Getting rid of tailgaters without road rage, any advice (ngc)

[cleatusj]

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.

[normzone]

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...

[cleatusj]

Sidecar/chair.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 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.

[Nic in Western NYS]

That could get a driver's attention quick.  https://youtu.be/dH1GO4pJ5H0

[Penderic]

Maybe a soap bubble device could be scaled up? .....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RRaYNLv_Zs

 



Something like this coming at you on the road.... yikes! 

[Tom]

I haven't learned to fly my chair but that would throw tailgaters off.   I never purposely did wheelies either.

[johnr]

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.

[ratguzzi]

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

[Sasquatch Jim]

 I've done the looking back at them thing, it works.  They are unsettled by a biker crazy enough to stare backwards while riding.

[Tom]

It doesn't hurt that you look "beeeg" on your machines. 

[normzone]

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.   

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

[Muzz]

Yeah, kicking headlights is one thing, throwing stones........

[Lannis]

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

[johnr]

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!

[Calculon]

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.

[Huzo]

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.

[leafman60]

To the original post- simply slow way down or pull over and let the fool pass.

[Kev m]

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.



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.

[Dofin]

Hey, simple good Idea.  I like it!

[oldbike54]

Years ago I started making faces on the backs of my helmets using reflective tape.



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 ? 

 Dusty

....but I still watch my 6 religiously.

[Kev m]

Wait , that isn't you ? 

 Dusty

Call it a self-portrait of my soul.

 

[Lannis]

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

[Nic in Western NYS]

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.

[Lannis]

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

[Nic in Western NYS]

Spooky, it was.

Lannis

You bet - would spook the heck out of me if I saw that - reminiscent of Linda Blair in the Exorcist

[normzone]

Call it a self-portrait of my soul.
 

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.

[Ncdan]

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.

[Lannis]

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

[Sasquatch Jim]

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.