Yup - sure did. Still not 100% at ease with it yet though and its still a bit tight (2000 miles only) and as i'd read, but had no real first hand experience driving at pace - the new age cars don't feel as fast.

We had a nice run out to Wales last weekend though and although taking it easy (had family on board) it was a good chance to feel it at work in it's own terrain so to speak.

Very impressed and very happy (as I was with my standard MY00 when I first got it).

Sorry, thread hijack. I'll get me coat Actually, I've been putting some web pages up on the SMACS site. I'll try and update them soon with more thoughts etc...

Cheers,

Steel

 

I have had an STi PPP for the past 3 months. Had a WRX before that. The most aggro I've had has been since the STi. I get the odd flash after overtaking (completely safely). However the most dangerous stuff has been from bikes. Yesterday some guy in a snazzy Suzuki (I'm not good at ID-ing bikes!) came up on the inside on a roundabout revving wildly. Two weeks ago on a main street in a small town on the east coast of Scotland a **** on a big bike pulled out, drew up even and then pulled a wheelie alongside me . I was driving completely normally both times. How ironic given the grief that bikers give car drivers.

 

Ever since I had the full de-cat and louder Scooby Sport exhaust I've had loads more hassle.

Just one example this evening when coming out of London at 8ish along the Westway towards the Shell garage some guy in his Mini 'One' was passed by me and then he decided it was Mad Max race time pulling out and sticking to my bumper before weaving in and out 'racing' me dodging from lane to lane to race past on the inside etc etc, anything to prove he was faster. I mean, with loadsa traffic all around and in a 50 I wasn't up for this silly stuff but he was going to do anything he could to 'beat me' even though before I went past he was plodding along. Ho hum

 

As bikers we assume anyone who drives a proper motor (and not just anyold tin box) is a fellow petrol head. I always show off to anyone who appears to have some interest in motoring machinery.

For the record that would be :

Other bikers (not commuters/custom dorks)
Ferraris, Lambo's etc.
Scoobydoos (the ones with the wings, otherwise you just don't see 'em)
Bored commuters at bus stops (they love it really)

Screwd.

 

Bikers don't generally pull wheelies at cars when they're pissed at them.

It's more like, "You got a fast car mate. Respect, but you should drive it quicker - look what I can do when we're going this slow."

 

lol

 

I don't think the fact that the loud exhausts sound soo agressive to the guy you are overtaking helps matters much...I'm sure they have a burst of adrenalin as they are woken from their cozy 56mph doze as we overtake...so over-react.
Cman
PS Chins, the XT going for an Audi S3 Sportback as soon as we can get one..still we'll never catch you up as the blue and yellow cars are staying for the forseeable...

 

Coming home from rn golden after 1000 mile service the other day WR1,towards m62.Two lane road,coming up to mini roundabout.I took the right hand lane to go straight across onto two lane road again.Lane marking did actually point for right turn ,but thought,no problem still two lanes on other side of roundabout.Repmobile next to me,both stationary,saw gap pulled out(not 5000 revs or anything cos just had oil change but enough to pull away from rep man).Took 2nd exit straight on,keeping to right hand lane ,not cutting into nearside lane or anything.
Rep man about four car lengths behind now,takes same exit in nearside lane,starts beeping horn and flashing his lights,and accelerates.
I stayed to 30 mph ,repman sees I am not accelerating away from him so backs off,he must have slowed back to 20 mph to get some space between us again,and I just gave him a wave and carried on.He must have realised he was getting carried away in his protective little box,thinking he was Mike Tyson,until it dawned on him,he was not intimidating anyone,so thought better of it.CHUNK!!!!!!
There is always someone out there bigger,tougher,meaner than you,you just dont want to find them!!!!
This is what I try and remember when someone out there annoys me,whilst in the car.

 

When i was driving home tonight, well within the speed limit, an elderly couple driving towards me flashed their lights at me!

 

maybe yours were not on!

 

The only grief I give on my bike is to dozy ***** who pull out on me, or the ones (typically frustrated salesmen) who pull right over to stop me filtering past. (Like I'm going to hold them up afterwards!)

Yes there are idiots on bikes and of course you remember them, but forget the hundreds in between that are safely making there own way without bothering anyone else.

 

What about the 50% of drivers that can't be bothered to stay in there own lane on right-handers?

Dunno how many times I've been lent over near the white line on a left-hander, only to be met by some wally trying to take the 'racing line' through the corner. They either don't know that bikes can't alter their line to avoid them as quickly and easily as a car, or they don't care.

 

Sorry Johnny - but shouldn't you be further away from the White line if this happens to you so often you've lost count ?

I agree with the point about people not driving on the right side of the road - but it's YOU that's going to get killed - being up in heaven (or down in the other place) saying to Gabriel (or Santa) "but the tw@t was on my side of the road" wont change anything !

Take care - there's plenty of non-drivers with licences .

 

Sadly, that's the attitude a lot of car drivers seem to have.

There are, however, a number of good reasons why bikes need to take the outside line - safety, visibility and machine dynamics. Watch how the police ride. If you take an advanced riding course, that's what they teach you.

For instance, if you are going around a corner in a car and meet an unexpected hazzard, you can brake. On a bike you can't, or at least not very well. A loss of momentum going around a corner does all sorts of nasty things to you when you are on 2 wheels - so you need to take the line that gives you the most visibility through the corner.

It's just another reason why I think it should be compulsory to ride a bike for a year before you can get a car licence - it would make drivers so much more aware of the world outside their little tin box.

 

Chrome, it ain't the car mate, so it must be your driving



I've only had a couple of people have a go for overtaking, and nothing serious...

Policecraft recommends flashing your lights when you pull out to overtake. Hmm, I personally don't do that as I reckon people could get 'ssed off with the aggression, but I can see the point