Removing wing mirrors...

[Katman]

However, it's with buses that I tend to be less than rational - I've been almost killed (and I am the king of understatement, those who know me will attest to this), such blatant disregard and outward aggression has created a very big problem for those drivers..

Believe me Mike, I know, and understand exactly, the personal rage you're talking about.

The reality is though that far more can be acheived, when confronted with idiocy with a business name on it, by complaining directly to that company.

[quickbuck]

Hey KM,

We ride, therefore shit is going to happen. If I ride with care and space, then less shit happens.

All well said. And to add to this... "A Clear Head Space".

To all those that think it is a great success in taking out somebodies mirror because they made an absolute meal of their driving, and almost a meal of you... Well it really achieves NOTHING... Apart from proving that you loose your temper, yes YOUR temper easily, and retaliate by destroying property.

A better man (or woman) would be able to talk rationally with the person who stuffed up... and may even be able to influence them without yelling!

People make mistakes, it is a real shame that some make more than others. We do have to share the road with errant people... Oh, heck we may well be in that population too!
People don't know what they don't know.

[caseye]

I agree entirely.

The trick is to acheive education without inciting agitation.

KM, I'm smiling wryly here, you are 100% right.
It's the bad angels ( as quoted here also) that make it OK to retaliate.
My ones haven't won an arguement about doing something to the driver for many, many years.
Still there are those who can't, won't be educated.
A quick poke in the eye with a burnt stick? perhaps.

[Katman]

It's the bad angels that make it OK to retaliate.

Getta perrrm.

[AllanB]

Was guilty of that when younger - now I'm older if it's that close I'm just happy to have survived.

[ducatilover]

........and kicking in doors.

What is it that you actually think you're achieving?

Do you really think that the majority of drivers are going to think "Opps, poor motorcyclist - I'll look out for them next time".

Or do you think that perhaps they're more likely to think "Fuck you motherfucker, I'll take out the next fucker on a motorcycle who passes me"?

When they purposefully try to run me down I tend to be a little wound up that some selected fuck stick has decided that he will willingly risk my life or health and happily live with the consequences. Having been hit before by somebody on purpose I tend not to be amused and will damage them or if they are unwilling to step out I shall damage their vehicle. Acheiving nothing I know of yet, but, knowing that said twat may think twice next time before hitting me or attempting to push me into a curb.

[Ixion]

Mr Katman, I think that you have an overly benevolent opinion of human nature. The real world is an uglier place than you want to admit.

The reality is that most cagers are OK. Some are stupid and do stupid things. Some of which things endanger motorcyclists.Now, there is no point in retaliation against them. They are stupid and nothing is going to change that

But, there is another demographic. A small one but it exists. The demographic of malevolent bullies. Cagers who get a kick out of deliberately trying to injure motorcyclists. Yes, they DO exist, I have encountered them so have most long term motorcyclists.

Now, in my opinion , ignoring the behaviour of a cager who quite calmly and deliberately tries to kill me, and grins and giggles whilst doing it (Oh, yes, it does happen) , is a BAD thing. Acquiescing in his bullying condones it, validates it. It encourages him to think "That was fun , really scared that little shit on the motorbike, next time I'll (wait until the bike is closer before pulling out/force him even farther off the road/whatever". And, I may be able to deal with his antics and evade him. But the next time he does it, his victim is Natalie Newbie on her GN250 (he doesn't care, it's just another motorbike). And she doesn't know how to cope with it, and dies.

Such people do exist. Like all bullies, ignoring them does NOT work. It just encourages them. The only thing that such people understand is fear. Mess with a biker, and you are going to hurt. Yes, there is a risk involved. He is in a cage, I am on a bike. But that is down to me to arrange the battlefield so that his advantage is neutralised.

Ignoring the psychopaths that deliberately try to kill us (please note that deliberately, I am NOT talking about the genuine mistake or the stupid fool) is a disservice to motorcyclists in general. The price may be a newbies life.

No I am not being melodramatic.And please, do not waste all of our time by suggesting that the correct response is to call the cops. The cops will never do anything about someone trying to take out a biker. There is no point at all in involving them. teh only result is that you, the biker, will be held to be in the wrong, and the psychopath will giggle even harder.

I haven't taken off a mirror in a good many years , it's not as easy as it sounds. I have kicked a few panels in. And back in the day , I did take out a headlamp , and a windscreen. In each case , I consider my actions justified, and indeed moderate. That has to be taken in the context , of maybe half a dozen psycopaths in 40 odd years. But they do exiist.

[Katman]

Blah, blah, blah..........

Les, you have become (and possibily have always been) too ridiculous for your own good.

BRONZ - FTW (for the whinge).

[ducatilover]

Les, you have become (and possibily have always been) too ridiculous for your own good.

He is right about the psychopaths and the blah bit.
I wouldn't take a mirror or facelift a car unless it was a move with intent to harm me.

[Ixion]

So what is your solution then?

Such people do exist. How do you propose they should be treated?

To ignore them will encourage them. And each time, their victimisation will be more dangerous.

You constantly condemn motorcyclists for having the temerity to object to people trying (quite deliberately, I'm not talking about the stupid mistake) to kill them. But offer no suggestion on how such bullies should be dealt with.

Let's hear YOUR solution, then . Put up, or shut up.

[Katman]

Let's hear YOUR solution, then . Put up, or shut up.

You sound like you're in need of some panty shields.

[Ixion]

You sound like you're in need of some panty shields.

Your solution? Put up, or shut up. The world waits.

[ManDownUnder]

If you clock some chap upside the skull outside a pub while wearing your Repco work shirt, that dude is hardly going to unprovokedly attack the next random person he sees walking along the sidewalk wearing a Repco work shirt.

Same thing applies to the road.

Or they could think "CUNT"... and swing briefly in the direction of their missing wing mirror...

Laws of physics 1
Laws of NZ 0

[Katman]

Your solution? Put up, or shut up. The world waits.

My solution?

For a start, tell BRONZ that they have no more effect on the well being of motorcyclists than a nasty rash.

[Ixion]

You're evading the question. Your solution ? Put up or shut up.