How to pass slip road on 125?

[Maidofdartmoor]

I have been out on the dual carriageway for the first time since passing my CBT, and found it easy when it’s quiet, but scary in rush-hour. I have to pass four slip roads on the way home, but my bike only goes at 55 miles an hour, and it’s quite dangerous if I indicate right and move into the fast lane. But staying in the slow lane doesn’t seem to be an option either, in case I hinder the entering traffic.

Earlier I ended up in the centre of the dual carriageway, with a stream of traffic coming in on the left, and traffic hurtling by at 90 miles an hour on the right! 

I can’t seem to find any information to help me with this, and I’m terrified to try again.

[AstronautNinja]

Is this a national speed limit road I presume? 

[Maidofdartmoor]

It’s probably a 70. I don’t feel visible enough, and it’s hard to judge the speed of traffic coming up behind you.
Even when hugging the verge in the slow lane, a car undertook another one at high speed and came so close me that I nearly got hit. Really shaken up!

[Fiddlesticks]

I'd say make yourself very visible (consider a fluorescent / reflective vest) and stay in lane 1. Joining traffic will have to figure it out for themselves, and if you really need to let them in you can ease off the gas to make a bigger gap ahead. Lorries only go at 55mph, the only difference is that they don't feel intimidated due to their size. Make sure your horn works to warn others if they're getting too close.

 

Counterintuitively, I would think it safer to fully occupy the lane rather than hug the verge, which might encourage close overtakes from vehicles in lane one. Trust that nobody wants the paperwork of running into you and make them go around you. The road is a shared space, and people have to deal with tractors, cyclists, horse riders etc.

Edited August 14, 2024 by Fiddlesticks

[RideWithStyles]

Agree with Fliddles. 

think your being to shy, worried and unsure of yourself and that can be expected but work on not being.

 

You look out and only worry for yourself, do what your ment to do. if they can and do want to go quicker then they can, after you have done what your doing while your infront of them in your lane that your occupying. Those joining the road is their responsibility to merge, to not d1ck about, get up get up to speed and fit into a space to those already on the road at speed….if they’re not doing that , you don’t HAVE to give way to them, they have to give way to you and sit on the slip road till space that allows if needs be.

dont be giving them a reason or an excuse just to try and squeeze pass you by you driving near the verge, they see weakness and unsure so they will take full advantage of that as the risk to you is higher and lower for them- thats not safe for you so stick into the middle of your lane your have as much if not more right to that space your in.

let the hustle and bustle box brains bicker amoung themselves , stick to lane one go to two if the vehicle ahead is good but slower and dont bolt upright sit up but tuck into the bike (like the racers do) and gain 5+mph so you get a good run up to be quicker again and negate the draft speed you may have otherwise gained being behind the slower vehicle.

If with all the above done and your only a tiny bit faster than what’s infront rather than sit in the middle lane making yourself a problem or being a higher risk to yourself yes you can roll off the throttle which will knock off a lot more speed than the intended and take the wind out of the sail of the bike power and speed as so to speak, but then you make the closing vehicles behind even quicker which makes you worried about that.

So another way is just raise your head/body a little bit (out of the tuck) or move out your elbows /knees abit of normal body position into the wind use the very variable position /drag to knock off just enough to keep you just behind the vehicle infront intended while not making the bike bog down and slow too much to fall out of the narrow power band/low Hp.

Edited August 14, 2024 by RideWithStyles

[bonio]

I'd ride bang in the middle of the inside lane. They have the outside lane if they want to get past you: that's what it's for. Wear a fluorescent vest... it probably won't get you seen but it will make you feel less small.

[Phil1]

I would potentially be looking at having another lesson with your local bike school and explain the issues, it won't be mega bucks and will massively improve things for you over just taking advice on a forum, particularly in the long term. 

 

It's never going to be great when your top speed is 55, but it shouldn't ever feel dangerous and as has been said those types of roads are still open to tractors and other slower moving traffic etc. Ride defensively like you own the lane/road and don't be moving across into the verges to let people past, that's down to them to decide as and when its safe for them to pass you or change lanes. 

[Bender]

Stay in your lane and in a central position, obviously keep an eye on joining traffic but that's down to them to join safety 

[Old-codger]

As others have said you need to own your lane dont ride to the left of your lane in the gutter stay near to the middle or just right of the middle. Its all about confidence and watching whats happening around you, as you approach the slip road watch whats coming down and going to join. You have right of way adjust your speed if nessersary I know hard to do on a small bike. As suggested ask if an instructor will take you out for a few hours and advise you. Try wearing a high viz jacket to make you stand out more. 

It is hard when you start riding and it can be quite daunting to start with, im sure the more you ride that confidence will come and you will take it in your stride. Good luck  

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

It's years since I rode a 125 but when I did this was a problem I experienced. 

 

The advice to wear hi viz is good. Make sure you are as visible as possible because car drivers are only looking for cars. They forget motorbikes may be there. And they are totally unaware that bikes may be limited in terms of speed.

 

Also good is the advice to ride in the middle of the inside lane. You need to dominate your space. 

 

One thing not mentioned so far. Most 125s struggle with dual carriageways because their top speed is limited by low engine power. Most 125s are over geared. They won't pull in top gear due to kack of torque. On mine I struggled to maintain 55-60 in any kind of wind or gradient.  

 

The solution was to fit a front sprocket one tooth less. In theory that lowers your top speed but in practice it means the engine can rev freer so it can hold higher speed better. Mine would then hold a steady 65mph which wasn't great but better than topping out at 55. 

[RideWithStyles]

Dont know not all.

cbf125 was always hitting the soft limiter far too easily at around 60 even on the flat which was frustrating when it felt it could pull more and nothing left for down hills.

so we went one tooth up at the front, which did knock a tiny bit out the “mid range” but was a thou and a half short to allow the descend.