Paying attention beats payback every time

dittoalex

dittoalex

Too much lean angle...
A safe rider would have passed cleanly on the left with a throttle roll-on resulting in temporary front wheel vertical adjustment.
 
clutchslip

clutchslip

Not as fast as I look.
Hmmm. I don't think the bird and crashing make a correlation. It's like the rise in tooth paste use leading to longevity. Not really a there, there. If there was any relationship, I would have crashed about seventy trillion times. Full disclosure: I don't do the bird-bike thing, anymore.
 
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Matty D

Well-known member
^^^Really? If you are focused on flipping the bird and otherwise making a point to a motorist, you are not concentrating on riding safely, and you are more likely to crash. You may have avoided it in the past but that doesn't mean you didn't increase your chances.
 
clutchslip

clutchslip

Not as fast as I look.
Matty D said:
^^^Really? If you are focused on flipping the bird and otherwise making a point to a motorist, you are not concentrating on riding safely, and you are more likely to crash. You may have avoided it in the past but that doesn't mean you didn't increase your chances.
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Yes, really. Your skill and mine may not be equal when riding. I never "focused" on giving the finger. Stuff really happens that is different from one's perspective. Thus, we have books to read about other people's experiences that we don't experience. BTW, I don't play in the NBA, because, well, I ain't that tall. :(
 
Dubermun

Dubermun

Well-known member
Hate to say it but when I started riding I almost did the same exact thing. Flipped off an idiot that was five bombing across 4 lanes off traffic to an exit ramp and I (accidently) rode into the shoulder while flipping her off. Saved myself thankfully, never did it again. +1 on the wheelie for safety.
 
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dtrides

dtrides

Well-known member
I never felt flipping anyone off did any good other than ramp up a already bad situation.
I usually just make a comment in my helmet and ride on, not giving what happened a second thought .
I have watched riders ride right off the road as they were so engaged with their thoughts and no longer being present.
My motto? No matter how stupid the people around me are behaving, just steer clear and don't let them rent any space in my head.
DT:ride
 
budman

budman

General Menace
Staff member
dtrides said:
I never felt flipping anyone off did any good other than ramp up a already bad situation.
I usually just make a comment in my helmet and ride on, not giving what happened a second thought .
I have watched riders ride right off the road as they were so engaged with their thoughts and no longer being present.
My motto? No matter how stupid the people around me are behaving, just steer clear and don't let them rent any space in my head.
DT:ride
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:thumbup
 
M

Matty D

Well-known member
clutchslip said:
Yes, really. Your skill and mine may not be equal when riding. I never "focused" on giving the finger. Stuff really happens that is different from one's perspective. Thus, we have books to read about other people's experiences that we don't experience. BTW, I don't play in the NBA, because, well, I ain't that tall. :(
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Huh. Sure, our skill sets are probably different. Not sure what you're on about with the rest of that though...? Regardless of skill, perspective, amount of focus, etc., you're distracting yourself, even for a split second.

Are you skilled enough to drive and text at the same time too? :ride
 
clutchslip

clutchslip

Not as fast as I look.
dtrides said:
........
I usually just make a comment in my helmet and ride on, not giving what happened a second thought .......... just steer clear and don't let them rent any space in my head.
DT:ride
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If you are making comments in your helmet, then you have given it a second thought and rented space in your head. Most mass murders hide their emotions until they blow-up and kill a bunch of strangers. Perhaps releasing some steam is not such a bad thing. We make mountains out of mole hills in our social garden, like using the middle finger. Meanwhile really dangerous gophers may be destroying the whole yard.
 
clutchslip

clutchslip

Not as fast as I look.
Matty D said:
Huh. Sure, our skill sets are probably different. Not sure what you're on about with the rest of that though...? Regardless of skill, perspective, amount of focus, etc., you're distracting yourself, even for a split second.

Are you skilled enough to drive and text at the same time too? :ride
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Apparently you have the same problem as the guy who crashed. Flipping someone off takes less distraction than scratching your nose or turning to see to blend into traffic. Do you stand on your seat and thrust at people, or something? Nuts. The bird is just moving a couple of fingers and an arm for a split second, for gopher's sake! :rolleyes
 
M

Matty D

Well-known member
clutchslip said:
Apparently you have the same problem as the guy who crashed. Flipping someone off takes less distraction than scratching your nose or turning to see to blend into traffic. Do you stand on your seat and thrust at people, or something? Nuts. The bird is just moving a couple of fingers and an arm for a split second, for gopher's sake! :rolleyes
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Ha! Back at ya: :rolleyes

"Less distraction" is still a distraction, and in this case it's one that is easily avoided. (Not to mention that it's about as useful as yelling at a cloud, potentially dangerous with all the road ragers out there, doesn't help public perception of moto riders, etc.)

But hey, it's ok - like you said, different people have different perspectives.
 
bikeama

bikeama

Super Moderator
Staff member
Flip them off and nothing good will come of it. I stopped years ago. Now as long as it can be done safely, at a stop sign works best. I give them the sign of the cross like they are getting a blessing. Look on their face is priceless.
 
Izzy_C

Izzy_C

Well-known member
I used to flip off drivers that did shitty things like cut me off or etc.. but I find maintaining control over my bike with both my hands is key to avoiding their erratic driving, even after they almost hit me.
 
dtrides

dtrides

Well-known member
clutchslip said:
If you are making comments in your helmet, then you have given it a second thought and rented space in your head. Most mass murders hide their emotions until they blow-up and kill a bunch of strangers. Perhaps releasing some steam is not such a bad thing. We make mountains out of mole hills in our social garden, like using the middle finger. Meanwhile really dangerous gophers may be destroying the whole yard.
Click to expand...

Well, I can see your point....thats just not me.
In the moment I might say "holey sh*T" or what ever.
I know what ever is going on with the other driver is not about me , so I don't take it personally, so it doesn't build up.
You are correct though, there are a lot of ticking time bombs out there and all it might take is that finger or rude words for them to justify going off.
I see no good reason to light their fuse.:thumbup
DT
 
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