Down the pub - the thread about nothing and everything

[Grahamm]

But yeah 50mph limits across are motorways are being considered.  :eek

Which is only going to have the result of pushing traffic onto A Roads which have 60 limits and no average speed cameras, so people will exceed those limits...!

And, for anyone who hasn't experienced the joys of 50mph average speed controlled motorways, come down here to Hampshire where a long section of M27 is currently being "upgraded" to a "smart" motorway.

My FZ6 will easily cruise at 70 mph, trying to keep the speed down to 50 on a long piece of road with barely a turn on it is mind-numbingly tedious and it is so easy for your concentration to drift and suddenly Oops! You're doing over 50, so then you've got to slow to 45 to avoid tripping the cameras.

And, of course, all those cagers who normally drive around with their brains on autopilot will switch off, so you've got to remind yourself to watch out for them suddenly changing lanes for an exit that they've only just noticed...

There are so many reasons why this is a stupid idea that sounds really great if you don't think it through

[mtread]

More scientific 'evidence' that will be proven to be wrong in a few years. Just like clean diesel cars.
Surely it also depends upon the power of the engine, the weight of the vehicle, and the gearing.
I'm sure I'd be causing more pollution doing 50 in second gear than 70 in sixth  :rolleyes

[agricola]

I was going to start a new thread on this, I even pressed the button and started typing it in, but then I realised that it would only get political – or rather the inability of some members here to blah blah blah blah blah blah…….


But yeah 50mph limits across are motorways are being considered.  :eek


Here - https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/85083...tion-50mph

Thats old hat really. Been known for years. In the 90s (did some environmental campaigning) the M1 here was resurfaced, which meant speed limited to 50mph for several months. Local authority took the opportunity to collect air quality data, as well as traffic volume data. Huge reduction in air pollution and increased throughput of traffic were confirmed in the study.

[Grahamm]

And did the study mention the 30% or more increase in journey times...?

[VNA]

Which is only going to have the result of pushing traffic onto A Roads which have 60 limits and no average speed cameras, so people will exceed those limits...!

I can solve that for you.  Put a 40mph speed limit on trunk roads and install average speed cameras.

My FZ6 will easily cruise at 70 mph, trying to keep the speed down to 50 on a long piece of road with barely a turn on it is mind-numbingly tedious and it is so easy for your concentration to drift and suddenly Oops! You're doing over 50, so then you've got to slow to 45 to avoid tripping the cameras.

I just press cruise control and relax. 

More scientific 'evidence' that will be proven to be wrong in a few years.

The point of the study was not to prove that fuel would be saved and pollution levels would be reduced, but to try and determine by how much. 

I'm sure I'd be causing more pollution doing 50 in second gear than 70 in sixth  :rolleyes

Perhaps we need more routine driving tests for retired foccers. :pokefun  You know to make sure they can still change gear, select the right gear etc and stuff.  Even my big lumpy twin will cruise happily in 6[sup]th[/sup] at 50mph. 

And did the study mention the 30% or more increase in journey times...?

Not necessarily, reducing max speed can result in better traffic flow and shorter journeys, as Agricola says - 

Huge reduction in air pollution and increased throughput of traffic were confirmed in the study.

Then there is the reduction in accidents and indeed the severity of accidents, plus reduction in costs associated with accidents and resultant delays.

[BBROWN1664]

And did the study mention the 30% or more increase in journey times...?

From experience, when the traffic runs at a steady 50mph rather than the usual 40-70mph waves we normally get, even though we hit 80+, you actually get to your destimation within a few minutes of the original time. I am talking about under 50 mile long journeys. Most people only do 10-20 miles on the motorway so will barely notice any addiitonal time.

Dont get me wrong though. The M23 used to be a 3 lane motorway with no fixed cameras and I used to "enjoy" driving along it. Now, it has several cameras in each direction that are reportedly average speed jobs so now I have to sit on cruise control at a sat nav 73mph instead of the usual 90mph blat down the quiet motorway. Pain in the rear when other foccers insist on doing 70mph according to their speedo resulting in me slowing down to about 66 (SatNag) until they decide to move out the way after 10 miles.

YEs, I do drive an Audi

[mtread]

Perhaps we need more routine driving tests for retired foccers.   You know to make sure they can still change gear, select the right gear etc and stuff.  Even my big lumpy twin will cruise happily in 6th at 50mph. 

I'm sure it would, but you've obviously never heard of IPSGA  :rolleyes  Please don't try and teach your grandmother to suck eggs 

[VNA]

I'm sure it would, but you've obviously never heard of IPSGA  [img alt=:rolleyes]http://foc-u.co.uk/Smileys/efocicon/rolleyes.gif[/img]

No, but I have heard of google
Clearly if you are crusing at a steady 50mph you would want to be in 6th gear and most certainly not 2nd. 



Anyway, here’s a thought.  I can see in the not too distance future another potential development.
Say on a three lane motorway.  Lanes 1 and 2 could be limited to say 50mph.  The outer lane would be reserved electric and hydrogen powered vehicles with a limit of 70mph.

[BBROWN1664]

Clearly if you are crusing at a steady 50mph you would want to be in 6th gear and most certainly not 2nd. 

You want to cruise in the gear where the revs are in the right range, not the lowest revs. For me, that means above 4k revs on the bike (so probably 4th gear) and i the car above 1500, or around 1800 preferably so around 5th (of 8)

Top gear does not mean the most economical

[VNA]

Both my FZS1000 and R1250R will happily cruise at 50mph in 6[sup]th[/sup].    At 30mph the FZS is still happy in 6[sup]th[/sup], but the BMW being a twin wants to be in 3[sup]rd[/sup].

My diesel Yeti will be happier in 5[sup]th [/sup]at 50mph-the turbo will no longer be producing any boost at this speed in 6th, so the engine would be outside its normal operating range. 

[Grahamm]

Home Covid-19 Test

1. Open a can of beer and try to smell it.

2. If you can smell the beer, drink it to see if you can taste it.

3. If you can taste and smell it, this confirms you don't have COVID-19

Last night I did the test 19 times and all were negative.

Tonight I am going to do the test again, because this morning I woke with a headache and feeling like I'm coming down with something.

I am so nervous!

[mtread]

Both my FZS1000 and R1250R will happily cruise at 50mph in 6th

Yep I'm sure they will, but as said you shouldn't. At 50 you are likely to be in traffic. You should be somewhere in the middle of the rev range to give you options. Basic stuff  :rolleyes

[mtread]

I'm sure it would, but you've obviously never heard of IPSGA 

No, but I have heard of google

And of course advanced motorcyclists don't need to google it  :pokefun

[VNA]

 

Yep I'm sure they will, but as said you shouldn't. At 50 you are likely to be in traffic. You should be somewhere in the middle of the rev range to give you options. Basic stuff

Well yeah on a motorway there usually is traffic.  And strangely enough I’m pretty much always in 6[sup]th[/sup]  unless there is a traffic jam, then I am in 2[sup]nd[/sup] and filtering.  Not interested in the option of burning more fuel, reducing my range or increasing wear on my engine.

And of course advanced motorcyclists don't need to google it 

All I leaned from googing it was what it stands for.

If you are on a motorway cruising  at 50mph in 2[sup]nd[/sup] gear the only thing you probably have that is advancing is maybe dementia. :pokefun

[mtread]

All I leaned from googing it was what it stands for.

Well at least you've learned something then 

[VNA]

Well at least you've learned something then  [img alt=]http://foc-u.co.uk/Smileys/efocicon/smile.gif[/img]

IPSGA

"I" is for information.

Think about what is going on around you and check your mirrors to predict the movements of other road users, as well as the road ahead.

I’m cruising at the maximum speed of 50mph on an average speed camera regulated motorway.  I’m in 6[sup]th[/sup] gear.

Secondly, "P" stands for position.

After confirming it's safe, move your vehicle to make sure you have the best view for dealing with your manoeuvre.

I’m keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front who is also doing 50mph, I’m alert to anybody potentially sitting close on my tail.  I have no manoeuvre to make.  I’m in 6[sup]th[/sup] gear.

Also remember "S" for speed. Adjust your speed to get you ready for what you are about to do, before reaching the hazard.

I’m cruising at 50 mph in 6[sup]th[/sup] gear on my motorcycle on a motorway.

Then there is "G" for gears. Once at the correct speed, choose the right gear.
Adjust your speed early so you have time to change gear separately.
Finally, accelerate.

I’ve nothing to accelerate for, I’m cruising at 50mph, the max speed on the motorway.  Oh and if I do need to pick up speed, I just need to twist the throttle and my bike will pump out 80ftlbs of torque quickly rising to almost 110ftlbs of torque in a second or two.

   

[mtread]

Well good for you. You've obviously never tried the M25  :rolleyes

[VNA]

Yeah been on the M25, both in my car and the bike.  Not rushing back.

The A82 and A9 are my regular roads from hell.

[YamFazFan]

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[mtread]

I'll pass all your IPSGA advice on to the police instructors who wrote 'Roadcraft'. You clearly know better than them.