Right of Way Challenges

Since I've kinda been a "shut-in" for the past couple of weeks, some of the
ol' compadres have taken to stopping by and drinking up all my coffee with
me.. LOL.. Sure have enjoyed the company.. Many thanks to everyone who's
stopped by..

Yesterday was no exception and three of us wound up drinking a pot, on the
renowned front porch.. Damn.. we covered a whole spectrum of subjects..
Right of Way was eventually entered into the discussion..

I've given this subject a lot of thought over the years.. A long time ago, I
came to the conclusion that "right of way" is kinda like a frame of mind for
anyone riding a motorcycle.. The guidelines for establishing right of way
are spelled out pretty clearly.. However, there are many disadvantages to a
rider challenging another vehicle for his perceived right of way..

Most of us ride motorcycles which weigh something like ten percent of any
other vehicle on the street or highway.. The rider is exposed and on two
wheels while the other vehicle sits in a compartment, relatively shielded..
and on four wheels.. If that cage driver accepts a right of way challenge
from a biker, guess who is going to lose..

I've challenged for right of way as have most of us who ride.. We've been
fortunate to have not run into that nut behind the wheel.. Yeah.. they are
definitely out there.. The odds are definitely in their favor, of walking
away from one of these challenges without serious injury or death..

Maybe.. I am just getting old and more cautious, but if another vehicle
wants that right of way, for my part, he can damn sure have it.. No
challenge from me.. I'd rather be pissed because some fool cut me off or ran
out of an intersection on me, than to be dead or in a hospital..

Save the challenges until you are on a level playing field and have the
chance of walking away.. A motorcycle is no match for any other vehicle
which weighs ten or more times it's weight..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

That is the conclusion I have come to..

Whenever I am in traffice, I try to keep a plan A, B and C, in the back of
my mind.. I always try to be aware of anything around me or that I am
approaching.. <shrug> sometimes I come up short, but I think it's important
to conscientiously make that effort..
I

LOL... haven't we all. ??

I can't recommend it

Surprisingly.. many driver do see us, but it doesn't register that we are
another vehicle that they should be aware of..

Tailgaters really make me

They can surely be scary..

We do have a slight advantage.. we are smaller and more agile.. We can
escape through openings which would be a certain crash for a cager.. I've
made countless escapes by reacting and not really thinking about it.. The
unexpected does occur and when it does, there is virtually no time for
planning or thinking.. That is the instance when the reactions must save
you.. Stay safe and ride strong..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

I had a tail gater the other day. You know it always amazes me how
they can just appear. I check my surroundings often, but I swear,
they can seem to come from nowhere. And sometimes they're not
tail gating because they want to better their spot in traffic. I've just
had TG's that wanted to make the next right/left turn, and were going
to TG me until they get there.

Having been rear ended twice in as many years, I don't extend much
patience. My last encounter was a beautiful day, clean/dry streets,
but I just ease on the brakes, gently slowing until the friend behind
me chooses to move. While watching my mirror, I could see this
last guy throwing left hand in the air, while hitting the steering wheel
once(that I saw) with the right. If you get slow enough, they'll even-
tually pass. I always think it's very funny that they've just been told
(figuratively, though my decreasing speed) that maybe their TG'ing
is frowned upon. But, once they pass, they're right up on the ass of
the next vehicle. If you can read the face of the driver behind you,
they're way too close, IMO.

Gary

 

I've noticed that sometimes, not all the time, if someone is riding
your ass and you'll turn around, look at them, and then motion for
them to back off they will. I don't think they realize how badly they
are tailgating each other out there.


--Fullstate

Me and Mah 'Priller!

 

Tailgaters(tm) don't bother me as much as the "I gotta race this guy
because I have to prove to someone my Saturn is faster than his
motorcycle". I don't know what causes this mentality of "I have to be
in front". Don't they know that they'll NEVER be "in front" of
everyone on the road?

With Tailgaters(tm), I just ease up and let them tailgate the car in
front of me while I just go around the car in front of me. That
generally pisses them off enough that it seems to shock them into
submission. After a minute or so, I'll look back and they are well
back from the car I left them with.

These motorcycles are funny, they don't have to sit behind a car like
another car does.

And what in the world causes this "I'll just slam on my brakes because
I feel someone is too close" thought? Man, I just don't get it.