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).

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.

[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

[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.