i was riding to work on the freeway and the lady be me was putting on eye liner with the rearview mirror.  she kept on swerving into the other lanes.  i just hauled a** away from that death trap.

Some good advice there Wolfman.  I know what you mean by "watch the head, not the eyes", because the eyes don't always seem to see what's right in front of them.  Back when I first started riding, I spent a lot of time practicing on back roads, due to less traffic.  I was put-putting along at about 40 mph, when I see a pickup on a sideroad to the right, with his left signal on.  I see him look right, look left (I was looking him in the eye, so he should've seen me, yeah right!), and when he looked right again, I knew he was pulling out.  I was already braking when he did, and it wasn't until he was far enough out that I was pointed right at his door that he saw me coming.  His eyes sure got big then though!

Our governor is a motorcyclist.  He founded an annual ride in 2001 "Freedom Rally" to honor troops, fire and rescue personnel.  It was this past weekend, but I was afraid it was gonna rain, so I didn't go.  He also declared the month of May as Motorcycle Awareness Month, to try to teach car drivers to be more aware of motorcycles.  We have alot of billboards asking drivers to watch out for motorcycles.  I don't know how much all this has helped, but it certainly can't hurt.

Yesteday, I was riding along a 4-lane, with a turn lane in the center.  Someone pulled out from my left, turning left, into the turn lane.  I was riding in the fast lane, hubby behind me.  I slowed, figuring she was gonna pull into my lane, but she stayed in the middle.  I eased up to her rear tire and hit my horn, just in case. 

Kevin - glad your buddy is ok.  The bike doesn't look so lucky.

Got to remember there's some of them a-holes that will 'F###' with you just for the he!! of it. They think its funny the one eyebrowed knuckle dragging morons. They dont think about it killing someone. Then theres the one's who ARE actualy trying to make you go down. Double or triple the penalties for causeing ANY kind of motorcycle accident by a cager and it would take the 'fun' out of it for them.

I usualy have my gps on my bars when doing a ride but town runs many times i don't have it. If its open road ill check my speedo, lots of room you know. If its wall to wall cages(rush hour ect) i ride with the flow and don't sweat it keeping a nice distance between the car in front and as much buffer to either side. Tap them rear brakes a lot comeing up on lights and do it sooner then i would in my truck...get their attention.
I stay off my wimpy arsed horn unless i really need it. Ive seen to many 'gut reactions' where folks would automaticly yank their vehicle halfway into another lane when they hear the horn and have'nt seen you.
If i think they have'nt seen me setting back there stareing into their rear view mirror ill beep and flash before passing.(and when i pass i PASS, roll on that throttle!)
Other wise i leave the horn for emergencies. Need to find me a better one then the wimpy arsed beeepp on the S40. No room for an air horn and the 130 decibels ive tried are'nt any better then stock.

Hit a woman? Ill take one hit from a woman, second hit she's going to get slapped. But keep in mind even in todays 'self centered only me world', you get seen hitting a woman your still liable to have half a dozen guys stop to come to her rescue. Especialy if she's cute or got kids visible. Cops are more likely to take her 'versions' of the story as well.
Most states now days she may well be carrying concealed or at least carrying a tazer or mace. Smack her and she has cause to use it against the BIG MEAN MAN.
Either way it ends bad for you. Remember, we already got a bad rep as no good bad arsed drug useing gun toteing law breaking bikers.(add EASY to the women riders)
Like momma used to say, use your words not your fists....lol
Guy on the other hand, well he's SOL as long as he's over 18.

When im out and about i go the extra mile to act polite, open doors, smile ect when in my bike regalia. And i STILL get a lot of folks that wont look me in the eyes, walk to the other side of the aisle in wal-mart ect and act scared of me.
Course i kinda got that for years anyway in my normal togs, im kinda rough looking...lol My ponytail and beard dont help much now either.

Apperance and how you bring it off means much. Most folks are shallow and judge you by your outside, not the real you inside untill they get to know you. And most you never get to know, they just see 'the look'.
No not "THE LOOK!" you get when the ole lady gets miffed at you. Guys know what im talking about.
Maybe babyhog will get hubby to take a pic of her doing The Look and post a pic for those that dont...lol

Wolfman wrote on 08/17/10 at 12:37:22:


Haha, yea, he knows THE LOOK for sure.  A pic just wouldn't do it justice though.. LOL

Speaking of being scary looking....  I work with a guy who rides with a bunch of military veterans.  He's a very nice guy, but with his leathers on, tattoos, scruffy facial hair, do-rag, etc, he can look like a dirtbag.  He told me once he was in Walmart and came upon a little old woman and man.  As he came toward them, the woman covered her purse, like he was gonna grab it from her.  He said he actually turned around and spoke to her, told her he was a nice guy, and that he would be the first to chase someone if he saw someone try to run off with her purse.  He said she apologized and was very sweet!