Filtering or not filtering.....That is the question

Filtering.
A subject I have read about on here seems to attract many differing
responses.
Lane 2a seems appropriate
Lane 1a is fraught with danger from lorry back ends and blind spots.
I ride with my lights on at all times, and it seems to help until
filtering.
The main problem is that whatever lane I use it always seems to attract
the utter cunts that want to drive over the dividing line just to block
you off.
I have a lovely dayglo green vest and fairly reflective clothing so not
entirely invisible.
Any tips for better filtering as I will soon be geting my bigger bike
and would rather keep it the same shape and condition as when I buy it.

 

Filter at higher speeds.

HTH.

 

SteveH wrote:

Well, I recommend filtering excessively fast, no hi-vi vest and without
lights on, in the dark.

Oh and on the peripherique, towards oncoming traffic.

 

You need to move to a better area. In my experience most cars ignore me and
some move over to let me through. I can't think of any recent examples of
cars appearing to deliberately block my progress. If the gap in front is
too small to get through then just bide your time - sooner or later a gap
will appear and then off you go. In fact my most annoying recent filtering
experience was another bike riding about a foot off my rear wheel whilst I
was making progress through slow moving traffic. I pulled over at the first
opportunity and let him past but then he was no faster through the traffic
than I had been! I think he found it easier when somebody else was judging
the gaps before he had to go through. I followed him for at least 5 miles
(at a more reasonable distance and sometimes taking a different filtering
route) and at the end of it he had gained absolutely nothing and at times he
had been holding me up. However, I was careful not to make any obvious kind
of competition out of it as racing and filtering are not a good mix.

 

I think when one bike goes through the gap 'opens up' a little.

Oh, I don't know. It's a good adrenaline rush.

 

Yep, my preferred certainly.

Depends really on speed of overall traffic, though i have to admit, i only
use 1a if all three lanes are really chockablock, as sometimes happens
between J6 and 10 on the M1 or on stretches of the M25.

Im not convinnced it does help me at all. I think that most motorists dont
notice you at all until you're past them. I ride expecting them to change
lanes without looking. I find it better for me to be aware of them than
relying on them being aware of me.

Could be the position you've taken up? ie, some motorists dont like bikes
right on their offside rearend?

I find it better to blend in to be honest and watch them than make myself
too obvious, if you do, they might see you early, see you filtering for the
last few cars or more, think you dont deserve to make progress when they
cant and...................

Be careful then, or just keep it in the garage

 

Cab submitted this idea :

Is that the way you do it?
I'm amazed you are alive then.......or are you?

 

TMack formulated the question :

Where are you then ?

 

The craft book says, 'maintain lane discipline at all times on the
motorway ' and 'when filtering be ready(able ) to stop if required' I
try to judge how much time I'm saving relative to the risks of the
filtering conditions. It's a great feeling when it's totally blocked (
happens quite often on the M3 this time of year.. ) It's possible to
get carried away though.

I not seen drivers deliberatly blocking motorbikes, sometimes people
are just too dozy to realise they are straddling 2 lanes I'm affraid.

 

Except when a slow bike is already there

Thats the problem, just wear black !

Yes, see space, make decision, go for it. Then move on to the next.

Actually it all depends on how heavy the trafic is and how aware you are
of your space. If uncomfortable, then do not do it. If it feels right do
it.

In comuter traffic I stick to approx 10mph over upto around 50mph. After
that I slot back in. Occasionally I will pull the "nutter" card and fo 70+
filtering.

 

Yep, feels good when you pull it off.

During the commutes to work (not far but normally full of cars on dual
carriage ways), I tend to have to slow down for the speed cameras whilst
filtering.

--
Nursey RN
ALS & APLS Provider
MIRTTH#6 IbW#09 4#COFF EFFA MOP#1
Honda CBF600 ABS
(nursey at ukrm dot net)
UKRM FAQ: http://www.ukrm.net/faq/

 

When last in the car London way (not experienced many high-speed
filterers in Lancs) the most clearly seen filterers were those
that weaved about a good deal between 2, 2a and 3..

 

Can cameras distinguish which vehicle is breaking the limit when
there's more than one in its 'vision'?

 

Eh? Since when did freemasons issue books on road use?

 

M602 ?

 

Yes, they take a photgraph YTC !
(Clue, little white lines)

 

Nope, unless I want to take the long way round ;-)

Now normally A34 from near Sainsburys/John Lewis all the way in to
Manchester till I reach MRI.

--
Nursey RN
ALS & APLS Provider
MIRTTH#6 IbW#09 4#COFF EFFA MOP#1
Honda CBF600 ABS
(nursey at ukrm dot net)
UKRM FAQ: http://www.ukrm.net/faq/

 

Grr. Fecking Paris. On a rainy Sunday evening via Versailles/Clamart.

Definitely not for the faint hearted. However I did let a fair few
bikes through (i was in cage), who were appreciative ...

P.

 

Most of the time, if they have the time whilst filtering, they'll
acknowledge considerate drivers.

 

IMO, filtering is one of the attractions of motorcycling and you will
develop a sixth sense.

Indeed.