The Invisible Rider

**Marmoot** · 19th January 2006, 01:02

Originally Posted by Wasp

yea i know that (I didn't learn shit form mine) but that was the only course i could think off.

forgot to say that im kinda scared when im out riding so im *almost* always cautious. just as well too, had 3 cars pull out infront of me (1 out of a park, 1 a u-turn and one off a roundabout), the one off the rounda bout i excuse because its on a slope (bridge entrance) and the asain guy that pulled out infront of me looked REALLY sorry.

Sorry....I missed the other three......are they asians as well?......Also, what about yourself?

**Lou Girardin** · 19th January 2006, 07:50

I had a young stud-about-town in his import Beemer do that on Newton Rd last night, I hit the horn and nailed it to get ahead, no major harm done.
Then I saw the traffic ahead stopped, so I slowed to let chummy pull up alongside. We stopped and I indicated for him to open his window, he shook his head and tried to surrepetiously lock the door with his elbow so that I wouldn't notice and then stared straight ahead. I damn near pissed myself laughing at him. He was getting redder than the traffic light.
It's a good little lesson that your invulnerable cage isn't so invulnerable when you're trapped in traffic.

Imagine, being scared of a middle-aged fart on a warehouse bike.

**ajturbo** · 19th January 2006, 08:04

Originally Posted by 2much

Welcome mate. Good point, overall I'ld blame the chick.

sorry but i find that funny

**MSTRS:Me** · 19th January 2006, 08:20

No-one's and everyone's fault.....praps had you been on a bike you could have saved the day by tootling melodiously.....
Welcome to our corner

**bugjuice** · 19th January 2006, 08:24

welcome

great FI!

I had a good classic the other day. I was over taking in the right lane, and some lady decided she wanted a go at this over taking lark too, but I hadn't quite finished passing her yet! She flung her indicator on, and started to move over, I knocked down a gear, tooted my horn and blipped it to get out of the way. As soon as she heard my horn, her first reaction - was to swerve - into me. Dozy bitch. I beeped with plenty of distance, a good couple of metres. After she swerved, it was less than a metre! I promptly packed my pants, and gave her the best evils and hand gestures I've done for a while. Hope she learnt for a few weeks..

**sAsLEX** · 19th January 2006, 08:24

Originally Posted by cruising

What's the point of the story?

Get fuckin loud arrogant pipes and then see if people cut you up!

Loud pipes save lives!

edit: and look like a mongrel mob member, bet no cuts them up!

**DMNTD:Me** · 19th January 2006, 08:25

Vans fault for not checking his blind spot and the scooter rider's fault for riding in it IMO.
I make a point of being seen and stay over alert especially when in a city or on a motorway as people seem to have too much on their minds...other than their surroundings.
What happened to the lady on the scooter is exactly what I expect.
Open ya eyes and expect the worst...tend to live longer that way

**Marmoot** · 19th January 2006, 09:25

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

Get fuckin loud arrogant pipes and then see if people cut you up!

Loud pipes save lives!

Yea, especially if you point them to the front.

**MisterD** · 19th January 2006, 09:37

Originally Posted by Wasp

prehaps people wanting to ride scooters should have to do the Basic Handling Skills course atleast, what do you guys think?

How does being able to ride around cones help in this situation, there's b-all in the BHS course about road craft.

At least the UK's CBT (compulsory basic training) teaches you to do the "lifesaver" look over your shoulder and then takes you out on the road with an instructor for a 30 minute ride before you're let loose. Even then that's only required if you want to ride a 125, same rules there as here for 50cc.

**Aaron** · 19th January 2006, 10:41

Welcome to the site, happy posting and all that.

I agree, Miss Scooter was at fault, not aware of her surroundings. Sounds like the van driver might have been caught before and is now very cautious with lane changes.

Originally Posted by Marmoot

Yes, the scooter seems to be at fault from your story. Never ride beside a vehicle, and never ride to it's rear unless you're prepared to be cut off.

This is a problem I encounter daily going home down Bealy Ave in Christchurch, (six lanes dual carriageway).

I usually ride the middle lane so I'm ok for the direction change at Fitzgerald Ave, this means I've got traffic on both sides, and at 17:20 it's peak hour traffic, long story short I'm always in someone's blind spot, usually two.

I'm happy there, paying full attention to my left and right, (and front), ready with cat like reflexes should I be squashed from either side.

If a gap opens up in front I'll usually 'zoom' up a few car lengths into the open, to avoid the situation altogether, however I'm wonder if one day I'll be pulled up for speeding or unnecessary accleration and could I argue the case, it was for my own safety? Note, I don't exceed 65 when moving ahead of traffic like this. Everyone else is going slow enough you don't need to go 'fast' to clear them.

**sAsLEX** · 19th January 2006, 10:59

Originally Posted by Marmoot

Yea, especially if you point them to the front.

No need, the strong deep sound of a loud twin through yoshis et al can be heard a fair distance at cruising speeds.

Quasi's old duke you could feel coming up behind you.

**Marmoot** · 19th January 2006, 11:35

Originally Posted by Aaron

If a gap opens up in front I'll usually 'zoom' up a few car lengths into the open, to avoid the situation altogether, however I'm wonder if one day I'll be pulled up for speeding or unnecessary accleration and could I argue the case, it was for my own safety? Note, I don't exceed 65 when moving ahead of traffic like this. Everyone else is going slow enough you don't need to go 'fast' to clear them.

If you're zooming, be careful of the cages changing lanes without looking at their mirror. Progress carefully might be a good options. Never take anything for granted, and expect the unexpected

(but that would make the unexpected become expected, hence mooting the point of the 'un' particle. However, that is a different debate altogether and we best not dwell into that matter here).

And yes, Sasslex, the v-twin rumbling gives me orgasm at times

**JWALKER** · 19th January 2006, 11:42

lol, that is funny. they do get quite nervous once you stop next to them on a bike.
also agree loud pipes are great and one of the best safety things

**sAsLEX** · 19th January 2006, 11:55

Originally Posted by Marmoot

be careful of the cages changing lanes without looking at their mirror.

its funny you mention that, as I get to uni quicker if the traffic is bumper to bumper the whole way as the cars have no where to go but trundle along straight ahead at a snails pace. Once flowing though they switch and change lanes and you have to slow to be ready to take evasive action.