Gaaagh! Check yer indamicators!!

[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:Me]

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!!

[Coyote]

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

[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.