Anyone ever driven a routemaster bus?

[drivin_me_nuts]

Well, has anyone?

I've always wondered what they were like to drive. Do they handle well? (as buses go) are they tail happy? Are they the most distinctive bus ever?

I saw a pink one in Brighton (where else!) several days ago and I thought it stood out from all the others (colour aside)

Next to an 0-6-0 Saddle tank locomotive one of them is on my top list of buys for the Lottery win.

So any experiences out there?

[RedYellowGreen]

The first vehicle I ever drove was a routemaster. Couldnt tell you what it was like though I was only about 10 yrs old at the time.

[john2443]

Not a Routemaster, but a Lodekka.

Summary.
Big, hard work, about 43 turns lock to lock and no self centering, left leg would be a like a tree trunk after a bit of driving.

I don't think you'd get to find out if it was tail happy unless you were on a skid pan!

[matchmaker]

john2443 said:

Not a Routemaster, but a Lodekka.

Summary.
Big, hard work, about 43 turns lock to lock and no self centering, left leg would be a like a tree trunk after a bit of driving.

I don't think you'd get to find out if it was tail happy unless you were on a skid pan!

Routemaster has a pre-selector gearbox and power steering, though. The Lodekka has a non-synchro gearbox and no PAS!

[funk odyssey]

matchmaker said:

john2443 said:

Not a Routemaster, but a Lodekka.

Summary.
Big, hard work, about 43 turns lock to lock and no self centering, left leg would be a like a tree trunk after a bit of driving.

I don't think you'd get to find out if it was tail happy unless you were on a skid pan!

Routemaster has a pre-selector gearbox and power steering, though. The Lodekka has a non-synchro gearbox and no PAS!

yep - the routemaster is easy -- good balanced power steering - gearbox is a cinch.

The brakes are pretty good but the low air warning flag that rises from the dash is a little worrying as you go downhill!

[Simpo Two]

john2443 said:

I don't think you'd get to find out if it was tail happy unless you were on a skid pan!

This may be the answer: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=emTuYaUJhOY&feat...

- although it's loading too slowly to watch on my machine.

[funk odyssey]

btw the gearbox on the Rm is not a preselector

it is a semi auto or full auto -- but is designed to be used in full auto in most instances

[captainzep]

funk odyssey said:

btw the gearbox on the Rm is not a preselector

it is a semi auto or full auto -- but is designed to be used in full auto in most instances

You utter wh0re.

Edited by captainzep on Wednesday 12th November 21:10

[funk odyssey]

captainzep said:

funk odyssey said:

btw the gearbox on the Rm is not a preselector

it is a semi auto or full auto -- but is designed to be used in full auto in most instances

You utter wh0re.

Edited by captainzep on Wednesday 12th November 21:10