"A couple of seconds from disaster"

[Marmoot]

They can use bus lane? Is that for sure? Not like splitting will be ok with some cops but not others, but actually legit?

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auck...uses/lanes.asp

Bikes use bus lanes too! Buses, cycles and motorcycles are all authorised users of bus lanes, so keep an eye out for them.

And no, it's not the buslanes alongside the Motorways.

[gatch]

Just tonight I was on my vfr in Palmy, turning right on the square to head down Main st.

Could see the lady in the red civic across the round a bout, not looking anywhere but in front of her.. Was almost in her path when I decided to stop because she still hadn't even glanced in my direction.. As she passed in front of me I owned her with the horn and high beam, only to be given the finger and have her passengers lean out the window, shouting get fucked you wanker cunt etc..

It blows my mind, if I wasn't in charge, and she would have hit me, then despite being in the right, I get smoked. And for letting her know that she had fucked up, I get called a cunt. Some people are just too retarded for words man.

[wbks]

Just tonight I was on my vfr in Palmy, turning right on the square to head down Main st.

Could see the lady in the red civic across the round a bout, not looking anywhere but in front of her.. Was almost in her path when I decided to stop because she still hadn't even glanced in my direction.. As she passed in front of me I owned her with the horn and high beam, only to be given the finger and have her passengers lean out the window, shouting get fucked you wanker cunt etc..

It blows my mind, if I wasn't in charge, and she would have hit me, then despite being in the right, I get smoked. And for letting her know that she had fucked up, I get called a cunt. Some people are just too retarded for words man.

They know they are in the wrong, so get extra defensive! Had someone in a car making a hell of a noise judging by their mouth moving a million ks a minute giving me an evil look as they pulled out in front of me at a 100km/h intersection once, and a dude on a harley with a big swastika painted on his tank gave me that stare as he pulled out in front of me at an intersection when I stopped just short of him as if I did something wrong...

[Jantar]

....Then I noticed another car in the same driveway the first car had come from, but they hadn't yet crossed the footpath. I rolled off the throttle a little, "just in case". As I approached, the first car was still blocking the car lane, but to my horror I suddenly noticed a thin tow rope strung tautly between the two cars about 30cms off the ground.

Holy fucking hell, I have never braked so hard in my life, and managed to stop a meter short of the rope, with the woman in the car being towed staring at me in horror, which quickly turned into eyes closed, hand on heart relief. She'd obviously been thinking I wasn't going to stop.

I uttered a few choice expletives at no-one in particular, more in relief of avoiding a superman than anything, and the woman in the car gave me the finger. Nice.

If I hadn't seen that rope when I did, I wouldn't have been able to stop and I think I probably would have been catapulted over the bars. ....

Many years ago (1975) I had a similar incident, but at much higher speed. I was riding my RE5 down hill just out of Berwick at around 130 and accelerating into a nice downhill sweeping right hander when I noticed a tractor parked on one side of the road, and a small truck on the other side. As I got closer I saw the wire rope strecthed between the two. Like you I grabbed all anchors and started down shifting. I saw that I wasn't going to stop in time, so I released the brakes, and just before I hit I gave it full throttle to lift the front wheel over the wire rope, and when the back whell hit I buttoned off again. The bike climbed over the wire rope nicely and I was able to stop safely further down the road. The drivers of both vehicles were rather contrite, but both were amazed that a bike could do that.

The lesson is that brakes will peel off speed to begin with, but sometimes its better to ride through the obstacle. You were able to stop in time, so your actions were the correct ones. Just keep in mind at all times that there may be alternatives and that those alternatives may save your life.

[jeffs]

Many years ago (1975) I had a similar incident, but at much higher speed. I was riding my RE5 down hill just out of Berwick at around 130 and accelerating into a nice downhill sweeping right hander when I noticed a tractor parked on one side of the road, and a small truck on the other side. As I got closer I saw the wire rope strecthed between the two. Like you I grabbed all anchors and started down shifting. I saw that I wasn't going to stop in time, so I released the brakes, and just before I hit I gave it full throttle to lift the front wheel over the wire rope, and when the back whell hit I buttoned off again. The bike climbed over the wire rope nicely and I was able to stop safely further down the road. The drivers of both vehicles were rather contrite, but both were amazed that a bike could do that.

The lesson is that brakes will peel off speed to begin with, but sometimes its better to ride through the obstacle. You were able to stop in time, so your actions were the correct ones. Just keep in mind at all times that there may be alternatives and that those alternatives may save your life.

If you jump the rope several times to music, its called skipping

[jeffs]

probably thought I was swearing at her directly when I wasn't, but under the circumstances, I probably should have!

Come on face it, you really were directing it at her subconsciously

Look to the upside, you have learned something from this

You have now going out to learn how to brake better.

[Azi Dahaka]

Don't you have to tie a bright coloured flag on the rope just like over hanging loads on traliers?

[quickbuck]

Don't you have to tie a bright coloured flag on the rope just like over hanging loads on traliers?

You could be right.
I seem to recall reading somewhere that your rope must be between two lengths. Something like 2 metres, but no longer than 4?
And it would make sense to put something in the span if you are towing around traffic!

All that said, the on-line road code is as helpful as a chocolate teapot, and i can't find much on the subject.....

Even after a google, all I can really find is that from November 1st, you are limited to 50km/hr if using a rope. Only ridged towing systems can allow you to travel 90.

Update: Just found this. Nothing about flags on the rope.... Sadly. Must say, it is a good idea.
Just because it isn't in the rules, doesn't mean it is a bad idea to do it.....

[Ender EnZed]

You have now going out to learn how to brake better.

Or you could skip that and just learn how to wheelie a Jog at 130.

[avgas]

lol imagine if it was a bus instead of a scooter......the tow rope would take on a whole new meaning

[quickbuck]

lol imagine if it was a bus instead of a scooter......the tow rope would take on a whole new meaning

Good point. Never thought of that one.

[vifferman]

So, I'm off to practice some more "vigorous" emergency stopping.

Last time I did that, I was surprised at how violent it is. At least it's not as violent as a collision, I guess.

[quickbuck]

Last time I did that, I was surprised at how violent it is. At least it's not as violent as a collision, I guess.

Good Arm workout then???

[pritch]

.
Learn to expect this sort of shit. That way you'll never be 'surprised' like this again.

I try to not be surprised at anything I see on the road but the incident as described was bloody unusual. Right out of left field so to speak.

That was a real world driving test and he passed.
The moped rider done good

[chasio]

Yep the rider definitely done good, given only a rope to spot. The relative angles of the cars may also have been a clue as well, I guess, as towed cars don't take a 'normal' line.

But I cannot believe a marker on the rope is not mandatory as it is in the UK. I certainly wouldn't tow without one.

My last emergency braking practise was last weekend. This has motivated me to do some more over the holidays...