Motorcycle Rant

[Mtns2Skies]

Alright I know there's a lot of motorcyclists on here and I know I'm going to catch a lot of flak... but here it goes. Y'all rant about 4-wheel caged drivers all the time... but now it our (my) turn to rant back about motorcyclists.

1. Go within a standard deviation of the speed limit. Do you have the open road infront of you? well look behind you, it's probably because you're going 15mph under the speed limit ****ing off everyone behind you. It seems that motorcyclists will go 15mph under the limit or 30mph over the limit. I'm not advocating that everyone has to go the exact speed limit, but keep it reasonable, speed responsibly, or certainly don't go below the speed limit.
2. Just because your tires are in your lane does NOT mean the rest of your body and bike are in the lane. I promise when you're in a turn hanging over the double yellow I'm going to win the confrontation, but riders never seem to notice or understand that most of them is in the oncoming lane.
3. Why do you have the right to block two lanes of traffic when there's 3 or more of you in a group? You're not a biker gang, and even if you are see previous discussion about winning the confrontation.
4. Just because everyone can see your body language does NOT mean you get to direct traffic like a cop. Twice I've had motorcyclists try to un**** a cluster of a traffic situation and they only made it worse, who the hell gave you the authority to start pointing and giving directions to people? You have no more situational awareness than anyone else.
5. Helmets. yeah yeah yeah personal freedom blah blah blah. But you know what? when you get into an accident I don't want to go to prison for vehicular manslaughter because you neglected your own personal safety.
6. Uppity attitude. Motorcyclists always sit around and ***** about other drivers and how they're so far superior and are always on the lookout, well the majority of riders I see are just as ****ty drivers as everyone else, if not worse and they **** me off. It makes me want to give no extra credence or awareness to motorcyclists and they can just deal with the road like everyone else does. You always say that car drivers need to look out more... well you know what? so do motorcycle drivers, constantly cutting people off and just making an ass of yourselves. It goes both ways.

\rant

 

[Half Fast]

Reported. Denigrating a religion.

 

[Sinistar]

Alright I know there's a lot of motorcyclists on here and I know I'm going to catch a lot of flack... but here it goes. Y'all rant about 4-wheel caged drivers all the time... but now it our (my) turn to rant back about motorcyclists.

1. Go within a standard deviation of the speed limit. Do you have the open road infront of you? well look behind you, it's probably because you're going 15mph under the speed limit ****ing off everyone behind you. It seems that motorcyclists will go 15mph under the limit or 30mph over the limit. I'm not advocating that everyone has to go the exact speed limit, but keep it reasonable, speed responsibly, or certainly don't go below the speed limit.
2. Just because your tires are in your lane does NOT mean the rest of your body and bike are in the lane. I promise when you're in a turn hanging over the double yellow I'm going to win the confrontation, but riders never seem to notice or understand that most of them is in the oncoming lane.
3. Why do you have the right to block two lanes of traffic when there's 3 or more of you in a group? You're not a biker gang, and even if you are see previous discussion about winning the confrontation.
4. Just because everyone can see your body language does NOT mean you get to direct traffic like a cop. Twice I've had motorcyclists try to un**** a cluster of a traffic situation and they only made it worse, who the hell gave you the authority to start pointing and giving directions to people? You have no more situational awareness than anyone else.
5. Helmets. yeah yeah yeah personal freedom blah blah blah. But you know what? when you get into an accident I don't want to go to prison for vehicular manslaughter because you neglected your own personal safety.
6. Uppity attitude. Motorcyclists always sit around and ***** about other drivers and how they're so far superior and are always on the lookout, well the majority of riders I see are just as ****ty drivers as everyone else, if not worse and they **** me off. It makes me want to give no extra credence or awareness to motorcyclists and they can just deal with the road like everyone else does. You always say that car drivers need to look out more... well you know what? so do motorcycle drivers, constantly cutting people off and just making an ass of yourselves. It goes both ways.

\rant

Just imagine if you lived someplace like Wisconsin where they are made and only have like 5 months to ride them.

 

[Bob Noel]

Stupid biker tricks (like you posted) pale in comparison to the utter stupidity of people on bicycles.

At least with a motorcycle, they have a chance of escaping an encounter with a cager trying to kill them. Bicyclists act like they have a personal force shield around them...

 

[Cap'n Jack]

My main beef is when they hang out in a cager's "blind spot". The sensors on newer cars may not detect a motorcycle (good thing I looked, too ). I'll do my best to look for a motorcyclist, and they can help me by "sitting" where I can more easily see them.

 

[bnt83]

I'd say on any given day, 80% of drivers can't hold the speed limit for more than a mile.

The other 20% don't know what the speed limit is where they are or aware of being reasonably close to it despite driving the same road every day to work for 20 years and passing by four speed limit signs on the way.

 

[DaleB]

I'd say on any given day, 80% of drivers can't hold the speed limit for more than a mile.

The other 20% don't know what the speed limit is where they are or aware of they are even reasonably close to it despite driving the same road every day to work for 20 years and passing by four speed limit signs on the way.

That's why they need a seeing eye car. They'll hang out in your blind spot so they can "keep up with traffic" while posting on Facebook or texting their hair stylist or whatever the eff they're doing besides driving. You slow down, they slow down. You speed up, they speed up. We call it DWO -- Driving While Oblivious.

 

[Half Fast]

Well, after all, those aren't really limits. More like suggestions.

 

[smv]

Go within a standard deviation of the speed limit. Do you have the open road infront of you? well look behind you, it's probably because you're going 15mph under the speed limit ****ing off everyone behind you.

In my experience, this type of rider is 99.999% of the time riding a very specific style of motorcycle. I do not spend a lot of time behind this type. The raw fuel smell one gets from their poorly tuned noise makers is enough to encourage one to blow by them. It is funny as hell to pass them at Mach 3 on a twisty road then watch them trying to keep up with me on my luxo-barge with the wife on the back...

 

[smv]

Well, after all, those aren't really limits. More like suggestions.

As are the solid yellow lines in the middle of the road.

 

[midwestpa24]

Helmets. yeah yeah yeah personal freedom blah blah blah. But you know what? when you get into an accident I don't want to go to prison for vehicular manslaughter because you neglected your own personal safety.
\rant

While I agree with most of your post, this one for certain. I used to ride, and lived in a state with helmet laws. Now I live somewhere that doesn't, and no one wears them. As an emergency responder, I have seen way too many motorcycle fatalities to ever get on a bike myself again. Every single one of them had one thing in common, a helmet would have saved their life. None were traumatically injured, except for a fractured skull from hitting the pavement.

I believe the laws should state, that if you ride without a helmet, or drive without a seatbelt, you automatically waive any and all rights to damages caused by others.

 

[Rgbeard]

I'm always three standard-deviations above the speed limit when I'm passing a Harley Train in the mountains.

They're never happy.

 

[bnt83]

I'm always three standard-deviations above the speed limit

Some states are so prosecute happy nowadays, it ain't worth it.

Idiots speeding through parking lots, they won't care if the driver is a brain dead 18 YO at the manslaughter trial.

A 10+ year coworker just died on his motorcycle. Pickup pulled out in front of him on a divided highway. Dead at the scene. Pickup driver was arrested at the scene charged with vehicular homicide but didn't mention why they arrested him. Not a word of drugs/alcohol being suspected. Not a word about license status or traffic violations.

 

[Bill]

Alright I know there's a lot of motorcyclists on here and I know I'm going to catch a lot of flack... but here it goes. Y'all rant about 4-wheel caged drivers all the time... but now it our (my) turn to rant back about motorcyclists.

1. Go within a standard deviation of the speed limit. Do you have the open road infront of you? well look behind you, it's probably because you're going 15mph under the speed limit ****ing off everyone behind you. It seems that motorcyclists will go 15mph under the limit or 30mph over the limit. I'm not advocating that everyone has to go the exact speed limit, but keep it reasonable, speed responsibly, or certainly don't go below the speed limit.
2. Just because your tires are in your lane does NOT mean the rest of your body and bike are in the lane. I promise when you're in a turn hanging over the double yellow I'm going to win the confrontation, but riders never seem to notice or understand that most of them is in the oncoming lane.
3. Why do you have the right to block two lanes of traffic when there's 3 or more of you in a group? You're not a biker gang, and even if you are see previous discussion about winning the confrontation.
4. Just because everyone can see your body language does NOT mean you get to direct traffic like a cop. Twice I've had motorcyclists try to un**** a cluster of a traffic situation and they only made it worse, who the hell gave you the authority to start pointing and giving directions to people? You have no more situational awareness than anyone else.
5. Helmets. yeah yeah yeah personal freedom blah blah blah. But you know what? when you get into an accident I don't want to go to prison for vehicular manslaughter because you neglected your own personal safety.
6. Uppity attitude. Motorcyclists always sit around and ***** about other drivers and how they're so far superior and are always on the lookout, well the majority of riders I see are just as ****ty drivers as everyone else, if not worse and they **** me off. It makes me want to give no extra credence or awareness to motorcyclists and they can just deal with the road like everyone else does. You always say that car drivers need to look out more... well you know what? so do motorcycle drivers, constantly cutting people off and just making an ass of yourselves. It goes both ways.

\rant

OOhhhh, shiny spinny lure, cannot resist...

1.) Cruisers vs. sportbikes, pirates vs power rangers, ride in the parade vs slay the corners. Yup, cruisers in general go slow and ride in big long lines of bikes (pirate parade). Sportbikes are usually solo or a very small group, and move fast. Me? I'm on an adventure tourer, recovering (or not) sportbiker, no moss grows on me. I stick to the back roads and ride sighlines, and sometimes those sightlines allow +40 motoring.

2.) Yeah, lane positioning is important. Some don't get it.

3.) See "parade" above.

4.) I've never seen this one, but, yeah, maybe the guy wanted to be a policeman? Or wanted to be in Men at Work?

5.) I tried no helmet the first time I rode in a no helmet state, I put it back on 10min later. I don't see the appeal, but I support personal freedom and the right to chose.

6.) “anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac” - George Carlin

7.) (Yeah, I know there wasn't a 7) Motorcyclist are just like motorists are just like pilots are just like...humanity. Some endeavor to learn well and ride precisely, some don't care, some are jackholes.

 

[Morgan3820]

As a Incipient motorcycle enthusiast, I want to say thank you for bringing this to my attention. Your comments will help me be a better more thoughtful motorcycle rider.

 

[Everskyward]

My main beef with motorcyclists are the ones who lane split when the cars are not either stopped or moving very slowly. I've had riders do it when I am going the speed limit. Also, I don't know of any other state where it is legal. Riders don't realize that some drivers may be from elsewhere and not know to expect it.

 

[danhagan]

As an emergency responder, I have seen way too many motorcycle fatalities to ever get on a bike myself again. Every single one of them had one thing in common, a helmet would have saved their life. None were traumatically injured, except for a fractured skull from hitting the pavement.

I was a "second responder" Working trauma imaging at the Level 1, most of the non-helmeted riders were DOA. Had several that were knocked off and had the bike land on them with a stuck throttle which resulted in a field amputation (two used their own belts as tourniquets and survived). The remainder with helmets were usually quadriplegics, except one that the passenger was ejected into the emergency lights of a police car that pulled a sudden u-turn in front of them ... that one hit shoulder into the lights resulting in the pulmonary artery getting transected and expired as we were working on him.

My main beef with motorcyclists are the ones who lane split when the cars are not either stopped or moving very slowly. I've had riders do it when I am going the speed limit. Also, I don't know of any other state where it is legal. Riders don't realize that some drivers may be from elsewhere and not know to expect it.

Had never seen this until a California trip years ago ...

 

[Morgan3820]

I was a "second responder" Working trauma imaging at the Level 1, most of the non-helmeted riders were DOA. Had several that were knocked off and had the bike land on them with a stuck throttle which resulted in a field amputation (two used their own belts as tourniquets and survived). The remainder with helmets were usually quadriplegics, except one that the passenger was ejected into the emergency lights of a police car that pulled a sudden u-turn in front of them ... that one hit shoulder into the lights resulting in the pulmonary artery getting transected and expired as we were working on him.



Had never seen this until a California trip years ago ...

You second and first responders are taking a lot of the fun out of my motorcycle shopping.

 

[Half Fast]

If you don't think your brain is worth protecting with a helmet, you're correct.

 

[DaleB]

Had never seen this until a California trip years ago ...

Lane splitting -- first time I saw it was out in Maryland. It was pretty common, and I thought just about the stupidest thing I'd ever seen. You're placing your life in the hands of two drivers at a time -- let's ignore everyone in front of them for the moment. What's the statistical probability that at least one of them is an idiot?

You second and first responders are taking a lot of the fun out of my motorcycle shopping.

My wife worked at medical facilities for years. Many of her coworkers referred to them as "donorcycles".

 

[Half Fast]

You second and first responders are taking a lot of the fun out of my motorcycle shopping.

Like spending your time reading about plane crashes while shopping for your first airplane.

 

[Morgan3820]

Like spending your time reading about plane crashes while shopping for your first airplane.

Exactly. Honestly, watching the youtube motorcycle channels is giving me second thoughts.

 

[steingar]

The OP needs to get his airplane back so he isn't so grouchy. Getting laid would probably help too.

 

[Jim K]

I consider myself an avid motorcyclist, and I dont disagree with anything in the op.... @Bill Jennings summed it up nicely.

Like spending your time reading about plane crashes while shopping for your first airplane.

If you dig into the statistics, it's a lot like flying in that if you avoid some simple, stupid things, your chance of getting killed approaches zero. Wear a helmet, don't drink & ride, and ride like everyone else is trying to kill you, and you'll be just fine. Occasionally a deer jumps out of the corn and you're screwed, but most accidents can be avoided. Even when a car pulls out in front of you..... you can see that coming a mile away if you're paying attention.

 

[RyanB]

My main beef with motorcyclists are the ones who lane split when the cars are not either stopped or moving very slowly. I've had riders do it when I am going the speed limit. Also, I don't know of any other state where it is legal. Riders don't realize that some drivers may be from elsewhere and not know to expect it.

That’s what amazes me with every visit to California. We’d be sitting still in wall to wall traffic on the 101 and a few motorcyclists would zip by. Makes me wonder how many accidents are caused by lane-splitters... Seems like all it would take is to clip a mirror or something and they’re knocked out. I’m no motorcycle rider, but it seems like it must take some skill to thread the needle between cars sitting still, while doing 20-25mph in between the lanes.

 

[Flybuddy]

There are buttheads driving cars and flying planes and motorcyclists have their fair share also. A couple of points of understanding:
1) almost any reasonable length motorcycle trip a car will cut off, pull out abruptly in front or pass way too close to a motorcyclist. This has been studied and the reason is that many people, who are generally not 100% alert in their driving (various distractions), will look at a motorcycle but not have it register since their brain doesn't deem it as a threat. A good motorcycle rider has to constantly ride defensively, those that don't wind up as commented by several first responders.
2) 2 or 3 cars will also, at times, block two lanes as many drivers play formation flyer and judge their speed by others keeping anyone from passing. Some motorcyclists will intentionally ride to far left of a lane or block intentionally so as not to have to dodge cars that treat them like they're invisible. Right or wrong, they think they're doing it for safety.
3) Those who both consistently ride and drive will tell you that they are threatened consistently while riding a motorcycle by cars but not so much the other way around.

 

[steingar]

That’s what amazes me with every visit to California. We’d be sitting still in wall to wall traffic on the 101 and a few motorcyclists would zip by. Makes me wonder how many accidents are caused by lane-splitters... Seems like all it would take is to clip a mirror or something and they’re knocked out. I’m no motorcycle rider, but it seems like it must take some skill to thread the needle between cars sitting still, while doing 20-25mph in between the lanes.

Lane splitting is safer than sitting in traffic, sorry. Number one accident in those conditions is a rear end collision. Bikers often don't fare well in those. If you're filtering correctly you're only going 10-15 mph faster than the cars. You'll hit someone if they open their door or change lanes suddenly, but you'll do do at 15 mph, which doesn't hurt much. I split lanes the whole time I live in So Cal without issue.

 

[danhagan]

You second and first responders are taking a lot of the fun out of my motorcycle shopping.

Sorry ... I rode for years, but it got to the point I could only ride on weekends to work as the weekdays no one is paying attention (eating., coffee, makeup etc.). I've been cut off by left turning intersection traffic so many times it wasn't worth counting.

My wife worked at medical facilities for years. Many of her coworkers referred to them as "donorcycles".

Haven't heard that in some time, but I gave up trauma imaging years ago ... got tired of the carnage.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Not that I really disagree, but I’ll give the OP credit for noticing motorcycles.

 

[wrbix]

OP is unfortunately painting all motorcyclists with the broad brush of “cruiser” riders, mostly of American iron.
I agree they do tend to give all riders a bad name.....especially with their muffler deletes.
LOUD PIPES SERVE LIES.
(the lies being all riders are sociopathic noise makers)

 

[Bill]

As a Incipient motorcycle enthusiast, I want to say thank you for bringing this to my attention. Your comments will help me be a better more thoughtful motorcycle rider.

https://www.amazon.com/Proficient-M...show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews

https://www.amazon.com/Total-Contro...lee+parks+total+control&qid=1593452393&sr=8-2

My main beef with motorcyclists are the ones who lane split when the cars are not either stopped or moving very slowly. I've had riders do it when I am going the speed limit. Also, I don't know of any other state where it is legal. Riders don't realize that some drivers may be from elsewhere and not know to expect it.

Lane splitting is safer than sitting in traffic, sorry. Number one accident in those conditions is a rear end collision.

Lane splitting (sharing) is 100% legal in California, and I wish it was legal elsewhere. When I lived in San Diego, I pretty much split everywhere I went, it's a fine way to get around. Although some split at higher speeds, once traffic is going 35mph or so, I'm happy to merge back into the lane and ride with traffic. But, if it slows again, I'm headed for the white dashed line. I still go to Cali every few years for motorcycle vacations, and have no issues splitting even two up with sidebags. The last time I was out, traffic stopped right north of the Golden Gate, and I split the whole way up until it merged into two lanes at KDVO. Traffic then picked up and I merged back in.

No way was I going to sit there inching along in traffic, and as Micheal says, wait to get rear ended by an inattentive phone watching zombie.

 

[Bill]

I’m no motorcycle rider, but it seems like it must take some skill to thread the needle between cars sitting still, while doing 20-25mph in between the lanes.

I rather enjoy lane splitting, it's like the ultimate video game, except it's real.

 

[Ted]

You second and first responders are taking a lot of the fun out of my motorcycle shopping.

As already noted, it's like reading NTSB reports when plane shopping. Really you have to look at it as "What can I learn from these to reduce the risk of it happening to me?"

That’s what amazes me with every visit to California. We’d be sitting still in wall to wall traffic on the 101 and a few motorcyclists would zip by. Makes me wonder how many accidents are caused by lane-splitters... Seems like all it would take is to clip a mirror or something and they’re knocked out. I’m no motorcycle rider, but it seems like it must take some skill to thread the needle between cars sitting still, while doing 20-25mph in between the lanes.

There's a difference between splitting when the rest of the road is moving at speed (that I do not appreciate) vs. when traffic is slow/at a standstill. The latter may surprise you some but it's very little risk to anyone, and makes things safer for the rider.

 

[Tantalum]

You're not a biker gang

Right?! This gets me too.. also, to add to your list: nothing more annoying than finding what you think is a good parking spot only to see a motorcycle in it.. particularly annoying around here where there are purpose designated bike parking spots

stupidity of people on bicycles

these people are the worst. At least people on motorcycles have some semblance of following traffic laws. People on bicycles, forget it.. red lights, green lights, bike lanes, none of it means anything. You'll see some guy in a skin tight suit on an $8K bike thinking he's in the tour de france taking up a road lane and giving everyone nasty looks when they try and pass him.. buddy you're going 25 in a 40

I do have a sweet spot for motorcycles though, my brother had a Ducati 750 and many of my friends ride. I don't mind lane splitting, it frees up more space in the lane and helps with traffic flow imho

 

[Rgbeard]

That’s what amazes me with every visit to California. We’d be sitting still in wall to wall traffic on the 101 and a few motorcyclists would zip by. Makes me wonder how many accidents are caused by lane-splitters... Seems like all it would take is to clip a mirror or something and they’re knocked out. I’m no motorcycle rider, but it seems like it must take some skill to thread the needle between cars sitting still, while doing 20-25mph in between the lanes.

I calculate that I probably have 60,000 miles of lanesharing experience. That's a small portion of my total miles.

It's easier and safer, when done correctly, than it seems to be. (When done correctly, and in a state where it's legal).

 

[Cap'n Jack]

My main beef with motorcyclists are the ones who lane split when the cars are not either stopped or moving very slowly. I've had riders do it when I am going the speed limit. Also, I don't know of any other state where it is legal. Riders don't realize that some drivers may be from elsewhere and not know to expect it.

Good point, although I got used to it fairly quickly after seeing the first few do it, and I figured it was allowed by law or custom.

 

[Rgbeard]

Some states are so prosecute happy nowadays, it ain't worth it.

Idiots speeding through parking lots, they won't care if the driver is a brain dead 18 YO at the manslaughter trial.

A 10+ year coworker just died on his motorcycle. Pickup pulled out in front of him on a divided highway. Dead at the scene. Pickup driver was arrested at the scene charged with vehicular homicide but didn't mention why they arrested him. Not a word of drugs/alcohol being suspected. Not a word about license status or traffic violations.

Now, now. Intentionally omitting part of my words is misleading. I'm surprised you'd stoop to this to make a point.

I only blow the limits to pass the Harley Trains, as it's required at times.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Right?! This gets me too.. also, to add to your list: nothing more annoying than finding what you think is a good parking spot only to see a motorcycle in it.. particularly annoying around here where there are purpose designated bike parking spots

Let me know when you’re in the area...if there are no designated motorcuycle parking spots, I’ll park in the middle of the street.

these people are the worst. At least people on motorcycles have some semblance of following traffic laws. People on bicycles, forget it.. red lights, green lights, bike lanes, none of it means anything. You'll see some guy in a skin tight suit on an $8K bike thinking he's in the tour de france taking up a road lane and giving everyone nasty looks when they try and pass him.. buddy you're going 25 in a 40

Like with motorcyclists, this is a broad over-generalization. Many of us comply with traffic laws, and expect drivers to do so as well. Granted, you won’t see me in a skin tight suit. You’re welcome.

 

[midwestpa24]

You second and first responders are taking a lot of the fun out of my motorcycle shopping.

I no longer ride, but this Youtube channel belongs to a personal friend of mine. You can see just how fast something can happen. He has a wife and several small young children, and came that close.

 

[bnt83]

I calculate that I probably have 60,000 miles of lanesharing experience. That's a small portion of my total miles.

It's easier and safer, when done correctly, than it seems to be. (When done correctly, and in a state where it's legal).

It should be legal everywhere, especially when sitting at a light with the sun one the horizon blinding everyone coming up behind.