How to filter on a motorcycle | Recap

We all need a reminder from time to time. Here are some filtering reminders

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Roadcraft Nottingham is a UK motorcycle school which was established in March 1989.

I am a fully qualified professional motorcycle instructor of 39 years and offer motorcycle riding tips and tips on riding a motorcycle for the first time all the way up to advanced riding.

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Here's a link to Filtering or lane splitting tips

Here's a link to how to be smooth with throttle control

Here's a link to how to assess bends or curves

Here's a link to how to ride a motorcycle slowly or slow riding tips

Here's a link to more motorcycle riding tips

A link to module 1 training tips

A link to motorcycle gear shifting or gear changing

how to ride a motorcycle for beginners
tips on riding a motorcycle
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[dougalmcdougal]

I always thank them when they move over. Makes bikers look better & hopefully other cars will notice this & pay more attention to bikes filtering..

[Omfgwhtavid]

I found filtering to be one of the most enjoyable things about having a bike, thanks for the tips!

[Griff_JR]

Finally... A calm, relaxed instructional video which doesn't make out 1 person is wrong and 1 is right.
It's all about observation and consideration on the road, for all road users. 👍

[colonelclaw]

Excellent point about the most dangerous point during filtering is when there's a gap big enough for a car to fit into. Keep your eyes peeled for those snap lane-changers!

[rontheretiredone]

I've been biking for over 50 years and you nailed it on this video, exactly what every rider needs to consider when filtering. Top job! Love from Leeds x

[Jim-nmen]

As a person who used to drive lorries, it is drummed into you during driver training ( and after through the regular CPC courses that you have to attend compulsorily to meet DVSA standards ) to continuously monitor your mirrors. The fact that you are driving a large vehicle means you have far less room available to you to manoeuvre in heavy traffic so your employment wouldn't last very long if you kept side swiping other road users.

[Elysian_Angel_]

Nice video! I find that especially recently lorry drivers pay a lot more attention than car drivers and are very quick to give you plenty of room to pass.
As far as I’m concerned, the bad reputation lorry drivers have is quite unjustified indeed!

[barryconway]

Good, solid tips. Nice job. There’s a stretch of dual c’way on my usual route home, often clogged and at a stand still so filtering is a skill I had to acquire. One thing I came to realise, though, is just how exhausting a couple of miles of that can be: eyes on stalks, every sense fully stretched. Recognising that, sometimes when I hit that queue, I’d bail, hang a left and take the long way home… recognising when it wasn’t working for me was, I think, also a vital skill acquired.

[paulelverstone]

I used to commute into London daily for about 8yrs. Two things stood out on filtering for me: Use the gaps and use the lifesaver. I liked to use the gaps because I didn't want to be a static headlight in the centre of the traffic - I wanted to be moving always slightly to my left and right as gaps appeared but also to get driver's attention. And the lifesaver because, well, it's the lifesaver - it's not just a clever name...

[michaelsmith]

Your brother here in the US. I love your style. I feel you're spot on with your knowledge. Thanks for sharing. Happy to subscribe to your channel!

[soundy]

A very informative video for riding through traffic, I would just add that in built up areas to be alert for pedestrians walking between moving and stationary traffic.
Cyclists manoeuvring from cycle lanes and pathways without looking.
Same fast electric bicycles that can reach up to 45mph can quickly be in your own blind spot without warning.
Following another motorcycle through traffic some other road users may see them but think there’s only one bike and move back over into an area that was clear to filter previously.

Fourty years of riding and as a retired CBT Instructor I would always say to newbies and experienced riders to never get complacent about your riding ability as it can be tested very quickly at the end of your road or 500 miles away, the rider must be alert at all times.

Ride safe and have fun all.

[nj]

Only been riding for four weeks and still not sure or confident in filtering so thank you for this information and advice

[chrisheggie]

All good advice thanks. Down here in Oz the maximum speed at which we are allowed to filter is 30kph which I think is about right and fair. Any more than that is considered lane splitting. I do tend to try to go for the front if I can at the lights as it gives me a chance to spend time in clear space which is nice, before catching up with the crowd ahead. As you say, not always worth it though. A new hazzard I have found of late is the occasional EV intent on dragging me off at the lights because they can! I always make a note of that when I pull up next to someone at the front. They tend to give themselves away by creeping forward a little before the lights have changed... In any case one more precaution is to always do a right, left headcheck to ensure all cross traffic has actually stopped.

[clivebrealey]

In the last few years I've noticed far more drivers make a positive move out of the way while I'm filtering, and I'm happy to thank them where possible. As soon as the traffic in one lane starts to move faster than the other it's time to pick the one which best suits your route.

[richardlycett]

I am a new biker and have filtered only maybe a dozen times so far… But I put my hazards on and beam on recently and found many more cars noticed me and pulled over for me in some heavy tailback. This was very useful.

[riderramblings]

If remember correctly, in the 1973 edition of the UK Highway Code it actually stated a recommended maximum filtering speed of 27 mph. Yes, I was learning to drive, so had a copy. I now live in France where, filtering is only legal in certain cities and Ile de France (around Paris). The maximum filtering speed is variable depending upon the speed of the adjacent traffic up to a maximum of 50 km/h (31 mph).

Here most riders use "Le Leg"** to thank other motorists as it allows them to keep their hands on the bars while filtering. A rather sensible idea I thought as you don't usually need to grip the tank tightly with your knees when upright in a straight line.

** "Le Leg": Sticking the appropriate leg, usually the right leg, out straight from the bike (a little like the "Doctor's Dangle" but straighter) as you pass in front of the vehicle you wish to thank. (Also known as : Biker's leg gesture)

[petervautmans]

great advice.
I want to add some, based on my experience, filtering around 10 000 kms a year in Brussels and Antwerp rush hour of my total of 30 000 kms a year riding. Also based on customs and laws applied in Belgium.
- Use the hazard lights, mine, as an extra, are coupled to the Denali D2's via canbus, especially usefull in the dark; wet and cold winter months as the light of the Denali's bounces of the back of the cars in front of me, grabbing very much attention.
- Always cover the front brake lever
- Be wary of gaps in the line
- Watch the front wheels, they kind of predict the direction the cars wil be going
- Be extra carefull at exits or entries as people are going to weave a lot more in these areas.

[blackcountrysteelhorse]

Very good instruction here, important to remember that if drivers move to block your path, detach yourself from making it personal and find another way past. Seen a lot of bikers getting aerated when blocked, just back off and dont engage.

[stevegibbins]

The other day I was filtering on my VFR 800, I've always found that if you take it easy and calm most motorists don't get that stressed, apart from Taxi drivers, behind me was a sports bike very very close who kept revving up I assumed for me to get out of his way because my bike has panniers some of the gaps were little bit tight so I was taking it easy when a gap appeared I used it so he could pass me, off he went still revving for cars to move, I stayed in that space thinking he was upsetting too many drivers and they would block me. Your vids and advise have always worked for me. Many Thanks

[WheezyAK]

As a returning biker after a 20 year lay-off, this is great advice; thanks! As a rider and cyclist, I tend to try to thank as much as possible. Reinforcing good behaviours when drivers display them is always a good thing.