What to do with head-on approaches?

[Ian H]

What you are saying effectively is that your chicken out threshold needs to be closer than theirs, but still leave you just enough time/space to bail out and stay safe.

Erm. Yes. Except it's seldom that close.
(The only person who's caused me grief is the mad old fellow who drinks in the Nog, hurtles around in a knackered old Landrover, and looks like Santa Claus's evil twin.)

 

[BentMikey]

Hehehe! You're right of course, most people out in the country lanes are much more civilised. The scariest ones I've had have been in London in the 'burbs, with a narrow road one car wide with parked cars both sides. People seem to have far too little patience here.

 

[Crankarm]

Wasn't there a story about some arse in a 4X4 forcing a cyclist into the verge as he came speeding down a single track lane? The funny thing was some time later the arse in the 4x4 did it again to the cyclist only the cyclist wasn't on his bike the second time but driving a fuel tanker - Ha! The tanker driver wouldn't budge and made the arse of a 4x4 driver reverse a very very long way. He was fuming while the tanker driver / cyclist read his paper and ate his sandwiches. He also gave the arse driving the 4x4 a few home truths about not running cyclists off the road. Priceless.

For me I have an Airzound and x2 Max D front lights.

 

[Ian H]

Just for the record, I do ride frequently in London, and don't find behaviour all that much different.

 

[Linford]

Partially agree on a commanding position but they don't buy them for handling - most haven't a clue what good handling is

That is why I used the term (relatively). I used to have a Dodge 50 series 5.5 tonne van, and my 4x4 is only marginally better than that around corners. Another thing to note is that All terrain tyres have significantly less grip on tarmac than a regular road tyre, but have significantly more grip than a mud terrain tyre. For just doing offroad stuff, it would be mud terrain every time, but as I do tow,I had to strike a compromise due to the towing requirement grip required on the road (not to mention the tyre noise from such open block patterns)

 

[400bhp]

But they don't buy them for relatively good handling. In fact, they aren't particularly good relative to anything mainstream.

 

[Linford]

Wasn't there a story about some arse in a 4X4 forcing a cyclist into the verge as he came speeding down a single track lane? The funny thing was some time later the arse in the 4x4 did it again to the cyclist only the cyclist wasn't on his bike the second time but driving a fuel tanker - Ha! The tanker driver wouldn't budge and made the arse of a 4x4 driver reverse a very very long way. He was fuming while the tanker driver / cyclist read his paper and ate his sandwiches. He also gave the arse driving the 4x4 a few home truths about not running cyclists off the road. Priceless.

For me I have an Airzound and x2 Max D front lights.

That could happen with a Mini TBH, and has nothing to do with car size or type..just the will bo be bloody minded, and be prepared to sit it out. Most days I drive an A class merc, occasional days, I drive a 4x4. I followed a roadie this morning in the A-class on a main trunk road out of my town for the best part of 1/2 mile at 22mph in a 30mph as he took the primary, and there were no safe gaps in the oncoming traffic to get past him. He created a substantial queue of cars behind him/me in rush hour traffic on a road which usually flows at the limit, but he was given the courtesy until it was safe to pass. He would have been treated exactly the same if I werei the 4x4, or any other 4 wheeled vehicle (obviously would not have been held up on the motorbike). I've come across twat drivers in VW Polo's before now.
Don't judge a book by its cover!

 

[Linford]

But they don't buy them for relatively good handling. In fact, they aren't particularly good relative to anything mainstream.

Even less so for a Lotus Elise though. I had one for a weekend a few years ago. Horrible road car, so low to the ground, you suck up the exhausts of all the other vehicles, poor vision also, rock hard suspension for the potholled british roads, minimal load carrying capacity. A total swine to get in and out of, no decent sound sysytem, no Aircon for swealtering days sat in traffic...etc . In fact they are less practical than my 680bhp per tonne bike...at least you don't have to sit in traffic jams on that thing sucking on someone elses tail pipe

My 4x4 was bought specifically because it was heavy enough, it has a book speed of 82mph, and 0-60 in about 30 seconds (even in regular 2wd mode). I don't see the point in an X5 as they are not designed to go offroad at all, but if money was no object, I'd have a V10 Toerag for the 600ft lbs of torque (but still stick All terrains on it as it has a decent gearbox)

 

[400bhp]

I'm not sure what your point is?

You originally stated that people buy 4x4's because of their relatively good handling characteristics. I said people don't buy them for that. Looking at a LotusElise, which is not a mainstream car and is probably the best handling road car there is, isn't really relevant.

 

[Linford]

I'm not sure what your point is?

You originally stated that people buy 4x4's because of their relatively good handling characteristics. I said people don't buy them for that. Looking at a LotusElise, which is not a mainstream car and is probably the best handling road car there is, isn't really relevant.

Sorry, I should have made that a bit clearer, They will never handle as well as a regular car due to their high COG, but an X5 has a commanding (elevated) driving position in comparison to a 3 series beemer
People choose X5's because they are happy to make a compromise in handling for this seating position, pose factor etc, but never buy them to go offroad.. They do however handle a magnitude better than than my 4x4 - the relative bit is to a regular 4x4 and not a regular car

 

[Drago]

People choose X5s because they're bellends.

 

[davefb]

People choose X5s because they're bellends.

QFT

 

[snorri]

I hope you dont have any unrealistic expectations of 4x4s mounting the verge? They wouldn't want to get their precious dirty!

Motor vehicles should not be expected to mount the verge, particularly in wet weather as this can results in damage to the verge and drainage gullies. It has little to do with concerns for the vehicle.

 

[BentMikey]

Motor vehicles should not be expected to mount the verge, particularly in wet weather as this can results in damage to the verge and drainage gullies. It has little to do with concerns for the vehicle.

If you think that, then I expect you to come to a full stop and let me get off the bike and onto the verge and past you before you proceed, yes?

 

[campbellab]

Motor vehicles should not be expected to mount the verge, particularly in wet weather as this can results in damage to the verge and drainage gullies. It has little to do with concerns for the vehicle.

I stand corrected