Windshield washers questions

[Robert]

While riding upon occasion out of the blue I will have some car in front of me put on the windshield washers. It could be beautiful weather and clear as a bell for miles yet they decide to spray. I am not sure if its on purpose trying to give a message or just the timing, so I wonder has anyone else had this happen to them? I have heard that people do this out of being jerks but would like to hear what you guys have to say.

[..]

While riding upon occasion out of the blue I will have some car in front of me put on the windshield washers. It could be beautiful weather and clear as a bell for miles yet they decide to spray. I am not sure if its on purpose trying to give a message or just the timing, so I wonder has anyone else had this happen to them? I have heard that people do this out of being jerks but would like to hear what you guys have to say.

They are telling you to stop tailgating?

Do you ride with your brights on? They may not like it.

They are being a jerk?

[sandy]

Maybe they have a dirty/dusty windshield and just need to clear it up.

[Gavin_Sons]

In high school i had a Jeep Cherokee Country edition. The rear wiper hose fell off one day and when i sprayed it, it shot about 10 feet behind me. As a dumb kid i would use it to squirt people walking behind me and people in convertibles. Don't think i ever got a biker though. Also one night had a truck tailgating me with he brights on, i had a 3 million candle power spotlight with me so i plugged it in and shined it out the rear window. He backed way off and turned his brights off.  

[mark81]

 as an auto tech at most places I worked every vehicle got a basic safety check and part of that was to check the wipers. quickest easiest way is to squirt washer fluid and see if it clears without streaking. I have done this to thousands and thousands of cars over the years. its amazing how many cars actually have the nozzle twisted and pointed toward the passenger side of the vehicle. Usually I just point them where they are supposed to go. in every instance where it was broken and had to be replaced the owner said they did it on purpose to squirt people at bus stops. one guy actually had a nozzle in his intake and filled the washer reservoir with trans fluid so he could "lay out a smoke screen to lose the cops".  he also showed me had all his lights on switches to evade the police as well.  I wanted to punch that guy in the face. he drove a cavalier

[Hook#3287]

I've seen it happen and I've done it myself, when reaching for the directional lever, accidentally hitting the washer button.

[Jess from VA]

In high school i had a Jeep Cherokee Country edition. The rear wiper hose fell off one day and when i sprayed it, it shot about 10 feet behind me. As a dumb kid i would use it to squirt people walking behind me and people in convertibles. Don't think i ever got a biker though. Also one night had a truck tailgating me with he brights on, i had a 3 million candle power spotlight with me so i plugged it in and shined it out the rear window. He backed way off and turned his brights off.  

I cannot remember being squirted on my bike.

I had a '62 VW with the WWasher powered by the spare tire (up front).  It was a great way to end up with a spare tire with 5lbs in it, so I filled the spare to 50lbs.  Now I could shoot water onto the car (or two) behind me.  Didn't do it often, but hitting girls in Tshirts in a convertible was entertaining.  They could not see where it was coming from and always held out their hands and looked up to see if it was raining.  (age 16-17)

And I did the very same thing with my hand held million power spot (lighter plug).  Used to leave it out on my front seat on long trips (night driving), and a blast out the back window made them quit the bright tailgating.  I haven't seen that spot for years, but think it's still in the big Tupperware tub in my car trunk full of safety stuff, jumpers, first aid kit, and extra deicer washer fluid.

[cookiedough]

been squirted several times in vehicles but never really on a cycle.  Amazes me how many people have their lines pointing too far UP and NOT ON their windshields.  I can see a fine mist but some are like spraying all the way over their own windshields. 

Never did the 1 million candle power flashing of vehicle behind me tailgating or with brights on.  Do that nowadays and the car behind you might have enough road rage to ram your rear bumper or do other stuff driving erratically. 

Funny story of outrunning the police with a cavalier, not too likely too happen... 

[dragonslayer]

If you quit tailgating or lower your high beams you wouldn't have that problem.I also hate tailgaters.

[saddlesore]

I 've had it quite often over the years and asked the same questions but this reminds me of something that happened a long time ago..  I was driving a van for work and passing a cattle truck just as a cow took a piss.   I think of that every time I'm on my cycle and passing a cattle truck. 
Some things are worse than windshield washer solution.

sorry for the hijack

[BF]

I've had to wash my dirty/dusty/bug encrusted windshield in bright daylight before...especially if the sun is low and directly in my path. 

However, I've also used it to get a tailgater off of my rear.  Same with a jerk with the brights on. 

[Willow]

If we're traveling at any reasonable speed and someone sprays liquid on their windshield to be subsequently projected by windshield wipers it is in the air for a good bit before it finally dissipates into the atmosphere or drops to the ground.

Incidentally does it strike anyone else as odd that we and cattle "take" a piss rather than delivering a piss?  I guess the same could be asked of more solid waste.    

[..]

Following a horse trailer. Horse backs up to rear of trailer. Lifts tail and releases cargo. Shrapnel flies everywhere as the cargo hits the black top.

[The emperor has no clothes]

While riding upon occasion out of the blue I will have some car in front of me put on the windshield washers. It could be beautiful weather and clear as a bell for miles yet they decide to spray. I am not sure if its on purpose trying to give a message or just the timing, so I wonder has anyone else had this happen to them? I have heard that people do this out of being jerks but would like to hear what you guys have to say.

I am much more concerned with cigarettes thrown out the window.

[Jess from VA]

I rode behind a fully loaded pig truck once (but not for long).  No solids or liquids came out, but the gaseous odor was enough to cause choking, eyes watering and nausea.  I mean, even at freeway speeds, it was BAD (and made beer and chilidog farts mild and amateurish by comparison).  

This was the time the wife took off to pass at about 112.  I took off to catch her and tell her we were in heavy copper country, and to knock it off.  The cops didn't see her, but they clocked me.  As they pulled up beside me, I gave a big mea culpa in hand signals, and they did the naughty-naughty sign (rubbing crossed forefingers) back at me, and passed us all on their way to.... somewhere (laughing).  

Their windows were up, but they no doubt had smelled that mobile abomination as well.

[Gryphon Rider]

If we're traveling at any reasonable speed and someone sprays liquid on their windshield to be subsequently projected by windshield wipers it is in the air for a good bit before it finally dissipates into the atmosphere or drops to the ground.

Incidentally does it strike anyone else as odd that we and cattle "take" a piss rather than delivering a piss?  I guess the same could be asked of more solid waste.    

[Robert]

We used to not be as busy as we are now in S Fla but it has become almost like riding in city traffic. I usually like keeping at least 5 car lengths to the car in front of me but sometimes in traffic if you do that one guy after another cuts in front of you. But even in traffic I try to allow 3 lengths in front of me and maybe plot my position to go into another lane.

  If its an SUV I dont ride behind them closely because I cannot see the cars or the road in front and I will not drive to the car in front of me. So I did cut across a lane and did settle in behind this SUV for about 30 seconds when so much water hit the windshield it actually cleaned mine. I was pissed at first then thankful that my screen got cleaned. I only worry about some jerk putting something in their washer that is dangerous.

 I have had this a few times and no there is no high beam on just the low and usually not even running lights. But wanted to post the question to all of you that have ridden for awhile. I had heard in the problem with tailgating and I just dont do in on 95 going 80 since its very dangerous especially for road gators that can sneak up from in front of you.

The guy was just a jerk and I have had it a few times, it really doesn't make a difference its only the act that gets to me. I thought about all I  could do and then said I am not wanting to get into it now with the day being so beautiful and the ride just about perfect. Thanks for all your responses out of all just one that accused falsely.

[Firefighter]

When I was a kid I worked at an Enco service station. Remember back in the old days, full service, run over the rubber airline and rings the bell to alert the attendant. Remember?  Anyway I remember trying to find gas caps as they could be behind the license plate, up in the front of the vehicle, some had one of the tail wings open up to expose the fuel fill, etc., quite a challenge sometimes. I also remember the VW Beetle with the windshield washer in the middle of the hood and while I was cleaning the windshield the driver would squirt me in the back of the head. They always thought that was funny. Good old days.

[john]

                                  if you are following  too closely  ..
                                 ???      you deserve any and every thing you get ..
                                                                   a very bad habit ..    
                                                                  keep your distance 
                       now buzzer crap .. that's different

[BnB Tom]

 OH!

           I thought you wanted to INSTALL a motorcycle windshield washer.

                                                           

[MarkT]

I've thought they were being jerks until I reflected on it.  I think they are just unaware and/or don't care. Typical cager oblivious to conditions and the effect of their behavior.   If they were bikers they would be aware that spraying THEN will hit the biker.  And if they were bikers then might tend to have courtesy to other riders. Most cagers also don't watch for junk or potholes or badly fit manhole covers and run over everything. Amazes me how oblivious most are. That's why you have to drive FOR them; increase your visibility; assume they will make stupid moves or they will run over YOU.

Of the many hats I've worn, for a decade I was a photographer.  Had a powerful flash with 4" reflector in my mobile bag.  Had a jerk tailgating me once, I turned it on, and slowed down on a 4-lane for a left turn, so he would pass on the right.  When he did I flashed him in his face.  Yeah he was looking at me.  Guarantee he had spots in his eyes for a minute.  Yeah not smart I know but I was then off the road and there was no traffic - again, no reson for him to be tailgating esp on a 4-lane.

I've also had to dodge cow piss - several times now.  This is cattle country.  Damn female cows seem to back up to the ports and let fly, more volume than a garden hose.  Had it happen on an on-ramp, straight out the back.  Out the left side whjile passing.  Stopped behind a truck at a light, right on the hood & shield of the Olds. Learned to give them a wide berth and make it quick.