What do you do for stupid tailgaters?

[scoathy]

IMO, there is only ONE correct answer to this. I'd like to see it posted then the thread locked or stickied with the question in the title and the ONE correct answer as the one remaining response. Too many juvenile posts that less experienced, less mature individuals may consider attempting...

[ariwhiteboy]

There's rarely "one correct answer", only people who are willing to risk consequences of varying severity. I don't advocate throwing things/dropping stuff/screwing with tailgaters...they weigh 2500lbs+ and I only weigh 600lbs.   

[SirSeanSean]

"Better to let them pass, than to have them ride your..." Seriously though, just let them pass if possible. Now I say this for the general tailgater. Not that that is who you encountered. As much as they appear to be  , you really don't know the situation. For all you know they could be rushing to the hospital because a loved one is in critical condition.

Not saying this is always the case, but rather something to keep in mind. For the most part they aren't thinking (which in my opinion is no one you want fallowing you in the first place).

Throwing crap back at them only leaves things to hurt future motorist.

If you really want to be able to get back at them, become an undercover motorcycle cop(this does require time to achieve).

[ailkel]

As my first motorcycle safety instructor said in 1982 "let the dummy go by".  I am so accustomed to driving like this I even pull off the road to let tailgaters pass when I am driving my Suburban.

[scoathy]

As my first motorcycle safety instructor said in 1982 "let the dummy go by".  I am so accustomed to driving like this I even pull off the road to let tailgaters pass when I am driving my Suburban.

IMO, this is the one answer everyone should heed when tailgaters are involved:

"let the dummy go by"

[Wearyeyed]

I was fairly boxed-in in traffic on a two-lane this morning, where pulling-off was less-than-comfortable an option at my current level of confidence.


So I just did the stand-up-on-the-pegs-and-make-myself-look-like-I-am-about-to-do-something-squid-like thing.

Barely got my butt off the seat, and the two yoots behind me suddenly realized there was a vehicle in front of them, and made room.

It was cool!

[scoathy]

I was fairly boxed-in in traffic on a two-lane this morning, where pulling-off was less-than-comfortable an option at my current level of confidence.


So I just did the stand-up-on-the-pegs-and-make-myself-look-like-I-am-about-to-do-something-squid-like thing.

Barely got my butt off the seat, and the two yoots behind me suddenly realized there was a vehicle in front of them, and made room.

It was cool!

LOL

"Judge Haller: Did you say "yutes"? Vinny: Yeah, two youts. Judge Haller: What is a yute?"

[DWR577]

There is never "one simple answer".  2 + 2 is not always 4.  Sometimes 2 + 2 = 11, sometimes 2 + 2 = 10. There are some dos and don'ts however.

The number one thing is to be safe.  As I said in the first reply, don't do anything to escalate the situation i.e. don't throw stuff at them or try to damage their vehicle. That leads to rage, makes for an unsafe situation, plus it's illegal.

It could be just an inattentive driver, flash your brake light, or like Wearyeyed did briefly stand up on the pegs.  Something to bring attention to yourself.

The safest thing might be to put a vehicle between you and them by passing the vehicle in front of you, or it might not.

The safest thing to do might be to pull over and let them go on their way, or it might not.

The safest thing to do might be to just gas on it a bit and open the gap, or it might not.

The safest thing to do might be to change lanes, or it might not.

The best thing is to have an arsenal of responses prepared and to apply the best and safest one the situation demands.

Any choice you make depends on the road, traffic, weather, your skill, bike condition, and any number of other variables.

The number one thing is your safety and number two is safety of others. We ride motorcycles because dang it, it's fun.  I've never been dead but I can't conceive that being very fun.

[Zeke]

  Wise man. Wise answer. 

[talespin]

they weigh 2500lbs+ and I only weigh 600lbs.   

Is that you and the the bike, or just you?   

[cb750t]

I would just let them pass, I wouldn't be too happy cutting between lanes and just to have some a$$hat switching lanes with out looking and side swiping me. I live in New York and I've seen a lot of these "a$$ hats on bikes" cutting between lanes ( which is illegal) and being as obnoxious as they can. I've grew a habit of just sitting in traffic and wait for them to start moving in residential area but when it's on the high way it's another story. The first time i did that I was scared out of my wits, trucks just being too close for no reason and cagers just don't notice you. I don't feel good about being ahead while people just sit and wait and watch me trying to get in front but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.

[NicholasDM]

I have high intensity LEDs for tail lamps and a brake light modulator to flash them three times.
I find that it gets most people's attention, including tailgaters because flashing lights and small vehicle is something to take note of.

A slow roll off of the throttle and a couple of brake flashes is usually all I find people need unless they're being  . Worse comes to it, get around and put a car between yourself and said 'gater. Never been tailgated that badly though.