Tailgaters!

[Caffeine]

Cars LOVE to tailgate motorcycles.   Is this a common thing?   Or do I just notice it more on my bike?  It's always the same thing:  I'm minding my own business on a multi-lane highway, doing about 10% over posted speed limit, and someone decides to get RIGHT behind me...and STAYS THERE.   Plenty of opportunity to pass, but they don't seem interested.  If prevailing traffic is moving faster than me, I am generally in the right lane, so it's not like they can expect me to move to the right, there is nothing there but shoulder.

I was enjoying a nice ride down US1 between Hobe Sound and Jupiter this afternoon, and some guy in a Cadillac stayed right behind me for about 10 miles.   He EASILY could have passed, which he eventually did (and just about cut me off when he pulled back in front of me).

Does anyone else notice this?  Should I be doing something different?   I suppose I could wave them on, but I figure if they want to pass, they will.   I could pull over, but it will just be a matter of 2-3 minutes before the next car gets right behind me...

[raylarrabee]

nothing you can do about it.  Most people tailgate EVERYBODY all the time.  That is just the way they drive:  1 car length off everybody's bumper.  Move over, and they drive like that behind the next guy.  You notice it more on your bike because it's much more of a danger to you, and therefore much scarier, but they do it to everybody.

I will never understand why people drive like that.  The bottom line is that somewhere between 50-75% of mankind is just dumb...and that is a conservative estimate.

[vfrocket]

I notice it, and it really pisses me off. I hate that, just as much as I hate it when they pull up on your bumper at a light.

[Aerospike]

Most people tailgate, but it gets worse if they can see past you.  I'm always tailgated on the bike or in the miata, but it's not so bad in a bigger car.  
Wanna try something fun? Rig the break light to a manual switch (don't disconnect it from the brakes) and give them a bright red in the face if they get too close.

[The Lazy Destroyer]

I always flash the brakes (just enough to engage the lights) a few times when I notice someone too close.  If it is a multi lane road and it has been a good distance without them changing lanes, I'll change for them and get on the brakes and do this:   as they pass by.

I have a few other hand gestures that I reserve for the biggest of idiots...

[RVertigo]

If someone is tailgating while I'm moving down a single lane, I just go slower and slower until they get the hint...  If they don't get the hint, I'll turn on my turn-signal...  If that doesn't work, then I'll slow down more and speed up fast to get them off my ass...

On a multi-lane road, I'll either change lanes and let them go by or slow down so they change lanes...

At lights, I stop about a full car length before I need to...  Slowly if possible.  Then I'll creep forward a little to see if the guy is going to ride my ass...  If they decide to ride my ass, I turn around and give them a dirty look...  Assuming there is time.



I was actually thinking about getting one of those "Stay Back 50 Feet" signs that some trucks have and wearing it on my back.  

[Aerospike]

I'm thinking of doing the LED tail light and place some amber LED that will spell "back off" or something

[RVertigo]

amber LED that will spell "back off" or something

Or maybe "f%$k off"

Actually...  Some of the LED tail lights are cool 'cause you get make them flash a few times when you first apply your break.

[natedawg120]

I live in the new river valley area of VA and I do get some tailgaters but I get less of it when I am on my GS than if i am driving the Jeep.  When it happens when I am on the bike I just tap the rear break enough to light the tail light and  most of the time they get the hint.  I know that some drivers will follow closely, esp on the interstate, if they are comfortable with your speed.  So another trick i try is speed up slightly and normally That puts a nice little gap between you and the @$$ that is tailgating you.

[Grainbelt]

I'm with you on the rear brake thing. A couple of light taps of the brake to get their attention is all it usually takes.

If they really piss me off, I either change lanes or just speed up a bit.

[on2wheels]

I live in canberra - Australia, and the drivers here would be the worst in the country for tailgating. I commute to work on the GS every day and always try to leave at least a 3 second gap between me and the vehicle in front. However, every bastard here sees that as a gap they can squeeze into. So you back off to maintain the gap again and the cycle repeats itself  :x . It also seems the norm that drivers here also speed up when the road is wet   . I can't work them out  :dunno: , they seem to be a breed of their own. It is also sad that this is a world wide phenomenon   .

[groff22]

amber LED that will spell "back off" or something

Or maybe "f%$k off"

Actually...  Some of the LED tail lights are cool 'cause you get make them flash a few times when you first apply your break.

And while their attention is on your flashing lights, you drop a bananna peel... that always does the trick ... and if they don't spin out you always have one less bananna peel in your tankbag. Yep.

[rclz]

Just before you go riding pour a quart of oil into the tip of your exhaust and if they get too close give it a good rev and spit oil all over they're hood.

[Jeppy]

I keep a few rocks in a small bag on my bike. I toss one over my shoulder if they get to close.....you should see how fast the back off and how they freak out. Yes I know I could cause an accident but it will be behind me and not in front of me.....they will think about it next time if they tailgate a biker. :guns:

[on2wheels]

Just before you go riding pour a quart of oil into the tip of your exhaust and if they get too close give it a good rev and spit oil all over they're hood.

My old V8 ute was great for that, it did it automatically. I believe it was a case of broken piston rings. Anyone who got too close I just planted the right foot and the dual exhaust' did the rest  :mrgreen:
Here is a picture of my ute in case anyone is wondering what a ute is.

[daneilah]

Most people tailgate, but it gets worse if they can see past you.

I think that's the biggest problem, the fact that people can see past you makes them very comfortable being right on your tail.  Almost had to run over a squirrel the other week because this lady was so close on my tail I was afraid to brake hard.

I little LED panel with messages.... that'd be cool :mrgreen:

[scratch]

Because our brakelamp is located so high on our bikes, people will get as close as they can as long as they can see the brakelight. Now, I know why Harley has theirs mounted so low.

Also, here's a good idea: http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=c7ed135faa19362eabb33898182a3028&threadid=127656

[Slavik]

here what you need to do.....

flash your brakes, slowly start slowing down and pull over on a shoulder of the road....GET THE F$$ERS LISCENCE PLATE NUMBER AND CALL 911 and thell them that you've been tailgated by this guys for over a mile (or whatever)

there is no reason to risk your life, just because some a$$ likes to tailgate or never learn anything about driving

[Blazinjr]

I like it, I want one.  I bet shipping would be a Buddha Loves You. :lol:


 Mad Max style.

Just before you go riding pour a quart of oil into the tip of your exhaust and if they get too close give it a good rev and spit oil all over they're hood.

My old V8 ute was great for that, it did it automatically. I believe it was a case of broken piston rings. Anyone who got too close I just planted the right foot and the dual exhaust' did the rest  :mrgreen:
Here is a picture of my ute in case anyone is wondering what a ute is.

[Spitfire]

Hmmm, and I thought this just happened in England. Somehow, in a very strange way, it's nice to know it's a world wide thing.

However, how about adjusting your mirrors so you can see rear left and right, just not directly behind you? (Mine seem like this anyway). It may not sound safe, but  I found that if someone was tailgating me my riding became eratic. Now it's a case of 'what the eye don't see won't break the heart' as the saying goes. Only, sometimes when you look round to perform a lane change or something, you kinda jump when you see someone driving two feet behind you. Still, you were riding quite happily before you knew they were there!!

Once I was pushed along the road by a driver whilst at the lights - her car was creeping forward while she was looking out the side window at some cows grazing