EastBayDave
Needs a job
Posts: 2245
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posted March 08, 2003 08:37 AM
Flipping off errant cages
Someone on another site was pointing out how much fun they have "flipping the bird" at errant cages. I tried to promote a pro-active view that I thought was worth sharing:
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Originally posted by GripWalkerF4i
.....I throw up my middle finger and then EXIT..ahahahahahahha
It was a good feeling....
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EBD: This is so counter-productive; what do you think that person is going to do to the NEXT rider he/she comes along? Maybe kill him/her & keep going? Sure, you flip them off & you laugh & feel good for a few minutes; a few minutes later it's forgotten. BUT you can be sure that cage driver didn't forget it. By flipping those people off YOU might be endangering other riders in the future.
Sure, I'm as guilty as some of you too- I've flipped the bird more than a few times, & I've kicked a few doors, broken off antennas, carried ball bearings, etc. However, the last few decades I've realized this only helps my ego & does nothing to help this Nationwide problem.
Last few years I've tried to mellow a bit & be more understanding that it's our stupid laws that allow this crap- by allowing non-capable drivers to get a drivers license. Until we get off our collective duffs & write our representatives, & FORCE driving laws to change...shame on us.
If you ride like you're invisible, you should be ready for almost anything. Maybe the next time someone makes an honest mistake & doesn't see you (& you easily avoid contact), respond w/understanding & humor. You'd be surprised by the responses you get; AND maybe next time this person will be more careful, or even heaven forbid, be a cage driver who's courteous to motorcyclists.
Example: Some time back, a woman in a cage came over on me on I-580; she was busy talking on her cell & not paying attention. I saw it coming (noticed the phone to the ear), & easily avoided it by braking & a toot on the horn as soon as she started coming over the line into "my" lane.
She swerved back into her lane & dropped the cell almost getting sideways! Despite her panicked surprise she maintained control & I proceeded to start to pass ready for anything. As I came alongside she very sheepishly looked in my direction obviously expecting a bird or other offensive venting. She then quickly mouthed a "sorry" to me as I came even w/her window.
Instead of flipping her off (like I really wanted to do), I simply smiled a big grin (enough to be visible) & slowly shook my index finger at her in the "watch-it/now-now" signal type sign language. She immediately understood & waved a friendly wave as I waved bye-bye to her & I blew a kiss at her (she was good looking, couldn't resist that part.)
Now do you think she might be more cautious next time/when a bike is nearby? I think maybe so; & it may help US if everyone would do likewise instead of getting pissed at something we have no control over (a drivers ability.)
At the very least this separates us from the "outlaw" types, & some drivers after experiencing this might tend to be more cautious & look for bikes- instead of getting pissed off for maybe months at ALL bikers, being aggressive next time expecting the worst.
Some may be even be more courteous to riders as a habit once they experience this "different" attitude. Sure, until laws change some drivers will never be cured, but if we could only change a few minds, I think it would be helpful to all of us...
Something to ponder...
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Enjoy the ride!
02' ZRX1200
00' ZX12R sold
  
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harryzx-12
Needs a job
Posts: 3643
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posted March 08, 2003 03:35 PM
If you think most drivers give a rats ass about bikes then you need to put that crack pipe down.I only give other motorists (including other bikes)the finger when they endanger myself or others and don't give a flying fuck if somebody else likes it or not.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"
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Zhooligan
Moderator
Post Whore Extraordinaire!
Posts: 3829
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posted March 08, 2003 03:45 PM
 Edited By: Zhooligan on 9 Mar 2003 00:02
I pretty much assume cars are in one way or another out ot get me on my motorcycle. I'm not paranoid just cautious shall we say. that said seldom does a car and or it's driver suprise me. When they do stupid things I find myself laughing and saying I knew it! So for the most part their actions are entertaining. That said every situation that I have been in where a car has really just about or has got me the driver was looking in my eyes directly or in their mirror. So In those specific cases I have had a choice word to say and they did not feel at all going out and getting the next motorcyclist. In fact they feel much more inclined to find their mommy and start nursing!
I hate to say this but in almost every case where a car and motorcyclist have a close encounter it is because the motorcyclist let his guard down. I liken it to a Lion or Tiger trainer. They love their work, wouldn't trade their jobs for the world. But let them get a little lazy or lose their focus, and bang they get bit!
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To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted March 08, 2003 04:25 PM
Bitter Bastard..............
quote:
If you think most drivers give a rats ass about bikes then you need to put that crack pipe down.I only give other motorists (including other bikes)the finger when they endanger myself or others and don't give a flying fuck if somebody else likes it or not.
You need to get some pussy.......and fast. You little bitter bastard.  Naw bro, just messin' with you. I just love how "To the Point" you are, in other words you're a crazy motherfucker like me. I guess that's why I hang around your worthless ass. Oh yeah,........FUCK BART!!!! (just practicing for May) LOL!!!!!
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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slug
Pro
Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433
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posted March 09, 2003 06:38 AM
drivers don't care about other motorists period...
yesterday on the way to store to get piston clips for my track bike
4 lane road, dedicated left turn lanes. side traffic has 3 lanes, a straight through/left lane and a right turn lane.
signal set accordingly
our green arrow goes yellow, opposing traffic gets all green
nimrod beside me takes off. guns and goes.
the opposing traffic has green left arrow. the side traffic has a right green arrow
he has his wife and small child in the car
this is another symptom of the self indulgant "me" generation that is currently 'en vogue'
the only thing you can do is when you have children and teach them to drive, teach them HOW to DRIVE, not just to manipulate the automobile controls
it is amazing, around here people have grown up and LIVED in mountains all their lives. i have jut moved here a year ago now. all my driving before that was on flat straight roads. soo i take some time and learn how to negotiate the roads, and the terrain in the car, and on the bike.
yet 90% of the locals can't even maintain HALF the speedlimit on the roads
sad. very sad. no effort to even try to figure out why there is a mile of cars behind them when they drive to town, on a 55mph road. "but maw ahm doin 40!!"
   
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bagster
Zone Head
Posts: 630
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posted March 09, 2003 08:07 AM
The horror is yet to come when those baby boomers start filling up the ranks of bad driving nincompoops who are driving behind an impenetrable shield of their own ignorance. (And no place to go and all day to get there.)
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted March 09, 2003 01:07 PM
i only disagree with you on one point slug, and that's that the "me" generation isn't a generation; it's a race, specifically the human race. drivers were said to be all about "me" even when the first cars came out & they felt they owned the roads, much to the chagrin of the common pedestrian. aint gonna change anytime soon either, unless we really have a serious societal shift that sees a much more responsible and respectful public view on motor vehicles and driving. don't hold yer breath.
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slug
Pro
Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433
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posted March 09, 2003 01:33 PM
hehe yeh well ;P
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12RPilot
Pro
Posts: 1094
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posted March 09, 2003 07:17 PM
Oh if I only had missle launchers on my vehicles!!
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted March 10, 2003 05:25 PM
quote:
I pretty much assume cars are in one way or another out ot get me on my motorcycle. I'm not paranoid just cautious shall we say. that said seldom does a car and or it's driver suprise me. When they do stupid things I find myself laughing and saying I knew it! So for the most part their actions are entertaining. That said every situation that I have been in where a car has really just about or has got me the driver was looking in my eyes directly or in their mirror. So In those specific cases I have had a choice word to say and they did not feel at all going out and getting the next motorcyclist. In fact they feel much more inclined to find their mommy and start nursing!
I hate to say this but in almost every case where a car and motorcyclist have a close encounter it is because the motorcyclist let his guard down. I liken it to a Lion or Tiger trainer. They love their work, wouldn't trade their jobs for the world. But let them get a little lazy or lose their focus, and bang they get bit!
Well said, Like Z I am seldom surprised, and almost never put myself in a situation without an escape route. Always expect everyone to do the stupidest thing possible and you will be ready.
Also flipping off anyone on the road is a very bad idea. Making them feel stupid by pointing to your mirror, or motioning they should look where they are going is far more effictive.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
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posted March 10, 2003 07:50 PM
quote:
.....
snip ...
Also flipping off anyone on the road is a very bad idea. Making them feel stupid by pointing to your mirror, or motioning they should look where they are going is far more effictive.
My cerebral side agrees with Ted G.
But, the squid in me and my aggressive side is best satisfied with a quick 'fuck you.'
Then I feel guilty about it and then the road rage paranoia sets in.
Really, it's just simpler if I follow Ted's advice. But it's kinda like going fast sometimes on the 12. I just gotta. Even though there may be serious consequences.
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