OK, anyone currently rides in London without indicators?
I may get a bike (pre 1980) without indicators, and just wondered whats its like to ride?
Is there any technique to learn (particularly turning right)?
Any advice much appreciated.
Cheers…
I don’t have rear indicators on my ktm… the thingumybobby holding them in place snapped together with my plate and I never could be bothered to fix it. I use my right hand as I doubt anyone remembers or knows what the movement is with your left hand… It’s just a case of planning ahead and being able to do it way in advance…
On roundabouts sometimes it’s just a case of going slow enough just in case someone pulls out…
Personally not found it too daunting
My left rear bulb died in north Yorkshire yesterday. Had to use hand signals in the rain. Hated it. Less controll at motorway speeds whilst doing a lifesaver on wet roads with raindrops inside the visor right when others decided to brake in front. Proper cack in pants moment 
Round town should be ok, I was out with Serrisan and it didn’t seem to bad.Though as Jaime has said, not sure I’d want to do it on fast roads or bad weather when a flashing light would be the normal thing people should be looking out for.
Yeah agreed that it is a bit weird at speeds but tbh if you’re bombing along, most times you don’t even need indicators! 
It is easier when you’re driving solo than in a group but people like Stretch seem to manage fine 
In all fairness Jaime it was the first time you had to rely on hand signals, and did it in the most difficult conditions. I promise it gets easier 
Bloody hell though that trip to Yorkshire was eventful!!!
Doesn’t the CBT cover hand signals, the Highway code does :ermm:
Hand signals were compulsory when I passed my Category A test and were learnt at the tender age of 7 when the Cycling Proficiency Test was compulsory for all children riding bicycles to school. However, if you signal as per the Highway Code you’ll probably end up with severed arms, watch how our bicycling cousins do it, least watch the ones that do.
Develop a shortened arm/forearm technique accompanied by a pointing index finger, try to make some eye contact at the same time, it will make your intention that much more obvious. Although the best tip of the day would be to fit some after market indicators, it’s not so difficult and aviods risking a potential MS60 FPN :w00t:
Yes but, let’s be honest, how many remember every bit of the Highway code. And in a car that is not roadworthy (MOT fail) with an indicator not working, why you bother remembering hand signals… Especially the left hand, right turn one.
You mean the circling arm wave of the ‘I intend to move in to the left or turn left’ right handed left turn hand signal for car drivers 
Hand signals kind of stuck with me, not because I learnt them at a very early age, more so since I failed my first Category B test on that very same right handed left turn signal, tricky and not covered in my earlier experiences with the Cycling Proficiency or Category A tests.
my rear’s dont work so i use hand singles have done for the last 3 months and for a month about 6 months ago when i removed them all haha i find it fine i just wack my arm out the way i want to turn if in trafic but most of the time i just turn lol
i didnt use hand signals on my CBT. also if you know what hand signals to use whose to say the drivers your signalling to know what your intending
Most of the drivers I see have enough trouble dealing with regular indicators, if you stick your right arm out and wave it in a circle you’ll probably get some numb nuts thinking it’s a rude gesture.
London drivers can’t do hand signals this week anyway, their mobile phones will get wet if they put their arm out of the window.
I was referring to the Highway Code, not the CBT…
I’m pretty sure that if you stick your hand out, pretty much everyone will know that’s for a left turn. Granted it’s not a given but if nothing else, it’s something out of the ordinary that willl make them pay attention!
I always use hand signals, just not to show my directional changes :hehe:
Thanks for these replies.
I notice in London the increasing trend for cars to not bother at all, particularly when turning left but that’s no excuse.
The bike I’m going to get legally doesn’t have to have them and many chops don’t like the clutter, but I could have have them fitted if I wanted although may spoil the look at bit.
I may try riding around on my current bike trying out the hand signals to see what happens?
I presume I can do that can I? or will I get pulled up for not using indicators if they are fitted?
technically speaking, I think they can pull you for not indicating correctly, however the chances of that happening are about as remote as an apallachian goat herder…
When the indicators on my old BMW packed up in town I reverted to hand signals. I found right turn signals a bit of a bu88er until I remembered the trick was to pull in the clutch and coast.
Best bit was doing a left turn signal to cut in front of a BMW box. He immediately put his left indicator on and pulled over to the kerb.
Something to do with 50 mph on the Embankment and me with my yellow site jacket on perchance?
My Triumph 1971 does not have indicators, I just look behind and make space if turning left or right. Remember young drivers will not understand hand signals.
The 1950’s Norton I followed round a roundabout this afternoon showed me a left signal as he exited. Didn’t look like fun!
Give it a go, you might find it becomes second nature. If not fitting a set of indicators is not hard.