th December 2005, 21:58
Have heard the AA are happy to take your money but not interested in showing up to help bikes in trouble. Have you tried their call out service for a bike?Na, fu*k AA. Go the Honda Riders Club ($35).They'll pick you up and you don't have to own a Honda ether:2thumbsup

texmo
6th December 2005, 22:02
Have heard the AA are happy to take your money but not interested in showing up to help bikes in trouble. Have you tried their call out service for a bike?
my mate broken down in the middle of the south island and got him and his bike a lift

Highlander
6th December 2005, 22:09
Na, fu*k AA. Go the Honda Riders Club ($35).They'll pick you up and you don't have to own a Honda ether:2thumbsup

Already there RIB. Insurance 1/2 the price of AMI too - that more than cover anual membership. A real no brainer. :slap:

2much
6th December 2005, 22:59
Have heard the AA are happy to take your money but not interested in showing up to help bikes in trouble. Have you tried their call out service for a bike?

Yeap, they towed me home twice with cooling problems...... but don't bother calling them for a crash.

buellbabe
7th December 2005, 13:21
ereyone and everything is dead set keen to KILL you
ride with that in mind and you'll live a long time

yep along the same lines- ride with the opinion that everyone else on the road is an idiot and expect the unexpected. If you're thinking " surely that persons not gonna do.....???" well you can be guaranteed they will!

and the cop ahead signal... whirly hand sign understood

Rashika
7th December 2005, 13:50
join the AA $69 right now, saving in towing costs for when you get a flat/break down/crash...
yep BEST advice that! :2thumbsup
The only time I had a breakdown on my bike (2up with a flat tyre AND a bugger regulator in the same trip!) I was about an hour out of town and the AA was great, a little slow perhaps but it was sunny and I had company. Altho my ex hubby had just meandered off oblivious to the fact that we were stopped, didn't notice till we didn't turn up at home for a hour :slap: ...did finally come back and look for us EVENTUALLY!

buellbabe
7th December 2005, 13:58
yeah great advice RE:the AA. Luckily never needed it for 1 of my bikes but I have been able to help other people using my membership:doctor:

vifferman
7th December 2005, 14:00
Allways be prepared to stop for a fallen biker or broken motorcycle. Should you decide not to, you just might have the same thing occur to yourself.:whistle:
I'm worried about a corollary to that: "No good deed goes unpunished."
I stopped to help a fellow motorbicyclist on Monday, and I've been waiting fearfully for my punishment... :confused:

Devil
7th December 2005, 14:41
I'm worried about a corollary to that: "No good deed goes unpunished."
I stopped to help a fellow motorbicyclist on Monday, and I've been waiting fearfully for my punishment... :confused:
I hope it doesnt work that way. Maybe me getting the gixxer 750 as a loan bike was payment for stopping to check on a guy who'd binned his NSR250 on saturday next to riverhead forest.

Eurodave
7th December 2005, 14:57
I'm worried about a corollary to that: "No good deed goes unpunished."
I stopped to help a fellow motorbicyclist on Monday, and I've been waiting fearfully for my punishment... :confused:


I prefer to believe that what comes around goes around:2thumbsup

As Ive always said: "My karma has just overran your dogma"