To Flip or not to Flip, this is the question.

[mimmo66]

Took the wife for an outing on the k75 and after some good time and more sedate riding style I come across this AHOLE aboard his Porsche XYZ.

As I was passing him on the left hand side in a zone of traffic the chap steps up on the gas to close the gap in front of him; I managed my maneuver but once in front I had to FLIP him with my best middle finger.

Of course my wife did not like that and I'm always the bad driver; although I restrained myself a whole lot in such a circumstance.

What is your response to bad drivers that put your rider experience at risk, and how do you react to it?

My latest tendency is to stop the offender and traffic right behind me, pull off the bike and exchange some colloquials.

Maybe I need a lesson in riding etiquette, but when that someone plays with my life I get not very nice.

Domenico

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

There are some crazy people out there that will mess you up in a hurry if you give them very little provocation.  

I think it is best (and yes, it can be hard sometimes) to be the better person by backing down and pulling in behind them if need be.  

This is a crowded world.  We are going to have to learn to get along if we are going to continue to pull off this charade we know as industrialized living.

[Bob_Roller]

Here in Arizona, it's legal to carry a weapon in your vehicle, I don't get too rattled if someone is driving like an idiot and cuts me off, I'd like to get home in one piece .

Let's face it, no matter who's at fault, you're going to get the worst end of the deal, being on two wheels .

[nhmaf]

Riding  a motorcycle is not the time to be picking fights with cars, IMO.   When I encounter idiots like this I either take an opportunity to pull off and visit a general store, etc. and let them get miles ahead of me, or I pick my opportunities when I can definitely pass them quickly and put miles between me and them with me in the front.   Either way, it is just best to not be near them when they do end up causing an accident, which is only a matter of time.

[Lucky_Lou]

Im with Nhmaf on this however i do recall a "road rage" incident were a car driver decided to beat up on a biker in full gear helmet and body armour guess who won....
Lou

[montmil]

Here in Arizona, it's legal to carry a weapon in your vehicle, I don't get too rattled if someone is driving like an idiot and cuts me off, I'd like to get home in one piece .

Let's face it, no matter who's at fault, you're going to get the worst end of the deal, being on two wheels .

+ [smiley=thumbup.gif] For the Bob-Man.

I have my CHL license and carry most of the time except when I'm at work for the school district. On a motorcycle, you will be the one seriously injured. Man up and control your emotions. Your passenger may not be as ready to become road pizza as quickly as you would.

[darrylri]

If the guy's already a jerk, what makes you think you can teach him something in the middle of the road?  Let being a jerk be his problem, not yours.  

[mimmo66]

Well, I guess I'm the one who needs to be in control and avoid these 'situations' which don't really solve anything.

It's just that I get very 'hitchy' and it takes me some time before I calm down.

Thank you for the advices,
Domenico

[Bob_Roller]

What was interesting before the mesh jackets were introduced, again, it was legal the open carry a weapon, a weapon that is in plain view .

If you put a holster and handgun on, it was amazing how well other drivers could see you, and didn't cut you off, or otherwise play the games they do these days .

An armed society is a polite society .

[fastcataz]

Living in the worlds most backward sandbox has it's perks. I have an old Ruger Blackhawk the size of a small cannon. In all the years I have openly carried on the bike I have never had it out. But, I have seen the looks of the tin can folks and KNOW they might not "see" me, they sure as hell SEE the gun.

[montmil]

An armed society is a polite society.

You sure you ain't a Native Texan?

Monte

[Bob_Roller]

An armed society is a polite society.

You sure you ain't a Native Texan?

Monte

No not even close, born and raised in Chicago, but that is a northeastern suburb of Dallas now isn't it ?

The only two good things that have come out of Texas, are ZZ Top, and my paycheck .  [smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]

[Melena]

 I learned my lesson years ago about flipping people off while on a bike.  I was on a bicycle at the time though.  

I didn't "really" flip them off, but I did put just my middle finger over the brake lever on the right side where the car was stopped at the intersection and almost pulled out into me.  Well, the car followed us and when I pulled over and stopped the guy was yelling at me and blah blah blah and saying that I had flipped off his wife.   That really frightened me, especially since I couldn't go that fast on a bicycle.  I was in front of my house, but I didn't let the guy know that.  I left there and rode over to the police department to put in a complaint that the guy threatened me.  They didn't do anything of course.  I guess the guy would have had to run me over first.  

From then on I haven't used that finger at anyone driving a car, whether I was driving a car, riding a bicycle, or riding my motorcycle.   NOT that I haven't felt like it at times.  As I've gotten older I've mellowed out and just don't let them get to me anymore.  They are not worth the energy.