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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: bsanut on September 25, 2016, 07:38:58 PM
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People on my ass, even though there's a lane on the left to go around. I am not in the fast lane. I pull over if I can, for example if I'm in the middle and there's an open lane to my right. But it happens all the time at the speed limit, usually somebody young and off somewhere to do something REALLY important.
I want a hand signal or some other method that they will see that will tell them to back off/I see them/getoffmyassnotfairI'monagoddammotorcycl estupid.
Something other than the bird, which will eventually get me shot/run over/bad end.
Anybody got anything that you've used (more than once) that works?
Joe
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pocket full of ball bearings?
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On the bike, I just speed up but in the car I just pull over and let them pass. Too many crazy people out there and I'd rather have them speeding away from me.
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I gradually allow more and more space to build up between myself and the vehicle in front of me as the tailgated continues to be on my butt. Then I quickly speed up creating a "safe space" between me and the tailgater. Usually the tailgater will get back on my butt. I repeat this again and again until they get the hint!
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People on my ass, even though there's a lane on the left to go around. I am not in the fast lane. I pull over if I can, for example if I'm in the middle and there's an open lane to my right. But it happens all the time at the speed limit, usually somebody young and off somewhere to do something REALLY important.
I want a hand signal or some other method that they will see that will tell them to back off/I see them/getoffmyassnotfairI'monagoddammotorcycl estupid.
Something other than the bird, which will eventually get me shot/run over/bad end.
Anybody got anything that you've used (more than once) that works?
Joe
The only hand gesture I know that works is to twist your right wrist back. You know, the hand grasping that round rubber thing on your right handlebar. In other words, go find that empty space in front of the next person ahead who knows how to keep a respectful distance. Pull in front of him. No use arguing with a lethal moron guiding a ton and a half of steel. Much less taking revenge on said moron with steel ball bearings and such. Just get away. Right wrist. Twist.
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When I can't get away from the nut jobs, I move around in my lane. That often gets their attention and they back off. At least for a while.
I was once working with an MSF instructor that was, well, she was round. She said what she did was stand on the pegs, and 'wiggle'. Yea, that is a sight burned into the retinas. But she said it worked. I tried it a few times and it may help, but I think it works better for 'large profile' people.
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Pull over, let em go...not worth the hassle......
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I gradually allow more and more space to build up between myself and the vehicle in front of me as the tailgated continues to be on my butt. Then I quickly speed up creating a "safe space" between me and the tailgater. Usually the tailgater will get back on my butt. I repeat this again and again until they get the hint!
This. it works nine times out of 10.
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Keep tapping the brake lights?
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I gradually allow more and more space to build up between myself and the vehicle in front of me as the tailgated continues to be on my butt. Then I quickly speed up creating a "safe space" between me and the tailgater. Usually the tailgater will get back on my butt. I repeat this again and again until they get the hint!
I do that, it works when you have a 'gater that is capable of getting a clue. As will the left hand lowered, open, " slow down " signal, or tapping the brake lights.
" The only hand gesture I know that works is to twist your right wrist back. You know, the hand grasping that round rubber thing on your right handlebar. In other words, go find that empty space in front of the next person ahead who knows how to keep a respectful distance. Pull in front of him. No use arguing with a lethal moron guiding a ton and a half of steel. Much less taking revenge on said moron with steel ball bearings and such. Just get away. Right wrist. Twist. "
That works too.
There's different kinds of 'gaters. Some do it conciously, as a dominance game. Others don't even realize they're on your tail, they just close up to and follow any moving object. My (formerly wild) mustang would follow a wheelbarrow if I pushed it. Spend the first five years of your life in a herd pecking order and the habit is hard to break.
Sometimes, if you move into an open pocket and display some squirrelly behavior when you get there people will give you distance - try swerving back and forth like you do when you're scrubbing off your tires.
I'm a pocket rider. Sometimes the drivers in my proximity figure it out when they see me repeatedly seek out the middle of the pocket, and they give me some space.
Others couldn't get a clue if you sent them one by registered mail, and they'll just follow me to my new spot and camp on my tail again. I pull over one lane and decellerate a little, and when they pass I pull in behind them, then slow and drop back, opening up space and making them feel as though they passed me.
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What the "Zone" said . Different tactics for different tailgaters . Sometimes a courteous gesture letting the driver know you aren't comfortable is enough , others require a simple acknowledgement of their obvious superiority due to being in a larger vehicle . Largely a psychological battle .
Dusty
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I gradually allow more and more space to build up between myself and the vehicle in front of me as the tailgated continues to be on my butt. Then I quickly speed up creating a "safe space" between me and the tailgater. Usually the tailgater will get back on my butt. I repeat this again and again until they get the hint!
I do that.
One time going to work it was an unmarked cop that was tailgating me. He got on his PA and was yelling at me for speeding when I was trying to get him off my ass. I felt like pulling over and giving him the business but I had to go to work rather than get into a losing battle with the SOB.
Freakin' cops...!!!!...
(http://www.nicholaschristiaan.com/userimages/The%20Usual%20Suspects%20-%20Verbal%20and%20Kujan.png)
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I have found that way too many people today think that one or two car lengths is all the distance they need. I've been able to talk to some and when I have pointed out how close they are they just say that they have better reflexes than most and so follow as close as they want. Yep, they really do think that. Kinda like squids.
So, no matter what you do they will continue to follow at what they think is a 'safe' distance.
Then there are what I call the 'sheep'. They just follow anyone and usually too close. If you change lanes, they change lanes. Until they find someone else to follow you are 'it'.
And, yes, there are the 'bullies'. The ones who follow too close to 'force' you to either go faster or pull over. And faster means however fast they can get you to go.
What do I do? I pull over and let them by. I used to play the games but found it did nothing to change the problem. The most you will do is really make someone mad or end up going way over the speed limit or both, neither of which is worth it.
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Standing on your pegs work.
Getting away will work.
Some riders will toss something over their shoulder.
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I have found that way too many people today think that one or two car lengths is all the distance they need. I've been able to talk to some and when I have pointed out how close they are they just say that they have better reflexes than most and so follow as close as they want. Yep, they really do think that. Kinda like squids.
So, no matter what you do they will continue to follow at what they think is a 'safe' distance.
Then there are what I call the 'sheep'. They just follow anyone and usually too close. If you change lanes, they change lanes. Until they find someone else to follow you are 'it'.
And, yes, there are the 'bullies'. The ones who follow too close to 'force' you to either go faster or pull over. And faster means however fast they can get you to go.
What do I do? I pull over and let them by. I used to play the games but found it did nothing to change the problem. The most you will do is really make someone mad or end up going way over the speed limit or both, neither of which is worth it.
A good sock in the eye would show how fast their reflexes are. Geees, you weren't fast enough to dodge that punch? Huh?
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I REALLY would not advise ball bearings , or any other projectile . Too many drivers are on the verge of insanity W/O any provocation . Nothing worse than having a crazy person attempting to get even.
Seriously , if you are on a four lane road , move into the fast lane , speed up , statistics indicate that travelling slightly faster than traffic flow is safer anyway , only need to worry about what is happening in front .
Dusty
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If my earlier method of increasing the distance doesn't work after several attempts, at least I've kept them off my butt 50% of the time!
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I agree with all the prior advice against confrontational actions. I am especially against throwing things - partly because of the potential retaliation, but also because we don't need any more crap in the road for the fellow motorcyclists who follow.
If I want to encourage someone to pass me on the left, I will move the right a bit, then look back and make a sweeping gesture with my left arm. It's sort of an "after-you" movement as though you are encouraging someone to enter a door before you. I don't have many occasions to use it in traffic, but it's effective when I do - they either pass or back off. I also use it when a road-racer (car or motorcycle) catches me on a two-lane road. Let 'em go... ride your own ride.
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Help from above.
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/Flying%20Trunk%20Monkey3_zpsxc4bn1pk.jpg)
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I never seem to be tailgated... I ride all over the road when there's traffic... They probably think I'm drunk and back off ....Or just twist the throttle and disappear...
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Twin rear facing 50 cals....
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I installed Hyper lights on the V11 and have noticed a drastic reduction of tailgaters but some people still get too close, especially at stops. I thought of ball bearings but clear glass marbles may be a better option. A marine flare pistol mounted under the luggage rack with remote triggering? Flames from the mufflers? A chaff dispenser will come in handy for the auto braking equipped vehicles. What a glorious pile up in the mirrors. Coffee is ready now...
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On highways -
Ride 9-15mph over the speed limit
Be aware that terrain is a bigger factor for cars and trucks than for us. They often have a big differential in speed between down- and uphill. Try to avoid these, or else you can have a repeated downhill tailgaiting situation
Always let faster traffic through by moving over, even if you're in the center lane
Make sure the 'follower' type driver attaches to someone else by leading them to someone else then putting them both behind you
Let angry drivers 'win' by making sure they are in front of you, even if you have an unintended stop for gas or side trip
Try to figure out what type of driver is in each car around you and predict what they are going to do
On back roads -
Outrun them or let them by
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About 90% of the time simply flashing the brake lights seem to work.
Once in a while slow down, slow down, slow down, GUN IT.... maybe repeat if necessary, seems to work.
If neither of those work and turning around and staring at the guy doesn't do it, then he's looking for a fight and it's time to put the right turn signal on, slow down, and let him pass. You're MUCH safer with the idiot in front of you where it's a lot harder for him to run into you by accident or on purpose.
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Twin rear facing 50 cals....
As long as you're not angry when you trigger them, that wouldn't count as "road rage".
Speaking of different kinds of tailgaters, I was riding home on a business trip as a passenger in a rental car with one of my colleagues.
He had this mystifying habit, on a clear 4-lane highway, of driving RIGHT up behind the person in front of him and staying 10 feet off their bumper no matter how fast they were going and staying there for a mile or so. If he was cruising at 65, and they were running 50, he would still sit RIGHT behind them, then finally pull out and pass, and do it again. Over and over. He wasn't fussing at them or hissing at them to move out of his way, he was calm and collected.
I could have just asked him WTH he was playing at, but instead I grabbed the keys at the next gas stop and drove the rest of the way home ....
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?
Lannis
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As long as you're not angry when you trigger them, that wouldn't count as "road rage".
Speaking of different kinds of tailgaters, I was riding home on a business trip as a passenger in a rental car with one of my colleagues.
He had this mystifying habit, on a clear 4-lane highway, of driving RIGHT up behind the person in front of him and staying 10 feet off their bumper no matter how fast they were going and staying there for a mile or so. If he was cruising at 65, and they were running 50, he would still sit RIGHT behind them, then finally pull out and pass, and do it again. Over and over. He wasn't fussing at them or hissing at them to move out of his way, he was calm and collected.
I could have just asked him WTH he was playing at, but instead I grabbed the keys at the next gas stop and drove the rest of the way home ....
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?
Lannis
A real-life experience with a follower/attacher! I never thought these folks meant harm, they just do their (dangerous) thing
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A real-life experience with a follower/attacher! I never thought these folks meant harm, they just do their (dangerous) thing
Most of them, I think, are just stupid and dangerous, like the guy on our little local urban expressway on a Harley with incredibly high apehangers (the kind you have to stretch to reach) and way-forward controls who was riding literally 6 feet behind the bumper of the car in front of him at 65 MPH in the fast lane. I couldn't believe it - any tap on the brakes by the car in front in response to a "gator" in the road or a brake-light on the car in front of that would have had this rider down on his bare tattooed arms ... and he was getting NOTHING out of tailgating, because there was a full line of traffic in his lane. He wasn't intimidating the car in front of him into going faster, there was no where to go ...
Lannis
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Drinking coffee, talking on the phone, trying to figure out the GPS...who had the attention span left for paying attention and driving safely? Oops, got a little close there, heh,heh.
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A real-life experience with a follower/attacher! I never thought these folks meant harm, they just do their (dangerous) thing
As long as we're on a roll with other drivers' habits, here's one I hate as much as tailgating.
That's drivers who are waiting on a side road to make a right or left turn onto the road you are on, who WILL NOT STOP their cars prior to pulling out.
As you approach, even a hundred feet away, they start rolling toward the intersection you are approaching. Now how am I supposed to know if this guy is trying to get a "hole shot" on his take-off, or if he's an alcohol, drug, or cell-drunk who can't see me coming and is going to keep rolling?
I can't tell, and so (subject to traffic behind), I start slowing down so that I can stop if he does pull out. I'm sure it frustrates them that, because THEY are rolling, I am slowing, and so it's taking longer for their in-a-big-hurry asses to get where they are going, but I'm NOT making any optimistic assumptions about their state of mind or attention, if getting it wrong means punching in their driver's door with my wheel.
My mother, who was an excellent driver and drove for 67 years with NO accidents or tickets, had this habit. Whenever she did it when I was riding with her, I gave her a hard time which was borderline inappropriate for a son giving his mother advice, but I never got her to really stop. I suppose, like most drivers, she was unable to put herself in the motorcyclists shoes.
Maybe everyone in the country ought to have to have a year on a motorcycle or scooter before they can get a car driver's license. I'll bet that would fix it!
Lannis
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pocket full of ball bearings?
I don't really do that of course.. I just speed away..and find,
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-bjxjVPq/0/M/IMG_1107-M.jpg) (https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-bjxjVPq/A)
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Quote from Lannis:
Maybe everyone in the country ought to have to have a year on a motorcycle or scooter before they can get a car driver's license. I'll bet that would fix it!
And I would add that everyone should have to have some experience driving a heavy truck, even if just for a day with an instructor along.
Another favorite is entering an interstate on the ramp while looking over your shoulder for an opening than look forward to find out the car in front of you just stopped completely at the end of the ramp instead of merging.
GliderJohn
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As long as we're on a roll with other drivers' habits, here's one I hate as much as tailgating.
That's drivers who are waiting on a side road to make a right or left turn onto the road you are on, who WILL NOT STOP their cars prior to pulling out.
As you approach, even a hundred feet away, they start rolling toward the intersection you are approaching. Now how am I supposed to know if this guy is trying to get a "hole shot" on his take-off, or if he's an alcohol, drug, or cell-drunk who can't see me coming and is going to keep rolling? <snip>
Lannis
I was riding down a main road at 55 when one of those "can't come to a complete stop" drivers was at an intersection on the right side. I slow down expecting him to pull out but he just keeps slowly rolling. I start weaving side to side in my lane and he still does not come to a complete stop. I pull to the far right of my lane as I pass the intersection and notice a LEO behind the car. Thinking he is going to stop me for unsafe driving or suspected DUI I am planning on how to explain my actions to them. To my surprise the LEO followed the car and pulled them over. :bow: :thumb:
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Coming home from the Kentucky Rally on Saturday night, I was being tail gated by a pickup truck with no head lights on. I had know idea the truck was behind me.
I-64 between Louisville, Ky and Lexington, Ky is like the AutoBahn. Unlimited speeding and no Police. I was traveling between 80-100 mph. The truck hit their headlights and passed me. I had followed the truck previously and the truck had followed me for a while. For a beat up S-10, it was extremely fast.
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You can mount a luggage trunk on a spring system (bobblehead style) - I'm sure that will freak them out. Actually, I might do that myself :cheesy:
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As long as we're on a roll with other drivers' habits, here's one I hate as much as tailgating.
That droid Google car creating a safety problem for others by driving too cautiously.
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You can mount a luggage trunk on a spring system (bobblehead style) - I'm sure that will freak them out. Actually, I might do that myself :cheesy:
With a release switch for the 'Jack In The Box' surprise. LOL
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How about some Inflatable Butt Cheeks?
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/bum%20exhaust_zpsrm0rficf.jpg)
:evil:
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the next worst thing to being tailgated is someone driving in your blind spot. I usually wave them around me, wave, slow down, anything to get their attention. Many times, they don't understand.
I used to just hit the throttle to get away from blind spotters or tailgaters but the local enforcement won't allow it.
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With a release switch for the 'Jack In The Box' surprise. LOL
Even better! I think we are getting somewhere on this now :grin:
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People used to leave me alone on the highway when I wore a helmet that looked like a cop helmet. Then they would figure it out. Too late, respect already given..... :wink:
(http://thumb.ibb.co/fnbFtv/PICT0016.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fnbFtv)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/cD3H6F/PICT0017.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cD3H6F)
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Yep Shorty , I rode a white airhead RT for years , don a black leather jacket and an open face helmet, watch the cars move over , slow down , panic , kind of puts a lie to the idea that motorbikes are invisible . In Oklahoma we have a few Troopers mounted on 'Busas , mostly out around OKC , bet they can put a scare into cars drivers :evil:
Dusty
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Over the last year, I've kept track of who tailgates me on my bike and in my car... 70% female & 30% male.
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Pull over, let em go...not worth the hassle......
I agree, but I found that you need to wait a couple seconds before you get back on the road, or the driver can get the idea you're trying to get even.
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I had a friend in Oregon in the seventies who used a .357 with great success.
His wife in the sidecar handed him the pistol and he twisted in the saddle and put a round in the center of the windshield between the two a$$h--es who had been badgerig him for miles. He handed his wife the gun and opened the throttle.
The car was still sitting where it had stopped when he went out of sight.
I would call that successful communication.
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I would call that a felony .
Dusty
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The ones that amuse me the most are the nose gaters. These are the people that follow you like a puppy dog, then when you shoo them past you into a wide open set of lanes they balk at being first. They slow to your speed and just stay a little ahead of you.
This is a common horse behavior - being prey animals being out in front can make them nervous. Probably the reason the winning jockey still has to remind his mount that the race needs to be finished.
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funny.
today I was driving to the gym when a woman pulled up into my blind spot on the right lane and was simultaneously tailgating the car in front of her.
I blew my horn and she jumped a mile, she didn't know where it came from. I pulled ahead (about 10 over to pass both cars) while she stayed glued to bumper of the guy in the right lane.
:whip2:
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Given that behavior like
1) Shooting into a moving car from a motorcycle.
2) Throwing a handful of nuts or ball bearings into a windshield
3) Throwing a sparkplug into a windshield
would not only be documented these days on a dash-cam or would be photographed with a phone, but would ALSO be heavily reported to the police, and would undoubtedly make the news even if the perpetrator wasn't caught ...
I hereby go out on a limb and will say that these acts are CLAIMED about 10,000 times for times that they ACTUALLY HAPPEN.
I didn't just fall off the turnip truck. I've been on the road among bikers of all stripes since 1970. I've listened to people talk about how fast their motorcycles will go, about how many fish they've caught, and how many wenches they've bedded. I have a well-developed sense of smell as a result.
I'm calling B.S. on the "sparkplug/ball bearing/bullet from a motorcycle through the windshield" smack. If someone has a news article or police report in this all-information-available age corroborating (corroborating, not just shouting it louder) that it has EVER actually happened, much less the THOUSANDS of times I've heard it CLAIMED to have happened over 46 years, I'm glad to listen and be educated.
Lannis
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The ones that amuse me the most are the nose gaters. These are the people that follow you like a puppy dog, then when you shoo them past you into a wide open set of lanes they balk at being first. They slow to your speed and just stay a little ahead of you.
This is a common horse behavior - being prey animals being out in front can make them nervous. Probably the reason the winning jockey still has to remind his mount that the race needs to be finished.
That's a good theory. Mine has always been that it's part of the all-American "I Have To Beat You" mentality. People will act like they're in a nell of a hurry while you're in front, but once "They've Beat You" they're satisfied, and slow to a reasonable speed. There's no one to beat ...
Lannis
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I'm calling B.S. on the "sparkplug/ball bearing/bullet from a motorcycle through the windshield" smack. If someone has a news article or police report in this all-information-available age corroborating (corroborating, not just shouting it louder) that it has EVER actually happened, much less the THOUSANDS of times I've heard it CLAIMED to have happened over 46 years, I'm glad to listen and be educated.
I used to have a riding buddy who once put a brick through the back window of a car belonging to a driver who had done him wrong, but he did wait until the guy got home and parked the car. While working as a messenger in DC, he also punched out the driver's side window of a car that cut him off. He was pulling little slivers of glass out of his hand months later, as the pieces worked their way to the surface.
But that guy was a friend of mine, so to you he's a friend of a friend, or a FOAF, so I don't expect you to buy the stories. :)
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But that guy was a friend of mine, so to you he's a friend of a friend, or a FOAF, so I don't expect you to buy the stories. :)
That's quite all right, and thanks, but (without passing judgment on an individual case of hearsay {"I heared him say it!"}, if these things happen even 1% of the times that they're told, there's going to be a report, or an accusation, or an angry driver calling the cops, and a reporter or a dashcam picking up the story ...
... and there never is ....
Lannis
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On the bike, I just speed up but in the car I just pull over and let them pass. Too many crazy people out there and I'd rather have them speeding away from me.
That's what I often exactly what I do...either speed WAY UP and leave them in the dust...or pull over and let them in front of me where I can watch them... :thumb: :cool:
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Speeding up for tailgaters teaches them that tailgating works to get people to speed up.
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In town at night I have had great success with a little gizmo that projects a red line on the ground a car length behind me. I am amazed at how often the cars actually stay behind the line at stop lights.
(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/Atavar4/0144F789-837B-4E66-B71F-435792C796C7_zpsi41wqqyz.jpg)
During the day and on the highway I find that randomly varying my speed as others have suggested works wonders. The tailgaiters can't handle it if they can't set their cruise control. The trick to doing this without triggering road rage seems to be to do it randomly, so you don't appear to be trying to take control but rather just casual about your speed.
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Please remember that throwing anything at a moving vehicle on a public road (much less shooting) is a serious crime and could put you behind bars for a *long* time. Please don't do this, I don't want to visit friends in jail. Even if you don't go to jail you may end up with a very annoying probation for some time and almost certainly lose your CWP forever. Is it worth it?
BTW, you don't even have to hit the vehicle, just throwing something *at* the vehicle with intent is enough.
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If it's safe to do I'll pass the guy in front of me. Otherwise I'll wave the tailgater to pass me. Either way, the next guy inherits the tailgater.
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Another favorite is entering an interstate on the ramp while looking over your shoulder for an opening than look forward to find out the car in front of you just stopped completely at the end of the ramp instead of merging.
GliderJohn
This is my greatest fear riding, going right along with the deer jumping out in front of the guy I am going to pass just as I do my shoulder check.
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Another favorite is entering an interstate on the ramp while looking over your shoulder for an opening than look forward to find out the car in front of you just stopped completely at the end of the ramp instead of merging.
I used to have that happen fairly often on the DC Beltway when I rode my H2 to school every day. The ramps were plenty wide to just pass the stopped car on the right with plenty of room between us. I figured that if a cop stopped me, I'd just say that it appeared the guy stalled on the ramp.
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Lannis likes to call bullshit about things he knows nothing about merely because he knows nothing about them.
The guy who shot through the windshield was a personal friend of mine and Knowing him as I do I have no reason to disbelieve the story both he and his brother told me on different occasions. It happened in the mountains of Oregon in the seventies with no other witnesses and in the days before dash cams and cell phones. These were the days when I would go into a roadside bar and check my pistol with the bartender who would put it in his gun cabinet behind the bar with everyone elses guns then ask what I was having. Lannis is an opinionated old fool who often operates his mouth before operating his brain. I call bullshit on most of what Lannis says.
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:popcorn: :boozing: :popcorn:
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My solution is to ride so fast no one is able to tailgate. Then again, my accumulation of speeding tickets would indicate this causes a whole different set of problems.
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Lannis likes to call bullshit about things he knows nothing about merely because he knows nothing about them.
The guy who shot through the windshield was a personal friend of mine and Knowing him as I do I have no reason to disbelieve the story both he and his brother told me on different occasions. It happened in the mountains of Oregon in the seventies with no other witnesses and in the days before dash cams and cell phones. These were the days when I would go into a roadside bar and check my pistol with the bartender who would put it in his gun cabinet behind the bar with everyone elses guns then ask what I was having. Lannis is an opinionated old fool who often operates his mouth before operating his brain. I call bullshit on most of what Lannis says.
I for one am glad we have Landis (who the hell is Lannis?) calling bullshit and Jim calling out the truth.
where would we be without both of them? Tell 'em Bluto!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8lT1o0sDwI
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Lannis likes to call bullshit about things he knows nothing about merely because he knows nothing about them.
Well, in fact I was asking if ANYONE had any corroborating evidence other than "A friend of a friend told a story in a bar". I guess the answer's still no.
The guy who shot through the windshield was a personal friend of mine and Knowing him as I do I have no reason to disbelieve the story both he and his brother told me on different occasions. It happened in the mountains of Oregon in the seventies with no other witnesses and in the days before dash cams and cell phones. These were the days when I would go into a roadside bar and check my pistol with the bartender who would put it in his gun cabinet behind the bar with everyone elses guns then ask what I was having.
Maybe this thing that happened 40 years ago that you heard about is the one in 10,000 that really happened. You can have that one. And I keep my piece under my jacket and don't check it with nobody.
Lannis is an opinionated old fool who often operates his mouth before operating his brain. I call bullshit on most of what Lannis says.
"Fool", maybe, I'm no judge. But I'd sure's hell consider the source before I took "opinionated" and "old" on board. I can't hold a candle to your WG performances over the years. :bow:
Lannis
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I for one am glad we have Landis (who the hell is Lannis?) calling bullshit and Jim calling out the truth.
where would we be without both of them? Tell 'em Bluto!
And a Peanut Gallery to make comments. Don't forget them! :grin:
Lannis
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One morning I confounded a very aggressive tailgater by sticking my point-n-shoot camera up through the sunroof (car... I was in the car) and taking a very visible flash picture rearward. The guy just backed off and stayed backed off. It completely defused the situation without causing additional strife, I just don't think he knew what to do.
'Never did figure out how to duplicate this on a bike. It has to be very obvious and visible in order to work.
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Interesting. Just mount a Xenon flash tube somewhere at the rear of the bike, with a fire button on the handlebar. Or a similar LED flash that would do the same thing.
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A faux GoPro mounted on the rear would be fun, with a button to trigger the flash on the handlebar.
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And a Peanut Gallery to make comments. Don't forget them! :grin:
Lannis
yeah Landis, think of all of us "little people". Where would you be without us?
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yeah Landis, think of all of us "little people". Where would you be without us?
The only way to spot "little people" is from their "little comments". :grin: Otherwise there's no way to tell.
Lannis
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LMAO
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Some people are just born tailgaters. Apparently, they can't help themselves.
I will often tap my brake light on, slow down, pull over to the right to let them pass, wave them to pass, wave them to back off, or some combination of these. Alternatively, I will pass the car in front of me to provide a buffer just in case.
Fortunately, though, my white Norge looks like a police bike. People usually give me a wide berth and sometimes even pull over in front of me and stop (obviously a sign of guilt!).
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Fortunately, though, my white Norge looks like a police bike. People usually give me a wide berth and sometimes even pull over in front of me and stop (obviously a sign of guilt!).
I'll never be able to take advantage of that; all the local motor cops as well as the State Troopers are on black-and-blue Harleys .... Besides which, they all wear little half-helmets, I'd never be able to fit in ....
Lannis
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Fortunately, though, my white Norge looks like a police bike. People usually give me a wide berth and sometimes even pull over in front of me and stop (obviously a sign of guilt!).
That's funny. I'm pretty sure when I'm riding my white Mille, and wearing black pants and a blue jacket, there have been some drivers who think I'm a cop. It's not always an advantage though, because sometimes the drivers in front of me slow down to just under the speed limit when they see me in the mirror. We don't even have motorcycle cops in this area.
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I drive quite a bit for work. Here, the speed limit is 65- and i set my cruise control for 70. Rarely have any problem with tailgaters. The only time I see tailgaters is when someone insists on being "the keeper of the speed" by insisting on going two miles an hour below the posted speed.
I'm not trying to pass judgement- but if people are continually on your ass and you are always getting passed...then you are not keeping up with the natural flow of traffic.
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BD, please don't pass judgment on me! I am one of those that sets my cruise to a few miles under the limit for a reason. I work for a utility where the Directors have decided to install speed monitors on all of the company vehicles. We will get written up for exceeding the speed limit. One mile an hour over is grounds to be written up. We have complained about this, pointing out that going down hill, the cruise will not always maintain the speed limit but will creep up a bit. The answer from management is to set the cruise below the limit so that does not happen! My commute involves a 30 mile trip along a state highway with a military installation halfway in between. It is not amusing to have a queue of 10 cars trying to get to work on time. I feel its just a matter of time before some road rager gets into an accident passing me at the wrong time and place, but have no way to control this situation.
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I feel its just a matter of time before some road rager gets into an accident passing me at the wrong time and place, but have no way to control this situation.
Things like this can be made to defeat themselves. In your case, I suggest getting in front of the guys who enacted this policy when they're on their way to work, one each morning, and set your cruise control to be about 5 or 10 under the limit. You just have to find out the route they take to work, and pull out a few cars ahead of them, so they can experience the backups for themselves. I bet you can get your coworkers to join in the fun.
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I just turn on my emergency flashers as a first resort, and it often works (tailgater just being oblivious). But not always.
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Triple Jim, O that it were that easy. The head shed is in town and my work center is out of town. The hardest part is when I turn off the main highway and have to keep it under 55 for a seven mile stretch when I am usually the only vehicle on the road!
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Interesting read. :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: I've used most of the strategies as explained previously. Haven't shot at anyone but when I rode in AZ, the law was open carry. Always carry when in the AZ outback. I carried on my left backside so that it was visible from behind. That was a good deterent. Nothing like the Dirty Dozen going by with them packing shotguns. :grin: Outside of the urban areas, you'd check in your "piece" with the bartender. Different place of the country and different thinking. Doesn't hurt to have a snake load as your 1st round. :grin:
Weaving in your lane of traffic. Doing the "rubber band" works most of the time. Passing other vehicles works and letting them be the moving roadblock works real well until you get pulled over by a LEO. Fortunately, the last time was in the fog and I didn't get a ticket. Much explanation and he was a MSF instructor and motorcycle rider and enthusiast. :thumb:
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You could bob the rear fender.
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I am thinking of installing a rear facing laser light aimed at the hood level. Switched of course. or maybe a mounted paintball gun that can be remotely actuated.
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I am thinking of installing a rear facing laser light aimed at the hood level. Switched of course. or maybe a mounted paintball gun that can be remotely actuated.
LOL.. When they lock you up be sure and post your address so we can send a cake with a hacksaw in it.
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In town at night I have had great success with a little gizmo that projects a red line on the ground a car length behind me. I am amazed at how often the cars actually stay behind the line at stop lights.
(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/Atavar4/0144F789-837B-4E66-B71F-435792C796C7_zpsi41wqqyz.jpg)
During the day and on the highway I find that randomly varying my speed as others have suggested works wonders. The tailgaiters can't handle it if they can't set their cruise control. The trick to doing this without triggering road rage seems to be to do it randomly, so you don't appear to be trying to take control but rather just casual about your speed.
:thumb: as an alternative.
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I have not been questioned about that light and I have stopped at a light ahead of LEO a couple times. I was a bit worried at first.
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It's an enhanced tail light and that's isn't aimed at driver's face that is behind you.
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You can get em in all kinds of fancy patterns if you want..
(http://thumb.ibb.co/e3OqbF/tl.jpg) (http://ibb.co/e3OqbF)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/02MAAOSwYHxWQap5/s-l1600.jpg)
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I guess it could be wired in the brake lights.....?
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LOL.. When they lock you up be sure and post your address so we can send a cake with a hacksaw in it.
That would be a pretty big cake. And isn't it traditionally a file? Red suspenders content - the file/saw would either be worn out (cheap), or new Harbor Freight.
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Fortunately, though, my white Norge looks like a police bike. People usually give me a wide berth and sometimes even pull over in front of me and stop (obviously a sign of guilt!).
With the tall winter windshield on, my F800GT looks somewhat like a BMW RTP police bike. I've noticed that on four lane roads, often people actually move out of my way way more often than when I'm on my other bikes. I didn't think about this until a friend that I happened upon in traffic later told me that my bike looked like a police bike.
The funny thing is, I don't think that the PA State Police use motorcycles, at least not in our area, and the only bikes I ever see local LEOs on are Harleys.
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In the south we try to defuse our anger with varying success by repeating the zen mantra "bless their hearts".
Wearing my gun open carry is rare and only when heading to my volunteer job as rangemaster at our SO range or to the gun store I work at one day a week. But even going to a match with a shotgun and rifle tied on pointing backward doesn't discourage as many as you'd think. I've been hit 2 times stopped at red lights, both times I was heading to or from a job and openly wearing my .357. They're just not looking.
A friend was killed recently by the most common type of car vs motorcycle accident. Left turning pick up took him out.
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In the south we try to defuse our anger with varying success by repeating the zen mantra "bless their hearts".
Wearing my gun open carry is rare and only when heading to my volunteer job as rangemaster at our SO range or to the gun store I work at one day a week.
I rode this past weekend with a retired Army MP who open-carries his .45 ACP on the bike everywhere he rides, on a belt holster.
It's not really noticeable, though, since with his jacket on, only the bottom half of the holster and barrel is visible. He doesn't take off his jacket in a restaurant until he sits down, and these days, people carry all sorts of things on their belts - smartphone carriers, Leatherman tools, small flashlights, that unless you're looking you don't even notice it.
Toting a highly visible gun as a "deterrent" isn't going to get you anywhere on the road except in trouble. Personal guns are a last-ditch, no-other-choice way to defend yourself and your loved ones, not a "Look What I Got, Better Not F*** With Me" symbol like these "get-back whips" that the ball-less bad-arse biker boyz carry.
Lannis
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The funny thing is, I don't think that the PA State Police use motorcycles, at least not in our area, and the only bikes I ever see local LEOs on are Harleys.
I strongly suspect the general public has no idea if there are motorcycle cops in a given area, and if so, what they ride.
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Both times I was hit I was riding a full dress electra glide with antenna , white helmet, leather leo style jacket, & etc. Having seen a Toyota ram a fire truck in full alarm status I just can't think of anything that will wake up a fully brain dead driver.
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I rode this past weekend with a retired Army MP who open-carries his .45 ACP on the bike everywhere he rides, on a belt holster.
It's not really noticeable, though, since with his jacket on, only the bottom half of the holster and barrel is visible. He doesn't take off his jacket in a restaurant until he sits down, and these days, people carry all sorts of things on their belts - smartphone carriers, Leatherman tools, small flashlights, that unless you're looking you don't even notice it.
Toting a highly visible gun as a "deterrent" isn't going to get you anywhere on the road except in trouble. Personal guns are a last-ditch, no-other-choice way to defend yourself and your loved ones, not a "Look What I Got, Better Not F*** With Me" symbol like these "get-back whips" that the ball-less bad-arse biker boyz carry.
Lannis
I don't know, from personal experience it seemed that having even a couple inches of a holster peeking out from under a jacket got me noticed a lot. I know it doesn't make any sense, but drivers seemed to give me a much wider berth and a lot less harassment.
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(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2403/2220692000_eebe5e38d2.jpg)
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(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2403/2220692000_eebe5e38d2.jpg)
On the other hand, some people don't need a gun ...
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/LannisSelz/Donk_zpsd476f260.gif) (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/LannisSelz/media/Donk_zpsd476f260.gif.html)
and yet they get noticed!
Lannis
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Well, I do have that scary ugly thing going for me too.. lol
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It's hardly a statistically valid sample size or method, but I have a piece of empirical data for the stack.
This morning on my interchange loop a driver got on my tail.
I did a dramatic weave - no response.
I tapped the brake lights - twice. No response.
I gave the hand signal - arm down at the side, palm to the rear, ALL fingers spread wide. He backed off and slowed down.
I don't think it was any one of those - more likely just an accumulation of clues in a system unaccustomed to collecting and using them :violent1:
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I don't know if this has been posted already (didn't want to read the whole post).
When I notice someone tailgating me I weave back and forth in the lane. That works about 90% of the time.
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BTDT and posted earlier but not a problem. Post anyway.
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If you can read this sign ....
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/back%20off_zpsv2i1hher.jpg)
:laugh:
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We are fortunate that on a lot of our roads we have CORNERS :wink:. IF a car can keep up with me and does tailgate I let him go; he is an idiot and I would prefer to keep an eye on him with my eyes rather than via a rear vision mirror.
Around town the dab of the brake light, especially when they are not expecting it, seems to help.
I have booted a headlight in desperation before; he was just TOO close! :rolleyes:
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That's funny, Muzz. Now that you mention it, I've been on semi-twisty roads when a guy in a car gets behind me, but after a curve, he's way back. Then he tries to catch up and another curve comes. It's a lot of work for a car driver to keep up with a motorcycle in curves. Obviously it can be done, but most drivers aren't willing to put out the effort and screech the tires that much. :laugh:
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I've noticed that my two mirrors show two slightly differing sizes of images - if I have a tail gater that I can't evade, I watch them in the one that makes them smaller. This helps my blood pressure. I have set Olympic records with my blood pressure (admittedly only bronze), it needs all the help it can get.
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That's funny, Muzz. Now that you mention it, I've been on semi-twisty roads when a guy in a car gets behind me, but after a curve, he's way back. Then he tries to catch up and another curve comes. It's a lot of work for a car driver to keep up with a motorcycle in curves. Obviously it can be done, but most drivers aren't willing to put out the effort and screech the tires that much. :laugh:
I don't know; it can go the other way sometimes.
A determined West Virginia local in a 7 liter diesel Dodge pickup who knows the roads and has ingested some sort of courage-enhancing substance can run pretty hard on corners; they don't care about how much "work" it is, they're afraid they'll lose their manhood if you get away from them ... and that's more motivation than WE have!
Lannis
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I've had them try to hang with me in the twisties just for fun. Poker run at the WI was the last one, he tried to keep me in sight and was a good driver. We pulled away from other motorcycles until I finally lost him, a lot of work with a sidecar.I could have just pulled over and taken a break but what fun is that? Most of the time they are just dangerous imbeciles and I deal with them accordingly by creating distance which pisses me off that I need to change what I do because they are in the vicinity
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I gave the hand signal - arm down at the side, palm to the rear, ALL fingers spread wide. He backed off and slowed down.
9 times out of 10, this has worked for me.
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I've noticed that my two mirrors show two slightly differing sizes of images - if I have a tail gater that I can't evade, I watch them in the one that makes them smaller. This helps my blood pressure. I have set Olympic records with my blood pressure (admittedly only bronze), it needs all the help it can get.
A neighbor told me that when he has a tailgater behind him, he mid-adjusts his rear view mirror so he can't see the car and slows down five mph. :laugh:
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Interesting reading when read tongue in cheek. Sort of like watching a TV soap opera.
This has Worked for me every time. It does require that you are a mature adult capable of intelligent reasoning.
If a tail gaiter is being rude, not passing and demonstrating irrational tenancies, I ;
1. maintain safe speed and location in your traffic lane, usually left side of lane (lane position is pilots decision)
2. find a safe exit area
3. Signal turn (usually a right turn signal) with lights and if you feel it is necessary hand signal.
4. safely slow and then exit lane in a controlled manner.
5. Signal and re-enter traffic in a safe NON-aggressive Manner.
I don't care if I am passing the "Gaiter" on to someone else or whether I am rewarding the offender by getting out of their way, I care about surviving and riding another day. I have driven and rode in North/Central/South America, European, Mediterranean and Near East countries. This technique has always worked in cars, trucks, on motorcycles and I just try to REMEMBER when ever someone does something really stupid that at some time I also did THAT and try to forgive and forget.
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I don't care if I am passing the "Gaiter" on to someone else or whether I am rewarding the offender by getting out of their way, I care about surviving and riding another day.
When I've done this, I often get the feeling the driver is embarrassed. It's most likely not taken as a reward, since the goal of the tailgating was to get you to realize that you're not going fast enough and speed up, not slow down and let him pass.
A few days ago I was driving a car, and got tailgated on a back country road. Each time a long straight section with a dashed centerline came up, I moved to the right edge of the road and slowed slightly to make it very easy for the car behind me to pass. Even after several times, the car stayed behind me. I'm not clear of why this sometimes happens, but it seems like the other driver is willing to be slightly aggressive in letting me know I'm not going fast enough for him, but not willing to be aggressive enough to actually pass. In this case he must have finally figured out that I thought he was too close, because he backed off for the rest of out travels together.
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I found ANOTHER kind of tailgater today, on an 80-mile car trip returning from dropping my grandson back off with his parents after a very nice week with him at our house (he's 9 months old, everything is nice).
I was on a 12-mile stretch of rural divided 60-mph highway in Fay's Subaru. A car gradually drifted up behind me, and starting riding pretty close to my bumper. I was on cruise control at 62, and bethought myself that I usually run that stretch at 68, so I eased on up and held 68. The car stayed right behind me. Checked to make sure it wasn't a police car (it wasn't), and I eased up to 72 just to see. Right behind me.
There was no other traffic in sight, so I just knocked off the cruise control and let the car coast. 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45. Car still right behind me, still no traffic around.
40, 35, 30, 25, 20. The car STILL right behind me. At 20 MPH, the car behind me finally pulled out to pass. The side windows were tinted, so I didn't get a good look at the driver, but if I had to bet a pension check, I'd bet she was staring down at the smartphone in her lap, using her peripheral vision and the car in front of her (me) to "drive".
You just never know.
Lannis
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My solution is to ride so fast no one is able to tailgate. Then again, my accumulation of speeding tickets would indicate this causes a whole different set of problems.
Works for me. :thumb:
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That's funny, Muzz. Now that you mention it, I've been on semi-twisty roads when a guy in a car gets behind me, but after a curve, he's way back. Then he tries to catch up and another curve comes. It's a lot of work for a car driver to keep up with a motorcycle in curves. Obviously it can be done, but most drivers aren't willing to put out the effort and screech the tires that much. :laugh:
No, generally it's not at all hard for any decent car to keep up with a bike in the curves, that's exactly where the car has the advantage with regards to physics.
There have been multiple bike vs car tests done by magazines and web journalists over the years that have shown how bikes out accelerate on the straights but can't brake or corner as hard.
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It only really happens if I can't "RIDE" so in traffic, urban streets with lots of lights/stop signs, driveways, etc. In that situation I will slow down and tap the brake light and turn my head or look in mirrors in an obvious way to make my point. If that doesn't work and the person is aggressive, I will pull off or over to get away.
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No, generally it's not at all hard for any decent car to keep up with a bike in the curves, that's exactly where the car has the advantage with regards to physics.
There have been multiple bike vs car tests done by magazines and web journalists over the years that have shown how bikes out accelerate on the straights but can't brake or corner as hard.
I did say "obviously it can be done", but I'm talking about normal drivers with ordinary cars, out here in the country where I live. I have never had a car driver even attempt to stay with me in the curves if I'm taking them in a spirited way.
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I don't know; it can go the other way sometimes.
A determined West Virginia local in a 7 liter diesel Dodge pickup who knows the roads and has ingested some sort of courage-enhancing substance can run pretty hard on corners; they don't care about how much "work" it is, they're afraid they'll lose their manhood if you get away from them ... and that's more motivation than WE have!
Lannis
I had one of these jokers (in a 68 Biscayne) coming the other way push me of the Cherohala Skyway at 70MPH back in 2003. Bye Bye FZ1 THANKYOU Vanson & Shoe...... He went on a 4-5 miles farther down the road hit a father and son touring on their Goldwings. Son lost his legs, father was killed.... But that said, I'm a pretty fast rider / driver but am mostly safe, and I agree country folk hit it hard.
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The problem a car driver will have is that when he takes the corners to keep up with the bike in the corners his coffee will slosh over on to his lap.
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While the motorcycle rider's coffee cup will remain steady, sitting on the top of the gas tank.
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unless he has a straw in it, in which case the wind will create a venturi effect siphoning all the liquid out of the cup and spraying it over the rider in a fine mist. (DAMHIK)
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Thanks everyone! This thread actually taught me something! The name for the "get back whip" thingy a guy at work has hanging from his Sparkly-Davidson's front brake lever. I thought it was maybe some sort of bike lock/security system.
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As long as I'm below 70 when I gain a tailgater, I'll just fly the chair, so far this has caused them to back off every time.
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I'm picturing you putting your arms out like a kid playing airplane, momentarily decelerating, then grabbing the throttle and regaining control. Probably not what you mean... :popcorn:
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Sidecar/chair.
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Cleatus is telling you he lifted the sidecar and rode on two wheels. It is disconcerting for some car drivers to see this
as they do not understand what is happening.
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That could get a driver's attention quick. https://youtu.be/dH1GO4pJ5H0 (https://youtu.be/dH1GO4pJ5H0)
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Maybe a soap bubble device could be scaled up? .....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RRaYNLv_Zs
:laugh:
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/soap%20bubble_zpsupmahe8l.jpg)
Something like this coming at you on the road.... yikes! :shocked:
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I haven't learned to fly my chair but that would throw tailgaters off. :thumb: I never purposely did wheelies either.
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Some good advice here, and some perhaps, not so good. I just can't see biffing rocks at his windscreen as improving the situation, though it could be very satisfying.
Over here most of our roads are what I suspect you would call 'back roads'. Multi lane roads are the exception rather than the rule. We get tailgaters though. Pulling over is often not a particularly good idea on such roads as you could easily end up in a worse situation if the tailgater is of the bully variety.
I would (in this order) ;
1/ Open the throttle if feasible, especially if there are some tightish curves ahead.
2a/Wave him past if there is room for him to do so
2b/Wave him back if there is not.
3/ If none of the above works/is feasible, a single well timed sharp stab on the back brake produces a distress squeel of brakes and a bright brake light with minimal and very brief slowing of the bike. I've tried this with great effect BUT IT WON'T WORK WITH LINKED BRAKES
4/ Failing all the above, it's time to trigger the short range, directional and rear mounted EMP gun and fry his electrics, or until that's invented come to a gradual stop pulling over when appropriate.
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I simply look ahead, make sure it's clear then turn my head around and look right at the driver for a second or two. 90% of the time it works.
JB
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I've done the looking back at them thing, it works. They are unsettled by a biker crazy enough to stare backwards while riding.
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It doesn't hurt that you look "beeeg" on your machines. :thumb:
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How about some disposable saddlebags, fitted with explosive bolts triggered from a handlebar switch?
They could be jettisoned separately, or both at once. Once a car driver has hit a sacrificial bag full of ... Oh, let's say bottled water ... they're bound to give more distance from then on. :grin:
On the other hand, maybe that is where the brick our rider broke his wheels on came from.
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=86329.0
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Yeah, kicking headlights is one thing, throwing stones........
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I simply look ahead, make sure it's clear then turn my head around and look right at the driver for a second or two. 90% of the time it works.
JB
So I'm driving behind this motorcycle, too closely. He throws it into a curve, smoke coming out from under the mufflers and panniers. Then his head starts turning around "Exorcist"-style until he's staring straight into my windshield, and I see that one eyelid is frozen onto his glass eye, halfway down ....
Yeah, I'm backin' off. WAY back. Oh god get me out of here .....!
Lannis
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So I'm driving behind this motorcycle, too closely. He throws it into a curve, smoke coming out from under the mufflers and panniers. Then his head starts turning around "Exorcist"-style until he's staring straight into my windshield, and I see that one eyelid is frozen onto his glass eye, halfway down ....
Yeah, I'm backin' off. WAY back. Oh god get me out of here .....!
Lannis
I wonder if such a face painted on the back of the helmet would work? Nah, they would close up to get a better look. Is there room for someone inventing a small hologram projection here? (Your a sick man Lannis, but I like it)
Wait! Smoke! Now there is an idea!
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I just slow down until they pass, which usually doesn't take long. What I don't understand is people passing you on the freeway quickly, then pulling in front of you at one car length and matching speed. Usually it's a truck or other large vehicle I can't see around.
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I've only got two, either put a car between you and him/her, or motion to reach into your pocket and display a "badge", I sure as hell would not take the risk that it really was a cop if I was the tailgater and if it turns out it's a cop tailgating you, just tell him you were waving. But I'd do the first one.
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To the original post- simply slow way down or pull over and let the fool pass.
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I wonder if such a face painted on the back of the helmet would work? Nah, they would close up to get a better look. Is there room for someone inventing a small hologram projection here? (Your a sick man Lannis, but I like it)
Wait! Smoke! Now there is an idea!
Years ago I started making faces on the backs of my helmets using reflective tape.
(http://images3.revzilla.com/blog_content_image/image/31377/gallery/attitude.jpg)
I figure IT MIGHT help someone to notice me (and therefore not hit me) and MAYBE if they do notice it, then it might remind them that I'm a person, with a sense of humor, and maybe a family, and....
....but I still watch my 6 religiously.
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Hey, simple good Idea. I like it!
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Years ago I started making faces on the backs of my helmets using reflective tape.
(http://images3.revzilla.com/blog_content_image/image/31377/gallery/attitude.jpg)
I figure IT MIGHT help someone to notice me (and therefore not hit me) and MAYBE if they do notice it, then it might remind them that I'm a person, with a sense of humor, and maybe a family, and....
Wait , that isn't you ? :shocked:
Dusty
....but I still watch my 6 religiously.
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Wait , that isn't you ? :shocked:
Dusty
Call it a self-portrait of my soul.
:boozing:
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I just slow down until they pass, which usually doesn't take long. What I don't understand is people passing you on the freeway quickly, then pulling in front of you at one car length and matching speed. Usually it's a truck or other large vehicle I can't see around.
It's the "I Beat You!" thing. As long as you are in front of them, you are Faster than them, you are the pack Alpha Dog, you have BEAT THEM! and they can't stand it. THEY have to be in front of YOU, regardless of how fast they are going, so that they have Beat You!
Lannis
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I've done the looking back at them thing, it works. They are unsettled by a biker crazy enough to stare backwards while riding.
You guys are more flexible than me. I practiced doing the 180 degree turn around today at speed and didn't get close. More like a side long glance would all they'd get from me.
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You guys are more flexible than me. I practiced doing the 180 degree turn around today at speed and didn't get close. More like a side long glance would all they'd get from me.
I rode with a Brit on a 40's Triumph (with no mirrors) that could do it. Partly it was hips, partly it was spine, partly it was shoulders, partly it was neck, but when he swiveled, he was looking almost straight back.
Spooky, it was.
Lannis
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Spooky, it was.
Lannis
You bet - would spook the heck out of me if I saw that - reminiscent of Linda Blair in the Exorcist
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Call it a self-portrait of my soul.
:boozing:
I knew a spear fisherman who, on the premise that fish are nervous if you're staring at them (true), put eyes on the back of his head in the theory that they'd come around to the other side where he could see and shoot them.
All that happened was that all fish around him were scared off, all the time. Too bad it doesn't work that way for car drivers.
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As an old retired motor cop I can offer a couple tried and tested techniques. First if you are dealing with someone simply not paying attention, politely bring their focus to you by a brake lite flash, not a brake check! As that could cause you a bad day. I have also offered a polite hand jester as with the left hand a simple motion with the hand indicating a little more space would be appreciated. If the situation is an obvious road rage situation as the result of an intentional or unintentional occurrence and the person is on you aggressively there is only one sensible action. Give a turn signal and that's the first right turn available. It's best to take the disagreement to the ground and off the highway. You will lose against a car or truck and risking your life or limb. Hope this helps the discussion.
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I knew a spear fisherman who, on the premise that fish are nervous if you're staring at them (true), put eyes on the back of his head in the theory that they'd come around to the other side where he could see and shoot them.
All that happened was that all fish around him were scared off, all the time. Too bad it doesn't work that way for car drivers.
My Dad used to have his fellow CPOs over to the house for beer and poker in Norfolk sometimes. I wasn't supposed to watch and listen, but I'd sneak out of bed anyway.
One older chief, a Diver, when encouraged, would show off the two 3D propellers he had tattooed on the cheeks of his bum. I don't know about fish, but it would run ME off ...
Lannis
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I knew an old chief with the two propellors on butt cheeks tattoo, it also said 10 knots no smoke.
He was an engineman chief.
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I knew an old chief with the two propellors on butt cheeks tattoo, it also said 10 knots no smoke.
He was an engineman chief.
If I had the guts, physical conditioning, and lack of claustrophobia it takes to be a Navy diver, I'd probably get those same tattoos just for the fun of it ...
A friend of mine is a retired Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Man, the situations they have to jump into ....
Lannis
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I wonder if such a face painted on the back of the helmet would work? Nah, they would close up to get a better look. Is there room for someone inventing a small hologram projection here? (Your a sick man Lannis, but I like it)
Wait! Smoke! Now there is an idea!
Now if you had this face painted on your helmet and turned around...
(http://badasshelmetstore.com/wp-content/uploads/Full-Face-Clown-Motorcycle-Helmet.jpg)
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The trouble is that if you make it weird enough looking, drivers will come up behind you to get a good look.
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Haven't seen it mentioned here, and it has limited to no application to riding, but I have found a technique that works when in a cage. Used it three times today on I-81 en route to Atlanta when traffic was thick and fast, and the "hostiles" were coming up closer to my little Fit than if in line at the drive-thru at Chick-Fil-A.
I have noticed that when folks pull such tricks my windshield seems to need cleaning. :wink: Most 'gaters drive fancy cars and they back off instantly when my spray goes up and over. Usually only takes one "application." :grin:
Seriously -- tho that was -- on my Guzzis, I use the "cautionary hand" in what I intend as a non-confrontational way. That almost always works. When it doesn't, I quickly review my limited understanding of physics and our comparative weights, which invariably leads to my turning into the nearest exit opportunity.
Bill
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Now Bill has an idea....Take an aftermarket windshield cleaner kit and adapt it so it sprays rearward with a sign that reads, "caution, relief tube in use. Otherwise spit chewing tobacco?
GliderJohn
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I have noticed that when folks pull such tricks my windshield seems to need cleaning. :wink: Most 'gaters drive fancy cars and they back off instantly when my spray goes up and over. Usually only takes one "application." :grin:
Seriously -- tho that was -- on my Guzzis, I use the "cautionary hand" in what I intend as a non-confrontational way. That almost always works. When it doesn't, I quickly review my limited understanding of physics and our comparative weights, which invariably leads to my turning into the nearest exit opportunity.
Bill
Windshield washers are an amazing, flexible invention. I don't do the 'cautionary hand' move because it might be seen as aggressive and as you say, physics rules.