What to do?

[apteryx_haasti]

About impatient wankers in cages?

OK, so I went for a nice ride this morning, my third since I got my bike (first bike, yay) last week. No problems at all except for - on at least 3 occasions over my 1.5 hr ride - being followed too close and not being given time to just take my time and do my own thing.

Hello - L-plate on bike, might mean that I slow down a bit more than you're expecting for a corner and perhaps might not be so flash at accelerating away, either, and if you don't like it, perhaps you could just eff off and get out of my tail pipe! And don't honk at me after I've turned, either, you tosser. Phew, deeeeep breath. But seriously, how wanky is that?

(although, definite improvements, did a real nice slow no brakes approach and turn at roundabout - last time I would have had to stop completely and go from there...)

I was told by a friend who also rides that getting my bike license would also make me a much better car driver - I can see how that will be the case - I certainly won't be up someones arse if they are on a bike and I'm in a car!

Right then, I've finished my rant. Feel better already!

[Whynot]

all i can say is ..... get used to it.
It truly amazes me how many times every day i have to deal with cagers doing stupid and/or dumb things.

just dont let it get to you and keep your eyes open

:rockon:

[T.I.E]

definately try to find those quiet roads. and most cagers have no respect for bikes or any "L"plate people.
sounds like your keeping it together well. just try to holdback the urge to stop and blow the crap out of the drivers. even though it does feel good.:mega:

[scumdog]

Always give 'em a nice cheery wave when they honk at you;

(a) It could be somebody that knows you:ride:
or
(b) If it's somebody that is pissed off with you it will confuse them.:confused:

[apteryx_haasti]

Always give 'em a nice cheery wave when they honk at you

How many fingers do you have to use for it to qualify as a cheery wave...? I'm not sure I used enough...

Other than the jerks in cars, I had a great ride - got the nod from a fellow going the other way on his bike, had a nice chat with a guy outside the bike shop about how I was liking the bike...

Oh yeah, did some hill work and even ventured onto the motorway (and almost immediately broke my license conditions...:laugh: )

[chickenfunkstar]

Hey there, welcome to riding.

If I were you i'd just pull over and let the tailgater past, the last thing you really need as a learner is to spend too much time looking whats behind you and not enough time looking ahead to see whats coming up. Once you get more experiance there's a few other things which you can do, like weaving around and randomly accelerating, or just overtaking a couple of cars so they're not behind you anymore. I wouldn't really reccomend these if you're new though.

Take care,

CFS

[BarBender]

If I were you i'd just pull over and let the tailgater past, the last thing you really need as a learner is to spend too much time looking whats behind you and not enough time looking ahead to see whats coming up.

Well said.

[Madness]

weaving around and randomly accelerating, overtaking a couple of cars so they're not behind you anymore. I wouldn't really reccomend these if you're new though.

I agree. With time you too will become a hooligan. It happens to most of us as a result of conditioning by sharing the roads with wankers like those you met today. Assertion of dominance over cagers is required whenever possible, to keep them in line (and behind us).

Keep up the good work.

[madboy]

Did someone say hooligan?

Today I went for a quick blat over the local, which unfortunately involves some dreary open road riding to get there. Cruising down boring piece of road that shall remain nameless and most of the cars I'm coming up on are moving over, giving me more than enough space to pass them and still stay inside the yellow line. Perfectly legal. Except I'm doing 120 and they're not, but ya know...

So about four or five cars have moved over, just completely random that I struck it lucky there. I wasn't tailgating, wasn't flashing light, horn, nothing, just cars seemed to be moving. Anyway, car number five or six is some fella in an old Falcon. As I'm cruising up behind him, he suddenly moves from hugging the left hand white line to literally sitting on the centre yellow. Okay, fine, we're less than half a kay from a passing lane. So I sit there waiting patiently. Then he starts slowing and dropping back from the car in front of him, so of course that means I get closer to him. Then he flicks me the bird. Like, WTF?

Now a responsible rider realises that said car driver might be either having a bad day or a complete wanker. Either way, old Falcon = 1500kg plus fat cunt whereas modern sportsbike = <300kg incl fat cunt. Responsible rider drops back as far as possible until safe passing opportunity or stops and lets car disappear.

But the hooligan biker smiles, drops a few gears, pins it down the inside before the fat cunt knows what's happening and cruises up behind the next car in the queue, right in time for the passing lane. Holds the pace at 150ish and notes said fat cunt is gradually catching up. Falcoon starts tailgating bike. Bike starts slowing down to match speed of Transit van one car length ahead in slow lane. Passing lane ends, Transit van starts moving across. Bike blips past transit van at very last opportunity. The story ends with Falcoon tailgating Transit van.

Now obviously I choose the responsible option every time.

[Madness]

The scenario Madboy describes there is what I call "Planting". There is no better way to stick one up an inconsiderate cager than to "Plant" them behind the nearest Lada/Diesel Van/Truck/Centenarian.

The level of satisfaction I personally get from from doing this almost makes putting up with wankers worthwile.

Hey Madboy... Plate fall off again yesterday? Might want to try Nyloc Nuts!!
PT

[Virago]

.....most cagers have no respect for bikes or any "L"plate people......
.........A rather pathetic statement that can only confirm my own view that most Honda riders are narrow-minded bigots!:motu:

As a late-learner, Mrs V is still riding around rather slowly and jerkily with her L-plate on. We find that the vast majority of car drivers show patience and understanding - the few that don't are usually the boy-racer type.

I actually note that the most impatient road users on such a training run, are our fellow bikers, who will agressively tailgate for a short distance before overtaking (or perhaps undertaking).

From personal experience, I reckon there are a greater proportion of dickheads on bikes, than there are in cars.

You will always get the occasional arsehole in a car, but as Scumdog said, a friendly wave will either defuse or confuse!:innocent:

[slimjim]

:innocent: well wait til you get a bigger bike sonny, yup bigger boots,, easyier to oops knock off their mirrors for been a wanker in a tin roof,, yea years of this to come,, years,:shutup: :shutup: :shutup:

[wendy]

yeah same happens to me.

after my accident i slowed down at corners a lot more and got cars up my arse and its like they expect you to go fast/speed cause your on a bike.

cars overtaking me is what i hate cause they seem to pass so close :Oi:

dont go more than your comfortable with.

[Insanity_rules]

.........A rather pathetic statement that can only confirm my own view that most Honda riders are narrow-minded bigots!:motu:

As a late-learner, Mrs V is still riding around rather slowly and jerkily with her L-plate on. We find that the vast majority of car drivers show patience and understanding - the few that don't are usually the boy-racer type.

I actually note that the most impatient road users on such a training run, are our fellow bikers, who will agressively tailgate for a short distance before overtaking (or perhaps undertaking).

From personal experience, I reckon there are a greater proportion of dickheads on bikes, than there are in cars.

You will always get the occasional arsehole in a car, but as Scumdog said, a friendly wave will either defuse or confuse!:innocent:

From experience I rode around Wellington a lot (3500K's) with the L plate on, not slowly or wobbly either and encountered so many dickheads tailgaiting me, buzzing me and cutting me off that I removed the offending L plate. Surprise! as soon as I removed it no more tailgaiting. I'm glad Mrs V had only good experiences on her L's but I sure as hell didn't.
Since then I've come up with some great tricks (and been taught a few too) for dealing with ass hats in the traffic.

[apteryx_haasti]

Interesting feedback - sounds like it's just something I'll have to learn to deal with. I also hate being tailgated when I'm driving a car, perhaps I have some kind of compulsive disorder?

Anyway, went for another ride on Sunday. The wind was much more of a factor than any car driver that day, but I still got passed in a 50 km/hr zone (and yes, I was doing the speed limit) by a car...at least they did it safely(ish) and with a wide road.

But I haven't been game to commute to work yet (Hutt to Wgtn) even though this was the reason for getting the bike. Kicked myself for not going in by bike today, looks like it would have been a splendid day for it!

Never mind - there's always Thursday (next fine day according to the forecast...probably good to have a fine day for the first one, huh?)

CHeers everyone. Glad I was told about this site!

[James Deuce]

I want to know what the hell a Greater Spotted Kiwi is doing riding a motorcycle. You're endangered! Get back to your breeding programme and leave the roads to us humans!

[Madness]

I think you may have ridden past my house yesterday (Alicetown).

I'd reccomend riding with other bikes. Strength in numbers etc.etc. Keep an eye out for newbie rides, organised by Uncle B.

[madboy]

but I still got passed in a 50 km/hr zone (and yes, I was doing the speed limit) by a car...at least they did it safely(ish) and with a wide road.Bear in mind bike speedos are notoriously optimistic, much more so than many cars (particularly modern ones). So GN saying 50 may equate to car speedo saying somewhat less. Not making excuses for a car passing, but that is a reason why a car may choose to pass you.

But I haven't been game to commute to work yet (Hutt to Wgtn) even though this was the reason for getting the bike.Well if you want a taste of the advantages a bike has when commuting, I can give you a ride to work :devil2:

[Deano]

The scenario Madboy describes there is what I call "Planting". There is no better way to stick one up an inconsiderate cager than to "Plant" them behind the nearest Lada/Diesel Van/Truck/Centenarian.

The level of satisfaction I personally get from from doing this almost makes putting up with wankers worthwile.



So that's what its called.......

I did that on the weekend to put a slow poke at the end of a passing lane between me and the tailgater. Some careful timing and speed calculation and watch them spew in the rear vision mirror.

[Deano]

I want to know what the hell a Greater Spotted Kiwi is doing riding a motorcycle.


He can't fly......:sick:

[Squeak the Rat]

.........A rather pathetic statement that can only confirm my own view that most Honda riders are narrow-minded bigots!:motu:

As a late-learner, Mrs V is still riding around rather slowly and jerkily with her L-plate on. We find that the vast majority of car drivers show patience and understanding - the few that don't are usually the boy-racer type.

I actually note that the most impatient road users on such a training run, are our fellow bikers, who will agressively tailgate for a short distance before overtaking (or perhaps undertaking).
Mate, you live in Dunedin. That's not a piss take, it's a comment that things are a little more chilled down there than where the spotted kiwi who started the thread or the person you quoted are from.

:shake: (man that's a fat arse - must be a kiwi chick)

[bert_is_evil]

How about taking their plate number and making a complaint on the driving hotline? Might make them think twice next time if they get a warning letter from LTSA in the post. Of course usually when someone in a car tries to kill me I'm too busy trying not to throw up in my helmet to think about recording a plate number. Anyone else respond to near death with near vomiting?

[James Deuce]

You've got an adrenal gland problem mate.

[madboy]

Anyone else respond to near death with near vomiting?Nope, I'm so caught up in my own glory that I refuse to accept death applies to me.

[Virago]

Mate, you live in Dunedin. That's not a piss take, it's a comment that things are a little more chilled down there than where the spotted kiwi who started the thread or the person you quoted are from.....
Fair comment - and confirmation we're living in biker paradise down here.....:nya:

[apteryx_haasti]

You're endangered! Get back to your breeding programme and leave the roads to us humans!


You obviously haven't heard that there's a man drought in Wgtn!

Ah ha ha ha....

As for the post about the advantages of bike commuting, I drove my car today and certainly saw the advantage on the way home...I was stuck in traffic...

But I made sure to leave a nice space next to me for any bikes that were going by...

[madboy]

...As for the post about the advantages of bike commuting, I drove my car today and certainly saw the advantage on the way home...I was stuck in traffic...Yeah, some traffic that was tonight. Even I slowed down for it. In fact I think my stressful job is making me old before my time, I got passed splitting by a GN!

[XP@]

Of course usually when someone in a car tries to kill me I'm too busy trying not to throw up in my helmet to think about recording a plate number. Anyone else respond to near death with near vomiting?
What a weapon! Buy a flip up lid - when someone tries to kill you flip it up, turn your head and puke your guts out!

Just remember to warn your pillion...

Seriously, the only way to deal with any dangerous situation it to remain calm, avoid the confilct and ride within your limits.

There is no point being in the right if you are dead.

Also remember, that a car has one heluva lot more rubber on the road than you, and will, in most cases stop faster, the only question is, are they paying attention.

[Limb]

Indicate left and move over. It's in the road code!!. Try it sometime the only horn honking you will get is to say thankyou.

[bell]

Indicate left and move over. It's in the road code!!. Try it sometime the only horn honking you will get is to say thankyou.

My wife loves me even more when I do this, saves her hearing the usual muttered curses about the driving habits of some members of the driving public.
Insanity wrote "Since then I've come up with some great tricks (and been taught a few too) for dealing with ass hats in the traffic."
Teach me more tricks! A new thread? Just for "entertainment purposes" shall we? :blip:

[FilthyLuka]

Since then I've come up with some great tricks (and been taught a few too) for dealing with ass hats in the traffic.

heehee, my brother use to have a kawasaki z750 (old twin jobbie) with a dodgy ignition key barrel lock :gob: . You could take out the key whilst the bike was on... Funny how the amounts of tin tops that got keyed increased after he discovered this
From this we gather: dodgy ignition barrel = a whole new class of motorized anarchy...

[diggydog]

i drive a cage, and i always observe a motorcyclist when driving i pull to the left to let them by.
I don't know about people like myself letting bikes pass, is wheather they have a motorbike like me or just good manners or pracatice.

[sunhuntin]

heehee, my brother use to have a kawasaki z750 (old twin jobbie) with a dodgy ignition key barrel lock :gob: . You could take out the key whilst the bike was on... Funny how the amounts of tin tops that got keyed increased after he discovered this
From this we gather: dodgy ignition barrel = a whole new class of motorized anarchy...

my old gn used to be like that. i chained the key to the indicator to stop it jumping out.

[andrea]

Wow you must be stoked on ya first bike aye, good on ya gurl!:scooter: :2thumbsup Anyways ive had alot of wankers causing abit of trouble en stuff, i usually give em the fingers, or ride up to their window and swear at them.
but yeah i find the best way is to zip through traffic and leave them behind following the other cars lol.
Just take your time and pull over and let the wankers pass, you'll get alot of them, hmm especially up here in jaffaland it sux. my friend whose a student pilot at ardmore says that one of the instructors who lives over west side would ride up to the driver or passenger side door and knock off the side mirrors and then take off lol. but i wouldnt recommend that ahem :devil2: hehe.

[FilthyLuka]

my friend whose a student pilot at ardmore says that one of the instructors who lives over west side would ride up to the driver or passenger side door and knock off the side mirrors and then take off lol. but i wouldnt recommend that ahem :devil2: hehe.

Apparanly there was a dude who tried to kick of a wing mirror and ended up putting his boot through the passenger side window! That's gotta be a wake up call to the driver...

pfff! minor laserations! its the coolness thats important :2thumbsup

seriously now, lots of wankers on the road. Sadly we have to live with it :( .
who was the genious that accepted the "i didn't see you" excuse anyway?

Denis

[Rincewind]

yeah same happens to me.

after my accident i slowed down at corners a lot more and got cars up my arse and its like they expect you to go fast/speed cause your on a bike.

cars overtaking me is what i hate cause they seem to pass so close :Oi:

dont go more than your comfortable with.

I remember a car overtook me once,don't think I was concentrating,probably fidling with the carb or doing up a boot strap Ha Ha

[Drum]

Hope to see you on the hutt to city commute real soon apteryx_haasti.

Oh, and as for the cagers - theyre just jealous! Have a good laugh, stay chilled, and split right past em at the lights - they really hate that!

I like to give a nod to any cagers that move over out of your way. I suspect theyre bikers forced to drive to work (coz thats me some days!).

[apteryx_haasti]

Hope to see you on the hutt to city commute real soon apteryx_haasti.

Thanks! I've been once so far - then I got this effin bug that's going round and suddenly it's been two weeks with no riding! I figured that uncontrollable coughing fits and motorcycling (on a learners, anyway!) probably don't go together all that well...

But look at that day today! I am off for a big ride - back on the (petrol) horse!

I have also become one of those cagers that moves over for bikes...didn't take long either after getting the bike before I started to do that. One of my other bikie friends told me that getting a bike license would make me a much better driver, more aware of what all's going on around me, and more aware of bikes. Definitely seems to be true.

Anyway - hope to be doing the commute most days real soon - gotta learn by doing, after all!

Take care.

edit: been for a 2 hour / 60 km ride from the mighty Eastbourne out to Silverstream/Upper Hutt the back way, past Wallaceville, through Mangaroa Valley, back to Lower Hutt on the Motorway and then (sadly) back to Eastbourne where I was meant to be this whole time...since I should be studying. Damn nice ride tho....damn nice....

[Kendog]

That wasn't you we saw cruising along behind a bus load of rugby? players at about 1:30ish coming up to the lights at the bottom of the Haywards was it? We'd all just been undertaken by someone on a small green bike :nono:
I beeped to say hi anyhow.:scooter:
Mrs KD

[apteryx_haasti]

That wasn't you we saw cruising along behind a bus load of rugby? players at about 1:30ish coming up to the lights at the bottom of the Haywards was it? We'd all just been undertaken by someone on a small green bike :nono:
I beeped to say hi anyhow.:scooter:
Mrs KD

That was me! The L-plate GN 250 (the red (goes faster) one going more than 70...:blah: ). I heard ya beep. That's one thing I like about bikers, I've been waved at, nodded at and beeped at. It's cool.

I've pretty much decided to ignore the 70 thing - seems like a primo recipe for road paste to me. I will keep under 100 but with the traffic as much as possible... I did slow down to 70 for a wee while - went past a traffic cop who had pulled someone over, but after that, back up to blat!

Great ride today - hopefully I will get out for a while tomorrow. Hope y'all also had a good ride!

Cheers!

[Drum]

Yesterday was as nice a day for riding in Wellington as I can remember.

Good thing is that there will be thousands more days just like it!

[grandpa_dave]

Being passed by a car when you are doing 70 isn't that much fun....but one of my most sphincter contracting moments would have to have been on a ride from Hamilton to raglan one day.
Riding along passing all the cars doing about 12-130 or so, got near the end of the straight (or as near as I was comfortable overtaking in anyway), was still doing about 120 as I was pulling in behind a car. As you are still speeding the last thing you expect is someone to overtake you and so I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to what was behind me, rather concentrating on the cars ahead when all of a sudden 2 wickedly loud sports bikes (one R1 and a ducatti of some description) blitzed past me and the 3 cars ahead of me doing what I would estimate at no less than 160!
The first time this happens to you you will have a new respect for the tintoppers who claim they didn't see you and probably make you much more alert on your bike, coz even though you are going a bit quick there are those still going quicker.
Be particularly careful in passing situations if you are doing much over 100 and overtaking a line of cars, because one of them might decide to pull out and overtake aswell!