Hassled for riding at the speed limit...

**MarkH** · 26th March 2009, 10:14

Originally Posted by greminn

Turned off to Tahuna and crusing for a while, a car comes up behind be quite quickly and sticks on my tail (quite close). I was in cruze mode, so 105-110 for 20mins or so, this guy is still at the back. Slowed down, he still wouldnt pass me... speed up... radar goes mad! I stuck to my guns under 110 and he finally floored it past me. The dude was a undercover!!

You shoulda noted his number plate and made a complaint. Some arsehole tailgating you to goad you into driving faster so he can ticket you is pretty poor IMO.

**scumdog** · 26th March 2009, 10:20

Originally Posted by greminn

Turned off to Tahuna and crusing for a while, a car comes up behind be quite quickly and sticks on my tail (quite close). I was in cruze mode, so 105-110 for 20mins or so, this guy is still at the back. Slowed down, he still wouldnt pass me... speed up... radar goes mad! I stuck to my guns under 110 and he finally floored it past me. The dude was a undercover!!

What a wanker.

And your speedo is 100% accurate?

And there's a world of difference between 'undercover' and 'mufti'

**MarkH** · 26th March 2009, 10:23

Originally Posted by Gizzit

Today I was riding in town, and a guy in a Beaurepairs truck came up so close behind me, I felt sure he was going to make contact.

He kept close behind, and I stayed at the speed limit of 50Kmh. Where I was riding, is often a place for speed camera's and patrol cars, so I wasn't tempted to increase my speed to appease the impatient truck driver.

A little further up the road, he decided to sit back from me, then had a run and overtook me, not giving me a lot of room as he went past.

If I ride at 50 on the speedo I am travelling at about 45kph, so I can understand another motorist being a bit impatient when they would happily cruise at 55kph without fearing a ticket. Having said that I don't think it is an excuse for driving like a dick and putting a motorcyclists life at risk. There is no way that a heavy truck can stop as fast as a bike, in an emergency stop some tailgating truck would fuck you up real bad - not good!

**Burtha** · 26th March 2009, 10:33

My current chinese piece of rubbish means I have to travel at around 60k to be at 50k, but at least down here its unusual for tailgating (they just like to come at you more from the side than behind).

Even in a car, I have found Auckland, more than most, really bad for tail gaters. One of my ex-friends up there was fenominally bad for it. I've never known anyone to be so relaxed and impatient at the same time! It was terrifying as a passenger.

But NO ONE should be penalised for doing the speed limit.
And dangerous driving should always be reported, for the sake of all of us.

**DarkLord** · 26th March 2009, 11:02

Yeah I get that too. I hate being tailgated. I flick my brake lights on and off and if they still insist, I turn around and glare at them. Someone elses impatience is not my problem.

**madbikeboy** · 26th March 2009, 12:28

In the pretend world of niceness, we're all supposed to flow along between 50-55 kph, and we all just get along.

In this world, people don't tailgate, and we motorcyclists get treated with all the rights that we deserve.

However, in the real world, it's a bit different. Okay, so here's some stuff I do, and it's clearly against the traffic laws, and Scummy will be pissed. But, I've been riding a week or two now, and this is what keeps me in one piece.

First, never sit in the flow of traffic with someone tailgating you. It's wrong on so many levels. If the fucktard behind is being aggressive, jump forward a car. Or two.

I never sit at the speed limit. I'll use the car in front for cover at intersections, and if the sun/light is behind me (think about it). I assert myself in the space I'm in, and will not sit beside other cars.

I also tend to overtake a lot - in the mornings especially, I will cruise past traffic, 15 kph is a good differential. Sitting in traffic with fucktards drinking coffee, applying makeup, listening to the radio, or all three at once is a recipie for losing skin.

I am aggressive, and I assert my place, projecting as much "don't fuck with me" vibe as I can. I have a loud can, and I use it. I don't give a fuck about getting a speeding ticket, or offending some balding middle aged exec in his company car (who probably has erectile disfunction and a bossy wife). I care about me not eating car, or pavement, or whatever.

I am the poster child for how not to ride for the Ministry of Transport. But I'm still alive.

**Gizzit** · 26th March 2009, 12:31

Originally Posted by AllanB

Ironic really - you've gone from the Hornet to the cruiser to, well - 'cruise' at a more legal rate of knots and then get bullied for keeping within the limit!

Life is weird!

...... SNIP .....

Yeah ....Life eh, .... I mean who do I get in touch with !!!!!!????? lol

**Gizzit** · 26th March 2009, 12:47

Originally Posted by GOONR

I rode a little 50cc moped for a bit, if I went down hill with the wind behind me and farted I could get 80k "indicated" out of it.. Cars still right up with me, it just seemed to me that because I was on a moped every car driver thought they had to tailgate...

What really got them though was the up hill just after that, I could only get 35k and if they had been a plonker I would stay bang in the middle of the road.

You get that on a little scoot more than anything else, probably. Cars don't consider you should even be sharing the same road with them !!! I have done in the past, and soon will be riding a scoot to work, again. I know how that is !!!! The good thing is when the lights are red .... you can trickle on down the middle, in between cars, and get way a head of them again when the lights change !!

However, it doesn't make up for the fact that some drivers couldn't care less if you were run off the road.

There is a push on from ACC to improve rider skills, to reduce the amount of accidents that riders are having, with the increase in motor cycles and scooter registrations.
I think they need to look at getting the message out to other road users about their attitude towards those of us that choose to travel on two wheels. It won't be the total answer, but could help prevent a few accidents, I would guess ...

**wetdog** · 26th March 2009, 12:53

I totally understand the situation after my ride yesterday. I saw a dog running in the middle of the road and slowed down, it was a 100kph road.

A car I overtook earlier full of people came right up behind me and tooted away, he obviously didnt see the dog or didnt care. So as the dog moved over to the right I pointed at it.

200 meters later we hit some road works, new gravel, grrr. He was right behind me again, so I thought great, hope you get a few stone chips. But the best thing a lovely long straight was after the roadworks, and I blasted away feeling, I love bikes, and I might have saved that poor lost doggy!

**Gizzit** · 26th March 2009, 13:04

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

In the pretend world of niceness, we're all supposed to flow along between 50-55 kph, and we all just get along.

In this world, people don't tailgate, and we motorcyclists get treated with all the rights that we deserve.

However, in the real world, it's a bit different. Okay, so here's some stuff I do, and it's clearly against the traffic laws, and Scummy will be pissed. But, I've been riding a week or two now, and this is what keeps me in one piece.

First, never sit in the flow of traffic with someone tailgating you. It's wrong on so many levels. If the fucktard behind is being aggressive, jump forward a car. Or two.

I never sit at the speed limit. I'll use the car in front for cover at intersections, and if the sun/light is behind me (think about it). I assert myself in the space I'm in, and will not sit beside other cars.

I also tend to overtake a lot - in the mornings especially, I will cruise past traffic, 15 kph is a good differential. Sitting in traffic with fucktards drinking coffee, applying makeup, listening to the radio, or all three at once is a recipie for losing skin.

I am aggressive, and I assert my place, projecting as much "don't fuck with me" vibe as I can. I have a loud can, and I use it. I don't give a fuck about getting a speeding ticket, or offending some balding middle aged exec in his company car (who probably has erectile disfunction and a bossy wife). I care about me not eating car, or pavement, or whatever.

I am the poster child for how not to ride for the Ministry of Transport. But I'm still alive.

YEAH ..... I can see where you are coming from, and that's one approach. I'm sure it works for you on a couple of levels ....

but I'm now riding a cruiser ... as a change in philosophy and attitude to my riding .... (and that attitude or philosophy may not be shared by other cruiser riders ..... I don't know - or care, really ... ).

I'm choosing to be more laid back in my approach .... i.e. not being aggressive in my approach to riding. It's not about being passive or unaware ... or slack in any way ..... just enjoying the pleasure of riding in a more relaxed way. I have done the quick stuff too, but guess maybe it's an age thing .... and I don't need/want to travel really quick .... especially in town!!

It's not a prefect world .... no one in their right mind believes it is. However .... I would like to think ..... I can travel at/or very close to the speed limit, and not get hassled for doing so ... ???!!!

**hutchy52** · 26th March 2009, 13:21

Originally Posted by 3DKiwi

Could be that your speedo is reading too high like many bike speedos are. My VStrom 650 for example the speedo is 8% out. An indicated 50kph is in fact 46kph (checked with GPS).

Just an idea.

This is generally the case for cars as well, they have a 10% tolerance when manufactured I believe, and in most cases read higher than the actual speed.

**Gizzit** · 26th March 2009, 13:21

Originally Posted by wetdog

I totally understand the situation after my ride yesterday. I saw a dog running in the middle of the road and slowed down, it was a 100kph road.

A car I overtook earlier full of people came right up behind me and tooted away, he obviously didnt see the dog or didnt care. So as the dog moved over to the right I pointed at it.

200 meters later we hit some road works, new gravel, grrr. He was right behind me again, so I thought great, hope you get a few stone chips. But the best thing a lovely long straight was after the roadworks, and I blasted away feeling, I love bikes, and I might have saved that poor lost doggy!

Good on ya mate! I would have done exactly the same.

That new Versys is obviously being put to good use !!

**Gizzit** · 26th March 2009, 13:26

Originally Posted by hutchy52

This is generally the case for cars as well, they have a 10% tolerance when manufactured I believe, and in most cases read higher than the actual speed.

Ah HA !!! ..... so both the truck ... and I, ..... were doing the same speed, .... whatever that was !!!!??? lol

**Taz** · 26th March 2009, 13:35

Originally Posted by Gizzit

YEAH ..... I can see where you are coming from, and that's one approach. I'm sure it works for you on a couple of levels ....

but I'm now riding a cruiser ... as a change in philosophy and attitude to my riding .... (and that attitude or philosophy may not be shared by other cruiser riders ..... I don't know - or care, really ... ).

I'm choosing to be more laid back in my approach .... i.e. not being aggressive in my approach to riding. It's not about being passive or unaware ... or slack in any way ..... just enjoying the pleasure of riding in a more relaxed way. I have done the quick stuff too, but guess maybe it's an age thing .... and I don't need/want to travel really quick .... especially in town!!

It's not a prefect world .... no one in their right mind believes it is. However .... I would like to think ..... I can travel at/or very close to the speed limit, and not get hassled for doing so ... ???!!!

Your laid back philosophy is getting you pretty wound up mate.