Debs Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I passed my CBT 2 weeks ago and have the use of a friends NSR 125 for a bit of practice.... Today was my second time out on it but first real ride out on the roads through town. But I am not too familiar with the area as my friend has just moved there. I got to a round about and was taking the first exit which as it happened was more like a left turn. I made my observations, saw a HGV behind me. Left indicator went on and moved over to the left and slowed down on approach to the round about, as doing so gaging the traffic on round about, I new I had to stop. Half way through this the HGV behind me started to honk his horn repeatedly... which when they are that close it's f**king loud! I looked him my morror and just saw a section of the front grill of the lorry. He was inches from me and still honking!I had to really focous not to get completely thrown off by it... I don't know how I did but I managed to stay calm dispite my heart being in my mouth and made my manouvre. If I'd have had a complete mess up and dropped the bike I would have been under the lorry! I think I can say that I am not a speed demon and my approach to the round about was probably just inder 30 mph (it's a 30 zone) but I would readily admit today I could have picked up my speed better on round abouts like I was on. But does this happen to other people and any advice on how you deal with it. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyc Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 You did the best thing by staying calm. All you can try and do is create a safe distance for yourself and get the f**k outta trouble by taking advantage of the bikes acceleration (obviously safely tho!). Then get the retard's numberplate and company and report him hopefully they'll sack the fat mother trucker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 All sorts of things could have caused this response from the HGV. He/she could have been looking further ahead than you and was ready to take the junction before you were.. he/she coulda just been having a bad day ... he/she coulda been on the phone, then embarrassed at their own mistake, took it out on the first person they saw...Generally speaking I find HGVs to be the more polite of all the other traffic I encounter. I imagine it is because these drivers are very aware and have actually seen me before everyone else. It is rare I encounter a HGV who doesn't move over for me, generally speaking, I get no problems.This happened to you with the HGV behind, so really there is nowt you can do. The HGV should drive to the conditions, just as everyone else. The HGV driver should have noted your L plate and modified their driving accordingly.On the other hand, if they are ahead of you etc, always position yourself so you can be seen. Ie not so close to them that you cannot see the their mirrors. Cos as you know, if you can't see the mirrors, they cannot see you.We have a few HGV drivers on here, hopefully they will also pass comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satnavsatnav Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 You should of took is number and any company logo info and reported him. Dont paint all hgv drivers with the same brush im a hgv driver and i can assure you most of them are excellent drivers, Much better trained and aware of there surroundings than your average driver. But that said it must have been very intimidating for you.@ martyc there not all fat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debs Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share Posted February 16, 2011 I appreciate that they are professional driver's too and actually expect that they are as you say less troublesome than other vehicles. So my it was an utter shock to the reaction that I got. I thought about it all after and considered my approach to the round about, I may have piddled him or her off on the road before habd as it's a national speed limit on a single lane but and I stayed at 40! I know I need to pick my speed up! But after this road I had gone round the first round about and onto the second roundabout which is where I got all the grief from him/her! I did want to use the bikes power to get out of the way but I didn't want to panick and dump the clutch or wobble or worse! It was a little intimidating.... that's the one thing I have been pleased with during my learning so far... I do not feel at all exposed on the road while on a bike and am happy to be amognst other vehicles but I have to admit this was a bit too extreme version of 'amognst' for me. In honesty it was one of those moments where you think... this actually could really kill me and I just knew I had to stay calm as the lorry driver had clearly lost it so wasn't thinking straight. The last thing this situation needed was 2 of us not thinking straight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debs Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share Posted February 16, 2011 You should of took is number and any company logo info and reported him. Dont paint all hgv drivers with the same brush im a hgv driver and i can assure you most of them are excellent drivers, Much better trained and aware of there surroundings than your average driver. But that said it must have been very intimidating for you.@ martyc there not all fat Please be assured I don't think that this is representative of HGV drivers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Thats a good attitude to have Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastanglianbiker Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 where was ker5h today??????...........well done debs for not panicing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 hiya debs, im an hgv driver and as said earlier we're not all like that, this guy could've been distracted by something else and maybe thought you would've exited quicker, but this is by no means an excuse, He or she was well out of order and either had a finger up his arse or as got something against bikers or just maybe is a total twat, as dan said generally truckers are aware of what is going on and will drive accordingly so please dont adjust your way of riding to suit others, ride to how you feel comfortable, don't be pressured by any other road users, while your in that lane,then use it as your own.... i'll apologise for the cock of a driver. was it an artic or a 7.5 tonner wishing he was a real trucker cos they are the worst ones.... no offence fred @ martyc there not all fat ,and i aint fat either marty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spafe2302 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Just throwing it out there, you said you looked in mirror and jsut saw the grill. Could he have been trying to warn you he didnt think he could stop? if he's cocked up and come in too fast etc? Dont know owt about driving cars even let alone hgv's so may be completly off but he might not be a bad guy, just was mis-understoodThat said, yeh can imagine it would be quite a shock, congrats for not panicing, sounds like you done everything right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debs Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 hiya debs, im an hgv driver and as said earlier we're not all like that, this guy could've been distracted by something else and maybe thought you would've exited quicker, but this is by no means an excuse, He or she was well out of order and either had a finger up his arse or as got something against bikers or just maybe is a total tw*t, as dan said generally truckers are aware of what is going on and will drive accordingly so please dont adjust your way of riding to suit others, ride to how you feel comfortable, don't be pressured by any other road users, while your in that lane,then use it as your own.... i'll apologise for the cock of a driver. was it an artic or a 7.5 tonner wishing he was a real trucker cos they are the worst ones.... no offence fred @ martyc there not all fat ,and i aint fat either marty I don't think you should have to apologise on behalf of a moron like that but thank you for being really nice! It was a proper big artic... you know the type that carries scrap. Thank you for you advice to about riding as I feel comfortable and not letting other road user's pushing me.... your the first person to offer that. I will actually remember that everytime I am out now... "while in that lane use it as your own" Thanks for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Like people have said Debs.Make yourself seen and Boss your lane. If you move over to far towards the kerb Most drivers Cars/Vans and lorrys will try to force there way through. Be courteous to them and let them pass (When its safe to do so).Well done for staying calm. Its mainly a case of getting out on the bike and getting some miles under your belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammer5 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 You pay your road tax so you can ride where the hell you want, don't be bullied out of the way.BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 You pay your road tax so you can ride where the hell you want, don't be bullied out of the way.BB Probably best if you think of every other driver of every other vehicle as a complete and utter ar*ehole, they are not, but if you think of them this way you will take more care ....stay safe x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 hiya debs, you said it was scrap he was carrying.. in that case he was a total ar*ehole, scrap drivers, tipper drivers and container trucks are the ones to be carefull around when you see them, they generally get paid by load or mileage so generally they are rushing about all day because they re greedy, even us normal artic drivers dont particularly like them, they seem to be in a clan of there own and i want nothing to do with them, so if you see any of these then just take that bit of extra care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debs Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 I will be wary of them in the future then on my bike.... in my car will be another story, I can feel a very slow drive coming on!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I will be wary of them in the future then on my bike.... in my car will be another story, I can feel a very slow drive coming on!!! hahaha yeah piss em off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satnavsatnav Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Revenge is sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remy Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Flipping heck Deb you are a LEARNER which should be obvious by your L plates, other drivers should be making allowance for you not the other way round .I often have cars right on my rear bumper, not because I drive slow but probably because I have an L plate and they just want to overtake! (in Shropshire they seem think the lanes are for rally driving ). I never let them pressurise me, I carry on driving in my comfort zone. One t*t was right behind me on a narrowish country lane with loads of blind bends, I slowed down and moved to the left on a straight bit so s/he could overtake, but no they decided to just stick behind me . Some drivers are just knobs no matter what they are in!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debs Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 Sometimes I think L plates cause more problems than they do assist... I hate them! lol I am leaning to flip the bird at 30mph+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spafe2302 Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I am leaning to flip the bird at 30mph+ A very useful skill for a biker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Mariner Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Driver's of HGVs should be wary of the conduct they display on the road as their licence is vocational and how they behave can determine if they are of the correct temprament to be in charge of such a large vehicle.The licence they hold can be suspended without a court case.If you are intimidated by their behaviour and you consider that it is bullying or bad tempered or just plain driving below the standard you would expect report the registration number with date time and place to 0300 123 9000.I have had the misfortune of attending incidents involving two wheelers and artics at roundabouts and there is unfortunately only one casualty, whoever is at fault.I agree with the previous posters regarding making the lane your own. Make yourself as visible as possible, down in front of a big lorry you can be in a huge blind spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debs Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Driver's of HGVs should be wary of the conduct they display on the road as their licence is vocational and how they behave can determine if they are of the correct temprament to be in charge of such a large vehicle.The licence they hold can be suspended without a court case.If you are intimidated by their behaviour and you consider that it is bullying or bad tempered or just plain driving below the standard you would expect report the registration number with date time and place to 0300 123 9000.I have had the misfortune of attending incidents involving two wheelers and artics at roundabouts and there is unfortunately only one casualty, whoever is at fault.I agree with the previous posters regarding making the lane your own. Make yourself as visible as possible, down in front of a big lorry you can be in a huge blind spot. He had to catch me up on the road leading to the road about, so I don't think in this instance that I was in his blind spot however, by the time he had got as close to be as he did I doubt he could have seen me. I was pretty much stopped when he drove up my backside, inches if that from my back wheel where he started honking. Looking back actually it was really scary... I knew at the time if I lost y balance and fell off I would have been under that artic without doubt. I am now actually starting to dred seeing another at a roundabout, you know the more you think about it, it starts to worry you! I really don't want to have any fears like thta as I have been doing really well! Thanks for your reply Mighty Mariner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon276 Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 hi all i also drive artics for a living and i must say its swings and roundabouts there are good truckers and bad same as car and bikes if your doing 40 on a single carrige way then your not to slow for him as the speed limit for hgvs on a single carrige way is 40mph. The advice i would have to any road user is if overtaking an hgv on the approach to a roundabout or junction is to use the bike performance to get well ahead of them remember there braking distancies are far greater than a bikes next peace of advice is when approaching a roundabout or junction pay attention if there is an hgv stradiling both lanes with his indicator on dont scoot down the side of them as 1, your driving into his blind spot 2, there stradiling the lanes because they need the space to make the turn(this is my pet hate from other road users when working nearly sqished a few idiots who cant wait a few secs) and finally the best peace of advice i ever had when learning to drive/ride was treat every other road user as a tw*t but most of all dont ride outside your comfort zone and keep it safe happy biking roll on summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 I have similar issue with cars getting up my arse! I AM slow on the approach to roundabouts e.t.c but thats all lack of confidence, I don't have L plates so I think they expect me to be speedy gonzalis! Does worry me sometimes, but in the end I think sod it! Your worried about slowing down a little earlier than normal, didums.I'm taking it easy and not going beyond my abillity, if you MR car/truck/lorry/bus driver don't like it! Then I frankly don't care and you can wait your turn! Mindu I do always keep an eye on my mirrors to check one doesn't approach rather rapidly from the rear! What I think I'm trying to say is don't be put off and let your confidence take a knock purely coz of one numpty on the road. Go out there with the attitude that your number one and everyone else around you can just bloody wait! Confidence is not easy to gain but can be quickly lost! I like to hold on to the little bit I have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.