I find it hard to believe that people get so annoyed by someone while driving they wish to do something in revenge that'll seriously hurt them. That's the definition of being a moran, surely.

I've been learning to drive recently, and I'm amazed at the idiocy that some people drive with. Where I come from, no-one *ever* uses indicators.

If I see a biker passing slow traffic and coming up behind me I always pull over a couple of feet to let them by comfortably.

What's everyone's problem? Every bike that's splitting is reducing the queue you're sitting in by one vehicle length. Stopping them from doing this is only making the queue longer. 0.o

Did the article say which highway it was? My dad takes the Western Highway to work on his bike.

The level of hostility between riders and non-riders is confusing to me. I have never witnessed this behavior around here and I plan to own a motorcycle some day, so maybe i should find out. Honestly carrying pinballs around in your pocket isn't going to save you life, it's just a petty form of revenge for somebody putting you in danger. The kicker is that driver is going to have an even lower opinion of other riders and probably be more of a danger to them in the future.

Darwin has upped the ante.

I guess riders think running into a concrete barrier at 60mph is like liking into a warm bed, with silk sheets and feather pillows.

Here's a hint to determine whether you've got a "good" or "bad" rider on the road with you. Look at the gear. If it's a half-helmet and t-shirt, it's probably a "bad" rider. If it's a full-face helmet, armored jacket, leather gloves, and over-the-ankle boots, you've got someone who might just be a "good" rider.

I judge "good" or "bad" by thier actions... like every other person I encounter. But thanks for the stupid tip.

eqtworld
I guess riders think running into a concrete barrier at 60mph is like liking into a warm bed, with silk sheets and feather pillows.

Ha ha, you're so funny and clever! You're right, that's exactly what we think! Too bad you figured us out, guess we should all stop riding now. Now if I could only figure how to "like into" something, I'll be all set.

/Think before you post.

There are bikers and there are motorcyclists. Bikers are the stupid asshats that were the turtle shell helmet, wifebeater, shorts, and sandals/sneakers and usually have some fat-back beasty biatch with them wearing the same crap. A motorcyclist (regardless of bike preference) will be wearing a full face helmet, long sleeved jacket of some type, pants, boots, and usually gloves. If I see a biker while in my cage I'm extra cautious and prepare for his/her asshattery to begin. If I see a motorcyclist while in my cage I really don't worry too much. www.bikerfriendly.com

/45-50 mpg
//rides a crotch rocket
///RESPONSIBLY

*wear* the turtle shell helm...

If a biker puts a pinball ball into my car because of something stupid I did, and I didn't cause them to be in an accident, I'm going to make sure that farker ends up underneath my car. So you'd better think twice about what you have planned, rivetboy

I love it when people with no real knowledge about a subject chime in with their opinions. It's funny.

Ride a motorcycle for a few years, get run over by a car, and THEN chime in. We'll all take you much more seriously at that point.

Maybe all the lanes in Calif are really wide but many places I've driven, especially around NYC, lanes are so narrow that I keep my arms in the window.

I've no problem with motorcycles, but many that use them seem to have some air of self-importance as witnessed by this thread and speaking to them in real life.

I wonder if motorcycles will seem so badass still once oil is too costly to use and we're all riding rechargable electric motorcycles that are silent and as manly looking as your average bicycle today.

Dark-Fx
So if someone on a bike damages your car as revenge for you being stupid, you'd attempt to kill them?

You'd have to catch them first.

Okay, so what causes the most motorcycle/vehicle accidents? Probably when the car doesn't see the bike. Yesterday I saw a bike with 5--count 'em--5 headlights turned on in daylight and I thought about what a smart guy he was. There was no missing him.

/My neighbor when I was growing up was hit and slid a hundred feet on his face and basically sanded it all off--nose, mouth, all of it.

adminJim, If I didn't do something to deserve it... No. I wouldn't attempt. I would make sure it happens.

Of course I'll be able to catch them. They'd probably get in an accident, or fall trying to get away.

Vehicular Manslaughter > You.

Wow what a bunch of morons up there towards the top. We choose a mode of transportation you don't like so we should die. Very nice.

The purpose of making lane splitting legal is to reduce the traffic sitting on the road. It's actually beneficial. What a bunch of Neanderthals.

I don't carry rocks, split lanes, weave in and out of traffic (unless there is a compelling reason). I have considered riding OVER a car occasionally but it's a fleeting thought. I just try to stay the hell away from assclowns like you. Jesus Christ on a crutch.

Oh yeah, if we're donors so are bicyclists, skiers, horse riders, sky divers, and anyone else that chooses not to live a sterile, bubble-wrapped existance. I pity the jackass whose life is so dull that they have to wish death on those whose life isn't. It improves the quality of my life just knowing I'm not like you.

2006-06-15 05:30:20 AM jcache

It's not the fall that hurts it's what hit you that caused the fall or what you slide into. Look at the level of fatalities in GP motorcycle racing and motocross, almost nil.

I have to partly and respectfully disagree with you there, brother. I recently read an article online (if I look hard enough, I can probably find it again) which stated that it is the fall that usually hurts the most and not the slide (not counting what you might end up sliding into I would assume). The reason most GP racers don't get hurt is because of the extreme lean angle most are at when they do fall. They are much closer to the ground when the go down, and the $2k leather and kevlar suits they wear prevent road rash. A rider that is fully upright on the other hand that drops a bike, even at low speeds, is levered into the ground by the weight of the bike at a force of about 2G's. This is why you hear stories about guys going 5-20 mph who dump their bikes and die of head injuries. IIRC it was this type of crash which sparked the whole SNELL certification for helmets.

/wear your helmets and watch out for deer
// RIP and godspeed Larry Grodsky

2006-06-15 06:49:58 AM adminJim


If I see a biker passing slow traffic and coming up behind me I always pull over a couple of feet to let them by comfortably.

What's everyone's problem? Every bike that's splitting is reducing the queue you're sitting in by one vehicle length. Stopping them from doing this is only making the queue longer. 0.o

I would have to say that the issue is that you have misstated things, imo.

A normal back up where I am is caused mostly by lanes merging because of construction, accident, etc. Everyone that goes around and gets to the head of the line backs up traffic that much longer for those that are already in that line as they still have to be in the only lane(s) that are moving. This is why you will frequently see 18 wheelers running side by side when coming up on a situation like that. They are keeping all the self important asshats who don't think they should wait in line and try to move up around everyone who paid attention to the warnings from doing it anymore.

quel

"Response: Traffic authorities point out subtle design flaw in motorcycles.

word...

um, if you have never ridden a motorcycle (i said motorcycle not dirt bike) why dont you STFU since you have no farking clue what your talking about.

/rides a motorcycle
//doesnt think dying is hilarious
///non-bikers have no idea
////im dangerous? i'll shove that cell phone up your ass

Okay, so what causes the most motorcycle/vehicle accidents? Probably when the car doesn't see the bike.

In most cases, that is correct. Sometimes it's the fault of the Biker for riding like a moran.

The safest way to ride is in a group. Most people in cars are looking out for the profile of a car. A motorcycle does not have the same profile and is easily missed since people are looking for cars. Motorcycles just don't register as a vehicle in the minds of some people. Riding in a group makes everyone more visible.

Loud pipes do not save lives. Most cars have excellant sound proofing nowdays. With windows up, A/C on, and jabbering on the cell phone, most people wouldn't hear a 747 flying 10 feet overhead. A good tuned exhaust makes more power and less noise.

I will only ride with people that ride safe. Idiots that pass in the emergency lane or split lanes at highway speeds are not welcome and are told to go elsewhere. It's the minority of idiot riders that give the majority a bad rep. Anyone that wears flip-flops and shorts on a motorcycle deserves what they get.

In thirty years of riding I've been in two accidents. (I don't count the numerous tumbles on dirt bikes). Both times it was the fault of the person in the car. The first accident was on a curve. The idiot going the opposite direction was in my frigging lane. I had to veer into the gutter to avoid a head on collision. It was full of sand so I laid it down. The driver stopped, but as soon as I sat up he took off. I got away with road rash the size of a half dollar and a scraped up motorcycle. This was a block from my house.

The second time this no english speaking no drivers license bearing non insured illegal immigrant put on her turn signal and went into the turn lane. Just as I was about 50 feet behind her she suddenly veered back in my lane. I managed to scrub some speed (was only doing 40), but I still smacked the back of the van pretty hard. I got away with a broken arm, a bruise from ankle to hip and minor road rash. The bike faired pretty well. Bent forks, foot controls torn off, Kick start shaft snapped. And a big ass dent in the gas tank from my knee

I think it's extremely ignorant to say all motorcycle riders are a$$holes and should be killed. If anything, it's stupid drivers in their SUV's and street racers that makes motorcycles as dangerous as they are.
Yes, there are jerks who ride their bikes like idiots... but there are also jerks who drive regular cars like idiots. Like the farker who crashed his Mitsubishi Eclipse into my friend's house going 120 on 95. Or the dumb chick in the Minivan who HAD to change the radio station while approaching stopped traffic at 75 MPH and destroyed my car. If you're going to generalize about motorcycles then generalize about every other vehicle out there... hell, why not just stay home and avoid the whole drama!

I've personally witnessed 5 motorcycle accidents, and everytime was the OTHER driver's fault. One was at Yellowstone... a group on bikes was rolling through enjoying the park when some idiot in an SUV flipped an ILLEGAL U-turn and, instead of looking at the road, was looking at Buffalo and plowed into the group of bikes. Even better, her defense was that bikes shouldn't be allowed in the park.

My husband bought a motorcycle because gas is expensive and because we're living in warm climates. He wears a helmet, jacket, pants, and boots... PLUS a reflective vest. He has been driven off the road by several people who don't like motorcycles and even was run into the shoulder of the interstate by some redneck who thought it was 'funny'. We've been spat on while waiting at a light, have had people purposely weave in front of us to try to cause us to wreck, and have almost been rammed from behind. Yeah, it's always the motorcycle, never the idiots around them.

/sarcasm
//just seems like some of you need help in understanding it

Just shut up and ride. Given the population proportions of cars not seeing motorcycles, and cars not seeing other cars, I'd bet car drivers aren't that bad. Yes, talking on the phone, or some suv-driver that thinks they're driving a sports car does suck, but you shouldn't expect people to look especially hard for you just because you're tiny. You certainly can expect people to do it, i.e., you are allowed to, but I wouldn't suggest it.

Or in other words, I can expect you to suck it, but I really shouldn't. Not the same level, but you see the logic, I hope. The laws of physics are on the cager's side, whether something is done unintentionally, or god forbid intentionally, it's up to you to live through it.

And Moike, feel free to stay in California. While I've never felt more than jealousy for a biker splitting lanes during jams in D.C., your suggestion that one would meet with violence if they were to cross your kind does little to engender respect between drivers and riders.

Wow. Before reading this thread, I had no idea that motorcyclists were such elitist snobs.

Consider me enlightened.

King_of_the_Cows

Wow. Before reading this thread, I had no idea that motorcyclists were such elitist snobs.

Consider me enlightened.

I don't think that's fair, it's a small few that are being jackasses, and some of them were provoked by people implying riders deserve to die.

Please don't stereotype, people are getting way too upset over stupid things on this thread.

ShirleySerious

/just got my motorcycle license
//no crotch rocket for me
///can your SUV get 47 mpg?

I am continually amazed by how poor the fuel economy on motorbikes is. While it may be toward the "good" end of the car scale, it's amazingly poor considering its size, passenger space, and cargo capacity. I had always thought bikes would get at least double that of a small car, but the truth of it is that there are small cars that average better than motorcycles.

Is it just because the bikes all have humongous engines for their size?

King_of_the_Cows
That a pretty broad generalization. Think of motorcyclists like Total Farkers. 90% are really cool people, 10% are total snobs because $5 a month makes them sooo much cooler. Motorcyclists are pretty much the same. 90% of them wave to each other as they pass by. The other 10% are "too cool" to wave. Most of that 10% are the guys with the "loud pipes save lives stickers" while they wear their all black low-vis biker costumes and a novelty or no helmet.

And if it still seems to you like we are all snobs, I think you may be just misinterpreting snobbery for the passion most of us have for the joy of riding.

thepoobahofcool
Remember, this is Fark, where rational thought is prohibited. :)

Plus we all know everyone who advocates violence in this thread is full of idle threats. The anonymity of the internet gives the weak much courage.

thepoobahofcool: I don't think that's fair, it's a small few that are being jackasses, and some of them were provoked by people implying riders deserve to die.

Please don't stereotype, people are getting way too upset over stupid things on this thread.


You know, you're right. In reading this thread, though, it seems that a vocal few(? I didn't count) bikers are responding to a couple of troll comments.

Regardless, it seems like they look down on people who just happen to drive cars instead of motorcycles.

Personally, I drive a car and sometimes ride a bicycle. I recognize the inherent risks and responsibilities of each and try to act accordingly. I don't want to get into a collision or argument with anyone on the road, no matter who is in the "right." It's just not worth my life.

All of the bikers I've met have been really cool, respectful, good riders. WAY better than car drivers. I don't own a bike and I've never ridden one, but their level of attentiveness is WAY higher than that of your average car driver.

Of course, there are still your wheelie popping, Carrie-Ann-Moss-from-the-Matrix-Reloaded-imitating jerkbags. But you get way more of those dinguses in their pumped up civics and the occasional 18 year old in daddy's Porsche.

rivetboy: Does "splitting traffic" mean going between cars in traffic? People who do that deserve to have doors opened on them.

That's what it means, RIVITBOY. Legality in the US varies from state to state. It's illegal more places than legal. I think its legal in CA.

Its a fraking bad idea anywhere, and just begging for severe injury. You won't catch me doing it unless I'm trying to ditch away from something damned scary. I'm not sure I can even think of a reason.

Norad
Ergo, steel wire barriers are designed for the majority of traffic. Cars. Which can carry up to several humans more than the minority motorcycle traffic, and result in a whole bunch of casualties as opposed to a single bike wipeout.

So laws that are harmful to black folks are OK because 87% of the drivers are of other ethnicities?

Bad reasoning, NORAD.

raygundan: ///can your SUV get 47 mpg?

My Prius got 48.7 over the last 1,100 miles. Just about the same as my 05 Ninja 500R. I gotta admit, the Ninja is a load more fun.

fireclown

Ergo, steel wire barriers are designed for the majority of traffic. Cars. Which can carry up to several humans more than the minority motorcycle traffic, and result in a whole bunch of casualties as opposed to a single bike wipeout.

So laws that are harmful to black folks are OK because 87% of the drivers are of other ethnicities?

Bad reasoning, NORAD.

Riding a motorcycle is a choice. BIG difference.

colostomy_bag: They should be subject to the same restrictions as bicycles and banned from high-speed roads.


Troll, right? Because you can't be serious.

Raggot: Does "splitting traffic" mean going between cars in traffic? People who do that deserve to have doors opened on them.

Yeah right, because we had enough sense to buy a vehicle that can get through traffic, uses less fuel, costs less to insure, takes up less road space, produces less pollution and generally speaking allows us to get where we're going without pissing around sitting in traffic jams with retards like you.

Dark-Fx
So here is my tentative Schedule for next year:
Fall 2006:
82860 PSY 2200 R01 1 3.000 Behavior Modification MWF 09:05 am-09:55 am

Please, pay close attention in this class next Fall. It may help you avert your nearly inevitable introduction to the penal system.

When gas hit $3/gal, I changed my attitude about bikes from "only an idiot would ride one" to "hey, only 6 bucks a week for a 40-odd mile commute! Suhweet!"

Not for me, of course, but for Mr. Catsass, who is not nearly as big a chicken as me. Being ALMOST as big a chicken however, he rides encased in kevlar and steel-toed boots, and stays off the highways. He's easy to spot--he's the one in blaze orange with waving flags and the "PLEASE DON'T HIT ME!" sign, doing 30 mph.

The fewer douchebags with loud pipes screaming through my neighborhood at 3AM, the better.

King_of_the_Cows: Wow. Before reading this thread, I had no idea that motorcyclists were such elitist snobs.
Consider me enlightened.

Mmmm. Yes. That's us. Eliteist. Nicely pigeonholed.
As oppose to you, who probably has a mobile living room on wheels full of all manner of electronic gadgetry designed to prevent you from being able to concentrate on actually driving. And surrounded by airbags which gives you the misguided conception that you're a "safe" driver because you know that no matter how retarded you drive, you're likely to be OK in the end.

Raggot: People who do that deserve to have doors opened on them.


Explain why. Because you're stuck and they aren't?
Boohoohooo, everyone should be behind you! You were gonna win at traffic jam!

P.S. Yeah, open the door to your car in the presence of a PISSED OFF biker. I hope you life soft foods and silly straws...

/guy cut me off one
//nearly got in a fight
///yelling, some kicking of his door
////didn't stop me after I was done yelling

Explain why. Because you're stuck and they aren't?
Boohoohooo, everyone should be behind you! You were gonna win at traffic jam!

P.S. Yeah, open the door to your car in the presence of a PISSED OFF biker. I hope you life soft foods and silly straws...

/guy cut me off one
//nearly got in a fight
///yelling, some kicking of his door
////didn't stop me after I was done yelling

How does that old expression go? Two wrongs, something about a right? Yeah.

jayhajj: How would you react if I cut in front of you in queue at the market or amusement park?


You are RETARDED!

In a queue, you're waiting for the people in front of you to be done.
In traffic, you're waiting for it to flow again.
A bike passing by unhindered is LESS TRAFFIC, you inbred moron!

I pull all the way to the side of my lane when I see a splitter coming.

Which makes the traffic WORSE, you idiot!