First roundabout cutoff

[Spazman727]

Im with the OP. it's scary when this sort of thing happens, especially when you aren't very experienced. I did a similar thing the first time this happened to me, a guy cut me off at a roundabout and when I tooted he stopped, looked at me and shrugged his shoulders and then took off again, so I followed him and had a wee chat with him about looking and being careful ect ( I was wearing a big orange hi vis jacket at the time as it was raining and I was on my way to work). If he had showed any sign of remorse or whatever I would have probably just pulled the fingers at him and carried on with my day. Since he seemed like it was the sort of thing that happened every day I wanted him to think about bikes and that a small fender bender for a car could mean crippling or killing a biker.
I'm a small guy too, and I do feel slightly more tough in my gear. But I would probably behave in the same way in a life or death situation if I wasn't wearing anything. My opinion is that you should let them know what they did wrong so maybe they will not do it again and, hopefully mention the incident to their friends so they can try avoid a similar experience. Most people on the road don't really want to kill you, even if they sometimes behave like they do ( and you should expect them to want to, for your own safety).

[mattian]

Had my first cutoff at a roundabout last night. And I could just see the look on the girls face expressing SIDSYM! Could see them coming so already adjusted my speed just in case and was going only 10km/h when they hooned passed a metre or so in front of me without giving me way.

This was followed by me following them down a good few roads and them starting to get a bit scared (got to love the big armour shoulder pads, must make you look quite menacing). Got to a stop sign and I stopped next to them, decided I won't be becoming a road rager and gave them the thumbs up and drove off.

Needless to say when I got to my next destination it was *555, followed by "report a bad driver" on the police website

Phew gets your heart racing though, but guess I had to come across some time sooner or later, albeit 10 days since my first ride (but 1000km under my belt).

Hey bro. Heres something I have starting doing recently after getting fed up with people not giving way to me at round-abouts.
If I am going right, I flick my headlight on to high-beam just before I enter the round-about and leave it on until I exit. I have definately noticed people stopping alot more since I've started doing this.
I know its not strictly legal, but it works for me..... so far (knock on wood) and I will continue to do it.

Rock on

[superman]

Hey bro. Heres something I have starting doing recently after getting fed up with people not giving way to me at round-abouts.
If I am going right, I flick my headlight on to high-beam just before I enter the round-about and leave it on until I exit. I have definately noticed people stopping alot more since I've started doing this.
I know its not strictly legal, but it works for me..... so far (knock on wood) and I will continue to do it.

Rock on

Yeah I think people stop a lot more at night because they can see the lights coming even when they're dimmed. Daytime is however terrible, I was in my car and nearly t-boned a lady on christmas day, sooo close. She just waved her hand up in a sorry motion, how can people pay so little attention!

Went up to north shore today and back, 120km trip in car. Hadn't been on motorway in ages since I always avoid it and use back roads to Sylvia Park (even in car). Wow the way people just cut in and out, and can't merge onto the motorway without making people slam on their brakes. Must be a reason I still haven't taken my bike on the motorway

Need some intense road instruction like in Germany where you have to have a certain number of hours in a car with an instructor. Expensive, timely, but gets it into your brain for those nitwits who don't understand anything about driving except that they want to go somewhere and drive to get there.

[mattian]

Yeah I think people stop a lot more at night because they can see the lights coming even when they're dimmed. Daytime is however terrible, I was in my car and nearly t-boned a lady on christmas day, sooo close. She just waved her hand up in a sorry motion, how can people pay so little attention!

Went up to north shore today and back, 120km trip in car. Hadn't been on motorway in ages since I always avoid it and use back roads to Sylvia Park (even in car). Wow the way people just cut in and out, and can't merge onto the motorway without making people slam on their brakes. Must be a reason I still haven't taken my bike on the motorway

Need some intense road instruction like in Germany where you have to have a certain number of hours in a car with an instructor. Expensive, timely, but gets it into your brain for those nitwits who don't understand anything about driving except that they want to go somewhere and drive to get there.

Sounds like time spent with a Mentor would be ideal for you.
I understand where you're coming from. When I was on my 250, I didnt like the motorways and nearly kacked my daks the first time I went over the harbour bridge...lol Even now, on my 650 I am amazed at the stupidity and lack of awareness by motorists. You just have to take little steps at a time. Eventually your confidence will grow as you get more experienced.
Just remember to keep an eye on the vehicle at least 3 or 4 car lengths in front. Cars can all come to a slow down suddnenly on the motorway. Also, don't rely on solely on your mirrors, keep your head on a swivel and check your blind spot before changing lanes.
anyway..... like I said earlier. Get yourself a Mentor. Honestly, you will learn so much.