Do you get challenged in your bike?

ScottST

Site Supporter
Joined
Aug 25, 2024
Messages
53
Age
61
Location
Indiana
Took my first “longer” ride yesterday. (Bike was smooth and the brakes are FABULOUS NOW).

On my way home, some douche driving a 5.0 mustang pulls up beside me and starts reving his engine (we were doing 60mph).

I give him the “let’s go” sign and he flies off into the distance. Knowing we were traveling on a heavily patrolled speed trap, I was hoping to see him pulled over but not this time.

I was going to give him a “beep, beep” from my newly “tuned” horn (IGOFAR told me about a plastic sticker left on from the factory and sure enough, it was there)

IMG_2492.jpeg

These challenges happened regularly on my FJR and again, I just ignored them.

Do YOU get challenged? I bet I already know the answer.

RIDE SAFE!
 
Only been challenged this way once by someone in a VW GTI while on the highway. I just kept beside him as he attempted to speed past. He never got ahead....

Honestly though, the biggest challenge I have when riding is with myself, trying to keep it legal (or close there too.) I tend not to get involved with other drivers or riders whenever possible. It's just asking for a mistake to happen.
 
ScottST said:
Do YOU get challenged? I bet I already know the answer.
Click to expand...
Challenged, provoked, endangered... (like being cut off, brake-checked, etc...)

Sometimes it actually can be quite fun, like some "dog fight" with another rider on a mountain pass, a well commanded ST1100 never fails to impress there...
Other times its plain dumb endangerment, a squid passing me way too close, way too late, already in the entrance of a back-sweep only to slam on the brakes right in front of me (they have no clue that a +700lbs ST would barely wiggle when hitting them...)

Numberless episodes... beST to STay out of such...
 
I once got challenged by a couple of Ninja 600's at a stoplight. I didn't plan on taking them on, but I couldn't help myself when the light turned green. I even had a passenger. They couldn't catch me until I backed off before I hit 70 mph and that's when they passed me. I think the speed limit was 55 so I figured we had enough fun at that point.
 
One of my funniest ones is I was sitting at a traffic light just 2 miles from my house.
This feller on a HD with his lady friend whizzed by me at the light before I took off - I guess trying to impress her with passing a Honda.
I just wound my ST1100 up and blew by them like they were parked in short order.
When I got to my driveway, I stopped at the end, pulled off my helmet, and when they finally passed by I gave them a big wave and a grin.

And then there was the 'race' between me a dually diesel truck at the BRG one year - with the rest of the group behind just watching in amazement. ;)
It happened to be on 28 south to Franklin - a nice bit of twisties.
I had made the 'unforgiveable' sin of passing the truck - not rudely or even close - but he decided to give chase.
So I would slow down so he could catch up and then take off again.
The riders behind me said it was quite the show all the way to Franklin! :biggrin:

But in these modern days with so much road rage about, I tend to ignore such 'challenges' today.
A dust up behind 4 wheels and 2 wheels will never end pretty for the 2 wheels since the 4 wheels has 'right of weight'. ;)
 
I learned a lesson decades ago when I was still in college. I had the ultimate sports car. It had a fastback, bucket seats, 4 on the floor, rear engine. No, it wasn't a Porsche. It was a 66 VW Beetle. It could do 16 mph in first gear and chirp the tires between 1st and 2nd.

The Mercury Capri came out in 1972 with a V-6 and was a pretty hot car for its time. This Capri had been racing away from every stop light, when I pulled up next to him in the right lane. As we're waiting for the light to change, I revved up my engine, challenging him. I had no illusions of being able to "win", but I thought it'd be fun to see for how many feet I might stay ahead. :D

The light changed and my mighty VW leapt out in front...and got hit in the left front wheel/fender by a pickup truck running the light. I had been so focused on watching the traffic light, that I didn't see the truck that the Capri driver saw.


That was back in the 70s. Now, people running lights is common. The VW Beetle needed the wheel, fender...and entire front suspension replaced. If someone hits me on my bike while running a stop light...I'd probably have to replace me. ;)

Chris
 
TPadden said:
I would check your sarcasm recognition indicator; it's broken. :rolleyes:

Tom
Click to expand...
No sarcasm intended. In heavy traffic it's safer to go approximately with the flow than arbitrarily stick to the posted speed limit.

Maybe things are different where you are, but where I am (central NJ), for example, there's a section of the NJ Parkway posted at 55mph. Traffic moves at 65 or better if they can. Sticking to 55 increases the chance of getting rear-ended. No one would get a speeding ticket at 65. It's just what traffic does. I go with the flow.

On RT 287 and RT 78, posted at 65, normal traffic speed is at least 70, but traffic is usually light enough that 65 in the slow lane is safe. But there again, I go with the flow because I don't like the slow lane because of al the entry/exit ramps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom