Gaaagh! Check yer indamicators!!

[scumdog]

OK, waiting to make right turn out of a side street in the Battlestar Galactica (T'bird) and saw shiney red sprots-bike heading down main street coming from my left, his left indicator was merrily blinking.

His body-language made me think he was not about to prak or turn left down the street across from me so I stayed where I was rather than pull out on front of said sprots-bike rider causing him to swerve/brake/fall off/crash and call me a blind effing cage driver or some other articulate gem..

Sure enough he went straight through and I followed him north, blinded by his incessantly blinking indicator, on the passing lane he caught up with a car, moved to the right lane (still with left blinker going for it) THEN looked over his right shoulder (to see what was about to hit him??) and carried on out of town into the distance - STILL with the infernal indimacator doo-dad flashing.

So people, spare a second to check your dash/green lights whatever every so often to make sure you don't do the same, it could save your life.
(And it won't effing annoy me)

[Usarka]

Always worth reminding people of that one.

Newbies - make it a routine. Cancel your indicator at first gear change after a corner (or any way that works for you).

[ManDownUnder]

LOL good call... and if someone comes towards you flashes the indicator once or twice then stops for no apparent reason... ffs check your own!

[vifferman]

Good post, Mr scumdog, Sir. :niceone:
I (being the wonderful fella that I am), have developed an almost obsessive policy of cancelling the indicators after a turn, sometimes cancelling them when I've forgotten to indicate in the first place. :o
However, I must admit to riding down the street near where I used to work, which had about 6 or seven intersections at which I had right of way, cursing the silly car drivers that seemed to want to run me over, before realising I'd left my left indicator on when turning onto that street. :blank:

There used to be bikes with self-cancelling confirminators, what worked on a mercury switch or somesuch. And others (maninly scooters, I think) that had a very annoying beeper attached to the indimicators. Not a bad idea.

[Nagash]

See this sorta thing all the bloody time..

I pulled up next to a guy at the lights who i'd been following for a wee while with his indicators on. I politely and matter-of-factly mentioned to him that his indicators we on and he gave me the snotiest "I know!" I had ever experianced.

Bloody arsehole..

[scumdog]

There used to be bikes with self-cancelling confirminators, what worked on a mercury switch or somesuch.

Yes.
Those inferior Harleys such as CB and I own have just such a system, I doubt there's a better one. (so there).

[Maverick]

He wasnt wearing a Kilt was he? ;)

[car]

have developed an almost obsessive policy of cancelling the indicators after a turn, sometimes cancelling them when I've forgotten to indicate in the first place.

Ditto.


There used to be bikes with self-cancelling confirminators, what worked on a mercury switch or somesuch. And others (maninly scooters, I think) that had a very annoying beeper attached to the indimicators. Not a bad idea.

The beeper, maybe, but I dislike self-canceling indicators. The mechanism can't always be right, but you can bet your ass that lazy tarts will rely on it; either they'll fail to indicate for as long as they needed to, or leave their indicator on waiting for the mechanism to make up for their inattention.

My first and second cars both lacked self-canceling indicators, and to this day I'm still irked by premature self-cancellation.

[Monsterbishi]

Something to reflect upon here also, is that I'm fairly sure my bikes aren't unique in respect to the flashing light on the speedo cluster that shows you when the indicator is in use.

If the red bike rider is not paying attention to that, betcha he's going to get the shock of his life when he misses the day his oil pressure light comes on or temp gauge goes off the clock :bye:

[99TLS]

have been guilty of this before, thought i cancelled it when i didnt actually its pretty easy to do

[jtzzr]

He wasnt wearing a Kilt was he? ;)
:rofl::rofl::rofl:



have been guilty of this before, thought i cancelled
it when i didnt actually its pretty easy to do

I am also guilty officer , some good advice Scummy.

[MadDuck]

I have been also guilty of this.

Grandma went to turn right in front of me and just before I was about to shout out the abuse i noticed the indicator light flashing ...:bash:

[xwhatsit]

Yes.
Those inferior Harleys such as CB and I own have just such a system, I doubt there's a better one. (so there).
Any bloody chance you get, you rabbit on about your Harley and it's frigging indicators and side-stands! I've had it up to here!

You just start these threads to try and belittle us, don't you?

:bleh:

[NighthawkNZ]

So people, spare a second to check your dash/green lights whatever every so often to make sure you don't do the same, it could save your life.
(And it won't effing annoy me)

I know two people that are really bad at not checking that ah Gleyns :D

[vifferman]

Something to reflect upon here also, is that I'm fairly sure my bikes aren't unique in respect to the flashing light on the speedo cluster that shows you when the indicator is in use.

If the red bike rider is not paying attention to that, betcha he's going to get the shock of his life when he misses the day his oil pressure light comes on or temp gauge goes off the clock :bye:
Maybe like me he pays much more attention to what's going on around him than to the idiot lights. As for relying on the oil pressure light or temperature gauge to inform me the bike is short of oil (or haemoraging internally) or out of coolant, I think I'd know about well before the idiot lights did. One of the joys of motorbicycling is that it is so visceral: an experienced biker is in tune with his machine and feels that the tyres are a bit flat, or the chain is too loose, or the engine is hot.

[Nagash]

Well I think all of the controls on the left hand of most bikes are all absolutely rubbish.. atleast on bikes i've used.

It's really easy to miss the indicator and press down on the horn instead and then you get nasty looks from anyone for the rest of the ride.

The high beams can flick on at the simple brush over the switch so I end up switching it on and off constantly.

The indicators can be pushed to either side instead of being dis-engaged so you think it's off but it's actually still going.

It's generally an all round horrible set up.. I reckon I should revouloutionise how motorbikes operate and come up with my own little system. Foot operated horn? I'm liking the sounds of that.


And also.. my bike doesn't have an oil gauge.. or temperature gauge, or petrol gauge for that matter. And currently it doesn't display the speed or distance travelled either cause I've gone and snapped the speedo cable (somehow?) and it's an import.. So I don't really find much reason to look at the dials. Besides.. you don't need to look at your speedo, it just makes you feel bad..

[NighthawkNZ]

Maybe like me he pays much more attention to what's going on around him than to the idiot lights. As for relying on the oil pressure light or temperature gauge to inform me the bike is short of oil (or haemoraging internally) or out of coolant, I think I'd know about well before the idiot lights did. One of the joys of motorbicycling is that it is so visceral: an experienced biker is in tune with his machine and feels that the tyres are a bit flat, or the chain is too loose, or the engine is hot.

Usually by the time your oil light has come on the damage is done and is too late anyway. But you should still glimpse at your dash every so often even it is just to check your speed to avoid that ticket

[MisterD]

Ah the joys of riding a classic - no indimacators here. Although I have to say I developed a habit of stabbing the cancel button on my modern scoot at random intervals just to be sure.

[bull]

yip i always try and give them a stab too to make sure they are off at random times on the ride.

Hey Nagash, you were not by chance lanesplitting to front of lights when you told the other rider were you? ive had a couple of funny looks at the lights from cars and bikes as i filter up the middle with my right indicator on. Its what ive been advised to do whilst overtaking so i do it anyway, then turn it off at front of the lights.

[scracha]

Isn't the real problem the retarded "turn left" rule?

[xwhatsit]

Isn't the real problem the retarded "turn left" rule?

I'm actually a fan. It provides consistency with the rest of the give way rules (i.e., yield to your right). Also, the person turning right is in a very exposed position, and getting them out of harms way as quickly as possible seems sensible.

Something the rest of the world should consider copying, IMHO.

[trump-lady]

I am guilty of this. I try real hard but always happens. Last week I offered to go behind Matt (leader) on a newbie ride and do the wait at turns for the group. So off I tottle 2nd in a group of about ten newbies to realise 5 mins later I had been showing the newbies how an idiot looks when they dont cancel their indicators........ woops

[Shadows]

That exact same mistake cost a rider his life in Kapiti not long ago.

[kerfufflez]

I'm actually a fan. It provides consistency with the rest of the give way rules (i.e., yield to your right). Also, the person turning right is in a very exposed position, and getting them out of harms way as quickly as possible seems sensible.



I don't understand why some think that give way rule is terrible. If it's not a rule, and people aren't giving way (as in England?), then how do the right turners ever get across? I can't picture what happens, especially if there's a constant stream of traffic, other than just waiting forever, and then getting fed up and making a mad dash across.
How does it work in countries that don't have that give way rule?

[Patch]

. . . . . One of the joys of motorbicycling is that it is so visceral: an experienced biker is in tune with his machine and feels that the tyres are a bit flat, or the chain is too loose, or the engine is hot.

Well that about counts more than half the idiots in here out.


Always partial to the good old hand signals myself.

[terbang]

There used to be bikes with self-cancelling confirminators, what worked on a mercury switch or somesuch. And others (maninly scooters, I think) that had a very annoying beeper attached to the indimicators. Not a bad idea.

Yeah like my ancient old (1982) GS1100 has. And it still works a treat 25 years on and I don't even have to wear tassles.

[scumdog]

He wasnt wearing a Kilt was he? ;)

Nah, t'wasn't McJim!!:laugh:

[Coyote]

I always check the indicater light on my dash. It's right next to the oil one :rolleyes:

[car]

Something the rest of the world should consider copying, IMHO.

I'd have a lot more time for it if New Zealanders remembered to do it.

;)

[Nagash]

Well yeah.. the left turn rule is a great rule, thing is only about half the population (or less) actually follow it. So when it does come to the crunch both parties have no clue what the other person's gonna do..

And that's why it don't work, cause New Zealander's (On a majority basis) don't know how to drive.


Hey Nagash, you were not by chance lanesplitting to front of lights when you told the other rider were you? ive had a couple of funny looks at the lights from cars and bikes as i filter up the middle with my right indicator on. Its what ive been advised to do whilst overtaking so i do it anyway, then turn it off at front of the lights.

And no I wasn't, he stopped at the back of the cue and I pulled up along side him.

[Ixion]

Well yeah.. the left turn rule is a great rule, thing is only about half the population (or less) actually follow it. So when it does come to the crunch both parties have no clue what the other person's gonna do..

.

I remember before the left turn rule was introduced. Then we had a give way when turning right rule. And way less than half the population followed it.

Whatever rule you have, the incompetent will stuff it up or ignore it. The answer to that is not to change the rule, but rather to change the incompetent.

[quickbuck]

It's really easy to miss the indicator and press down on the horn instead and then you get nasty looks from anyone for the rest of the ride.

The high beams can flick on at the simple brush over the switch so I end up switching it on and off constantly.

The indicators can be pushed to either side instead of being dis-engaged so you think it's off but it's actually still going.

It's generally an all round horrible set up.. .

In the trade we call that "Finger Trouble"

Anyhow, Scumdog has brought to light the potentially fatal flaw with leaving your indicator on to he left, and our give was laws.

When ever I go on a pack ride I make it that if anybody is caught with their indicators on for an excessive amount of time after the intersection (like second gear change) then it is their shout!

Yes, I'm included, but as I'm a tight bugger, it makes me remember.

[TOTO]

ok , I will check. thanks for the reminder

[imdying]

I've been doing this a bit relay... the action on the switch is a little stiff on my 15 year old RGV compared to my practically virginal SV. My thumb is however in retraining... and the switch, well I'll give it the learn with a bit of contact cleaner and dry lube at some stage :yes:

[xwhatsit]

I'd have a lot more time for it if New Zealanders remembered to do it.

;)

I don't have that problem up here, but I suppose there are a lot of old people wot live in Wellington.

imdying -- I had the same problem when I fitted a new (but very old) left-hand switch-block. Pulled it apart, and found it was full of spiders and spiders' webs :wacko: Dropped it and ran away :laugh:

[scracha]

I don't understand why some think that give way rule is terrible. If it's not a rule, and people aren't giving way (as in England?), then how do the right turners ever get across? I can't picture what happens, especially if there's a constant stream of traffic, other than just waiting forever, and then getting fed up and making a mad dash across.
How does it work in countries that don't have that give way rule?

By other countries you mean the rest of the word? :-) Hmm...I wonder. If there's a constant stream of traffic then you give up and find a roundabout or similar. I've never found a constant stream of traffic though. On real busy roads they put traffic lights or have a separate lane or round-about or summit.

Car or motorcycle, it scares the $hit out of me turning across an oncoming heavy goods vehicle just because they happen to have left their left indicator on.

As for leaving your indicator on the bike. I used to do this myself. Drill yerself to look cancel indicators and look behind once you're on the new road and then check your speed on the speedo (so you should spot on the cluster if you're indicator is flashin). Passing cars and stuff...I guess you just have it drilled into you to cancel the bloody things.

[Cache Wraith]

..... and to this day I'm still irked by premature self-cancellation.

Hmmm. Have they given that a new name now? Maybe the Mens Clinic can help.:doctor:

[pete376403]

Yeah like my ancient old (1982) GS1100 has. And it still works a treat 25 years on and I don't even have to wear tassles.
me too... the GS system was quite trick for its day, and even now it better than what is fitted to 90% of other bikes. It was a two part system, based on either time or distance, depending on how fast you were going. Under 50km/hr it went on distance (don't know the exact figure) and over 50Km/hr it went by time. There's a switch in the speedo which tells it to do one or the other
Still if they can make a system that works for todays big expensive tourers, how hard can it be to have it trickle down to the mainstream bikes?

[JimO]

me too... the GS system was quite trick for its day, and even now it better than what is fitted to 90% of other bikes. It was a two part system, based on either time or distance, depending on how fast you were going. Under 50km/hr it went on distance (don't know the exact figure) and over 50Km/hr it went by time. There's a switch in the speedo which tells it to do one or the other
Still if they can make a system that works for todays big expensive tourers, how hard can it be to have it trickle down to the mainstream bikes?

my 1979 Z1R had self cancelling indicators

[Lucy]

By other countries you mean the rest of the word? :-) Hmm...I wonder. If there's a constant stream of traffic then you give up and find a roundabout or similar. I've never found a constant stream of traffic though. On real busy roads they put traffic lights or have a separate lane or round-about or summit.


Car or motorcycle, it scares the $hit out of me turning across an oncoming heavy goods vehicle just because they happen to have left their left indicator on.

.I don't do it, unless I see them slow down, a heavy vehicle can't turn that fast. If I'm unsure I just wait.

Yeah that's why the "every one else in the world doesnt have that rule so we shouldnt either" argument really irritates me. Other countries don't have roads like ours where people are left hanging out in the exposed middle, (as someone else said), trying to cross on a narrow road

[car]

Other countries don't have roads like ours where people are left hanging out in the exposed middle, (as someone else said), trying to cross on a narrow road

Yes, they do.

[ital916]

I don't do it, unless I see them slow down, a heavy vehicle can't turn that fast. If I'm unsure I just wait.


ALways a good thing to do in my books. I've seen some trucks take turns at stupid speeds for their size..example, turning onto pah road from selwyn road. Was pulling up to the intersection in my cage when this huge freaking truck decides to turn into selwyn way too hot. Completely overshoots his lane and takes another good 20-30metres or road to straighten up! Always wary now when pulling up to blind intersections. If there wasa motocyclist or car there...kasplat

[Lucy]

Yes, they do.

Ok maybe I was being too generalistic, but places like England and Aussie and America, (which is where most people like to compare us too regarding road rules), they have far more dual carriageways and alternatives to the 'one lane in each direction' roads.

[car]

Ok maybe I was being too generalistic

And I didn't mean to sound like a pompous tool, but it comes so easily.


but places like England and Aussie and America, (which is where most people like to compare us too regarding road rules), they have far more dual carriageways and alternatives to the 'one lane in each direction' roads.

Given, they have a lot more dual carriageways, but they also have a considerably higher population, and a lot more traffic. The multi-lane carriageways tend to be clustered around very large centres of population, or at best between them.

Most of the population, I dare say, will cover dual carriageway or better in their daily drive. But then, don't most of the population (or at least some sizeable proportion) of NZ live in Auckland and surrounds or Wellington and surrounds? Plenty of dual-carriageway there. In fact, the only part of my current 50 mile a day commute that isn't dual carriageway (or better) is the 1/4 of a mile at each end.

My regular commute in the UK was 80 miles a day, all on "A" roads, all single lane, with no alternative. In the winter, the traffic would be almost solid, stop-start, for the last two or three miles. Where I grew up, my mother's regular commute was 70 miles a day, 75% of which was single lane, same volume of traffic, (massive death toll.)

I know, anecdotal evidence proves very little. I guess that what I'm saying is that my experience of that country is a long way from gleaming, super-smooth and empty 8-lane highways. In fact, my old commute even had a one-lane bridge.

:)

The suggestion that people outside New Zealand don't find themselves hanging out to dry in the middle of the road waiting to turn right just doesn't ring a bell. I have very clear memories of just the opposite, and not just in the UK, (although, elsewhere it's likely to have been "waiting to turn left.") And, back to the topic of the give-way rule, when I explained it to a couple of friends back in the UK they thought it was a brilliant idea, applicable to the roads they drive. If people could be trusted to actually bloody do it.

[cynna]

Yes.
Those inferior Harleys such as CB and I own have just such a system, I doubt there's a better one. (so there).

when i got my trail bike recently i thought it would have self canceling ones as well - took me a while to realise i had been riding with an indicator on most of the time

i liked the ones that were on my old sportster where you had to hold the actual button in rather then just pushing the switch

[Lucy]

:)

The suggestion that people outside New Zealand don't find themselves hanging out to dry in the middle of the road waiting to turn right just doesn't ring a bell. I have very clear memories of just the opposite, and not just in the UK, (although, elsewhere it's likely to have been "waiting to turn left.") And, back to the topic of the give-way rule, when I explained it to a couple of friends back in the UK they thought it was a brilliant idea, applicable to the roads they drive. If people could be trusted to actually bloody do it.

Interesting that they think it's a good idea. I always cringe when I hear people demand we get rid of it. Some of the roads on my old daily commute (South Auckland) , would have been totally strangled if the left turners didn't have to give way to the ones trying to turn right.

Like any rule, the ones who ignore it are a pain, but we should be wary of the cure being worse than the ailment. And the fact that 'no one else in the world has it' is a crap argument for getting rid of it. IMO. I mean, no one else has a great rugby team either - should we make ours play bad to match? Oh hang on, we did.,,,,