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Post by Twigster on Jun 26, 2006 18:00:37 GMT -5
We've all been there.....you're cruising down the street, enjoying the ride - everything is peaceful, you're in control, life is good. Then, all of a sudden, shooting up from behind you comes the dreaded tailgator. It might be a car, it might be a SUV, or maybe even another motorcycle (or scoot). Your uneventful ride suddenly starts to unravel, as you can't seem to take your eye off your mirrors while wondering if that stupid idiot behind you is going to run into you or worse yet, drive over you & grind you into the pavement! Well, other than someone making left turn directly in front of my path, this is my biggest recurring nightmare on my daily trip through the city. I know we've all got our different takes on this subject, including just ignore them, get out of their way, or throw a handful of marbles at them, but I wanted to share a simple tactic that was given to me by a fellow rider. Just remember, I'm a new rider and will gladly admit that I don't have the best riding skills as of yet, but I know enough to always give yourself plenty of room and definitely don't try to challenge a cager. So, with this knowledge, I've always looked for a simple approach to keep from getting run over and that is best for both rider & cager. First, you must realize that most tailgaters don't have the slightest idea of what they are doing or what potential danger to you they are posing by tailgating. Furthermore, you have no idea what's on their mind > they might be distracted on the cell phone, late for work, older than dirt, or just getting away from the bank they just robbed & armed with a handgun. At this point, I'm assuming that you've done everything you can safely to get rid of them already, including moving to the right if enough room or another lane is available, slowing down a bit to encourage them to pass or simply pulling off the road & let them kill somebody else. I've found that a simple hand signal can be very effective. I've used it several times already & had positive results each & every time. and NO, it's not the one-finger salute! Simply take your left hand off the rear brake grip and wave your arm down & back with an open palm. Do this several times as if patting your favorite pooch on the head or like your fanning your butt after breaking wind. Then, follow it up with an immediate thumbs up as if to signal a thank you to the driver behind you. You can even add a minor left & right weave while doing this which you may have done already by removing one hand from the handlbars...........That's it! I'm not 100% certain of how the driver behind me interprets this action, but every time I've done it, the vehicle behind me immediately brakes & slows. Maybe they think I'm getting ready to take a header, I've lost my brakes, crapped my pants, or I'm completely crazy! Regardless, they get the hint & get off my butt! Just wanted to let everyone know what works for me while I try to stay alive out there. Thanks for listening.....  |
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Post by Aaron on Jun 26, 2006 21:35:47 GMT -5
Nice tip twigster! I don't have as big a problem with it here in coastal Maine. I first check to see what is behind me. If it's a rusty pickup I pull over. If it's a new BMW or Mercedes I bail over their hood....gotta suplement the income somehow (Kidding!) Thanks for the advice I'll give it a try...but then there's always that Kymco 500 ;D Just twist and gone.........................  Aaron |
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Post by lewtwo on Jun 28, 2006 18:32:50 GMT -5
Heard of a guy that hooked a spark plug and an osilator to his exhaust outlet (harley).
Chop the trottle and light off the exhaust.
5-10 feet of flame might to get their attention.
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Post by Aaron on Jun 28, 2006 21:27:15 GMT -5
Lew forgive my ignorance what's an osilator? !
Aaron
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Post by lewtwo on Jun 28, 2006 22:28:03 GMT -5
A crystal osilator set up a frequency. It is a bit more than an osilator.
A ignition circuit normaly fires the plug once before TDC of the combustion stroke.
(I believe the GY6 also fires during exhaust stroke as well because it pules off the crank rather than the cam). This circuit he used set up a more rapid spark so that it is almost continuous.
Unburned fuel, air, ignition: FLAME!
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Post by buckrgers on Jul 1, 2006 22:58:20 GMT -5
We used to use grill igniters and old spark plugs, that probally because we couldnt even spell osliator (I still cant) let alone knew what one was.
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Post by woodlark on Jul 3, 2006 9:22:50 GMT -5
oscillator
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Post by buckrgers on Jul 3, 2006 9:35:15 GMT -5
;D Thanks
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Post by somecallmetim on Aug 23, 2006 20:08:22 GMT -5
For the really obstinate ones who still won't back off, you can carry stuff in your pocket to toss over your shoulder. Old spark plugs work really well. Oil injection into the exhaust, like a smoke system on an aerobatic airplane, might work too. I've found that 90% of tailgaters are yacking into their cellphone and not even aware of my presence, or of anything else, until it's right in front of their nose. These are the ones who usually maintain a real erratic following distance, dropping back almost out of sight at times and then drifting up to about 2 feet behind me. I think people who talk on cellphones while driving should be sent to a driver education class and then shot.
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Post by Twigster on Aug 24, 2006 12:04:43 GMT -5
I agree with you Tim. I drove past a lady the other day who was talking on the cell phone & applying makeup at the same time.
I had another run-in with a idiot this morning on the freeway in my Toyota Matrix. I'm in the slow lane 1/2 mile before my turn off, doing 60mph with traffic directly ahead of me & a huge 18 wheeler intentionally pulls up behind me as fast as he can, wails his horn & proceeds on riding my A$$. This is on a 3 lane freeway & the speed limit for trucks is 55mph. I usually just ignore tailgators or get out of the way, but where was I going to go (I was already in the slow lane). In all my years of driving, I've found the truckers are usually the nice guys, but this was just the opposite. He got a huge fist full of finger as I was pulling off the freeway.....that Jacka$$ !!!
By the way, nice to meet another Monty Python fan!
"Your arms off. No it's not, just a flesh wound...Come on ya pansy!"
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Post by jackthefuzz on Aug 24, 2006 13:44:15 GMT -5
I use a small pouch containing #12 x 1/2in flathead wood screws. just start dropping a few. Ooooops so sorry
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Post by Jacine on Aug 24, 2006 19:22:09 GMT -5
Actually he was trying to tell you that his air brakes had failed and he was barreling out of control.
LOL
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Post by sussexscooterhead on Aug 24, 2006 19:39:53 GMT -5
......should be sent to driver education class and then shot.
LOL
Too funny!
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Post by slowfire on Aug 24, 2006 21:21:54 GMT -5
mr.Twigster and friends I have had 4 near misses by tailgators this week nearly killed last nite on the zip strip to cars came up on me at speed .They swearved at the last moment and I took to the shoulder of the road at speed almost lost control of the scoot and my bowels! opps to much information. but it unerved me enough Ill scoot around home and drive the car to work for a while....slowfire
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Post by airnerd on Sept 11, 2006 23:01:32 GMT -5
For the really obstinate ones who still won't back off, Oil injection into the exhaust, like a smoke system on an aerobatic airplane, might work too. Hey!!! That is a great idea LOL!!! I am really into R/C planes and a smoke system is not to expensive either! |
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Post by Dennis D on Sept 12, 2006 20:51:33 GMT -5
Quote- cars came up on me at speed .They swearved at the last moment and I took to the shoulder of the road at speed -Quote
Tailgaters. Thats the biggest reason I upgraded from the 49cc QianJiang to the 150 Strada. At least now I can speed up to give myself some room til I can turn off or put someone else between me and them. And I absolutely won't do a freeway on a two wheeler no matter what I ride. I'd rather take it easier and deal with having to slow down to observe the front wheels of people who might turn left in front of me (don't look for eye contact... they'll look straight through you and run ya over at the same time). there's too much road rage going on out on the freeways and interstates. The mood on the limited access roads is ugly enough, that I usually take two lane blacktop state roads when travelling.... just have to give myself time. Quit wearing a watch a couple years ago, I was always giving myself just enough time to get there.... if I hurried.
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Post by subarutech on Sept 13, 2006 18:38:18 GMT -5
a guy i use to work with would break up the porcelain from spark plugs and toss over his should.does a number on glass hes states.although I'm a firm believer in bad karma.
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Post by toxicutor on Sept 16, 2006 19:15:28 GMT -5
I hate tailgaters with a passion. First of all, always leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you. In an emergency, you will have enough room to keep the @sswipe from running over you! While making sure there is nothing in front of me, I give a slow deliberate look behind me at the offending vehicle, remind you still keeping an eye in front of me. This usually gives the person a giant clue that they are being dangerous and offensive. If that doesn't work, just tap on the hand brakes a million times, just enough to keep flashing your brake lights. If that doesn't work, then it is best to make a safe right hand turn (with blinker and lots of brake lights) onto a side street or parking lot and let the bugger go by. I am in no way suggesting that you yell and flip the guy off as he rides by, but I think I might have done that once or twice |
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Post by surfborg on Sept 17, 2006 17:57:56 GMT -5
I just have to keep my eyes open. I'm used to tailgaters. I think I'm the only driver in the great State of Illinois that has noticed all those speed limit signs. 4 wheels or 2 I drive at the posted limit. I just love cruising down I-57 with my cruse set for 65mph (close to accurate, I've checked) and the State Troopers are rolling past doing 70+. It kind of makes me wonder why the state paid for all those signs. Maybe they can take the signs down and sell them on ebay and then lower our gasoline taxes.
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Post by somecallmetim on Sept 18, 2006 17:51:11 GMT -5
I read somewhere recently that, at least here in PA, you can get a ticket for driving at the posted speed limit if you are holding up other traffic. If that's true, it's the most asinine thing I've ever heard of. There's some legal right to break the law now?
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Post by Jacine on Sept 18, 2006 18:29:16 GMT -5
I found the best thing for tailgaters (the legal way) was to install a tail blazer flasher. The surprise on the driver's face when the tail light goes through its routine is priceless.
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Post by somecallmetim on Sept 19, 2006 20:58:25 GMT -5
I'm thinking of installing a warning device that's made by Mossberg and has a 5 round magazine. ;D
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Post by ccsami4x4 on Sept 20, 2006 8:37:34 GMT -5
I found the best thing for tailgaters (the legal way) was to install a tail blazer flasher. The surprise on the driver's face when the tail light goes through its routine is priceless. I hadn't ever seen/heard of those before, so I looked it up. Seems like a great idea, but do the bulbs wear out overly fast due to the constant repetitive flashing each time you apply the brakes? |
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Post by Admin on Sept 21, 2006 17:31:55 GMT -5
I've been avoiding posting on this thread. Tailgaters make my blood boil. I saw a bumper sticker on the back of a pickup the other day that I liked. "You tailgate, I slow down. Any questions?"
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Post by woodlark on Sept 21, 2006 17:49:19 GMT -5
I just have to keep my eyes open. I'm used to tailgaters. I think I'm the only driver in the great State of Illinois that has noticed all those speed limit signs. 4 wheels or 2 I drive at the posted limit. I just love cruising down I-57 with my cruse set for 65mph (close to accurate, I've checked) and the State Troopers are rolling past doing 70+. It kind of makes me wonder why the state paid for all those signs. Maybe they can take the signs down and sell them on ebay and then lower our gasoline taxes. You do realize of course, that those signs refer to the minimum speed! My wife meets the State Troopers everyday at work (she's a Nurse) and once told one of them that. I don't think he has stopped laughing yet.  |
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Post by somecallmetim on Sept 21, 2006 18:06:56 GMT -5
That's pretty much what I do in my car, but on the scooter that can be asking for trouble. Yesterday I had a woman pull up so close behind me at a red light that I wasn't sure if her car was actually touching my scooter. When the light changed, I took off and left her like she was standing still. That's because she was; I was about 1/4 mile down the road and could see in my mirrors that she was still stopped at the intersection! Finally she started moving, after making everyone behind her miss the green light, and very gradually caught up to me about 2 miles down the road. After doing the obligatory tailgating thing, she then drifted back almost out of sight, then stopped next to me at the next red light. I was watching her and she was FOLDING LAUNDRY! She was pulling clothes out of a big canvas bag on the right side floor and folding them up and then stacking them on the passenger seat. At the next red light she had apparently finished with the laundry and was knitting! Looked like little baby socks. I don't even want to know what happens when her cellphone rings. It's really scarey when you think about all the incompetent morons that we share the road with.
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Post by airnerd on Sept 24, 2006 17:14:02 GMT -5
We all need these...  |
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Post by xenith on Jul 9, 2008 17:04:27 GMT -5
For those of you on who chance the freeway on 2 wheels... One of the reasons I ended up getting my scooter is that my car was totalled on the freeway by a guy on his cellphone. He him me in the back going about 70 ( I and the traffic in front of me were going about 40). When he hit me he pushed me into a guy on a motorcycle in front of me. The motorcycle wasn't doing anything wrong and we had about 30 feet between us. Since then, I have tried to avoid the freeway in my car, but I am ultra sensitive on the scooter. Utah is probably the easiest state to get a driver's license and everybody has an SUV. My point is that you're not safe on the freeway no matter what precaution you take. Just my 2 cents.
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Post by bike4miles on Jul 9, 2008 18:45:45 GMT -5
Heard of a guy that hooked a spark plug and an osilator to his exhaust outlet (harley). Chop the trottle and light off the exhaust. 5-10 feet of flame might to get their attention. That sounds like a fun solution! ;D |
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Post by wildbill on Jul 9, 2008 20:11:49 GMT -5
Ok.I've had my share of almost tailgaters.You have to keep a watchful eye peeled for them before they catch up.when you notice they are closing fast,lightly tip your brake and whether you are turning or not hit a right turn signal just to be safe. most drivers will slow and if the road ahead is clear,give them a courteous hand wave to come around. I don't drive on freeways at all. if I owned a 250 I would. carry on and use your rear view mirrors constantly. wildbill
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