Is violence ever an option?

[wizzzard]

Iv only been riding since november and in just that short space of time iv lost count of the people who have tried to kill me on the roads.
From white vans purposefully coming from two lanes into one directly at me to some joker driving slowly in front of me giving me the finger and swerving not letting me past.
Iv stayed calm and backed off whenever possible but iv noticed some other riders dont take this stuff quite so well (watched one rider stick his boot in the door of a car that just kept coming over at him).
I know it may be because im on a 125 with Ls on but is retaliation justified when a car tries to bully you.

[L3G3ND_MTX]

Hell yes! beat his doors in, i always carry a brick in my pocket incase they try anything i just throw it through there window, if they attack you on the road dont just take it, kick there doors and windows in throw abuse at them its always good, just make sure your not on a big straight where they can catch up to you and take you out easily unless you have a fast bike

[Bru]

I have only experienced driver rage a few times, but you must appreciate that you are very vulnerable on a bike. Curse all you want, but unless you can get clear safely, it is best to stay back. It may well be the other drivers' fault, but unless you are one of the very few who can honestly deal out (unnecessary) violence, just avoid the confrontation.

[NexusDragon]

I've been avoiding higher speed roads at all costs, until I'm on a bigger bike. My bike is brand new so I've been taking it easy. Any roads 40mph+, cars desperately want to get past me.

I dont have a problem with being overtaken but I'll always recall one particular time when I was overtaken on a country road, 50mph limit. First by a Lotus Elise, fair enough - Then a people carrier overtook me, and finally a Ford Focus tried getting past, only he tried it on a blind corner! He overtook, and just as he got level with me an oncoming car suddenly came around the corner and he had to back off. I shook my head at him in my mirrors.

But the thing is, about a half mile down the road was a major roundabout, the Lotus and people carrier had to stop for traffic and by the time I got to them the coast was clear so I zipped straight past them all! Overtaking doesn't mean you'll get further ahead in the long run though personally riding around town has always been ideal for me.
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DAS Passed 19th April 08. 07' YBR125 > Yamaha FZ6 S2 '08 > 1998 YZF600R ThunderCat

[nynfortoo]

Snapping in anger has potential consequences that far out-weigh any benefits. It isn't worth it, although it may feel good to get revenge.

[Feasty]

I've been riding for 2 and a half years now most of it on my L plated 125 and have never had anyone come at me on purpose. I've had the odd driver try to cut me off and stop me filtering, but nothing very serious and I've always left them far behind in the traffic!

I'd be concerned about your riding skills if you are constantly having people trying to knock you off though!

My moto is to ride friendly/aggressive. I make it very clear where I'm going and what I'm doing by not hesitating and always indicating.
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[wizzzard]

Im pretty sure its not my basic riding skills that are to blame, iv been driving for years so i dont hesitate and i always signal clearly with both the indicators and road position.
It seems more that because im on a small bike and that iv got L plates the drivers in question think they have more right to the piece of road im occupying.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[nynfortoo]

[the grim reaper]

I've always stayed calm on the road but I think if I was ever sure than someone deliberately put my life in danger then I may change my ethos slightly.

There's an old saying, 'Never attribute to malice, that which can be adequately explained by stupidity'. I believe that most people who cause me to swerve or take avoiding action are normally doing it through their inability to drive.

Cheers

Grim
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Adverts don't always work: Remember that advert, where the army are running across the desert and they have a wounded man on a stretcher. They get to a ravine, the bridge is down and a caption pops up that says, 'What are you thinking?'. I don't know about you but I was thinking, 'Christ, I'm glad I'm not in the f***ing army'.

[Polsta]

https://img107.imageshack.us/img107/6328/thefuturefy6.jpg

[Roo]

They're in a car, they can do so much more damage to you than you can to them. If you can't stay calm you're going to get hurt.
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Poking death in the eye with a pointy stick then running away

[Kel]

If your being bullied by a car the best thing to do is let it past or even pull over and stop - you'll be better off if they're disappearing into the distance. Having said that it's not the easiest thing to do when anger kicks in.

I've had cars driving a foot behind me, overtaking when there isn't room to do so, when filtering I've had oncoming traffic aim for me - one time a passenger tried to punch me in the face!

Like others have already said - you will come off worse as they're in a car.

Kel

[mistergixer]

Accidental stupidity will result in me giving oaths and gestures appropriate to the level of stupidity.
Deliberate attempts to run me off the road etc will result in me either damaging their car, or them - preferably them; damaging their vehicle is reserved for when i can't actually get my hands on them.
Generally, people won't get out of their cars to 'settle it in the gentlemanly fashion' of a good bout of fisticuffs because they are cowards.
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Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
Mistergixer's videos on YouTube

[tofu-wtf]

Rule 1 - Never let another drivers actions affect your riding style. If someone wants to be a cock, let them.


Then if they persist kick the F**king door in
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Eagles may soar.............but rats don't get sucked through jet engines!!
1999 ZX6r G1.....it makes me smile

[TheDonUK]

It is acceptable in some circumstances,

If you can remain calm and avoid the red mist that is the best thing to do, but sometimes the action is so out of order violent retribution is the only option.

Before you think about it ask yourself what bike you are on, what they are driving and the levels of traffic and the kind of road, If you are even considering it on a 125 make sure there is an escape route, ie so in heavy traffic filter away fast. If its on the relatively open road you really need to be on at least a 500, but the faster your bike the better, What you dont want is to be anywhere near them after you do what you gotta do.

Mirrors are the best, approach as if you are going to continue the pointless gesticulating and use the OPEN PALM of your hand combined with the speed of your bike to push the mirror the direction you are going. Fists work but you usually get bruising depending on where you hit/strength of mirror.

As i say try to show restraint, you are vaulnerable, but some people deserve damage to their vehicle or person for deliberate attempts at murder (you can tell these when they cut you up within inches of having you off then give you the finger or smugly grin...)

[Pie-Roe]

I've only taken a mirror twice. Once was an accident, but deserved. Guy in a ford moved over to stop me filtering, I carried on because there was enough room by about 5 inches, he sees this and then moves on further. I simply took my hand of the left grip and sped up. Cue my barend smashing, actually cracking and breaking a hole in his mirror. I stop two cars ahead. Turn round. Finger, continue.

Other one was a woman in a 4v4. she was going around 32 on a 40, so I overtook, coming up to a roundabout. (well 70ish metres to go) she then gets angry and slides up the inside to try and cut into the lane, tooting and swearing at me the whole time.Cue me slowing right down and continuing onto the roundabout alongisde her with visor up with the most hateful look I can muster. We exit and she decides shes going to speed up to get away. Dropped a gear, went close beside and punched her mirror as hard as I could. Fucking hurt, but I know I at least cracked it.

I get angry easily. I can admit it, I get cut up at least twice on my way to college every day. Usually just a raise of a hand by the offending driver makes me think meh ok, it's still early and I'm still alive. But if they do it, then don't make any acknowledgement, or even worse swear or flash at me, I lose the plot and generally swear/pull in front, make threatening gestures at them.

I can't say I've had the experience of riding a 125 on L's more than my A2, but I know being on a big black loud bike, people move over more than they do for my friends 250. Generally, it seems drivers think 'that will beat me easily' or 'to ride something that big they must be big themselves or at least very strong minded' so they don't seem to be as bullyish as is described towards 125s a lot.

One time that sticks in my mind, was a friend of mine from college, on his rx100(little old thing?) leading the way in Folkestone up to some traffic lights. Some bitch in a merc blocked his way, deliberatly moved over, so I undertook him and went around, went up close and she moved back to the side.

L plates suck. Get a big bike and hold your presence

Pyro
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Previous: GSF600, FZR600 x2, ZXR750, XT600 Tenere, CB125, CZ125, ETZ 250, ER5, CCM R30, DRZ400, RF600x4, RF900x2, GS500, VTR1000F, 640 SMC, CB250 NIGHTHAWK, GT550x3, GPX750 TE610, CB500, X11x2, SV650, ZING 125, TL1000R,CB250 Superdream, CBR1100XX

[Timmeh]

Smashing mirrors downwards rather than sideways tends to cause more damage, and because the springs aren't bending you can hit it with more force.

I only resort to violence after coming up with a plan though - impulse reactions tend to be risky.
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GSXR400 x2 | '94 RVF400 | '93 TZR125 4DL (again)
20:22:30 BLUEX5: i would love to be forced to undergo a**l plugging with different sizes
20:48:18 Temeluchus: comp you hunk of smouldering homos3x you

[odoliam]

[kitty kat]

I know someone who when on long journeys in summer carries an un-opened can of fizzy drink in his fairing. If when filtering, someone tries to block him, he shakes can, opens it & throws it through open car window. By the time they have recovered the can, which is fizzing everywhere, he has gone
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Enjoy everyday, tell those you love everyday you love them
Life is too short to fall out with people

[MarJay]

[TheDonUK]

[stinkwheel]

That said. Your unspoken road presence DOES do a lot for you. Only comes with a lot of miles under your belt.

I don't get bullied on the road, even on my H100 which is about as small and weedy a motorbike as you can imagine. Quite the contrary, I probably ride more agressively than I should but people DO respond to it.

Practice until you can make someone in a BMW X5 look in their rearview mirror by willpower alone.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Ariel Badger]

Keep your temper, you will live a lot longer.
Saying that I have myself been responsible for the odd outbust of violence over the years but I tend to do it in cold blood and then just get on with life. Seeing red and loosing it is not my way.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[southeastpete]

if you keep getting angry with drivers and never let it out, u will probably go mental!
i agree its often their stupidity, so u kinda have to let it go. but i mostly get angry when they pull over a bit when you are filtering, seeming to have the opinion, "i cant do it, so why should he get to..." at which point a boot to the door a a hand to the mirror is what they deserve. if you just bend their mirror back, and there is no breakage involved, they learn a lesson maybe. they would have to piss me off more for me to break their car on some way...