OK - I think I crapped my pants

[Tank]

So now that I have many, many, many miles of exprience riding a bike (about 70) I decided to tackle the "harder" route to work for the first time today.

So I'm trying to do everything possible to do everything right. Im even keeping with the flow of traffic even tho' its 80 because I think thats safer than staying at 70 and getting run over.

The roads two lanes wide and I'm in the left.

Then along comes a guy (I'll change his name to protct the innocent - lets call him "Shit4brains"). So, 'ol Shit4brains decides to tailgate me - there is plenty of room on the other lane - but nooooo Shit4brains wants to sit right behind me.

Now this is bad enough - but Mr Shit4brains drives a Dodge Ram - yes one of those absoultley fucken HUGE trucks thats like owning your own heavy haulage company. He stays about 2 meters behind me.

I wanted to pull over or off the road, but was scared to slow - there is no way I had any room to do so.

In the end I had to stay like that until a roundabout that I had to take a turn off (not mine btw) too fast (for me anyhow) just to get out of his road.

Any advise on how to deal with this (other than carring a bag of large'ish ball bearings to throw thru this windscreen).:innocent:

C

P.S. just checked trousers now I have stopped shaking - you will be glad to know all is well.

[WarlockNZ]

Dude ...

Sorry to hear you had a nasty experience.

My advice would be to take the L plate off your bike ... those things just make you a target.

You only have a couple of options to deal with shit4brains .. get out of his way by moving up through traffic or slowing right down and forcing him to slow down behind you.

Neither one of these would be a good option with only 70K of road exp.

Get more comfortable in traffic before you go back on the motorway mate.

Stay safe out there.

[canarlee]

or get a bigger truck and go hunting for said shitforbrains......

[WarlockNZ]

or get a bigger truck and go hunting for said shitforbrains......

I'll bring the marshmallows. :Punk::Punk:

[Tank]

Dude ...

Get more comfortable in traffic before you go back on the motorway mate.

Stay safe out there.

Thanks for the note - but just a BTW - wasnt the Motorway - just the normal two laned roads around here...

[WarlockNZ]

Thanks for the note - but just a BTW - wasnt the Motorway - just the normal two laned roads around here...

bugger me ! .. you didn't happen to get the plate of shit4brains did you ??

[bert_is_evil]

I used to tap my back brake in that situation, not hard enough to slow but just enough to make the brake light flash on and off. I'm usually the one tailgating now though.
oh and definitely take the L plate off, if a cop asks you why you don't have it just tell them the truth and hope they sympathise - I doubt they'd beleive the "it was there when I left home" story

[WarlockNZ]

oh and definitely take the L plate off, if a cop asks you why you don't have it just tell them the truth and hope they sympathise - I doubt they'd beleive the "it was there when I left home" story

Care to comment Scummy ... i can see you watching ... LOL

[bert_is_evil]

Care to comment Scummy ... i can see you watching ... LOL

I noticed that too...

[Albino]

One option is to indicate, slow down and pull into a side street or driveway. Do it very slowly to begin with so he can see what you are doing and chances are he's just being a cock instead of wanting to attempt murder. In other words get out of the situation then get back on the road without the pressure/danger.

Being tailgated while on the bike is one thing I hate, and it sucks that it people do this to bikes especially learners.

Chin up, it sounds like you have a good awareness and desire to learn so you should make a good motorcyclist :scooter:

[canarlee]

as said by someone on another thread, learners allways seem to be a target fo assholes!

im with the opinion of get rid of the L plate and see what difference it makes!

[Rosie]

Some people will want to tailgate you, L plate or not. As some others have said, all you can do is pull over and let people like that go past. Since bikes are small it's usually fairly easy to find enough space to pull over and let someone pass you. You might like to practise pulling over and pulling back into traffic when there is no-one behind you, so you feel more confident to do so in more stressful situations.

[Tank]

WarlockNZ - nagh - Didnt get his plate number. Seriously he was too close behind me to see - I would have had to turn right around and looked down. Not an attractive option at the time.

I'll drop the "L" plate this evening. To be honest I thought they would have helped - but it sounds like this isnt the case. Anyone tried a "Baby on board" plate - did that help more?

Apart from the other obvious downsides - I wonder if I wore a BlackPower jacket (no affiliation) would the same middle aged accountant still tailgate me?

[Tank]

Having thought that thru - since Im on a bright red GN250 - its gonna be hard to pull off the look.

[delusionz]

Yeah come to think of it I've had a dodge ram up my arse before, wouldn't surprise me if it was the same guy. Must be some wanker that targets bikers. When people get too close I flash my brake light by tapping on the rear brake.

[WarlockNZ]

Anyone tried a "Baby on board" plate

Brilliant!!! .. LOL ..


I wonder if I wore a BlackPower jacket (no affiliation) would the same middle aged accountant still tailgate me?

I don't think he would ... funny how cage drivers can always see the gang members riding a bike, but never the guy on a bright yellow sports bike.

[skelstar]

Dump the L-plate. I find just waving them back works...and thumbs up if they do. Sometimes its hard to judge the distance to a bike.

[sunhuntin]

leave the plate on... the fine would be huge, and your insurace company may do a runner should the unthinkable happen. ive kept mine on, and its so black, that it can barely be seen, lol.

do as suggested above... indicate, and pull over slowly. i also tap the brakes, and have nearly been hit due to wankers ignoring the little flashes off red... that means i jab the brake and come to an almost complete stop before zipping out of the way.

i have learned: carrying a large number of cardboard boxes on the back gets rid of tail gaters... specially if the load "looks" insecure. also, just dropping my left hand from the bar to down the side of the bike has made them back off. [as if i can have a handful of ballbearings, and still have room for the bar! LOL]

[gijoe1313]

That sounds very unprofessional for a truck driver to be an arsehole like that :angry2: At least you kept it together and didn't panic completely! :yes:

As WarlockNZ said, a bit more experience, some reflection and practicing of skills will see you right... and at least you have a tale to tell when your L plate falls off and you fondly(!) remember back on this terrifying time of your biking career. :sweatdrop

[WarlockNZ]

I noticed your on the shore mate..

Consider coming over west for the AWNMR (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=53059&highlight=AWNMR)

It would be well worth your time. :)

[Tank]

leave the plate on... the fine would be huge,

Good point - anyone know how much the fine is?

[WarlockNZ]

Good point - anyone know how much the fine is?

$400 springs to mind ... i could be wrong tho

[Tank]

$400 springs to mind ... i could be wrong tho

WOW!!!!:gob: OK - The L plate stays on. At least it gives my kids something to laugh at.

[Tank]

I noticed your on the shore mate..

Consider coming over west for the AWNMR (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=53059&highlight=AWNMR)

It would be well worth your time. :)


I normally try to keep away from the West - you know the mullets, black singlets, Euawn McGreggor and all that.

But since that seems to be a gathering of nice (normal) folk - count me in. Ill be there next Wednesday. Thanks for the info.

If anyone is heading over from the Shore and sees this PM me - he can head over together.

[Crisis management]

Sorry you had a bad time, but it does happen to everyone so you will have to get used to it. Unfortunately, being a learner, your a bit more nervous than an experienced rider and it is going to take you a few more hours in traffic to get over that feeling.
This is not a HTFU post, more of a reality check; take a few deep breaths, keep thinking and if you feel endangered pull off the road and let them go.

Now get back out there! :scooter:

[davereid]

It will still happen even when you are on a large bike, happens to me all the time on my scooter - even though I am doing the speed limit or a bit over, it seems people NEED to pass a scooter !.

But I agree the L plate seems to bring out the worst in some drivers. Possibly you could attach the L plate somewhere on the bike where it attached to the rear of the motorcycle, and clearly visable, just not to idiots directly behind you.

For example the left hand side of the number plate, facing forward. The back of the L plate is the only bit the guy behind can see, and you can paint that black.

[gijoe1313]

I remember the first time I had a serious (serial?) tailgater ... I remembered the line from "Hunt for the Red October" and started doing the "Crazy Ivan" - just swerving from side to side, usually gets the response of "what the ...." :lol:

And they back off ... usually ... :innocent: Persistent buggers I just pull over to the side and then follow them... :devil2:

[MSTRS]

gijoe has the idea. Call it 'practising counter-steering'....

[johan]

if you find yourself tailgated, keep heaps of space to the next vehicle in front of you. This way you don't have to break hard if the vehicle in front of you do so. Of course, this might annoy your tailgater even more.

I usually give them a sarcastic thumb up. Most of them get the point...

[Deviant]

Someone needs to come up with some kind of camera that attaches to the rear of you bike and is operable from the front controls. Hit the button, FLASH! The camera will pick up the number plate, car, driver's face, and distance (a built in laser to detect distance would be good too). Driver realises he's been snapped tailgating a motocyclist which is fucking dangerous and a cunt of a thing to do, and slows way the fuck down before he gets snapped again (therefore proving that he knew what he was doing and didn't attempt to stop it when you indicated that he was too close).

EDIT: The purpose of this would be that you can take it in to the cop shop and they'll send the driver a fine, as well as demerit points or loss of licence for being a cock on the road, playing games with people's lives.

[devnull]

stuff the camera... pass the shotgun :devil2:

[Tank]

Driver realises he's been snapped tailgating a motocyclist which is fucking dangerous and a cunt of a thing to do, and slows way the fuck down before he gets snapped again .

More likely - Driver realises he's been snapped and decides to run you over and remove the camera from whats left of your bike - thus avoiding any demerit points.

[Deviant]

I initially thought of that, but in 99% of cases tailgaters are doing it in public areas such as on motorways in rush hour, or busy streets. I don't think many people would risk going to jail for murder just to avoid a driving ticket.

[marioc]

So drop the l-plate for a mob patch then?

[inlinefour]

So now that I have many, many, many miles of exprience riding a bike (about 70) I decided to tackle the "harder" route to work for the first time today.

So I'm trying to do everything possible to do everything right. Im even keeping with the flow of traffic even tho' its 80 because I think thats safer than staying at 70 and getting run over.

The roads two lanes wide and I'm in the left.

Then along comes a guy (I'll change his name to protct the innocent - lets call him "Shit4brains"). So, 'ol Shit4brains decides to tailgate me - there is plenty of room on the other lane - but nooooo Shit4brains wants to sit right behind me.

Now this is bad enough - but Mr Shit4brains drives a Dodge Ram - yes one of those absoultley fucken HUGE trucks thats like owning your own heavy haulage company. He stays about 2 meters behind me.

I wanted to pull over or off the road, but was scared to slow - there is no way I had any room to do so.

In the end I had to stay like that until a roundabout that I had to take a turn off (not mine btw) too fast (for me anyhow) just to get out of his road.

Any advise on how to deal with this (other than carring a bag of large'ish ball bearings to throw thru this windscreen).:innocent:

C

P.S. just checked trousers now I have stopped shaking - you will be glad to know all is well.

Sounds like you have done exactly the sort of thing that quite possibly the majority of good riders have done at some stage or another. I was lucky that I started riding offroad at a quite young age and those skills allways served me very well. Besides at least your not stuck in a wheelchair like me bro, I occasionally crap my pants and there is sweet fark all I can do about it. I was taught to go back to the road that I have problems with and keep riding through it until I am confident with it again. I was told by a wise man that if I did not do it after the first time I crapped off the bike on the road that if I did not there was a good chance that I would quit riding or more to the point never be a confident rider. That advice served me well and the only time I have not done that is on my last ride that cost me the use of my body. So in short, go hard or go home. Get back on the steed and concure that bit of road that caused the problem. You will be a far better rider for doing it. :yes:

Oh and if you have trouble with anothervehicle, just "accidently" ding or scratch the side of the vehicle with part of your bike or whatever else works. Allways made me feel better :devil2:

[Nasty]

Wow .. I still crap myself if someone that big tails on my arse ... so I do as an ole' cop mate taught me and move into his line of sight (he obviously is looking straight pass ya) .. and then slow down! ...

The limit is the limit but is not a target speed ... you need to slow down to allow for yourself to stop and him room to stop as well (according to Defensive driving) .. you did great!!! he is just another arsehole!

[ambler]

In that situation where the other lane is clear, just graaadually slow right down, those eejits will take the other lane soon enough.
I had a similar thing a while ago with a fancy BMW up behind me flashing his lights etc on a 3-lane highway where we were almost alone. I slowed down a little and soon he ripped past me (with the obligatory dangerous close cut-in right in front of me) and sped off. As luck would have it a few kms down the road there had been a huge crash and all three lanes were blocked up... but not for me :) So showed him my middle finger as I rode casually past - and the funny thing was he flashed his lights at me again then. This was great because if he had not done that, I would never be sure if he even noticed my fingering hehehe. But with the light flash it was confirmed, as well as demonstrating just how pissed he must have been to even bother flashing at all.

[crashe]

Try these three things in this order until they back off.

1. Tap the brakes - To make the lights light up. (but you don't actually brake hard)
2. Drop hand and signal/wave - To tell them to back off.
3. Shake your bike - That way they think 'Shit' they (the rider) are gonna fall off and I don't want to run the person over. They don't care about the bike but its the thought of running a body over that gets them)
PS: This is not counter steering but by making the bike shake, the driver behind gets real nervous and backs right away.

4. If none of the above things works, then indicate and pull over and let the pratt pass you.


Own the road - Cos you have every right to be on the road the same as any other vehicle.

[babyblade250rr]

yep i reckon L plate or no L plate big bike or 250cc when an idiot wants to tailgate he/she mostly HE! will but we do have one advantage over these silly cage drivers.....Acceleration!! has got me out of trouble numerous times and no car that i've come across can compete with that:Punk:

Glad to hear you came off ok though

[oldrider]

Death avoidance is part of biking and it's always gone well if you are writing or talking about it.

There is no set procedure, every situation is different and you take action according to the way you see it at the time! (situation ethics)

I have been doing it for 52 years, I am not a very good rider, my only claim to fame is, I am still here, still doing it! :ride: Keep it upright, cheers John.

[Vagabond]

If you were in your car would his actions have worried you?

If not just forget about him and ride your ride!

Obviously keep an eye on him.

[Paul in NZ]

If you want to live a long and happy life just find a place to get out of his way and let karma take care of it. There is a better than even chance that the driver of a truck like that has some kind of personality 'issue' so warning them off, threatening them or getting into some kinda game is just plain NOT going to work. Pull over into a driveway, a service station or change lanes but just let them get infront of you where you can keep an eye on em.

I don't care what you ride - you are not winning an argument with a vehicle like that. Let it flow on past..... Lifes too damn short to get wound up over mouth breathing weasel molesters...

[Freakshow]

Here is the dumb question for the day but is it illegal to have an L plate on your bike when you are not a learner???? What would happen if I rode on a full licence with the L plate on? Techically I learn something everytime I hope on. Would be really useful in group rides??

[carver]

So now that I have many, many, many miles of exprience riding a bike (about 70) I decided to tackle the "harder" route to work for the first time today.

So I'm trying to do everything possible to do everything right. Im even keeping with the flow of traffic even tho' its 80 because I think thats safer than staying at 70 and getting run over.

The roads two lanes wide and I'm in the left.

Then along comes a guy (I'll change his name to protct the innocent - lets call him "Shit4brains"). So, 'ol Shit4brains decides to tailgate me - there is plenty of room on the other lane - but nooooo Shit4brains wants to sit right behind me.

Now this is bad enough - but Mr Shit4brains drives a Dodge Ram - yes one of those absoultley fucken HUGE trucks thats like owning your own heavy haulage company. He stays about 2 meters behind me.

I wanted to pull over or off the road, but was scared to slow - there is no way I had any room to do so.

In the end I had to stay like that until a roundabout that I had to take a turn off (not mine btw) too fast (for me anyhow) just to get out of his road.

Any advise on how to deal with this (other than carring a bag of large'ish ball bearings to throw thru this windscreen).:innocent:

C

P.S. just checked trousers now I have stopped shaking - you will be glad to know all is well.

my advice to you is PM "SIDEWINDER" (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=9792)
he started learning early this year...and he aint slow.

[little green FXR]

yeah, i'm another learner here. Seems that even without the L plate displayed this stuff happens. Heading through 80 km zone, sticking to 85, I will still frequently have people tailgating me, but more often than not it's boy racer type cars. Pretty scary when you are on a smaller bike that can't keep up with a two litre turbo car. Only thing that I've really found works so far is pulling over and stopping. These people either don't realise what it's like having a car up your arse when you are sitting exposed on a little bike, or just don't care. Guess wherever you go, there will always be wankers:devil2:

[BMW]

Having thought that thru - since Im on a bright red GN250 - its gonna be hard to pull off the look.

I used to slow right down and come to a stop when they did that. But now I block the road!

But I also suggest getting rid of the L plate. Also speed up. I think that telling someone to stay under the speed limit is wrong as like this event, it causes more problems. That way you do not become a target!

Keep save!

[Kaituna]

If the person in your mirror appears to be closer than they are, turn your mirrors so you can't see the bastards anymore. Then happily go forth. What ever is in your mirrors is history after all.:scooter:

[Lissa]

I would probably take the L plate off. Infact my blew off.. and I havent replaced it.

So I watched motorway patrol the other night, there was this guy on a scooter who couldnt go over 70kph. The cop stopped him numerous times and told him he was holding up traffic. Thats what I dont get, why would a Learner only be allowed to do 70kph.. it is so dangerous, to us, and to the cars behind who get impatient and annoyed and might do something silly. It annoys me that by law we have to do 70kph, but in actual fact it is way better to do 100kph for everyone all round... why dont they change this already?

[BigRed2007]

Next time get his number plate, and then all the kb riders will go pay him a visit!!

[BigRed2007]

um one piece of advice, stop looking behind you, if he wants to tailgate you thats his prob.

If he hits you because you stop suddenly, well i know its bad but dont focus on that.

If you keep looking behind you too see if he is tailing could cause more probs if there is a obstacle in front of you.

Stay at fifty if he still gives you trouble, write down a his number plate.

PS: we should start a

SHIT4head number plate list... lol :P scare them out of the pants.

I had a woman tail me the other day, but i was in my car, chased that little b:P

[sunhuntin]

i love my l plate... been on 3 different bikes, been as far north as paeroa, and as far south as invercargill. every bike has taken a bite out of a corner, so theres not much of it left! LOL.

rode to palmy today.... and was being gated before i even hit the 100k zone! i got the bike to a high a speed as she could manage [about 90k, which isnt bad considering its been about 3 months since shes gone faster than 80k] and just held my spot on the road till the dipstick decided to overtake.
got tailed the whole way down, and most of the way back.
stupid thing is, i wasnt going fast due to a camper van and a truck up ahead... so cars that overtook me, got stuck behind either one of those! wankers, lol.
wind was blowing me round something wicked coming back. nearly went over the line a few times, and almost went straight through a corner as well. that kept some cars back, but not many.

lissa.... i saw a scoot nearly get squished today. crawling at about 40k on the bulls bridge [which is 100k going to 70k] i left a huge gap between myself and the truck ahead, which was lucky, as it allowed me to slow gradually, warning the gator behind to back off.

[Fatjim]

Rather than tap your brake, just slowly let of off the throttle. Do it so its hardly noticeable. Your speed will drop to a point where he can't be arsed tail gating you any more. Never failed me. But neither has opening it up.

[FROSTY]

Dude you can't win.What happened to you is a fact of life as a biker.
The flashing the brakes trick works really well on mrforgetful or mss notpayingattention but has the oposite effect on Mrpissedoffattheworld.
I would in your shoes slow down and slowly pull over and let the guy go.
Its a old tale I repeat often -Peter had right of way--He was the most correct guy in the cemetry

[DUCATI*HARD]

dont worry about anyone else,just make sure" your" safe,do what you have to do to get out of any hairy situations....and the answer to that is.......hold it on!!!

[bell]

Some sage advice in here. Some downright scary advice too. Choose your strategy wisely.

However, you'll do well to remember that you're liable to lose something important to you if the tailgater gets "too close". Biggest loser (that's them behind you) wins. Well, metaphorically. Read between the lines... Aaah, you get the point?

Only very special fuckwits get the pleasure of a Community Roadwatch (http://www.police.govt.nz/service/road/roadwatch.html) form being filled out by me. But, the cathartic effect is wonderful. Keep a pen and paper under your seat, in your jacket pocket, in your bag. Pull over, record details, go home, enter details into said form....take pleasure from knowing that they might get a visit or at the least a letter from the Police.

Take care out there. Dodgy drivers abound. Seems like they're trained that way these days.

[Biff]

Sorry you had a bad time, but it does happen to everyone so you will have to get used to it. Unfortunately, being a learner, your a bit more nervous than an experienced rider and it is going to take you a few more hours in traffic to get over that feeling.
This is not a HTFU post, more of a reality check; take a few deep breaths, keep thinking and if you feel endangered pull off the road and let them go.

Now get back out there! :scooter:

What he said. In particular never be afraid to pull over and compose your thoughts.

[Wannabiker]

OK I know I an bit slow here and the reply was ue about 2 pages ago. Brother is a police CVI officer and from him....No L plate = $400 fine thats a given! (Insurance will probably run for cover too if you are in accident) ...but...most cops would ignore an L plate doing 100...as long as it in the appropriate area. Go over 100 and of course expect the consequenses! (says he....riding Ducati 900 on restricted licence):scooter:

[Cynos]

So now that I have many, many, many miles of exprience riding a bike (about 70) I decided to tackle the "harder" route to work for the first time today.

So I'm trying to do everything possible to do everything right. Im even keeping with the flow of traffic even tho' its 80 because I think thats safer than staying at 70 and getting run over.

The roads two lanes wide and I'm in the left.

Then along comes a guy (I'll change his name to protct the innocent - lets call him "Shit4brains"). So, 'ol Shit4brains decides to tailgate me - there is plenty of room on the other lane - but nooooo Shit4brains wants to sit right behind me.

Now this is bad enough - but Mr Shit4brains drives a Dodge Ram - yes one of those absoultley fucken HUGE trucks thats like owning your own heavy haulage company. He stays about 2 meters behind me.

I wanted to pull over or off the road, but was scared to slow - there is no way I had any room to do so.

In the end I had to stay like that until a roundabout that I had to take a turn off (not mine btw) too fast (for me anyhow) just to get out of his road.

Any advise on how to deal with this (other than carring a bag of large'ish ball bearings to throw thru this windscreen).:innocent:

C

P.S. just checked trousers now I have stopped shaking - you will be glad to know all is well.
I feel ya man, tailgating is the bane of my life. On single lane roads, I try to overtake the car in front of me when the oncoming traffic is such that Mr DodgeRam can't also overtake, so that he gets stuck behind the car...

...but I don't know how practical that is on a Ginnie. :(