Hoodlums and road hogs

XJers:

A couple of weeks back my wife was caravaning to New Orleans to pick up a group at the New Orleans airport. They were traveling down the elevated portion of I-10 when they were passed by a couple of guys on sport bikes doing an estimated 90-100 mph.

My wife was second in the caravan, and watched as the riders approached the lead vehicle in front of her, who was passing a slower car at the time. Rather than wait for him to complete the pass, one of the motorcyclists went around him on the left shoulder, and the other went between the two cars, never slowing down! They evidently didn't consider that the actions of one of them could have startled one of the car drivers enough to cause them to swerve into their riding buddy...

About a minute later, my wife said they were passed by a pack of about 20 bikes, again at 90-100 mph, riding 2 and 3 abreast. When they passed her, she said one of them was so close beside her it looked like he was "under" the side mirror on our van. (Anyone ever seen what a good gust of wind on an elevated bridge across a large lake can do to a full-sized van?) At least one of them was doing a wheelie for good measure.

After they arrived at the airport, the driver of the lead vehicle was joking with my wife about it -- asking if she was rehearsing CPR and tourniquet technique in her head like he was.

Then, just to show that obnoxious riding cuts across all motorcycling cultures, this morning, during my morning commute, I was passed by a guy on a Harley with tassles and t-shirt flapping in the wind. Traffic was heavy in all 3 lanes, and he was constantly "braaapping" into the smallest gaps as he wove himself forward. I saw a couple of people have to jump on their brakes as he squeezed in front of them. I'm sure they were saying nice things about him.

How anyone rides is their business, as is the preservation of their skin and skull. But we motorcyclists are still a small enough community that the riding behavior of one rider can color the general public's attitude towards all of us.

Many car drivers already get nervous when when we're riding close to them, thinking we may fall down or crash for no apparent reason. They don't need jerk riders flouting our machines' power and maneuverability by doing X-treme stunts in their faces or showing disregard for their traffic "space".

Someone recently wrote a post about being denied service at a McDonald's drive-thru because they were on a bike. I wonder if that employee had just encountered a jerk biker and took it out on this innocent rider?

Stay safe out there, and try to remember to show a little extra courtesy to our less fortunate neighbors in their cages. I know we often view them as the cell-phone toting, SUV-driving enemy, but I think we'll make more progress as friends than adversaries.

Herb

 

AMEN,

I see this all the time, but most of the riders that I see are on sport bikes and doing wheelies and shit like that. There are times and places to show off, but not going down a highway with inocent people beside you. I dont think that they relize that if they wreck and get run over by a car or truck that its not only there lives that will end or change, but how about the inocent person just trying to go home. There lives will change as well, knowing that they where driving that car that killed a person, or seriously injured them.

Dont get me wrong, I like stunts and fun driving. But there are closed tracks for things like that. I know one of our local Motorcycle dealers accually invite bikers to there place for compititions. Its cool to see them do wheelies (on both the front and back tire). But it is controled. If somebody wipes out, there are paramedics standing buy to help.

I feel your anger,

 

Here here Herb, well said. Wish others would ping their less well behaved brethren.

 

Just last week a kid that's a regular here at our shop crashed his sport bike doing 140 in front of his high school with probably about 50 kids watching from what I hear. Bummer, but you can't really say you didn't see it coming at the same time.

 

Go to the local funeral home and pick up a few business cards. Next time someone does something stupid and you can catch up with them, hand them a business card and tell them you need parts for a bike like theirs.
**** only do this is if you are sure you will not get your ass kicked.****

Or direct them to the local convalescence center to watch a 20 year old blow though a tube.

Sorry but those people really piss me off.

 

As my very good friend, Forrest Gump once said:
"Stupid is; as stupid does!"
Profound.
As hobbyists, with an interest in motorcycles, and the maturity to recognize the abhorrent behavior of others operating motorcycles recklessly; we are shamed and angered when we should be grateful for the joy and happinness motorcycling brings to us.

Higher Power's are always at work.
The Creator does some of his work in very strange and mysterious ways.
Next time you see people doing something crazy, at high speed, on two wheels ...

"Dat-dere iz duh woik huv Da Laud. Da Laud's juzz thinnin'-aud duh herd!"

"Kin ah gits uh Hey-menn own dat!"

 

And they make insurance higher for the rest of us. :x

 

so like when do i get outa first gear..lol

gettin tired of passin hogs at 10k......gonna blow sumpin :lol: :wink: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Its always a few idiots that have to ruin it for the rest of us. I once seen a group of 3 sport bikes going down highway 401 doing wheelies at 140km/h. Thats all fun and games until you fall and get run over by a semi truck. Which by the way are as plentiful on that highway (if not moreso) as you'll find anywhere in the world.



"Stupid is as stupid does"

I've honestly never fully understood what that means. And I've seen the movie at least 3 times. :?