I’m a retired soldier, so I feel tailgating is no better than being careless where your rifle is pointed. Odds are nothing will happen, but why be so careless with someone else’s life? Anyone else feel this way?
When I am on a bike and some jerk in a car or pickup tailgates me I feel like having a loaded gun pointed at my head so I pull over and wave the homicidal maniac buy.
And there are some that are totally clueless as to why they're tailgating. Their minds are not on the driving, only the subconscious is driving that vehicle. My neighbor , totally oblivious, was doing it. Don't ride with him anymore. He was so stressed out, he didn't know which way was up.
You're so right. We bikers are the prey. When I take my bike out, I go with the attitude that EVERY car is out to get me. It may be a bit paranoid, but it has kept me alive for 68 years.
Darwin Risdon, I'm right with you on that one mate, I've been riding since 1977, spent most of my adult life on a bike & even made my living on them, I was a postman for 44 1/2 years. Here in Australia mail is delivered by motorcycle (trail scooter actually), I started riding kinda late to everybody else I was 27yrs old when I started, took it up when I became a Postie, (that's what postmen are called here in the land of OZ). I've just turned 69 & am still going strong & riding every day, I've owned a few different brands of bikes over the years & am currently on my 3rd Harley, which is a Black 2015 Heritage Softail Custom. I like The Cruiser style of bike the best & love the Harley Davidson motorcycles best of all, in my 42 years of riding I also spent 11 1/2 yrs as a volunteer motorcycle instructor, & the one thing we used to teach our students was that as soon as you throw your leg over the seat of your bike you will become a target, so think of every other vehicle on the road like its an unmarked Police car & every other road user like he's an idiot. Even some other Bike riders will do the wrong thing & try to bring you to grief, I don't ever intend to stop riding until they put me in the ground, as the old saying in the Bike world says "You don't stop riding because you get old, you get old because you've stopped riding".
@@AlanHayesLimerick... that's just stupid Alan Hayes cos ANYTHING that keeps you SAFE is what keeps you ALIVE. Having a super defensive attitude when sharing the road with two ton hunks of metal is what keeps me SAFE! You gotta lot of nerve buddy.
@@AlanHayesLimerick RELYING ON A BIT OF LUCK IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR MY BAG OF BONES...THINKING THAT YOU ARE INVISIBLE IS THE BOTTOM LINE THAT WORKS FOR SOLID SURVIVAL... NEVER TRUST LUCK...
I remember being tailgated by a big rig - I looked back and the asshole was sporting an ear to ear gin and stupid close - I mean 4 feet or less... So I dropped it a gear, went up the road a mile and pulled off on a side street,. I was out of site in a heartbeat as I was on my R1. When he rode by I slowly pulled out behind him and got his plate. I followed him and just my luck he stopped about 5 miles up the street at the Wawa to fill the tanks.. 1/2 mile from my home. Wawa = cops and this day was no exception and even better it was a super lucky day because there was a State cop. I calmly walked up to the (very cool) officer and explained what was going on - the idiot kept staring at me and the cop thus making himself obvious. We both walked over and I repeated my story while staring the grease ball right in the eye and then the cop asked me to walk away. Next thing I know he's looking in the cab and shortly after he was in cuffs. Dude was high as a kite on meth.
EXCELLENT ADVISE ! Leave the ego at home ! You will NEVER win a road battle with a car or truck ! Let them go around, take a side road, just find a place to let them get on down the road ! Live to ride another day !
A solution a HELL ANGEL once told me,on a highway is to have a pocket full of smaller medium size nuts and bolts that are easy to access. Find a out to escape to after you throw a hand full Of hardware up in the air . You can guess what happens.
Your the exception, I wish all car drivers were like you. Most are idiots and tailgate you when your on your bike, they try to intimidate you. Columbus Ohio is the worst!
@@samestuffdifferentday5712 That happened to me today man, this van driver tailgating me whilst I was on my bike. He was driving dangerously, i had my girlfriend on the back too..... No need for it, especially when he just ended up getting stuck in traffic I just filtered through!
stupid gets a little extra room... beginning riders miss gears, stomp brakes, downshift - intending to upshift, and drop the bike for no apparent reason.
Same here. Its like a mutual respect comes over me whenever I see or hear a motorcycle around me. I either slow to a safe following distance, or I give them plenty Of passing room coming up beside me. I become more aware.
@@Ranveer_sangha03 MANY CAR OPERATORS DO NOT LOOK FOR A BIKE MUCH LESS THE HUMAN TRYING TO ENJOY HIS/HER DAY...I HAD A VETTE BACK UP ON AN ON RAMP @11pm...crazy guy was lost...glad little or no traffic was out...I had a fast bike and lost the jerk asap...zip...bye bye now...whew
That's according to who you are and how many are with you. If car drivers want to have a Civil War with bikes that's OK, but there will be a lot of bodies on the highway in 4 wheel vehicles.
I’ve been tailgated many times. Getting angry for me is a no-no: it’s distracting and could affect my ability to ride safely. So, I keep my ego in check and find alternatives.
what always works for me is to fully stop for like 10 seconds so they realize I don't like to be put in that situation. They always stop tailgating me after this. Sometimes people are just distracted and don't realize how close they are to the next vehicle.
I went 9 years without riding a motorcycle, when I started riding again I was rather nervous and felt like a new rider. I found that the best was to ride my motorcycle and still stay at speeds I was comfortable with at the time, was to use Google maps as navigation on my phone but to select a bicycle as my mode of transportation. This allowed me to find routes to my destination but the app selected roads that had lower speed limits and in turn they often had little to no traffic. Now that I am comfortable with my skills again I use my navigation as I would normally. It's a great idea for new riders.
+Bob Davis, I know exactly how you felt, I went 20 years without riding, last riding a Gold Wing Interstate in 1994. I bought a scooter in 2014 to 'find my feet', was admittedly scared to pick it up and bring it home. The first few months felt like everyone was out to kill me. :)
While that may sound like a good idea you have to remember if that guy ends up shot by someone else they will use that t shirt against you in court. I mean look at what they did to a guy that just followed someone who was acting suspicious.
@@royc7421 I don't know a single rider that wld kick a car for no reason. Most likely that car cut him off and put his life in danger. Retaliation isnt being a jerk it's justice, maybe you deserve to have a wreck.
@@Jj-pm5yv Motorcycle riders put my life and theirs in danger every night here in Dallas. Also motorcycle riders cut me off all the time so I really don't want to hear what you think may have happen cause you really don't know. I am a motorcycle rider myself and I try to be as cautious as I can but you don't take it out on a vehicle that may or may not knowingly cut you off.
So many people are driving angry and couldn't care less about the consequences of their anger that the burden falls on us to stay alive. We have three weapons, our brains, brakes, and throttle. Firearms are the last resort. Be smart and get yourself out of an angry driver's field of view as fast as possible by whatever means possible.
A Calif. man once followed a tail gaiter home . When she got out of her car, he shot her dead. And drove away. Never got caught ! Thats pretty radical but it works for sure. He should have left a note for the news media jerks to read to the rest of the tail gaiters on the evening new report !
@@triumphmanful I find it questionable that someone shot a tailgater , not get caught, and yet know that was the exact reason she got shot. You obviously cant get information from her. She's dead. The dude isn't going to rat himself out, and I doubt anyone knew she was shot for tailgating.
I've noticed since I mounted a rear facing camera on my trunk, that there are less tailgaters that I have to deal with. They see the camera pointed at them and they back off on their own. Most of the car drivers leave a big gap behind me at red lights, too.
When i was a youngblood I'd let road rage get better of me whether i was in car or on bike . Now i use a bit of mind trickery to keep calm by telling myself, self there's probably an important reason this person is recklessly weaving in and out of traffic cutting people off. Perhaps they're rushing to a loved ones deathbed at hospital or some similar thoughts. 99% of time their just F-tards but the technique works for me. Besides who of us hasn't rushed like a maniac to get somewhere in a hurry at one time or another .
Not a young blood I'm 52 riding 32 years i build bikes for myself and put all my heart into it so I guard it with my life now matter what it takes I would die for my bike ! Everyone is in a hurry to go NOWHERE! I bet maybe 1 out of a 1000 has a good reason why they drive like that. They look you in the eye and wait until you get close than they pull out in front of you happens all the time but I just know it is going to happen with my foot on the brakes slowing down. Lady blew a stop sign 14 years ago and broke almost every bone in my body they told my wife to Call my family they didn't think I was going to make it. I did 3 months in bed got better jumped on my bike life goes on that's how much I love building and riding. I stick to back roads as much as possible. They need to know if they keep driving like that they WILL KILL SOMEONE! trust me if someone comes at you with a hammer they will remember it for life !........thanks for the advice but I'll handle it the way I always do.......be safe out there and try to stay alive it's them against us and they have 2000 lbs advantage.
Scariest ride in my life! I was riding rt60 in WV from Hawksnest to Charleston. The twists and turns are always fun! I had a car behind me riding my @$$ up and back down the mountain. I held the right as far as I could to let them pass but they wouldn’t do it. I brake checked them a few times, still on on me. I got in it a little going down the hill and got up to a speed that I was almost uncomfortable with on that windy road and the car was still there. Randomly, a big bear came down the hill out of the woods in a hard turn I could have petted it as I zipped by the car wasn’t so lucky. They smashed into the bear. I always carry a .357 magnum so I turned around to make sure the bear didn’t die a suffering death first of and to see if the passengers in the car were alright. I had to put down the bear then I checked on the people in the totaled car that’d been riding my @$$. They were more afraid of me than they were the bear. Lmao I asked the dude driving if he learned his lesson about tail gating and he kept apologizing while we waited for the police and ambulance. His girlfriend’s head hit the windshield hard enough to crack it. Luckily I carry a first aid kit on my bike because she needed stitches or staples. Gauss had to do at the moment. I lectured and bitched at the dude until the ambulance got there. After telling the story to the cops they gave him a ticket and shook my hand and thanked me for coming back to help. They were jokingly more greatful that I killed the bear so they didn’t have to deal with it and laughed when I told them that dude was more afraid of me than the bear. I hope I never have another ride like that!
Phill Pauley I would’ve loved to see the look on that guys face after you shot the bear and started walking over to their car. Haha. I would’ve holstered that magnum super slow on the stride to the car. Awesome story
Great story and well done on humanely dealing with the poor bear. Did you have any concerns that the people in the car might also be armed? If they were, and saw you approaching with the gun, was there not a danger of them shooting you?
I agree. Slowing down is a good option if none of the other options are available. Lower speed means less damage, and your safety is more important than traffic flow in my opinion.
Doesn't always work. How about fitting a flame thrower to your exhaust if it's a continuous problem. One guy in the UK did this and every time he got tail gated he just activated it. They very quickly got the message
Me too. I think to myself, “Fella, you need to go have your accident with someone else. Not with me.” And I take steps to separate myself from his vicinity, like Kevin suggested.
@@garrettsmith8286 I've had fewer cars start to pull out in front of me since I started wearing my hi viz vest. Not a cool as my motorcycle jacket but effective.
@@ronnronn55 Glad to hear that! Whatever it takes. I prefer looking alive over looking cool. No one ever said wow he died looking so cool. The mentality and ego of people is ridiculous.
I use an LED light bar and mount it to the bottom of my plate. You have to remember that drivers are programmed to see a 3rd brake light, being behind cars all day. Sometimes their brain just doesn't pick up on 1 light for a brake. It REALLY HELPS!
It is good to remember that a car is an ideal environment for road rage. It feels like private space, and others around feel like intruders. Us motorists don't have that hindrance, we feel that we are out there among others. Therefore it is up to us to be the sensible adult. We should never annoy car drivers deliberately. Chances are that sooner or later one will do something way too extreme, like that one on the video. It's a poor consolation that the idiot feels bad in your funeral. The rider kicking the car is the kind that is likely to die. If you have that poor impulse control, take the bus.
Completely agree! We need to be the ones taking the higher road. What gets me even more is all the videos I see of riders engaging in road rage because a car driver made an honest mistake. It gives the motorcyclists community a bad reputation. It's up to us to make sure we are seen and take the precautions but at the end of the day nobody is perfect.
Ahahah, although I don't condone it my boss used to pick me up in his van every morning to go to jobs. His door had a pile of pennies he'd throw out the window at people who cut him up on the motorway.
ball bearings & marbles are nice too ! Asked a Beemer a-hole once in a parking lot what happened to his windshield. he was cussing a putting his finger in a nice drivers side hole. He said a rock or something came out of no where and hit his windshield. The cycle he was tail gaiting did not even come into the conversation . Even though he knew he had don something very wrong ! Karma, got to love it !
I always carried some 1/2in ball bearings in front leather pocket. With a little practice, one can "flip" one back at tailgaters windshield without even turning around or hardly moving arm. Works wonders!
I stopped the video at the onset; I promise. Don't brake check. No road rage. No finger language. Keep a nice calm legal pace until you come to a safe pull over; then let the SOB get by. ;-)
I wish that cops would be more aggressive about citing road-ragers and or tailgaters, especially when people are raging at motorcycle riders. However, even if they did, you can't count on them. Ultimately, we are up against vehicles that are SIX TIMES heavier than we are. We are going to lose that battle every single time. Two extremely valuable tips are: 1. Ride like car drivers can't see you. 2. EXPECT them to make a stupid move.
Well said. I don't understand why cops will run drunk driving and click it or ticket campaigns but never anything for tailgating or speeding?? least not in my area anyways.
ive seen cops stuck in between a car and a tailgater. its just normal traffic in busy hours busy roads. but yeah cops need to enforce safe follow distance.
Great advice, always leave your ego in your garage and live to ride another day. I always look for that gap, the bigger the better and adjust speed to stay in it as long as possible. In 40+ years no 4 wheeler has got the best of me! Ride safe....
Just a quick line to say how much I respect what you do and the way you do it. Your videos are informative for newer riders and serve as thoughtful reminders for ALL of us. No hype, no self aggrandizement, no judgement....just a genuine interest in the safety of others. Greatly appreciated
When I was young and learning to drive my father taught me a little poem: Here lies William Jay, He died defending his right of way. He was right, dead right, as he rode along, But he's just as dead as if he was wrong.
My favorite tailgater video came to mind when I started watching this. A friend actually filmed this while stationed in Iraq several years back. They were on the famous road between the Green Zone and airport, when they witnessed two guys on a small motorbike. The passenger was carrying an RPG. Some car kept tailgating, so the rider simply turned and focused his weapon on the tailgater. Car screeched to a halt, causing a several car pile-up and motorbike boys proceeded on their way, unscathed. The friend shooting the video (a motorcycle rider himself) said if he could have caught up to those guys, he would have shaken their hands. He laughed so hard telling the story, it took a while to complete. Probably wouldn't be the best tactics for US roads, but a fun, true story to share, anyway.
Whenever someone tailgates me I hit full gas and fly for a few seconds... Then I change lanes, slow down and let them pass. Just so they know whos the boss 🤪
Just like cars pulling put in front of you because they don't see you, the same can become true for a car tailgating you.. What I mean is the car behind you is actually focusing on the car in front of you and not on you the motorcyclist. They are subconsciously aware you are there, but they are basing their spacing more on the car ahead of you.. I have found In many (not all) instances, if you just do a but of weaving within your lane, nothing radical, just adjusting your lane position back and forth, especially right in front of the drivers view, you can sometimes break this within the mind of the tailgater. Either by breaking their fixation on the car in front of you, OR by just becoming more unpredictable in the driver's mind, they tend to back off... All the points given in the video are practical and true, but try what I'm saying out.. It will work at least part of the time..
The human eye is very good at picking up motion. Whenever I see a vehicle taking a left in front of me, or pulling out of a sidestreet, I give a little weave on my bike. It seems to help. Saw this on a safety video.
I'm happy to see something like this. I remember once I was driving along a city street and wasn't paying attention when suddenly I realized I was tailgating the motorcycle in front of me. It was unintentional. I quickly backed off and ever since I know how dangerous it is to them to be tailgated. I'm aware. I think others should be also.
I agree with most of what you say BUT, First you DON"T ride next to cars or trucks, NEVER stay next to one, Back off or pass, never stay next to them, And by the way, that car prosperously ran him off the road, It was NO accident.
I agree with not riding next to other vehicles, it's my number one rule even sitting at red lights. If I'm at a light I move either a little forward of the driver or a little back(but staying in their mirror). On the road I stay well ahead or well behind if at all possible. And most importantly, if you got a guy trying to get up on you and he won't let go, turn off. Just let it go. That guy is looking for trouble, don't be the guy to give it to him. Unless you're a Rhinoceros...then give him full horn!
I call free spaces, where there is a lot of space between myself and other vehicles, “clear air”. I look for “clear air” when I ride. Much like a pilot who looks for air with the least amount of turbulence. Tailgaters, I do increase my follow distance, I sometimes do a waggle, not at highway speeds, just a little side to side in my lane, and in most instances the tailgating vehicle backs off. Not sure if they think I am about to lose control, dodging a road hazards or they just become conscious they’re following too close? I have pulled off if I feel the person behind me wants to pass or is in a greater hurry than me. Again I am looking for “clear air”.
I've never seen a rider kick the side of a car successfully. I never really believe guys that say they have done it. Good advice. I always tell new riders that they need to remember that everyone out there is trying to get you. The predator/prey analogy is well stated
As a scooter rider, people passing me out of anger is an all too normal occurrence. The way I see it, if I'm doing the speed limit and you can't deal with that, go ahead and pass me lol
If you mean an "electric scooter" you shouldn't be allowed in traffic. You're uninsured and you don't have a license plate. Electric scooters are hazardous because they are in the way of traffic unlike bicycles that stay to the side and allow traffic to easily pass.
Brian P nope....it's a gas scooter. I'd call it a moped, but people would nag about that too. It'll keep up with traffic, but not anything more. Variatior is shot probably. And I know plenty of electric scooters that can keep up with, and even pass traffic
Scooters anger drivers when they stopped at lights and scooter pulls in front. If you can't accelerate harder up to the speed limit than the car you cut off get outta the way!!
@@regreg8318 nah. I like to white line/split lanes on my scoot all the way to the signal, then get in front of everyone and let the butthurt begin. The best feeling in the world is to get in front of a couple dozen cars during the morning rush hour commute and watch all the angry faces & gestures as they try to get around you. If you don't like it then you can fly a helicopter💁😎😜
If there’s a tailgater behind me. I just turn on my hazards while maintaining my speed. They always back off. Their ego doesn’t want them looking like a douche bag so they always back off
Not always true, I have tried that and still had many @ssholes still riding my rear. The best thing to do is switch lanes and let them pass. If you let them pass, you know there going to speed, which is good for you because then you will know where all the cops are hiding :) LOL
@@willpahl1453 Why are you in the passing lane going slow with hazards on in the first place ??? Reading through these comments, 99% of so-called tailgating would end if you were in the correct lane.
depends on the size of your bike. My bike isnt that fast. I can't outpace a car that wants to go 100+, since my bike struggles to get those speeds. I can only beat them if there is traffic, since I can use my lane splitting to my advantage. Tailgaters has been my primary motivator for lane splitting at higher speeds. I'd rather take my chances getting side swiped than rear ended.
Really, because the only thing my Harley can do faster than my pickup truck is accelerate and that is it... I guarantee I can hold the throttle into a sharp turn with my diesel truck and run right over your motorcycle and come out the other side still gaining speed as you tumble under the truck. I can also stomp my brakes and come to a stop way shorter than your motorcycle so.... Cars can do everything better than motorcycles except accelerate for a lower price....
@@Hondeer Right, pretty sure there is an MCrider video where he specifically states that cars can corner and stop better than your motorcycle... You have zero mobility advantage over a car... You have a size advantage which is more of a disadvantage... Have you ever ridden a motorcycle? lol
Kevin, as usual you are spot on. I have been riding for 47 years and have had my share of encounters with cagers who make mistakes, and I have certainly made my share. Nobody gains anything by reacting poorly because another driver made a mistake. Becoming a willing participant in road rage is a demostration of poor judgement. As a motorcycle rider, once you loose your cool, you are opening yourself up to a host of bad possibilities, as were evident in the videos this week. When a driver makes a mistake, I have always made it a practice to acknowledge the other driver by waving (with all five digits extended) and then moving on. It is better to remove oneself from the situation and live to ride again. Being a hot head can cause you severe injury or make you very dead. As they say, "wisdom comes with age."
Well said. Most drivers are pretty much self centered impatient types. Move over, wave them by. That puts you in control. Say a little blessing to the little twits as they pass!
Sorry, but tailgating isn't a mistake, it's a deliberate act. It's a life threatening act, no different than pointing a gun at you. You may feel the best course of action is to pretend a gun wasn't pointed at the head, my experience tells me bullies continue to bully as long as the target seems weak. I'm not saying I have an answer, but I can honestly say that pretending it's a mistake is delusional.
Another good time to just pull over and let the tailgater by is when you see them constantly looking down at their phone. No matter how much following distance you have, by the time they see your brake light on, they have already run you over. I see this almost every day in Charlotte on my commute.
I rode from Orlando to Charlotte and back earlier this year, the people in Charlotte seemed a whole lot safer on the rode than here in Florida for sure
i see a lot of those daily, on their phones, they really scare me, i just pull away or over to the next lane, I do not want to be in front of them anymore asap. Warning them about cell phone via hand signals 9/10 times just gets you flipped off, cagers don't care, so I don't bother any more, i just get away from them asap.
Sound advice indeed. As a mature rider with more than 35 years of daily riding, it's just common sense for us to pull over and let the "angry" drivers go on their way. If I could go back and speak to my young self, this is the video that I would show them. I've gotten myself into a lot of situations when I knew I was right but wanted the other driver to acknowledge that too. At the end of the day, it really isn't worth it. Remember this epitaph "Here lies the body of Henry Gray He died defending his right of way. His way was right, his will was strong, But he’s just as dead as if he was wrong"
Great Video.. Here in Germany cars passing with 125 mph and more in 3 lane highways..called the Autobahn..fast Bmw..Audi..Porsche..no Fun with a naked bike..i prefer riding narrow roads in the countryside.
What type of bike are you riding? oO Mine does at least 148. No disrespect, but if your bike can't go that fast , maybe stay off the autobahn. Ride safe
Wow I never thought of that been on autobahn several times in a cab. Never thought about being at a speed disadvantage but on the autobahn well your screwed.
With 2+ hours of daily commuting I just speed up, put a few cars between me and the tailgater (using other vehicles as a shield) and then slow back down. Just ignoring tailgaters, opening up your following distance is a recipe to get rear ended as most tailgaters are bad drivers. Getting away from them is the best thing you can do.
Szlejer I disagree with you on "opening up your following distance is a recipe to get rear ended." Doing so increases your reaction time to hazards or simply needing to slow down because the one you are following is braking, therefore you don't have to stop suddenly, and are less likely to get slammed from behind. Also, you don't open your following distance by slowing quickly, that WILL get you hit! And as Kevin stated, it usually encourages them to go around your strange self. (Because everyone is strange who drives slower or cautious! 😉) Ride On.
A larger following distance will give more time to come to a stop or flash your brakes for anticipated changes, like traffic lights. Even in unanticipated events, it gives you more time to search for an escape route.
Larger following distance gives you more options, but you are still stuck in the SAME dangerous traffic situation (maybe for minutes) - a vehicle with an aggressive/ignorant driver too close to you. Keeping a longer following distance (slowing down) may even aggravate the tailgater (that you are trying to punish him/her). My approach solves the problem immediately.
Single lane, double solid dividers (no overtaking or lane changing), no space to pull over and the car behind just wants to go faster and faster. What to do? One thing you did not cover was slightly tapping the brake a couple of times - just enough to activate the break lights without really breaking. Sometimes car drivers aren't aware that they may be too close for comfort, but they are still willing enough with a little hinting, to give some distance.
I would use my left arm and motion my arm top down with my palm to the ground to signify slow down. If that doesn't work I would find the first opportunity to pull off the road and let them go by. As Kevin said, most of the time it's not malicious, but ignorance. Getting their attention may do the trick.
Where I live (Russia) official (from our dmv) advice for drivers in such situations is to slow down and increase distance to the vehicle ahead so that in emergency situation you would have more time to react and thereby could brake not so hard. This advice could be used by motorcyclists. And by the way we have rule that permits overtaking of single-track vehicles in no overtake zones. So I can and sometimes do legally move to side of the road and show driver to overtake with my hand. Usually it is taken as courtesy. Actually it was ment for overtaking scooters and mopeds but why not use it for motorcycle ))
Another option is switch lane positions quickly, as if you were warming up your tires like NASCAR cars just before the pace car ducks in. That swerving motion tends to get them to back off.
Michael Manley not in all cases. There was a recent video i saw from a uk rider and he was doing that and an older guy overtook him. When the rider caught up to the old guy at a light he got out of the car and started confronting the rider.
48 years of riding, 30 yrs semi, he said look for the gaps, YES Everytime, maintain the legal distance for space, at hwy speed, most people will just go around and get the cops on themselves, so we're free to twist it on occasion, 😁. My best one, riding home hwy RT lane, almost no cars out, guy in a Benz coupe passed by me then brought his car into my lane trying to take out my front wheel, by chance we both had same getoff ramp, I was not upset, I motioned for conversation, window, I politely mentioned that got very close to hitting me, I quote,. ( YOU GOT IN MY WAY ), I saluted him with the finger, next thing I new his left leg was out the door and I saw a club in his hand, my right leg came right up and KICK his car door as hard as I could, this fellow will have a very lg bruise on his kneecap. One more salute and bye bye. Defend yourself at all times, Cheers........
I have screws in the bottom of my shoes and I just drag them on the road when I get tailgated and let the sparks fly. Problem instantly solved. They back off immediately.
As an instructor for semi drivers I preach SVT. Space gives you visibility and gives you time to react. At one point in the DOT handbook it actually stated “in some cases it’s safer to go with speed of traffic than posted limits” As a Fort Worth rider who’s ridden coast to coast, it’s all the same, just keep your head on a swivel, outpace traffic by five or ten mph.
and keep yourself in a highway "bubble" where you have no car within 1tp yards, right, left, front and 6. This is generally possible only outside city limits though. iba # 38875.
I always try to pick who is driving behind me (pull into the lane in front of someone that's giving plenty of space ahead of him/her). Still, if someone is following too close, I've found that after giving a very obvious glare into my mirror, 80% of the offenders will back off. Simple psychology, but it works! I think that most people don't really think about how much more dangerous it is tailgating a bike than another car or truck, so I give them a brief lesson...
It might be interesting for your fellow followers in the states to know what is happening in the UK. with regards to Tailgating. Our Motorways and main road out of towns are looked after by what is called 'Highways England' and they as an organisation of the government are charged with patrolling it with civilian staff and basically looking after it and the people who use it. In 2016 accident stats show that some 75% of all collisions were of a rear end nature and this was caused by Tailgating. That contributed some 80% of all deaths and injuries on their roads. Those totals in full were some 55 deaths and well over 7000 injured so that's a lot of people dead and injured on their roads . Remember 80% of them. Highways England have responsibility of only 1% of the roads in the UK and so one can multiply those stats and find out just what a great danger Tailgating is. You have highways which are basically the same as our main roads some with a central barrier and two or three or even four lanes in one direction. I am sure that your problem with tailgating will be the same as here in the UK. If we can get drivers to understand just what Tailgating is and to an understanding of what safe following on or STOPPING DISTANCE are then the carnage on all of our road could be reduced by at least 50%. and perhaps much more.
In Norway an "1-2-3" rule has been in place for decades, to keep a minimum of 3 seconds distance from the vehicle in front, easily done by counting 3 seconds from when the one in front passes some stationary "mark", this is stressed at driving schools with plenty of explanation as to why (reaction time et cetera), so there is no excuse.
@@Kenzofeis It's similar in the UK where we have the 2 second rule. That's ok but our Highway Code also says that at higher speeds one should be more than 2 seconds behind but doesn't give any explanation as to what higher speeds are. If we look at our own table in that booklet,of safe stopping distance it's clear that at speeds up to 40 mph is the 2 second rule applies and anything over that speed the safer distance is one of at least 3 seconds. The problem we have is that our highest authority. The DVSA handbook on safer driving and riding, a government publication recommends at times a closer position, 'not being any closer than the Thinking Distances in heavy traffic queues.' And add to that the fact that our Authorised Driving Instructors also follow that same rule and we have absolute carnage on our road due to these much too short a distance in which to stop in the event of an emergency. For example at 30 mph [ 48 kph approx] the full safe stopping distance is 75 ft [ 23 mtrs] but the thinking distance is only 30ft.[ 9mtrs] and it obviously gets worse the faster one goes. So not only am I trying to get the british public to understand the dangers of Tailgating I am going against the advice of our highest authority in doing so.
Here the idiots pass, then try to sideswipe you, then go slow in front of you, then try to block when you pass , or just tailgate aggressively again. It’s stupid.
when you do, just make sure that you have stopped with the tires facing driver and passenger of the car, so that when you dive it gas, the car will tumble. and give them a good roll.
Excellent tips, Kevin - I've practiced this for many years and wouldn't have been able to make 5 cross country trips without one incident. Not a close call, no accidents - nothing. So standing with you, I highly encourage all riders, experienced and otherwise, to take Kevin's advice to heart. Take my word for it, these tips will keep you safe and alive - and at the end of the day isn't that what it's all about? Keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride!!!
Good suggestions! Here's one more: Bright colored clothing is perceived to be a larger object and more of a threat to the driver following you. When I'm driving a car, I tend to follow a black-jacketed motorcyclist closer because he is "almost not there" so much less noticeable as if I don't need to worry about him being there. But when I see bright reflecting green or orange, I give him a lot more respect and keep my distance automatically. Bright jacket seems to work for me when I ride my motorcycle, also. Cars seem to keep their distance better.
Never had a problem with tailgaters. Use your skills etc to safely open the bike up and make that gap appear. Same with any other potential threat or difficulty. If your bike does not have the power then that's a different problem. Some bikes are so underpowered they are dangerous on modern roads.
I just get away from them however I need to. It's not that hard... Most importantly, always keep an eye on your mirrors so you know what's going on behind you.
Amen. That's why it's important to leave the mirrors on your bike and not take them off! I see so many riders on sport bikes with no mirrors, and say to myself WOW.
When someone tailgates me I pay zero attention to them and continue to do the same speed, when they pass you they tend to shoot you a dirty look or swear at you or sometimes throw something at you. I touch my brakes for a second as they pass and they end up shooting right by unable to do what they wanted to do, I take their moment from them.
I did the same thing recently. Just as I was turning onto the interstate cloverleaf ramp a black SUV came racing up on me, not necessarily tailgating but closer than I thought was necessary. I accelerated "spiritedly", quick but not WFO and leaning hard, but was surprised the SUV kept up. Hmm OK, I had to admit I was a little impressed by the driver's ability with a large vehicle like that. By the time I hit the interstate I was easily at the speed limit. The SUV switched lanes and started to over take me. Like you, Kevin, I wasn't going to let him have his moment and braked - harder than I meant to. As the black SUV shot pass me I noticed written in black on the side it said "POLICE". OOPS! He took the next exit. I thought just before passing that exit of following him and letting him know I was impressed with his driving skills - and to thank him for not ticketing me for whatever offense he deemed. Then I thought, maybe it's best to just leave things be.
Kevin Richter Car pool Lanes are the worst for this. I keep an eye on their distance from me, but usually just continue at the speed limit. Many times, it's not possible to get out of the lane due to vehicle code laws about crossing solid yellows. I just wait for them to break the law and pass by crossing the lines, being aware they might break check me when they cross back into the lane for going the speed limit. All 4 or more wheeled vehicle drivers should have to pass a motorcycle license test before being allowed to drive anything else. Hopefully, it would make them better and more understanding drivers!
Good info! I usually try to signal to the car to keep a bit more distance ('pushing' hand motion, in a non-aggressive manner). This usually helps when the tailgater is not aware he/she is tailgating. When they increase distance, I then give a thumbs up. Positive reinforcement, yo! If that does not help, I usually pull into another lane as soon as I can do so safely.
That is the method that helps me in these situations also. I ride in the Netherlands on a Valkyrie btw. A slow movement of the open hand pushing backwards almost always gives instant results. Ride save....
I'm a fellow bike rider. I had a older biker show me what he had on his bike to rid this problem ! He showed me a can of WD-40 on the left side of his bike with a Copper tube running out , under the back fender when cars ,trucks got to close he sprayed the WD- 40 , the wind catches it and Covers the windshield so they pretty much have to get of the road to clean the windshield this is really tough when the pollen is falling !
a little squirt can filled with automatic transmission fluid plumbed into an exhaust header can close down 3 lanes pretty quickly too, not legal but.... thick white clouds, you hit the windshield wiper the stuff just SMEARS, even with washer fluid in the reservoir. again, no, it's not legal, but SOME may deserve such!
Problem with that is you may cause a huge accident possibly even causing a death if the driver panics and basically loses some clear vision. Not worth it just get out of their way. No shame in avoiding as moron.
canturgan good idea, the pistol coming out of the waist really works good.. I live in a pretty shity neighborhood .the neighborhoods Good but most the people aren't... so when I get off my bike to open the gate at night it's pretty sketchy I always have my nine in my hand as I open the gate looking behind me looking around all times. Last month I was opening the gate some creepy f****** crawler can walking up saying something I can't really hear him cuz I selled my helmet on he definitely looked like a criminal it marked the most likely he was probably going to try to grab the bike something off of the bike or try to rob me or something. But when I turned around and he realized the light I was shining on the gate to open it it's not just a flashlight it was on top of my gun. He instantly changed his tune started apologizing as he was backing up really quick and got the f*** out of there. Better be safe than sorry it's also better to scare the f****** criminals let them be scared of you and maybe you'll get lucky and they'll pick someone else to f*** with.
My 3 Rules for riding: 1.) You are invisible. This fundamentally means that by the time you are seen, it is too late. I don't care if you HAVE the RIGHT-OF-WAY, you are vulnerable. Don't bother exerting your "Rights". Don't tempt the bull. 2.) LEARN to use your front brake PROPERLY. I got out in a grassy field, and played with the front brake, until I had a good sense for how that bike behaves, with locked front brake, nearly locked front brake, and minor use of it. And, how to get on it, and off it VERY quickly, to avoid loss of control. 3.) LEARN to read your pavement. When cars go down the road, oil mist falls off, usually under the ENGINE. Between the tire tracks. This oil accumulates in the tiny holes, or valleys of the rough surface. This continues to happen, till it rains just a little bit. NOW, the OIL floats up, coating your wheels, and the traction surface. Slicker than snot. AFTER a good rain, GOOD traction. then, the process begins again, as it all gets oiled, and traction slowly gets worse, until a rain. To TEST traction, use your rear brake, and skid the rear wheel for a fraction of a second. To see how much grab you've got. Really, this is for a beginner rider. But, it's still true. I really HATE to see a Harley, running down the MIDDLE of the lane, on all that oil. Also, stay in the LEFT tire track, when following anybody. So they can see you in their mirror. Thats all for now...
Everything you have said and described is what we as professional drivers do on the road. Okay I will describe what a professional driver is. A Proffesional driver is a driver who works and drives for a living. Usually we are truck drivers. Most truck drivers are bound to a higher and safer set of driving rules. Due to aggressive and non aggressive drivers as well as distracted drivers. We have to be defensive drivers all the time. We must see ahead and plan for the next move in case of an emergency 🚨 that may happen in front of us. I really love this channel because it promotes safe minded driving skills that can be used for all vehicles.
Talking Aussie road trains 50metre plus. Dusty Gravel road, truck on wrong side of road approaching. I move further he moves further. I pull to the wrong side as I figure I could leave the road on either side quite safely. I pass and and even as passing there is another truck in view on the wrong side. I was on the UPWIND side out of the dust. If I had been on the DUST side I would have spent a few kilometres in blinding choking dust and pulled back on the road only to have another truck head on. I often pull off upwind of other vehicles and stop or ride off the road. Truckies spent all day every day driving and because of there size and especially double deckers turn and stop in a reliable manner. If there cars or trucks on road I prefer the trucks any day even if they can't see you easily because of limited visibility.
You bet,and a Harley rider also has good reason too carry a extra set of spark plugs,they have saved lots of lives in biker country before everyone decided too be NICE PUNKS
"The last thing you wanna do is end up in a situation like this" - BAD EXAMPLE - The Biker had it coming to him, he hit the car drivers mirror. You didn't say One word about The Bikers Failings. This tells me you may NOT be the channel I should be watching. Sure two wrongs don't make a right and we cannot see what provoked the biker to smash the mirror but you Should have said DON'T Provoke car Drivers and put yourself in this situation - You make it look like you condone that bad behavior!
Some years back, I first installed "Hyper-Lights" (tail lights/brake lights) on my R1150GS. I then purchased an R1200GSA and installed "Skene P3" tail lights/brake lights on the R1200. On both bikes in traffic, I took note that car drivers stay back from me; more so then without these lights. These systems are well worth the money. The Skene system has a high intensity "Flicker" in the running light mode - not braking - braking mode has it's own customizable lighting pattern. I recommend the Skene system. Note: I am not a paid rep. of Skene.
When I first applied for my motorcycle license about 10 years ago here in South Dakota, I was surprised that it said you couldn't CC on a motorcycle. Fast forward 5 years. I was at the DMV with my son and out of boredom grabbed a motorcycle licensing manual. No mention of carrying a gun at all. SD must have changed the law.
This may sound a little stupid but I have noticed that alot of people will back off if they realize you are carrying. People think you are one of those hells angels 😂
Another thing I hate is when following a car they throw a lit cigarette out the window the I definitely pass them and try to let them know how inappropriate that is. You can guess the rest 😆
craven ross. It doesn’t matter if you’re a 1/8 mile behind it‘s disrespectful of the car driver. I/we are unprotected. I don’t care when they throw them out when I’m in the car.
Scrum, I guess it's a matter of opinion. I never had an issue with a cig thrown out the window. It's not disrespectful from my view point. However if they are deliberately throwing it up out the sun roof to play games with me to make sure it may hit me, that's just going to be a next stop light punch in the face if the do roll down the window...
At a speed limit of 70, cars are going to do 79 because 80 regardless of not being 15 mph over the limit is going to get you pulled over (for responsible drivers). The problem is for some reason people feel they need to keep up with or pass me. I went into middle lane to pass an 18 wheeler, then the left lane to pass a car that would have had me stuck beside the truck. Next thing I know I'm doing 90 just to keep from getting ran over. My plan was to get back into the right lane but all of a sudden everyone is doing 90 and I can't get over. This went on for 10 miles, luckily 3 miles short of my exit. But everywhere I go cars NEED to pass me and go faster. I guess being on a bike makes cagers feel less cool.
As a bicyclist, I can relate to being exposed on the road. As a cager, I just don’t want to be near the exposed folk if the traffic situation gets dicey.
I see this A LOT. I don’t get it. A similar situation is four lane divided highway 70MPH speed limit. Going 78 (the biggest ticket I can afford, lol) in the left lane, approaching a car in the right with faster traffic coming up from behind. Looks like the maneuver is going to go smooth, plenty of time to pass then take the right lane allowing the faster traffic to pass and everybody is happy. Problem happens when right lane, 70MPH guy speeds up as get even with him. ( it doesn’t happen every time maybe 4 out of 10) Still time, speed up a little more, right lane guy matches speed, now he’s doing 83-4 when I know he WAS happy at 70 all by himself. Twist the throttle 90+ now, make pass and get right lane just as faster traffic arrives. Then he drops back to his beginning speed and I pull away from him as I expected. What the heck is that? Dude never really even looked over, didn’t seem to be raging or anything, it’s sorta like he’s just vegging out, it just happens over and over. I commonly ride 5-10 over the limit on safe roads as does much of the traffic in my area and there seem to often be groups of cars rolling together 15-20 over. I need a plan to reduce how often this happens. Could I be getting myself into this? Maybe my perception is off somehow? It happens so often I gotta wonder if it’s me? It seems like a straight forward situation but maybe expecting it to happen smoothly most of the time is not reasonable. It seems to me the fact that the car being passed speeds up as I approach is the cause of the issue just as the previous post. If I blast around everyone that will eventually get me a ticket and driving the speed limit or more commonly 3-4 under kinda sux too although that’s how I handle it if traffic is heavy.
@@rustyaxelrod - exactly the same for me. But one time I borrowed a cop style helmet (white half shell) & NO-ONE f***ed with me that day. I think I'm going to buy one of those.
I really got pissed when a dumb biache road on m y tail inches from my license plate ! She was in a Beemer convertable. In a big hurry to probably get a mani-ped. I was doing the speed limit and more. She would not back off. So I downshifted to first , stopped completely, put it on the side stand and walked back to her. I asked her what her problem was, she floored it and took off. Later that day at home my phone machine was blinking. The local cops called. Said to call them. I did. The officer said I had a complaint from someone. I had road rage. I told him what had happened. He still insisted I was wrong. I said " SHE WAS THE WRONG ONE, NOT ME ". I HUNG UP, I WAS SO PISSED OFF ! NOW COPS ARD WRONG ABOUT THESE SITUATIONS ! I AM DOING NO WRONG, JUST RIDING AND ENJOYING THE DAY, TILL SOME AHOLE COMES ALONG AND RUINS IT !
I live in MONTUCKME a Buffallo Bob, silence of the lambs reference,the car drivers here are the most dangerous drivers in the U.S.,I ride in 60,a Vet, car drivers BACK OFF, Remember Motorcycles were invented first.
Tailgaters are a particularly annoying problem, especially in today's face-buried-in-the-phone driving climate. I don't get why people want to climb up your tailpipe, but they do. (I also don't get the addicted fascination people have with their phones, but that's another discussion entirely.) I had a recent experience on a beautiful two lane mountain pass. There are areas where the road widdens to allow passing every 5 or so miles. Its a fun ride, with great scenery and great turns, and a great little eatery in a quaint little town at the other end of the 80 mile cruise that's a perfect rest/recharge spot before making the return trip. While some drivers and riders try to set land speed records, it is best enjoyed at, or a little above, the posted limit of 60 mph. (The road is also notorious for deadly one car accidents, and some head-ons. Most of them are the result of excessive speed. The worst offenders seem to be SUV drivers. I guess they feel they have a need to prove their station wagon / minivan mutation is just as nimble and quick as any other vehicle on the road. I don't know why frustrated Gran Prix driver wannabes seem to be attracted to these stylized shoeboxes, but they are. I had one tailgate me for several miles on one ride, and numerous attemps to get the driver to either back off or pass me failed. I sped up. I slowed down in the passing areas only to have them slow with me. I even slowed in one passing area, pointed directly at the driver behind me and gave the hand signal to go around me. Several times. No response. (Pulling over isn't really an option because the road has uneven, gravel or cinder shoulders that are not at all bike friendly.) Finally in frustration, I held up my left arm straght out to my side, bent at 90 degrees at the elbow with my hand in a fist and middle finger rigidly pointing at the sky. It took the "klingon" almost 10 seconds to interpret my meaning, but then she suddenly slowed and backed off to about six or seven car lengths. She stayed well back for the rest of the journey. I usually avoid unpleasantries on the road with other vehicles. I try to keep my emotion in check and let myself enjoy the ride. Its never a good idea to become indignant with a crazy cage jockey. Its guaranteed that whoever has the most lug nuts will win. (Hint: your bike doesn't have any.) I'm not out to prove anything on my bike; I simply want to experience that awesome feeling that riding my motorcycle always delivers. Flipping someone off is usually not a good idea because it can trigger an escalating aggression that you will not win. But in this case, it had the desired effect.
I have a Seagrams pouch filled with 1/2" ball bearings hanging on my bars. Found that flipping one or two over my shoulder makes them back off real fast.
Thought of that. Unlike "D White" below, I'm not interested in reporting you. I would suggest a switch to paint balls though. (Works great & no fingerprints).
Riding to slow? LOL 😆 🤣 😂 . 60 in a 40 and still have PU drivers and jeep cheerokee come up on me out of no where. . Pull over then they get a attitude, and go real slow or throw something out the window at you.... You have to do illegal things to get them off you!!! Nothing else works anymore with the assholes around here.
Well, there's always the "vest pocket full of 5/8" nuts and bolts tossed gently over the shoulder, turning tailgating asshat's windshield into a spiderweb of cracks" approach...seriously though, the solution I've found the most effective in my 30 someodd years of riding is sudden rapid acceleration when possible...which really goes against my usual mellow riding style! Good advice, new sub!
When you mentioned the cow, I was reminded of training I received at a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class. I was on a long sweeping left turn going at the speed limit, when I see a cow in the middle of the road standing sideways. Luckily it is facing left so if it spooks and runs it should move out of the way. But it has about three feet of my intended line of travel blocked. The training kicked and I immediately stood the bike up straight, braked hard to reduce speed, missed the cow, then pressed hard on the left grip in an effort to stay on the road. I barely got it turning left in time. My front tire was right on the edge of the black top. I was leaned over and would have crashed if the tire had gone into the gravel. I coasted slow for awhile to catch my breath and was thanking my HOG safety officer for pressuring me to take the MSF class.
Tailgaters scare the heck out of me. Have learned those techniques. Pulling over is my most used. Riding in the mountains and only having a 2 lane with double yellow in bad situations with no pull over spot I have indicated right turn signal and used left arm old-school turn signal with very clear sight line ahead and slowed in about a foot or two of the road edge, to safely allow car to pass. I do like the prey/predator analogy.
Don't do anything to provoke other drivers if you can help it at all. Too many people are ready to flip into rage mode. I've dealt with that twice in recent years with bad drivers that endangered me after responding with either a horn honk or headlight flick to their crappy, self-absorbed driving. This in a car. Even worse if your on a bike.
Another great advice, thank you! Earlier today, one expensive-looking Mercedes tailgater tails me on single-laned-30km(20miles)/h road. It was one of those straight road in residential area, so I couldn't do more than 40km/h. People sometimes do cross that road. And BOY it was intense (at least for me). But I maintained following distance (also thanks to you), and he eventually overtook me and gone. After that, this video came up! After watching, I'm proud of myself for staying cool. ..But I know it's bad but I still kinda wish that Mercedes SOB wrecks his car somewhere else. I will never understand why people with nice cars do those dangerous things. They don't like their cars or what...?
I agree with every comment here. But once You drive a nice benz or bimmer or Audi you will understand ... Just so hard to feel the speed in those cars....and they also have a huge ego and narcissism.... Ride safe
I've also found that most drivers don't realize they're too close and a simple hand gesture using an open hand fingers spread so they can see them and motion like you're pushing them backwards most times backs them off obviously it will not work every time but I've personally had a lot of success with this.
Is a Piaggio mp3 300 a safe bike. If I buy a bike I’m 100 miles from a dealer y’all live? Is that to far for service on these bikes? And do these bikes need serving a lot. Tks It is a different kind of bike
Great Video Sir. Please make one about other biker friends riding mistake to all in danger. Many good friends I dont ride with because is unpredictable. Thank you Sir
