A Motorcyclist's Apology

http://www.fredericky.com/images/dumb.pdf

 

Yup - agree 100%. That's why the 138 db airhorn I got will soon be
replaced on the retired cop bike I ride by a retired cop bike siren.

If that doesn't work I'll have to go with plan C - a nice little 9mm
pistol. ;-)

 

I believe i have room for a sawed-off 12 gauge on either side of the
concours fairing. much louder than a 9mm. and remember, loud guns save
lives.

 

That's why I just split the lanes and not let the drivers bother me.
What amazes me is how someone sits in traffic and wonders why cars
change lanes on them and they get rear-ended.

I've noticed people in cars and trucks are getting more and more
acceptive of lane splitting. Every once in a while I'll have some
jackass blow their horn at me or try and pull in front to block me.
But for the most part, when the cars see me coming through the lanes,
they'll actually move way from the line and let me pass.

Warning: When lane splitting, watch closely for trucks mirrors that
are larger than normal....and duck! (ask me how I know!)

 

Either way it gives a new meaning to "Reach out and touch someone". ;-)

While I hope I would never ride down the road shooting I now have a better
understanding why LA had all those highway shootings a few years back.

 

So that's how your skull got dented in... ;-)

I did find another advantage to riding an ex-cop bike (and wearing a white
helmet). Traffic on 121 to 183 was really backed up last week. I hopped
on the shoulder and road past traffic to the nearest exit, steered
between two signs at the merge and into a lane. The cool part was NOBODY
tried to open a door or squeeze me off.

I was serious about getting a siren. I have the police service manual
addendum which shows all the wiring and connections needed. I know I'd be
pushing it to put blue and red lenses on the parking lights - LEOs tend to
frown upon that - BUT I did find some red and blue strobes that hang off
the highway bar and can be easily concealed.

 

See, and all this time you just thought it was natural...

I've had people try and squeeze the gap, but I've never had anyone try
and open a door on me. What pisses them off when they squeeze the lane
is I'll see them do it and I'll swing behind them and then go on the
other side of them after they gave me a HUGE gap and then keep on
going. I'll do that and hear a BEEEEPPPP from a horn behind me.

I'm not sure they can do squat about a siren being put on the bike.
The red/blue lenses would likely be frowned on, but that more of a
legal issue. You can claim a siren in the same category as a PA system
and even claim it (if it ever got pushed into a court) as a parade/
escort vehicle.

And, like you said, the bike is already wired and switched for
it.

 

You guys need to stop letting these motorists get to y'all.....

I guess with me I just don't see myself blocked in by cars and I don't
let the cars control my way of riding.

As said many times before, I keep going when the cars stop by finding
the open areas and taking advantage of it. One place in particular is
on 190. In my Jeep the commute from my office to house in rush hour
takes about an hour with a good 15 minutes sitting at 3 traffic
signals. On the bike I can make the route without exceeding the limit
of more than 15mph and even stopping to pay the toll instead of using
the tag in the Jeep, and I make it in about 15 to 20 minutes. On the
bike, I'll only put my feet down once at the toll boothe and maybe
once at one of the red lights....but I'll be at the front between two
cars. This is how motorcyclists ride in most places out west and most
places in the east. I just don't understand why the riders in Texas
can't get it in their way of riding....