So I'm curious?

[ValkFlyer]

Given the carelessness of today’s cagers and stupidity and arrogance of “some” of our other biker brethren, how to do you do you handle those on the spot close calls, tail gaiters, crowders, or road rage moments?

Here in CA, were I’m riding in heavy traffic daily, and at about the same time of day and/or night, a reaction from me one day can mean a conflict the next.  I pretty much so grin and bear it…but it can get old.. I have, I'm embarrassed to say, removed a few mirrors (not good) when crowded.

[macdoesit]

You are on 2 wheels, what is to nagotiate. Don't rock the boat.

[ValkFlyer]

You are on 2 wheels, what is to nagotiate. Don't rock the boat.

Ah shucks, that's to simple.....   I'm hoping for some imagination.....

[john]

" removed a few mirrors when crowded. "         
"who's"     ???      
 stupidity and arrogance ........                    
" You are on 2 wheels, what is to nagotiate "              
stay to the right ... slow way down ... let them pass      

[ValkFlyer]

" You are on 2 wheels, what is to nagotiate "             
stay to the right ... slow way down ... let them pass       

Ok...I give...I'll have to be more creative when it comes to starting a topic 

[macdoesit]

You are on 2 wheels, what is to nagotiate. Don't rock the boat.

Ah shucks, that's to simple.....  I'm hoping for some imagination.....

If you want something more, cary a 45 or 50 cal.

Really if a cage don't want to yield, ain't nothing you can do period.......................................................................

[ValkFlyer]

You are on 2 wheels, what is to nagotiate. Don't rock the boat.

Ah shucks, that's to simple.....  I'm hoping for some imagination.....

If you want something more, cary a 45 or 50 cal.

Really if a cage don't want to yield, ain't nothing you can do period.......................................................................

Ah.....see now we're getting somewhere...here's my little darling

[macdoesit]

When I ride I yield to all cages, anytime anywhere.
When I drive my cage I yield to the bikes, anytime anywhere.

[ValkFlyer]

When I ride I yield to all cages, anytime anywhere.
When I drive my cage I yield to the bikes, anytime anywhere.

Yes, it's good advice....you just never know what kind of strange people are out their.... 

You are on 2 wheels, what is to nagotiate. Don't rock the boat.

Ah shucks, that's to simple.....   I'm hoping for some imagination.....

If you want something more, cary a 45 or 50 cal.

Really if a cage don't want to yield, ain't nothing you can do period.......................................................................

Ah.....see now we're getting somewhere...here's my little darling

 

[john]

here's my little darling    ...           
               
" Here in CALIFORNIA , were I’m riding in heavy traffic daily "
good luck with that          

[junior]

I have to admit that i have taken out several windshileds, and always carry quarters in my jacket pocket. right along with a couple of 1/2 inch nuts. they are real effective on the tail gaters 

[Tundra]

I have to admit that i have taken out several windshileds, and always carry quarters in my jacket pocket. right along with a couple of 1/2 inch nuts. they are real effective on the tail gaters  

Now THAT would certainly start a road rage situation You could be held liable for damage and or an accident which may or may not result in injuries. Just not worth the possible outcome YOU would be provoking.

[bscrive]

I know that in Virginia at least, doing something like that and you cause an accident, you can be charged with attempted murder.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

When I was younger I kicked in a few doors and would generally never back down from those kind of situations. I've got more sense now, I now realize that most of the people I meet on the road will be idiots playing at the top of their game with the hand they were dealt and I need to show them some patience.

Having more patience might be because I nearly always carry where it's legal to do so now. If you're packing then I think you have to hold yourself to a higher level of responsibility. You owe it to the public and to other gun owners.

I don't have to drive in heavy traffic much but when I do my strategy is this.
I try to stay in the top 10% of traffic as far as speed goes. I think it's safer to be the passer than the passed. When you are running faster than most traffic it lets you pick the places you will interact with other traffic instead of letting them do the picking. When there are gaps in the traffic, I try to pass a group and ride in the gap until it starts to close up, then I move on and look for the next gap. Also, when I see someone who looks like they are temped to infringe on my lane I get in the part of the lane closest to them (if I'm sure they see me) so they aren't seeing a "hole" they think they can fit in.

Also, if someone is being an ahole and taking chances trying to fit into a spot they won't fit in I will motion them to go past and take the spot. I'll make a big show of doing it too.

Because I'm staying in the top 10% speed wise I seldom have to stay in close proximity to a bad driver long and I can pick the places and time to get around them.

The other thing about riding in heavy traffic for me is keeping total concentration on my riding, no tunes, no distractions. If it's an area I'm not familiar with (and it always is) I use my GPS. I think it's safer than watching for roadsigns which may be blocked by other traffic, it helps me be the correct lane ahead of time. And the speedometer on the GPS is easier and faster to see.

[Time Worp]

For tail gaters, I keep a pocket full of pennies and flick them over my head, when they bounce off the hood of their car the back up.

As far as right of way, cages always have the right of way even when they don't. 700lb can't ague with 2000lb.

[Ice]

In all seriousness, everybody that drives gets distracted with something, wether in a cage or on two wheels, and I highly doubt anyone on this board has not been guilty of some infraction on the road that if the situation were different a two wheeler could have been affected. That said, I do not defend the cagers, there are far too many texting and make up adding idiots out there, but if some idiot pulls a gun on me while I am driving my car, I gurantee he will be a hood ornament, if I was at fault for his rage against the cage or not. You are riding on two wheels and in the open, the cage is protected, what are your chances of winning? Not too good in my eyes, so as stated by others try to ride defensively have a good horn and better reaction.
 I just had a lady yapping on her cell come into my lane on Sunday and all I could do is hit the horn and try to avoid her, gave a nice gesture afterwards but in all reality there was no time for other things. I just consider myself lucky to have survived without a wreck. In reality being on a bike makes you a target because cagers are not trained to see nor notice a motorcycle on the road.
Good luck with the pea shooter idea.

[Serk]

When things start getting interesting in traffic, I tend to fall back on the ONE major advantage a motorcycle has - the ability to quickly accelerate and be somewhere else... If things get bad enough I've been known to take the special biker passing lanes (The shoulders) to get away from a crazy. Not an everyday occurrence, but my general rule of thumb is to twist the wrist and be somewhere else... If ya' get a REAL crazy that decides you're racing him and wants to play, move right and slow down, exit if you need to, but I've only had that happen once or twice...

[Willow]

It depends entirely on the situation.  I have been know to remind other occupants of the road of my displeasure.  I've been known to use the superior acceleration and maneuverability of the motorcycle to remove myself from a situation.  In a few instances I've tested (with some care) whether the cager involved was truly willing to make contact.  Most of the time I just try to avoid being too close to the lower half of the intellectual pool.

It's good to have horns and lights.

Incidentally, before you begin your upbraiding, let me assure you I've received it from the best.  My loving wife has told me more than once that someday I'll get myself killed.    

[Mike S.]

When I was younger I kicked in a few doors and would generally never back down from those kind of situations. I've got more sense now, I now realize that most of the people I meet on the road will be idiots playing at the top of their game with the hand they were dealt and I need to show them some patience.

Having more patience might be because I nearly always carry where it's legal to do so now. If you're packing then I think you have to hold yourself to a higher level of responsibility. You owe it to the public and to other gun owners.

I don't have to drive in heavy traffic much but when I do my strategy is this.
I try to stay in the top 10% of traffic as far as speed goes. I think it's safer to be the passer than the passed. When you are running faster than most traffic it lets you pick the places you will interact with other traffic instead of letting them do the picking. When there are gaps in the traffic, I try to pass a group and ride in the gap until it starts to close up, then I move on and look for the next gap. Also, when I see someone who looks like they are temped to infringe on my lane I get in the part of the lane closest to them (if I'm sure they see me) so they aren't seeing a "hole" they think they can fit in.

Also, if someone is being an ahole and taking chances trying to fit into a spot they won't fit in I will motion them to go past and take the spot. I'll make a big show of doing it too.

Because I'm staying in the top 10% speed wise I seldom have to stay in close proximity to a bad driver long and I can pick the places and time to get around them.

The other thing about riding in heavy traffic for me is keeping total concentration on my riding, no tunes, no distractions. If it's an area I'm not familiar with (and it always is) I use my GPS. I think it's safer than watching for roadsigns which may be blocked by other traffic, it helps me be the correct lane ahead of time. And the speedometer on the GPS is easier and faster to see.

Exactly! Could not have said better myself.

[MarkT]

Excellent comments, especially what Frye said and below (not dissing above that either).  I ride pretty much identical to what Frye said.  I also have a helluva horn and use it frequently to wake up the idiots.  Even the horn has caused a couple road rage incidents of idiots who were cutting me off, get pissed because I surprised them, apparently.  Whatever.  At least they saw me and the accident averted.  When they started tailgating to punish me, I just twisted the wick and disposed of them at 140mph.  Incident over.  I'm not gonna risk my life for the sake of pride.    Flame suit on.

[3fan4life]

I've been known to wave and let them know that they are "Number 1" on several occasions. 

[fudgie]

Kit and I have quite a few times in the past, let other drivers know our displeasure.  She is (surprisingly) more vocal then I am. Ive done my share, and still do, of 'tailgating' esp when others pull out in front of me. Also when they do I will 'skim' right along them as I pass and cut in. Makes them think, 'oh I just cut them off'. I'm really not afraid of other cars. Sure they can take me down, but its a risk we take. I might as well enjoy my ride before we die. Its the journy not the destination. 

My HD bud has a ball pean hammer mounted to a bracket he welded onto his bike. Its his 'traffic cop'. He's pulled it a few times and knocked mirrors off of cars that moved on him. I watched him pull it and swing but with a miss a few yrs ago.

[fudgie]

I have also sometimes uncovered my carry to let bad behavior'd jerks see it - that always cooled their jets.

What? The sight of a open carried, properly holstered firearm defused a situation?    

[musclehead]

I have to admit that i have taken out several windshileds, and always carry quarters in my jacket pocket. right along with a couple of 1/2 inch nuts. they are real effective on the tail gaters  

Now THAT would certainly start a road rage situation You could be held liable for damage and or an accident which may or may not result in injuries. Just not worth the possible outcome YOU would be provoking.

they won't be very sure where it came from if your dropping on the sly    the first reaction is to take the foot out of the gas.

[Hoser]

I have to admit that i have taken out several windshileds, and always carry quarters in my jacket pocket. right along with a couple of 1/2 inch nuts. they are real effective on the tail gaters 

Oh yeah, well, I shot a guy in the face for spittin tobacco out his window. After he crashed, I stopped and slapped his wife around!      Hoser

[cookiedough]

a good train horn is a great idea or concealed carry pistol depending on the hood.

I have several occasions flipped off and honked at idiots talking on cell phones or cutting me off.  As far as passing me, I let them go right on by.  I usually drive 63 mph in a 55 mph zone and if they are in that much of a hurry to get by me,  l gladly let them since several dozen of times idiots passing me have gotten tickets from the hillbilly cops in my neck of the woods always patroling on the main roads.  I just drive on by slowly as the cop is stopping them ahead waving at them, love it!
In my younger days, I would race them if they want to pass me already speeding.  I once got to around 85 mph in a 25 mph zone one lane road with both of us gunning it before I had to slow down.  Not worth it anymore to do such stupid stuff. Most of us grow out of it eventually, but never entirely.

[john]

" I stopped and slapped his wife around! "           
       

[PhredValk]

The keys for me are situational awareness and cowardice. Know what's going on around you, know what the bike will do for acceleration and braking. Know that in just about any situation, even with another bike, you are going to lose, so avoid at all costs.

Being right is no help if you're dead.
Fred.

[Serk]

Here lies the body of Johnny O'Day
He died Preserving His Right of Way.

He was Right, Dead Right, as he rode along
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong